'Stop Snitching 2' sends wrong signals
Thanks to The Sun for publishing the enlightening, if disturbing, article on Stop Snitching impresario Rodney Bethea ("Thug life - the sequel," Dec. 23), who is photographed in front of an abandoned, boarded-up rowhouse that symbolizes the promise of his empire - Baltimore as a dilapidated ghost town.
Unfortunately, I have yet to find an acceptable rationale for Mr. Bethea's actions.
Although he promotes the stop snitching, pro-dealing ethic because, he says, "People are surviving the only way they know how," he fails to add the appropriate note that they are doing so by killing their brothers and sisters and their community.
Still, I pray that one day soon, his conscience and common sense will catch up with his enterprising nature.
Perhaps as Mr. Bethea matures, he will use his power and charisma to inspire our disenfranchised communities, which desperately need the help.
But until that day comes, one can only hope that even if the video succeeds financially, it will fail to quiet the spirit and integrity of the good, proud people of Baltimore.
T. Stott
Baltimore
Providing a platform for selfish promoter
I simply don't understand The Sun's article "Thug life - the sequel" (Dec. 23).
It contained nothing constructive or redeeming about the Stop Snitching 2 video, and I would suggest that this is not a worthy news topic.
Producer Rodney Bethea panders with a message intended to benefit only himself, and The Sun provides him a swell platform.
I find Mr. Bethea's position indefensible and shameful and The Sun's complicity in it both real and wrong.
Roger W. Beebe
Fallston
Obstruction is now GOP's main weapon
As the first session of the 110th Congress comes to a whimpering close, congressional Republicans have beaten the record for filibusters with a whopping 62 ("Not much left to lose," editorial, Dec. 19).
This record has been achieved during only the first session of this Congress, beating the former record that covered two sessions.
Similarly, President Bush has threatened vetoes on 84 bills and vetoed six - which is quite a contrast with his single veto during the six years of Republican control of Congress.
President Bush is a political lame duck. His most reliable political allies - the Republicans in Congress - were whipped in the 2006 elections because of voter disgust with the direction of the country.
And now the Republican strategy is clear: Obstruct any progress on popular measures through filibusters, vetoes and veto threats and then claim that Congress is ineffective.
This is like mugging the mailman, then complaining that the mail never arrives on time.
David M. Blades
Columbia
O'Malley must stop political bullying
I am appalled that Gov. Martin O'Malley is wasting time trying to oust a dedicated public servant such as state schools Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick ("Grasmick under fire but still on the go," Dec. 23).
She has guided our schools through many difficult days, and continues to point our education system in the right direction.
I hope the governor will concentrate on issues such as taxes, safety and economic growth - and stop the political bullying.
Mark Ostrowski
Hunt Valley
Securing our border doesn't negate faith
Perhaps Cynthia Tucker has never experienced the consequences of our country's failure to regulate immigration and to provide efficient and timely immigration services to those of us who follow the rule of law ("Right's message to immigrants: No room at inn," Opinion
Commentary, Dec. 24).
But I have. After more than four months, my wife, who is a permanent resident, is still waiting for our immigration service to acknowledge receipt of her application for her son's legal immigration to America.
I am opposed to illegal immigration. I want our borders closed and sealed.
I think my late father and grandfather, who were Protestant ministers, would want the same thing.
Protecting our country's sovereignty is unrelated to fulfilling Christian values - which may be expressed in ways other than allowing illegal aliens to change the context and culture of the United States.
Henry H. Emurian
Baltimore
Use forests to create renewable energy
We need to clear the air about The Sun's article "State forests sought for wind farms" (Dec. 6) and the editorial "Gone with the wind" (Dec. 7).
We are talking about wind turbines in a state forest where 30,000 acres are already actively logged, not a wilderness area.
If such a forest can be harvested for lumber, why can't it be used for desperately needed clean, renewable energy?
Anyone who would stand in the way of wind farms in Maryland needs to consider the alternative, which is business as usual - that is, getting most of our electricity from coal, which is often mined through mountaintop removal and which emits obscene amounts of carbon dioxide.
This is simply unsustainable, and there is simply no time for attitudes such as, "Put the windmills someplace else."
Each flip of our coal-powered switches brings us closer to the point of no return in what is now a climate emergency.
Joseph Adams
Towson
The writer is a volunteer for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
Experience shows abstinence can fail
The statement that abstinence is the only 100 percent effective way to prevent pregnancy is a little disingenuous ("Abstinence program cuts pregnancy rate," letters, Dec. 19).
During my pre-Griswold vs. Connecticut adolescence, it was pretty much the only legal way to prevent pregnancy, and every girl who dropped out of school to have a baby got pregnant because it didn't work.
The effectiveness of all other birth control methods is determined in actual use.
For a fair comparison, the effectiveness of abstinence must also be graded down when its users don't follow instructions precisely.
Jeff Matthews
Conowingo
Shepherd's humor still a source of joy
Thank you for the article on Jean Shepherd ("A present that puts others in the shade," Dec. 22).
I used to listen to him on the radio and saw one of his performances in the late 1970s.
His books are hilarious - particularly Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.
I think the leg lamp is a fine tribute to Mr. Shepherd, although I understand why having one in the front window may be frowned on by some as in poor taste.
Mr. Shepherd certainly made the world a better place. He made us laugh - and continues to do so.
May his legacy live on through books, recordings and leg lamps.
Susan B. Nestler
Towson