A portrait of an art teacher who made a big difference

Kudos to Jacques Kelly for his excellent obituary of Michael J. Iampieri (“Michael J. Iampieri, art teacher known for in-the-dark sketches of performers, dies,” June 21). Michael began his career as an art educator when my classmates and I were freshmen at what was then Loyola High School in September of 1966. We were in the brand-new art department he founded. He was a kind, generous, thoughtful teacher who encouraged us to think and learn creatively.

One of the star students in his first class was Rick Detorie who draws the One Big Happy comic strip that has appeared in The Baltimore Sun and has been syndicated nationally since 1988.

At our 50-year reunion in 2020, we were proud to name Michael an honorary member of the class of 1970 to recognize his incredible influence on our class and the fact that he started teaching the same day we entered high school.

— Joseph B. Smith Jr., Timonium

Media should report on how to handle dog aggression

It is absolutely horrible that someone has died due to a dog attack (“54-year-old woman killed by stray pit bulls in West Baltimore identified,” June 17). My heart goes out to her family and friends. However, when the media lumps a dangerous dog into a single breed category, it does a horrible disservice to the hundreds of loving, playful and loyal dogs waiting to be adopted in the shelter.

Pit bulls already have an undeserved bad reputation. There are at least 12 different breeds that can be mistaken for a pit bull — bulldogs, terriers, boxers and mastiffs among them. Pit bull isn’t even a recognized breed. Recent articles note some of the dogs had collars, leading authorities to believe that they aren’t strays. Any dog is capable of this sort of behavior, especially if the owner has encouraged the behavior or hasn’t trained their dog.

When I was growing up, Rottweilers and Dobermans were all considered “dangerous” dogs. Somehow, they’ve dropped off the dangerous dog radar and pit bull has replaced them. The only time I’ve ever been attacked by a dog, it was a registered Weimaraner.

In future reporting, please don’t label the breed of the dog until they’ve been accurately identified. Include information in your article about what causes dog aggression and how to handle it. None of the recent articles I read included information about what to do if a pack of dogs is seen roaming the neighborhood including whom to call.

— K.A. Long, Baltimore

Gesture of kindness met with hate

The level of hate in our society never ceases to amaze. I was in a Giant store in Catonsville, and moved a shopping cart slightly aside so an elderly lady in a motorized wheelchair could get by. She smiled and thanked me.

The guy whose cart I moved tried to argue with me — using hostile body language and profanity — for doing what I did. I walked away from him, leaving him to his anger.

— Mel Tansill, Catonsville

Border situation worse under Trump than Biden

A Sun reader accuses President Biden for the murder of Rachel Morin at the hands of an illegal immigrant murderer (“Morin’s blood is on Biden‘s hands,” June 20). But the reader forgets that several months ago a bipartisan bill in the Senate intended to stem illegal immigration was deliberately sunk by Republicans at the instigation of ex-President Donald Trump, so that the turmoil at the border can continue through the election and continue to be a political issue. So the blame clearly is on the Republicans, not President Biden. The reader additionally asks us to recall the border situation under ex-President Trump. I recall huge numbers of illegal immigrants coming into the country and children being torn apart from their parents. Is that really where we want to go?

— Jack Kinstlinger, Towson

Reader Poll results

Do you approve of Gov. Wes Moore’s pardons for 175K misdemeanor cannabis convictions?

Yes: 70%, 586 votes

No: 30%, 247 votes

The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. A new question posts online every Monday at baltimoresun.com.