Regents wrong to take a position on slots
It was very disappointing to see officials from the University System of Maryland come out in support of slots gambling because the Board of Regents doesn't see how the university can do without the money slots would generate ("UM Board of Regents endorses state plan for slots," Sept. 6).
As a beacon of enlightenment, the university system should articulate a higher ethical standard than other bodies.
While Maryland families are having to cut back and struggling, in some cases, to keep their homes in this difficult economy, the university system is sending the wrong message by endorsing gambling as a necessary evil.
At the very least, the university system should remain neutral on this troubling issue.
Marjorie Seabreeze, Laurel
While the University System of Maryland requires more funding, the idea of getting it from poor, gambling-addicted people is beyond belief.
I didn't realize members of the Board of Regents had expertise in politics, addiction issues or in public advocacy on issues that are not related to education.
What's their advice on Iraq, global warming and the economy?
John A. Talbott, Baltimore
The writer is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Raid throws light on abuse of power
Thank you for the timely column on police raids; it details, with great specificity, the terrible consequences of police arrogance in action ("None of us is safe from police raids," Commentary, Sept. 2).
This type of abuse must not be tolerated and should not go unpunished.
Someone must pay for the Prince George's County raid, because as long as no one is punished for such abuses, they will continue.
I'm actually glad this raid happened to the mayor of Berwyn Heights, in a way, because now people in positions of authority may come to understand what happens every day to many poor blacks, Latinos and even poor white people.
Police must stop acting like the Gestapo and instead begin acting like public servants sworn to "protect and serve" the citizens of this nation.
Olatunji Mwamba, Baltimore
