New kiosks impede harbor's sightlines
In 1978, I worked against the construction of Harborplace. But once I saw it, I admitted I had been wrong.
To this day, I believe Harborplace enhances the harbor in the same way Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater complements Bear Run in Western Pennsylvania.
The new kiosks, however, completely obscure the view corridors that are essential for the pavilions to peacefully coexist with nature ("Retails kiosks sprout up at Harborplace," July 4).
I admire Deputy Mayor Andrew B. Frank's acceptance of responsibility for the situation. I look for him to be instrumental in having these obtrusions removed, and not merely "evaluated," as quickly as possible.
The additional revenue the kiosks may generate pales in comparison with the priceless view of the harbor framed by Harborplace's two pavilions.
The great modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's comment that less is more was never more true.
It's time for us in Baltimore to get over our inferiority complex and act as if we deserve and expect well-designed buildings and public spaces.
Donna Beth Joy Shapiro
Baltimore
The writer is a former vice president of Baltimore Heritage Inc.
Junk-peddling hurts the city's showplace
I am not as annoyed by the presence of the contested kiosks at Harborplace as by the junk they will peddle ("Retail kiosks sprout up at Harborplace," July 4).
Do the citizens of Paris get up in arms about the vendors clogging their streets selling art? Does anyone complain about the maze-like marketplaces in Middle Eastern countries? No.
The difference here is that instead of utilizing the kiosk space for interesting wares, local color, art or something that could create a real sense of character, General Growth Properties will use the kiosks to create an open-air Wal-Mart of trinkets and cheap sunglasses.
And that's the real shame.
Lonnie Fisher
Baltimore
The writer is a project manager for a developer.
Court isn't reversing civil rights progress
In her column "Justice Thomas leads the march to roll back civil rights" (Opinion * Commentary, July 6), Ellen Goodman is short on fact and very long on hysteria.
I challenge her to cite one concrete example of how a decision by Justice Clarence Thomas has led to "rolling back" anyone's civil rights.
Civil rights, as we all should have learned in high school, are rooted in equal protection under the law.
They do not mean that any particular outcome is guaranteed.
So when the court recently found that the "voluntary" integration plans (i.e., not court-ordered but ordered by the government nonetheless) in the Seattle and Louisville, Ky., school systems were unconstitutional because school assignments took race into account, it correctly cited the Brown v. Board of Education decision, which ruled against such discrimination.
Michael Ries
Columbia
Starving animals is a serious offense
Kudos to Anne Arundel County officials for filing felony animal cruelty charges against Kelly Schreck, who is alleged to have starved to death five dogs under her care and to have nearly starved to death four others ("Arundel woman charged with animal cruelty," July 6).
Too often, an animal neglect case is not taken very seriously in the community if it can be written off as an unfortunate oversight or a case of forgetfulness.
But an animal that slowly starves to death suffers every bit as intensely as one that is the victim of more violent abuse - and sometimes even more, because its misery is so protracted.
This suffering demands accountability, and it is good for the community that Anne Arundel County officials are taking steps to ensure the poor dogs at Ms. Schreck's residence did not die in vain.
Ariana Huemer
Washington
The writer is an animal cruelty caseworker for the Humane Society of the United States.
Saddened by failure of immigration bill
I am disappointed that the immigration reform bill didn't get through the U.S. Senate ("President changes tactics," July 1).
I know that this is a very sensitive issue that will require a tremendous amount of planning, money and work to resolve. However, the failure to pass the bill means that there will be little change: The country will continue to face the same problems, and the illegal immigrants here will face the same injustices.
The United States is a country that was built by immigrants, and it is still in desperate need of hardworking individuals.
Indeed, immigrants are essential to our economy today.
I believe the United States is obligated to fix the immigration problem, and I believe the bill that President Bush proposed was a step in the right direction.
I love my country. However, the incompetence with which this issue has been handled greatly disappoints and embarrasses me.
Rachel Smist
Upperco
Bush can't imagine canning Cheney
Roscoe C. Born's call for Vice President Dick Cheney to leave office is out-of-touch claptrap ("Nation needs intervention to get Cheney out of office," Opinion * Commentary, July 1).
The fact of the matter is that President Bush cannot function without Mr. Cheney.
Mr. Cheney is his Rasputin.
And even if that means disaster for the Republican Party, Mr. Bush simply cannot afford to let Mr. Cheney go.
Stanleigh Cohen
Baltimore
Latin not language used by Apostles
The weeping woman at St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church who claims the Tridentine rite, celebrated in Latin, is the Mass said by the Apostles and handed down intact to the pre-Vatican II church has a mistaken historical perspective ("Catholics retain hope for Latin Mass revival," July 2).
Jesus and His Apostles were Jews who celebrated a Passover meal that featured the Eucharistic bread and wine, but did so in the language of their times - Aramaic or ancient Hebrew.
The Tridentine rite (and mentality) is a product of the 16th century.
Those clinging to this form of worship do so with a distorted sense of history.
Donata Lewandowski Guerra
Cary, N.C.
A touching tribute to a genuine diva
I would like to express my appreciation to Tim Smith for his heartfelt tribute to the distinguished soprano Beverly Sills on the occasion of her passing ("Sills opened world of opera," July 4).
Her superb artistry coupled with an innate acting ability made her a diva in the best sense of the word.
The opera world is indeed diminished by her loss.
Geraldine Segal
Randallstown