Roscoe Bartlett

WASHINGTON -- As President Clinton seeks public backing for a plan to unleash an air assault on Iraq, he should not expect strong support from Maryland's members of Congress.Two key Democratic allies -- Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who has consistently advanced the administration's foreign policy agenda, and Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski -- did not respond to repeated requests for comment on the possible bombings."It's not something where we've had a chance to put our heads together and think this through," said Laura Chapin, a Mikulski spokeswoman.

Sun editorial was unfair on Columbia tot lotThis is in response to the editorial that appeared in The Sun in Howard County on Jan. 9, "Playground fight in Columbia." The 20 families who opposed this particular siting of a tot lot in Pheasant Ridge II are very tired of being portrayed as insensitive to the legitimate desires of our neighbors.For the record (again), not one of us is against having pathways and a tot lot in our neighborhood. What we oppose is the specific location of the proposed (and now approved)

Rep. Bartlett exemplifies capital gridlockI am shocked but, sadly, not surprised, at Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's decision to support the "ethically challenged" activities Speaker Newt Gingrich by voting against the sanctions which were imposed upon Mr. Gingrich by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee. Mr. Bartlett was one of only 28 members of Congress to vote against the committee's recommendations.In explaining why he voted against the bipartisan report, Mr. Bartlett said that in his opinion, other members had committed more grave violations, yet were not punished as severely.

Over the telephone from Washington, Lisa Wright attempted to stifle a groan. Here we go again, the groan said. Another reporter wanting to know about Patrick Buchanan's man, Larry Pratt, and his connection to Lisa Wright's man, U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, and whether there was anything to this business about bigotry and right-wing militia ties and, for what it's worth, campaign contributions.Bigotry? No way, said Wright. Militia ties? No way, said Wright. As the designated mouthpiece for the Western Maryland congressman, she should know.

County planners consistent on new post officeI am writing in response to an article that appeared in the Oct. 6 edition of The Sun in Carroll titled "Red Light for Post Office Proposal," because of comments made by the Post Office representatives.To our surprise, the Post Office claimed that the Carroll County Department of Planning and Development told it one thing, then changed its mind and told it the opposite concerning future location of the Eldersburg Post Office.First, it is important to note that the planning bureau has supported the need for an expanded post office in the Freedom area.

Coattails? In 6th District, Clinton had no coatIn a story on Maryland congressional elections and quoting a Baltimore County professor, your reporter says the president's coattails were not "long enough" to carry the 6th District Democratic challenger to office. The theory's flawed.Bob Dole carried every county in Western Maryland. U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett carried every county in Western Maryland. Mr. Bartlett carried most counties by a smaller margin than did Mr. Dole. And Democrat Steve Crawford ran ahead of President Clinton nearly everyplace.

Laurel resident Alfred Rascon describes a chance meeting with North Vietnamese snipers north of the Mekong Delta nearly 30 years ago as "10 minutes of pure hell."Now, looking back on that enemy attack in South Vietnam, Mr. Rascon said he believes the nearly mortal wounds he sustained were not life-changing.But several men who credit him with saving their lives have something very different to say. They are telling the U.S. government to give Mr. Rascon, 50, the recognition they say he deserves.

Every two years, ordinary Marylanders with little or no political experience defy conventional wisdom and run for Congress. Political Don Quixotes, they come from across the ideological spectrum, tilting at well-financed incumbents and daunting odds.This year's field of about two dozen long-shots is an eclectic group that includes a retired astrophysicist, the owner of a 7-Eleven in Dundalk and an investment banker from Columbia who wants to impeach President Clinton.Relying on radio, cable television and newspapers, they are running shoestring campaigns emphasizing real-world experience.

Rep. Bartlett's HomophobiaRecently I received a letter from our congressman, Roscoe Bartlett (R-6th). It was in regard to an interview that the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Joycelyn Elders, had with the magazine, the Advocate. I am very concerned with Mr. Bartlett's comments in a letter to me on Dr. Elders' views of homosexuality. What he labels "appalling," I consider a matter of fairness, education and even of simple logic.From Dr. Elders' statements, it seems clear the most important action we can take is to educate people.

Over the past few years, the influence of a very well-organized but radical political movement has been growing in Carroll County. The movement I am referring to is often described as "the radical right" and is led by groups such as Pat Robertson's "Christian Coalition." Members of these groups claim they are not political. When you disagree with their narrow political agenda, they often call you Godless and accuse you of Christian-bashing.In fact, these groups are avidly political and they are aimed at reducing religious freedom in the United States.

Motorcyclist dies, another injured 4 One motorcyclist was killed and another was seriously injured Saturday afternoon when their cycles collided with cars in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County police said. John S. Vansickler, 51, of La Plata and Teresa A. Stecker, 48, of Mechanicsville were riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles north on Solomons Island Road about 3:15 p.m. when they failed to stop for a red light and crashed into separate cars at Aris T. Allen Boulevard, according to an initial police investigation.

County government classes at CCC Carroll Community College and the county government are offering Carroll County Government 101 and 102 classes this fall. Carroll County Government 101 will be from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays through Oct. 11 at Fairhaven Retirement Community in Sykesville. Staff from citizen services, the county attorney, recreation and parks, planning, public works, public safety support services, general services, management and budget, comptroller, and the commissioners' office will give an overview of their office and answer questions.

"Take a sharp right' right on the money I found your article "To get to Carroll, take a sharp right" right on the money. In fact, the article reads like a David Letterman top ten list of reasons to stay out of Carroll County. The only thing missing from the article is the number one reason to stay out, and that is Roscoe Bartlett. David M. Clements Freeland, Baltimore County

After declaring himself opposed to the death penalty last month, Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett said last night he supports affirmative action. One of the most conservative members of the House, the 6th District Republican voted in 1998 to prohibit affirmative action in higher education admissions. Last night, Bartlett told a crowd at a candidates forum in Westminster sponsored by the Carroll County NAACP: "I'm very supportive of affirmative action, but not quotas. "If there are two candidates for a job and one is a minority and one is not, I would give the job to the minority candidate," assuming both are equally qualified.

After declaring himself opposed to the death penalty last month, Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett said last night he supports affirmative action. One of the most conservative members of the House, Republican Bartlett voted in 1998 to prohibit affirmative action in higher education admissions. Last night, Bartlett told a crowd at a candidates forum in Westminster sponsored by the Carroll County NAACP: "I'm very supportive of affirmative action, but not quotas. "If there are two candidates for a job and one is a minority and one is not, I would give the job to the minority candidate," assuming both are equally qualified.

Washington County Commissioner Paul L. Swartz's frustration, as Election Day approaches, is a common one among Western Maryland Democrats, and even some Republicans. "I think this area is crying for leadership. Roscoe [G. Bartlett] hasn't brought a thing back," the Democratic official lamented about the 6th District's well-known conservative Republican congressman. Although Swartz is working to help Democratic nominee Donald M. DeArmon take the 74-year-old Bartlett's place, he doesn't hold out much hope that it will happen.

WASHINGTON -- As President Clinton seeks public backing for a plan to unleash an air assault on Iraq, he should not expect strong support from Maryland's members of Congress.Two key Democratic allies -- Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who has consistently advanced the administration's foreign policy agenda, and Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski -- did not respond to repeated requests for comment on the possible bombings."It's not something where we've had a chance to put our heads together and think this through," said Laura Chapin, a Mikulski spokeswoman.

Sun editorial was unfair on Columbia tot lotThis is in response to the editorial that appeared in The Sun in Howard County on Jan. 9, "Playground fight in Columbia." The 20 families who opposed this particular siting of a tot lot in Pheasant Ridge II are very tired of being portrayed as insensitive to the legitimate desires of our neighbors.For the record (again), not one of us is against having pathways and a tot lot in our neighborhood. What we oppose is the specific location of the proposed (and now approved)

Rep. Bartlett exemplifies capital gridlockI am shocked but, sadly, not surprised, at Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's decision to support the "ethically challenged" activities Speaker Newt Gingrich by voting against the sanctions which were imposed upon Mr. Gingrich by the bipartisan House Ethics Committee. Mr. Bartlett was one of only 28 members of Congress to vote against the committee's recommendations.In explaining why he voted against the bipartisan report, Mr. Bartlett said that in his opinion, other members had committed more grave violations, yet were not punished as severely.

Coattails? In 6th District, Clinton had no coatIn a story on Maryland congressional elections and quoting a Baltimore County professor, your reporter says the president's coattails were not "long enough" to carry the 6th District Democratic challenger to office. The theory's flawed.Bob Dole carried every county in Western Maryland. U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett carried every county in Western Maryland. Mr. Bartlett carried most counties by a smaller margin than did Mr. Dole. And Democrat Steve Crawford ran ahead of President Clinton nearly everyplace.