The super rich can afford to pay more

In his recent commentary, Jonah Goldberg uses numbers in a way that undermines his story (“Goldberg: Shaking down the rich is bad for democracy,” Nov. 15). He states that the top 1% wealthy in America make roughly 20% of the money in our country and pay 40% of federal taxes. If you just look at those two percentages, you might think the super rich are going broke paying taxes.

The U.S. annual gross domestic product is $20 trillion; 20% percent of that is $4 trillion. For 2020, the president’s budget projects revenues of $3.6 trillion; 40% of that is about $1.5 trillion. Looks like a pretty good return on investment from our country for the super rich.

The super rich pay a large percentage of federal taxes because they own a very large share of America. Can they afford to pay more? These numbers would say, yes. A lot more.

Don’t forget about Bullets’ Wes Unseld

The op-ed piece, (“Lamar Jackson, Making Baltimore Proud,” Nov. 15), was a pleasure to read. The section about Earl the Pearl was a little misleading. True, the Bullets basketball team improved by a healthy 16 games when Earl joined the team. When you improve by that much in one season, the next season you may improve, but usually by a lesser amount. A 12-game improvement the next year would have been impressive. However, the Bullets improved by an astounding 21 games.

The reason being was the addition of Wes Unseld who spent his entire career with the Bullets. An undersized center with a big heart, superlative rebounding skills and an outlet pass that triggered countless fast breaks.

Veterans are not trained ‘killing machines’

In pardoning three veterans convicted by military court martial, our president used the justification that we “are training our boys to be killing machines.” This is a particularly delusional justification from a confirmed multiple time draft dodger (“Trump pardons soldier convicted in Afghanistan killings,” Nov. 16).

I am writing as a United States Army veteran who served from 1962-1963, and on behalf of millions who served, to say I do not consider myself a trained killing machine. Nor do I regard anyone else who ever served.

We were trained to do our duty. Our duty was to stand with our brothers and sisters in uniform to protect our country and its freedoms.

I was lucky to have served during the Cold War, others were called upon to kill during war times. None of us were machines. We were citizens, people who served. Coming right after ceremonies for Veterans Day, this is particularly insulting.

The BSO needs Marin Alsop to stay

Tears came to our eyes at just the thought of the possibility that Marin Alsop might leave the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and, presumably, Baltimore (“BSO music director Marin Alsop criticizes how symphony is run, hints she is “nearing the end” of her tenure,” Nov. 13).

The BSO has had many outstanding music directors. However, Marin Alsop not only energized the orchestra but she enriched the Baltimore community by taking the orchestra outside of the Meyerhoff.

Her investment in the children of Baltimore, her ability to speak to audiences, her willingness to participate in activities like Artscape and other venues that exposed the orchestra to the public-at-large are all indicative of her commitment to Baltimore.

As long-time subscribers, we urge the BSO administration to listen to the wisdom of the music director. Her creative instincts can surely help preserve our fantastic orchestra.

Lawmakers should not be quick to condemn drones

No doubt your article on police drones (“‘A balancing act’: Maryland police drones aid in searches, crash investigations, but raise privacy concerns,” Nov. 15) may spur some legislative actions, whether at the local, city, county or state level.

As a model airplane enthusiast, I must caution the legislators and hope that they don’t take a broad brush against all radio control flying activities.

Many people have fun and learn about model building, technology and the science of aerodynamics by participating in the hobby of RC flying at designated clubs around the area.

These clubs teach safety and responsible flying habits. I encourage legislators and the public at large to visit local radio control flying fields to learn about our hobby.