Warming fears distract us from bigger issues
Molly Ivins' rant about global warming was just unwarranted hysteria ("Stupefying stance on warming," Opinion Commentary, June 6).
The world has gone through many warming and cooling cycles, generally related to solar cycles and sunspot activity.
In the early years of the first millennium, for example, the average temperature was warmer than it is now. But in the early 1800s, we experienced global cooling (the "Little Ice Age"). And carbon dioxide levels have varied greatly over the ages.
The really important environmental concerns are clean air and clean drinking water. Our air is cleaner now than it was 30 years ago and our drinking water is excellent. And many of our lakes and streams have made big comebacks (e.g., Lake Erie).
We must continue to be vigilant, but in a reasonable and balanced way. This global warming nonsense diverts our attention from the important environmental issues.
Donn Weinberg
Owings Mills
U.S. warming policy shows no prudence
Three hurrahs for Molly Ivins for her column "Stupefying stance on warming" (Opinion Commentary, June 6). What is stupefying to her and to many other citizens is the Bush administration's late and ignorant response to the scientific fact of global warming.
After being bludgeoned into finally noting that indeed this man-made abuse of Earth's life support system can bring us hell and high water, it has decreed that the problem is best ignored -- that we should bury our heads, eschew the wisdom of erring on the side of prudence by at least beginning serious efforts to limit greenhouse gases and continue on the primrose path prescribed by the fossil fuel industry of burning ever-more fuel.
Ms. Ivins shows more sense than anyone in Washington.
Rodney Abrahams
Port Deposit
Turn off the lights to save our vistas
The Sun's article "Air pollution mars park vistas" (June 9) lamented the poor visibility that blocks the panoramic views in Shenandoah National Park.
A large percentage of the smog comes from antiquated power plants, which provide electricity for lights. And not long ago, The Sun printed an article about the fact that it is nearly impossible to see all but the brightest of stars in the night sky because of light pollution caused by the apparent need to light up every parking lot and gas station in America so brightly that a person can see well enough to do The Sun's crossword puzzle ("Outshining the brilliant night skies," Sept. 10, 2001).
Perhaps as the most intelligent animals on the planet, we will someday discover that by turning out the lights before we go to bed, we will not only be able to behold the beauty of the stars above at night, but also the mountains in the distance during the day.
D. Ebbert
Bel Air
We should do more to aid world's poor
I, too, found the story of the Masai lovely and a breath of fresh air. And I agree that the American people and institutions often do good overseas. However, Leonard Pitts Jr.'s attempts to connect that story to the illusion that the U.S. government has acted as a good world citizen were ludicrous ("Masai give Americans the gift of perspective," Opinion Commentary, June 9).
If average U.S. citizens knew how little of our GNP goes to foreign aid and development, they would be appalled.
We can and should be doing much, much more.
Marian Condon
Baltimore
Dismiss the regents behind Perkins' pact
Once again, Gov. Parris N. Glendening's University System of Maryland regents have cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars ("Regents revising contracts after Perkins' severance," June 10).
Those board members responsible for former Towson University President Mark L. Perkins' contract and subsequent buyout should be removed immediately. The money they squandered could have been effectively used to provide college scholarships for hundreds of students.
This may be just the tip of the iceberg. It's time for a thorough and independent investigation of the regents.
Sue Betsill
Parkton
Sad to see closing of Northern High ...
I read with sadness of the passing of Northern High School just 37 years after it opened ("Bittersweet ceremony marks end, beginning," June 10).
As a member of the class of 1971, the only class to attend Northern for six years -- from the year it opened (in 1965 as a junior and senior high school) until graduation -- I am appalled at the overcrowding, violence and lack of leadership from school officials that led to its demise.
Rest in peace, No. 402. We'll miss you.
Karl Hess
Baltimore
... but pleased to see City College thrive
It is always a relief to read positive education news in Baltimore, and I was excited to read about the continued progress of Baltimore City College, a high school that remains successful in a city in which about 45 percent of students drop out of school ("City College regains academic prestige," June 10).
While attending City College, I encountered four years of hard work and preparation for college, guided by tough teachers, administrators and college advisers.
As a 2002 college graduate, I remain thankful for a wonderful experience at City.
L. Buckson
Baltimore
Super-speed train serves little purpose
Why do we need a 240-mile-per-hour train to traverse the roughly 40 miles between Baltimore and Washington ("MTA drops maglev routes," June 8)?
And don't trains usually make stops to discharge and take on passengers? And slow down at crossings?
Just because the money is available from the federal government for maglev doesn't mean it's a good idea to take it.
Tony Seitz
Glen Burnie
Teens need lessons in proper conduct
Susan Reimer has hit the nail on the head again: Teen-agers who elicit one's most tender feelings one day can indeed (through their total self-centeredness) drive their parents (and many others) to utter distraction the next ("Learning is only starting with diploma," June 11).
And while Ms. Reimer cites author Homer Moyer's inclusion of "How to express your thanks for hospitality" among the many things important to know before leaving home, I would add "How to write a thank-you note." I am so weary of sending wedding and baby gifts and never receiving the courtesy of a reply.
At the very least, however, passing Mr. Moyer's Real-World Aptitude Test should be a prerequisite for entrance into college or the workplace.
Dorothy Harrison
Ellicott City