Biden wrong to send cluster bombs to Ukraine

I sincerely appreciated the recent editorial cartoon (“Shipping cluster bombs to Ukraine is a slight shift,” July 11) about President Joe Biden’s unwise decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine. Obviously, Biden is not Donald Trump. However, Biden has gone to the dark side a few times. For example, he went for political reasons to see Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, a pariah for those of us concerned about human rights.

And now Biden has blundered again with his approval to send those bombs to a country experiencing an ongoing assault. It was ludicrous to hear a member of the Biden administration justify the sale of those horrible weapons by claiming Ukraine is running out of ammunition. In 2008, the United Nations convention that banned the use of cluster munitions was signed, but the United States, Russia and Israel refused to add their signatures.

A significant number of the bomblets fail to explode on impact and can remain unexploded for years. This has resulted in children being killed in countries where a military conflict had occurred. President Biden surely knows this. So why would he send such a weapon to Ukraine?

— Max Obuszewski, Baltimore

Plan to keep Oldfields open is welcome news

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the venerable Oldfields School will remain open (“Oldfields School in Baltimore County will remain open, new board chair says; suit against administrators dismissed,” July 10).

I am astonished that the college preparatory school opened in 1867. I cannot help but think of the many young ladies whom the school has graduated over the years. Now with a new agreement to keep Oldfields open, the school will once again act as a learning springboard for aspiring young women from all over the world.

— Patrick R. Lynch, Towson

BGE trucks should fly the Jolly Roger

Sadly, I am not the least bit surprised at the recent carnage Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. has unleashed on it’s hapless customers in Federal Hill (“Councilmembers grill BGE on external gas regulator dispute, preservation commission to hold hearing as lawsuit proceeds,” July 13). For years, they have imposed their authoritarian will on their customer in the form of rate hikes and technology.

I have been paying $11 per month for years for my choice not to have one of their “smart meters” in my home.

As they continue to pillage and plunder the public, I’ve always said they should fly the Jolly Roger on their trucks.

— Greg Spangenberg, Halethorpe

MASN subscribers should have access to all O’s games

Just read the recent coverage regarding the streaming of Orioles games (“Frustrated Orioles fans on shifting streaming models: MASN, Apple, Peacock, where’s the game?” July 1). Also, read Dan Rodricks’ earlier column mentioning the same subject (“Dan Rodricks: The comeback Orioles, Lamar and the Ravens, roasting potatoes and a few more things nobody asked about,” April 28).

I signed up for MASN when it was first offered as a pay-to-watch station. I agreed with the terms and paid for the subscription. I believe that established a contract, which I pay for monthly. Now, some Orioles games are only available on other streaming platforms including Apple TV, Peacock and others. These other platforms are also subscription driven. I am a retiree and live modestly on Social Security. I do not understand why I would have to pay additionally for other platforms when I am already paying for MASN.

If MASN subscribers decide to drop their subscription, maybe Major League Baseball would be inclined to rethink this decision. Are there any lawyers who could advise this “little guy” if there is a legal standing?

— Richard Souders, Perry Hall

Where is diversity for HBCUs and NFL?

The Baltimore Sun’s recent editorials have had a big focus on diversity, so I have two questions (“It doesn’t take a Ph.D. to see Maryland needs a Plan B for college diversity,” June 22).

Should Historically Black Colleges and Universities be required to admit more Caucasians and Asian students?

Equally important, Black players make up 73.2% of the National Basketball Association (with an average salary $9.5 million) and 57.5% of the National Football League (average salary almost $1 million). Since African Americans represent less than 15% of the U.S. population, shouldn’t those two leagues be required to affirmatively hire more white players?

— Jeff Schumer, Towson