Readers Write: (Feb. 15): Harper Lee, vaccination debate, priest youth movement, blue laws

Imagine an unheralded rookie pitcher taking the mound for his major league debut — and pitching a perfect game. Would we expect a repeat every game he starts? No. Would we argue that since he is unlikely to ever match his amazing feat, he should never pitch again? No. Without expecting perfection, we would look forward to watching him pitch, cheer him on, and hope he would enjoy a long, successful career. Harper Lee wrote a perfect book. I cannot imagine her, or anyone else, ever repeating the success of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Yet, I wish she had kept writing. Her other books, although surely imperfect, might have been good. I would have enjoyed reading them, and I look forward ("Surprise 'Mockingbird' sequel," Feb. 4) to "Go Set a Watchman."

The Feb. 8 article "Vaccine skeptics facing a viral blowback" addressed the re-emerging discussion about vaccinations to the detriment of people with autism. Although this article did not argue for or against vaccinations, it dangerously juxtaposed autism with deadly childhood diseases. For example, one parent was described as feeling that nothing compared to autism, including having a child with measles. Leaving the question of vaccination for contagious diseases open to debate due to fear of autism suggests that people with autism have lives so tragic that disease for both themselves and their communities is preferable.

The biggest barrier for people with autism is societal attitudes. Articles such as this perpetuate the idea that people with autism have tragic lives. Having worked with people with autism for 13 years, I know that they have limitless potential. With the proper supports and services they are capable of living fulfilling, productive and meaningful lives. It is imperative that the media works toward changing societal attitudes. It must stop comparing autism to deadly diseases and start positively representing autism. The life of a person with autism is a life worth living.

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I'm glad the dangers of not vaccinating are getting more attention, but the Feb. 8 story was frustrating. Within the first few sentences the article promoted vaccine skepticism and fear by using the phrase "vaccine horror stories." No, these are not vaccine horror stories. They are just horror stories. This language is leading and implies that vaccines are to blame.

The hypothesis that vaccines cause autism has been refuted over and over again. When will the media stop perpetuating the myth? It is no surprise that the reference to "vaccine horror stories" appeared on the front page, while the fact that the holy grail of the vaccine-autism link — Dr. Andrew Wakefield's sham research — was ultimately debunked and retracted from the medical journal The Lancet was buried on Page A9. It is the equivalent of "if it bleeds, it leads." However, this isn't a crime scene; public health is at stake, and let's keep the sensationalism out of it.

The writer is an epidemiologist.

I want to thank the reporter for giving both the autism-related side of the debate as well as the measles side. It is a much-needed effort by the Star Tribune to restore some sense of the journalistic integrity that has been abandoned by its editorial writers and cartoonist regarding this issue.

It was refreshing to read something positive about the Catholic priesthood ("A youth movement in the priesthood," by Katherine Kersten, Feb. 8) and about how these men can be one kind of sign in the world of the presence of God. Kersten described fine young men. Yet her enthusiasm in describing those "who flock here from dioceses from around the country" needs some clarification.

It is my understanding that this is the result of both an influx of foreign seminarians, for whom English is a second language, and of the closure of surrounding seminaries due to their lack of enrollments. This is more accurately understood as a consolidation.

And of the "nearly 100" who are discerning the priesthood, only single-digit ordinations result. Many do not continue, for various reasons.

With the increase in the number of Catholics and the growing numbers of retiring priests, there is a definite need for more pastors. Some parishes have no resident priest. Some priests have two or three parishes or one very large parish with thousands of families.

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Wow. Kersten has outdone even herself this time. In one piece of puffery, she has managed to be derisive toward fellows who have served the church for decades (those "gray-haired men performing empty rituals") and toward older gals who've done the same (the "church for grandmothers").

By exclusion, she also has been dismissive of all the younger ladies who put themselves through theological degrees, then work as liturgists, religious educators, church secretaries, youth pastors, campus ministers and hospice chaplains. These women work with a disability — they lack that all-important characteristic of Christlikeness, the Y-chromosome, yet they still make a contribution.

It is heartening to know, however, that the future is safe in the hands of the archdiocesan boy band in clergy collars that Kersten touts. It's so reassuring to know that in the gravest moments of life we'll be able to call on priests who can play the drums and execute really awesome McTwists.

I thought D.J. Tice's explanation of the economic aspect behind blue laws was interesting but irrelevant ("Sunday sales: An example of regulation business, ahem, likes," Feb. 8). It is well and good to understand why large businesses may support these laws, but their preferences don't change the fact that blue laws should be considered unconstitutional. Any law motivated by religion, as these originally were, is a violation of our common desire for free religious practice — obviously, not everyone can get behind these Sunday blue laws, and they shouldn't have to. State Sen. Roger Reinert said it best when he argued that Minnesota should treat Sunday liquor sales like 2 a.m. bar closing times. Under state law, bars don't have to stay open that late, but they have the option to if they want.