North metro letters

I received a phone call from the Franken campaign telling me that my vote had been rejected for mailing reasons. I voted three weeks early because I was going to be out of my precinct volunteering for the Obama and Franken campaigns. As a student, I believed and still believe that this was the most important election of my lifetime and that I had a personal stake in its outcome.

I voted at New Brighton City Hall, filled out my ballot as I was instructed, and turned it over to them in trust that they would see that it gets counted. Now I find out that they did not get it sent in correctly and that my vote has not been counted. I'm being punished for being involved in the political process because of New Brighton City Hall's ineptitude. Knowing several people who voted absentee in advance for the same reason, I can only wonder how many people this happened to.

CHRISTOPHER ACKERMAN

NEW BRIGHTON

I read "Big Stone power plant gets a crucial OK" (Nov. 21) with much interest. However, the article left out one key factor: carbon dioxide (CO2).

Global warming is the most serious of all environmental problems because of its multiple impacts. CO2 emissions from coal plants are a leading cause of global warming. The proposed Big Stone 2 plant will emit approximately 4 million tons of CO2, more CO2 than all the trucks and cars in South Dakota.

South Dakota has approved it to be built near their eastern border. Minnesota would be importing much of its energy, so we have a say too. Our Public Utilities Commission needs to vote down the new power lines the new plant would need to bring the power to Minnesota.

JOE FOSS

MOUNDS VIEW

It's ridiculous to hand over any type of loan to the auto industry! If they need money, they should be producing products that people buy. It would seem they lost sight of what people want. If they present a good enough idea or product, people will invest in it. Handing over taxpayers' money will do nothing to inspire quality or innovation.

JAMES PIERSON

ANDOVER

PETER ZAREMBO

SHOREVIEW

Seems like the T-Wolves are always building up a big lead and then losing at the end. They play hard but just don't have that scorer that can put the game away.

We draft Ray Allen and trade him for Stephon Marbury, we draft Brandon Roy and trade him for Randy Foye, we draft OJ Mayo and trade him for Kevin Love. Any of those original drafted players would make all the difference in the final outcome. I know that Kevin McHale was a great basketball player, but how long is it going to take before Glen Taylor finally realizes that McHale is a terrible GM? Give the fans what they need, a GM who knows basketball talent and can build the Wolves into a playoff team.

ED KELLY

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me for the 50th time ... typical Gopher football. What a cruel joke and the punch line is we continue to have hope. I challenge Tim Brewster to play a schedule that actually reflects his team's talent. Then again, Minnesota is a Division I program.

BLAIR SORVARI

CHAMPLIN

On consecutive days, you reported on state government officials who left their jobs under clouds of suspicion of fraud or misuse of government money (Sonia Pitt with MnDOT and Mike and Cathy Hamm with the DNR). It appears that what they did was very clear but in both cases the legal authorities decided not to press charges because the suspects' superiors either tacitly approved their actions or were so lax in their management that no prosecution was possible. It is no wonder government is suspected of being inept and wasteful. You apparently can do whatever you want in Minnesota government and walk away free. There truly is no one in charge.

KEN ORTTEL