Letters to the editor for Friday, Jan. 16

I've now watched President Bush's last press conference several times. I'm amazed at the man's lack of perspective.

It's as though Nero, after sacking half the fire brigade and medical staff of Rome, were asked how he'd done. "Yes," he says, "some bad things happened on my watch. I'm especially disappointed in a few wrong notes I played on my fiddle while watching Rome burn. Outside of that, I'd say, let history be the judge."

VINCENT HYMAN, WEST ST. PAUL

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Where's the outrage? Four years ago the Republicans were getting slammed for spending $40 million on the inauguration. The press was giving examples on where that money could be better spent at a time of war. Now the Obama camp is already projected to spend $45 million, and there is no outrage. Just more double standards by the left.

DYLAN NISKA, GOLDEN VALLEY

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Our 43rd president said Lincoln too was subjected to "some pretty harsh discord." The implication is that Bush will be vindicated eventually, maybe even revered, as was the 16th president. In the process, Bush displays an unrepentant, self-deceptive, even comical, egotism. At least he's consistent. We've learned to expect denial from this man. Note that in the same vain Bush called the tragedies of his administration "disappointments" and a "minor irritant." Tell it to the dead in Iraq and New Orleans!

He also denies that this country's "moral standing has been damaged." He projects that it "may be damaged amongst some of the elite, but people still understand America stands for freedom." Of course that will be especially true for the immoral supporters of his administration who will undoubtedly receive last-minute pardons, but that's the one thing he didn't want to talk about. By the way, the "elite" he does value are the ones who bankrolled two campaigns that clearly duped America. Apparently he's still trying to deceive us, but finally his attempts are falling on deaf ears.

At one point he said, "I don't know why [critics] get angry." Maybe it's because they don't want a president who resembles an ostrich. Well, there's plenty of sand in Texas, Mr. President. Enjoy.

JIM BARTOS, BROOKLYN PARK

As we watch the new Senate term start in Washington, I find that Norm Coleman and I finally do agree on something: Limbo hurts constituents. If Coleman truly believes this, the easiest way to end this limbo is for him to give up his court fight.

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I was surprised to see Al Franken try an end run around the election contest rules and try to get a Senate certification from the governor and secretary of state. If he is so certain about the election results, why would he find it necessary to try this? What is he afraid of?

KATHLEEN SMITH, MAPLE GROVE

Randy Hogan, chair of the Minnesota Public Radio Board of Trustees, expresses concern regarding the proximity of the proposed Central Corridor light-rail line to the MPR studios in downtown St. Paul, suggesting that the noise might be disruptive to programming.

Maybe so. But he goes on to propose a "reasonable offer" to the Metropolitan Council to address this potential problem. He requests that the Met Council describe the noise mitigation it would propose for Cedar Street adjacent to the studios and asks that MPR's experts be allowed to evaluate that plan. However, the reasonableness of this plan is lost with his concluding statement: "Commit that, if our experts can demonstrate a reasonable case that mitigation will not work, the council will explore other routes through the downtown area."

From the 1950s to the early '70s, the Decca record company produced in the old Kingsway Hall in London some of the finest recordings ever made. It was chosen as a recording venue because of its excellent acoustics, in spite of the fact that a spur of the London Underground ran right under the hall. Recording engineers and performers made adjustments for the perceptible roar and rumble of trains passing below. I suspect that the clever engineers at MPR could make whatever adjustments are necessary should sound intrusion from the light-rail system be an occasional disruption.

CHARLES G. LYLE, MINNEAPOLIS

I have to take issue with Peter Erlinder's Jan. 13 commentary regarding contradictory messages about dealing with the psychological trauma of war and Purple Hearts.

I served in Vietnam and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. But I don't think there is a direct connection between being physically wounded in battle and in "breaking down." The decision to not award PTSD sufferers Purple Hearts makes sense to me. I am grateful for the disability I receive from the VA; it has been a lifesaver. However, the last thing I would want is a Purple Heart.

ROBERT VILT, AUSTIN, MINN.

Stay liquid; prices are going to get lower on everything. The public is now following that advice and pulling their financial blanket over their head and staying away from the promised winds of destruction.

If you didn't get that message yet, you will read or hear it again today, tomorrow and the next day in the paper, radio or TV.

The media have the public fulfilling their prophesy.

Isn't there another way to explain the problem that is not like train-wreck reporting?