Readers Write for Thursday, Nov. 5

ELECTION 2009

One loud 'no' vote against IRV

After having my first experience with instant-runoff voting (IRV) in Minneapolis on Tuesday, I strongly suggest that suburban voters do not support this procedure.

I can't wait until 2010 when, due to the amount of time it will take to fill ballots out and all the added confusion it will cause, outrageous lines form at the polls.

It appears that all IRV does is give fringe parties an opportunity to get votes that they never would have under the traditional voting process. In Minneapolis, the first candidate for mayor listed was from the "Is Awesome Party." Clearly, IRV will encourage more odd parties and bizarre candidates.

Politics is scary enough; let's not make it worse.

DAVID DINGEE, MINNEAPOLIS

•••

On Nov. 3, the people of Ohio approved casino gaming. They were tired of seeing their fellow citizens go to neighboring states to gamble, producing no tax revenues for Ohio. In Minnesota, citizens gamble at casinos within their state and still produce no tax revenues. Isn't it about time to end the tax-free, tribal casino monopoly in Minnesota? Why not put the racino on the ballot in 2010?

GIBSON CAROTHERS, MINNEAPOLIS

TROUBLED DEVELOPMENT

Is developers' real goal a lawsuit against the city?

One has to question the motives of developers Steve Minn and John Wall in filing a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis after being denied approval to develop a parcel at 600 Main St. SE ("Developer sues over Stone Arch plan," Oct. 30).

The parcel in question, which is currently being used as off-street parking for Stone Arch Apartments residents, appears to be poorly suited for residential development. It's an oddly shaped chunk of leftover land on the riverfront side of Main Street, and only yards from the University of Minnesota steam plant. As a resident of the neighborhood I can report that the hum from that plant can reach the level of a low roar, especially during the winter months. Does it seem prudent to put up a building that may end up being virtually uninhabitable?

The developers own another parcel on 2nd Street SE., about a block away from the Main Street parcel, which appears to be a much better candidate for residential development. Why are they pushing to develop the Main Street parcel now instead of the more suitable 2nd Street parcel? Wouldn't it be in everyone's best interest to require that the 2nd Street parcel be developed first, allowing additional time for the city to work out a purchase of the Main Street parcel for the more appropriate use as an extension of the riverfront parks?

Perhaps these developers have calculated that if they can't make money building, they can at least try to make it by suing the city.

CRAIG J. ANDERSON, MINNEAPOLIS

CLINTON IN PAKISTAN

Obama would be wise to echo her tone

In standing up to the Pakistanis, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shows she has the backbone that President Obama lacks. She calls a spade a spade, while he dithers.

JACK MCHugh, Edina

NWA PILOTS LOSE LICENSES

Union's protest makes little sense

It was just a matter of time before the airline pilots union would come to the defense of the two Northwest pilots who flagrantly violated company rules by ignoring radio calls for 91 minutes while en route from San Diego to Minneapolis ("Pilots: FAA move threatens safety programs," Oct. 30).

The union claims the punishment could disrupt the voluntary safety reporting program used by pilots. That is the flimsiest of excuses. The voluntary safety reporting program is in place to encourage pilots to report safety of flight issues that may not be readily apparent if not reported.

This incident and the punishment of these pilots has nothing to do with the well-protected "voluntary safety reporting program." It will still be safely in place.

DICK ERLANDSON, EDINA;

RETIRED NORTHWEST AIRLINES PILOT

•••

So the Air Line Pilots Association is protesting the Federal Aviation Administration's actions against the two Northwest Airlines pilots on the grounds of violating a "voluntary incident reporting" agreement? Give me a break!

These two clowns were goofing off in the cockpit for 91 minutes, completely oblivious to anything going on in the airspace around them or of ground control's attempts to contact them. There was no need for any "voluntary incident reporting." The news media were already reporting on the "incident" before the pilots even knew they had created one.

They were caught red-handed 150 miles past their destination. They were minutes away from being intercepted by U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft when they reestablished contact with ground controllers and requested clearance to return to Minneapolis.

The FAA was completely justified in revoking the licenses of these pilots. Rather than chastise the government for doing its job, and keeping the skies safer, the leaders of ALPA should acknowledge that the pilots screwed up royally and were dealt with swiftly and appropriately. Thank you, FAA.

DOUG VERDIER, MINNEAPOLIS

CLARIFICATION

The byline for Don Parmeter should not have been included on the Sept. 19 Counterpoint, "Clean-water bill is a federal power grab."