Readers write for July 28, 2010

The recent documentation by WikiLeaks of the involvement of our alleged ally, Pakistan, in organizing Afghan insurgents to kill Americans and Afghan leaders is the most recent reason to question the U.S. escalation of military involvement in Afghanistan ("War doubt may deepen," July 27).

The United States will sacrifice more troops and spend many more billions of dollars for a non-winnable and unconventional military conflict that is almost nine years old. Afghanistan is corruptly administered, and the government is distrusted by its citizens. It has had inter-tribal conflicts for centuries, and America is perceived as an occupier.

Our brave troops often cannot decipher who are enemy combatants, and our allies are not providing significant help militarily or financially. The role of the United States and NATO in Afghanistan, and other affected countries such as Pakistan, should only be as a backup resource to eliminate Al-Qaida, the common enemy of all countries.

SHELDON OLKON, GOLDEN VALLEY

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The brutality committed by American and NATO forces in Afghanistan was exposed. The fallout will undermine the credibility of U.S. forces and jeopardize the momentum of war efforts. It is bad news for Gen. David Petraeus. The idea of turning this rugged, unruly and cacophonous country into a democratic one is doomed.

Nevertheless, I think now is the right time to move war operations into Pakistan, since Pakistan is the epicenter of terrorism. Pakistan created the Taliban in 1990s and continues to provide intelligence, military, financial, training and moral support. Worse, it furnished a free pass to Al-Qaida leadership.

IBRAHIM HASSAN, MINNEAPOLIS

I support Lino Lakes making English the community's official language ("Lino Lakes approves English ordinance," July 27).

My wife and I were privileged to have lived in Belgium for five years. We have personally experienced and witnessed the complications associated with a country that had more than one "official" language. The multi-language approach helped create confusion, separation and mistrust between the Flemish and French speaking citizens. It also created additional problems for foreigners living legally in that country. That problem has become so great that there are discussions that Belgium may eventually separate into two countries.

It is always stated that the United States is a land of immigrants. It's also a country that has established its own culture and strength largely through the use of one common language. The continued push by people toward the relaxation of one language is a slippery slope that will lead to a country that eventually will become increasingly divided by communication and culture. The thought that 'it can't happen here' is folly.

RAY MEIFERT, EDINA

So English is now the official language for our city.

How can we "save money" next? An official skin color?

CAROL JILLIAN, LINO LAKES

A July 26 letter regarding the tone and character of the Edina City Council meeting about a senior housing rezoning public hearing was about as far from what transpired as possible.

Mayor Jim Hovland and city officials should be congratulated, along with all of the presenters, on their great display of mutual respect, decorum and candor.

Edina residents have grown disappointingly used to unfavorable characterizations and to the "cake eater" label. Sometimes it is deserved. In this case, it clearly was not.

GENE HOLDERNESS, EDINA

I live just a couple of blocks from the Martin Luther King Park in Minneapolis and often take my dog to walk along the beautiful pathways there. Those opposed to the proposed dog park cite the disrespectful nature of allowing dogs to desecrate the memory of Dr. King, but visiting after a weekend or an evening baseball game, you will find the ground covered in litter while the many trash receptacles remain empty ("Dog park idea vs. 'sacred ground,'" July 27).

Dog owners, as a rule, would not think of leaving dog waste on the ground and are quick to chastise those who do. Dogs need a safe place and there is space available.

It is not a cemetery, but a place to congregate and enjoy open spaces. I believe Dr. King would welcome everyone to enjoy a park named in his honor. He reminds us, "Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?"

On Sunday I stepped out to get the paper, stood still, and just admired our beautiful state. The morning was bright and warm, but not hot. Everything was very still, with no wind and little traffic in our lush, green neighborhood. No one else was out. It seemed like peace and nature were there just for my own enjoyment.

Life is hardly perfect for any of us, but that morning was one of those moments to just be thankful and whisper, "Way to go, God!"