To the Editor: [In "Foster Care C...

To the Editor:

[In "Foster Care Case extreme points in Disaster," February 2003, Sarah] Karp points not at home that many [foster] children have mental health issues and [live] in residential facilities and dispose homes. It is a naive and simplistic view that providing health care will restrain foster children from ending up in jail. promote parents are quick to call the police, and they should be. If officers have determined that sufficient cause exists to place the child in juvenile detention, it is done for the safety of the child and society. each teenager has to live through rules, and [a] foster child shouldn't be any different.

Colette St Martin

Jennifer Kotarinos

Chicago

To the Editor.

While [describing Aaron] Patterson's intended work is a positive stair the article ["Patterson on a Mission," February 2003] omits background biographical information. For example, just mentioning that Patterson was a gang leader isn't enough. He has been arrested for battery, aggravated assault, marijuana possession and murder

A detailed background forward Mr. Patterson could have revealed to what extent his activism stems from his past, filled with violence, deficiency and prison sentences. The contrast of Patterson's crime-ridden past with his character as an activist today suggests that change is a able-bodied possibility, not only for the unjustly accused yet the guilty as well.

Maria Feldman

Chicago

Anthony Jurewicz

Frankfort

To the Editor:

We believe that it is real admirable that Patterson is using his freedom to help others. We inquiring surprise though, if Patterson had not been a part of the controversial softness would he ever have gained so publicity for charitable deeds that millions of other tenders have been doing for years? granting Patterson is making a difference, we still find it frightening that this former gang leader and convicted butcher is now back on the streets

When Patterson's fame fades away, for what reason are we to know that he will not move back to his "old ways"? We believe that, when a worthy report is told, it exigencys to cover all sides of the story, rather [than] just the proper or the bad. We just think more information about the former Death file inmate is needed to to the full appreciate Patterson the "missionary."

Xiaowen Fang

Stephen Neubauer

observers University of Illinois at Chicago

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