Netlets for Saturday, June 28

I was shocked and saddened when I read of the death of comedian George Carlin at age 71 (Star Tribune, June 23.)

Carlin had recently been chosen as the 11th humorist to be awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor which he was to receive next month. While his language sometimes offended those who saw or listened to his performances, he was refreshingly and hilariously honest in his assessment of America's war-making culture, greed, racism and political dishonesty. As we cringe over the lies and foolishness emerging from the White House, one can only feel sadness over the loss of one of America's most fearless truth tellers.

DONALD E. WINTERS, MINNEAPOLIS

Since Barack Obama has decided to align himself with Washington insiders (people he has claimed to reject) to assist with his campaign, and has also recently rejected public financing (which he had previously stated he would accept if John McCain was willing to do the same), one is left to wonder: Is the "change" that has been the constant mantra of his campaign perhaps a change toward business-as-usual in Washington?

I believe that the first hint suggesting an absence of change, is when the amounts of money that Obama has raised and spent surpassed by millions what President Bush's campaign raised/spent in 2000 when there were calls from the left of "buying the White House." Change, indeed!

MARY MCINTOSH LINNIHAN, MINNEAPOLIS

I couldn't decide whether a June 21 letter criticizing Barack Obama's energy policies was merely ignorant or deliberately misleading. I will assume the former, and provide some clarifying facts.

The letter writer suggests we let the oil companies invest in exploration and drilling, rather than raising their taxes. Well, left to their own devices, they are choosing instead to invest their profits in themselves -- i.e., in more profits. Exxon-Mobil, for one, has invested twice as much in buying its own stock than on developing its products for consumers. Remember, too, that its profits lately have broken every corporate profits record in history.

Finally, let's consider the holy doctrine of supply and demand. Contrary to the letter writer's assertion, oil supplies have increased significantly in 2008, while demand has decreased. In a free market, lower demand plus greater supply equals lower prices, yet gas prices have almost doubled since 2007.

As with any policy decisions, we should always ask Cicero's question: Cui bono? For whom is this good? Our current energy policies benefit corporations more than citizens. It's time for change.

ROB EPLER, RICHFIELD

"I'm John McCain ( insert Barack Obama, if so inclined), and I approve this message."

What can we make of this fad to waste air time and our time to state the painfully obvious? Please, guys, use the opportunity to add a worthwhile comment. It's an expensive three seconds.

JIM BARTOS, BROOKLYN PARK

I read the June 21 Opinion Exchange article on how bad behavior hurts hospitals from the top down, and how fortunate I feel to have experienced one of our Twin Cities hospitals, Abbott Northwestern.

Having recently spent several days as a patient at Abbott Northwestern Hospital recuperating from hip replacement surgery, I wish to commend the entire staff for their sensitive caring concern for my needs. From the moment I checked in for surgery until I was released I was treated with utmost respect.

While a patient I was cared for by a diverse staff of individuals from at least seven different ethnic backgrounds in addition to American, and I was particularly impressed with the respect and positive attitudes they expressed toward each other and to me as the patient. Their spirit of cooperation and sensitivity was a delight to observe and experience. They truly seem to respect and enjoy working with each other. Keep up the good work.

We read with great interest the article of June 15 and your subsequent editorial regarding the local Muslim Somali community. We write in support of the Somali community and to share an interesting interfaith perspective.

For the past six months, our congregation has been engaged in building bridges between the Jewish community and the members of Dar Al-Hijrah Cultural Center. Our Jewish 10th grade confirmation students have studied alongside Muslim youth from Dar Al-Hijrah in an effort to build understanding between these two groups. What started simply as a nice idea has developed into an incredible union between our two communities. Our youth and many interested adults -- Jewish and Muslim -- have begun to learn about each other's culture, religion and tradition. As rabbis, we have also greatly appreciated the opportunity to build relationships with the clergy and staff of Dar Al-Hijrah.

These experiences have been greatly aided by our collaboration with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas as well as funding support from the McKnight Foundation and the St. Paul Area Council of Churches. Thank you for your efforts to educate your readers on the challenges currently faced by our fellow Minnesotans.