9/11 trials defy rules for due process

The announcement by the Pentagon that it has charged six "high-value" detainees at Guantanamo Bay for crimes related to the 9/11 attacks raises yet more questions about the United States' conduct in the "war on terror" and its brand of justice ("6 detainees charged for 9/11," Feb. 12).

Can we really consider it a fair trial if the best the detainees can hope for is a lifetime locked in Guantanamo Bay prison?

Can we really say justice is being carried out if the defendants will not be able to speak to their lawyers in private and evidence obtained through torture will be admissible?

In addition, the government will be seeking to pursue the death penalty against these men through a military commission system that fails to meet internationally recognized standards for due process.

The U.S. government should pursue justice for the victims and survivors of the 9/11 attacks and security for its citizens within a framework of respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Failure to maintain this balance will result in further erosion of the country's standing in the world, and deal another serious blow to the quest for justice for the crimes of Sept. 11, 2001.

Folabi K. Olagbaju

Washington

The writer is direct of the Mid-Atlantic regional office of Amnesty International USA.

Warnings of attacks an election-year ploy

You know we're approaching election time when President Bush sounds the alarm about the prospect of an imminent terrorist attack ("President warns of fresh attacks," Feb. 14).

Recall in 2004 when, as Mr. Bush was in a tight presidential race with Sen. John Kerry, we were treated to frequent color-coded alerts that were aimed to instill fear in the American people.

Then recall how those alerts have all but disappeared ever since that election.

But in trying to persuade Democratic members of the House of Representatives to support the version of legislation that would renew the surveillance law that Mr. Bush supports, the president said, "At this moment, somewhere in the world, terrorists are planning new attacks on our country. The goal is to bring destruction to our shores that will make September the 11th pale by comparison."

New attacks being planned somewhere in the world? How can that be?

Isn't part of Mr. Bush's current rationale for continuing his war in Iraq predicated on his mantra that if we fight the terrorists there, we won't have to fight them here?

Why, then, should we fear that terrorists elsewhere are planning an attack?

Which is it, Mr. President?

Steve Charing

Clarksville

Using vague threats to curb our liberties

Call me a conspiracy theorist if you please. But as the saying goes, "Just because you're paranoid does not mean they're not out to get you."

And I found The Sun's article "President Bush warns of fresh attacks" (Feb. 14) appalling.

I think these "fresh attacks" are no more real than the weapons of mass destruction that did not exist in Iraq when he invaded that country and began this senseless war.

Once again, Mr. Bush is peddling fear of the non-existent in an attempt to further reduce our civil liberties.

Karen Holloway

Pikesville

Drug plan helps fill the hole in coverage

While Congress has failed to close the "doughnut hole" in the Medicare prescription program, kudos are in order for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Del. Peter A. Hammen and Gov. Martin O'Malley for crafting an initiative to help seniors pay for their prescriptions ("Help with medicines," Feb. 15).

The infamous doughnut hole is the amount between $2,510 and $5,725 in annual prescription costs at which seniors without other coverage must pay for the full cost of their prescriptions.

CareFirst, a nonprofit organization, has stepped up to pay for a $7 million-a-year program to help seniors pay for prescriptions in this cost range.

Good Job, CareFirst.

Jake Mohorovic

Dundalk

The writer is a former member of the House of Delegates.

Blaming the guns skirts real problems

The loss of young life at another education facility is horrific and a terrible tragedy ("Clear record, unclear motive," Feb. 16). We need to look inside ourselves and our community and ask: Why?

The immediate response is a call for tougher gun laws. But we have many gun laws on the books now. Would more help?

Calling for tougher gun laws is the easy answer. It allows people to ignore the real problems, such as why so many of our young people are on medications that alter their perception of reality.

These medications are themselves an easy answer for children with problems.

But where were their parents? Did they raise their kids or did some day care operation?

It is time to take a hard look in the mirror and look at how children are being raised and stop trying to avoid the hard questions by taking the easy way out and calling for tougher gun laws.

Mark Johnson

Baltimore

Shooting games foster real killings

One of the victims of the Northern Illinois University shooting looked just like my son, who is a sophomore in college ("Shooter kills 5 on Ill. campus," Feb. 15).

Thankfully, he is here in Maryland. But I could not help but be shaken.

I think such shootings are stimulated by the unfeeling mass killings young American men and boys often engage in through video shooting games.

When will we wake up as a society and ban the extreme forms of those games as behavioral pornography?

If we don't, and if we continue to have very liberal gun laws, the litany of carnage in universities and shopping malls surely will continue.

How can we call them senseless tragedies when we can see them coming plain as day?

Peter T. Jenkins

Washington

Former prisoners create safer streets

I was so glad to read The Sun's article on Operation Safe Streets ("Paving 'Safe Streets,'" Feb. 11).

I congratulate and thank Donte Barksdale, Jerrod Lewis, Tard Carter and their co-workers for all that they are doing to try to save the lives of so many young men who are caught up in the drug scene and in gangs.

I congratulate and thank too Mayor Sheila Dixon, city Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Phil C. Leaf and all of the members of their staffs for giving former prisoners the opportunity to work at a job that energizes them and helps them to contribute to the community.

As a former prison chaplain, I know that many people who are in prison have changed their lives and want to pursue positive activities.

I hope employers will believe that prisoners can change and give ex-prisoners a chance to use their knowledge and skills in a positive way that will benefit not only their own families and themselves but also the larger society.

Sister Delores Chepiga

Baltimore