Alsobrooks failed the Ravens-Commanders question

For those who watched the televised debate between Maryland’s U.S. Senate candidates, former Gov. Larry Hogan and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the most important and deciding question for anyone undecided was the last question, which was jocular in nature. The moderator asked them who would win Sunday’s football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders (“Alsobrooks and Hogan clash in debate: 6 takeaways,” Oct. 11).

Hogan said Ravens while Alsobrooks emphatically proclaimed Commanders. Maybe Alsobrooks does not realize that she is running to represent Maryland, and the Ravens are Maryland’s team, not the Washington Commanders, despite playing their home games in Landover. If I can’t trust her loyalty to the Ravens, I have to vote for Hogan.

— Thomas Bateman, Lutherville

Don’t ignore Republican attacks on the U.S. Constitution

In his recent commentary (“A dangerous political philosophy is on the ballot in November,” Oct. 10), Michael J. Onisick seems to have a few memory lapses. He decries the anti-constitutional agenda of the Democrats but conveniently forgets the true attack of our Constitution, namely, the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection fueled by Donald Trump. Even then-Vice President Mike Pence has acknowledged that this was a direct attack on the U.S. Constitution and a peaceful transition of power.

The writer claims that our justice system is being corrupted and bankrolled by George Soros, but he ignores the hundreds of millions of dollars of dark money from right-wing corporations and foundations that are being used by conservatives to take over the judiciary and capture America’s courts. Massive support for the conservative Federalist Society was, in large part, responsible for allowing Trump to remake the balance of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Onisick should also be reminded that the Founding Fathers’ intent in providing for the separation of church and state was to not only provide for freedom of religion, but also freedom from religion. There is legitimate concern that Project 2025 led by two former Trump administration officials working on behalf of the right-wing Heritage Foundation could be used as a blueprint to remake the United States into a so-called Christian nation.

— Beryl Rosenstein, Pikesville

Baltimore should not be lining Elon Musk’s pockets

When I heard that the Baltimore City Board of Estimates approved $5 million to purchase Tesla passenger cars, I was shocked (“Baltimore City to spend up to $5 million to buy Tesla passenger vehicles for use by government employees,” Aug. 20). I can understand the logic of considering electric vehicles. What I cannot understand is lining the pockets of Elon Musk, someone who has no respect for Black people and couldn’t care less about the plight of inner cities.

Does the board not care about the character of their business partners? Who Baltimore gives taxpayer dollars to should be based not only on the products being sold, but on the character of the business partners. Shouldn’t business partners at least operate under the pretense of respecting the Baltimore community? Musk’s actions and words have demonstrated his lack of respect for communities like Baltimore for years. In one interview, when asked specifically about inner-city communities, he said, “I don’t care.”

I am not a Baltimore resident, but as a concerned citizen of Maryland, I feel compelled to speak up. I hope the board is not locked into a $5 million contract with Tesla. If it is too late to reverse this decision, I am appalled that Baltimore leadership would sell its soul to a company even partially owned by Musk. If this is a done deal, you have done a disservice to the citizens of Baltimore. You should be ashamed of your failure to insist on only doing business with partners who respect your community.

— Rhonda Brooks, Columbia

Hogan or Alsobrooks for president

Watching the substantive U.S. Senate debate between Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and former Gov. Larry Hogan made me wish they were running for president rather than the two disappointing people actually competing for the highest office in the land (“Weighing a maverick Republican against a mainstream Democrat,” Oct. 11).

— Jerry Levin, Baltimore

Harborplace plan smacks of backroom dealing

Voters should have had a say on which of three or four alternatives should be chosen for Harborplace (“Finally, city voters will have their say on Harborplace,” Oct. 10). This feels like the result of a closed-door meeting between Mayor Brandon Scott and developer P. David Bramble without proper vetting.

Most real businesses would have asked for proposals and compared them based on cost, cash flow, property tax impact, employment, and other pros and cons, and then presented the information to the citizens for their vote. But not in Baltimore.

Keep an eye down the road as to how Scott gets paid back.

— Lyle Rescott, Marriottsville