December 17, 2001
Dan Rodricks' column about Peter Angelos' compensation suit in the tobacco settlement omits the fact that there is an embargo on the tobacco funds until this suit is settled, which stops programs from using this money for Maryland citizens ("Angelos and his `suitcases' need to know when to pack it in," Dec. 7).
One program that will stop on Jan. 1 is the Maryland Digital Library, which is being heavily used in all academic libraries in the state. Community college students especially benefit from the electronic databases, which have helped students do 2.3 million searches and 1.9 million downloads of journal articles and e-books.
When MDL shuts down, the state will lose some hard-fought arrangements with information vendors, which will be difficult or impossible to negotiate again.
Other important technology projects are also waiting for the embargo to be lifted, but the Maryland Digital Library is one of the most positive, technology-based higher education activities in Maryland. And we are on the brink of having it hit by a briefcase full of legal arguments.
Eleanore O. Hofstetter
Towson
The writer is library director for Towson University.
$500 million settlement still too much to pay Angelos
Dan Rodricks is right in calling for a settlement of the ridiculous $1.1 billion fee dispute between Peter Angelos and Maryland ("Angelos and his `suitcases' need to know when to pack it in," Dec. 7).
However, his suggestion of a $500 million payment is grossly excessive in light of the relatively small amount of work completed by Mr. Angelos and his law firm.
In a very similar case in Wisconsin, lawyers seeking an $847 million fee eventually settled for $75 million.
Jeff Hooke
Chase
The writer is co-founder of Project $1.1 Billion Recovery, a citizens group opposing a large legal fee for Mr. Angelos.
Media bias obscures Israel's terrorist acts
The writer of the letter "Continuing violence costs Arafat all his credibility" (Dec. 10) reflects the influence of media bias when he condemns the "onslaught of attacks on Israelis by radical Palestinians" but fails to acknowledge the terror Israel commits daily not only through assassinations of Palestinian leaders but attacks on stone-throwing children.
Is it not a terrorist act to build settlements on the best lands of the West Bank while crowding 80 percent of its populace onto just 20 percent of the land? Is it not a terrorist act to blow up the homes of families whose children are accused of throwing stones at invading armies?
When the media is brave enough to enumerate the many acts of terrorism Israel commits against the indigenous people of that area (backed by American tax dollars), maybe the writer and other Americans will insist we not only look at Palestinian leadership but Israel's as well.
LaSandrarita Caldwell
Baltimore
We won't tolerate another Holocaust
Islam must understand one thing: America will not tolerate another Holocaust of the Jews.
Harold Screen
Baltimore
Gregory Kane is right: Terrorists deserve no rights
Gregory Kane's column "Terrorism suspects don't deserve a break" (Dec. 8) is right on. These civil libertarians have had their noble heads in the sand since Sept. 11.
My advice is to wake up and witness the devastation beneath the pile at the World Trade Center.
Tom Korpela
Forest Hill
Would that someone would listen to what Gregory Kane is saying. Enough about the rights of others, especially if they are criminals killing our innocent civilians.
I would bet the so-called civil liberties groups would have defended Hitler, saying he had rights, too. It makes you wonder.
Kathy Riley
Baltimore
Supreme Court overturned Lincoln's use of tribunals
To justify using military courts to try civilians, proponents note that during the Civil War President Lincoln used military courts to try civilians.
Indeed he did. But the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in 1866 that neither Congress nor the president had the power to try civilians in areas remote from the war. Several men condemned by military courts were then set free.
Martin McKibbin
Owings Mills
Why limit jurisdiction of military tribunals?
The efficiency of military tribunals reserved for al-Qaida members and others known to be guilty should not be limited to foreigners. American criminals do not warrant the safeguards built into our judicial system any more than they do.
The governor of each state could be empowered to establish secret commissions to which the police might refer rapists, murderers and thieves, ensuring them swift justice. The burden on our courts would be considerably lightened, as they would try only the innocent.
Just a modest proposal.
Jesse Hellman
Ruxton
Sun sheds needed light on state's pension problems
The Sun and Michael Dresser deserve congratulations for the excellent reporting on the Maryland state pension system.
State Treasurer Richard N. Dixon's hubris is matched by the pension board's incompetence.
In a one-party state such as Maryland, it is imperative that the Fourth Estate provide such oversight. Keep it up.
