Readers Write for July 8: Lindbergh vs. Humphrey

Before we rush out and spend $2.2 million on new signage for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, let's determine how many of the 20,000 people confused by the Lindbergh and Humphrey terminals will still be confused by Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

PATRICK FOLEY, NORTHFIELD, MINN.

• • •

Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper and easier to simply put Lindbergh or Humphrey and a simple direction on the ticket vs. spending millions on new signs?

CORA M. BIERNAT, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

•••

I cannot believe the Metropolitan Airports Commission is considering spending more than $2 million to update the airport terminal signs.

Please discourage this wasteful spending and put the money to better use.

KATHY OLBERG, ELK RIVER

I really appreciated seeing the July 5 feature story on Naomi Gaines, the woman who six years ago threw her twin infants off the Wabasha Bridge, then jumped herself. Gaines and one of the boys survived; the other drowned.

If one thinks hard about the line that divides civilized societies from uncivilized ones, there might be several criteria. But here's one: In a civilized society, a mother who did such a horrible deed would be committed to a mental health facility and given appropriate treatment for her obvious mental illness. In an uncivilized, unenlightened, prescientific society, such as ours, she would be sent to prison -- as Gaines was, and where she remains.

JOHN TREPP, MINNEAPOLIS

If the Southeast Asian communities are the fastest-growing segment of the state's population, their leaders should hold classes to educate them as to DNR rules regarding hunting and fishing.

SHIRLEY JACOBS, MINNEAPOLIS

The July 1 editorial, "A gracious finish to an epic drama," followed the Minnesota Supreme Court's lead and soft-pedals the troubling fact that even though voters have to strictly comply with requirements for absentee voting, those who count the votes don't.

Shouldn't Minnesota's media outlets be conducting an independent investigation? We had five newspapers in the close 2000 election checking every little dangling chad.

LOREN PILLER, MINNEAPOLIS

When one of the parents from my kid's T-ball team suggested that we provide healthy snacks (fruit and water) for the children, the opposition was astounding. Although no one on the T-ball team currently has a weight problem, they are all learning unhealthy eating habits as our culture of indulgence is getting entrenched.

I'm not antisugar or antifat, but a T-ball game is not a special occasion worthy of a food treat. Eventually, poor dietary habits will lead to obesity in several of the players, with the accompanying increased risk for hypertension and diabetes.

To curb the obesity epidemic, it will take the concerted effort of everyone to create an environment where kids can be physically active and eat healthfully. Banning nonnutritious snacks after athletic practices or competitions would be a start.