letters

DISTRACTED DRIVERS

What was the Mall of America thinking?

With all the concern that has been raised about inattentive driving, one can only wonder about the Mall of America's decision to use Twitter to help patrons find a parking place ("Parking by phone at MOA," Dec. 21). Hmm. What better place for a driver to be looking at a hand-held device than a parking lot?

JOHN GAERTNER, MINNEAPOLIS

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SEN. AMY KOCH

Her 'apology' left out many key people

I consider myself a compassionate, forgiving person, but I find it difficult to accept state Sen. Amy Koch's apology.

She expressed deep regret and apologies to her constituents, the Republican Party, fellow legislators, and friends and family, but neglected to apologize to the thousands of Minnesota couples (same-sex or otherwise) who live in committed, nonadulterous relationships.

The fact that she was instrumental in getting the shameful antimarriage amendment on the ballot in 2012 while having an affair with a staffer is truly appalling and hypocritical.

As part of a same-sex couple that has been together for more than 37 years, I expected a more inclusive apology than the one she offered.

DON OFSTEDAL, MINNEAPOLIS

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VIKINGS STADIUM

Let owners build their own stadium

The state government shut down for a bit last summer over budget issues. Part of the deal to reopen government was to delay payments to schools for a year. This put schools in the position of having to finance the state government.

Now we hear about the millions of dollars needed to build a new Vikings stadium. We can't raise money to provide vital government services, yet we're expected to subsidize billionaire sports owners?

We need to get our priorities straight. If the Vikings want to build a stadium, let them pay for it. The taxpayers should be providing vital services, such as education, and not welfare for the wealthy.

DEAN MCGREW, BLAINE

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CONGRESS

Coverage of payroll tax debate misleading

There have been two problems with news media coverage of the congressional debate over whether to extend the 2 percent reduction in the payroll tax.

First, the lack of extension was described as a "tax increase." It is not.

If the payroll tax reduction had been permitted to expire, it would have reverted to the normal rate. Second, extending the tax reduction further compromises the fiscal solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund.

The fund depends on regular employee and employer contributions. With contributions remaining reduced, the trust fund will deplete faster and earlier, thereby putting retiree benefits at risk. The current contribution rate is already inadequate.

SEYMOUR HANDLER, EDINA

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MICHAEL GERSON

Theism column recycled old arguments

Michael Gerson ("Theism in an age of miracle of wonder," Dec. 16) calls theism a "reasonable alternative" in our search for answers to questions about the universe.

But this argument has been around for centuries and has been discredited many times over. "God" is not a reasonable explanation for the creation of anything.

AUGUST BERKSHIRE, MINNEAPOLIS

The writer is president of Minnesota Atheists.

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BRANDON SAWALICH

He was targeted unfairly for arrest

How many of us remember to pay our annual license tabs without the reminder the state sends us? Did you know that when you move, the postmaster doesn't forward this notice? T

his is a gimmick that the state has used for many years to raise money. Last week, Brandon Sawalich was arrested at the airport on a gross misdemeanor and accused of failing to renew his tabs ("GOP figure arrested, fingerprinted over expired tabs," Dec. 16).

Later the state said it had made a mistake due to a clerical error. Instead of a gross misdemeanor, they said his failure to have a current registration for his vehicle was a petty misdemeanor.

The state said it made an honest mistake, but could it be that Sawalich was singled out because he had been seeking to head the state's Republican Party at the time of his arrest?

GENE REZAC, FRIDLEY

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LITTLE LAMA

Holiness or a case of bad parenting?

The story about boy lama made me question the motives of his parents ("The little lama from Columbia Heights," Dec. 18). We all want our children to be spectacular in one way or another. Healthy, balanced and deliberate child-rearing requires much forethought.

Reading appropriate material on raising children, consulting with psychologists or taking parenting classes should be recommended in this situation. Who knows, maybe this unique 4-year-old boy is just acting on his parents' wishes.

To be sent to India to live at age 10 is incomprehensible. This trajectory cries out for scrutiny.

SHARON E. CARLSON, ANDOVER

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I enjoyed the "little lama" article, but disagree with the statement that all Buddhists believe in reincarnation. That's simply not true.

Tibetan Buddhists believe in reincarnation, but the original Buddha never espoused that teaching.

He didn't teach any religion and didn't claim to be anything other than an enlightened man. Buddhism has evolved over the centuries, so beliefs and traditions vary.

PATRICK HELMS, PLYMOUTH