Letters to the editor for Friday, May 30

As a longtime University of Minnesota employee who has both driven and taken the bus to work, I have kept up with construction projects on campus -- such as the many new parking ramps and the football stadium.

At first I found it puzzling as to why U President Bob Bruininks and university regents were so utterly against the Central Corridor light-rail line running down Washington Avenue. Virtually all engineers and legislators agree it is the best route when compared to running it through Dinkytown, Bruininks' proposed route.

The U wasn't concerned about more congestion due to constructing a new stadium, but suddenly it expresses heightened concern that light rail would produce too much congestion for Washington Avenue?

Aren't more people likely to take light rail instead of driving to campus? Could it be that the possible loss of thousands of dollars in parking revenue is Bruininks' true concern?

CAROL RINDE, WHITE BEAR LAKE

It's both laughable and sad that former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan's book is getting such a strong reaction from both sides of the political spectrum.

There is nothing I've seen that suggests the book provides any new information.

GREG OASHEIM, MINNETONKA

Taking a side I believe Scott McClellan.

JOSEPH HUMSEY, WOODBURY

Two letter writers attribute sinister motives and alleged thoughts to Sen. Hillary Clinton's invoking the name of Bobby Kennedy in explaining why she remained in the Democratic race. If they were actually informed, they would know it was an innocuous statement about the lengths of campaigns.

We keep being told that there is a new type of politics being offered when really it's just the same old, same old misinformation and character assassinations.

I beg to differ with David Brooks (Star Tribune, May 28), who claims that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is "a likeable modernizer" who can "reconnect the party to the needs of the working class."

Likeable? Not based on his interactions with DFL leaders. More importantly, he has done little or nothing to help the working class. From disproportionately reducing taxes of the rich to obstructing funding for public transportation and allowing deterioration of our infrastructure, his policies have mirrored those of the Bush administration.

Pawlenty is a smooth-talking right-wing politician who can convince us otherwise. Yes, I would agree with Brooks that Ike would make a great vice presidential nominee, but please not Pawlenty.

BEN G. ZIMMERMAN, FALCON HEIGHTS

Am I missing something? The Star Tribune May 28 story "Muslim women: Dress code violates faith" is just another example of how we are expected to be tolerant, yet our Muslin neighbors do not have to adapt.

Why do food workers wear protective clothing, or doctors and nurses special gowns when they operate? It has nothing to do with religious intolerance, but concern for the health and safety of others. The Council on American-Islamic Relations should read Upton Sinclair's book "The Jungle."

THOMAS KAYE, EAGAN

Some residents in Hugo were critical that the tornado sirens didn't stay on long enough, saying they thought that the danger existed only as long as the civil defense sirens were blaring.

The sirens are for warning people of a dangerous situation. If the siren sounds, and there are storm clouds approaching, that means that the storm is dangerous. If a warning is given 15 minutes before a storm hits, then both the Weather Service and county authorities should be congratulated for being competent and correct.

B.J. BONIN, ST. PAUL

Swanson's staff attorneys want to form a union to create a healthy workplace where they can focus on good law and consumer protection. That's the public benefit of a union. Unfortunately, bad bosses never see value in treating workers with dignity and respect.

For 35 years, my union has represented assistant county attorneys and public defenders who work for Hennepin County. We work in concert with our elected officials and the public benefits from that.

CLIFFORD POEHLER, MINNEAPOLIS;