Fenty got it wrong on Hartsock nomination
Re: “Racism alive and well at the D.C. Council,” Oct. 9
Harry Jaffe makes a worthwhile point, but in the wrong context. For the entire time D.C. has had self-government, the council has been a veritable rubber-stamp for mayoral appointments. It’s high time it started nixing some of them, lest confirmation become a mere formality instead of a substantive check on the executive. New D.C. employees must pledge to faithfully execute the laws of the United States of America and the District of Columbia and to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. Ximena Hartsock cannot meaningfully pledge to do so because she has not yet become a U.S. citizen, the final step of which is to renounce her former national loyalties. For this reason, she is ineligible to serve in a mayoral Cabinet position. Hartsock’s hostility to contracting laws may indicate her general disrespect for U.S. laws. Also consider that contracting out government functions gives greater opportunities to noncitizens, who often work for less than citizens demand. I changed parties to vote for Mayor Fenty when I still lived in D.C. and approve of 90 percent of what he has done. But on this nomination, he got it wrong.
Dino Drudi
Alexandria
Industry participated in Maryland’s Climate Action Plan
Re: “Maryland may become the East Coast California,” Oct. 6
The Examiner inappropriately slammed the state of Maryland for taking proactive steps to reduce global warming pollution. The columnist claimed that the state’s Climate Action Plan was developed by a one-sided panel without any dissenters allowed to contribute. In fact, lobbyists for manufacturers’ associations, energy companies, and the oil industry were members of the panel’s work groups and all gave their input. Each was asked if they objected to any of the panel’s recommendations. None did. During one key meeting, a representative of the state’s Department of Business and Economic Development raised concerns about the cost to businesses, but after thorough discussion he was convinced that the policies would provide an overall boost to the state economy by creating clean energy jobs and reducing our energy use. Marylanders should be proud that their state is out ahead of the transition to a clean energy economy. Maryland companies will upgrade equipment and improve practices, then market our expertise to the rest of the nation and the world.
Brad Heavner
State director,
Check your math next time
Re: “Prime Numbers,” Oct. 6
On page 21 of the Commentary section, you list 27,500 as the “percentage of Americans who have visited Washington, D.C.” The population of the world doesn’t equal the astronomic figure that would come to!
Natalie Aronsohn
North Bethesda
