Councilwoman small in stature, big in results
The sad news of the death of former city council member Agnes Welch takes me back to 2008, when she led efforts to ban unhealthy trans fats from restaurants (“Former Baltimore City Council member Agnes Welch dies at 99,” Dec. 28). When asked why she had sponsored legislation to make Baltimore one of the first cities in the country to take this action, she replied, “We were elected to protect people’s health and welfare.” But as health commissioner, I had no idea whether the ban would pass. I showed up at the City Council meeting to watch the diminutive councilwoman tell her colleagues that she expected every last one of them to vote to support her measure. In my recollection, she said something like, “I won’t be sitting down until it’s unanimous.” And it was. I will miss her.
Rice shouldn’t be placed on a pedestal by Ravens
While it pales in comparison to many global issues, I am appalled that Ravens management would decide to honor Ray Rice at a game (“Former Ravens RB Ray Rice to be ‘Legend of the Game’ nearly 10 years after domestic violence incident,” Dec. 30). Since his infamous elevator behavior was repugnant enough to deserve being kicked off the team, how can they now believe he should be on a pedestal for us to cheer? Shameful! If he now has a different compass, as he claims, that is reason to not continually vilify him, but not sufficient to laud him as a model citizen. We need honorable, real heroes, not bullies.
Rice is not a legend
It is appalling that the Baltimore Ravens chose to honor former running back Ray Rice as their “Legend of the Game” for his accomplishments both on and off the field (“Former Ravens RB Ray Rice to be ‘Legend of the Game’ nearly 10 years after domestic violence incident,” Dec. 30). Rice is undeserving of this recognition.
In 2014, Rice was caught on video punching his then-fiancée, knocking her out, and dragging her unconscious body out of an elevator. The NFL suspended Rice for two games after he was arrested for the assault. His NFL career ended when the Baltimore Ravens promptly cut him. A “legend” is someone who is admired for their exemplary character and behavior. It is not someone who brutally beats a woman.
Colon cancer on the rise among young adults
Two Baltimore Orioles had colon cancer: Trey Mancini at age 27 and Ryan Minor at age 49 (“Ryan Minor, former Orioles infielder who replaced Cal Ripken Jr. to end Iron Man streak, dies from colon cancer at 49,” Dec. 22). Actor Chadwick Boseman died of this too (at age 43), and I know of two personal acquaintances under age 40 who have colon cancer. These individual cases are part of a larger trend, a point emphasized by Dr. Jessica Felton at a recent Sinai Hospital medical conference. For reasons not known, colon cancer is on the rise among younger adults, and colorectal cancer is now the third leading cause of cancer death in men and women. That’s why any symptoms should be thoroughly evaluated and not dismissed because the person is young. That’s why the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation is that routine screening tests should begin at age 45, instead of 50-plus. If colon cancer is found early, treatment is effective. It’s time to change our approach to this condition.
Clydesdales photo a ‘delight to all’
Thank you for the most beautiful colorful picture of the Clydesdales in Annapolis prancing down the street in a parade before the football game (“Budweiser Clydesdales step off Military Bowl festivities in Annapolis,” Dec. 21). The picture made me smile, and I’m sure was a delight to all who think all kinds of wonderful thoughts about the magnificent Clydesdales! Happy New Year Baltimore Sun.