Change the law, don’t break it

Those who claim that the recent Anne Arundel County raids targeting illegal immigrants imposed unnecessary hardships on their spouses and children should remember: This is usually the case when folks are arrested for breaking the law. (“ICE agents make 46 arrests in Anne Arundel illegal immigration raids,” July 1) Doesn’t a $100 traffic ticket impose a hardship on a person making eight dollars an hour, and on their dependents? Does not a stint in the county jail for a drug offense create a hardship for the spouse and children of the offender? The situation is not unique to illegal immigrants.

All those who break the law, and who are responsible for supporting others, find themselves in the same situation. Our nation desperately needs a comprehensive immigration policy. We also need to change our strategy on the war on drugs and other crime and punishment initiatives. That doesn’t mean that we should ask Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold to selectively enforce the law.

Mr. Leopold did the right thing. And he did a service to Maryland’s law-abiding contractors and their families. Now they less-often have to compete with companies that use cheap, illegal labor. Those who disagree with the laws should work to change them, not criticize those who are sworn to uphold them.

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Michael P. DeCicco

Severn

Sen. Mikulski thwarts new energy solutions

As usual, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) is against any plan that has the word “energy” in it unless it involves putting a windmill on the roof of my car. (“Commerce decision on gas facility wrong for Md.,” July 2)

Why am I not surprised that the senator would state her opposition to building a natural gas facility in Sparrows Point without knowing all the facts? She actually raised some good questions about that project, but she essentially condemns it outright before even hearing any of the responses from the authorities charged with providing that information.

The senator is against any plan that supports increasing energy supplies and making energy more affordable for the people of this country.

She is against drilling for oil or gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or off any American coastline, unless it’s the Chinese drilling off the coast of Florida. With that, she apparently has no problem.

She’s against drilling in the Dakotas and Great Lakes, building new refineries and nuclear power plants, and processing oil shale.

In other words, Mikulski is against the economy of the United States and actively supports the reduction of our standard of living.

Who exactly is voting for her and people like her? Plentiful and affordable energy is the lifeblood of an advanced technological society like ours.

Joel Rosenberg

Ellicott City

Advisory eases fuel costs and benefits police patrol

Recently, the Anne Arundel County Police Department advised all personnel of a fuel conservation advisory from County Executive John R. Leopold and Col. James Teare Sr., chief of police. The advisory included a request to turn off car air-conditioners while on patrol, except under circumstances of oppressive heat.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department regrets that it may have been interpreted as a cease order on all air-conditioning in patrol units. (“Anne Arundel officers told to save gas,” July 2) The purpose of the advisory is to raise the consciousness of all police personnel that the funds used to pay for fuel are, in fact, taxpayer dollars that should be spent responsibly. We should all be mindful of ways to conserve fuel and cut back on unnecessary usage during these tough economic times.

Maryland is subject to a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. Oftentimes, the weather is mild enough to allow for fresh air.

In addition, officers have long been encouraged to roll down their windows. When patrolling communities, this allows us to hear potential criminal activity. This initiative will encourage the increase of such patrols, thus increasing police presence in the community.

We also recognize that our region experiences extreme heat during the summer. It should be known that the request to turn off the air would not apply under such circumstances.

County Executive John R. Leopold has long demonstrated his dedication to the safety of the county’s personnel. The advisory issued earlier this week is not intended to jeopardize the health or safety of police officers, nor the level of service provided to residents of Anne Arundel County.

Sgt. John Gilmer

Public Information Officer

Anne Arundel County Police Department