Readers Write: Pines vs. climate change, aging, teaching, school funding, speech on campus, toll roads

Think of it! A museum of pine trees! ("Green bulwark vs. climate change," May 24.) That's what we'll leave our grandchildren, because the warming of Minnesota is driving out our glorious cold-loving pine trees. Red maple and grass will fill in as the pine trees leave, and Minnesota will look a lot more like Kansas. Yes, Kansas. Not some future dystopia. It's happening today. But we are planting a few spots with pine trees (museums of pine trees) so our grandchildren can see what Minnesota looked like back when their grandparents didn't love the pine trees enough to clamor for change. Clamor, folks, if you love a pine tree.

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In the 40 years since obtaining my forestry degree from the University of Minnesota, the attitudes of science have changed. In the May 24 article, we learn that some scientists are driven to ignore the reality of nature. Evidently, climatological history isn't taught anymore, or worse, is being ignored. Pine species are the "climax," or last species, in the northern part of the state. However they are removed, there is a natural sequential order as the area regrows. The area comprising Minnesota has seen momentous upheavals with glacial periods, cold and warm climates. The intended helping hand of the Nature Conservancy in planting "cold hardy" pines in the face of a presumed warming climate is symbolism over substance. The forces of nature will dictate what grows and what dies.

Are these well-intended "scientists" able to create a cold micro climate in those areas, too?

Unfortunately, misguided efforts like this give the impression that man knows best and can alter natural succession. Long-term, you cannot redesign nature as if you were redecorating a room. Nature will deliver a harsh critique.

I should like to respond to two letters published May 23. I am, to begin with, goodness knows how old — and I'm not telling.

In reference to the letter concerning the death of Roger Ailes as it related to a fall, this same thing has happened to me during the last four calendar years. I am fortunate in the sense that it did not precipitate resulting fatal injuries, but it could have. Each fall occurred because of ice buildup on city streets and sidewalks. Enough said!

I've been there. I have followed the steps; I have been successful, and I love the profession I chose at a very young age. Even though I have been retired for a number of years, I continue to recommend to family members and young friends that, for complete satisfaction, they become not simply teachers, but educators.

I disagree with a May 21 letter writer's response concerning the Notre Dame students who walked out before Vice President Mike Pence's commencement address. Their action was not intended to be disrespectful. The organizers specifically requested students to "remember to stay respectful." That is what they did.

The students did not shout or prevent anyone from attending the ceremony. The students' actions drew attention to their concerns. They did follow their principles, ones that they learned at Notre Dame.

Luis Miranda, a member of the group WalkoutND, stated that "Vice President Pence has supported policies that have targeted the weakest and most vulnerable among us. These are my classmates, these are our family members as well. We are standing up for them We're standing up for their dignity." Luis and the other 100 students who walked out were standing up for their principles.

The Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, who was the president and heart of Notre Dame for 35 years, was willing to stand up for his principles. At one point, Father Hesburgh spoke out against President Richard Nixon's rhetoric during the 1972 campaign. Hesburgh was forced by Nixon to resign from the Civil Rights Commission he had led for 15 years.

I have long been against school vouchers and charter schools, but have recently come to the conclusion that I am no longer against these programs but rather against funding them by taking away from public school funding.

If you think public schools are broken — fix them; if you think these programs are worthwhile, add them to the education budget, but don't take away funds from public schools.

We have determined a per-student cost, and for each student using a school voucher or attending a charter school, that much money is taken from public schools.

Private schools and charter schools do not have to take all students. Public schools do. Students going to a private school and using a voucher or going to a charter school likely do not have behavior problems and likely have at least one involved parent. When these students and dollars are removed from public school, the percentage of students with behavior problems and/or without an involved parent has increased. The job has gotten harder.

One argument I have heard for school vouchers is that they help disadvantaged students go to private schools. I would like to see the numbers — what is the financial and ethnic makeup of the students who are able to take advantage of the school voucher program? I suspect it is the more financially-savvy families that know about this program and can put it to use.

The system has been and continues to be built and maintained by our federal taxes.

The article cites raising the gas tax (Minnesota, too, has not raised its gas tax to a sensible rate in many years). Our state gasoline tax should be raised and dedicated to roads and bridges. If that raised tax is not sufficient to cover those costs, then an annual fee based on vehicle weight should be implemented. The freeway system should allow citizens and commercial traffic freedom of movement throughout our nation.