Continued: Letters: Humankind thrives in warm periods

Humankind thrives in warm periods

The historical record contradicts the assertions of your article "Why Hotter is Harmful" (Star Tribune, Dec. 18). In fact, just the opposite has happened. Mankind has flourished in warm periods and suffered catastrophic famines and epidemics in cold phases.

The Roman Warming (200 B.C. to 600 A.D.) provided abundant crops throughout the empire. They grew wine grapes in Britain. Grain from North Africa was imported to Rome. The cold Dark Ages (600 to 950 A.D.) followed, with unstable weather and famine.

A warm period began about 950 (the Medieval Warming) and lasted until about 1300. The longer growing seasons made for harvests so rich that Britain's population increased from an estimated 1.5 million to 5 million by 1300, while Europe's increased from 40 million to 60 million.

About 1300, the planet shifted to the Little Ice Age. Famine and pestilence recurred throughout the period, reducing the population of Britain from 5 million to 4 million. Life expectancy dropped by 10 years.

The Earth began to warm again about the middle of the 19th century, a trend that is probably continuing today, with ever-increasing abundance of all that sustains life.

History indicates that a shift back to a cold period will inevitably happen, and that will be a time to fear.

DANIEL F. BORGEN, M.D.

GOLDEN VALLEY

Bridges should last longer than 50 years

It seems to me that a bridge should last longer than 50 years.

In 1883, a suspension bridge was built connecting the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When it was built, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of 1,595 feet. After 125 years, millions of vehicles still cross the bridge each year.

In 1931, the George Washington Bridge, with a span of 3,500 feet, connected New York City with New Jersey. The cables holding the bridge are 36 inches in diameter. After 76 years, millions of cars and trucks still travel on the eight traffic lanes of this bridge.

In 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most spectacular bridges in the world, was constructed. It connects northern California to the peninsula of San Francisco. After 70 years, despite tidal forces, winds and earthquakes, millions of vehicles still cross it each year.

In 1950, the Hastings bridge, which became the busiest two-lane span in Minnesota, was built. On Dec. 16, the Star Tribune published an article titled "This Bridge Can't Wait." The article described the conclusion of a 2006 inspector's report that asserted "the bridge has thinning steel, corroding beams, frozen bearings and damaged girders." After 57 years, the consensus is that the bridge needs to be replaced.

In the mid-1960s, a bridge was built on Interstate 35W in Minneapolis. Millions of cars and trucks used this important bridge. After 40 years, in August, the bridge collapsed, tragically killing 13 people.

Why should a major bridge collapse after a mere 40 years? Surely maintenance is one answer. But perhaps the design of the bridge is even more crucial.

Who designed the bridge? Why, among many alternatives, was this design chosen? And who built it?

Can we ask the question whether anybody is responsible for the failure of this bridge? It seems to me that bridges simply should last longer than, say, 50 years.

How long do the builders of a replacement bridge expect it to last? Will it last longer than 50 years?

JAMES B. HOFRENNING

MINNEAPOLIS

Normandale is not a mosque

After reading Katherine Kersten's article on Normandale Community College's "meditation" room on Dec. 17, I find it unbelievable that Normandale College has forgotten about the separation of church and state. Christians and Jews are not allowed to have their own prayer room constructed according to their wishes, so why should Muslims have their own?

Kersten also states that this room, "so-called open to everyone," has no Bible, no crucifix, no Torah, but does have evidence of the Islamic faith. There are tracts placed in the room that state, "Enter into Islam completely and accept all the rulings of Islam." She writes that "the Jews and Christians" are described as "the enemies of Allah's religion" and that the literature states, "Remember that you will never succeed while you follow these people."

In other words, this is a Muslim room made in accordance to their faith, and denying that Jews and Christians should have the same privileges.

Shoes must be taken off before entering, even if you are not of that faith. A wall separating men from women was erected by the college in this room to make it according to Islamic principles. Would Normandale do this for anyone else?

It is my understanding that this is a matter of separation of church and state. Islam is a religion and therefore has no place in an institution of learning. Normandale College is not a mosque; it is a place of higher learning for all, and under all the same conditions.

J. L. JOHNSON

BLOOMINGTON