Commentary

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.

This fall, residence halls and classrooms are filling with new students eager to start their academic journey. Many of them are “first generation” students — the first in their family to be able to pursue higher education. The thrilling feeling of accomplishment and pride these students feel upon entering college, however, is often accompanied by less helpful emotions like anxiety and self-doubt. And, unlike students for whom college-going is a family tradition, first-generation students often lack the structural and emotional supports to overcome the real and perceived barriers they face as they enter academia.