May 17, 2008
Having Your Say
Tell us what you thinkHave a community concern? Disagree with an editorial? E-mail an article, about 400 words, to commentary@baltsun.com and include Having Your Say in the subject line. |
Time for moratorium on harvest, sale of female crabs
The harvesting of female crabs is something I could never understand. When I was growing up in Baltimore in the 1950s, it was considered taboo to eat a female crab.
To the man who called me N-word
You remember? It was a week ago Wednesday, about 7:35 a.m., in Hampden. I was southbound on Falls Road. My car was the fourth vehicle in the left-hand lane, waiting for the light to change at 41st Street. I was a little late meeting my friend Doug at Café Hon for a quick breakfast. The light changed, and the large SUV immediately in front of me (and blocking my view of everything) slowly began to turn onto 41st Street. As I began to accelerate through the intersection, there you were, about 75 feet from the corner - not in the crosswalk - helping three little ones across the street.
Light rail becomes heavy burden
Public transportation can and should be a great thing in any city; it just takes a little marketing, a little money and a sincere interest and commitment to customer service.
Now it's your turn to boost city
William P. Carey's decision to leave the bulk of his estate to a foundation dedicated to reinvigorating Baltimore's economy represents a unique opportunity for Baltimore to move forward. All who love Baltimore should respond by asking themselves how they can contribute to the tasks necessary to realize Mr. Carey's visionary and generous dream.
End brutality behind bars
While awaiting trial nearly three years ago, Raymond Smoot was beaten to death by correctional officers at Baltimore's Central Booking and Intake Facility. His death prompted an FBI investigation, City Council hearings and a bill to create a prison violence task force.
City students who run amok have many victims
During my tenure as an art teacher at Waverly Middle School, I was assaulted by students twice. The first time I was assaulted, the student was back in my classroom within two days. I taught in Baltimore for a little over a year, and in that time I received multiple death threats, got injured breaking up fights between students, witnessed numerous riots in the hallways, and never was able to completely teach a full lesson. It became obvious to me that I had no choice but to leave - for my safety, and for my physical and mental health.
Red Line summit must focus on the future
On May 10, Baltimore is sponsoring a "summit" to discuss the Red Line - a rail transit project proposed to connect Bayview, Fells Point, downtown, Edmondson Village and Security/Woodlawn. One thinks of a summit as an exclusive affair attended by heads of state and other top officials, but this particular summit is open to everyone - even you and me - so we must wonder whether issues crucial to the city's future will really be addressed.
Law requires separate school for students at Ridge Ruxton
Throughout the debate on a proposed addition to the Ridge Ruxton School to relieve overcrowding at Towson-area elementary schools, parents of special-needs children at Ridge Ruxton and the school staff have taken a relatively quiet stand. Many of our opinions have gone unheeded until recently and now need to be aired.
Shortchanging teachers has long-term consequences
Baltimore County teachers recently completed a one-day "work to rule" response to the fact that the county is not increasing their salaries to keep pace with inflation. County officials are trying to control spending. They are confronted with a familiar balancing act: how to attract and retain quality teachers, maintain fiscal responsibility and avoid significantly raising taxes in a time of economic uncertainty.
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Share your opinion on controversial topics in the news and read what others have to say • Water pollution What's the best way to help cut back on pollution in Maryland's waterways? • City school violence Discuss recent attacks on teachers in Baltimore City schools and what can be done to prevent them. • Light rail improvements What can be done to improve light rail service for commuters in the region? |
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