Netlets for Monday, Sept. 24

Would someone please send President Bush a dictionary?

It is troubling to hear him talk about matters like sacrifice, success and then intentionally misrepresent their meaning.

For example, Bush again used the word "sacrifice" in his recent speech at the Quantico Marine Base. Neither he nor any of his family have made any sacrifice in relation to the Iraq war -- unless watching the mayhem in Baghdad on the evening news, as he absurdly stated, is making a sacrifice.

Another example is the recent "return on success" phrase he used in his speech to the nation this month. Success? There is no success in Iraq and there never has been, only disaster, sorrow and disorder.

Please, no more Madison Avenue speeches. Just tell us the truth for a change.

WARREN SPANNAUS, MINNEAPOLIS

Good work, SHADE

Katherine Kersten's columns usually make me cringe; however, her Sept. 20 piece on the University of Minnesota student group SHADE (Sexual Health Awareness and Disease Education) highlighted many of the group's great qualities. Though she attempted to lampoon the group by comparing them to our inept football team, the satirization was ineffective.

I think even Kersten would agree that a healthy student body is more important than winning a silly game. Kudos to you, SHADE; I hope the publicity will allow you to reach a larger audience.

IAN RAPSON, MINNEAPOLIS

High distinction at the U

Congratulations to the University of Minnesota for rating highest in safe sex practices! It is stupefying -- although not entirely surprising -- that Katherine Kersten calls high condom use "the U's darkest hour." Would she rather the U lead the nation in unwed mothers or abortions?

College students are going to have sex -- at least University of Minnesota students are being responsible about it!

ELIZABETH PAVLICA, BLOOMINGTON

Housing policies can't burden seniors with disabilities

"A senior condo puzzler: Safety vs. privacy" (Star Tribune, Sept. 17) described some of the barriers that senior citizens face in trying to live independently. However, the article did not adequately describe the legal obligations that housing providers must meet in serving all people, including disabled seniors. Older persons, even those with disabilities, can keep their independence longer when providers follow the law.

Under the Fair Housing Act, housing providers may not screen out tenants or buyers on the basis of disability. They may not evict residents who become "too disabled," unless the residents are unable to live up to the terms of their lease or association agreements.

Providers must make reasonable accommodations for elders and others who need changes in standard practices in order to keep and enjoy their homes -- for example, a mobility-impaired person may be entitled to an assigned parking space close to her entry door, even if parking is usually first-come, first-served.

Housing policies that place burdens on older persons with disabilities have been ruled illegal. For example, St. Cloud Area Legal Services attorneys handled the first case of this kind in senior housing, helping a senior resident to successfully challenge a rule that power wheelchair users carry liability insurance.

Some housing providers believe they are exempt from fair housing laws because they own or manage housing geared toward the elderly. They are not. Tenants of senior housing have the same rights under the Fair Housing Act as everyone else.

Furthermore, a landlord cannot ask or require seniors to give up these protections. For example, a lease condition that requires the elderly to move if their health begins to fail would be illegal under the Fair Housing Act.

The elderly, just like younger people, have the right to live independently. Housing providers, older residents, and their families should cooperate to address their changing needs. The nation's legal principles of equal treatment and reasonable accommodation provide a sound base from which to work to that end. Older persons with questions about their rights under fair housing laws may wish to contact local legal aid offices at 612-334-5970 or 651-222-4731.

AISHA BIERMA, STAFF MEMBER, HOUSING DISCRIMINATION LAW PROJECT, LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF MINNEAPOLIS

Finally a story with a happy ending

Thank you for the Sept. 19 story about Amos, the wandering donkey who fell into a well. Sometimes it's easy to feel disheartened at all the tragedy in the news. This sweet story with the happy ending is a good reminder that people in our communities do care about one another -- both human and beast.

JENNIFER KUNZE, MINNEAPOLIS