Pondering some big holes (in our knowledge)

Dan Rodricks wrote his very popular “Nobody asked me” columns carried in The Baltimore Sun for many years. If I were younger and had even a small percentage of Dan’s talents, I might have attempted a column which I would call “Just curious.” My first two entries might be:

If God created the universe, why would he/she/they/it create trillions of galaxies, stars and planets that don’t exhibit any kind of life as we know it on earth? Just curious.

Why would any good, right-thinking, and fair-minded person vote for a scurrilous, pathologically lying, insurrection baiting, perpetually whining, womanizing, vengeance-seeking, government-wrecking, narcissistic, criminal wretch (“In policy reversal, Trump eliminates help for Black and Latino communities hit harder by pollution,” Jan. 27)?

Just curious.

— Fred Knauf, Baltimore

Is Maryland’s power grid ready for EVs?

Recently, several transformers in our neighborhood were replaced by our provider, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, due to sporadic outages. I talked to several service personnel who spoke of concern over the capacity of our aging electric grid to handle the increased power requirements caused by significant increase by electric vehicle demand.

I am not critical of increased EV use but if Maryland’s grid is at risk for future widespread outages because of increased demand, then it should be of concern to everyone (“Trump order on EVs targets Maryland programs. Experts say parts might not stick.” Jan. 27).

This might be a good subject for the Sun to launch an investigative report to see if we are headed for problems.

— Frank Phillips, Leonardtown

Sun editorial falls short in its call for compassion

The headline on a recent editorial in The Baltimore Sun was a surprise: “May we always view others with compassion” (Jan. 23). It was not a surprise that the Baltimore Sun Editorial Board would respond to Bishop Mariann Budde’s plea for mercy (obviously, her words hit a nerve for many people) but that you’d join in her plea on behalf of immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Turns out, the headline was a bit misleading. Though the editorial begins by holding up acts of compassion as models to be emulated, it doesn’t actually defend the bishop against those who react with disdain for the very plea for compassion. Instead, the reader is cautioned: “Compassion, it seems, is never so simple.”

In defining compassion as a “desire to aid or help another, the Sun states that “Surely most Americans favor such an outlook on life. Only the heartless would prefer that compassion is never extended.” But then the pivot: “Can one man’s compassion be an act of betrayal toward another?” We are give two examples: Budde’s plea for compassion compared to the compassion the Buffalo Bills fans showed for Raven’s tight end Mark Andrews.

As for the conclusion: “The actions of Budde and the Bills fans were unquestionably compassionate; however, the reactions were remarkably different.” (We aren’t talking about compassion anymore, but about reactions to calls for compassion). The Bills fans had it easy. But “President Trump viewed the Reverend’s act of compassion as an act of betrayal against those he cares for” — a tighter spot. He had to decide with whom to empathize — those he claims are a threat to us, or those he cares for — “people who believe they have been wronged by the government in relation to migrants and the LGBTQ+ community.”

In the end, the reader is asked to “simply admit that compassion is not so simple.” I will admit no such thing. For me, compassion is very simple: All you have to do is remember that each person on this earth is made in the image of God. I will admit, however, that taking action with compassion — showing mercy — can be hard at times. It can take real courage. That’s why we need leaders, teachers, role models. And good journalists too. The kind who don’t try so hard to please that they write shallow editorials, mere slights of hand that allow readers to feel justified — maybe even self-righteous — in their callousness.

— Madeleine Mysko, Towson

Editor’s note

The Baltimore Sun is seeking nominations for its 10th annual Business and Civic Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals who’ve fostered transformational change in the Baltimore region. Email nominations by Feb.10 to talkback@baltimoresun.com with a brief description of the nominee’s accomplishments and background. We will announce the 2025 inductees in March, and honor them with an event and special newspaper section in June.