Letters to the editor for Friday, Sept. 5

After hearing Sarah Palin's acceptance speech on Wednesday night, I can echo the words of Michelle Obama, "For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country."

JONATHAN STIEGLER, EDEN PRAIRIE

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Spiro T. Agnew, Richard Nixon's disgraced vice president, could also turn a phrase, just like Gov. Sarah Palin did at the Republican convention. Remember "nattering nabobs of negativism" and "effete corps of impudent snobs"?

The Republican base loved Agnew and he for sure got up the noses of the media and anti-Nixon liberals. Agnew was the toast of Republican Washington until he was discovered still taking bribes from his days as governor of Maryland. That pretty much silenced him.

The names have changed but it's still the same Republican "me first" crowd. They mistake testosterone rushes for foreign policy. They think universal health care is socialist theft yet they can't wait to shovel the public treasury into the pockets of weapons manufacturers. Sarah Palin is just the latest stooge to do their bidding.

BILL CUTTS, ARDEN HILLS

What is the difference between Sarah Palin's "appearance" before the Republican National Convention and the history of the Republican Party regarding women's rights? "Lipstick."

J. TODD EMBURY, RAMSEY

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Sarah Palin's speech proved her worthy of being an instrument of praise for John McCain and a biting critic of Barack Obama.

But the vital questions are whether it proves her worthy -- and can we afford to have her, whose self-described qualifications are being mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, a first-term governor, and a hockey mom with a pit bull temperament, who has been outside of the United States once in her lifetime -- a heartbeat away from being our leader in dealing with foreign heads of state and our commander-in-chief of the most powerful military in the world?

I would like to thank the police officers who are doing their job protecting us during the Republican National Convention. They have to go through long hours in heavy equipment, constantly on the watch for somebody who may be trying to hurt others/commit illegal behavior.

Thank you to the people who have marched against the convention in peace. And to those who think slashing tires, stopping traffic and throwing urine on someone is OK, I hope you can see the embarrassment you have caused this state. What is the democratic process anyway?

Again, thank you to our policewomen and men out there doing a difficult job, and keeping others safe.

JENNIFER CONRAD, HAM LAKE

Mitt Romney's statements linking Islam and violence are very careless and dishonest at best. Frankly, we are tired of attempts to incite an uneducated view of Islam.

So you'll get some votes for going down this path, but at what cost? An international Muslim community frustrated with inaccurate portrayal of its religion and an intranational Muslim community disappointed with our disingenuous leaders.

AHMAD FAHMY, EDEN PRAIRIE

As a delegate to the Republican convention, and one of 100 members of the Rules Committee, I have met people from across the nation. When I tell them about our candidate for Congress, they are envious.

Hearing about Brian Davis' credentials of nuclear power engineer and medical doctor, they know he would be a fantastic benefit in the U.S. House. Davis' conservative principles and firsthand experience with two of America's biggest problems, energy and health care, will be a real asset for the First District. I urge everyone to vote for him in the Sept. 9 primary.

NEAL BREITBARTH, FAIRMONT, MINN.

Palin and many teens like her are having unprotected sex. In this case, the consequence was pregnancy. While challenging, this is not the end of the world, especially for a teen blessed with supportive parents. What if the consequence were gonorrhea, herpes or AIDS? It doesn't matter what God or party you support, this can lead to illness, infertility and death.