Readers Write (Dec. 6): Pearl Harbor anniversary, protest on 35W, transgender policy, Gopher football tickets, Nye's closing

This Sunday marks the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese raid on the U.S. Pacific fleet was a defining moment in U.S. history, and it is only fitting that we take a moment to honor all of those who served in World War II.

One day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and our nation entered the war. America woke up that morning to find our nation attacked, with over 2,400 American sailors and soldiers killed and more injured. The Japanese destroyed or damaged 19 U.S. Navy ships, including eight battleships and nearly 200 aircraft.

But what has rightfully been named the "greatest generation" (our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents) responded. Men and women joined the military, our industries tooled up to produce our military might and our nation prevailed.

Today, the struggle of that war belongs to history, and our former foes are now our allies. What remains is our respect for those who fought, together with those who suffered its losses.

The values we hold dear as a nation — equality of opportunity; freedom of religion, speech and assembly; a government of, by and for the people — triumphed because of their sacrifices. We are indebted to honor the memories of so many who served who are no longer with us.

For many of us, we will never forget the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt that this is "a date which will live in infamy."

I found the front-page article about the protesters walking onto Interstate 35W very interesting ("Protesters march up interstate to City Hall," Dec. 5). I believe peaceful and legal protests are often needed in our country to express concern about injustice as we see it. Unfortunately, this was not the case

The Minnesota State Patrol shut down the freeway and ramps in the area of the protesters. Lt. Col. Matt Langer said, and I quote, "To be clear: It is illegal." The patrol then escorted the protesters to their final destination, and told us arrests would have been too dangerous.

What about our laws? What about the drivers on 35W faced with multiple car accidents because of the protesters? What about the safety of the patrol itself?

It is about time in this country that if you break the law, you are held accountable and face the consequences. It is about time our law enforcement agencies enforce the law as written, not as they interpret it. This goes for all federal, state and local agencies.

I am in my 60s. We were taught to have respect for the law and all of the people who enforce it. Now, people break laws they don't like, and agencies only enforce the ones they do like. God help us if this trend continues.

The front-page photo Dec. 5 on the high school sports policy change regarding transgender students ("Vote allows transgender students to take the field") showed a student with an anti-transgender sign saying: "A woman must not (wear) men's clothing, nor a man wear woman's clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this" (Deuteronomy 22:5).

I hope we have come a bit further from tribalism and Judeo-Christian sharia law in 2,500 years.

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I find it curious that some of the protesters holding signs quoting chapter and verse from their Bibles, about the "sin" of women and men wearing each other's clothes, were literally women in blue-jean pants. Forty years ago, they would have been accused of the same thing and evidently would have been "detested by God." God must have either changed his mind during these 40 years or they are wrong.

Thank you, Norwood Teague, on your latest announcement on the new "ransom" fees to be added to my season football tickets starting next year ("Gophers tickets — ready, hike," Dec. 3). I have had two season football tickets for 61 years. I even had them transferred to my daughter a few years back, so that the next generation could continue the Gopher tradition.

Now after your latest announcement, I think this might be my last year. I had seats on the 40-yard line at both the Metrodome and Memorial Stadium. When the move came to TCF Bank Stadium, I chose to not pay the ransom, so now I am on the 20-yard line in the upper deck.

By the way, I have a really great HDTV that I can watch the games on, and if I want to go to a game I will buy a ticket outside the stadium and sit in any one of the 25,000 empty seats you are going to have after this latest announcement goes into effect. Your scheme may work at Iowa or Wisconsin, where there's nothing else going on except to watch the game or watch the corn grow or eat cheese.

Too bad you had to make this announcement the same day Jerry Kill was named Big Ten coach of year. It sort of took the fun out of his announcement.

No. 1: The owners of Nye's can do whatever they want to with their property as long as it's legal. No. 2: The developer can do what it wants to do with the property as long as it's legal. No. 3: The only thing being sold is the land, not the bar. Anybody who loves Nye's can make a deal to buy the bar's name, décor and equipment, and open Nye's down the street. Nye's lovers, unite!