Readers write for Aug. 18, 2010

Kudos to Target executives for not being baited by the Human Rights Campaign into an attempt to extort money by a single-issue group ("Target balks at counter contribution," Aug. 17). Does the HRC not realize that Target offers benefit programs that are friendly to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community while also giving money for the annual Pride festival? Or is this just another case of an outside force coming to Minnesota to push its weight around?

Target executives made a business decision to give money to a probusiness group that in turn helps probusiness candidates get elected. Target did not donate money to an anti-GLBT group. Will the HRC hire all the workers that Target, or any other company, has to let go if the environment in Minnesota becomes too toxic for businesses to thrive?

CHRIS LUND, HAMBURG, MINN.

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Target has always had an exceptional return policy. It's past time to ask for its $150,000 contribution back. Until it makes a donation to Outfront Minnesota or to Mark Dayton's campaign, I will continue my boycott of my (formerly) favorite store. I want to shop at Target, but my conscience won't let me. I agree with Joe Solmonese, HRC president, that "their refusal to make it right is a punch in the gut."

BARBARA LA VALLEUR, EDINA

The phrase "with friends like this" came to mind as I read Matt Peiken's chastisement of Mark Dayton for being a political failure after having won statewide office ("The yet-to-be-distinguished Mr. Dayton," Aug 17).

Matt is sowing those seeds of failure a little too early for me. Dayton held his own during the debate on public television last week, honestly and succinctly selling his views as we listened to Republican endorsee Tom Emmer and Independence Party endorsee Tom Horner repeatedly repeat hollow phrases meant to capture our imagination.

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To Mark Dayton: If you want to win this election, stop whining about the GOP tactics against your campaign ("Dayton says GOP 'video trackers' harassed him at outdoors expo," Aug. 17).

Ignore them and go about your business. Every time you make this kind of fuss, they'll call you on it and accuse you of a "bizarre, weird, erratic reaction."

ANDREW MORANTZ, ST. LOUIS PARK

War is the elephant no one talks about in the living room of budget and debt discussions. Republicans seldom mention that under President George W. Bush, the national debt increased by 71.9 percent. War spending continues to increase at an alarming rate. Dollar figures don't even address the most critical cost of war: lives disrupted, damaged or ended.

We have spent more than a trillion dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Are we any closer to peace and security? How about funding for health care, education, transportation, etc.? These issues affect all of us.

In Iraq it became apparent that negotiation and withdrawal were necessary for peace; the same applies to Afghanistan. Internal reconciliation efforts and regional diplomacy to support Afghan stability need to be key elements of American strategy. Our presence, and certainly our killing of civilians, continue to serve as recruiting tools for the Taliban.

None of us want a world at war or a nation undone by staggering debt. We need to support legislation to begin a withdrawal from Afghanistan no later than July 2011 and to negotiate a timetable for withdrawal with the Afghan government. The future of our children and grandchildren demands it.

EVELYN A. HEADEN, PLYMOUTH

I am fascinated that apparently no Arab countries have condemned the Taliban's double murder of two young people ("Afghan couple stoned for eloping as Taliban strengthens in the north," Aug. 17). There was a tremendous international outcry at a Danish cartoon portraying Mohammed, and everyone apologized so profoundly that the Danish newspaper involved distributed free copies of the Koran.

I am waiting for Muslims world-wide to decry this horrific act by the Taliban.

STEPHANIE DIGBY, ST. PAUL

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America would have more resources to help the people of Pakistan with flood relief if we weren't spending billions to try to keep terrorists under control in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, we require that our military pull its punches to reduce civilian casualties.

The hearts and minds thing isn't working. Let's do war: invade, obliterate, occupy and rebuild. Or let's bring the troops home.

MARY MCfetridge, New Hope

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Our troops are fighting and dying in Afghanistan and Pakistan to win the hearts and minds of moderate Muslims.

SHIRLEY ANN HALL, MINNEAPOLIS

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The war in Afghanistan has dragged on for more than nine years with very few signs of progress. Throughout history, the use of force has not worked in Afghanistan. How do we know if other more peaceful options would not be more effective when we never seem to try them?