Wes Moore and the power line

In light of the election of Donald Trump, Wes Moore stated that he will do whatever to protect Marylanders and then Anthony Brown comes along and is requesting $1 million to hire more lawyers to sue Donald Trump when he sees fit (“Moore administration hires consultants for $190,000 to prepare for Donald Trump, outside of public procurement process,” Nov. 19).

But the citizens of this state are not being protected by Wes Moore over the people’s rejection of this power line that will benefit power-sucking data centers in Virginia. Come on, governor, protect the rights of Marylanders instead of staying silent and just making believe you are flying all over the country being paid by the taxpayer to endorse Harris or are on MSNBC even chance you that seems every week.

— Martin Sadowski, Fallston

Presence of a gun turns conflicts deadly

The old mantra from the heartless folks at the National Rifle Association — “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people” — is dead wrong.

It should be: “People don’t kill people; guns kill people.”

Think about it. The 14 -year-old who recently shot a 15-year-old student three times outside Dunbar High School (fortunately, not killing the victim) was also a victim — of the easy availability of guns on our streets (“14-year-old arrested in shooting outside Dunbar High School,” Nov. 18).

Conflicts that used to lead to a shove or a punch now result in death or grave injury. Did the teen consciously intend to kill or maim? Unlikely.

But when a gun is in your pocket, it is all too easy to shoot in the height of passion. The result? Two lives are ruined.

Our elected officials must resist the obscene forces of the gun lobby and take a stand. As long as guns are everywhere, the horrific violence will continue.

If the personal tragedy is not enough to motivate action, the ongoing financial burden to society should. Police response, medical attention, trial, incarceration and so much more cost the taxpayers millions of dollars.

It is time for our elected officials to have the guts to stand up and do the right thing.

— Will Baker, Baltimore

Kudos to Van Hollen for opposing weapons sale

On Monday, Nov. 18, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen announced his intention to vote to block $20 billion in arms sales to Israel. As a climate activist, I am heartened by Senator Van Hollen’s decision to prioritize the needs of his constituents in supporting the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block these weapons (“Van Hollen supports joint resolutions of disapproval limiting offensive weapons to Israel,” Nov. 18).

While this vote may seem disconnected from the needs of the people of Maryland, our senator’s decision is an important step in bringing back well-being to our communities here at home. While our communities struggle with housing prices, many billions of our tax dollars have been sent to Israel to fund its genocide in Gaza. Furthermore, Israel’s horrific attacks caused between 420,000 to 652,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in first 120 days of 2024 alone — surpassing annual carbon emissions of 26 countries and regions.

Not only must we stop sending millions of our dollars to slaughter children, we can use those funds instead to create affordable, climate-resilient housing or support local food production or more community centers or increased access to health care for the most vulnerable of Maryland.

About 61% of all Americans on both sides of the aisle say that the U.S. should not send weapons to Israel. Congratulations to Senator Van Hollen for being a leader for the people of Maryland and finally taking a stand for the millions of Palestinians who have survived 13 months of a U.S.-backed genocide.

Now is the time for other politicians to act as well.

— Nico Udu-gama, Hyattsville