Readers Write (Aug. 3): Light rail, Detroit, marriage, road construction, governor, police, spies, climate change

In its rush not to lose its place for federal New Starts funding, the Metropolitan Council is planning the Southwest light-rail line through the Kenilworth corridor ("Tension rises as light-rail call looms," June 27). Area residents are concerned about destruction of homes, safety issues and the permanent loss of the unique, urban parklike setting and bicycle trails. The real issue is whether the option that best solves these concerns — a deep bore tunnel — or the alternatives make sense. Arguments can be made to support almost any position. Let the Metropolitan Council make its choice. Then let the real debate begin as to whether another route for light rail to serve the southwest suburbs is a better use of scarce public money and precious green space.

Fred Zimmerman's cautionary article was interesting and educational ("Business Forum: Could a Detroit-style fall happen in the Twin Cities?" July 29). But I must ask: How can one write at length about the industrial demise of Detroit and never use the word "union"?

To those folks sad about gay marriage, especially for religious reasons, I must ask: If your religion bans the eating of pork and shellfish, do you mourn the fact that others may order them from the menu ("Gay marriage foes more sad than bitter," July 31)? If your religion bans divorce, do you seek to make it illegal for everyone? If your religion allows polygamy, do you feel others should be compelled by law to take multiple wives? Your particular religion, whatever it may be, is a code of conduct by which you must strive to live, so if you don't want to marry someone of the same sex, by all means don't. However, others who don't share your religious views aren't, and shouldn't be, in any way bound by them.

• • •

A mother's dream came true just after midnight Aug. 1. What a joy to witness the happiness of dear couples who finally were able to say their vows and marry the one they loved. It's a night I will never forget. Thank you, Minnesota!

Congratulations to the fine people of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Surely your intention in starting simultaneous construction projects on Hwys. 169, 13, 494 and 101 — as well as on Flying Cloud Drive in Eden Prairie — was a coordinated effort to infuriate as much of the west and southwest metro as humanly possible ("The Drive" blog, July 29). So on behalf of everyone who has to commute to or from that side of town, I say thank you. Mission accomplished.

Am I the only one troubled by the mystery surrounding our governor's secret trips, presumably to woo jobs (Hot Dish Politics blog, July 31)? This is setting a dangerous precedent. Governor, just in case it slipped your mind, you work for the people of Minnesota. You owe it to the people to be upfront and straightforward.

Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks and the Edward Snowden cases raise questions: Shouldn't Congress now be taking pains legislatively to broadly distinguish between espionage/spying and leaking information ("Manning guilty of 20 charges, not aiding the enemy," July 31)? Should it establish meaningfully different penalties for each? Are espionage and spying to be seen as the same? In the digital age, when much can be shared so easily, we must take pains to clarify our laws.

Many people think Al Gore is championing global warming because of the money he receives giving speeches. They also believe that climate scientists who claim that humans are the cause are just chasing grant money. The basis for their erroneous conclusions is that they believe everyone is primarily motivated by money. They find it hard to believe there are people who do what they do because they want to make the world a better place. We need to be able to listen, respect and compromise, or by the time everyone realizes that scientists were not lying, it will be too late.