Readers write for March 13, 2010

JUDGING JUDGES

A vote for a nonpartisan citizen commission

I couldn't agree more with the need to pass a constitutional amendment to reform the way judges are evaluated and retained ("It's a judgment call," March 7).

The need for a nonpartisan citizen commission to evaluate judges and for the retention elections that would follow is more critical than ever. With the recent Supreme Court decision that gives corporate entities the power to contribute directly to elections, judicial campaigns are more susceptible than ever to powerful corporate interests that have nothing to do with justice and everything to do with corrupting our democracy.

Corporations can flood the rhetoric of any campaign with enough money to control it. Some corporations have enough money to remove judges at will, and the fallout from such elections will affect a judge throughout an entire career. If we are interested in blind justice, based on impartial juries and fair judges, this amendment is a necessity.

WILLIAM PAPPAS, STILLWATER

airport signs

Airlines can provide still more clarification

I had the misfortune this morning of having to drive my wife to the airport at 4 a.m. Along the way we got to admire the new sign informing us that the Lindbergh terminal is the same as Terminal 1.

And then there was the new sign informing us that the Humphrey terminal is the same as Terminal 2. While we were wondering why it takes two signs to convey this information, it occurred to us that nowhere on my wife's tickets or itinerary did it actually say which terminal to go to. All it said was "MSP."

Maybe the airlines could print that tidbit on their tickets and save us all the millions of dollars it will take to erect the fancy new signs.

And while we're at it, Metropolitan Airports Commission, how about some signs on the approach to Terminal 1? Currently we have "Ticketing/Drop Off" and "Baggage Claim" traffic lanes. My wife objects to being claimed as "baggage." How about a sign that says "Pick Up"?

ALAN BELISLE, EDEN Prairie

youth deer hunt

It works in Wisconsin. Why not try it here?

I have to question Dennis Anderson's column "DNR is chasing legislature in 'Bad Idea Derby'" (March 12).

I am not a duck hunter, so I will not comment on that portion of the article. My family has taken part in Wisconsin's events for young hunters for years and has great memories of the experience. These hunts give our group a chance to concentrate on the youngest members of our clan.

This starts with safety, target practice and planning the hunt. This has been a positive experience for adults, as well as for the youths, in our hunting group.

RANDY SILHA, WOODBURY

Graduation tests

With a busted budget, can the state afford it?

Regarding "Legislature rethinks rules for grad tests" (March 11), one question keeps popping into my mind: How much are these new tests going to cost?

Given the economic condition of our state, can we really afford to pump more and more money into Pearson, the for-profit company that has been assigned the task of assessing our kids' knowledge? That said, how much has Pearson already taken from state coffers? During a time of budget-cutting, legislators should ask themselves whether we really need these new tests.

MICHAEL DURCHSLAG, MINNEAPOLIS

VIKINGS ARE VITAL

Sports fans or not, if team leaves, we all lose

As Minnesotans ponder whether to support building a new Vikings stadium, an investigative journalist should be assigned to study the historical economic consequences of the Milwaukee Braves' move to Atlanta.

I lived in Milwaukee at the time and witnessed the following: Vitality, civic pride and local commerce were instantly sucked from the metropolitan area. It seemed a near-mortal blow to the momentum of a great city. It took decades to overcome that loss -- and countless millions of dollars to be able to attract the Milwaukee Brewers.

I am not a big sports fan. But I implore my fellow citizens to lose their spiteful feelings for rich owners and overpaid athletes. If we lose the Vikings, we will all suffer -- even those who have no interest in professional football and would never consider watching a game. A few pennies over a long time can prevent huge economic loss and lack of growth for the entire state. This is a classic example of penny-wise and pound-foolish.

JIM STATHOPOULOS, BURNSVILLE

DARCY POHLAND

Media industry shows some Minnesota nice

It was a great pleasure to observe that the compassion expressed to WCCO-TV regarding the death of beloved broadcaster Darcy Pohland. The news business is very competitive, and it was very classy for other media outlets to show support.

Minnesota nice. Thanks.

CANDY PETERSEN, NORTH St. Paul