What do Brew readers think? No need to guess, they tell us every day with their smart, sarcastic, poetic, poignant and provocative comments. In a new weekend feature, we’ll pull out our favorites from the past week with links to the stories that inspired them.

Rec Center Controversy

“The fact that this ill-conceived endeavor is still being forced upon the outraged citizenry is perplexing, arrogant and NOT the change we expected.”
–Kim Trueheart

“That is the biggest problem with this city – it expects things to stay the way they have always been, while at the same time getting better. You cant fix a problem without implementing change.”
–Anonymous

“On paper, the rec centers are likely to never be profitable (nor break even), however they provide a huge long-term benefit by giving our city’s children a place to play, learn, and grow into productive citizens.”
–Genny Dill

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Occupy Baltimore

The rich have a right to their gilded spoons – sure,
The politicians to their demagoguery – sure,
But when they hatch together rotten eggs,
And tell us we are meant for crumbs and dregs,
Should we fold our knees and buckle our legs?
NO.
–final stanza of an original poem by Usha Nellore

“Why didn’t you interview one of the many people that have decided to stop attending Occupy Baltimore and their reasons why?”
–Dahlen

“This is the first time in my life that McKeldin Square has held my attention for more than a few moments. As empty urban plazas go, it’s one of the worst. When Occupy Baltimore leaves, I suggest that a new group take their place. Maybe it could become a Speaker’s Corner or something along those lines.”
–Rick

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Plan to Remove Monroe St. Bike Lane

“The entitlement of the neighborhood associations is one of the most annoying things about Baltimore.”
–Joshua Reynold

“If cars are driving in the bike lane, then perhaps it’s time to create a protected bike lane. It looks like there plenty of space for one… This would have a traffic calming benefit, since cars would not physically be able to speed and drive recklessly. Surely, accommodating illegal and dangerous driver behavior is not the answer.”
–J

“Oh great – they [the city] get flak for putting it in without consulting people who won’t use it, then take it out without meeting with people who will use it.”
–Philip Rink Jr.

“My Buick barely has enough room to get down the street without tearing the fenders off. Any simpleton who chooses to ride a bike on one of these dangerous Baltimore streets should be transported to the Sheppard Pratt Insane Asylum for attempting suicide in a public venue!”
–Walter

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Leakin Park’s Murderous Reputation

“For the record, Leakin Park is not really a dumping ground for homicide victims. Rather, it was back in the ’80s when David Simon wrote his book, and for some reason he continued to imply it in his later works (Homicide and The Wire) even though it was largely not true anymore. I read the murder reports in City Paper every week and rarely do they pull a body out of Leakin Park.”
–Anonymous

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City Bidding Practices

“‘Processing a bid costs $50,000-$60,000 when you include advertising, staff costs and overhead.’ That sounds highly exaggerated to me. If so, then the city has some serious problems with its bidding procedures… Please, DOT: some straight answers.”
–CharmedandConfused

“Guess we shouldn’t expect our leaders to follow silly things like rules and the law.”
–Daniel Equality Ewald

“They’re making up the rules as they go along.”
–Marcia Milne

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Littering Ravens Fans

“Can’t you see? Football is responsible for all the world’s problems, including large masses of people the world over consistently failing to clean up sufficiently after themselves. Remember, next time there is garbage left over after a massive Hindu religious gathering in India … IT IS ALL FOOTBALL’S FAULT.”
–Dukiebiddle