Horse industry a boost to Maryland

Muslim leaders have given us reason to be wary

Rachel Airey's letter to the editor ("Disgusted by anti-Muslim bigotry" May 16 ) says this "ignorance and prejudice sickens her and makes her ashamed of this country." She says "It's even more sad when polls proclaim that many citizens are wary of Islamic people even though they probably know next...

Best Middle East policy is to back off

As an American taxpayer who has watched our country shell out trillions in the Middle East, I wondering if that region would have been better off without our meddling ( "Obama and the Arab spring" May 20).

Shrinking youth jail a puzzling choice

As a 16-year-old high school junior, I found the article regarding the proposed jail for juvenile offenders fascinating ("Size of planned youth jail to shrink," May 13). First, I am glad that the youth jail is shrinking. But, at the same, I wonder why arrests are declining. I wonder if it's...

Israel should keep the territories it captured in the 1967 war

Now we hear President Obama declaring that Israel should give back captured land back. Should the United States give back all the land it captured from the Indians?

Here we go again: More aid to foreign countries

Well here we go again, messing around with other countries around the world ("Obama and the Arab spring" May 20). Every time we do this we end up either picking the wrong side or just get everybody involved mad at us. President Obama already has managed to get Libya, Syria, Egypt and Israel mad at...

College Park graduates get an earful

NFL union leader DeMaurice Smith apparently didn't read about the Mount Royal Tavern "Cuss Bucket," in your recent article ("Time for a little gosh-darned civility," May 17) since he told University of Maryland graduates, "For anyone who believes passion is cheap and futile I have two words for you:...

Proposed memorial could trivialize Sept. 11

The proposed "touch and see" 9/11 memorial for the Inner Harbor will allow the morbid to scratch their itch and invite the hyper-patriotic to wallow in self-righteous victimization ("9/11 memorial design unveiled," May 19). In hyperbole more commensurate with the event's inflated iconography than...

Arabs are ready for democracy, but not for peace with Israel

Regarding your editorial "Obama and the Arab Spring" (May 20), your assessment that the president laid out a "pragmatic, nuanced approach to the region" is not borne out by the realities on the ground.

Wake up America: Obama selling out Israel

President Obama's support and endorsement the establishment of a Hamas-led Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders is one of the worst and most dangerous foreign policy decisions that the Obama administration has made so far ("Obama and the Arab Spring," May 20).

Litigious society to blame for school zero-tolerance policies

In response to "Schools' zero-tolerance policies criticized," as an educator for more than 20 years I know that schools are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Had someone been hurt by the mace in Severna Park High School student Lyndsay Benefiel's bookbag, we would have questioned why she...

McDonald's beating: the Catch-22 of capturing an attack on tape

As appalling as the video of the McDonalds altercation in Rosedale may have been, I can't help but wonder, what would have happened if the person hadn't filmed Chrissy Lee Polis being assaulted?

Mandatory life jackets: What's next, compulsory sun screen?

L. Alan Keene, you're all wet on your article "Save boaters from themselves" (May 18). Your comparison to cell phones while driving and helmets for motorcycles is overstated. Using cell phones while driving, like drunk-driving, directly endangers the lives of others. The chances of critical injury...

False claims made about Mt. Olive Church

Roland Pechulis wrote a letter about the Mt. Olive Church in the Hampton community (" Mega church in Towson will cause traffic issues," May 18) that is totally incorrect. First, Mr. Pechulis stated that the septic system of the church was failing. Not true. He also stated that Mt. Olive has 4,000...

Does anyone have enough sense to cut aid to Pakistan?

My opinion of President Obama rose when he ordered the successful raid to eliminate the mass murderer Osama bin Laden. Now if our government would only take the next reasonable step and also eliminate the $3.2 billion in aid that we send to Pakistan, I would really be impressed!

Schaefer will: How did a public servant get so rich?

Here's the burning question of the day regarding the late William Donald Schaefer's will: How did a man who worked in state and local government all his adult life accumulate an estate of almost $2.5 million?

s^t District foe">Andy Harris: Medicare's 1^st District foe

Kudos to Janice Likens for her recent letter on Maryland's 1st District congressman and his views on Medicare ("Rep. Harris and Medicare," May 18). She rightly calls out Rep. Andy Harris for his support of the GOP proposal to dismantle the program. Of course, Medicare needs...

Disappointed by Pimlico's deplorable condition

My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Baltimore for the first time last week. The people we encountered were remarkably friendly, the restaurants excellent, and the neighborhoods intriguing.

Rodricks' selective memory on illegal immigrants

How much research and single-minded effort did it take for Dan Rodricks

Parent of Western grad shocked by requirement

As the parent of a 1982 graduate of Western High School (who was accepted at a number of four year institutions and went on to graduate from Vassar College) I was shocked to learn that those who completed requirements needed to receive a high school diploma would be kept from participating in the...

Patients have a right to choose treatment options

There's one question Jay Hancock failed to consider in his column on urologists who refer patients to radiation centers that they own ("Self-referral rules or not, business as usual for clinic," May 17): What is the role of the patient in determining...

Naval Academy should not have mandatory prayers

Talbot Manvel's article about freedom from religion was very much on the mark ("Naval Academy tradition vs. Constitution," May 17).

Maryland tolls: What are we paying for?

I understand that tolls in Maryland have remained the same for many years, but I'm still quite annoyed at the current proposals for raising them. I also understand how a homeless man on the street could use a few extra bucks when he is wearing worn and torn clothing; but I'd wonder what was going on...

Palestinian protesters deserve credit for bravery

I appreciate your coverage of the many brave Palestinians who demanded their right to democracy this week ("Protesters enter Israel; 12 die," May 16).

Andy Harris states the obvious

Bravo, Andy Harris, for pointing out that this country has a fiscal crisis ("Debt litmus test" May 16). There are at least 3 percent of the people who aren't aware of this. The big question is what to do about it, and it is in the details of the solution differences of opinion lie. What I'd have...

Environmental groups wrong on waste-to-energy plants

Having spent a substantial portion of my career in the solid waste management field, I have followed with interest the debate regarding waste-to-energy facilities as renewable energy sources. I find it disconcerting that some environmental groups continue trying to aggressively discredit WTE...

Thanks to Gov. O'Malley, more of us can get cancer

Thanks to The Sun for all its coverage of the bill to re-label trash incinerators as renewable energy ("Waste-energy bill to get O'Malley's signature," May 18). But once again, industry wins and the people lose. We are now going to pay more money to trash incinerator companies for giving us cancer.

Osama bin Laden and Geronimo

Regarding the Navy SEALs code name "Geronimo" for Osama bin Laden, I think the misunderstanding is based on the way all of us have learned American history: That it started with brave settlers, persecuted in Europe, who came to the New World, defeated the savages and founded a new country.

Life jackets should remain a choice

Op-ed contributor L. Alan Keene ("Save boaters from themselves," May 18) is certainly correct that the use of life jackets by boaters is a sensible precaution in many situations, but the notion that life jackets should be mandated under penalty of law is appalling. Unlike driving while using a...

Providing support to Alonso, principals a smart investment

I agree with Sen. Nancy Jacobs that Baltimore schools CEO Andrés Alonso's decisions to date — initially paring North Avenue staff, for instance — have turned around a failing system ("Alonso's highly paid administrators a slap in the face of Md. taxpayers," May 17). In addition,...

Prayer at the U.S. Naval Academy is proper

As a 1960 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, I take grave exception to Talbot Manvel's op-ed page commentary on mealtime prayers at our military institutions ("Naval Academy tradition vs. Constitution," May 17).

Toll hoax: Funds not being spent on roads

Congratulations to The Baltimore Sun and Michael Dresser ("For whom the tolls toll," "The era of cheap road tolls in Maryland is over," May 16). Between the two articles on tolls, Maryland motorists are now convinced that they are responsible for...

Mega church in Towson will cause traffic issues

A parcel of land located in the middle of the Hampton Garden community is up for sale. The property is 12.71 acres and owned by the Belvedere Christian Church. The church is selling the land due to their loss of membership and their inability to function as an independent religious operation. Over...

Requiring life jackets is misguided

L. Alan Keene's op-ed ("Save boaters from themselves: require life jackets," May 15) argues incorrectly that boaters must be "saved from themselves" through the enactment of mandatory life jacket laws when in fact the opposite is true — we must arm boaters with the knowledge to make the...

Western commencement policy is idiotic

What in the heck is wrong with our city schools? Your almost half page story about Western High School commencement policy ( "Western to review commencement policy" May 17) indicates there are some idiots in charge.

Ruppersberger not so hot on national security after all

Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger has been receiving a great deal of media attention lately as the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee due to the demise of Osama bin Laden ("Ruppersberger: It was bin Laden," May 13). According to the congressman, you would think he pulled the trigger...

Senator Jacobs wrong to criticize Alonso

I was stunned by the letter (May 17) from State Sen. Nancy Jacobs criticizing the hiring of additional executive directors by Baltimore City Schools CEO Andrés Alonso, saying that, in doing so, "he slaps the face of Maryland taxpayers." Based on the questions she raises in her letter, the...

Redirect juvenile jail funds to community-based youth programs

Spending $70 to $100 million dollars on a new juvenile jail in East Baltimore — or any new juvenile jail for that matter — is not the best, most cost-effective way to proceed ("Downsizing juvenile jail" May 13). In Baltimore and around the country, there is increasing evidence that...

Rodricks right about our trashy communities

I just read Dan Rodricks' comments written about our "trashy" communities ("We need to get back to the message on trash" May 17) and my immediate reaction was "Amen and Amen."

The cuss bucket spreads civility

What a great idea: a Cuss Bucket! ("Time for a little gosh-darned civility," May 17).

What is going on at Western High School?

Regarding the story ("Western to review commencement policy," May 17) which said: "A tradition that permits only those graduates going on to four year colleges to participate in commencement exercises is being reconsidered at Western High School," I ask, what kind of tradition is that?

Sun gives tea party a free ride

I am trying to hang in with The Sun.

Burning trash means jobs, energy for Maryland

Much to my dismay and disappointment, I have been informed that Gov. Martin O'Malley is hesitant to sign legislation reclassifying waste-to-energy incinerators as a preferred form of renewable energy in Maryland.

Debt ceiling crisis may prove welcome antidote to free-spending ways

While many may consider it catastrophic if the debt ceiling is not raised and the government is forced into a temporary shutdown, it might be the best medicine for those who dismiss our burgeoning deficit as no problem.

Sun misses the facts on waste-to-energy

The late U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan's once famously said in debate, "Sir, you are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts." With that in mind, we take issue with the Sun's May 9 editorial on Maryland waste-to-energy (WTE) legislation ("O'Malley should trash waste-to-energy...

What's the big deal about $4 gas?

I'm just like everyone else now and paying $4-a-gallon for gasoline is nothing anymore. America is used to it and I'm used to it.

Illegal immigrants: Asset or liability?

Dan Rodricks used the example of an illegal immigrant who became a doctor and saved a woman's life to illustrate the wonderful asset illegal immigrants can be ("'Illegals' and the next economy," May 15).

Cut aid to Pakistan

Our country has many problems. To list a few there are all the homes in the Midwest recently destroyed from all the tornadoes. Also, what about the future of Social Security and Medicare? How about all the homeless and hungry in our own country? How can we possibly find funding to help solve all...

Perpetuating the Medicare, Social Security trust fund myth

The Sun does a disservice in Noam N. Levey's reporting ("Medicare to run out in 2024," May 14). The article stresses the dates when the Medicare and Social Service trust funds run out of money, but these are, in fact, fairly meaningless milestones.

Oystering: where theft is an accepted business practice

Oyster poachers and big oil companies have similar business practices ("Washington's pig roast," May 13). The difference is that big oil companies have enough money and influence to insure that what they do is technically legal.

Water billing reforms just a start

The article by Liz F. Kay regarding water bills ("City to Overhaul Water Billing," May 11) was helpful but only told part of the story. The well-known clerical errors, long waits to reach city water bureaucrats, frequent huge overcharges for water and so on, unfortunately, are well-known. One...

Setting the record straight on State Center

We are writing as representatives of the state of Maryland to provide facts regarding the State Center project in response to inaccurate statements made in several letters to this paper.

Disgusted by anti-Muslim bigotry

Thank you for your article "American Muslims hope for turning point" (May 15). The issue of anti-Muslim prejudice deserves more attention.

The Sun should stop liberal cheerleading

Regarding the editorial "Playing chicken with the economy" (May 15) , when President Obama presented his original budget, it contained no spending cuts and totally ignored reigning in entitlement spending (Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid). Only after the Republicans proposed spending cuts did...

Branding Inner Harbor a 'poverty zone' is insulting

As a long-time resident of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, I take exception to the moniker "Inner Harbor poverty zone" (May 13). Furthermore, I'm active in the community, and this is the first time have heard our area referenced in such a manner. I was aware of the vile treatment ESPN workers received...

Talbot County treatment of lacrosse players is ridiculous

The unbelievable turn of events pertaining to the Sun's editorial "Zero tolerance? Zero common sense" (May 10) is something so Kafkaesque that one would never believe it could happen in the good old U.S. of A.

Rodricks on illegal immigrants: sheer hypocrisy

Dan Rodricks' commentary "'Illegals' and the next economy" (May 15) is the epitome of hypocrisy.

Rep. Harris wants to privatize Medicare

This spring I attended two town hall meetings hosted by Rep. Andy Harris. As part of the minority in the 1st Congressional District, I wanted to express my opinion regarding the Republican agenda in Congress. At both meetings, Rep. Harris presented lots of charts and graphs to show how we are...

Linking scholarship cuts and coach's salary is flawed

Letter writer Don Fusting ( "Cuts for scholarships millions for basketball coach" letter May 13) seems to be confused. The cuts to the Maryland Distinguished Scholars program have nothing to do with salary of the new, or the recently retired, University of Maryland basketball coach. Maryland...

True mint juleps are made with Maryland rye

"Muddling the Mint Julep" by Rob Kasper (Editorial notebook May 7) was an excellent choice of subject and had some excellent technical information but contained some bad history.

Hampton not right fit for mega-church

The small communities off of the Providence Road corridor from the Baltimore Beltway to Loch Raven Drive in Baltimore County will be changed forever with the upcoming plan to have a mega-church purchase a "mini" church presently existing inside of our quiet neighborhoods.

Why not keep scholars in Maryland?

I read with great concern that the Maryland Distinguished Scholar program is being phased out, likely for good. This grant helped put me through college at a time when my parents had very little money to send me. They were not poor — my father was a rural mail carrier in Carroll County. Yet...

Legal immigrant says cutting Distinguished Scholars program is misguided

I support giving better educational opportunities for all Maryland residents, legal or illegal. But does it make sense to eliminate the Distinguished Scholars program designed to help the best and the brightest legal residents of Maryland to study here, while establishing a new program designed to...

Oyster poachers are stealing taxpayers' money

Thank you for highlighting the significant problem of illegal oyster harvesting in the Chesapeake Bay ("A sour oyster stew," May 10). Officials dispute the exact extent of this criminal activity but say possibly up to 80 percent of "sanctuary" reefs off-limits to harvesting experience poaching by...

Merit scholarships help those of modest means, too

In a recent letter, the Maryland Higher Education Commission's former chairman, Kevin O'Keefe, defends the O'Malley administration's cutbacks to its Distinguished Scholar scholarship program ("Distinguished Scholars program deserved to be cut," May 13).

Tuition breaks for undocumented immigrants penalize law-abiding students

I read with dismay your front page stories "O'Malley signs tuition break" and "Seniors stunned by Md. scholarship cuts" (May 11).

Restoring the bay on a budget

The Chesapeake Bay is 200 miles long and 35 miles wide at its widest point. It's the nation's largest estuary, and 17 million people live within its 64,000 square mile watershed, which includes six states and the District of Colombia. But unfortunately, over time the bay's ecosystem has deteriorated...

No conflict of interest in Constellation hiring of Max Curran

Jay Hancock's article regarding the hiring of Max Curran by Constellation Energy Group ("Lawyer makes Constellation-Exelon deal a family affair for O'Malley," May 8) appears to imply there may have been some type of conflict of interest under state...

Turgeon a fine choice but needs players

Everyone waited anxiously to see who the next Maryland basketball coach would be to replace Gary Williams, who had a dismal record at Maryland, winning the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship only once in 22 years.

Sun is predictably friendly to 'Obamacare'

David Savage's article "Health care law gets friendly hearing in appeals court" (May 11) was predictably friendly to the court and Obamacare.

Why not tax gun ownership?

The government is looking for ways to raise revenue, so why doesn't it tax gun owners?

Gas prices: getting the evil, greedy story straight

We were told during the eight years of the previous administration that high gas prices were a result of evil, greedy oil companies and the Bush/Cheney ties to that industry. Now we are told that high gas prices are a result of evil, greedy oil companies and the Republican-led Congress.

Alonso's $100k administrators a slap in the face of Md. taxpayers

Grasmick's education legacy not so stellar

It was so refreshing and delightful to read Marta Mossburg's recent column peeling back years of carefully crafted veneer to expose Nancy Grasmick's true legacy and set the record straight ("Maryland's uneducated graduates," May 11). Ten years ago, I retired from teaching middle school language arts...

Efficiency is the key to lowering fuel costs

A recent article ("Demand, not speculation, cited for rising oil prices," May 8) underscored the need to build cars and trucks that guzzle less gas. In the coming months, President Obama has an opportunity to break our oil dependence, save Marylanders money at the gas pump, and cut dangerous...

Alarming picture of state's higher education priorities

Two articles in The Sun of May 11th present an alarming picture of Gov. Martin O'Malley's priorities for supporting higher education in the state.