Politics didn't cause ouster of attorneys
I was deeply troubled by The Sun's editorial "Politicizing justice" (Feb. 18).
Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty was forthcoming and clear when he told Congress that the recent dismissals of U.S. attorneys were "performance-related." He was speaking under oath.
For The Sun to suggest that this explanation is "pure poppycock," when it has no knowledge of the substantive facts and the process involved in making these decisions, is irresponsible.
Mr. McNulty is a man of his word.
The U.S. attorneys in question were dismissed because of specific concerns related to their performance.
The department has chosen not to discuss these concerns publicly out of deference to the individuals in question. But the Senate Judiciary Committee has been fully briefed on the underlying reasons for their dismissals in a closed-door session.
And this administration has a strong track record of ensuring that U.S. attorney positions are filled by those who will serve their districts with the utmost integrity and a careful application of the law.
Tasia Scolinos
Washington
The writer is director of public affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice.
Poll shows soldiers ready to leave Iraq
In criticizing the non-binding resolution recently passed by the House of Representative opposing the president's "surge" in Iraq, Cal Thomas wrote that there are "no opinion polls of military and civilian workers in Iraq" ("Resolution shows their lack of resolve," Opinion * Commentary, Feb. 21).
He goes on to quote two correspondents of his who opine that opposition to the war is hurting morale by sending the message that the troops may not be allowed to remain to finish the job.
Mr. Thomas presumably believes that these two sources are somehow representative of all the troops in Iraq.
He is either mistaken or he has conveniently chosen to ignore a Zogby poll conducted in early 2006, and published in Stars and Stripes, which indicates that 72 percent of the U.S. troops in Iraq polled believed all troops should be pulled out of the country within the year.
Of that 72 percent, 29 percent said the troops should be withdrawn immediately and 22 percent felt troops should leave within six months.
Only 23 percent of the sample said troops should stay in Iraq as long as they are needed.
And I can't believe that the majority of American troops in Iraq have experienced a dramatic change of heart in the last 11 months.
James R. Moody
Catonsville
Take stronger steps to end a failed war
I was heartened to read Dan Rodricks' column "Clergy speak on Iraq war: 'Enough is enough'" (Feb. 22).
As someone who is involved in the anti-war movement, I have often felt that the clergy have not acted forcefully enough against the war.
There have been words from religious leaders and religious groups that have protested and marched. But there has not been enough urgency or outrage.
Finally, church leaders appear ready to take a bolder stance. I hope they will engage with and support the anti-war movement with real action.
Words are not enough.
As the column notes, Jesus became angry and turned over the tables in the temple.
It's time for church leaders and the anti-war movement to become truly angry and turn over the tables.
Elaine Andrews
Columbia
Congress forgets the cost of freedom
Has our Democratic-led Congress forgotten that all the freedoms we now enjoy in America came at a high cost ("Democrats drafting new Iraq measure," Feb. 23)?
Freedom costs pain, suffering, separation and bloodshed. It has always been that way.
We won earlier wars against very powerful enemies because we did not give up. We did not back down. Our cause was just.
Let us not lose sight of our goal today: maintaining our freedom to live the life we were created to live and enabling others to have that freedom.
I admire our president's staunchness, courage and bravery in these distressing times.
Let us pray for him.
Jean Testerman
Ellicott City
Early voting will add to our polling woes
Why is Maryland considering a constitutional amendment to permit early voting ("Senate passes early voting," Feb. 21)?
We had enough problems in the last election without adding an additional level of complication to the electoral process.
Have all the problems with the voting machines been corrected? Will election judges be present at all polling places, even on the newly added voting days?
Will technical support be available to correct problems with the voting machines on the new voting days?
Will the ballots be properly secured until all voting is completed?
Will results be kept confidential until voting is completed? How will voter identification be conducted and controlled?
And why will early voting only be permitted in select polling places? Will some voters be favored over other voters?
That sounds like an opportunity for discrimination to me.
This constitutional amendment has not been thoroughly thought through.
It could increase the state's existing voting problems.
The state legislature needs to reconsider this idea.
Erin Holiday
Odenton
Manual vote count only real safeguard
As long as crooks, thieves and liars with money are nearby, the electronic voting method will be an unreliable farce ("Senate passes early voting," Feb. 21).
Let's bring back the paper ballots and count them manually with volunteer members of both parties present.
Caroline Carson Mintzer
Abingdon
Razing ruins a relic of black history
You would think that Mercy Medical Center could have at least waited until Black History Month had ended before destroying the St. Paul Place rowhouses, which were a very significant piece of black history in Baltimore ("Historic rowhouses make way for hospital expansion," Feb. 25).
No monumental hospital tower can make up for this insult.
The arrogance of this institution amazes me.
Barbara Gilmour
Towson
Legacy of slave trade still imposes costs
The comments on slavery by the writer of the letter "It's foolish to focus on Obama's race" (Feb. 17), who urged an African-American political scientist to "Get over it," were disrespectful and show a true lack of humanity and understanding of the historic and systemic consequences created by the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
This crime is one from which most in the black community still suffer.
And, deny it if you must, but racism and white supremacy are still a definable and prevalent part of every fiber of this society.
Olatunji Mwamba
Baltimore