SESQUICENTENNIAL PLANS

That's a birthday bash?

Do I note a touch of disdain in your Jan. 1 report on what public money we're going to spend on celebrating the state's birthday? Just how much do you think we should spend on such a minor event? After all, Minnesota's bicentennial is a mere 50 years away. To spend almost 40 cents each would obviously be a crushing blow to taxpayers. Think of a family of four already struggling to afford the newest cell phones for the kids and an impressively sized HDTV for the family room.

I don't know whether it is more disappointing to see so little interest in what should be our common history on the part of Minnesota's current residents or to find so little ability on the part of our current "leaders" to arouse more than 14 cents apiece worth of enthusiasm for that history.

I do know I wouldn't expect much of either group if they were planning my next birthday party.

HAROLD W. ONSTAD, PLYMOUTH

License plates and more The Sesquicentennial Commission owes a great debt of gratitude to the fine work being done by executive director Jane Leonard and her staff as we enter this special year for Minnesota. They encourage everyone's participation, formally and informally, and are coordinating a great number of events across the state for the next year.

Legislators on the commission -- there are eight of us -- will indeed be submitting a proposal to produce sesquicentennial license plates for the public to purchase as one way of participating in the celebration of Minnesota's statehood. The sesquicentennial logo is very striking and many have asked about using it on a special license plate. We have been promised hearings early in the '08 session.

In addition, there will be a bill introduced asking for appropriate supplemental funding so that the necessary operating expenses of the office can be supported throughout the year. We look forward to a favorable response from both the Legislature and the governor.

SEN. ANN H. REST, D-NEW HOPE;

SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMISSIONER

ALL THAT SPENDING

Show us the rails

President Bush chiding Congress for spending $10 billion on 9,800 projects in our country while he demands $190 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (Star Tribune, Dec. 27) is the height of hypocrisy. The $10 billion includes over $200 million for 127 projects in Minnesota, such as the Northstar commuter rail and Central Corridor light rail systems, the Minneapolis Gunfire Protection System, the Veterans Re-Entry Education Fund and the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System.

What will we get for the $190 billion? Likely deeper in debt without much to show for it. If we're going to borrow $190 billion, let's at least spend it in our country.

BRUCE THORSON, WAITE PARK, MINN.

One man's waste Letter writer after letter writer states that if we redirected all the monies that are "wasted" on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we could have excellent roads and bridges, fix health care, and fix the educational problems of Minnesota.

Interesting that these people can find other things to spend this "wasted" money on but cannot wrap their mind around the conservative view that there is already enough money in the budget to pay for these things if we eliminate the "pork" in current legislation. I guess it just depends on what one considers "wasted" money.

BRIAN KASSNER, RICHFIELD

TAKE NOTE, COACH

A plea for the purple

A 2008 Vikings wish list:

• That the Vikings come out passing until the opposing defense "respects" the pass in their alignment. Then, and only then, run the football.

• That Childress shows some confidence in his young QB and allows him to play in the first half, when it counts.

• That Troy Williamson has dropped his last pass as a Viking.

STEVE LAMB, ANDOVER

SEASONAL SHOPPING DROP

Food and gas cost more

I was a bit disturbed to walk into a large local grocery store on the Thursday after Christmas to see employees packing up all of the Christmas items and stocking Valentine's Day stuff. The local news has continually reported on sales numbers for retailers during the holidays. Listening to these reports almost made me feel guilty for not participating in the Black Friday or Cyber Monday madness.

Why was it a shock that spending was sluggish this season? Some possibilities include the price of gas, groceries and health care, the mortgage crisis, the scarcity of discretionary income for most (including the mostly nonexistent Christmas bonus) and the interest rate on credit cards. I sure would have liked to spend more on others this Christmas. Maybe next year.

SONJA DUNLAP, ST. PAUL

THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE

Don't play or publish it

My thanks to the Star Tribune for finally pushing me to completely "cut the cord" and cancel the Sunday paper. The last straw is the publishing of Syl Jones' Dec. 30 "devil's advocate" piece (on Sunday of all days).

The only truth to come out of his piece is that he really is the advocate for the devil. Dripping with sarcasm and venom, and containing no thought provoking insight to what is occurring in the world today, he has in fact "proved the prophet prescient." At least the prophet who said, "If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from Me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you."

We get it, Syl. There is bad in the world. There are bad people in the world. We already know it. We live and deal with it in our families, neighborhoods and the world every day.

Thank you again for showing the true colors of yourself as well as the editors of the Star Tribune for actually printing your column.

Happy Sabbath to you all!

TIM WOLNEY, ROBBINSDALE