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Readers Write for Monday, Nov. 16

Last update: November 16, 2009 - 10:23 AM

FROM JURY DUTY TO JAIL

Judge's action only erodes faith in the system

A bullying judge vs. a struggling father of five ("Mora man's plea to miss jury duty ends in jail," Nov. 13)!

Doesn't Kanabec County Chief Judge Timothy Bloomquist realize that this sort of thing has the potential to have ripple effects up and down the line in society, affecting how citizens at all levels view the law? This action has the potential to foster less respect for what holds society together, and I don't mean just in empaneling jurists.

ROBERT MCCollister, Edina

•••

There's no cause to celebrate Todd Gilly. He turned his back on a civic obligation -- a small sacrifice to live in a free nation.

Sure, he was candid about his contempt for the judicial process. But he earns no points for telling the truth.

KYLE CHRISTENSEN, FARMINGTON

FORT HOOD SHOOTING

Military has already sacrificed 'diversity'

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey Jr. worries about "diversity" becoming a casualty following the Fort Hood massacre. He said, "We have a very diverse army. We have a very diverse society. And that gives us strength." Who can argue against diversity?

However, the Army could not remove from its ranks a Muslim major who -- to even the untrained eye -- was exhibiting the behaviors of a psychotic extremist. Those who were alarmed by Nidal Hasan's behavior feared being accused of discrimination if they filed reports against him.

But if the Army psychiatrist had publicly expressed his homosexuality, the Army's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy would have forced him from the service.

Members of the service who have the intent to engage in homosexual acts need to be removed, the policy claims, because "it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline" among members of the military service.

Ah, the irony! Gen. Casey, there's already been one casualty in your version of diversity.

DAVID RATHBUN, MINNEAPOLIS

VETERANS DAY DISPUTE

Article didn't tell Legion's side of story

I read the Nov. 11 article "Bloomington schools, Legion part ways over prayers at flag." This dispute was more about the use of the word God than prayer.

The article leads the reader to believe that Poplar Bridge Elementary School Principal Gail Swor was concerned about a prayer when she, in fact, pointed to the chaplain's small cross on his hat and told him that he could not mention God on school property.

The article also states that the school parted ways with the Legion -- again not true. Our Color Guard decided a year ago not to go anywhere that it is not able to commemorate its fallen comrades and honor their memory as it has always done.

The Legion contributes countless volunteer hours and many dollars to the youth in Bloomington. We support the troops, the VA Hospital, VA homes and the service center at the airport.

The list goes on. The Auxiliary feels that the Legion was improperly represented by the article.

CAROLYN BREHM, BURNSVILLE; PRESIDENT, POST 550 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

VATICAN AND HEALTH CARE

Church's role isn't in the public arena

Regarding the Nov. 12 article "Catholic bishops are key players in health debate," no doubt many of us remember the pre-Kennedy era in which Americans feared electing a Catholic as president. "Elect a Catholic and the pope will be running the country" was the thinking of the times. We had only to look at the politics of Europe to see what would happen in America with a Catholic at the helm.

In recent times, the church uses religious coercion on its politically prominent members in an attempt to get church-supposed laws enacted into public law and to defeat candidates who hold views that differ from those of church policy.

Christ himself said that his kingdom was not of this earth. During Christ's life on earth, he made no attempt to have his commandments formulated into earthly laws. The Jews of the time were expecting a political leader, and here was Jesus expounding new religious laws instead of overthrowing Roman rule! Somehow, the Catholic Church is not willing to "Render to Caesar those things that are Caesar's and to God, those things that are God's."

THOMAS E. CANNON SR., EDEN PRAIRIE

Target field

No roof? You pay for it, outstate Minnesotans

In a Nov. 8 Star Tribune article on the Minnesota Twins' garage sale, a fan from Cold Spring complains that building Target Field without a roof was "definitely not cool."

Well, as a resident of Hennepin County, I and my fellow county residents helped fund Target Field so that the Twins remained in Minnesota for fans of all 84 counties to enjoy for decades to come.

Might I suggest that this fan and others complaining about the lack of a roof should have thought about that early on in the stadium design process, and perhaps raised money for a roof through a garage sale of their own!

DAVID MCMahon, Minneapolis

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