Government-funded media have conflict of interest Re: “Odds are you don’t trust journalists,” Oct. 17
I found myself in agreement with Jason Stverak regarding the growing importance of independent journalism for those distrustful of mainstream media outlets. Yet I was taken aback by the photo above his commentary showing NPR, PBS and local government broadcast stations allying themselves to form an independent investigative initiative.
Am I the only one to find the irony in having government-funded media provide “alternative” investigations when they have every incentive to support authoritarian government policy? How is an organization beholden to the political system to be trusted by the general public?
Francois Krodel
Washington
Choosing life reduces breast cancer risk
Re: “Breast cancer awareness month: Are you seeing pink?” Oct. 16
Doctors Oz and Roizen state, “If you’re a new mom, breastfeeding prevents more than a third of breast cancers.” It is a well-established medical fact that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, but breastfeeding is impossible if the mother aborts the baby.
Abortion actually eliminates the natural risk reduction of early childbearing in four ways: It generally delays a mother’s first full-term pregnancy, it causes mothers to lose the beneficial effects of bearing that child, it increases the risk of pre-term birth (which is tantamount to an abortion) in a subsequent pregnancy, and it eliminates breastfeeding.
A newborn’s gift to its mother is a lower risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer organizations such as Komen for the Cure should tell women that childbearing lowers the risk of breast cancerwhile abortion raises it.
Diane Hess
Damascus
Maryland needs fair lines, not gerrymandering
Re: “MontCo lawmakers bristle over Md. redistricting plan,” Oct. 5
I applaud Maryland Republican Party Chairman Alex Mooney for wading into the redistricting battle with a sensible, responsible solution. The “Fair Lines” proposal he laid out is a stark contrast to the gerrymandered lines proposed by Democrats in a state where the Republican Party is nearly inconsequential.
I also applaud his willingness to reach across the aisle and work with black Democrats in the best interest of all Maryland voters.
Establishment Democrats are taking advantage of the “black vote” by dividing communities along hyper-partisan lines. Gov. Martin O’Malley, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, and House Speaker Michael Busch are using blocs of voters as pawns in their quest to maintain political control.
The “Fair Lines” proposal is truly nonpartisan. It’s simple, and it keeps communities together. It deserves sincere consideration by Maryland voters of both parties.
Matthew Hurtt
Arlington
