Let O’s fans buy their favorite players

Recently in The Baltimore Sun, there was an article regarding the Oklahoma State football team and how they were putting a QR code on each player’s helmet to raise “Name, Image and Likeness” (NIL) money (“Oklahoma State to Wear NIL Fund QR Codes on Helmets in 2024,” Aug. 20). What a great idea!

I think the Baltimore Orioles could “go to school” on this idea. The Orioles could put a QR code on each player’s cap, and the fans could put money toward the players they want to keep when free agency rolls around for their favorite players. The money could be put in escrow and earn interest until that day comes.

Yes, the club would have to invest its own money as well but at least the club will have a fiscal “head” start on who the fans prioritize. Each fan could feel closer to the club by actually being a part of buying a player. Baltimore could be ahead of the “curve” on this free agency issue!

— Jim Mundy, Ellicott City

Lower Shore needs to embrace green energy

I am writing to respond to the recent editorial in The Baltimore Sun, “Ocean City’s escalating war against wind power” (Aug. 19). The NAACP, including the Maryland State Conference and local chapters, have been vocal in our support of a clean energy transition in the state and across the nation.

As frontline workers in underserved communities on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, we recognize it is these communities that will suffer first from flooding, rising tides and saltwater intrusion into their drinking water and their farm fields.

The need for sustainable, clean energy is past due and goes far beyond the arguments being made now to prevent the construction of offshore wind farms that will replace dirty energy sources polluting our air and exacerbating the challenges of a changing climate.

— Monica Brooks, Salisbury

The writer is president of the Wicomico County NAACP.

Chesapeake ferries can follow Outer Banks model

In addition to my house in Annapolis, I have a place on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Not too far from where it is, in Buxton, there is a large ferry terminal in Hatteras village which serves ferries to Ocracoke (both vehicle and passenger) and vehicle ferries to Cedar Island and Swan Quarter. Maryland could do worse than seek advice and counsel from the North Carolina state agencies that operate these very successful ferries (“Dan Rodricks: Chesapeake ferries should not be seen as novelty, but real transit infrastructure,” Aug. 21).

I have traveled on these ferries several times and enjoyed it immensely. The ferries to Cedar Island and Swan Quarter, in particular, provide a direct route to those areas, the alternative to which is a longer overland journey.

I think Chesapeake Bay ferries are a great idea. I do wonder if they would be expected to run all winter, albeit on a reduced schedule. But I think they would encourage people who don’t want to travel by car to see a lot more of the Chesapeake Bay region. It’s also possible that Maryland and Virginia might be persuaded to work together on opening additional ports of call for the ferries. This would, no question, be to the advantage of both states and their citizens.

— Jim Rosenthal, Annapolis

Trump will lose on character issues

Donald Trump did not lose the 2020 election solely because of unpopular policy positions during his tenure. The loss, in large measure, was due to his flawed character. Rather than bolstering his chances for reelection, Trump’s incumbency was actually a detriment because his shortcomings were on full display 24/7.

Driven by self-interest, Trump’s presidency was error-ridden and devoid of any meaningful legislation. Arguably, the most damaging executive action, aside from the effort to overturn the election, was Trump’s mismanagement of the pandemic. His clumsy oversight led to chaos in the economy and the deaths of untold thousands of Americans who ignored medical guidelines after Trump misled them about the deadly nature of COVID-19.

Trump’s failings, ever omnipresent, have gotten worse since his ouster. With a sense of foreboding for the future, the electorate, in the interest of all Americans, must once again render a repudiation on Nov. 5 (“Election is personal for family of late Baltimore Rep. Elijah Cummings, who was mocked by Trump,” Aug. 23).

— Jim Paladino, Tampa, Florida