Three years of polling indicate pro-life trend Re: “Same-sex marriage a tricky issue for Obama, GOP,” Aug. 20
Michael Barone uses the oxymoron “same-sex marriage” when reporting on opinion polls favoring the state issuing marriage certificates for homosexual couples. The unique fundamental aspect of marriage as designed by God is the procreation of children, which is only accomplished by a heterosexual couple. Therefore homosexuals don’t marry. Recognizing this fact is not discrimination.
Mr. Barone also says abortion polling remains constant, but the figures indicate a major change. The 1995 Gallup Poll reported that 56 percent of Americans said they were pro-choice while 33 percent said they were pro-life. The 2009 Gallup Poll found 42 percent “pro-choice” and 51 percent “pro-life” — a 32 percent increase in favor of life.
This year’s numbers are 45 percent pro-choice to 47 percent pro-life, maintaining the three-year pro-life trend. This year’s poll also shows 79 percent of pro-choicers are in favor of making abortion illegal in the third trimester. Abortion is a complex issue with many aspects, and Mr. Barone should write accurately about it.
John Naughton
Silver Spring
Obama should be forced to do his job
Our president has decided to stop doing his job of enforcing laws passed by Congress pertaining to illegal aliens. By executive decree, President Obama told the Homeland Security Department to stop deporting illegal immigrants unless they have committed horrendous crimes.
Where does it say in the law that he has such discretionary power? No matter our feelings on the matter, these are criminals who have broken the law. If the president has his way, all 13 million illegals can now stay in our country, bypassing our laws and taking jobs from U.S. citizens. This is a signal for those outside our country to enter on a tourist visa, visit Disneyland and then just stay. No questions will be asked if they do not break serious laws.
By not doing his duty, our president may actually be an accessory to a crime. The remedy is a writ of mandamus — a lawsuit asking a court to order an elected official to do his job. As a retired patent law judge, I might have filed one if I were younger. Perhaps some law students will take it on as a project.
Murray Katz
Silver Spring
Swift disposal of cases doesn’t always serve justice
Re: “Prince George’s sends thousands of cases to ‘rocket docket’,” May 7, 2008
While researching the Prince George’s County legal system, I found this article by Washington Examiner reporter Freeman Klopott. I recently witnessed Circuit Court Judge Vincent Femia’s “rocket docket” firsthand.
I see the same value in rapidly closing a large number of cases in a short amount of time as county and court officials do. However, many low-income citizens are victims of civil rights violations or police misconduct right from the start. A large number of cases are closed and convictions handed down without the best interests of the public — or the law of the land — being considered. State’s attorneys, defense lawyers, judges and other courtroom personnel must be well aware of this, meaning that the problem comes from the top and trickles down.
I recently had my civil rights violated by an officer of a local municipality, who produced a report that was pure fiction. I have no recourse but to opt for a trial. With the large number of citizens involved in the legal system unable to afford adequate representation, the idea of a “rocket docket” may actually do more harm than good. What’s the cost to the integrity of the legal system?
Clay Street
Fort Washington
