Police alone cannot stem city's violence

No one could disagree that the homicide rate in Baltimore, particularly the Eastern District, needs to be reduced ("Homicides rise 70% in Eastern District," Dec. 12). But trying to solve the problem by putting more cops on the beat is treating only a symptom of the greater problem caused by decades of poverty and drugs.

Although I haven't seen the statistics, I would bet that the quality of the housing and schools in the Eastern District is among the worst in the city and that the rates of drug use are among the highest.

It is long past the point when the people of Baltimore should be taking responsibility for this problem, and working to see that people in these neighborhoods have decent housing, education and drug treatment.

So send in the extra cops, but let's also give the people a reason to hope for a better life.

Shannon C. Brown

Baltimore

The uncomfortable truth is that the police cannot do that much to prevent murders.

They can break up drug markets, arrest dealers and keep people with a history of violence under surveillance, but murder is mostly a spontaneous thing. For example, an addict, desperate for a fix, plans an armed robbery, which escalates into murder.

While the police increase their efforts, we should at the same time undertake a comprehensive program to get at the roots of our high rate of crime. This should include not only drug treatment but also getting at the causes of addiction - which are really not all that amenable to reversal by the criminal justice system.

I speak of conditions that give rise to feelings of lack of self-worth, lack of self-respect, a sense of being disrespected by others, hopelessness, feelings of being treated unfairly, alienation from society, etc.

If we can get beyond our anger and fear, we will realize that we don't need to rely solely on the criminal justice system to address violence.

William A. Whiteside

Baltimore

'Magical' campaign won't stop crime

My congratulations to Baltimore Circuit Court Clerk Frank M. Conaway for having both the courage and the good sense to challenge Mayor Martin O'Malley's ridiculous "Believe" anti-drug program ("Circuit Court clerk will run for mayor," Dec. 13).

No effective program can depend on whether or not people believe in it. This is called "magical thinking."

To reduce crime we should vigorously prosecute criminals, improve our schools by teaching reading, math and science instead of self-esteem, and reduce business taxes and regulation so young people have an opportunity to become productive members of society.

Baltimore's government has massively failed to serve its citizens, and no amount of belief can change that fact.

Douglas E. McNeil

Baltimore

CareFirst's attitude seems quite callous

At first, the package of bonuses offered to CareFirst CEO William L. Jews and to other executives as a key component of the sale of the nonprofit health insurer to WellPoint Health Networks Inc. seemed somewhat extreme ("CareFirst bonuses defended as 'fair ... compensation,'" Dec. 13).

But upon reflection, it occurs to me that "$39.4 million in bonuses, severance and tax benefits" to Mr. Jews, which in his mind is "fair and reasonable compensation in a competitive marketplace," is really only a bit more than the cumulative total of my own salary ... for the next 1,000 years.

Seems fair to me.

William Jones

Baltimore

William L. Jews' position seems incredibly callous and insensitive, especially since he heads a nonprofit organization and has been well-paid (perhaps overpaid) as CEO.

And who would ultimately pay for the proposed bonuses? Certainly WellPoint would recover its investment from those of us who pay for CareFirst coverage.

Robert G. Smith

Chestertown

Nothing 'lackluster' about Cummings

The Sun's editorial about the "lackluster performance" of Rep. Elijah Cummings surprised me ("Will black voters be heard?" Dec. 15).

As a constituent of Mr. Cummings who lives in Bolton Hill, I think his performance, as well as that of his staff, has been superior. He is intelligent, articulate and responsive. And I find more truth and wisdom in a simple statement from Mr. Cummings than in all the rhetoric of the Bush administration.

Elwin Guild

Baltimore

Sliding down a slope toward theocracy

In deciding to punch a huge hole in the wall separating church and state that has served this country well for the past 200 years, President Bush is steering this country toward the slippery slope that ends in theocracies such as Iran and Afghanistan's Taliban government ("Faith groups get boost in Bush order," Dec. 13).

Why can't religious organizations use donations from members to fund their charitable activities?

Mr. Bush doesn't care about delivering social services; he wants to boost the funding (and power) of religious organizations. It will be up to Congress, the court system and the voters to defeat the obnoxious acts of this theocratic leader.

Any connection between government and religion is dangerous. Hasn't history taught us anything?

David Condo

Baltimore

Bush is right to rattle the nuclear saber

Fifty-seven years ago, a Democratic president of the United States gave the authorization to drop the first nuclear bomb detonated in combat. Many American lives were saved by that act. And for 50 years, it served as a deterrent to an attack on our country.

Now another president has indicated he will not hesitate to repeat this action should it become necessary to defend this country ("U.S. hints nuclear response to attack by hostile country," Dec. 11).

The Neville Chamberlains among us will decry this threat. Fortunately, they will be in the minority.

We must remember America first and the motto that appeared on an early flag: "Don't tread on me."

Richard L. Lelonek

Baltimore

Arrogant approach won't defeat terror

We are doomed to lose this "war on terrorism." Yes, we may win the battle in Iraq; yes, we may win the battle against North Korea to come; and yes, we may win the battle against Iran that will surely follow.

But the number of people who will want to see the end of our pre-emptive nuclear policy and our war for world domination will expand. And we can't fight everyone and win.

We need to change our foreign and domestic policies to reflect the fact that we understand we do not deserve to be the one nation on Earth that owns and controls everything.

But first we have to come to that realization ourselves.

Michael Meehan

Joppa