MTA strikes out with light rail to Camden Yards

On Sunday, April 14, the Maryland Transit Administration and Baltimore Light RailLink had an opportunity to shine. Many people attempted to use the light rail system to go down to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Unfortunately, someone was proverbially asleep at the switch (“A to-do list for upgrading public transit around Baltimore,” Feb. 29).

Our train had only one car. Not only were there no seats, but as we got closer to Camden Yards, there was absolutely no room for riders to get on the train! Why didn’t anyone check the Orioles schedule and realize that every train needed more than one car to carry passengers to the home game?

This was a completely missed chance for the MTA to show occasional riders that mass transit is, in fact, a good way to get to the ballpark and back. Shame on you, MTA.

— Paula Minsk, Baltimore

Remembering Baltimore’s most dedicated war protester

Kudos to The Baltimore Sun for the “tax day” commentary about Phil Berrigan and income tax resistance (“Tax Day and war resistance, Philip Berrigan style,” April 15).

With the threat of nuclear war looming out of control, Phil would be encouraging the withholding of tax dollars going to the military. Phil always voted with his whole body and soul. In the 35 years we worked with Phil, he was in jail for 11 of them. He was jailed repeatedly because he believed that nuclear weapons were the scourge of the earth.

To mine nuclear material for them, manufacture them, deploy them or use them is a curse against God, the human family and the earth itself.

— Brendan Walsh, Baltimore

The writer is co-founder of Viva House, the food pantry and soup kitchen in Southwest Baltimore.

Keep abortion protest involving Diamondbacks peaceful

My husband, Jeff, and I moved to Phoenix in 2011. I am a lifelong liberal Democrat raised by parents who were Democrats and whose aunts, uncles and cousins were also Democrats. Dad, an attorney, was quite active in Democratic politics, as was I when younger.

As are so many Arizonians, both men and women, I, too, am outraged at the decision of the Arizona Supreme Court upholding a Neanderthal law on abortion and at our state legislature, with a narrow Republican majority, for upholding that decision. However, as an avid Ravens and Orioles fan who also now roots for the Arizona teams unless they are playing the O’s or the Ravens, I would oppose any boycott of the Diamondbacks games when they play at Camden Yards on May 10, 11 and 12. I don’t know the political stance of the ownership, management, coaches and players of the teams; but I do not think either team should be penalized for something beyond their control (“Stand up for freedom? Start with protests pegged to Arizona Diamondbacks.” April 12).

As a Phoenix citizen for nearly 13 years now, I suggest doing what so many residents here are doing. Have peaceful protests during the Diamondbacks visit to Baltimore. Do not treat the Diamondbacks any differently than any other team, and do not treat the games any differently than any other games. Instead, when the Diamondbacks visit Camden Yards, I suggest peaceful protests before the games and attendance at the games. Notice I emphasize peaceful protests. Hold the protests as close to Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the law permits. If necessary, organizers should get permits from the city of Baltimore to do this and only where the city will allow it.

— Patricia “Patsy” Gould Parker, Phoenix, Arizona

Wow, Ted Cruz said something dumb about Baltimore

Because U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican, says something stupid every day that ends in a “y,” it was not surprising to hear him opine that China could have opened the Port of Baltimore by now (“Divers, engineers plan to remove Key Bridge remnants using giant buckets, hydraulic shears,” April 10).

It was surprising, though, that The Baltimore Sun included those views in an otherwise encouraging story. Fortunately, Senator Cruz has no role in the cleanup and reopening. Also, if he cared so much about infrastructure, he could have voted for the bipartisan infrastructure bill that will bring $30 billion to Texas.

Count on Cruz, though, to take credit.

— Randy Schultz, Sparks