As the community digests the developments in the Al Flowers arrest case, it may be relevant to understand that while it is appropriate (and almost always done) that law enforcement officers possess and present a "search" warrant when conducting a search, there is no such requirement for officers to possess and/or to present an "arrest" warrant when attempting to execute such an arrest. It appears as if Minneapolis Police Department officers were attempting to arrest a person at the Flowers residence pursuant to an arrest warrant.

Were the possession and/or presentation of an arrest warrant a prerequisite for a lawful arrest, very few warrant-based arrests would ever occur. In the vast majority of cases, field police officers are either sent to a specific location to arrest a person for whom the existence of an arrest warrant has been confirmed or field officers make an inquiry into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, and if they receive a "hit" (meaning that the existence of an arrest warrant has been entered into NCIC by the originating agency), they have their dispatcher contact the originating agency in real time to confirm the current validity of said warrant before executing the arrest.

This information is not intended to support one side or the other in this issue, merely to allow those following the issue to understand some relevant facts.

Paul Linnee, Minneapolis
JESSE VENTURA

He got his day in court and reactions abound

Ten Minnesotans gave up three weeks of their lives listening to evidence and deliberating the Jesse Ventura lawsuit vs. Chris Kyle, the equivalent of over half a year combined ("Ventura: Overjoyed reputation restored," July 30). One has to assume the natural pretrial bias among all people tilted toward the widow of the war hero representing the estate, Taya Kyle. And yet 80 percent of the jury sided with Ventura.

During the deliberations, all I heard was how the deadlock had to be one or two Neanderthal wrestling fans depriving the Kyle estate of its rightful victory. None of the people saying this sat through all of the evidence presented during trial.

The man had his day in court and the man won. It would be nice if people showed some class and respect for our judicial process and the 10 people who gave up three weeks of their lives for that process.

Wade Yarbrough, Apple Valley

• • •

For the record, Gov. Ventura, my admiration for Kyle still soars high above what little respect I and other Minnesotans have for you. Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Kyle was a true American hero, and I would just like to highlight that he has the most kills by an American sniper, with 160 confirmed kills and another 95 claimed, earning him the nickname "the Devil of Ramadi." Talk about effective counterinsurgency. This Texan should not be remembered because of the tragic circumstances of his death and certainly not the narcissistic prosecution by Ventura. He should be remembered for the lives he saved, both American and Iraqi, but most of all, Chris Kyle should be remembered for what he truly was: a hero.

Sam Pahl, Eden Prairie

• • •

I am appalled at the attitude toward Ventura. The public seems to be outraged because Kyle is believed to be a war hero. What Kyle has done is fabricate stories, as pointed out in a July 30 article in the Washington Post. Kyle claimed he shot two men who tried to steal his truck. After thorough investigation, it appears this never happened. He also said he shot bad guys during Katrina, which also could be made-up. Why believe this guy? Taking a mentally disturbed veteran to a shooting range was his last mistake. It's nice to see the truth prevailed.

Johanna Randgaard, Chaska

• • •

I have a great idea: Let's trade Jesse Ventura to Mexico for the return of Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who has been held in a Mexican jail for over 100 days. We get a real hero back and they get to live with Ventura's "reputation."

Bob Maginnis, Edina

• • •

Coming soon, the first segment of a new comedy show, "Zaneyville": The Gov, fresh from his victory in court and with his "reputation" restored, considers his many options, including running for president.

Len Colson, Plymouth

• • •

Maybe Ventura will donate some of his settlement money to widows and orphans. Oh, wait a minute! That's who he's taking the money from! Who wouldn't want that reputation?

EILEEN BIERNAT, New Brighton
RUNESTONE FAMILY

When do they get back their good name?

Tim Gihring ("The Kensington Runestone is historic — real or ruse," July 30) and Jesse Ventura have something in common. They both vilify dead people. The Ohmans were friends of our family going back four generations. Their family was known as hardworking, honest people who were not taken to foolish behavior. The same can be said for the current generations of the Ohman family. It must be very troubling to continually have your family name dragged through the mud. Regardless of your views on the runestone, there is no need to smear the Ohman family. I noticed that Ventura stated that his good name was restored as a result of the recent trial. When does the Ohman family have their good name restored?

Alan Johnsrud, Rochester
PARTISANSHIP

There's an easier way: Just compromise

There is nothing wrong with being conservative politically and nothing wrong with being liberal. Both are quite valid ideas for running a country and governing a society ("Empathy vs. tough love: The border crisis defined," July 30).

What is wrong is the name-calling and total rejection of one ideal for the other. Rational, logical debate of the two ways — for example, choosing what's good from each and working out a compromise to solve the problem of illegal immigrants — seems like a better way to live and work and govern together.

Problems like access to health care for all, when to go to war, taking care of our veterans, how to tax, etc., could be handled in the same manner. That's what made this country great, not one-sided arguments with zero tolerance.

BOB GOLIGOWSKI, Brooklyn Park

• • •

After twice referring to folks like me as "ruling class elitists," Ed Ramsey complains that we call conservatives like himself names. Pot, meet kettle.

JEFF MOSES, Minneapolis