Republicans
The Republican attack on diversity and equal rights continues on both the local and national levels.
Nationally the Republicans put pregnant women’s babies at risk for abysmal birth defects because of their relentless war on Planned Parenthood. They refuse to allocate funds to fight the Zika invasion because they also want to eliminate a major medical provider for poor and minority women.
Their presidential nominee has continuously shown his contempt for women and especially for strong women who bruise his ego. His appeal to Cro-Magnon white males seems absolute, as it provides the needed cover to express their fears that they need to prove their worth. In a competitive world, they are consistently coming in last.
Locally, County Executive Steve Schuh shows his disrespect for the Constitution and diversity with his simple minded exclamation that an elected school board would support bias and prejudice in dealing with transgender citizens. Republicans consistently fall back on their narrow biblical interpretations to embrace their prejudices instead of reading and understanding the basic rights of all citizens provided by our Constitution.
That Donald Trump continues to poll well shows the simple-minded ignorance of Americans who want to return to the 1950s, when being white gave unearned advantages. Our Constitution is a document for growth and self-correctness concerning bigotries and ignorance. Votes are needed to keep moving forward instead of taking a gigantic leap backward.
A Republican America that embraces the same hatreds that our foes embrace is not taking America in the right direction.
ALAN McALLISTER
Severna Park
Ban fracking
The Greater Annapolis Interfaith Network’s board members support a ban on fracking in the state of Maryland. Fracking is a disaster for those living in the area of such operations, causing people’s water to become contaminated and their immediate environment to be altered so that that people living near a fracking project find their lives changed, uncomfortable and unhealthy.
Fracking releases methane into the environment. Fracking contributes to global warming and will make the situation even worse.
We hope that Gov. Larry Hogan realizes the danger of promoting this industry. We must all work against it. Maryland’s current fracking ban will expire in 2017.
LIZ VANDEN HEUVEL
SANDY SOLOMON
Co-Chairs
Greater Annapolis Interfaith Network
Annapolis
Roads and bridges
Dear Gov. Larry Hogan:
If you really want to make a difference now in the way we, the people of this great state of Maryland, travel to and from work and who travel for pleasure, from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., and vice versa, how about starting with the terrible roads and bridges we now rely on every day?
I’d like to suggest you start with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge, aka the Hanover Street Bridge, across the Patapsco River in Baltimore. The state of Maryland should be ashamed and concerned for anyone traveling on this bridge.
Why would you be an advocate for a maglev train to travel to the District in 15 minutes, when it’s impossible to drive 35 miles per hour over the VVMB? Let’s get our priorities straight here! Or do we leave this concern to Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, also?
KIM LOWE
Pasadena
Crystal Spring
To my friends in Bay Ridge and the Annapolis Neck who have ignored the proposed Crystal Spring development up until now, there are three reasons you should put your house on the market today:
*The mayor will not keep his promise to stop Crystal Spring.
*Money instead of quality of life drives the Annapolis government.
*Forest Drive will become a parking lot if Crystal Spring is built as proposed.
Good luck!
FRED KELLY
Severn Riverkeeper
Annapolis
