Welcome to a new, weekly column in which a topic of interest, piece of news, relevant opinion, or general request for feedback is presented. We’ll offer the topic du jour and accompanying question, and you have the opportunity to respond with your thoughts.
Simply fill out the form below. A collection of each week’s responses will appear in the following week’s column, along with a new topic for consideration and feedback. Publisher reserves the right to edit responses for clarity and publish online and/or in our print publications.
Please let us know your thoughts!
This week’s topic is:
Reopening Our Economy: Venues & Events
Major League Baseball opened its season at stadiums across America yesterday. Even our home teams, the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, are welcoming fans back into their ballparks (albeit limited capacity). The National Football League’s spring owners’ meeting concluded on the note that they expect football stadiums to be at full capacity for the upcoming fall season. Locally, high school sports, movie theaters, libraries, music venues, restaurants, and other businesses are inching closer to hosting events and a possible return to full capacity.
Our questions to you:
Are you comfortable returning to sports and entertainment venues/events, as well as some sense of normalcy?
Are you cautiously approaching public spaces? How comfortable are you with the reopening plans in place?
Are we—as communities, cities, states, and a nation—on the right path toward recovery from the pandemic?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form.
Last week, we asked you about Gun Violence, Rights & Legislation and you responded! Here is a sampling of reader responses. To read more, click here.
First, I think the way you posed this question is excellent. You did not seem to take sides and that is what good journalism should do. I certainly don't have the answers but there is a lot at stake. I am a legal gun owner and teach the Maryland HQL class. I see every day how confusing it is for people to understand the laws within the state and especially across the country. Gun ownership is a huge responsibility. Government should be making it easier to comply and understand but it gets more confusing with every session. Another big issue is that legal, responsible ownership is so expensive, it is impossible for a low-income family to protect themselves legally. A young single mom living on minimum wage has no choice but to purchase an illegal firearm to protect her family. The mental illnesses in this country is out of control. Add the lack of responsibility that individuals take today. Everyone is a victim. If I shoot someone who is trying to rape me, I can be sued…crazy. I think our representatives should put anti-gun and pro-self defense ordinary people together in a room and openly discuss solutions. Stop adding laws that don't stop the violence. Think about it—the cities with the highest murder rates, have the toughest laws. Bring back common sense.
Jeanne Rieken, Edgewater
The violent attacks and murders in America have to stop. To gun rights advocates, background checks and limits on high-powered assault rifles violate the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment, if read literally, says, “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
Militia? From the Latin, literally ‘military service.’ To me, it’s the National Guard. Well-regulated? Hardly. Anything goes on our streets, in our places of worship, stores, homes, and so much more. The New Oxford American Dictionary also states it as a ‘military force that engages in rebel or terrorist activities in opposition to a regular army.’ The January 6th assault on our Nation’s Capital is an example. And the amendment doesn’t guarantee protection to gun owners with multiple assault rifles, hand guns, 10,000 rounds of ammunition to boldly tell the 2nd Amendment to us.
Please don’t make people susceptible to a law misinterpreted, so killing people anywhere by a gun, with such easy access to weapons and carry out evil intent.
Michael Alexander, Annapolis
