Letters to the editor for Friday, Dec. 5

I disagree with your criticism of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's restraint on federal bailout money for Minnesota. I know it is anti-Minnesotan to not collect anything free or cheap (whether you need it or not), but that is the attitude that got us into this financial crisis.

Lenders loaned money to shortsighted real estate investors who believed the federal government insured their losses. Investment houses rushed to build complex insurance derivative packages sold to investors who jumped at the chance for easy, no-risk investment returns. Corporations that paid billions to executives and political campaigns to build their business models around local, state and federal tax incentives are now failing. U.S., state and local governments just kept throwing tax dollars at them to "help the local economy."

The governor deserves our support for his cautious leadership in reviewing this infrastructure "investment." Without caution, Minnesota will be getting another good deal on that pontoon we can't afford to winterize and store every year.

JAMES M. BECKER, LAKEVILLE

•••

Tim Pawlenty's break from other Republican governors and from even his own previous position on efforts to secure federal funding to cover budgetary shortfalls is self-serving politics at its most blatant. He is clearly trying to position himself as the new national leader of the conservative wing of the Republican Party. Minnesota is facing a $5 billion deficit in a state budget already cut to the bone. There is no way to cut that amount without seriously harming all Minnesotans, especially our most vulnerable citizens. The sign of a true leader is to subordinate one's self-interest to the public interest.

CLIFFORD ROBINSON, BROOKLYN PARK

Toward the end of its incursion into Lebanon in 2006, Israel requested more cluster bombs from the United States. Thankfully, that military action ended before such bombs were delivered to Israel, but it was reported that the United States was considering the request. Unfortunately, the cluster bombs used in that short war are still injuring, maiming and even killing people in south Lebanon, a hilly region of towns and farming villages where land is used for crops and grazing.

The tragedy of any war is the cost of human life. The United States can set a major example for peace by signing the treaty that President Karzai has signed.

CHUCK FRIEDMAN, MINNEAPOLIS

Regarding your Dec. 3 editorial, "Avoiding tragedy on 'Black Friday'": It will take a fundamental shift in the values of American business to combat the lascivious displays of Black Friday.

To quote the ghost of Jacob Marley, "Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

ROB GOUDY, MINNEAPOLIS

I want to add Lowell Pickett to your list of individuals who make Minnesota a better place to live (Nov. 27). Each time I have the privilege of listening to a great artist perform at the Dakota, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to have a jazz club of this caliber in the Twin Cities.