Severn River Bridge

Severn River Bridge

Last year, I was absolutely convinced that the plan for adding a fourth eastbound lane to the Severn River Bridge without physically widening the bridge was ill-conceived and would be a traffic disaster.

Mea culpa and kudos to Maryland engineering.

MIKE BLACKWELL

Annapolis

Accepted and inclusion

I read Superintendent George Arlotto's recent column about acceptance and inclusion in Anne Arundel County Schools (The Capital, Feb. 18).

Although I was put off by the first three words, I am glad that I continued reading because the quote in that first paragraph was actually good. Now Martin Luther King's words are even more important: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

In the future, please read about the other history of MLK before using his name.

Regarding acceptance and inclusion, older people remember these words and how things turned out. We welcomed people with other values and cultures and after a while, we felt unwelcome a need to move.

When we complain about something we are called intolerant or racist; when they complain we need to accommodate them. Very unfair.

We are expected to keep quiet as our leaders knowingly ruin our country for trivial gains. Most conscious people are not happy about what is happening to our country, but how many will stand up in this time of challenge and controversy.

JIM SCHNEIDER

Edgewater

Lisanti must go

Del. Mary Ann Lisanti's refusal to step down from her position in office is not only wrong, but also quite irresponsible. Being a white father of a bi-racial son and living in Prince George's County, I am not only enraged by her statement but also troubled by her attitude toward her comment.

When did politicians decide what their punishment should be? Lisanti and other prominent politicians (Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Attorney General Mark Herring) have forgotten that they are public servants that work for the citizens of their state.

If the citizens demand removal from office, in my humble but accurate opinion ... they should have no choice. Wrong is wrong.

To refuse or ignore recommendations to resign is an abuse of power that they really don't have.

STEVE CANN

Bowie

End of life

The physician's Hippocratic oath says, "I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing. Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course."

But a law allowing physician-assisted suicide potentially turns that oath into a sham and the doctor's role into hypocrisy.

Think of an altruistic young medical student studying to learn ways to enhance health and keep death at bay. Under this law, that student must shift mental gears to account for a future time when she or he will be asked not to heal disease but to become a dispenser of lethal drugs, a facilitator of death.

How does he or she reconcile those two aims? Is her role to enhance life or to facilitate death?

Do we really believe that the typical weak and failing patient will be strong-minded enough to know and understand what they ask for when they request lethal drugs? Coercion of patients (who good-naturedly may already feel they do not want to "be a burden" to their family) - or coercion of a sympathetic doctor - can take subtle forms which in difficult circumstances are hard to distinguish from genuine caring.

Of course we should recognize the burden of dying common to all humanity, but let us leave the lamentable, messy business of end-of-life care to God, and to the patient, family, physicians and nurses - without inserting a law which will add another layer of concern to the people who have sworn not to kill but to heal.

PAUL BUELOW

Annapolis

Daylight saving

We turned our clocks ahead one hour again, now leave it that way permanently.

The only thing turning our clocks back one hour does, is cause people that get out of work at 4 or 5 o'clock, then have to drive home in the dark; and if it is raining or snowing it makes for a miserable commute.

Leave the clocks/time just as it is now year round.

RON POSTICK

Glen Burnie

Cancer survivor

I would like to tell Brian Page that I totally enjoyed his column (The Capital, March 10).

I think it was very brave of him to share that with us. I have printed a copy of that column because I need it now. I do not have cancer but am at a low spot in my life. I need the inspiration that he delivers in his article.

All the little notes he notated throughout his recovery. I really liked his note: "The better 'you' is around the corner; the same one you have been around before."

Thank you, Brian for sharing your insights about your battle with cancer. I am very happy that you won your battle. Your tips for everyone will help me battle through the low point in my life.

CHRIS PARISEAU

Centreville

President Trump

I've thought of comparing our president, Donald Trump, and members of his administration to "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938) and his followers to the various members of today's opposition party (Democratic and socialistic).

The readers can use their imagination in comparing each of Trump's officials with the players of the currently seated Democratic members in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Also, lest we forget, the comparison of the past oracles under the direction of Prince John and our present-day members of the news media. And, keep in mind, the plight of Maid Marion as compared to the "drumbeat of criticism" directed at our first lady.

Perhaps, someone will step into our present governmental quagmire to play the role of King Richard the Lion-Heart and demand that all our government representatives do what they were elected to do and work together for what is best for us, the citizens and our Republic.

JAMES E. Le GETTE

Annapolis

Litterbug redux

I have read several editorial letters regarding the problem of litter, especially along the roads and highways, most recently that by Ellen Moyer (The Capital, Feb. 23). She makes an excellent point about reviving a campaign of public awareness to the problem and means of prevention.

I would like to add that a lot of the roadside trash is a result of unsecured or poorly secured loads on pickup trucks, dump trucks and open semis, the latter often having loosely attached and ineffective covering tarps. It is not uncommon to see trash blowing out of or off of these vehicles.

Some owners of pickups often use the back as a trash can into which to toss food wrappers, drink containers, etc., which then become airborne when the vehicle is in motion. Though this kind of litter is unintentional, those with such vehicles need to act responsibly.

This problem should be a focus of the awareness campaign that Moyer advocates. Again and again, I have seen road crews do a great job of cleaning up the roadside only to have it cluttered again within a few days.

ROGER DUNN

Annapolis