Readers write for Aug. 22, 2009

When the Vikings needed a dominant pass-rusher, owner Zygi Wilf went out and traded for Jared Allen. When it was evident neither Tavaris Jackson nor Sage Rosenfels was going to be adequate, he brought in Brett Favre. When it appeared head coach Mike Tice would not be able to get the team to the next level, Tice was dismissed.

Why can't the Minnesota Twins operate under the same philosophy? The ownership is absent. The general manager is either unable or unwilling to do his job. The manager and pitching coach have gotten zero out of their players. The players themselves, with few exceptions, have been underachieving, complacent and downright awful. Yet, all seem to enjoy tremendous job security!

Kudos to Wilf for doing everything he can to make the Vikings a contender. Mr. Wilf, please call the Pohlads and make an offer to purchase the Twins. I can't imagine how exciting it would be to have an owner actually interested in winning rather than just barely getting by.

COLTY HINZ, RICHFIELD

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Favre may have been waiting for the off-season workouts to end before signing with the Vikings, but could the end of the PGA coverage also have been a factor? After all, how could he be front-page news when the PGA was being held in Minnesota?

KATHY STEINMETZ, BROOKLYN PARK

Addressing this issue would be easier if the arrest of Jenkins was an isolated incident. Unfortunately, the evidence in this case alone shows that it likely is not. The fact that two police supervisors could watch this violent arrest and determine the force used was reasonable begs the question, what else does the Minneapolis Police Department deem reasonable?

As a first step we should collect data and thoroughly study the procedures used by law enforcement during traffic stops in order to identify trends, inconsistencies and outcomes. If problems are identified, we can quit debating over anecdotal evidence and instead seek specific remedies. This past legislative session we coauthored a bill carried to initiate a similar study, and we will advocate for its passage next year.

We should also require "dash cam" installation on all police vehicles. Consider the conclusion of the arrest and prosecution of Jenkins had there been no video evidence. Keeping a video record of all stops is a logical and necessary step to ensure safety and security for both police officers and the citizens of Minnesota.

More than anything, we hope this regrettable incident can spark a thoughtful, serious dialogue about the bond that must exist between law enforcement in Minnesota, and the citizens who depend on their service and protection. I believe it's time for the police to take a hard look at the culture and values they promote in their hiring, training and procedures that have allowed that bond to break.

REP. Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, and Rep. Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis

I think most people who carry firearms do so for self-protection. Nowadays, if something happens, the police will not be there in time; that is a fact.

It is guns throughout history that have allowed people to be free to and to hold fair elections. Not through intimidation or threats, but to throw off those who would try to stifle freedom.

A gun is a tool, and any tool can be abused. It is the responsibility of the owner to use it wisely and for its intended purpose.

JACK HERRMANN, LE SUEUR, MINN.

Doesn't anyone think it's ironic that the Minnesota Department of Transportation is now sending text messages to drivers to alert them of potential traffic problems? They encourage people not to read these texts while driving, but to check before they leave or better yet, pull over. Yeah, right.