Letters to the editor for Wednesday, Sept. 10

How many more articles must we read by Star Tribune columnist Nick Coleman supporting violence and civil disobedience? He's written numerous articles about the Republican National Convention and supposedly how the police overreacted by arresting the thugs and anarchists trying to disrupt the convention.

Being the father of a police officer, I know firsthand how my son and the thousands of other officers put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve the citizens.

The anarchists in St. Paul were organized and armed with rocks, slingshots and human excrement to use against the police. These people did thousands of dollars in damage to public and private property. The whole purpose of the demonstration was to be disruptive and make the news. If anything, the police used a great deal of restraint in light of the abuse and disobedience from the mob.

RICHARD MEIXNER, CHANHASSEN

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As the celebratory confetti fell from the rafters at the Republican National Convention, I wondered if it wasn't composed of the sections of the U.S. Constitution that the Bush administration has systematically shredded.

DOUG WILLIAMS, ROBBINSDALE

There are other choices. The electorate is done a great disservice when the media refuse coverage of third-party and independent candidates and their platforms. We are also done a disservice by the Commission on Presidential Debates with its refusal to include third-party and independent candidates in the debates. This censorship by the media and the CPD needs to end. How can we cast an intelligent vote without full knowledge of our choices?

J. DANIEL MOSTUE, ST. PAUL

Rick Davis, Sen. John McCain's campaign manager, said in an interview with Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday," "The information the news media is putting out on Sarah Palin is not what I would call objective journalism. So until at which point in time we feel like the news media is going to treat her with some level of respect and deference I think it would be foolhardy to put her out in that kind of environment." He also said, "she will be available to the news media when and if we decide that that is going to be the case."

Wait a minute. I thought Gov. Palin was a pit bull with lipstick?

When announced as McCain's running mate, those people questioning her credentials and ability were immediately scolded by the Republican machine. "How dare you question her experience? How dare you question her toughness? This woman has grit and moxie. Gov. Palin has the chops to do this job."

RICH ADAMCZAK, ST. PAUL

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Misleading us about Gov. Palin's support for the "Bridge To Nowhere" is anything but the kind of straight talk I was hoping for from Sen. McCain. It appears he wants to replace the "do nothing, me first" crowd with a "say anything, do whatever" team. That is not the kind of change I can believe in!

MARTIN DIETL, MINNEAPOLIS

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It doesn't matter how long it took, only that her perseverance paid off with a degree. Education has no "term limits" and should always be unending.

MICHELLE PETERSON, PLYMOUTH

I'm writing to provide a more comprehensive perspective of the talents and skills of Dr. David Polly and of his potential to improve care for patients ("Medtronic device focus of lawsuit," Sept. 5).

He is an excellent spine surgeon, surgical innovator and pioneer. He finds ways to analyze problems with available solutions with the goal of devising better solutions in the future. When a new technique is introduced, he critically analyzes it, determines whether it is better, and if so, he adopts it.

This is the benefit of academic medicine and an essential part of the culture of the university and the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.

Because of his strong reputation, others seek his insight and his time as well. The University of Minnesota encourages its physicians to do work with business and industry because we fundamentally believe partnership between academia and the business sector fosters the next generation of breakthrough treatments, cures and devices that will improve health.

Certainly, the university has rules governing these relationships. Dr. Polly has disclosed his consulting relationships to the university, and they have been reviewed for potential conflict of interest.

We work to manage any potential conflict of interest through disclosure and review, and we are continually reviewing this process. We recently concluded a conflict of interest policy review to help us determine what changes are needed. With proper oversight and accountability, systematic bias is avoidable, and the university puts the best interests of our patients, students and institution first and foremost.