Letters to the editor for Saturday, Sept. 22

'U' TOPS IN 'SEXUAL HEALTH'

Combating HIV

Given the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the simple truth that condoms remain the single most effective way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Katherine Kersten might have viewed the University of Minnesota's No. 1 ranking in Trojan's 2007 Sexual Health Report entirely differently, had she chosen to ("Forget football, U's SHADEy condom brings home the big prize," Sept. 20).

Instead, she sneered at the university's achievement while neglecting to tell readers that two of the 11 criteria used to decide a school's GPA in the report are availability of HIV testing and testing for STIs.

I'm not an expert on HIV/AIDS, but as an employee in the Brown University AIDS Program -- Brown, by the way, ranked No. 39 in the report -- I do know that HIV/AIDS is on the rise and that researchers do not see a cure on the near horizon. Women, due to their greater biological susceptibility to HIV, are twice as likely as men to contract the virus from an infected partner, and condoms provide women who have limited incomes, inadequate access to social resources and family responsibilities with a cost-effective method to protect themselves from infection.

I also know that we continually must educate persons from young to old about HIV/AIDS. And if it takes something like SHADEy, the giant condom, to do it, well, so be it.

MARILYN MAY, WARREN, R.I.

Educating students

Unlike Katherine Kersten, I am proud that the University of Minnesota does such an excellent job of promoting the sexual health and well-being of its students.

A quick look at the Boynton Health Service website shows that there is much to be proud of -- SHADE is only one part of a very comprehensive package of care available to university students. The "anonymous advice" that Kersten seemed so confounded by (or possibly disparaging of -- it is often hard to tell whether she is sarcastic or merely confused) is an essential service for both abstinent and sexually active students. For many people, it is extremely reassuring to seek confidential, professional advice about sexual questions, whether they are related to sexual activity or not.

It's a shame that Kersten takes such a snide view of the activities of SHADE and of the U of M's sexual health awareness programs in general -- it's about much more than just passing out condoms with "the glee of Shriners." It's about respecting students' decisions when it comes to their own sexual health and providing them with the information and resources they need to be healthy regardless of whether or not they choose to be sexually active.

JOCEY NEVEAUX, MINNEAPOLIS

Could be worse

So would Katherine Kersten find more solace if the University of Minnesota led the nation in the transmission of STIs and pregnancy? I applaud the University of Minnesota for attempting to keep its students safe in the face of the failure of "abstinence programs."

JON SENUM, MINNEAPOLIS

SENATE COMDEMNS MOVEON

Politics of distraction

The U.S. Senate finally manages to successfully debate an Iraq war amendment -- only it's to denounce a newspaper ad, the MoveOn.org ad questioning Gen. David Petraeus' credibility (Star Tribune, Sept. 21).

I'm not sure what disappoints me the most -- the Bush War Machine's capacity to distract America from the disaster in Iraq or the inability of Senate Democrats to take off the gloves and fight the White House.

As to the ad itself? Big deal. Congress should exercise some skepticism when considering the testimony of a witness. That is why we put them under oath and ask them questions.

Let's stop this nonsense and have a real debate about whether America has the capacity, the will and the right to continue to prosecute this terrible war.

JOHN MAHONEY, EXCELSIOR

Freedom of speech

Free speech in a democracy can be hard to listen to and watch.

I cannot stand X-rated pornography, strip clubs and rap songs that all portray women in degrading ways. But I understand that, in a free society, it is dangerous to muffle speech, so I tolerate it.

I am appalled that the U.S. Senate has an apparent lack of understanding of democracy's most precious right: freedom of speech. Although it may be painful for us to hear Gen. David Petraeus referred to as "General Betray Us," this is precisely the speech our founding forefathers wanted protected.

We must have an open and free debate about the war.

KEN SWENSON, WOODBURY

DISAPPOINTED IN AMY

Votes like a Republican

Sen. Amy Klobuchar should just follow Sen. Norm Coleman's example and switch from the DFL to the Republicans. Time and again she capitulates to the Bush political line. And then she regurgitates right-wing propaganda points to try to justify her betrayal of the Minnesota voters who sent her to Congress to defend the Constitution, not to traduce it.

Klobuchar's craven performance reminds me of what Minnesota Rep. C.A. Lindbergh said 90 years ago: "Of all the cowards, no other is so cowardly as the average politician."

OLIVER STEINBERG, ST. PAUL

FRANKEN'S FUNDRAISING

A tobacco flip-flop?

Minnesotans need to tell Al Franken that not even his gaudy theatrics will save him from the hypocrisy he has recently employed. Franken decided to attend a fundraiser at a mansion in Washington hosted by the Bagley family, heirs to the R.J. Reynolds tobacco fortune (Star Tribune, Sept. 19).

Franken has continuously offered attack after attack on Norm Coleman for his ties to the same tobacco folks while he takes money from them.

ANDY POST, MINNEAPOLIS;

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

MINNESOTA COLLEGE REPUBLICANS

JONES' AMERICA

Better than he thinks

Does Syl Jones ever write anything positive about our great country and its leaders ("America the arrogant," Sept. 17)?

DAVID G. THOMPSON, OTSEGO