Letters to the editor for Thursday, Aug. 23

STILL LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

America's immigrants

As I sat like many of you, sipping morning coffee in comfortable homes with only the average stresses in our lives, I was reading about Elvira Arellano, who hid out in a Chicago church to avoid deportation and separation from her 8-year-old U.S.-born son. She now has been arrested, deported and separated from him (Star Tribune, (Aug. 20).

What would you do if you were in say, Spain, and this happened to you? Why are the laws so difficult for proper immigration into the United States? Is it fear of another 9/11, or is it simple control and bigotry?

My great grandmother was smuggled into the United States from Russia in a gunny sack by my great, great grandfather years ago. I understand that it was a much simpler time, but did all of our ancestors get here legally? I believe we forget America is the land of opportunity and always has been, forged by people looking for a better way and new beginning.

Which is better: to have this country rid of another illegal immigrant, or have an 8-year-old boy lost without his mother?

STEVEN M. GREHL, ST. PAUL

FOR A GOOD TIME

Give mentoring a try

Looking for something useful to do with your spare time? Check out volunteering at your local school.

You don't need any special academic or other formal qualifications -- just the willingness to put in a few hours each week, share the skills and life experiences you have accumulated, and be prepared to accept the heartfelt gratitude and love of some of the nicest kids (and teachers) you'll ever meet.

I've done it for years. I'm almost finished with my back-to-school shopping, and I can hardly wait to meet my new friends. At 71, I consider them my part-time grandchildren and treat them accordingly. It's a cliché, but you will receive at least as much as you give.

WILLARD B. SHAPIRA, MINNEAPOLIS

VOTE IS TODAY AT THE 'U'

Workers want their due

University of Minnesota administrators "mystified" that AFSCME clerical, technical and health care workers aren't totally satisfied with their contract offer ("U's clerical, technical workers union to vote on strike next week," Aug. 15)?

There's really no "mystery" to it: Their latest offer and treatment in general are insulting.

We are offered less than state of Minnesota workers received in their recent settlement. The Legislature appropriated money for both state and university workers in the budget (and AFSCME diligently lobbied to obtain appropriated money for university workers from the Legislature). This is our money, not the administration's. And we need it far more -- our salaries have failed to keep up with inflation, while administrative salaries have gone through the roof.

What kind of example does the university set when it treats its own workers so shabbily? As a land-grant state university, it should be a model, and not for a race to the bottom like much of corporate America.

STEPHANIE SARICH, MINNETONKA

COLEMAN FUNDRAISER

Photo op that counts

I stood Tuesday with the group of people who weren't invited to the Norm Coleman $1,000 entry fundraiser, and who for sure didn't have $10,000 to drop for a photo op with the president.

I greatly appreciated the large number of passing cars that honked or gave "thumbs up" in appreciation of the effort. My part, as a former Army medic and bugler, was to occasionally fill the air with "Taps," because I believe that every time large contributions go to continue the policies we're under, many more people will die or be injured through violence or some kind of neglect.

I personally have trouble with the thought of paying $10,000 to be photographed with any president. If I had it, I'd help two or three families get adequate health insurance for a year and be photographed with them. These kind of photo ops abound, and I'm imagining a world where we as a culture seek them out.

LARRY JOHNSON, GOLDEN VALLEY

OIL PROFITS AND GAS TAXES

A little perspective

To the Aug. 18 letter writer who states that the "right wing" is not taking action against the oil companies for fluctuations in fuel prices yet screams to high heaven if there is a 5-cent tax increase to fix our infrastructures: Wake up and take those pink glasses off!

First of all, which party controls the state Legislature and Congress? Then, are you sure that the revenue will go to the infrastructures and not to some "feel-good" program? And are you sure that the money has not been earmarked already for some largess?

I am one who blames the former Republican majority for not investigating the obscene profits by the oil companies and their CEOs. They claim the profits will help with research -- poppycock. What about the untapped immense reserves of oil shale in Colorado and Wyoming? They remain untapped because a few decades ago their development was deemed too expensive. Now with oil at $72 a barrel, that judgment is ridiculous.

CARLO AMATO, BURNSVILLE

Vick's Punishment

Fitting for the crime

Citing previously lenient punishments for dog-fighting crimes, Patrick Reusse calls on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to give Michael Vick a second chance after brutally mutilating pit bulls for years on his property in Virginia (column, Aug. 21). For what? Consistency? Because sick animal abusers have gotten off easy in the past? It's time to punish the likes of Vick like we mean it.

NICHOLAS COUGHLIN, MINNEAPOLIS