DATE: Friday, May 16, 1997                  TAG: 9705140151

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 1E   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters 
                                            LENGTH:   85 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - CHESAPEAKE

I was appalled by the article in the newspaper about the license plate, ``ZYKLON B,'' being revoked.

While I definitely do not share the views of the owner, Ryan Maziarka, I don't know why people are making such a big stink over it.

Did he pay for the plate? Yes. Did the state issue the plate? Yes.

If the state has a list of offensive words not to be put on plates, then why isn't this on the list? Could it be that the state didn't believe it to be an offensive word? Well, imagine that!

Let's wake up, people! Is this not a violation of our freedom of speech and expression? What will be next?

If you decide to paint your house fluorescent pink, and your neighbor doesn't like it, will you be made to re-paint it? Should you be made to re-paint? Not unless you signed an agreement prior to buying the house that you would not do such a thing. Otherwise tell them all to buzz off.

The Constitution does not protect freedom of religion, speech or anything else as long as it doesn't offend anyone.

Yes, I agree this license plate is in bad taste - extremely bad taste! But the last time I checked, this is still the United States of America, and we are still governed by the Constitution.

So, people, if you don't like seeing it, then speed up and drive away from him. Remember, there are all kinds of people in this country. And this wouldn't be the United States if there weren't so many different people. We are all the United States of America. No one group makes it any better than another. All of the ethnic groups in this country have suffered some degree of humiliation and loss. Some groups more than others. But it doesn't mean those groups deserve any more consideration than the rest.

Rather than open old wounds, use this to teach the children. Our future lies in the children. If we don't teach them compassion and forgiveness, then our society is doomed.

Paul Zentmyer

Saddlehorn Drive Judging history

I'm of the opinion that the so-called mock trial of President Truman's decision to drop atomic bombs during World War II was anything but mock.

The final outcome, without a doubt, was finessed and pre-ordained by the teacher, who had an opinion and influenced the children.

The controversy of whether he should have or should not have will go on forever.

As the brother of one serving in the Pacific during that war, I'm sure my mother's answer to the question, ``Are American lives more important than Japanese lives?'' would have been an emphatic, ``Yes!''

It's easier to be judgmental of history 50 years after the fact of an event that occurred before the participants or their parents or teacher were born.

Thomas E. Violet

Beauregard Drive Poor sportsmanship

I am writing to express how proud I am of the Great Bridge Intimidators soccer team, part of the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department.

On May 7, the Intimidators played the Deep Creek Hornets in Deep Creek. The Hornets displayed the poorest sportsmanship I have ever seen of any team in the last seven years.

The referee, who usually officiates Deep Creek games, was useless. There were head butts, extremely foul language and numerous other infractions that were not called by the referees.

The referee from Great Bridge did yellow-card one Deep Creek player for head-butting another player. He sat out for one play and then went back out onto the field and did the same thing again, which went uncalled.

Despite the unfair refereeing displayed by the Deep Creek referee, who refused to discuss the situation after the game, Great Bridge continued to play a fair game without retaliating for their injured player and displayed outstanding sportsmanship. After a player is injured and helped off the field, it is customary to applaud for the player in hope that that he or she will be all right. This did not happen in Deep Creek.

I am so proud of the Great Bridge team and thankful they are coached by two men who insist on fair play regardless of the level the other team stoops to. All the other teams we have played have been great sports and a lot of fun. I'm sure this is no reflection on the people of Deep Creek, just one team of players with low standards.

It is sad that a sport sponsored by the city, which is supposed to be for fun, was so ugly.

Great job, Great Bridge Intimidators! You were awesome.

Lisa Healy

Esmont Court

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