Politics is a brutal business

Gov. Wes Moore should be careful in lambasting former Gov. Larry Hogan, as one day he may find himself on the wrong end of the lambast when running for another office in the future (“Dems seek probe of ex-governor,” Oct. 12). This is a last-ditch effort by the Democrats. And because the Republicans were crucifying Angela Alsobrooks, the Democrats joined the opposite attacks in hopes of winning the Senate seat.

Politics is almost as bad as the gladiator fights in Rome.

— Stas Chrzanowski, Baltimore

Why are the Terps keeping Locksley?

I began following Maryland Terps football many decades ago. With Head Coach Mike Locksley, the Terps football team has reached new depths of mediocrity. So why is Maryland holding on to Locksley? Sure, we have heard so many times that the Terps are ready to turn the corner, which in translation means “We are not quite there yet.” A school the size of Maryland should have top-tier football teams year after year. This team is an embarrassment. Someone has to tell Locksley the football program is failing under his stewardship and his tenure at Maryland should be coming to a close. As I see it, Locksley is simply not a motivator. Maryland needs to find a head coach who is.

— Patrick R. Lynch, Towson

Has Trump read the Bible?

Although it sounds like a cop-out to some, Armstrong Williams always makes a strong case that more religion in our lives would make for a better society.

Can we honestly believe that Donald Trump has even read the good book that he is hawking to his followers? Words and deeds, indeed.

— Eric Greene, Annapolis

Abolish Baltimore’s Board of Estimates

Rhonda Brooks of Columbia did eloquently express her concerns about the outlay of $5 million by Baltimore City to buy electrically powered Tesla cars for employee use. Baltimore’s Board of Estimates made this call. To educate non-Baltimore City residents and Ms. Brooks, the Board of Estimates is comprised of the mayor, city council president, comptroller, the city solicitor and the public works director. The Board of Estimates makes all of the major Baltimore City budget calls. They answer to nobody!

I would ask Ms. Brooks this question: Why do the mayor, city council president, comptroller and other board members collectively spend well over $1 million to get elected to city government? Does she think it is out of civic pride and duty? The Board of Estimates continues to have unfettered access to the multi-billion-dollar Baltimore City budget.

I maintain that the Board of Estimates must be abolished in Baltimore City!

— George Hammerbacher, Baltimore

Why I’m voting for the Libertarian candidate

I find Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump seriously lacking the intellectual ability to discuss serious U.S. issues, such as the national debt or immigration. They might go for one minute before reverting to cliches or changing the subject. Very disheartening for non-ideological, common-sense folks who want problems solved, not bloviating on and on. I really think that if Nikki Haley were running, she would be ahead by 15 points. I will vote for Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver. I am tired of voting for “the lesser of two evils.”

— Lyle Rescott, Marriottsville

When will this godforsaken war end?

I read the article “Hezbollah drone strike targets Israel” on Oct. 14 and was horrified for the Israeli victims. I then read that an Israeli air strike hit a home in Gaza, killing the parents and their six children. I have immense empathy for the woman in tears who was stroking the body bags. Then I read that no food has entered Gaza since Oct. 1.

Finally, I read that Israeli air strikes destroyed a market in Lebanon, “killing at least one and wounding four.” I must ask, when will this godforsaken war end?

— Janice Sevre-Duszynska, Towson

Bravo to Baltimore opera

I loved Dan Rodricks’ ode to opera (“Baltimore lost grand opera 15 years ago. It’s coming back,” Oct. 16). For a transcendent moment, check out Pavarotti’s version of “Nessun dorma” on YouTube.

Baltimore was the birthplace of a great American opera singer, tenor John Aler. Aler sang all over the world and won four Grammys. He was a 1967 graduate of Loyola High School, now Loyola Blakefield, and a classmate. A few Octobers ago, WBJC’s Saturday Opera Preview radio show played several of his arias to celebrate his birthday. Magnificent.

Aler died two years ago, too young at age 73.

— Herb Cromwell, Catonsville