Planned Parenthood

The effect of the "loophole" to the Disclose Act you mentioned in the editorial "Disclose, disclose, disclose" (June 29) is that it empowers the entrenched special interest groups who are exempted from it. Such groups, as the NRA (which you mentioned) and many, many others, such as AFL/CIO, ACLU, NARAL, NAACP, Planned Parenthood, PETA, People for the American Way and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are given a free pass, and the bill silences the citizens of the U.S. Any group of citizens who decide to band together and make a TV ad about the state of our country or to speak out and let the American people know facts about a particular issue are silenced by the bill.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore is right to file this lawsuit against the ordinance regulating pregnancy counseling centers ("Church: Clinic signs are unlawful," March 30). I understand Planned Parenthood, which is one of the largest abortion mills in the country, requested then-City Council President Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake to sponsor this bill. Why should Planned Parenthood set the standards of what a pregnancy counseling center is? Planned Parenthood was against any provisions in this law that would regulate them.

Susan S. Swift, a health care consultant and former Brooklandville resident, died March 15 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, at her home in Key Largo, Fla. She was 63. Dr. Swift was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in Washington and Westchester County, N.Y. She was a 1964 graduate of Scarsdale High School and earned a bachelor's degree in 1968 from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. Dr. Swift earned a master's in public health administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and her doctorate from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University, where she later taught.

Shirley E. Handelsman, a long-time Planned Parenthood advocate and consumer affairs activist, died of respiratory failure June 18 at Roland Park Place. She was 91. Shirley Esther Silverberg, the daughter of a movie theater owner, was born in Greenville, Pa., near Pittsburgh, where she spent her early years. When she was a teenager, her family moved to Baltimore after her father took over ownership of the Park Theate in the 1100 block of N. Broadway. Growing up, Mrs. Handelsman and her sister and brother spent a lot of time watching movies.

On April 10, 2009 EMMA VIRGINIA JACOBS (nee Heiry), devoted mother of Michele Hughes and her husband Mike Pretl, Barbara Hall and Joseph Jacobs and his wife Darlene, dear sister of Norma Douglas. Also survived by five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. All services and Interment are private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Habitat For Humanity or Planned Parenthood.

Bay bridge driver impaired, imprudent In the article "No criminal charges in fatal Bay Bridge accident" (Dec. 19), Queen Anne's County State's Attorney Frank M. Kratovil Jr. is quoted as saying that Candy Lynn Baldwin's actions in causing the accident in August do not fall within the "gross negligence" requirement for manslaughter. Ms. Baldwin was sleep-deprived and had been drinking prior to the accident that took John Robert Short's life. Obviously her judgment and driving skills were impaired.

FREDERICK - Six weeks after Bruce E. Ivins killed himself, the cremated remains of Ivins, the Army scientist and anthrax suspect, are stored at a funeral home here, awaiting the outcome of an unusual probate court proceeding. In a will he wrote last year, a few months before the FBI focused the anthrax letters investigation on him, Ivins wrote of his wish to be cremated and have his ashes scattered. But fearing that his wife, Diane, and their two children might not honor the request, he came up with a novel way to enforce his demand: threatening to make a bequest to an organization he knew his wife opposed, Planned Parenthood.

Esther H. Carpenter, former executive director of the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services and longtime YWCA and Planned Parenthood volunteer, died Sunday of cardiovascular disease at Ginger Cove retirement community in Annapolis. She was 94. "She was a great lady. When you think of a social worker, Esther was the quintessential social worker. She was a leader during her time working for the county," said former Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens. "She understood human behavior and cared deeply about people who were in trouble.

Suddenly on April 4, 2006, BETTYKLINEFELTER THOMPSON, age 98, wife of the late Donald Thompson. Survived by three children Peter Thompson, David Thompson and Amanda Thompson Mc Greevy. She is also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Planned Parenthood of Maryland or Doctors Without Borders.

Carl E. Speckman, whose convictions led him to fight in the Korean War and also to direct Planned Parenthood of Maryland, died Wednesday at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium. The Sparks resident had lung and adrenal cancer. He was 77. Mr. Speckman was born in Kansas City, Mo. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army in 1945. He briefly attended West Point but decided the school wasn't for him and went on, instead, to serve overseas. Later, as a member of the Army Reserve, he fought in the Korean War and retired as a lieutenant in 1953.