CCT Opinion

November 26, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.

Reader commentary: "As we gather with family, friends and neighbors this Thanksgiving, I want to...

Carl Burdette: Who’s really the worst president? | COMMENTARY

November 23, 2025 at 4:44 p.m.

Writer Carl Burdette pushes back against claims that Donald Trump is the worst president in...

The ChatGPT app icon is seen on a smartphone screen. (Kiichiro Sato/AP)

Chris Roemer: Don’t put teens’ mental health in the hands of AI | COMMENTARY

October 30, 2025 at 2:25 p.m.

Society's embrace of artificial intelligence is already having devastating, and sometimes fatal, effects on teens'...

President Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of Russia's President Vladimir Putin during a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 15, 2025. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Tom Zirpoli: Trump bows to Putin, again | COMMENTARY

October 28, 2025 at 3:13 p.m.

Vladimir Putin has one card in his war on Ukraine, writes Tom Zirpoli: the Trump...

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., left, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speak to reporters outside the Senate chamber as they charge President Donald Trump and the Republicans with the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Oct. 16, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Chris Roemer: Don’t let politicians convince you to give up on Constitution | COMMENTARY

October 23, 2025 at 4:03 p.m.

"Both parties claim any judicial decision that thwarts their political objectives is proof the court...

FBI Director Kash Patel speaks with Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., as he appears before the House Judiciary Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 17, 2025. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Carl Burdette: Kash Patel’s résumé is impeccable | COMMENTARY

October 15, 2025 at 2:59 p.m.

Carl Burdette writes to push back on criticism against FBI Director Kash Patel.

Most volunteers at Gilchrist Hospice Care work directly with patients — keeping them company, running errands and supporting their families. Others fulfill administrative duties or help with special events. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Tom Zirpoli: Request hospice sooner rather than later | COMMENTARY

October 14, 2025 at 2:51 p.m.

If you think you or a loved one needs hospice care, don't wait too long...

President Donald Trump walking off stage after speaking to a gathering of top U.S. military commanders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Sept. 30, 2025, in Quantico, Va. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Tom Zirpoli: Two speeches that define Trump | COMMENTARY

October 7, 2025 at 1:50 p.m.

Two recent speeches by Donald Trump are a damning indictment of his presidency, writes Tom...

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at a rally with Hotel and Gaming Trades Council workers, in New York, Aug. 20, 2025. (Richard Drew/AP)

Tom Zirpoli: The hypocritical alarmism over Zohran Mamdani | COMMENTARY

September 30, 2025 at 2:54 p.m.

Tom Zirpoli: "While Republicans are OK with some socialism for their rich friends, Zohran Mamdani...

Excavators work on a project site in Baltimore. (Staff File)

Construction noise is a real threat to public health | GUEST COMMENTARY

By Samuel S. Akosile

September 25, 2025 at 2:38 p.m.

Jackhammers and bulldozers may be the sound of progress, but they also pose a real...

The Maryland State House in Annapolis. (Brian Witte/AP)

Damning report on sex offenders in foster homes is a wake-up call | GUEST COMMENTARY

By Torrey Snow

September 24, 2025 at 3:23 p.m.

A soul-crushing audit revealed sex offenders living at the same addresses as vulnerable youth in...

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve member Lisa Cook in September 2022, in Washington. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

Tom Zirpoli: Who is Lisa Cook, Federal Reserve governor targeted by Trump? | COMMENTARY

September 16, 2025 at 2:16 p.m.

Donald Trump's attempt to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board is a dangerous...

Maryland Governor Wes Moore holds a press conference on Lawyers Mall outside the State House. (Kim Hairston/Staff)

Tom Zirpoli: The hypocritical outrage over Wes Moore’s Italy trip | COMMENTARY

September 9, 2025 at 2:48 p.m.

Republicans' criticism of Gov. Wes Moore's trip to Italy is deeply hypocritical, writes Tom Zirpoli.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event about the relocation of U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Carl Burdette: Why Trump is succeeding | COMMENTARY

September 4, 2025 at 2:46 p.m.

Tom Zirpoli's criticism of Donald Trump's second-term agenda doesn't hold up, writes Carl Burdette.

A pile of coal, conveyor belts and towers for moving and storing coal are seen at Signal Peak Energy’s Bull Mountains Mine, on May 21, 2025, near Roundup, Montana. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

Tom Zirpoli: America’s future energy sources are being dismantled | COMMENTARY

September 2, 2025 at 2:38 p.m.

The Trump administration has been recklessly dismantling America's clean energy economy, writes Tom Zirpoli.

Republican Delegate Chris Tomlinson. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)

Tomlinson: A new gerrymandering push in Maryland would be disastrous | COMMENTARY

By Chris Tomlinson

August 27, 2025 at 2:36 p.m.

Maryland Democrats should back off from their ambitions to eradicate the state’s only remaining right-leaning...

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Tom Zirpoli: Why Trump is failing | COMMENTARY

August 26, 2025 at 11:53 a.m.

"Trump has not learned one of the most basic skills of a good manager: hire...

Care workers with the Service Employees International Union chant, rally outside the U.S. Capitol on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., against Medicaid cuts. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images North America/TNS)

Chris Roemer: Government assistance should be shaped by common sense | COMMENTARY

August 21, 2025 at 12:38 p.m.

Federal spending on government assistance has gotten out of control, writes Chris Roemer.

President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Tom Zirpoli: Putin has upper hand over Trump | COMMENTARY

August 19, 2025 at 2:27 p.m.

Vladimir Putin steamrolled Donald Trump in Alaska, writes Tom Zirpoli.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Mike McGrew: An alternative mindset for patriotic independents | COMMENTARY

By Mike McGrew

August 18, 2025 at 2:24 p.m.

Mike McGrew writes to encourage independents to advocate moderate politics and push back against partisanship.

Reggie Daniels pays his respects at a memorial at Robb Elementary School, Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas, created to honor the victims killed in the school shooting. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, file)

Focus on mental health strikes at root of gun violence | READER COMMENTARY

August 16, 2025 at 12:56 p.m.

A focus on mental health is needed to prevent future mass shootings, writes David Ellin.

Del. David Moon, Maryland House majority leader, has proposed redrawing Maryland's congressional map in response to Texas Republicans' redistricting. (Kim Hairston/Staff)

Chris Roemer: Redistricting lays Democratic hypocrisy bare | COMMENTARY

August 14, 2025 at 3:02 p.m.

The redistricting drama playing out in Texas is highlighting the worst characteristics of both political...

Shipping containers line the Ever Most cargo vessel docked at the Port of Oakland

Tom Zirpoli: Trump’s policies are slowing economic growth | COMMENTARY

August 12, 2025 at 2:45 p.m.

Donald Trump's policies on immigration and trade are going to hurt American small businesses, writes...

A woman holds a sign as she joins others during a rally to protest against redistricting hearings at the Texas Capitol, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Democrats throw a fit over redistricting | READER COMMENTARY

August 11, 2025 at 11:25 a.m.

Texas Democrats' move to flee Texas to avoid a vote on redistricting was childish, writes...

Pedestrians walk by police tape near the scene of a mass shooting on July 28, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

What’s being done to stop gun violence? | READER COMMENTARY

August 11, 2025 at 10:24 a.m.

"What response to ensure citizen security is being made?" writes David Highfield of Westminster.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller Makes A Statement On Russia Investigation

Carl Burdette: Williams gets it right on Russian collusion | COMMENTARY

August 9, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

The extensive investigation into Russian collusion was tainted by bias yet still found no evidence...

This image from an undated video released on August 1, 2025, by the armed wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, shows Israeli hostage Evyatar David marking a food log on a calendar inside the Gaza tunnel where he is being held. David was abducted during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Top left reads in Arabic ” The military media – Hamas.” (Hamas via AP)

Chris Roemer: No excuses for Hamas’ evil | COMMENTARY

August 7, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.

Anyone who refuses to speak out against Hamas is condoning evil, writes Chris Roemer.

Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen, in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Tom Zirpoli: The world tells Israel, ‘enough’ | COMMENTARY

August 5, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

Israel has a duty to protect innocent lives in Gaza, writes Tom Zirpoli.

FILE – President Donald Trump holds his signed signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts at the White House, July 4, 2025, in Washington, surrounded by members of Congress. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Tom Zirpoli: Big government is back | COMMENTARY

July 29, 2025 at 1:57 p.m.

State's rights have gone by the wayside under the second Trump administration, writes Tom Zirpoli.

The Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md.

A bold, conservative force for Carroll County | READER COMMENTARY

July 26, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.

Sen. Justin Ready and Dels. April Rose and Chris Tomlinson are running for re-election in...

FILE – The sign above the door to the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging inside the main administration building on the main University of Kansas campus is seen on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/John Hanna, File)

DEI is what makes America great | READER COMMENTARY

July 26, 2025 at 9:45 a.m.

Diversity has always been a part of America, writes George Conover of Westminster.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivers the keynote address at the Inauguration of Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)

Chris Roemer: The Democratic Party is committed to bad governance | COMMENTARY

July 25, 2025 at 2:59 p.m.

If you are looking for massive inefficiency, little accountability and a mountain of waste, fraud...

FILE – President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Tom Zirpoli: Trump doth protest too much | COMMENTARY

July 22, 2025 at 2:06 p.m.

Donald Trump's efforts to conceal the Epstein files show there must be incriminating evidence in...

The U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington in March. (J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP FILE)

Congress is full of cobwebs | READER COMMENTARY

July 19, 2025 at 11:59 a.m.

Congress needs term limits, writes Dieter Halle.

Part of Centennial Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, collapsed

Would a tornado siren work in Mount Airy? | READER COMMENTARY

July 19, 2025 at 11:52 a.m.

There are problems with the idea of installing warning sirens in Mount Airy, writes Steve...

This aerial photo shows damage from flash floods along the Guadalupe River in Ingram, Texas, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Tom Zirpoli: We get the government we vote for | COMMENTARY

July 16, 2025 at 2:17 p.m.

Americans will have less protection from disasters like the floods that struck Texas because of...

Downtown Westminster is pictured Thursday, May 14, 2020.

Neighbor nightmare in Westminster | READER COMMENTARY

July 15, 2025 at 3:32 p.m.

A letter writer says he's faced years of frustrations with a problem neighbor in Westminster.

Residents come out to look at the damage from a possible tornado that toppled power lines and dozens of trees along Bartholow Road in Carroll County in 2024. (Staff)

Mount Airy needs a warning siren | READER COMMENTARY

By For Carroll County Times

July 15, 2025 at 3:24 p.m.

Mount Airy needs a disaster warning siren system, writes Joshua Marks.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., center, surrounded by fellow Republicans, signs President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

What are lawmakers in Congress thinking? | READER COMMENTARY

By For Carroll County Times

July 8, 2025 at 1:50 p.m.

Congress is taking assistance away from the most vulnerable, writes Patricia Hollinger.

President Donald Trump bangs a gavel presented to him by House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., after he signed his signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts at the White House, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Tom Zirpoli: Republicans make their priorities clear | COMMENTARY

July 8, 2025 at 1:41 p.m.

"To understand the values of a political party, look at its budget proposals," writes Tom...

University of Virginia president James Ryan

Tom Zirpoli: Trump attacks the University of Virginia | COMMENTARY

July 1, 2025 at 3:06 p.m.

What the Trump administration is doing to institutions of higher education is criminal, writes Tom...

A smoke trail from the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system streaks across the sky as it intercepts missiles launched during an Iranian attack, as seen from Haifa, Israel, early Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)

Tom Zirpoli: Another unnecessary war in the Middle East | COMMENTARY