I could not agree more with Gov. Tim Pawlenty: It's time to make English the state's official language ("10,000 lakes and one official language?" Aug. 4). The first thing we need to do to avoid confusion is get rid of the name "Minnesota," since it is not an English word. Let's rename the state to "water that reflects the sky," since that's the English translation. Then let's change the names of counties and cities like Anoka, Dakota, Chippewa, Wadena, Shakopee, Mendota and all others taken from Dakota and Ojibwe words. Then we need to change Hennepin, Faribault, Lac qui Parle and other French names. Finally, we will have to rename the Mississippi River.J. MATTHEW KEMPAINEN, MENDOTA Heights
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