Equality and equity are not the same
Support for “diversity, equality and inclusion” has been widely recognized over many years. No problem, as it represents to me the noble principles of a democratic republic and its institutions. Yet in more recent discussions, the phase has taken a very subtle yet problematic tone. Instead of “equality” the catch word has now quietly evolved to “equity” (“Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signs agreement for federal health care model to promote equity and affordable care,” Nov. 3).
We have taken the word from a democratic context to that of a socialist or even communist reference. These are two differing political and economic philosophies which should not be confused. Nothing about the two is synonymous despite efforts to make them appear so.
— Joseph M. Coale, Towson
More Jan. 6-related attacks from spineless Republicans
U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk and other Republican members of the House Administration Committee must live in Alice’s Wonderland and must believe all Americans are as ignorant and stupid as the committee members seem to be (“After investigating Jan. 6, House GOP sides with Trump and goes after Liz Cheney,” Dec. 18).
By attacking former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney and the other members of the House select committee who investigated the Jan. 6 attack and recommending that they be prosecuted, Loudermilk and his GOP cronies clearly demonstrated that they live in a dream world. Every American, regardless of political party or beliefs knows what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, and who is to blamed for that desecration of our U.S. Capitol. And it wasn’t Cheney or any member of the Democratic Party.
It was our former and soon-to-be-once-again President Donald Trump. No, the insurrectionists were not patriots. They were ignorant and stupid people who, by buying into the lies of Trump and his lackeys, became traitors. Every one of the attackers of our Capitol deserves the punishment they receive.
— Harris Factor, Columbia
Did Baltimore export its crime to Towson?
First, thank you for your follow-up article about the Towson area shooting (“Baltimore County shocked by Towson-area mass shooting, as data shows some crime rising,” Dec. 18). Too often, any follow-up stories are buried along with the victims.
Now, would your reporter tell us why 14-year-olds are traveling in vans with 27-year-olds? that’s not healthy. Second, Baltimore is central to this story. People are fleeing the city to escape this sort of thing. But I bet the crime is being exported as well.
A healthy city is essential to the whole region. Don’t be satisfied with a murder rate in Baltimore that is 32 per 100,000 residents when it is closer to 5 per 100,000 in New York City and the national average is 7.5.
— Scott Graham, Baltimore
In Maryland, clean air, land and water counts
In what might have been unintended wisdom, The Baltimore Sun answered its own question on why Maryland is not economically competitive with neighboring states on the same page (“Maryland struggles with budget deficit while neighbor states bask in surplus,” Dec. 18). Look to the accompanying story about the state suing W. L. Gore (“Maryland sues W.L. Gore, citing decades of PFAS pollution from 13 Elkton-area sites,” Dec. 18).
Fly over Maryland in a small plane and you’ll appreciate the vast expanse of pristine land and the extent of Chesapeake Bay shoreline. If being business-friendly includes the coal strip mines of West Virginia, the chemical factories of Delaware or the traffic gridlock of Northern Virginia, then yes, we are at a disadvantage.
Maryland is far and away one of the more desirable places to live in the country. One way to make it more business-friendly would be to develop a “Blueprint for Maryland’s Energy Future.” We can’t effectively power new homes and businesses while importing 40% of our energy from neighboring states. Virginia just announced a partnership to host a nuclear fusion energy plant before the technology has even proven itself.
Gov. Wes Moore could show great vision by developing a long-term energy plan that relies on renewable and nuclear power. We can preserve Maryland’s beauty and power our future at the same time.
— Eric Greene, Annapolis