I would like to introduce Peter Bell, who from his perch believes that "equalizing suspensions across racial lines will cause chaos in the classroom," to any of my three friends who have adopted both black and white children ("Reduced suspensions will mean reduced enrollment," Sept. 18). Every one of them tells stories of how her black child was treated more suspiciously and more harshly than her white child in similar circumstances. I don't believe that teachers will ever be expected to "reframe dysfunctional behavior as a cultural norm that is acceptable," as Bell argues, but perhaps they will be able to get more counseling support and learn more productive ways of turning around dysfunctional behavior than excluding children of any race from the classroom.
BARBARA WALLACE, Edina
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As the mother of a black eighth-grader who has attended public school all of her life, I take great offense to Bell's piece. If Bell had done even so much as a lazy Google search, he would know that there is significant research to show serious racial disproportionality in school discipline between white and black kids who've exhibited the exact same behavior. Yes, in post-racial America black kids — especially boys — are far more likely to be suspended and referred to law enforcement for the same kinds of behavior as white kids. I'm calling on the Star Tribune to open the opinion pages up for a discussion. Why are black kids disciplined more harshly than white kids for the same behavior? If it's not racism, what is it?
NIKI MITCHELL, Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS VA
Expect solid, no-frills care and no scandal
Jason Quick, the author of the Sept. 12 commentary "Minnesota, too, shirks its veterans," claims that two former employees of the Minneapolis VA had "harrowing stories of long wait times" and other "systemic" problems. Hogwash. I'm an 88-year-old retired lawyer and World War II veteran and have used the Minneapolis VA for all of my medical needs for the past 14 years.
I came to the VA because the doctor who performed my first hip replacement in 1991 subsequently became the head of the VA's orthopedic clinic, and I followed him so that he could replace my other hip in 2001. I then decided to entrust the VA with all of my medical care, and I'm glad I did.
Over these 14 years I have been well treated by the orthopedic, hearing, eye, podiatry and primary care clinics. While the waiting times have occasionally been an hour or more (I believe most would allow for the circumstance of another's urgent care taking priority), the majority of my visits have required little or no wait time.
My golfing buddy, age 93 and also a VA patient, had a medical emergency a few years ago. I rushed him to the VA emergency room at 3 a.m., where he was immediately treated and released.
Don't expect any frills: four-bed wards are typical, with little room for visitors. But even though Quick would like to find a scandal at the Minneapolis VA, he will find none.
WILLARD L. CONVERSE, Eagan
RENEWABLE ENERGY
There are answers if we'll just take a look
In the sarcastic Sept. 20 letter to the editor from a writer in Farmington ("100 percent? That idea is just ridiculous"), the author asks a few questions related to Sen. John Marty's proposal to make Minnesota a 100 percent renewable-energy economy ("Minnesota can control its energy future," Sept. 19). I have answers to his questions:
1. What farmer has a wind-powered tractor? Answer: No one, but New Holland has a fuel cell tractor which runs on hydrogen — the most plentiful element on earth.
2. What truck driver makes deliveries with a solar truck? Answer: Maybe any truck driver who attended the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, where an electric truck featuring solar-voltaic panels was introduced.
3. What executive flies off to a meeting in a renewable-powered airplane? Answer: There have been successful flights by fuel cell-powered airplanes since 2008, so it is reasonable to think that somewhere in the world an executive has flown off to a meeting in such a plane.
4. How does our good senator get to the store to buy food? Answer: It may surprise you to know there already are electric-powered cars offered by several manufacturers. The electricity to power them could be provided by wind generators. Bonus answer: If you don't like electric cars, how about fuel cell-powered vehicles? In Europe and Asia, fuel cell-powered buses have exceeded millions of miles of service. This country, while further behind, has fuel cell-powered cars running on the West Coast now.
5. How does Marty visit his family on Thanksgiving? Answer: See answer No. 4.
6. Finally, does the senator take me and all readers of the Star Tribune for fools? Answer: I'm guessing he would say "not all readers."
WARREN BLECHERT, Excelsior
ASSET FORFEITURE
Echoes of taxation without representation
The well-written piece about asset forfeiture by John Yoder and Brad Cates was an insightful analysis of policies gone terribly awry ("Unjust property seizures have some seething," Sept. 22). There isn't any difference between "forfeiting" property to a police force without due process and being taxed without representation and in arbitrary fashion.
Today's complacency about the process of asset forfeiture is an affront to those who fought for independence rather than be subjected to such abuse. Asset forfeiture, done under the guise of law and with legislative support, is the antithesis of what our country's founding meant. And for targeted communities, it is an ugly form of oppression, a refashioning of the Jim Crow era.
PAUL BEARMON, Edina
STILL HOPE?
Women's goalie plays despite abuse charges
With all the bad press regarding the NFL and domestic abuse, I have a question. U.S. women's soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo has been charged with two counts of domestic abuse for allegedly beating her nephew and half-sister. She has not been suspended from Team USA and her trial has conveniently been scheduled after the World Cup. I certainly see a conflicting message here.