Netlets for Tuesday, May 6

While Twila Brase ("Genetic information deserves protection," April 29) brings up privacy issues as reason for the governor's veto, what's at stake here are children's lives and the families within our communities.

Each year under Minnesota State Law (144.125), the Department of Health screens more than 72,000 newborns. Each year, as a result, approximately 75 to 90 children's lives are saved because their "confirmed positive" trigger vital medical interventions.

That's why the March of Dimes opposes an "opt in" system for newborn screening as it could put babies at risk for treatable conditions not being detected. There are too many documented cases of children who are disabled or have died because they were born with one of the identifiable metabolic diseases that was not detected and thus not treated in a timely manner. We do concur that the current "opt out" system and clarifying language as is proposed in Senate File 3138 should be protected.

The March of Dimes asks Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Minnesota Legislature to support Senate File 3138. All babies in Minnesota should have access to the benefits of newborn screening; their lives could depend on it.

BOB GUSTAFSON, EDINA; MARCH OF DIMES MINNESOTA STATE DIRECTOR

Global warming hysteria may be its own threat

Ken Bradley uses a flawed argument to support his contention that man-made global warming poses a danger to Minnesota's waterways ("The heat is on -- and that threatens fishing," April 26). In doing so, he follows a disingenuous pattern that is typical of global warming alarmists.

Bradley states that the "scientific consensus is clear and decisive" that global warming is caused by human activity. This patently false assertion (easily debunked by anyone with Internet access) is essential to the alarmists' case. Acceptance of it allows them to turn any environmental issue -- even fluctuations in the fish populations of a couple of Minnesota lakes -- into a "crisis."

Anyone who doubts that global warming hysteria will wreck our economy need look no further than Bradley's solutions to this imagined crisis: drastically restrict future economic growth and waste billions more on renewable energy fantasies.

PETER D. ABARBANEL, APPLE VALLEY

Real ID is real federal overreaching

In response to your April 25 editorial: Legislation regarding the national ID card doesn't need adjustment, it needs to be totally rejected. The Real ID Act will establish a federal database of personal information about every American citizen, including Social Security numbers and biometric information. If supported by the state of Minnesota, our driver's licenses could contain retina scans, fingerprints, DNA information and radio frequency technology.

Too often we read of sensitive computer data falling into the wrong hands, so why would this case be any different? As proposed, the Real ID database could be shared with other countries. Who is naive enough to think that our sensitive personal data will be safe with them?

What the Real ID Act will do is to transform your state drivers' license into a national ID card. This unconstitutional act makes a mockery of federalism and the 10th Amendment. Any refusal by the state of Minnesota to comply would mean our friends and neighbors could not get a job, receive Social Security or travel by plane. This is simply another unnecessary enlargement of the federal government, using the people's fear of terrorists to coerce them into compliance.

ALAN PALMER, MAPLE GROVE

Put new light rail below or above grade

I was shocked to read that the Metropolitan Council is planning to expand the light-rail system by routing it through the University of Minnesota campus on Washington Avenue! Any growth of the metropolitan light-rail system certainly deserves ongoing debate, but expansions at grade level are a no brainer.

I have no doubt that light-rail passengers enjoy a speedy commute and the reduced road traffic should ease everyone else's travel time too. However, anyone who travels along the existing transit route understands that we should not add to this system in the metro area at grade level. The delays caused by the light-rail "right of ways" may well exceed much of their benefits, not to mention the mounting toll of accidents and deaths.

This system needs to be constructed below or above grade wherever significant street traffic exists. Have we learned nothing from other major metropolitan communities with light-rail systems? Will the Metropolitan Council please wake up?

DALE TAYLOR, PLYMOUTH

How the media adore Jeremiah Wright

Enough! The Rev. Jeremiah Wright is not "a legitimate campaign issue" (editorial, 30 April). He is not "holding tightly to a spotlight that was turned his way" (E J. Dionne Jr., same date).

Wright did not storm Bill Moyers' PBS studio. Wright did not hold the National Press Club hostage. Wright is not running for office.

It's not Wright's absurd antics, or even Barack Obama's angry rejection. The "issue" is the self-indulgent smile on the face of the cameraman who represents the media in Steve Sack's editorial cartoon (April 30).

JEFF MOSES, MINNEAPOLIS

Franken shows he's unqualified

Either Al Franken is clueless concerning his obligation to pay income taxes when required in those states in which he was paid for services performed, or he retained the services of an accountant who was equally clueless. In either case, he is not qualified for election to the U.S. Senate.

RICHARD C. JOHNSON, EDINA