The Mail 4/1/15

Your amazing study of city benches and the U.S. Census was a novel and important means of exploring Baltimore neighborhoods, changing demographics, and landscape ("Benchmarks Revisited," Feature, Match 25). This article is definitely a "keeper." Congratulations on a fabulous job.

However, I can't say the same for the way Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake signed the city's new slogan, "Birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner," into law back in January, as you report. What is wrong with this city? Here we have a new slogan that isn't an embarrassment, or another case of wishful thinking, or a Baltimore "Believe-athon." We should be delighted we can legitimately claim America's National Anthem as our own.

But why the secrecy at City Hall? When the Mayor signed the bill, it called for a public relations event and festivity. Our new slogan deserved more celebration than a toss into the Mayor's outbox.

My city councilman, James Kraft, originated the idea for the "Star-Spangled Banner" moniker, and folks in the neighborhood signed petitions in support. It would have been thoughtful had we been notified and invited to City Hall when the Mayor put pen to paper. If anyone at City Hall is reading this letter, please suggest a second ceremony that will be covered by the media and advertised widely. Now we have a slogan that is attractive, of global significance, and (unlike "The Greatest City in America") actually true.

What happened to INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY? I usually am in support of Slutwalk and I am against the whole "women deserve it due to how they are dressed"... but he has NOT been convicted!

This might actually generate *more* ticket sales for his tour. This is amazing.

A sexual assault victim advocacy group that goes by the name SlutWalk? I'm sure you guys do some good for some people but with such an ill conceived name in such poor taste you're making it a challenge for anybody important to your mission to fully respect your organization. Drop the amateur hour name and logo and carry on with the principals you stand for.

I hate this name "Slutwalk" that is a horrible way of life, demeaning to women and disgusting for a name for such a group.

Logically speaking, Cosby has not been charged with a crime. But. A celebrity with wealth and power will smash an accuser to bits and sometimes just the idea of their power will stop a victim from going to the police. Not to mention the shame, ridicule, humiliation and "rape" in the courtroom of the victim again when forced to re live the details of the crime. These elements create the perfect storm of silence when raped by a powerful person. This is not a new dynamic. Happens all the time. Rapists walk among us all the time.

It's a very strange phenomena that people choose to support Cosby and even revere him.... a guy who prior to this mess was universally despised by journalists and talk show hosts. His ego knew no bounds in his demands (forced female staffers on the Letterman show to watch him eat ) before the show, was often curt and rude to others (Associated press interview where Cosby practically threatens to have parts of the interview deleted), and his general foul reputation. Unlikable, pretentious, unfunny troll of a man. And this is before Hannibal's stand up.

By not saying yes or no to the allegations makes him look like more of an ass. Like the accusers don't even deserve a response. You gotta wonder how many other victims there are out there who are staying silent and will take their ordeal to their graves.

American people get dumber by the day. We have a judicial system in place, so either charge him with rape or leave Mr. Cosby alone!!

When someone fails to report an alleged crime, they are ultimately responsible for not doing so. It's not society's responsibility to lynch people accused because a criminal process or trial was never done. We teach children the importance of taking responsiblity, but are giving all Cosby's accusers a pass. It's not the burden of the accused to commence a criminal investigation against themselves. We are a nation of laws and the accusers failed to adhear to them within the time allowed. It's their failure, not Cosby's, not society's.

This asshole was in Baltimore? I grew up with Cosby. He is dead to me.

I guess this is the type of news that will get the City Paper attention. They ruined Michael Jackson with this kind of nonsense and when he died then it was told he was innocent.

This is why we need feminism.

This is just a sales tatic... This doesn't mean rape... But rough sex a def.... I do agree that its not very tasteful but it is getting noticed and pretty sure that's what they were going for

The fact that it is a sales tactic doesn't make it ok.

No it doesn't make it right but then just don't buy it. All I am saying it will catch someone's eye to buy this product..... I my self won't but that's cause I don't see the need for it...

Fuck. That. Shit. And any retailer who decides to carry it.

Stop(ping) the Incinerator is never going to happen. It is a fully permitted facility with many positives for the community of Curtis Bay.

The air quality control system is one of the most advanced in the country and will meet or exceed all State and Federal limits. Unfortunately, the people who are fighting against the incinerator don't understand that it is NOT an incinerator, it is a renewable energy power plant; no solid waste will be processed at the project property; the company has created a truck route to keep waste trucks off the community roads, reducing truck traffic and emissions; and in accordance with MOU, hire from the local communities and assist with training programs.

Overreach and over prosecution by prosecutors (both state and federal) mostly on drug laws is the number one problem within our justice system. Their methods have become so underhanded and unscrupulous that no justice or civil system nor person can long tolerate or withstand them. Their ability to compel and manipulate jury's and to extort confessions has completely removed justice from within the justice system. They should all be required and held to a much higher standard. The same as judges or higher. At present, they are held, only, to very low standards, no more than any ambulance chaser yet are allowed to make decisions of national import. This allows villains and tyrants to flourish, all hiding behind legal status. Many use their office only to play politics. The protection of our Civil and Human Rights are supposed to be protected by these louts. Instead they completely ignore their responsibility. Most should be tarred and feathered before being ran from town. At the very least, most should be brought before a board and dis-barred on ethical grounds for total disregard and subversion of our Civil Rights as well as incompetent irresponsibility. The Boards who are supposed to censer or control these villains need to be removed for inaction.