Help for those suffering in South Africa

The situation taking place in South African’s depleted mines is horrifying. It’s hard to imagine a life in South Africa where people are so poor and desperate they risk starvation and death to scrape the remaining tailings in old shafts. But in a nation with one of the highest unemployment rates in the world such gleaning is a survival necessity.

Yet it struck me as one of the greatest ironies that the richest man in the world was born and educated in South Africa. According to reports, Elon Musk is worth over $400 billion. He also is the visionary behind SpaceX and his goal is to eventually build a human habitation on the Mars.

The contrast between Musk and those struggling in old South African mines is beyond comprehension. Associated Press reporter Mogomotsi Magome’s account was grotesque (“The rescue of hundreds of miners in a deep South African gold mine began with a camera and a note,” Jan. 21). However, it’s gratifying Musk is trying to help that country through financial funding. He has also established a volunteer program through Musk Foundation focusing on education, health and the environment.

I’m sorry the report failed to mention the many people who do recognize the grief of that country and are trying to alleviate the misery.

— Rosalind Heid, Baltimore

Does Armstrong Williams recall who caused Jan. 6?

I read with interest the recent column by Armstrong Williams (“A welcome return to constitutional order,” Jan. 18) in which he compares the chaos of Jan. 6, 2021 to the most recent certification of our presidential election. Williams commends the routine way the most recent certification took place. He makes no comment on the irony that President Donald Trump, whom he supports, was substantially responsible for the chaos in 2021.

While Williams cautions the new president against issuing pardons to the perpetrators of the attack on the U.S. Capitol four years ago and speaks of the damages such action would bring to the psyche’s of law enforcement officers everywhere, he seems perfectly comfortable with the election of Trump.

Yet this was a the man who failed to prevent the chaos and has promised many times to pardon those who carried it out. How does Williams support such an individual and reconcile the details of Jan. 6? It’s hard to understand.

— L.G. Connor, Ellicott City

California’s inept leaders pilot like Titanic’s captain

Watching the Democratic leaders of super-blue California blame everything and everybody else for the massively destructive and killing wildfires around Los Angeles would be amusing were it not for the horrific tragedy of it all (“Fire risk and strong winds continue in Southern California with potential rain on the horizon,” Jan. 22).

Given that it’s California where the ruling politics are more woke than a triple espresso, the clownfish running things point a big hairy finger of blame at climate change for the state’s woes. That tired shibboleth, of course, is just woke-speak for “it’s Donald Trump’s fault.”

When the Titanic sunk, Captain Edward John Smith could have blamed the disaster on climate putting that nettlesome ice berg in the ship’s path. But he understood that such a peril was out there and it was his job to anticipate the high danger and steer his boat and the folks depending on him out of harm’s way. He failed to do so.

Captain Smith sadly, but honorably, accepted responsibility and the attendant ignominy and died along with his ship and the many innocent victims of his professional malfeasance. Similarly, many incompetent California politicians starting with Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass should have their political careers sunk 2,000 fathoms, never to rise again.

The Titanic was a ship of fools, passengers willing to entrust their fate to a crew of hubristic, ultimately incompetent, stewardship. California is a state of fools who need to replace grandstanding and dangerously misguided governmental leadership with people who actually know what they’re doing.

— Jon Ketzner, Cumberland

Even in losing, Lamar Jackson is a class act

While last Sunday’s playoff loss was a disappointment, I felt a sense of uplift on Monday morning. In today’s world, where athletes and politicians have big egos and fail to take responsibility, Lamar Jackson’s response to the loss was a great example for all of us (“Mike Preston: Playoff Lamar and MVP Lamar remain separate QBs,” Jan. 20).

Humbly and with sincerity, he congratulated his opponent and unduly took responsibility for the team’s loss. Good sportsmanship and class are easier said than done. Well done, Lamar!

— Charlie Fenwick, Cockeysville