Violent video games can poison values
How many theories will emerge concerning the "why" of the Browning family tragedy before we have any peace or guidance about the future safety of American families ("The search for 'why,'" Feb. 9)?
From Columbine to Cockeysville, we have seen a steady decline in individual and family values in this country.
As we sort through the contributing factors, can we please focus on a phenomenon that has been around only relatively recently - as opposed to guns, which have been around since the founding of our nation?
That phenomenon is the numbing, desensitizing, anti-social, anger-and-frustration inducing, addiction-inviting video game.
While I am not suggesting that Nicholas Browning committed the crime he is accused of as a direct result of playing video games, I certainly will stand by this conviction: We have made it far too easy for children and teens, to say nothing of adults, to leave traditional reality and enter a world with ever-improved technology and ever-more realistic graphics in which torture and killing are rewarded by moving ahead to the "next level."
Is it possible that even such noble activities as participation in the Boy Scouts, church involvement, team sports and academic achievement cannot counter the negative influence of violent video games and of a culture that endorses them?
Myra MacCuaig
Towson
Tragedy a reminder to secure our guns
Families and individuals should be educated and trained about the use of a gun before bringing one into the home - especially a home where young people reside ("A gun in the house," editorial, Feb. 5).
The safe storage of guns should be of prime concern to all of us - so that guns cannot fall into the wrong hands or into the hands of children.
It's time for all Americans to become aware that the purchase of a firearm brings with it a serious responsibility - to make sure the gun is not used in ways that result in deadly consequences.
John A. Micklos
Baltimore
Steiner enlightened us on local issues
I want to add my voice to the many who think it is a mistake to drop the Marc Steiner Show from WYPR ("Dispute over Steiner's firing continues on-air," Feb. 6).
I have lived in several parts of the United States, and the Marc Steiner Show is the best local program I have encountered.
It is in local politics that people's votes can really make a difference, and it is from the pool of local politicians that state and federal politicians are drawn.
Yet more and more, our newspapers and TV shows cover more general issues, and it is becoming harder to be well-informed about the local situation.
The Marc Steiner Show did a wonderful job of helping us to do that.
I can't imagine that I will consider its replacement an improvement.
Mary Purcell
Baltimore
Don't lose faith in public radio
Much has been written about WYPR's decision to end the Marc Steiner Show and to sever its relationship with Mr. Steiner ("Dispute over Steiner's firing continues on-air," Feb. 6).
It is true that Mr. Steiner's show provided a much-needed forum for discussion about many of the critical issues facing Baltimore today and gave voice to many who too often have no forum in which to express their opinions or have their stories heard.
However, all of us who have had the good fortune to be listeners of WYPR since it was sold by the Johns Hopkins University and reborn need to understand that for WYPR to continue to grow and evolve and serve the broad constituency it does, the station's board and management must make sound decisions about running the station, and that these decisions are often complicated.
The members of the board of WYPR are smart, thoughtful people who are committed to a better Baltimore and to a strong and growing public radio presence in the region.
Many of them have devoted substantial time and personal resources to improving the quality of life for those in Baltimore who are often under-served and unheard.
I believe the board members have been excellent stewards of public radio in Baltimore.
I am confident that they remain committed to finding a forum for the voices and issues Mr. Steiner so eloquently brought us these past 15 years.
Let's give them an opportunity to do this as they continue to act as stewards of this gem of a public radio station.
Marilynn K. Duker
Baltimore
Squandering money on phony security
The Sun's editorial "Security at whose expense?" (Feb. 8) really hit the nail on the head.
Now, in addition to giving up our liberties, our president is asking us to give up many of our comforts and necessities, in favor of his money-guzzling, irrational national security programs - none of which can guarantee our security in the long run.
I can't believe that Congress would even consider this.
But given its past performance, that is entirely possible.
Doris Rausch
Ellicott City
Rhetoric clouds reality on illegal immigration
Columnist Cynthia Tucker has begun to sound a bit like a broken record with her predictable attacks against opponents of illegal immigration.
In her latest column, she claims that the success of Republican candidates Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor, and Sen. John McCain is evidence that public opinion has drastically changed on the issue ("Mean-spirited foes of illegal immigration pushed to the side," Opinion Commentary, Feb. 11).
The reality is that both candidates modified their position to emphasize border security first, and neither one has drawn attention to the more liberal aspects of his own position.
Ms. Tucker also offers no evidence that the immigration issue has been a decisive factor in the success or failure of any of the candidates.
I also find it ironic that Ms. Tucker seeks to portray her adversaries as "mean-spirited" when she devotes so much space in her columns to personal attacks and name-calling.
The term "Know-Nothing" is a particularly odd way of describing opponents of an immigration bill that senators crafted in secret meetings and sought to pass with no public debate, hearings or consultation.
The truth is that the vast majority of the people who opposed the McCain-Kennedy bill have no personal animosity toward Hispanics and would support immigration reform - after real border security has been established.
But, unfortunately, it seems that Ms. Tucker has become much more interested in launching personal attacks on the character of her political opponents than in seeking the "moderation" she claims is needed.
Brad Carter
Baltimore
What a precious headline on Cynthia Tucker's Monday column: "Mean-spirited foes of illegal immigration pushed to the side."
Foes of illegal immigration?
Call me old-fashioned and mean-spirited, but I'm a foe of murder, kidnapping, wife-beating and just about anything else that is against the law - including illegal immigration.
A. M. Lloyd
Bel Air
It's high time that we kick all the illegal aliens out of this country ("Immigration issue grows," Feb. 9).
I didn't serve in Vietnam to sit still while our country is overrun by illegal immigrants.
All of the politicians who facilitated this godawful mess should be kicked out along with them, and all the companies that hire illegal aliens should be run out of business.
The influx of illegal immigrants is the worst thing that has happened to our country since the ongoing invasion of illegal drugs.
A country that refuses to defend itself falls, and deserves to fall.
Blaine Taylor
Towson
There is no doubt that something needs to be done about our immigration problem.
But there seems to be little chance of real discussion because of the hysteria that is being whipped up by incorrect information and messages of fear.
It would be very helpful if everyone would step back, take a breath and let a more thoughtful discussion begin.
We can be a lawful people and at the same time a considerate and compassionate people.
Hysteria is a weapon of fundamentalists and terrorists.
Thoughtful discussion is truly American.
The Rev. Al Buls
Timonium
The writer is a retired Lutheran minister.