Karzai corruption isn't our concern

Taxpayers shouldn't fund Dixon legal fees

Taxpayers should never have to pay for Mayor Sheila Dixon's many, high priced attorneys. She got herself into this mess, and she needs to be responsible for getting herself out of it. She has more than enough perks from her job already -- for once she needs to stop draining city taxpayers for all of...

Principals must be instructors, managers

Before I was elected to Congress, I served for seven years in the Maryland State Department of Education as a liaison to the Baltimore City Public Schools. During that time, I came to appreciate that a key component for creating a successful school was having a principal who is a strong...

Nuclear is clean power

Allison Fisher's letter to the editor arguing that development of nuclear power "thwarts efforts to develop a clean energy sector" almost made me spit out my morning coffee (Readers respond, Nov. 6).

No matter how you drink, you shouldn't drive

I could not disagree more with Sarah Longwell's op-ed "MADD's ignition interlock proposal goes too far" (Nov. 4).

Pregnancy centers deserve support, not harassment

We at Priests for Life agree with Archbishop O'Brien on the City Council's misguided attempt to impede the work of pregnancy resource centers ("Don't punish pro-lifers," Nov. 5). One of the most encouraging facts about the pro-life effort in our country is that there are far more pregnancy...

Gays must endure civil rights by popular vote

Thanks to Gerry Jones for showing Baltimore the true face of bigotry ("Maine rejects 'deviant lifestyle,'" Readers respond, Nov. 6). I have a clue for Mr. Jones since he so desperately needs it: We gay and lesbian Americans are tax-paying citizens and will not tolerate being second-class citizens in...

Letter shows heart of prejudice against gay community

I was disturbed Friday morning after reading Gerry Jones' letter to the editor about the Maine voters' decision to repeal their Marriage Equality law ("Vote rejects 'deviant lifestyle,'" Readers respond, Nov. 6).

To win, GOP must look beyond its base

As a an independent voter in Harford County I was interested to read Chris Meekins op-ed in which he blamed the Republican Party's trouble on moderates and liberals in the party ("Republican moderates to blame for party's troubles," Nov. 5).

Interlock could kill more than it saves

I could not disagree more with Elizabeth Petro's letter titled "It doesn't matter how you drink, you shouldn't drive" (Readers respond, Nov. 5).

City Council harassment

The Baltimore City Council should reject its bill to require crisis pregnancy centers to post signs saying they do not provide abortions. These centers provide help for women seeking it. This legislation is just another attempt at harassment by organizations that provide abortion services.

Will Ehrlich change his views?

As Bob Ehrlich considers whether or not to run for governor again next year ("'Change' issue could impel Ehrlich to take on O'Malley," Nov. 5), we urge him to reconsider his previous strong opposition to policies which have in the last two years under Gov. Martin O'Malley resulted in over 100,000...

Principals must be instructors and managers

Before I was elected to Congress, I served for seven years in the Maryland State Department of Education as a liaison to the Baltimore City Public Schools. During that time, I came to appreciate that a key component for creating a successful school was having a principal who is a strong...

It doesn't matter how you drink, you shouldn't drive

I could not disagree more with Sarah Longwell's op-ed "MADD's ignition interlock proposal goes to far" (November 4).

Maine rejects 'deviant lifestyle'

Hooray for pro-life and traditional family values!

Maine gay marriage vote a setback for all of us

I am writing on behalf of the Maryland Black Family Alliance (MBFA) to speak of the disappointing loss we and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community suffered in the repeal of the Maine marriage equity law. Even though the law was rejected by a narrow majority, it shows the work...

Another reason to live in the county: Dixon's $4,500 vacation

Regarding Mayor Sheila Dixon charging taxpayers $4,500 for security while she was on vacation ("City OK's $4,500 for Dixon vacation escort," Nov. 5), you have got to be kidding! First, $1,900 for a vehicle rental for 10 days? Kindly provide me with the name of an auto rental company that charges...

Stimulus fuzzy math

Most of us find it hard to comprehend millions and billions, much less trillions of dollars. In terms more easily understood, our government reports that they have spent $150 billion of the $787 billion in "stimulus" funds to create 650,000 jobs. That comes out to almost $231,000 per job.

A grim anniversary in Gaza

In celebrating the one-year anniversary of President Obama's election night on Wednesday, I feel compelled to recognize a much grimmer anniversary, one that was far less reported and recognized in light of the historic presidential election. That other anniversary is of the Israeli raid on the...

Why do some deaths seem to matter more?

While I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Miriam Frankl - the loss of a daughter is a pain I cannot even imagine - I cannot help but wonder why her death warrants the extended coverage not bestowed upon most of the other 186 Baltimore City homicide victims this year ("'A remarkable...

Psst: Heard about Va., N.J.?

I just wanted to make sure The Baltimore Sun knew about the elections in Virginia and New Jersey. I realize you are only only a conduit of all things pertaining to the Democrats, but this is kind of important. Maybe you should at least mention it -- but make sure you say that it is meaningless and...

Sports are no occasion for racial division

I was most happy to see the Ravens win this Sunday.

Why do some deaths matter more?

While I offer my sincerely condolences to the family of Miriam Frankl -- the loss of a daughter is a pain I cannot even imagine -- I cannot help but wonder why her death warrants the extended coverage not bestowed upon most of the other 186 Baltimore City homicide victims this year ("'A remarkable...

A sad anniversary in Gaza

In celebrating the one-year anniversary of President Obama's election night, I feel compelled to recognize a much grimmer anniversary, one that was far less reported and recognized in light of the historic presidential election. That other anniversary is of the Israeli raid on the Gaza Strip near...

Constellation deal makes Md. quest for affordable energy tougher

Approval of the transaction between Constellation and Electricite de France (EDF) leaves significant questions unanswered that are more fundamental than the timing of the $100 credit to BGE ratepayers, the location of EDF's new U.S. headquarters and whether Constellation Energy will still build a...

Ravens fans could take a cue from New York

I have sympathy with the young woman who was confronted by a drunken fan at the Ravens' home game ("Bengals fan: I had a terrible experience, too," Readers respond, Nov. 4). I had a similar experience in Baltimore: Both my wife and I were shoved and threatened because we dared cheer for our team,...

Ravens fans owe an apology

Well, I must say, as a season ticket holder, how disappointed I was to read the letter from the Broncos fan, Laura Dosanjh (Readers respond, Nov. 4).

Ravens fans: Treat people with class

I'm not a major sports fan, and I have never been to a Raven's game, yet I feel I must apologize to Laura Dosanjh for the ugly behavior she witnessed recently at M&T Bank Stadium (Readers respond, Nov. 4).

Bengals fan: I had a terrible experience, too

I believe something needs to be done at the Baltimore games before someone gets seriously hurt. I drove up from Raleigh, N.C., to take my boyfriend to the Bengals vs. Baltimore game last year as a surprise because that is the closest the Bengals have ever gotten to us. We were treated poorly right...

An ugly experience at the Ravens game

I was raised a Broncos fan but quickly adopted the Ravens as my second team after I moved to Baltimore. I was delighted to see this season that my Broncos would be coming to town, just blocks from my home. My brother, also an avid Broncos fan, flew in from Chicago for the weekend. We paid well...

PETA urges: Free the Ravens mascots

Regarding the article "Ravens' new stars give fans more to crow about - and some fine photo opportunities" (Nov. 1), shame on the Ravens! Crows are highly social beings. They experience deep relationships with other crows, demonstrate a great deal of intelligence and are bursting with a sense of fun...

Real O's fans don't migrate

To Greg Swanner, who lambasted the Orioles for not having team members at Brooks Robinson's appreciation night (Readers respond, Nov. 2): Perhaps they should have sent some players, but according to accounts I've read, it was a...

Schaefer deserves statue

As a longtime observer of William Donald Schaefer, I was pleased to see him in attendance at the unveiling of the statue in his honor at the Inner Harbor ("Fitting finale," Nov. 3).

PETA: Free the Ravens mascots

Regarding the article "Ravens' new stars give fans more to crow about -- and some fine photo opportunities" (Nov. 1), shame on the Ravens! Crows are highly social beings. They experience deep relationships with other crows, demonstrate a great deal of intelligence and are bursting with a sense of...

An ugly experience at the Ravens game

I was raised a Broncos fan but quickly adopted the Ravens as my second team after I moved to Baltimore. I was delighted to see this season that my Broncos would be coming to town, just blocks from my home. My brother, also an avid Broncos fan, flew in from Chicago for the weekend. We paid well...

Stimulus fuzzy math

Most of us find it hard to comprehend millions and billions, much less trillions of dollars.

Real O's fans don't migrate

To Greg Swanner, who lambasted the Orioles for not being officially represented at Brooks Robinson's appreciation night (Readers respond, Nov. 2): Perhaps they should have sent someone, but why does that have to ruin the entire evening for you? According to accounts I've read, it was a beautiful...

Schaefer deserves a statue and more

My family, wife Bobbie along with daughters Lisa and Kim, spent many wonderful years in Baltimore. As a deejay I was privileged to host and emcee many events featuring William Donald Schaefer.

Crime is the problem in Little Italy, not race

I was amused by the response of Carol N. Shaw of Fork Md. (where is Fork anyway?) to the op-ed piece by Rosalia Scalia on crime in Little Italy. Ms. Shaw is horrified by the racial prejudice, profiling and stereotyping of Ms.Scalia's op-ed referring to the owner as Arab and the patrons as African-...

No Baltimorean deserves a statue more than Schaefer

As a long-time observer of William Donald Schaefer, I was pleased to see him in attendance at the unveiling of the statue in his honor at the Inner Harbor ("Fitting finale," Nov. 3).

Arguments against ignition interlock are disingenuous

Amazing. The device exists that would virtually eliminate drunken driving ("Fighting DUI fatalities in Md.," Nov. 1), but legislation requiring installation gets nowhere in Annapolis. What a surprise.

Interlock law needed

Dear Governor O'Malley,

Swine flu spooks Halloween

So there I was at my usual Halloween evening post, sitting on the stoop of my daughter's row home in Rodgers Forge. My job is to pass out candy to the neighborhood kids while my daughter and son-in-law take my grandchildren trick-or-treating. Normally this is a pleasant diversion of sheer joy -...

Little Italy prejudice? Easy for an outsider to say

In response to Carol N. Shaw's letter "Prejudice in Little Italy commentary" (Readers respond, Nov. 2): I believe the quote from the op-ed you're criticizing was "Mo's related activities have irked residents, and not because the owners are Arab or the late night patrons predominately African-...

Arguments against interlock fall flat

Amazing. The device exists that would virtually eliminate drunken driving ("Fighting DUI fatalities in Md.," Nov. 1) but legislation requiring installation gets nowhere in Annapolis. What a surprise.

Interlock needed for first-time DUIs

Dear Gov. O'Malley,

Swine flu spooks Halloween

So there I was, at my usual Halloween evening post sitting on the stoop of my daughter's row home in Rodgers Forge. My job is to pass out candy to the neighborhood kids while my daughter and son-in-law take my grandchildren trick-or-treating. Normally this is a pleasant diversion of sheer joy -- but...

Rev. Wright speaks uncomfortable truths

I disagree with Tom Moore that "Wright is wrong choice for NAACP event speaker." (Readers respond, Nov. 1.) I think that he (perhaps in some ways like Bill Cosby), has for the most part spoken the truth, however unpalatable it may be.

BGE: Keep your $100

Since the Batlimore Gas & Electric Co.'s parent company refused to fire its chief executive officer, Mayo A. Shattuck III, the least they can do is keep my proposed $100 credit. ("BGE customers to get $100 credit as part of pact with french utility," Oct. 31).

Prejudice in Little Italy? Easy for outsider to criticize

In response to Carol N. Shaw's letter "Prejudice in Little Italy commentary (Readers respond, Nov. 2): I believe the quote from the op-ed you're criticizing was was "Mo's related activities have irked residents, and not because the owners are Arab or the late night patrons predominately African-...

Time to replace Mayo Shattuck

So BGE customers will get a one-time $100 credit, costing Constellation Energy Group $110.5 million, when in reality, CEG only wanted to pay a paltry $22.5 million in one-time credits. This is pocket change to CEG and an insult to all Marylanders. Gov. Martin O'Malley's attempt to cut Mayo Shattuck'...

Towson's victory must feel hollow

Running cross-country for Hereford High School was one of the most positive formative influences upon my life. The county championship in the fall of my senior year in 1970 was coincidentally a closely contested match between Hereford, Towson and Dulaney, just like this year. We did not win, but...

A rule's a rule -- unless it's unevenly enforced

The article "A rule's a rule, officials stress," (Oct. 29) states that some runners were informed before the race to change their costumes and suggests that others weren't. In that circumstance, enforcing the rule as the article reports was completely unfair. The article ends by suggesting, "This is...

Obama in Dover: You'd almost think he cared

My goodness, doesn't President Obama look grave and Commander-in-Chief-ish in the carefully cropped photos of him in Friday's Sun editorial ("The true price of war," Oct. 30) and the news article provided by Tribune Newspapers ( "Obama honors fallen soldiers at Dover base," Oct. 30).

Cross country meet turns Kafkaesque

"A rule is a rule, and it must be enforced." "…conformity among team members is paramount." "Sports is a microcosm of life. It provides an opportunity to teach all kinds of lessons." ("A rule's a rule, officials stress," Oct. 29.)

Towson High student: Rules are rules

What is astounding in the story about the Baltimore County boys cross country championship is how all the criticism has been directed at Towson's coach for not refusing the trophy. A violation of a rule is grounds for disqualification, and it does not matter how petty the rule may seem. Towson...

Prejudice in Little Italy commentary

An op-ed appeared in Thursday's Baltimore Sun by Little Italy resident Rosalia Scalia ("Little Italy's big issue," Oct. 29). She wrote about problems that she, as a lifelong resident of Little Italy, perceives with today's society as it affects Little Italy. I actually agree with several of her...

Wright is the wrong speaker

The announcement that the Anne Arundel County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has chosen the Rev. Jeremiah Wright to speak at its upcoming awards dinner is an insult to the hard work of Baltimore-based former NAACP president and U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, as...

We have money for bombs but not bridges?

As a subscriber to The Baltimore Sun, I continue to urge others to take out a subscription. I firmly believe we must support our local newspaper. And I understand the paper's emphasis on local news.

Obama's right about Fox

Much has been made recently of the pesident's stiff-arming of Fox News. I support that effort. Fox is simply not just another mainstream broadcast outlet that must be treated like all others. It has broken the tradition of the recent past that broadcast and news outlets are mainstream and make a...

The Sun doesn't shine on Fox

Let's look at the one fact: No federal government employee or elected official should be or can be allowed to manipulate or defraud the public by barring news organizations from the right to cover news. They certainly have the right not to give an interview, but the press pool or news events...

Don't confuse Baltimore City Foundation and Baltimore Community Foundation

Regarding various articles written in The Sun about the Baltimore City Foundation, there seems to be potential for misunderstanding. Some people think you are talking about Baltimore Community Foundation also known as BCF, an award-winning foundation that assists many Baltimore...

Principals need more support

Robert Maranto's op-ed "Power to the principals" (Oct. 28) missed the mark. Advocates for Children and Youth and the Public School Administration and Supervisors Association of Baltimore City co-sponsored a survey to gauge city principals' insight on the impact of reform efforts. Principals did...

Time to rethink minor privilege fees

The Café Hon pink flamingo situation covered extensively in this paper serves as a perfect example of why the city should review its minor privileges fee ordinance. Requiring business owners to pay a fee on any and all items that hang over the sidewalk is counterproductive. Amenities such as...

Stop wasting money on stimulus

According to the auto research website Edmunds.com, almost 690,000 cars and trucks were sold under the cash for clunkers program, but only 125,000 were truly incremental. So the $3 billion program cost taxpayers $24,000 for every extra vehicle sold, according to Edmunds.

Gov. O'Malley fights for BGE ratepayers

In response to The Sun's editorial, "Power selling," (Oct. 27): Gov. Martin O'Malley isn't against the Constellation-Electricit� de France merger. (Please see your own front page story from the day before: "O'Malley supports CEG-EDF merger," Oct. 26.) All of the governor's efforts and all...

Constellation offer like a bad 'Simpsons' storyline

How is it that Constellation Energy Group CEO Mayo A. Shattuck III is eligible for an outrageous $33 million pension after wrecking the company? Are we supposed to look the other way because if the Constellation deal with Electricite de France is approved, we'll get a $20 million visitor center at a...

Enrichment for inmates

How wonderful to see such a positive article, "Sounds of Freedom," and the picture of pianist Simone Dinnerstein on the front page of The Sun on Oct. 24.

City Council harasses crisis pregnancy centers

I went to a hearing at City Hall for Bill 09-0406, "Limited-Service Pregnancy Centers-Disclaimers." As I listened to testimony from both sides, I realized there wasn't a single woman from Baltimore City who had a problem with any of the four Baltimore City crisis pregnancy centers.

Truth in advertising at pregnancy centers

Timothy J. Weber is off base in criticizing the Baltimore City Council's consideration of legislation that would ensure women receive accurate information about the services available at limited service pregnancy centers ("City Council harasses crisis pregnancy centers," Oct. 28).

NTSB too quick to blame the pilot

As you accurately report, the National Transportation Safety Board, after an exhaustive investigation, released its final report on the loss of Maryland State Police Medivac Helicopter "Trooper 2" ("NTSB blames pilot error in '08 medevac crash," Oct. 28). While "pilot error" was cited as a...

City Council harasses crisis pregnancy centers

I went to a hearing at City Hall for Bill 09-0406, "Limited-Service Pregnancy Centers-Disclaimers." As I listened to testimony from both sides, I realized there wasn't a single woman from Baltimore City who had a problem with any of the four Baltimore City crisis pregnancy centers. There were...

Constellation offer like a bad episode of 'The Simpsons'

How is it that Constellation Energy Group CEO Mayo A. Shattuck III is eligible for an outrageous $33 million pension after wrecking the company? Are we supposed to look the other way because if the Constellation deal with Electricite de France is approved, we'll get a $20 million visitor center at a...

Balto. Co. cross country: Surely you're joking

A bit of sardonic humor in the sports pages is always welcome, but some of your readers may not recognize that your piece on the Baltimore County boys' cross country championship ("Uniform violation costs Bulls title," Oct. 27) was clearly intended to be satirical.

Where's the criticism of MSNBC, CNN?

The Sun's stilted editorial, "Obama v. Fox News" (Oct. 28) was not bad, but until a similar examination of the bias of other outlets such as MSNBC and CNN is conducted, it suits neither The Sun nor the Obama administration to try to portray Fox as somehow different. That is simply false.

Sun hypocritical in Fox editorial

The Sun's Oct. 28 editorial ("Obama v. Fox News") is a textbook example of Sun hypocrisy in action. Herewith a few quotes from that editorial (with my observations in parentheses).