Letters to the editor for Tuesday, Sept. 9

"Securitization" of major political events is sign of the times, according to the Star Tribune's Sept. 6 report.

Securitization is an interesting term. It is used in the context of "massive show of force" and "aggressive riot police." Would the synonym be intimidation?

KELLY FINNERTY, Edina

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I demonstrated in the Labor Day march and again on Thursday at Rice Park inside a cylindrical fence that I called a Free Speech Pen. This ironic commentary on the diminishment of our First Amendment rights during the Bush/Cheney years met with amused recognition by the majority of passersby and fellow marchers. However, there is nothing at all funny about the way this drift away from a free and open society was manifested during Republican National Convention week.

The intimidation tactics and the garrison state fortifications around the Xcel center were dismaying enough in themselves. But the flagrantly illegal police actions in raiding south Minneapolis homes of protest organizers without warrants and the arrest of Democracy Now's Amy Goodman at the convention go way beyond any reasonable need to prevent violent demonstrations. I have no doubt that these repressive decisions were choreographed by higher authorities, but I nonetheless feel betrayed by our local law enforcement agencies.

STEVE ANTHONY, MINNEAPOLIS

How can news reporters agree with local authorities that the "show of force was purposeful and appropriate" on anti-war protesters near the RNC, who were nonviolent and civil disobedient? Not long ago, nonviolent, civil disobedient protesters were not tear-gassed by the police if they refused to move, but were just picked up and carted away. Nonviolent civil disobedience is what the Martin Luther King Jr. taught us and still is a useful and heartfelt response, for many very truly outraged and caring citizens.

These police and other security forces appeared to go even beyond their orders and kept tear-gassing some protesters over and over. The tear gassing of a nonviolent citizen even once, I feel is unlawful and probably unconstitutional. I believe the security forces were led by someone or organization other than our local police. An investigation of this terror-like behavior is definitely in order and should be done by an outside group.

GARY THOMPSON, ST. PAUL

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I am puzzled at the claims that the police had no right to arrest some of the protesters at the RNC in St. Paul. I work downtown, at the First National Bank building, and some of our windows were busted by anarchists on Labor Day, when they splintered off from the mostly peaceful antiwar march of 10,000 -- which I participated in -- from the State Capitol to the Xcel Center. This is likely a reason why on Thursday we were sent home early.

I felt safer when I knew there was plenty of police protection during the convention. One should feel safe when trying to get to and from work.

L.E. LARUE, ST. PAUL

The national impression Minneapolis-St. Paul, thank you so very much for your gracious hospitality during the 2008 Republican National Convention. I was truly thrilled to visit the beautiful historical Lafayette Club on Lake Minnetonka, the Walker Art Museum and the Mall of America. Xcel Energy Center's volunteers welcomed our delegation with open arms! Words of kindness greeted me daily as I walked into the massive building. A warm thank you!

CAROLE WADE, NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF.

So the federal government is taking over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Can anyone say "savings and loan debacle"?

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When George W. Bush took office the national debt was $5.7 trillion. It is currently $9.7 trillion and growing. This week's "corporate bail out" of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will add another $4.9 trillion, for a grand total debt of $14.6 trillion.

National debt now equals our whole gross domestic product for one year. We are paying for the Republican philosophy of deficits, debt and deregulation of corporations with inflation and stagnation.

ROBERT KAUL, ST. ANTHONY

It is curious that you fail to mention what is lost by keeping the "temporary" extra lanes on Interstate 94 open to all traffic (Star Tribune, Aug. 30). What are lost -- bus-only shoulders -- are an appropriate incentive for commuters to choose to ride in buses that carry 10 times (or more) the number of people as do cars in the same space. What is lost is a highly effective greenhouse gas reduction strategy.

Key statutory goals for Minnesota's transportation system include "safety" and "giving highest priority to the transportation modes with the greatest people-moving capacity." Converting a highway shoulder to a carpool/bus/toll lane is not without merit. But claiming highway shoulders for all traffic is not the way to get there.

DAVE VAN HATTUM, MINNEAPOLIS

What's the deal with the Strib's man-crush on Brett Favre? It's been going on for a long time! In Monday's online edition, you have to scroll past two stories about him before you can find anything about local teams, the Twins and the Gophers.