Letters

Westonka schools worth supporting

On Sept. 6, our oldest son attended his first day of school. In that flurry of backpacks, nametags and kisses goodbye, all the reasons why our family moved to the Westonka School District became a reality.

This is a close-knit community that truly values the exceptional education offered by Westonka schools. My wife and I want our children -- and those throughout our district -- to experience this high level of quality for years to come. We want them to have every opportunity, in and out of the classroom, to learn, grow, make great memories and have fun.

For this vision to be a lasting reality, our schools need our help now. Their budget can't keep up with inflation and a demographic of declining enrollment.

Our community will be asked to cast an essential vote on Nov. 6. Please take this opportunity to show your support of all children in the district, those in school now as well as those whose first day will come years from now. Please vote in favor of the Levy For Learning.

MIKE WHERRY

MOUND

Don't question Petraeus' integrity

This morning when I read the Star Tribune's website, I was completely stunned and flabbergasted by what assaulted me. Namely, it was the poll question "Will Gen. Petraeus give an honest report on the situation in Iraq?"

That my hometown newspaper would dare to question the honesty and therefore morality of one of our military's best men left me speechless. After regaining the power of speech, I yelled "How dare you!" at the treason on my computer monitor.

Not only is this man a four-star general with decades of experience, he also has a Ph.D. in international relations from Princeton. He is risking his life to fight for his nation, and instead of supporting him, you question his integrity.

Sickening.

This has gone too far. Calling someone a liar by questioning his honesty and integrity is personal. That is not honest dissent. Policy disagreements are honest dissent, but personal attacks are not. In fact, they are slander.

TAYLOR SWANSON

EDEN PRAIRIE

Representatives failed us on Iraq

I believe all those senators who voted to support President Bush to go into Iraq were lazy and not doing their jobs. They failed to assign their "helpers" to research the issues so they could make intelligent decisions.

The American voters should take responsibility for the mess in Iraq. We sent such incapable people to Washington to represent us. Sen. Mark Dayton should be praised for his vote to stay out. I don't think he has gotten enough press on that.

We also should blame ourselves for voting President Bush to a second term. We had the opportunity to "throw the bum out" after four years.

MARILYN L. MALONEY

MINNETONKA

Minneapolis must start fighting back

The Mark Loesch murder should be the wake-up call for Minneapolis.

As the City Council wastes time with circus animals, the real animals are prowling our streets, murdering innocent people -- those who do such a simple thing as going for a bike ride.

It's time for city "leaders" to stop apologizing for low-life gangs as misunderstood youths and start running these thugs out of our cities and out of our state.

Make Mark Loesch the line in the sand -- and start to fight back.

WILLIAM HORN

EDEN PRAIRIE

City's circus act

The latest rash of deaths in Minneapolis has made me heartsick for my hometown. The City Council can't seem to handle the important issues facing Minneapolis and has chosen to bury their heads in the inane issue of circus animals.

If my children are walking down a street in Minneapolis, what are the odds of them getting shot versus being trampled by an elephant?

KRIS ROSE

MINNETONKA

'Gopher Nation' is a troubled place

The last time the Gophers went to the Rose Bowl was when I was a student in 1962. Based on the performance of the current football program, it will be a long time before Gopher Nation makes the trip again.

To "walk the talk" requires action, not promises, and we are totally lacking in that regard. In losing to two average-at-best, mid-level opponents, we have reached new lows in this program and the future does not look any better. At least Glen Mason was able to beat the teams he was supposed to beat.

Right now, "Gopher Nation" is nothing but a publicist's pipe dream.

BOB ADAMS

PLYMOUTH

Blogging in the burbs

The Star Tribune West staff invites you to check out our newest forum: the Star Tribune West blog.

It's simple. Just go to www.startribune.com/blogs/west and you will find entries from our staff and comments from readers on stories we're covering every week.

We'll update stories we've written about in the previous West section, tell you about what's coming soon, share tidbits that come up in the course of the week, and invite you, the readers, to comment on stories form the West section.