Book bags and placards

A University of Minnesota official has issued a warning to students that they might be subject to sanctions if they behave badly during the Republican National Convention. "While I encourage you to engage in the political process, please use good judgment regarding participation in activities that might violate state or local laws or the University's Student Conduct Code," wrote Jerry Rinehart, vice provost for student affairs. "... As an example, if University students are arrested or ticketed for illegal activity that damages property or poses risks to the safety of others (on or off campus), such behavior will be considered for adjudication under the conduct code. ..."

If only Vice Provost Rinehart had been at Kent State. Lives might have been saved.

Students for a Democratic Society (There's an SDS? In 2008?) replied, "This is clearly an attempt to scare students and is meant to have a chilling effect on participation in the protests of the RNC." Yes, it looks like an attempt at that -- but come on. What self-respecting protester, swept up in the enthusiasm of civil disobedience in what feels like a righteous cause, already risking arrest and injury or worse, will stop to think: Wait a minute. What will this do to my academic status?

ERIC RINGHAM

A message to those MoveOn.org members who are inundating me with letters about Ron Fournier, the Associated Press Washington Bureau chief: Stop it! The Star Tribune does not run letters that are part of any organized campaign. So, please, for the love of Pete, just stop it.

Having said that, these letter writers raise a legitimate point. Fournier was in discussions about joining the McCain campaign and was pretty cozy with Karl Rove while he was still in the White House. So when he wrote in a news analysis that that the selection of Joe Biden as Barack Obama's running mate showed a lack of "self-confidence," I wonder who was doing the analysis: the AP bureau chief or the man romanced by the McCain campaign?

If he were writing for the opinion page, no problem. As the head of the AP's most important bureau -- directing reporters and determining coverage -- it's troubling.

TIM O'BRIEN

The tropical storm heading for the Gulf Coast might prompt President Bush to change his plans to go to St. Paul, according to Fox News. A commenter at Think Progress, which picked up the story, theorized that the White House is looking to avoid the embarrassment of a Monday-night speaking slot. The commenter added that anything would be better than giving Michele Bachmann another chance to get her hands on him.