Letters to the editor for Friday, April 3

We have been patient with the U.S. Senate controversy long enough. Norm Coleman tried to shame Al Franken into conceding before a recount was even ordered, despite the fact that the original tally automatically triggered one.

He then took the matter to trial, in which his lawyer all but admitted he would lose before the trial ended. He says he's going to appeal, and a Republican senator crows publicly that this will be tied up for years as it works its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

I've had enough. Coleman may not like how things have turned out, but he had his chance. We deserve to be represented by two senators, and I resent being used as a political pawn by the national Republican Party. If Norm Coleman actually cared about Minnesota, he would, too.

MELISSA JOHNSON, MINNEAPOLIS

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Someone should remind Norm Coleman about the old cowboy gambler song, "Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, and know when to walk away."

DONNA KOPNICK, BLOOMINGTON

Racism exists on all levels of American society, and Minneapolis is one of the more progressive cities as far as this issue is concerned (you could not tell from some of the comments written). Although not written that way in the column, it was very evident that Pearlstein's issue is the black kids. Yes, I am aware he is raising an African-American daughter.

I have been out in the downtown area in and around Hennepin Avenue. I have seen young white males vomit and urinate in alley ways and young white females stumbling drunk on Hennepin Avenue. I have also witnessed some young white females so drunk they passed out on the sidewalk and had to be carried to taxis by police or friends. Is that threatening? I think it is. It all goes to the quality of life downtown.

To be fair, I have also witnessed young black males cluster on the corner near the Augie's strip club. These guys may look threatening (to "certain" people) but if you have lived in cities long enough you would know for the most part they are just "posing" -- trying to look tougher than they actually are. I also have never witnessed any kind of mugging or robbery downtown, although it does happen. There are bad apples, but with the heavy police presence in downtown Minneapolis on most weekend nights, if people are stupid enough to do anything they are usually caught within minutes. As far as panhandling, that is a fact of life in all cities. If I want to give money I do; if I don't I won't.

Pearlstein should realize this is a large city, and these situations exist. Downtown Minneapolis is safe.

KEVIN CHARLES, MINNEAPOLIS

The argument that it's only the word of the arresting officer who signs the revocation notice that leads to the possibility of impounding license plates and forfeiture of vehicles before conviction is ridiculous. Using that same logic, taking a gun from a suspected murderer based solely on the word of the arresting officer would be the wrong thing to do.

When will average innocent citizens be given the same protection and equal rights that are extended to criminals?

DAVID RAND, MINNEAPOLIS

I returned from four days of sandbagging and helping some families in Fargo. It was such a transformational experience.

The youth were amazing! Even the smaller kids didn't complain in the sandbag lines. One purpose kept everyone focused. There is definitely a bright future ahead with young people who give like this.

The media need to do a better job of distinguishing Lutheran synods when reporting a story. Lately the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has made the news with a proposal to allow gay clergy. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is not proposing such a measure and hopefully never will.

All too often, though, the media will make a headline that lumps all Lutherans in one category. We in the Missouri, Wisconsin and Evangelical Lutheran synods wish you would stop doing this. Refer to the ELCA as the liberal Lutheran synod, but don't lump those of us who hold a more conservative view in with what the ELCA is doing.

It is not fair nor is it prudent.