Commentary

It’s surely no exaggeration to point out that the stakes are high in the dispute between the International Longshoremen’s Association and shippers and port operators that resulted in an ILA strike at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, including Baltimore, that began at midnight Monday. Dockworkers want higher pay. That’s understandable. The U.S. Maritime Alliance wants to keep down the cost of loading load and unloading ships.

Like most Americans, I’ve questioned how issues at the southern border affect crime and the quality of life for the citizens in my county and in other states far from the border. How can what’s happening in McAllen, Texas, affect the lives of Americans in Westminster, Maryland, more than 1,700 miles away? But after almost 36 years in law enforcement, I’ve gained a different perspective than most when it comes to border security and how it affects crime, including the public health crisis of heroin and fentanyl addiction.

Last year, the United States marked a half-century since the advent of an all-volunteer military in 1973 — but unhappily, in one crucial respect. Of the five services, only one, the Marine Corps, met its 2023 recruiting goal. For the largest branch, the Army, it was the second such shortfall in as many years. For reasons such as the obesity epidemic and the post-pandemic mental health crisis, only about 23 percent of all Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 meet the Army’s physical, moral and educational standards.

U.S. 15 runs like an artery through the heart of the city of Frederick — and everybody who drives on it knows the road has a severe blockage. Every day, in the morning rush and again from 3 p.m. until at least 6 p.m., drivers encounter stop-and-go traffic — or sometimes stop and no-go. Both the northbound and southbound lanes are prone to heavy traffic, often at the same time.

“Entertainment Tonight” was on the TV over the drinks cooler at my local pizza joint, when the political ads started rollin’ like cannoli. Larry Hogan is weak on abortion, said one Angela Alsobrooks took tax breaks she didn’t deserve, said another. Vote this way. Vote that way. You can’t afford to get it wrong, said them all.

On the evening of Aug. 28, Gov. Wes Moore headlined a fundraiser for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz – hardly an unusual event for a popular governor with a growing national profile. What was unusual, was that the group hosting the event, YIMBYs for Harris, was streaming the fundraiser live to an audience of 30,000 who raised over $130,000 for the ticket.

Baltimore stands at a pivotal crossroads, with opportunities abounding like never before. Statewide elected leaders are aligned with the vision that a strong Baltimore makes for a stronger Maryland. Citywide leaders, emboldened by recent primary elections, understand the art of the possible. And our business community is prepared to lead on affordable housing initiatives, technology investment and new infrastructure planning.