Letters to the editor for Monday, June 16

The Rev. Gus Booth highlights the hypocrisy of conservatives ("Preacher vows to put politics in his pulpit," June 12). They invade and occupy a country to bring it democracy while advocating for a theocracy in this country. So much for rationality in the faith-based community.

I say let Gus and other preachers have their political say in the pulpit, but pull the plug on their tax exemptions.

GREG OASHEIM, MINNETONKA

Speak, but pay taxes The Rev. Booth of Warroad Community Church has a right to express his political opinions -- just like I do. But if he wants to express these opinions from the pulpit, then I also believe his church has the right to pay federal and state income taxes, local property taxes and sales taxes -- just like I do.

WILLIAM SALINGER, NEW HOPE

Last week, Minneapolis saw a horrific example of how domestic violence can escalate to murder. One man is dead and another is in custody in what police are treating as a domestic homicide within a same-sex relationship.

Unfortunately, OutFront Minnesota's Anti-Violence Program sees the ravages of same-sex domestic violence all too often. We see people come to us for help who are scared, demoralized and often without options. They seek emergency housing, court orders and protection for their children, sometimes in the face of great danger.

Violence within same-sex relationships happens at approximately the same rate as violence within opposite-sex relationships.

Because domestic violence within same-sex relationships is lesser known and more hidden than in the general population, programs and services for the community are less available. But this murder is a sobering reminder of how vital our service providers and domestic violence advocates are in preventing and responding to domestic violence in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. When funding and planning decisions are made by these agencies, we should guarantee that those plans include the GLBT community.

REBECCA WAGGONER KLOEK,

MINNEAPOLIS; ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAM

MANAGER, OUTFRONT MINNESOTA

Dairy factory farms also treat cows like mere milk-producing machines, pumping them with antibiotics and hormones so they can produce vastly more milk per day than nature intended. This vigorous milk production so overtaxes the animals that their lives are cut artificially short, and they are sent to slaughter when they are considered no longer "economically viable."

Ultimately, big dairy factory farms only benefit big agribusiness.

JILL FRITZ, ST. PAUL;

MINNESOTA STATE DIRECTOR,

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES

WILLIAM LUNDQUIST, BLOOMINGTON;

RETIRED MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER

The June 10 editorial, "Power up laptops but don't unplug schools," discussed the growth in online education in Minnesota.

As superintendent of Minnesota Transitions Charter School, which administers Minnesota Virtual High School (MVHS), I can attest firsthand to the growing demand for online education. Launched July 2007, MVHS boasts an enrollment of approximately 850 full-time and 700 part-time students in grades seventh through 12th from throughout Minnesota.

Your article mentioned two local programs as offering free laptops to students but neglected to mention our program. Full-time MVHS students also qualify for free laptops and Internet stipends. Additionally, juniors and seniors in good academic standing are able to take courses from an accredited university, tuition-free.

MVHS and our online partner, Advanced Academics Inc., understand that social interaction with peers is an important part of becoming a productive member of our community. As a result, we make sure online students at our school have the opportunity to participate in athletics and other extracurricular activities where they learn the importance of teamwork.

Online schools are an important educational alternative because they help us better serve the needs of all Minnesota students.