The initial aura radiated by Barack Obama gave off the impression that he didn’t really know who he was or what he stood for. He resembled a feather caught up in a whirlwind, after which he carefully magnetized himself in order to draw the support of the public on every major issue.
Granted, Mr. Obama is a very skilled orator, but unfortunately the more he espouses, the more he creates dozens of unanswered questions in foreign policy, oil drilling, economics, health care, racism, etc. These were referenced in Examiner articles such as “McCain campaign accuses Obama of playing race card.” (Aug. 1) Such actions has definitely transposed Obama into a flip-flopping artist.
It is also quite evident that Obama is void of any strong leadership qualities, clearly exposed in his recent trip abroad. Instead of using this excursion as a fact finding experience in order to strengthen his obviously weak background, he utilized it as a self-declared presidential platform to announce to all how he would resolve the problems of the world.
Personally I am still predicting, and now with even more confidence, there will soon be a withering of the Obama-mania vine, which will gradually be replaced by a shroud of fanaticism.
Quinton D. Thompson
Towson
Two arenas for the price of one
Baltimore has the opportunity to have two arenas for the price of one, without losing three years worth of revenue during the construction phase. (“New 18,500-seat venue to be built at location of 1st Mariner Arena,” July 25) By building the new arena in the Inner Harbor vicinity rather than on the 1st Mariner Arena site, Baltimore would have two excellent facilities for the price of the new one; it’s like getting one for free.
The new arena could be built, for example, on air rights above the parking lots between Orioles’ and Ravens’ stadiums. This would get triple use out of the parking while generating much additional revenue from that parking. The $160 million that would not be lost by shutting down the 1st Mariner arena for three years would easily offset the temporary loss of some of the stadium parking. The nature of the use of the three facilities should avoid virtually all the parking conflicts. A special light rail station could then serve all three of the facilities.
By not losing time to clear the heavily congested Mariner site, and by using contemporary pre-cast building techniques, the new arena could possibly be completed in two years rather than three. With the additional room available at the stadiums’ site, the arena could be as large as needed and even have room for future expansion; opportunities not available at the Mariner site. And the bonus, of course, is the free additional arena, generating $3.7 million a year in desperately needed revenue. Come on Baltimore, let’s have some vision!
Bob Hixson
Columbia
Time to rewrite the Maryland Constitution?
What do we know about amending the Maryland Constitution?
Many of us are aware that we will be voting on a constitutional amendment in the Nov. 4, 2008, general election about slot machines. However, how many of us know about the vote that will happen on Nov. 2, 2010?
Section 2, Article XIV of the Maryland Constitution states: “It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to provide by law for taking, at the general election to be held in the year nineteen hundred and seventy, and every twenty years thereafter, the sense of the People in regard to calling a Convention for altering this Constitution.” This section was ratified on Nov. 6, 1956.
What a novel idea. The people actually have a say in the contents of the Maryland Constitution. So now is the time to tell your friends, neighbors, family members and other concerned citizens about this vote and write to your elected state senator and state delegates. Ask your elected leaders not about their public duty as required by the constitution, but their opinion on supporting the effort to alter the Maryland Constitution with a constitutional convention. It has been since September 1867 since the last one was written with numerous amendments over the years. We all have studied history and know about our federal Constitutional Convention which lead to the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Don’t you think it would be interesting to participate in potentially changing the constitution of our state?
Mark H. Olanoff
Reisterstown
Night card program protects businesses
In an effort to better serve the business community in Baltimore County, the Baltimore County Police Department has a program known as night card that provides businesses throughout the county an extra measure of security beyond alarm systems. It enables the BCPD to contact business owners should a situation arise after normal business hours. For example, an officer might notice an unlocked door or window, or the officer might want to confirm that a person in the establishment after normal business hours is authorized to be there.
Participation in the night card program is voluntary, there is no charge for the service, and it’s easy to participate. The night card form can now be accessed and downloaded from a computer by going to www.baltimorecountymd.gov/police. This will take you to the BCPD’s main page. On the column on the left, click on “precincts”, then click on night card. Those who do not have access to a computer can request a form from their local precinct.
A change in ownership of a business often renders information in the night card database invalid. It’s imperative that business owners take the initiative and provide their respective BCPD precincts with any changes to their night card information as soon as possible.
I can’t emphasize enough the importance of the night card program. I strongly encourage all business merchants to participate in this program. I also encourage people to volunteer at the other precincts to help.
Saul D. Jacobs
Volunteer Night Card Program facilitator Baltimore County Police Department
Franklin Precinct
