Corporate backing of amateur sports is a win-win situation
While Mike Bowler is certainly entitled to his opinions about the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, Mr. Bowler overlooks some key details in his zeal to preserve "the great amateur tradition of American student athletes,"' which he suggests is somehow tainted by commercial sponsorship of facilities ("The sports name game," July 26).
Commercial sponsorship is far from a new phenomenon -- nor is it limited to college athletics.
From Little League baseball to Olympic teams, commercial sponsorship is the way we have supported amateur athletics for many years, financing everything from uniforms and training equipment to stadiums and scoreboards.
Mr. Bowler's argument seems based on the assumption that there is something inherently wrong with such sponsorships, but he fails to say what it is.
Let me suggest what is right about the Comcast arrangement: Everybody wins.
The university gets a major portion of the cost of the arena paid for. Athletes and fans have a fantastic new sports venue, as well as a place for concerts, commencement and other events.
Resident students get low-cost cable TV. Comcast gets name visibility in one of the most notable collegiate sports arenas anywhere.
This looks like a positive thing all the way around.
Brodie Remington
College Park
The writer is vice president for university relations at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Democrats' partisan attacks on GOP ticket will backfire
In a more civil age, the Democratic Party might have waited until after the Republican National Convention to begin its attacks on Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Richard Cheney.
This year, however, the Democrats ignored traditional courtesy by stationing Gov. Parris N. Glendening at the convention to attack the Republican ticket.
It was a perfect choice. Like Al Gore, Mr. Glendening is a savage partisan who will do anything to bash political enemies.
While the Republicans have toned down their attacks, the Democratic Party continues its slash-and-burn assault.
Some partisanship is good and healthy. It points out legitimate differences between the parties. However, the excessive partisan assault from men like Mr. Glendening is turning Americans away from politics. The professor from College Park should realize that.
David Marks
Perry Hall
Verbal attacks by congressional Democrats on Texas Gov. George W. Bush's choice of Richard Cheney for vice president will backfire.
Americans are weary of bickering, name-calling and digging up decades-old voting records and attempts to tarnish reputations.
If elected in November, the Bush-Cheney ticket will provide leadership -- uniting people, not dividing them.
Most important, Mr. Bush will uphold the dignity and honor of the office of president of the United States.
Bill Arwady
Towson
No matter how he got guns, Palczynski did the killing
Although Constance Waugh purchased firearms for Joseph Palczynski, it should not be forgotten that the ultimate responsibility for the tragedy rests with Palczynski ("Women guilty of buying gun for fugitive," July 18).
He proved his craftiness and elusiveness during the days that he was at large.
Ms. Waugh is certainly guilty of using poor judgment. But a person with that amount of cunning would have acquired those weapons, even if Ms. Waugh had purchased them for him.
Unfortunately, we have become a society where there must always be a scapegoat. The real guilty party never has to take responsibility, because it is always somebody else's fault.
Even in death, Joseph Palczynski doesn't have to accept total blame. That is the real tragedy.
Diane Pazourek
Sparks
If they had better facilities, athletes could do even more
James Carter, a recent Mergenthaler Vocational High (Mervo) graduate, has qualified for a position on the Olympic track and field team ("Baltimore's Carter leaps into Olympics," July 23). How ironic: Mervo has never had track facilities for our students, yet one of our own earns the chance for Olympic glory.
We need support from the professional teams and businesses of Baltimore for our young people who want to achieve their personal best both on and off the field.
Imagine what we and other city schools could achieve with sufficient funding, support, concern and interest.
Hats off to Mervo's wonderful track coach, Freddie Hendricks, and his tireless efforts to have a successful program in spite of having no track for his team.
Along with Mr. Hendricks, I'll watch the Olympics and root for one of our own.
Bonnie Russo
Baltimore
The writer has taught at Mergenthaler Vocational High School for 30 years.
What's the real agenda behind Star Wars scenarios?
If we really believe that some rogue nation is about to shoot a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile at us, we would be fools to wait until it is actually on its way before dealing with it.
