More Jewish leaders need to condemn Hamas

Those who fancy themselves as leaders of the local Jewish community would be wise to emulate the model of courage demonstrated by former state Sen. Bobby Zirkin in publicly condemning the manifest indifference of his political colleagues to the barbaric acts of savagery committed by Hamas and celebrated by Gazans (“Where’s the outrage over Hamas’ murder of hostages?” Feb. 24).

To my thinking, so doing would be more productive — and, yes, more courageous — than the apparent preference among Jewish clergy and their secular counterparts to focus their expressions of outrage on the “choir” rather than the “non-believers.”

— Barry J. Renbaum, Reisterstown

Why don’t Republicans sell the national parks?

The article, “Trump cuts hit Maryland national parks hard: ‘A big loss,’” (Feb. 25), discussed the downside of the National Park Service cuts but I failed to notice mention of the upside.

What good are these so-called “national treasures” when restricted to a vague idea of preserving the country’s pristine heritage? For decades, Republicans have wanted to sell these parks to private investors who could profit from harvesting old growth forests and extracting valuable ores. Now, this can become a reality with the Republican Party controlling all three of the branches of government.

With the exception of a few members of Congress whose names get pulled out of a hat to vote with the Democrats — presumably to give an impression of bipartisanship — what Republican would not support this? Selling off the national parks should win approval. To paraphrase a line in an old movie, you can’t eat the scenery. They don’t make any money. And accumulating money is the only thing that should matter to the citizens of the United States.

These national parks are just a woke way to spread the peanut butter across to all citizens including the low-income variety. Why? Investor ownership of parkland would also help attain another Republican priority — concentration of the nation’s wealth.

— C.W. Anderson, Pasadena

Don’t deny refugees their basic human rights

Growing up, my mom didn’t know any of her aunts, uncles, cousins or extended family. Her dad, like many parents, sometimes accidentally called her by her older sister’s name. Except that her sister, like her extended family, had been deported and killed by Nazis. My grandparents survived, resettled in Paris, and gave birth to two children, both of whom were officially listed as “children of refugees” on their birth certificates, until they eventually gained citizenship a few years later.

Over the past few weeks, my family has watched with dread as the Trump administration has closed the borders of the United States to asylum seekers and refugees just like in World War II. We see efforts to lift temporary protected status for those fleeing dangerous circumstances, end birthright citizenship and ramp up deportations and family separations (“Federal judge blocks Trump’s order halting US refugee program,” Feb. 25).

These policies not only strip away basic human rights but they also contradict President Donald Trump’s stated goal of making America strong, safer and more prosperous. My family feels this in our very bones.

The recent ruling by a federal judge blocking the suspension of the refugee admissions program offers a glimmer of hope. I can only hope that it holds and will be adhered to by the Trump administration.

— Lior Miller, Silver Spring

Where’s the outrage over Hamas’ murder of hostages?

I read the op-ed piece submitted by Bobby Zirkin and for the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, felt that someone was finally speaking up for Israel and for the Jewish people. His referral to the “uneducated morons on college campuses ” hit home for me. During the protests last summer I went to Johns Hopkins campus to see what it was that the students wanted.

I walked onto the campus and was approached by a young girl who asked me what I wanted (as if I had no right to be there). I told her that I was interested in what they were trying to achieve. She told me “free Palestine.” I asked her where Palestine is and she walked away. My point is that, unfortunately, most people do not know the history of Israel or the Jewish people, nor do they care. The world should be outraged at how Hamas is parading coffins of dead children. Thank you Bobby for saying what needed to be said!

— Joan Solomon, Pikesville