New bus depot puts big burden on transit riders
State Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan is exactly correct that the Haines Street location for the new Greyhound bus station involved "stupid decisions" and that the station is "not located close to the population that wants to use the Greyhound bus service" ("City, state debating MTA access to bus site," July 20).
Thus we have yet another slap in the face to the poor and low-income folks who rely heavily on this bus service.
The bus station issue should have been a top priority. Why didn't the mayor and the local congressional representatives consult the people who travel by bus before allowing this move?
The city should serve the needs of all its citizens and not always fill the desires of the developers.
The Haines Street station is in a wasteland and creates an intolerable expense and burden for those who only have the means to travel by bus.
The Fayette Street location, however, was adjacent to every form of mass transit, buses, subway and the light rail.
Moving the bus station to Haines Street is not only a stupid decision, it is unjust.
Brendan Walsh
Baltimore
The temporary bus terminal is an embarrassment for the city and region.
A proposal for an intermodal terminal next to Pennsylvania Station that had been approved by the city's design review board was killed at the 11th hour by a few people with loud mouths or big money who were functioning under the erroneous assumption that only riffraff ride the bus. Then the Greyhound bus station was shoved as far away as possible.
Now, too late, officials realize that this terminal connects with nothing and people have trouble getting there.
The traveling public has lost, big time, and now it's probably too late.
Theodore Feldmann
Baltimore
Weapons for Iraq will add to toll
The Sun reported on Thursday that "as of yesterday, 900 U.S. service members have died since the beginning of military operations" in Iraq ("Killed in Iraq," July 22).
If this was not enough, the Bush administration has now approved the sale of weapons to Iraq on a "case-by-case basis" in order to "promote democratic reforms, help achieve reconstruction and strengthen the Iraqi government" ("Administration OKs sale of weapons to Iraq," July 22).
So now our country will be making money off the sale of weapons that could eventually wind up in the hands of the same terrorists who have to date killed 900 Americans.
Kathy Brown
Baltimore
Ronstadt ruckus sends sad signal
Linda Ronstadt voiced admiration for filmmaker Michael Moore from a concert stage. As a result, she was ushered from the hotel casino in which she was performing and refused a night's lodging ("Ruckus over Ronstadt comments new for BSO," July 21).
That reaction, coupled with the boos, walk-outs and poster-shredding of an irate audience, speaks volumes about the consistently intolerant and immature antics of those who view blind loyalty to President Bush as a prerequisite to status as a patriot.
Here's to the brave, bright individuals who continue to speak out for change, even in a climate that is terrifyingly reminiscent of the McCarthyism that trampled fundamental rights and made a mockery of our nation's founding principles a half-century ago.
Mark L. Gruber
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Time to impeach President Bush
It is time for citizens to demand that impeachment proceedings be started against President Bush. After the report of the 9/11 commission and his administration's actions over the last four years, we need answers that could be produced only by this drastic action.
Mr. Bush has consistently misled the American people and the world, costing many of our young people their lives. His war on terror is a gambit to line the pockets of his wealthy friends while keeping the general population in a state of fear and confusion.
He tramples upon the basic principles of law and fairness upon which our country is founded.
Mr. Bush's disrespect for our Constitution is grounds enough for action.
Michael Seipp
Baltimore
Marriage is critical to society's future
A recent letter decried the use of "so much time" to debate the issue of homosexual marriage, listing issues such as health insurance, unemployment and the war in Iraq as being more deserving of the attention of the U.S. Senate ("Gay marriage debate wastes critical time," letters, July 18).
I disagree. Marriage is the fundamental basis of this and all other existing societies.
To redefine marriage is not a light issue, as doing so would impact society tremendously. To debate this issue vigorously helps differentiate between the politician (whose interests are on the next election) and the statesman (whose interests are on succeeding generations).
Health insurance, unemployment and the war are transitory issues compared with redefining marriage.
Economies rise and fall. Wars begin and end. Marriage between one man and one woman ensures the survival of society and provides the ideal environment for raising the next generation.
David P. Gilmore
Glen Burnie
AAA only sought to warn drivers
In the July 19 "Between the Lines" column, reporter Stephen Kiehl asked if AAA was warning motorists to stay away from Artscape. Quite the contrary.
In fact, the AAA press release Mr. Kiehl mentioned advised motorists to map out their route or to use public transportation to reach Artscape, and provided the Internet link to Baltimore's lengthy list of road closures, new one-way streets and detours. AAA also warned visitors about parking in restricted areas where vehicles would be ticketed and towed.
It is better to be warned than surprised. And AAA will continue to advise drivers when extensive road work could cause confusion if drivers are unfamiliar with the area or unaware of the changes.
And while light rail is the best option for reaching Artscape, double-tracking work has reduced its effectiveness from surrounding counties.
But there is another strategy in place for Ravens games that could reduce traffic around future Artscapes and also reduce the burden on parking at the event. Could visitors be bused in from large dedicated lots to Artscape, providing door-to-door customer service? Now that is a question worth asking.
John White
Towson
The writer is manager of public and government relations for AAA Mid-Atlantic.