Waste disposal plan compromises rights of state's...

Waste disposal plan compromises rights of state's farmers

The Sun's article on the state's proposed new manure disposal plan is missing one crucial viewpoint: that of the farming community ("Poultry firms assail manure disposal plan," Aug. 10).

The article implies that the new plan will help farmers. But, make no mistake, Maryland's farmers are completely opposed to this illegal regulatory scheme.

Poultry farmers consider their poultry litter a valuable commodity. This proposal would take it away.

Farmers are independent businessmen. This proposal would take away their independence.

The state has always been required to prove pollution has occurred before shutting down a business. This proposal would take due process away from the farmers.

The article also completely ignores the fact that farmers are already subject to a 1998 law that mandates nutrient management plans.

Under this law, the state's Department of Agriculture carries out enforcement actions and inspections and there are fines for non-compliance.

The new and different standards from the poultry company police envisioned under this proposal are unjust. And worse -- they will achieve no additional water quality protection.

This proposal simply allows state officials to achieve through regulation what they could not find support for in the General Assembly.

It is a violation of the good faith effort of legislators from across the state, farmers and many environmentalists, who in 1998 worked diligently to develop a practical plan to improve water quality.

Stephen L. Weber

Randallstown

The writer is president of Maryland Farm Bureau Inc.

Venezuela's president just defends his country's interest

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is visiting other OPEC member-countries ("2 key OPEC countries oppose return to lower oil prices," Aug. 8). This is absolutely understandable, because Venezuela is a member of OPEC and oil is a great natural asset of Venezuela.

Mr. Chavez's most important obligation is to serve the interest of Venezuela; thus he is trying to secure the most favorable market for his country's oil.

Yet some American newspapers seemingly are upset, saying that Mr. Chavez is "left-leaning."

Although it is not clear what those newspapers want to tell using that adjective, President Chavez should serve the best interest for Venezuela, even if some U.S. newspapers do not like it.

Alec Kecskes

Kensington

Aggressive truckers pose danger to other drivers

The Sun's article "Routine ride is overtaken by truck rage" (Aug. 10) was almost unbelievable.

Michael Eck, who was pushed down the road for 12 miles by trucker James Trimble naturally condemned Mr. Trimble's actions but, as a truck driver himself, hastened to say such actions were in contrast to the way other truckers drive.

That's not quite true. I don't want to condemn truck drivers as a group, but in my recent travels on the road I have, time and again, experienced tractor-trailers tailgating me and wanting me to get out of the way -- even when I am traveling more than 70 miles an hour.

Whatever happened to the different speed limit for truckers, which was usually 10 miles per hour less than for cars?

I have read that on a percentage basis, truckers have fewer accidents than auto drivers. That may be true. But when there is an accident between an auto and a truck, who is likely to suffer injury?

John Mote

Baltimore

Lieberman's selection: opening up opportunities . . .

Kudos to Al Gore for selecting Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman as his running mate.

In the future, this choice will encourage other politicians to pick a member of a minority group to run for a high public office.

Joseph Lerner

Baltimore

. . . or exploiting Jews for selfish, political gain?

Al Gore's recent selection of Sen. Joseph Lieberman as his running mate is being hailed as some sort of liberation for Jewish politicians.

I beg to differ. This is just another attempt by the Clinton-led Democrats to gain the Jewish vote for Hillary Clinton's run for the New York Senate seat and in other races.

Let's hope the Jewish community sees through the smoke and mirrors and votes to restore integrity and values in the White House.

David L. Buckingham

Maryland Line

Furor over VP nominations won't last until November

It's a good thing vice presidential nominees are selected during the news-starved period between the primaries and the conventions, as it gives us something to talk about when nothing is really happening. But they don't matter in elections.

Recent evidence includes 1988, when Michael Dukakis selected Lloyd Bentsen. Mr. Bentsen had gravitas, as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, an elder statesman of the Democratic party and a Southern conservative.

George Bush picked Dan Quayle. The press slapped Mr. Quayle silly. Mr. Bentsen slapped Mr. Quayle silly in the debates -- and none of it mattered. Dukakis/Bentsen got slammed by Bush/Quayle.