Trump’s dance move sure get a lot of imitators

Have we so badly run out of things to complain about that we now have to criticize Donald Trump’s dance moves (“Trump gyrating on stage: That’s not dancing,” Dec. 13)? Seriously?

It might not qualify as a “dance” but there sure are a lot of people imitating the president-elect’s move from professional and college athletes to news broadcasters. So, Donald Trump must be doing something right!

Congratulations to letter writer Walt Carr on his extensive dance knowledge, but I’d hardly expect Trump to break into the “hully-gully,” whatever that might be. And, for the record, gyrating is what almost every “singer” endorsing Kamala Harris did at her rallies. It’s vulgar, suggestive and inappropriate. Trump’s signature move is none of those things!

— Theresa Toni, Street

Hands off Maryland’s liquor stores, governor

There is really no relevant, responsible reason to allow grocery stores to sell beer and wine — or liquor for that matter. No benefit is gained in the reallocation of shelving and refrigeration units away from typical grocery store items. More than enough liquor stores are in operation to handle any demand for alcoholic beverages (“Can Maryland resist the siren’s call of sin taxes?” Dec. 12).

I would offer that Gov. Wes Moore devote his time and effort to other more pressing state matters and cease any attempts to make life difficult for liquor store owners. The current arrangement for the sale of libations does not make Maryland a backward state.

— Michael Jungblut, Perry Hall

Ill-fated Pelosi trip raises some questions

We sure do hope that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not badly hurt (“Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi undergoes successful hip surgery,” Dec. 14). However, how official was this trip to Europe by a congressional delegation to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and on whose dime did they go?

— Carol Anderson, Timonium

Brochin has support of Baltimore Co. voters

Concern has been expressed that the Baltimore County Charter doesn’t allow the voters to decide who should serve as county executive on an interim basis, only the Baltimore County Council can do that. With County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski Jr. elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, the council has reduced the list of candidates to finish his term in office to five (“Baltimore County to hold public interview for 5 candidates as council replaces Olszewski,” Dec. 16).

Only one of those five have the voters already supported: Former state Sen. Jim Brochin, who lost in the Democratic primary for county executive to Olszewski by only 17 votes in 2018. If the Baltimore County Council selects Brochin, it would demonstrate respect for the voters’ wishes.

— Richard T. Webb, Parkton

Consider true cost of expanded liquor sales in Maryland

I didn’t know that Maryland citizens of legal drinking age were having such difficulty finding places that sold beer and wine (“Can Maryland resist the siren’s call of sin taxes?” Dec. 12). Even during the pandemic, as long as you kept a distance of six feet, you could crowd into your local liquor store and get all the beer and wine you needed.

You know what you couldn’t find during the pandemic? An in-person Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. While you could find an open liquor store on almost every corner, our previous governor in his infinite wisdom, closed all the church halls and community centers that are home to the home groups of A.A. as well as other 12-step programs.

Then-Gov. Larry Hogan and the state continued to rake in the alcohol taxes, but for those who were already in recovery from alcohol use disorder and those who were yet reaching for recovery, there was no place to go.

If our “most thoughtful elected officials” are “lured down the primrose path” as The Sun fears, then perhaps the state will take in another 30 pieces of silver, but at whose expense? Therein lies the sin.

— Joe Tunney, Jarrettsville