Williams best choice for interim county executive

Congratulations to Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. on his election to the U.S. House of Representatives representing Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District (“Maryland election results: Johnny Olszewski, Sarah Elfreth win congressional seats,” Nov. 5).

Now, it’s up to the Baltimore County Council to select an interim county executive for Baltimore County. I agree with the Baltimore Sun Editorial Board (“Baltimore County’s chance to break an old barrier,” Aug. 14) and Dr. Dan Morhaim (“Williams would make excellent interim county executive,” Aug. 15).

Barry’s experience and many attributes are impressive. Barry would be invaluable to Baltimore County, the greater Baltimore region and the state of Maryland. I strongly support him as interim Baltimore County executive and urge the Baltimore County Council to select him.

— Bill Jones, Towson

The writer is past president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore and a former senior adviser to Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.

Let’s not forget this is our country

When I hear people on the news, including interviewers and candidates, refer to the United States of America as “this country,” I find it so demeaning. It is our country (“Houses of worship offering spaces of unity, reflection amid tumult of Election Day,” Nov. 5).

When they refer to it as “this country” it sounds like it’s not their country. Just a way of saying that “I’m not part of the country.” If you’re not part of the U.S. where you have the most freedoms around the world, your opinion doesn’t count. Just a thought.

— Tom Uzarowski, Forest Hill

Transgender people make world a better, richer place

While former President Donald Trump was taking the lead in Tuesday’s election, my transgender daughter called me. She said, “Mom, I’m scared.” All I could offer was to listen (“On gender identity, Maryland school board candidates divided,” Oct. 31).

What I have said to her, what I’m saying to all young people who are transgender, is that when you came into the world, you made the world richer.

Each person is unique. You are unique. The light, the spirit that is you has never before existed in the world. You are not defined by others. You don’t have to do anything to be a wonder.

Who you are is what makes the world richer.

— Meg Shallanberger, Frederick

Biggest post-election win: end to obnoxious ads

Hooray and hallelujah, the mute button on my TV remote lasted through the campaign. When I think about the billions of dollars spent on campaigning and the number of people who are food insecure, it is shameful (“Musk is about to find out what $130 million for Trump gets him,” Nov. 6).

The TV ads have been filled with name-calling, bullying, disrespect and blatant lies. I know there are First Amendment rights but what kind of example is that for our young people? Some of the candidates were more interested in demeaning their opponent rather than discussing their own platform in detail.

Is it time to pass a law to cap how much can be spent on TV ads? Most were much worse than the usual commercials. Hopefully, by the next election we will have cleaned up our act.

— Patricia Wagner, Arnold

Big win for the ‘deplorables’

Launched into the race by kingmaker George Clooney’s call for President Joe Biden (who has got to be chuckling to himself) to step aside, favored by virtually every mainstream media outlet with rallies and support from Beyonce, J-Lo, Oprah, and Taylor Swift, Vice President Kamala Harris loses the electoral vote, the popular vote, her party’s control of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate (“How Kamala Harris lost historic presidential race full of twists and turns,” Nov. 6).

A good day for us “deplorables.”

— Dave Reich, Perry Hall

Blame social media for the right-wing takeover

Donald Trump and the political right have just succeeded in completing a coup by taking over control over the remaining two branches of our government, the presidency and Congress (“Who will certify Donald Trump’s presidential win? Kamala Harris, that’s who,” Nov. 6). They already had the U.S. Supreme Court. The method by which this was done can be laid squarely at the feet of social media. Their clever algorithms caught people’s attention and dragged them quickly into addictive rabbit holes of lies and fakery and manipulation.

Call it what it is — brainwashing — which has led Americans to choose dictatorship over democracy. As far as I’m concerned, there is a special place in Hell for Facebook and all the other platforms that have knowingly led to this disaster.

— N.L. Bruggman, Jarrettsville