Press freedom under assault

A judge in Belarus sentenced Polish journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who reported critically on President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, to eight years in prison (“Journalist sentenced,” Feb. 9). He was found guilty of taking part in “actions harming national security” and “inciting hatred.” In other words, he was doing his job and wrote that the dictator suppressed mass protests against his rule.

Poczobut has been in prison since 2001 and seems prepared to accept this unjust sentence. It should be noted that Vladimir Putin had sent troops into Belarus to help suppress the peaceful protests. It is hardly a surprise that the Russian leader who has suppressed media outlets would assist his comrade in Belarus to do the same.

These are perilous times for journalists as press freedom in many countries is treated as an act of treason. We must support the uncomfortable truths revealed by journalists in all countries including in the United States. And we must stand with human rights groups which tried to protect risk-taking members of the media. Otherwise, press freedom will eventually not exist.

— Max Obuszewski, Baltimore

My goal is to hit 90-mph fastballs on my 90th birthday

Thank you for reprinting the column by Steve Lopez of the Los Angeles Times about my story. I want to give special thanks to Lopez, who accompanied me to the batting cages to see me, an 88-year-old, hit 90-mile-per-hour baseballs (“At 88, fastballs are flying at him, and this slugger is swinging for the fences,” Jan. 27). In a year and two months, I’ll turn 90. That is when I hope to celebrate my 90th birthday by hitting 90 mph baseballs. I’m calling it 90 at 90.

The power of positive thinking may not save me from my advanced stage prostate cancer or my pulmonary fibrous of the lungs, but it sure does help me with my hand-eye coordination and me keeping my eye on the ball in order to hit those balls coming at me at 90 mph.

Then there is the power of the pen. The way the column was written was so uplifting, I hope it encourages others who are in their “golden years” to take the time to enjoy whatever it is they love the most. I also want to give a special thanks to photographer Christina House for her incredible pictures, especially the one with the ball coming full speed at me. That was not an easy shot to take.

Seeing my eyes wide-open says it all. With all the pressure on me, it was all about focus, focus, focus.

— Benny Wasserman, La Palma, California

Baltimore schools chief undeserving of Sun recognition

When I read The Baltimore Sun’s “25 Black Marylanders to Watch for 2023, plus 5 Living Legends” (Feb. 10) featuring Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Sonja Santelises, I was literally taken aback.

The Baltimore school system is deplorable, and this didn’t just happen overnight. As has been reported elsewhere, the city has 23 schools where no students were judged proficient in math in standardized tests. There are issues with ghost students (students enrolled in school but have no record of attendance), as well as grade changing, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

If I were in the CEO’s shoes, I would “shy away” from talking about accomplishments during her six years leading Baltimore City Public Schools.

— Delane Morris, Edgewood

When do electric car owners pay their fair share in taxes?

I agree with most of your recent editorial about what the gas tax pays for in this state (“Maryland’s gas tax makes a convenient villain — if you don’t look too closely,” Feb. 13). Many times the Transportation Trust Fund was raided to pay for pet projects by the politicians in this state seeking reelection. Now, with more electric vehicles on the road, my question to The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board and the greenies in Annapolis is when are the owners of these EVs going to start and pay their fair share to pay for all of the things you mentioned in your editorial?

After all, “paying your fair share” is a term editorial writers and the Democrats love to use. The politicians aligned the gas tax to inflation so they did not have to vote to raise taxes just like how they voted for a so-called nonpartisan commission to give them a pay raise. What a spineless group.

— Martin Sadowski, Fallston