Don't scapegoat Beans & Bread

Mammogram guidelines are flawed

I am a physician in practice. I have been reading the new mammogram guidelines from the so called government panel of experts, and I have been exasperated at the plain old stupidity that marks these guidelines ("New mammogram guidelines fuel contradiction, confusion," Nov. 17). The American Cancer...

Beans & Bread destabilizes the community

Doesn't it occur to this city the stabbing at Beans & Bread this week is the reason local residents are opposed to that facility's expansion? I wish The Sun would investigate all neighborhoods and their fight against this Catholic Charities monolith.

Mayor Dixon is Robin Hood in reverse

Mayor Dixon,

Dixon rhymes with Nixon. Coincidence?

Should our mayor skate,

Obama's debt epiphany

Live from Beijing, President Barack Obama has apparently had a newfound revelation that spending too much money to help revive the economy could undermine a fragile U.S. recovery and have a detrimental effect on consumer confidence.

No amount of City Hall corruption is OK

In response to a comment left online, and printed in The Sun, by one Larry G.: What do you mean by "stop crying over this. This is a -1 on a scale of 1-10"?

With ICC, we're paying for a road we'll never use

The ICC is intended to be a highway for rich people ("ICC was always intended to exclude most people," Nov. 2) and is supposed to be paid for with exorbitant tolls. Now we are told that we will all have to pay for it via increased tolls on all roads ("Jump in Md. tolls likely after 2010," Nov. 16).

Time for government to invest in jobs

In his op-ed "Democrats need to focus on jobs" (Nov 17), John Nichols cites the very disheartening unemployment rate of 10.2 percent, but his analysis would be more complete if he offered more specific strategies and principles for growing jobs and getting Americans back to worth. Here are a few...

Palestinians can't make an end run to the U.N.

Your Associated Press article: "Palestinians to ask U.N. for state" (Nov. 16) caught my attention. I immediately thought, how about asking Israel since they are the ones who will be threatened by having a terrorist state right next door?

Business needs to fight unemployment tax increase

With the economy still struggling and unemployment levels high, we ask which should concern Marylanders the most: the balance in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund or jobs? The state labor department has indicated that it intends to impose a steep tax hike to replenish the trust fund, amounting...

Stabbing shows Beans and Bread doesn't belong in Fells Point

The Sun's reporting of a stabbing at Beans and Bread ("Homeless center worker charged in stabbing," Nov. 18) illustrates the difficulties we in the Fell's Point area have endured as a result of the operation of St. Vincent de Paul's soup kitchen.

We need cap and trade for the bay

David Berry's op-ed "Focusing on bay's small ecosystems makes conservation more manageable" (Nov. 16) makes several critically correct points. First, problems can only be solved by local watershed (ecosystem) inhabitants taking responsibility for the health of their local watershed. Second, nobody...

Time for government to invest in jobs

In his op-ed "Democrats need to focus on jobs" (Nov 17), John Nichols cites the very disheartening unemployment rate of 10.2 percent, but his analysis would be more complete if he offered more specific strategies and principles for growing jobs and getting Americans back to worth. Here are a few...

When did City Council become a branch of NARAL?

As citizens and taxpayers of the city of Baltimore, we are very uncomfortable with the City Council acting as a political arm of Planned Parenthood and NARAL ("City Council OKs bill on pregnancy center disclaimers," Nov. 18). Since there were no citizens of the city who testified that the...

Md. must cut spending

In his op-ed "Maryland must consider tax increases," Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute Director Neil Bergsman says Maryland has no other choice but to raise taxes. Mr. Bergsman is two years too late; the Maryland General Assembly voted in a 2007 special session to raise and expand the...

If cards were gifts, why the small denominations?

Mayor Sheila Dixon must believe the jurors listening to her case have the IQ of my pet Yorkies. If someone is buying a gift card with the intent to give it as a gift, as Ms. Dixon's lawyers have claimed was the intent with the cards she used, anyone with any hint of intelligence knows you buy the...

Trial gives platform to anti-American hatred

I wonder if President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have given any thought to the costs, both emotional and financial, of providing terrorist "suspect" Khalid Sheikh Mohammed a stage on which to spew his hatred for American infidels (that's us, folks!) and brag about his successfully...

Don't minimize harm of pornography

In Monday's editorial "Smoke Free U" (Nov. 16), The Sun tries to make a distinction between its support of a smoking ban at Towson University and its opposition to regulating the screening of pornographic obscenity on University of Maryland campuses by claiming that "smoking is different" for two...

Sen. Burr: Legislation doesn't exempt veterans from Brady Act

Just as the public expects elected officials to read the text of bills before they pass judgment on them, your editorial board should do the same. Yet it is clear that you did not read S. 669, the "Veterans' Second Amendment Protection Act," before you published your editorial "Guns and the mentally...

Don't let a-rab tradition die out

For generations, a-rabs have been peddling their wares, mainly fresh fruit and vegetables, from horse-drawn carts in Baltimore. Along with providing a connection to our historic cultural heritage, a-rabs serve the practical purpose of bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to urban neighborhoods...

With ICC, we're paying for a road we'll never use

The ICC is intended to be a highway for rich people ("ICC was always intended to exclude most people," Nov. 2) and is supposed to be paid for w/ exorbitant tolls. Now we are told that we will all have to pay for it via increased tolls on all roads ("Jump in Md. tolls likely after 2010," Nov. 16)....

There is good news in the world

Nestled amid stories of war, unemployment and hardship were two beacons of light in recent issues of The Baltimore Sun.

Mohammed trial provides platform for anti-American hatred

I wonder if President Obama and Eric Holder have given an thought to the costs, both emotional and financial, of providing terrorist "suspect" Khaled Sheikh Mohammed a stage on which to spew his hatred for American Infidels (that's us, Folks!) and brag abouit his successfully masterminded attack...

We must link health, safety, transportation policies

The recent death of a Johns Hopkins undergraduate who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while she crossed St. Paul Street brought a tragic face to the issue of pedestrian injuries. In 2007-2008, more than 200 pedestrians in Maryland were killed while crossing the street, going to a bus stop,...

If gift cards were presents, why the small denominations?

Mayor Sheila Dixon must believe the jurors listening to her case have the IQ of my pet Yorkies. If someone is buying a gift card with the intent to give it as a gift, as Ms. Dixon's lawyers have claimed was the intent with the cards she used, anyone with any hint of intelligence knows you buy the...

Only by cutting spending can Md. balance its budget

In his op-ed "Maryland Must Consider Tax Increases," Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute director Neil Bergsman says Maryland has no other choice but to raise taxes. Mr. Bergsman is two years too late; the Maryland General Assembly voted in a 2007 Special Session to raise and expand the state's...

Andy Harris: Don't treat pornography lightly

In Monday's editorial "Smoke Free U" (Nov. 16), The Sun tries to make a distinction between its support of a smoking ban at Towson University and its opposition to the screening of pornographic obscenity on University of Maryland campuses by claiming that "smoking is different" for two reasons....

Churches care about gay marriage because they teach what's right

A reader asked why churches care about gay marriages (Readers respond, Nov. 15). Churches have always tried to get people to do what's right and to avoid evil. The Bible says that sex between two men or two women is wrong. It's unfortunate that the Ten Commandments don't say the same thing. "Thou...

After expense of Dixon trial, poor still don't get their gift cards

Beteen the costs of Mayor Dixon's defense lawyers, the prosecutors and their legal staffs, the jury consultants and the expense of the extensive media coverage, hundreds of thousands of dollars will be spent over $1,500 worth of gift cards that were to go to families in need.

People pick and choose from the Bible

In answer to the letter "How can gays go forth and multiply?" (Readers respond, Nov. 16), first of all, I don't believe that most people have any difficult understanding the Catholic Church's position on gay marriage as it is no different then its other antiquated policies such as those on birth...

Catholic church blackmails D.C.

I would like to suggest that the Catholic Church has not issued an ultimatum ("D.C. same-sex provision leads to Catholic Church ultimatum," Nov. 16). They are using blackmail as a means of forcing the D.C. City Council to bend to the will of the church. If the council bends to this type of threat,...

Redistricting is the problem, not the size of Congress

Contrary to the position taken by the authors of the op-ed piece in the Sunday Sun ("Building a bigger House," Nov. 15), I would argue that the political process has done a terrible job of re-districting in the country. We only have to look to the strange districts cobbled together by the...

Md. GOP's financial woes are Democrats' fault

While your in the business of telling the world about the Maryland GOP's financial problems ("Md. GOP chooses Scott to be its new chief," Nov. 15), you might want to tell the reading public what caused the problem.

Catholic Church does not ostracize gays

The editorial on Sunday referred to the Catholic Church's "misguided effort to ostracize gays" ("D.C. archdiocese oversteps its bounds," Nov. 15). Regardless of whether the Archdiocese of Washington is justified in its actions, the editors demonstrate their lack of understanding of the church's...

Bus safety regulations could have saved my mother's life

The response to the Baltimore Sun editorial ("Wheels off the bus," Nov. 9) by Peter Pantuso, president of the American Bus Association, ("Improve bus safety by enforcing laws, not adding regulations," Readers respond, Nov. 10) is only partially correct. My mother, Catherine Tuong So Lam,...

A-rabs just another way city ignores its past

Dan Rodricks has the right idea: Exploit a heritage in Baltimore and gain fans -- just do it right ("How to save a-rabs in 10 easy steps," Nov. 12). As a horse owner not originally from Maryland, I am saddened and dismayed and frankly appalled by how this state has treated a celebrated part of its...

Why would the poor need Best Buy gift cards?

Here's my question about Mayor Sheila Dixon's trial on charges she stole gift cards meant for the needy: Baltimore's poor need food, clothing and help with their electric bills. They do not need gift cards to Best Buy Circuit City and Old Navy.

City did a great job with H1N1 clinic

While it seems like most letters are about negative situations or complaints, I wanted to pass along my appreciation to the Baltimore City Health Department.

Obama dithering threatens our national security

It's time to call a spade a spade. President Obama's refusal to heed the advice of the general fighting the war in Afghanistan is just one more example of why he is as unfit to be the commander-in-chief of our military forces as I am.

Why do churches care about gay marriage?

I really don't understand what all of the fuss is about.

Baltimore blessed with tradition of private, religious schools

I thoroughly enjoyed Mary Gail Hare's op-ed on Nov. 9 regarding the Institute of Notre Dame's class reunion program ("45 years later, Institute of Notre Dame still calls back its daughters"). IND is one of Baltimore's true gems. That the school remains as a first-class downtown institution after...

Time for government to decide what services are really needed

In his op-ed "Plug the state's revenue leak," Nov. 12, Neil Bergsman opines that every dollar of state money goes back in to the economy to pay salaries and to provide services the citizens of Maryland need and want.

Raising taxes reduces revenue

Regarding the op-ed "Plug the State's Revenue Leak" (Nov. 12): Let's give Neil Bergsman's proposal a little reality check.

A contradiction in the abortion-health care reform debate

Those who oppose universal health care and also oppose a woman's right to choose display a logical disconnect. I can respect the opinoin of someone who says, "A pregnant woman must have the baby, and we as a country are willing to provide the necessary health care for both the mother and the child,"...

Time to reinstate the draft

Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright of the U.S. Marine Corps, 26, was killed on his forth tour of combat duty ("Carroll Marine dies in Afghanistan," Nov. 11). This American hero was awarded two Purple Hearts before he was killed serving our country.

Skyline shows Dixon's coziness with developers

The allegations regarding the mayor's "coziness" with developers, reported in conjunction with her current trial, explain a lot.

Time for a traffic law version of 'trash ball'

Many of us remember "Trash Ball," a game devised in the 1970s by then-Mayor William Donald Schaffer to encourage everyone to "toss it in," trash into containers, that is. Our present city administrators should devise a similar promotion to educate and encourage people to cross at the corners,...

Don't listen to alcohol industry on interlock

The alcohol industry trade association took a self-serving position in its op-ed, "MADD's ignition interlock proposal goes too far" (Nov 4). The American Beverage Institute's website ridiculously claims to be at the forefront of the fight against drunk driving yet objects to convicted DUI...

A-rab horses saved from life of misery

Both Thursday's Dan Rodricks column ("How to save a-rabs in 10 easy steps," Nov. 12) and Sun editorial ("Nostalgia has its limits," Nov. 12) had the wrong title on them. The headline should have been "A-rab horses finally rescued from a life of misery." Why do you dance around and avoid the main...

Teens should be allowed to tan

The idea that a teenager in Howard County can only use a tanning bed with a doctor's note is excessive ("Howard adopts restriction on indoor tanning beds," Nov. 11).

Health care reform bill strengthens Medicare

With the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) by the House of Representatives ("House OKs historic health bill," Nov. 8), we are one step closer to a stronger Medicare for seniors and future generations, as well as stable, affordable health care options for all Americans.

Small business owner: I'm glad health reform passed

I am a small business owner in Baltimore. My husband and I are partners and run Risky BBQ, a small creative shop; we write advertising.

Abortion is not the same as gall bladder surgery

The Sun's argument regarding the amendment banning the funding of abortions from government-backed healthcare is fatally flawed ('The anti-choice," Nov. 10). The comparison between an abortion and a gall bladder or kidney stone procedure assumes that a fetus is an infected organ or an abnormal...

Vote out anyone who supports Obamacare

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's liberal health care bill, passed Saturday by the Democrats, can be considered one of the greatest assaults on our freedoms and liberties in our lifetime.

Want to win the drug war? Legalize drugs

Bradley C. Shreiber's op-ed on dealing with the nation's drug problem is very self serving ("Drug war lacks a plan," Nov. 12). Mr. Shreiber indicates in a vague manner that he is the president of a "government relations company" when in fact he is, according to his website, the president of Homeland...

Baltimore drivers and pedestrians need to learn some lessons

Better pedestrian facilities may improve safety in suburban and rural areas, but in Baltimore City the bigger problem may be lack of knowledge of laws, and/or disregard of laws, among pedestrians and drivers alike.

We must preserve Medicare home health services

Your recent story on the need to provide good care for our nation's seniors ("Newest health care issue: long-term care," Oct. 30) highlighted many important trends except one: the House of Representatives' plan to cut $57 billion in Medicare home health funding over the next 10 years.

Constellation isn't responsible for all the world's ills

I find it ironic that on the day you published a letter from Sen. Benjamin Cardin praising former BGE chairman and CEO George McGowan, you also had a report on the company's "smart grid" plan ("BGE details 'smart grid' plan," Nov. 11). As usual, the naysayers like People's Counsel Paula Carmody...

Dear John Harbaugh, I like you, but...

This letter is to John Harbaugh of The Ravens:

Cyclists to blame for accidents, too

Jeffrey Marks' letter (" Maryland cyclists, pedestriations at risk," Readers respond, Nov. 10) only presents half the story. He claims drivers' failure to signal right turns is a major cause of bicycle/vehicle accidents. Had the cyclist not been committing an illegal act (passing a slow moving...

An abortion is not the same as gall bladder surgery

The Sun's argument regarding the amendment banning the funding of abortions from government-backed healthcare is fatally flawed ('The anti-choice," Nov. 10). The comparison between an abortion and a gall bladder or kidney stone procedure assumes that a fetus is an infected organ or an abnormal...

Voters should kick out any Congressmen who support Obamacare

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's liberal health care bill, passed Saturday by the Democrats, can be considered one of the greatest assaults on our freedoms and liberties in our lifetime. This faulty legislation puts the government in charge of our health care. With the 220-215 vote, the Democrats...

AARP: Health reform bill strengthens Medicare

With the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) by the House of Representatives ("House OKs historic health bill," Nov. 8), we are one step closer to a stronger Medicare for seniors and future generations, as well as stable, affordable health care options for all Americans.

Study shortchanges Md. commitment to pedestrians

The Sun article " Maryland Ranks 49th in Spending to Keep Walkers, Bicyclists Safe" (Nov. 10) reported on a flawed study released by national special interest groups. Maryland, under the O'Malley/Brown administration, views pedestrian and bicycle accommodations as essential for livable communities...

Time to let the a-rab tradition die

Some traditions just don't fade away as readily as others.

We need more George McGowans

The week that Black & Decker announced its plans to merge with Stanley Works and move its headquarters - one of only three Fortune 500 company headquarters still left in the Baltimore metropolitan area - is the same week that one of Baltimore's most ardent fans and successful businessmen died.

State still committed to Smart Growth

In response to the story "Smart Growth incentives fail to rein in suburban sprawl" (Nov. 3) there's no denying that sprawl continues to be a problem and that we need to work together to solve it. But the limitations of the Priority Funding Areas charted during Gov. Parris N. Glendenning's...

Maryland cyclists, pedestrians at risk

I applaud Michael Dresser's and Laura Vozzella's articles, "At what point does safety trump the right to drive" and "A ride for remembering" (Nov. 9) about the respective tragic pedestrian and bicycle deaths of Johns Hopkins student Miriam Frankl and Greater Homewood Community Corp. member Jack...

Small business owner: I'm glad health bill passed

I am a small business owner in Baltimore. My husband and I are partners and run Risky BBQ, a small creative shop; we write advertising.

Don't treat Hasan like a victim

Your Nov. 10 editorial "Major Hasan's turmoil," like the rest of the mainstream media, attempts to paint Major Nidal M. Hasan as a victim. You describe Major Hasan as suffering from "stress ... coupled with his own conflicted feelings." You claim the factors that cause men like Major Hasan to snap...

House gets it right on abortion amendment

The Sun's November 10 editorial ("The anti-choice") blasted the amendment to the House of Representatives health care reform bill that eliminated abortion coverage for persons who receive insurance through the any plan on the to-be-created health insurance exchange that offers benefits to...

Bay cleanup rules should be applauded

Federal action on Chesapeake Bay cleanup should be applauded, not criticized. ("Bay cleanup plan calls for expanded federal regulation," Nov. 9, and "U.S. calls for more action to restore Chesapeake Bay," Nov. 10). Federal regulation will provide consistency in the management and enforcement of...

Improve bus safety by enforcing laws, not adding regulations

Your editorial about bus safety ("Wheels Off The Bus," Nov. 9) failed to acknowledge that most of the tragic bus crashes cited could have been avoided if federal and state law enforcement officials had been more aggressive in keeping illegal bus operators off the roads. Bus safety begins long before...

State still committed to Smart Growth

In response to the story "Smart Growth incentives fail to rein in suburban sprawl" (Nov. 3) there's no denying that sprawl continues to be a problem and that we need to work together to solve it. But the limitations of the Priority Funding Areas charted during Gov. Parris N. Glendenning's...

Sun's revisionist history on Constellation deal

It is predictable, but fun nonetheless, to witness history being revised by the Sun editorial page and Business columnist Jay Hancock as they come to realize that the governor and state's role in standing up for ratepayers in the now-approved Constellation Energy Group-Electricite de France merger...