Netlets for Sunday, Aug. 31

Having just witnessed Gov. Tim Pawlenty spend a week harping on the importance of "experience" in a presidential candidate, I'm guessing he must be terribly disappointed with John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

After all, Palin has less than two years' experience in statewide elected office, in a state with a population less than a third that of the Twin Cities metro area. And as vice president for potentially the oldest first-term president elected in American history, Palin will truly be a heartbeat away from the presidency. So I'll keep an eye out for Pawlenty's critique, but I won't hold my breath waiting.

MIKE SUPINA, EAGAN

Please, put the call on hold The Aug. 25 letter writer who is voting for John McCain because he does not want the president to put the 3 a.m. call on hold until he can talk to his vice president certainly has his thinking backward!

I want a president who will put the call on hold until he can talk to his vice president. I want a president who will not make critical national decisions from his bed at 3 a.m. I want our president to be smart enough to use any and all of his advisers, especially if a call comes at 3 a.m. This is why these advisers were chosen.

This country cannot allow another administration to be elected that runs by the "ready, fire, aim" method.

KEVIN VANSELOW, CHAMPLIN

Elections in many countries around the world feature secret ballots, but that doesn't make them democratic. In Burma, the generals offered secret ballots to their population. The former Soviet Union had secret ballot elections all the time, as do many African and Middle Eastern countries today, but independent election observers don't call them democracies.

A secret ballot is just the tip of the democratic "iceberg," the visible peak that indicates something much deeper: an open, fair and secure election process that is free of fear and coercion and that measures the majority's desire. Unions want the Employee Free Choice Act in order to eliminate the gauntlet that many anti-union employers construct to foil that desire once employees request an election. We're against the intimidation and threats that precede the voting, not the secret ballot itself.

The Chamber of Commerce has made defeating the Employee Free Choice Act its top legislative priority, collecting millions in donations from hundreds of corporations. All that to defend the secret ballot during union representation elections? Or is there more to the story?

Sixty-four percent of American workers say they would join a union if given the chance. Why? Because union workers earn $4.80 an hour more than nonunion workers, according to federal government statistics, not to mention a hefty advantage in health and pension benefits. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

KIERAN HUGHES, ST. PAUL; LETTER CARRIER/UNION LEADER

PETER GRANT, MINNEAPOLIS

Foodshelves for the monarchs Regarding the Aug. 17 article "Where are all the monarchs this year?": Climate and weather affect the survival of the monarch, our state butterfly, and so does habitat.

We can each help the monarch butterflies that get past late springs and wing-breaking storms by planting a few asclepias (milkweed) in our gardens and public areas. There are non-invasive and domestic varieties that are beautiful as well as essential food for monarch caterpillars. And, support tree habitat in Mexico and Southern California where monarchs roost in the winter!

SHERRY MACHEN, WAYZATA

Another travel tip for your Madeline Island trip I was happy to read in the Aug. 24 Travel section that another generation has discovered the joys of Madeline Island on Lake Superior. Sadly, Kerri Westenberg neglected to mention the Robert Trent Jones golf course and the Madeline Island Yacht Club, probably the finest pleasure yacht harbor on the entire lake.