Readers Respond - baltimoresun.com

City teachers are obviously failing, too

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:45:00 EST

I'm writing in response to the article about Baltimore teachers getting poor evaluations ("Many city teachers ranked unsatisfactory," Feb. 8).

Mayor's skybox practices raise questions

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST

The Sun's recent article concerning skybox tickets used by MayorStephanie Rawlings-Blakebrings to light the arrogance of the mayor ("Mayor invites family, donors, allies to M&T box," Feb. 9).

Obama's 'accommodation' on birth control is all smoke and mirrors

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:15:00 EST

The Sun's article on Catholic bishops' opposition to the Obama administration's requirement that religious schools and hospitals include contraceptives in their health insurance plans was one-sided and unfair ("Obama's 'accommodation' wins support in birth-control debate," Feb. 11).

A fugitive fragrance of cinnamon is all that remains where McCormick once stood

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:30:00 EST

I closed my eyes, inhaled gently and imagined hard, but the Timonium traffic din quickly short-circuited the conceit that placed me at the Inner Harbor. How silly; maybe more than most, I knew the lovely nutmeg scent wafting downwind from the McCormick plant two miles north hadn't perfumed the downtown air for over two decades.

Hardworking Marylanders get fleeced

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:15:00 EST

When I was a very young man and landed my first checkbook, my mother taught me that if the money was not there you certainly could not buy what you want. Why should Marylanders have to pay for a lesson that Gov. Martin OMalley did not grasp from his mother?

Huguely trial highlights danger of alcohol abuse

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:15:00 EST

There are may lessons to be learned from the case of George Huguely and Yeardley Love ("Teammates saw signs of trouble, but failed to act," Feb. 10). Among them is that alcoholism and aggression are real issues that need to be addressed.

Contraceptives debate: Let's move on

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:45:00 EST

People, I ask you whether all this absurd noise over contraceptives is worth our time and attention ("O'Brien's quixotic fight," Feb. 9)? This is the 21st century, for heaven's — or any other entity's — sake.

Defense cuts: 1.5 million jobs at stake

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST

Republicans and Democrats disagree about whether the economy is adding jobs today. But no one is publicly disputing that up to 1.5 million Americans will lose their jobs if Congress doesn't stop the $500 billion in automatic defense cuts triggered by the debt ceiling law.

Don't blame Israel for the failure of talks with the Palestinians

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:15:00 EST

Regarding Andrew C. Mills' letter on Israel and Iran, he is correct thatIsrael's long-term security can be achieved only with a comprehensive settlement with the Palestinians ("Israel's future hinges on compromise, not attacks," Feb. 11). An attack on Iran would be a grave mistake for all concerned, but most especially for Israel. It should be considered a very last resort.

Why Baltimore is attractive to venture capitalists and high-tech startups

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST

Gus Sentementes' recent article noted that Lookingglass Cyber Solutions, one of our region's technology companies, had received $5 million in venture capital from sources on both coasts ("To find investors: Go west, young startup — but come back," Feb. 12). This is no small feat, since less than 1 percent of all companies receive this type of funding.