North letters

Let me see if I get this straight -- a resident of a trailer park buys four homes valued at over a million dollars and -- surprise! -- he can't afford the payments ("Bets Gone Bad," April 21). Now we are supposed to feel empathy for him? If, according to the Pew Charitable Trust, "homes within an eighth of a mile of a foreclosed property are set to lose an average $4,129 in value," I think I'll feel bad enough for me, my fixed rate mortgage and the fact these criminals are indirectly stealing from every single one of us.

BRENDAN LOUGHREY

BROOKLYN PARK

As a student of human behavior, and one not directly affected by the depressed housing market and "credit crisis," I see the social and economic breakdown resulting from the spate of mortgage foreclosures as the product of human foibles such as dishonesty and greed on the part of a segment of the real estate and financial establishments, and naivété and unrealistic expectations on the part of a relatively small number of home buyers.

Stated differently, there are too many in the marketing end of the transaction willing to rip off buyers, and too many potential buyers who are easily duped and/or starry-eyed. (Whatever happened to caveat emptor?) Entrepreneurs should be ethical (but aren't always), while consumers should be informed and prudent (but aren't always).

Given these foibles of men, government, in the form of clear regulations and tight oversight, must make sure that the vulnerable are protected from predators, while providing a healthy climate for commerce and entrepreneurial viability.

LLOYD K. SINES, BIG LAKE

Venison's safe Lead in venison? ("Ready for grill or landfill?" April 19). 200,000 deer harvested in Minnesota every year and even more than that in Wisconsin. People dropping like flies from lead poisoning? Not really. The same mentality that causes a school to be evacuated and a hazmat team to be called in when someone breaks a thermometer is now creating a panic over lead in meat.

Having harvested too many deer to count as well as moose, elk and antelope, I can say that I have never found a piece of lead from a bullet in my game (exception being game birds). First, a proper shot on an animal means the bullet penetrates the heart-lung area and this area is not eaten. And if by chance, the shot is misplaced and hits a heavy bone the bullet may fragment but the meat in that area is usually far too "blood shot" to consider consuming.

One now has to wonder what the true agenda behind this study [by the Minnesota Department of Health] is.

BRIAN GRONQUIST, ANDOVER

It is time for our government to re-implement a selective service draft system. One that mandates two years of military service or three years of civil service. No more National Guard deployment, no more Reserve deployment, no more redeployment!

WILLIAM BROWN, NEW BRIGHTON

OK, so we passed the law for higher taxes for roads, bridges, etc. Why do we have so many potholes and uneven roads? Let's get busy. I'm tired of paying and paying and getting nothing in return; get on it, Guv.

BOB GROSS, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS