LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Baltimore Sun

Going further to cut carbon emissions

Gov. Martin O'Malley's recent pledge to curb state government electricity use is a crucial step in Maryland's broader campaign to fight global warming ("Making energy policy an issue," July 4).

With more than 3,000 miles of coastline, Maryland stands among the states most threatened by global warming - with rising sea levels and more severe storms just two of the potentially disastrous threats it poses.

Mr. O'Malley's pledge to invest in greener government buildings and track state energy use are encouraging promises. And the idea of changing the incentives for companies such as Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. so that they profit based on the number of households they serve rather than the amount of energy they sell is progressive and ambitious thinking from state government.

Yet given what we know about likely future increases in our global warming-related emissions, Maryland must go much further.

The effort to make a real difference could begin with a commitment from the governor to reduce our statewide emissions 20 percent by 2020.

Making that happen would involve implementing diverse programs to help achieve this goal, including continued support and expansion of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, adoption of strong appliance efficiency standards, use of Smart Growth policies to reduce vehicle travel, and a 20 percent standard for the use of electricity from renewable sources.

Consumers must also meet the governor halfway by curbing their electricity usage and demanding greater efficiency and environmental integrity from companies.

Our environmental consciousness will create the market for change, and the intersection of private and public efforts on this issue can turn this statewide problem into statewide progress.

Michael Benz

Owings Mills

The writer is a field manager for Environment Maryland.

Is Shattuck's salary part of rising rates?

The Sun's article on salaries of CEOs of corporations with ties to Maryland was very informative ("Top dollar," July 8).

As a result of the article, I think the Board of Directors of Constellation Energy Group should be willing to answer an important question: Is there a direct connection between the astronomical increase in the cost of electricity for BGE customers and the astronomical compensation for its CEO, Mayo A. Shattuck III?

Perhaps the Public Service Commission should ask this question as well.

E. Niel Carey

Ellicott City

CEOs' success shows how effort pays off

Thank you for the excellent article on CEO pay ("Top dollar," July 8). It provides further proof of how hard work, perseverance, long hours and dedication to an organization can be financially rewarding.

I'm sure these CEOs also take great pride in their work as they lead their respective companies and provide value to their shareholders.

We live in the best country in the world, where opportunities abound for all who are willing and able to make the sacrifices needed to achieve their goals.

These leaders have earned every dollar they are being paid.

I love a capitalist system, and this report is further proof that it can pay well.

Eric Schwartz

Annapolis

Pushing out owner won't save the ship

It should surprise no one that Regal Bancorp failed to receive any bids that came close to covering the more than $1 million loan balance on the 22-year-old ship Clipper City ("Little bidding takes the wind out of sale," July 10).

However, from what The Sun has reported, it appears that, considering John Kircher's experience and obvious dedication to the ship and its operation, allowing him to continue to operate the ship would have given the bank the best chance to recover most, if not all, of its investment.

Let's hope that, having the benefit now of an indication of the Clipper City's market value, the bank may act to keep the ship afloat.

Benedict Frederick Jr.

Pasadena

Latin Mass no threat to the English rite

While some may split hairs about how old the Latin Mass tradition is, one thing is certain: At the time of Vatican II, it was the only way Roman Catholics had celebrated communion for generations, with no living person knowing a countermanding practice ("Latin not language used by Apostles," letters, July 10).

Thus the Latin Mass was a venerable tradition, and the broad interpretation of the Vatican II documents that precipitated its suppression was a sad example of authority trumping pastoral care by the church's leadership.

I am puzzled by the recent hand-wringing about the pope's recent statements on the Tridentine Mass ("Pope OKs wider use of services in Latin," July 8).

The old form of the Mass has not been ordered to suppress the new in the way that the new form was ordered to displace the old in the 1960s.

Instead, a broken-off tradition has been readmitted as an option for Catholics, most of whom have lived their whole lives without access to the experience of that service and are unlikely to request it.

After a generation, what once was a tradition is no longer one - as so many people know only a different practice.

Therefore, I can't imagine the Latin Mass replacing the English version here, unless Latin has some special magical power over English that has yet to be unleashed.

Thaddeus Paulhamus

Baltimore

Pitts takes race card right off the table

I enjoyed Leonard Pitts Jr.'s column "Those who cry 'race' when it's not to blame undermine those facing real thing" (Opinion * Commentary, July 8) because I am a white man who believes that racism still exists in our society.

And I think questions as complex as the issue of whether race was a factor in Isaiah Washington's firing from Grey's Anatomy are better answered by a man who is black, such as Mr. Pitts, as that takes the race card off the table.

Denny Olver

Baltimore

MAIF insures drivers without Md. licenses

The Sun's article "MVA's service to Latinos faulted" (June 27) suggested that new Maryland residents cannot obtain automobile insurance until they obtain a Maryland driver's license.

However, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) will provide insurance to Maryland residents if their vehicle is registered in Maryland and they have a valid license from another state or country.

MAIF strives to protect the motoring public by providing insurance to those who cannot obtain it from the private insurance market and by reducing the number of uninsured motorists on the road.

Recognizing that hardworking residents of Maryland must drive their vehicles to get to work and care for their families, MAIF will provide insurance to those Maryland residents who have a valid license from another state or country.

M. Kent Krabbe

Annapolis

The writer is executive director of MAIF.

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