Netlets for Saturday, Dec. 15

Attorney General Michael Mukasey told reporters Tuesday that he refused to be rushed into deciding whether he considered waterboarding a form of torture.

Mukasey says he is still studying the issue. What better way to find the answer than though personal experience? The CIA could provide him with that experience, and officers could videotape it while they are at it.

JERRY KEMP, LONG LAKE

All fun and no saving Far be it for me to criticize those who truly need at this time of year, but former NFL players who squandered their millions don't strike a chord of sympathy in my heart (Star Tribune, Dec. 12).

I imagine they probably don't get invited to the good parties anymore, don't get recognized on the streets and likely had to sell their bling just to get by. When they were on top of their game, raking in the dough faster than you can say "you betcha," did they even once stop to consider saving or investing some of their fortune, or was it all just fun and games?

SCOTT JOHNSON, LAKEVILLE

Kline's courage comes with minority conviction I read with great interest the Dec. 10 article on Rep. John Kline's "about-face" with respect to congressional earmarks for his district. It seems he had a change of heart only after Democrats took over the house. When I finished the article, these three descriptive terms came to mind: sour grapes, flip-flopper and hypocrite.

Back to eighth-grade social studies, Ms. Perino As a sophomore at Eden Prairie High School, I was appalled when I read an article from in the Washington Post reprinted on the back page of the Dec. 11 Star Tribune, saying the White House Press Secretary Dana Perino didn't know what the Cuban Missile Crisis was.

In my district students are first taught about the Cuban Missile Crisis in our eighth-grade social studies class. Many of us learn more about it later in other social studies classes or in a Spanish class. I think I speak for many Americans including myself when I say that we hope this in not a reflection of all the White House's knowledge of U.S. history. I hope for a better display of the level of education of those in any position in the government.

MICHAEL DENNIS, EDEN PRAIRIE

That Middle East line item "By the way, if you take a Social Security check, Medicare, Medicated, farm subsidy or anything else from the federal trough, please don't call to complain that the real problem is immigration" in assigning blame for the "$600 billion in U.S. bonds sold to plug the gap between our spending and tax receipts. In short, we're in hock to China and Saudi Arabia, thanks to our spendthrift ways and profligate oil consumption."

Gee, Neal St. Anthony's Dec. 12 column pretty well covered the waterfront on possible costs. Not counting that huge ship tied up to the dock over there, right in front of us.

Indeed, America's economic problems do "require looking in a mirror," don't they? But please, let's open both eyes when we do so.

DAVE PORTER, MINNEAPOLIS

Shop around locally Thanks to Stacy Mitchell for her sound advice on shopping locally (You'd better (not) shop around, Dec. 12). The research Mitchell presented in her column makes a strong case for the importance of shopping locally.

As a member of the Metropolitan Independent Business Alliance (Metro IBA), I proudly support locally owned businesses and folks who value hard work, choice, and vibrant neighborhoods. Although the research is impressive, nothing can match the local business owner's personal commitment to community. For better or for worse, local businesses depend on us. And, as Mitchell's work has shown, a healthy local economy depends on a solid local business community

We're in this together. So whether you are doing some seasonal shopping or picking up dinner fixings on your way home from your job, think local, shop local and know that you are doing your part by investing in your community.