Sun shines more brightly thanks to its new owners

I never thought I would live to see the day that The Baltimore Sun was transformed from a left-leaning liberal newspaper into a moderate, common sense and exciting publication.

It was a smart move to utilize the reporters from FOX45 television as contributors (“FOX45: Maryland lawmakers yet to take action on statewide school cellphone policy,” March 19). This has resulted in twice as many stories and informative points in the newspaper than in the past. It is much more useful and helpful to the public.

Finally, the Baltimore region has a big time newspaper it can be proud of. I’m sure there are better times ahead. Three cheers for David Smith and Armstrong Williams who have done a magnificent job and putting together a great newspaper.

— Patrick L. McDonough, Middle River

The writer, a Republican, represented District 7 (Baltimore and Harford counties) in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2003 to 2019.

Hamas, not Israel, is engaged in genocide

Contrary to the views recently expressed by Rebecca Armendaraz, Alison Cannon and Niki Morse — and far too many others — Israel’s response to Hamas’ outrage of October 7, 2023 is not “genocide” (“‘Unmask Hate Act’ is really about shutting down protest,” March 16).

Genocide is more than a matter of numbers of casualties. Like all crimes, it requires intent and the genocidal intent and the genocidal actions are all on the side of Hamas and its allies. Israel has not been killing Palestinians because they are Palestinians; Hamas and its allies have been killing Jews because they are Jews — and bragging about it as even the Nazis didn’t do.

Those genocidal actions should include exposing the population of Gaza to maximum harm so that Israel looks weak and cowardly if it doesn’t respond to the attacks and brutal and bloodthirsty if it does.

At the risk of repeating myself, it’s hard to tell in cases like this where foolishness ends and malice begins.

— Jeffrey M. Landaw, Pikesville

With Freedom Caucus, voice of Maryland GOP finally heard

As a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, I applaud the members who created the Freedom Caucus (“Could Maryland’s Freedom Caucus invigorate the GOP — or deliver a second term for Gov. Wes Moore?” March 16). During my eight years, I hoped to see stronger, more dynamic action from our caucus. But Republicans are both political and personal conservatives. That makes it difficult for most of us to employ the dramatic tactics Democrats use to get press coverage.

Their rationale for the more restrained approach is that they have to appease Democrats to get anything done. My response is that we don’t ever get anything from the Democrats.

During Gov. Larry Hogan‘s second term, I was frustrated that he didn’t take full advantage of his “bully pulpit.” He missed the rare opportunity to grow Maryland’s Republican Party. With four years and no reelection in his future, Governor Hogan could have used his popularity and his voice to speak directly to the people, criticizing the far-left liberal bills and giving an eloquent and articulate defense of Republican alternatives.

Rather than trying to “work with” the Democrats to scrape out a few minor “wins,” Hogan could have spoken out loudly against their extravagant expenditures and the restrictive highly-regulated programs that were trapping lower income families into the perpetual poverty of government handouts.

It would have been tough for the Republican governor to engage in a public repudiation of the Democratic ideas. The Democratic legislators would have been furious and Hogan, like Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. before him, believed his Democratic friends were open to compromise. Eventually, however, both governors learned the hard way that the huge supermajorities Democrats hold in Maryland make them feel and act omnipotent.

Yes, Democrats might include an outlandish provision in a bill so that they can give the Republicans a “win” by deleting it. But nothing stops them from passing more and more far-left legislation.

The new Republican Freedom Caucus is proving that Republicans can make a difference. The caucus has been successful in getting media coverage and is articulating the Republican approach to a broad audience. And they are good. If anyone wants to hear an articulate explanation of why Republicans support or oppose legislation, go listen to the Republican floor speeches.

Almost all of my former colleagues can and do make powerful arguments during the floor debate on bills. Throughout my tenure, I fervently wished there was a broader audience for these speeches. With the creation of the new Freedom Caucus, there now is.

— Trent M. Kittleman, West Friendship

The writer, a Republican, represented District 9A (Carroll and Howard counties) in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2023).

Editor’s note

A guest commentary published Thursday on U.S. flu preparedness confused the flu surveillance systems of the U.S. Department of Defense and the World Health Organization. The update has been made online. The Baltimore Sun regrets the error.