Readers write for Dec. 24, 2009

I am writing to share my gratitude regarding "A tree glows in Bloomington: Wrapped in 41,300 white lights, the big oak warms hearts for miles around" (Dec. 15).

The tree is nothing like I have ever seen before. It amazes me that someone puts so much time and money into lighting up one single tree. This is a true example of the giving spirit during this holiday season, when others are conserving money -- this couple is brightening others' lives in so many ways.

This story makes me think about why giving is so much more than receiving. It amazed me that people actually wanted to get married under the tree. I am sure after others read this article they will want to drive by. Obviously this tree has touched more people than this couple will ever know.

Thank you for sharing this spectacular story.

NICK HART, PRIOR LAKE

Regarding Amanda Tatro ("Woman banned from U after Facebook postings told she can return," Dec. 17), I am not sure whether I am angered about the University of Minnesota's decisions, or if I feel like she should have known better.

I have seen numerous sarcastically threatening statuses on Facebook. People usually react through the "like" option or by posting equally sarcastic comments. In the cases I have seen, none was carried through because of the sarcasm or because the people weren't brave enough. Had Amanda said this to someone's face, I definitely think that measures should have been taken like they were; but because it was said over the Internet, I think the punishment was unnecessary.

I wish that U officials had found a happy medium between the measures they took and doing nothing.

LEAH ERICKSON, SAVAGE

In regard to the Dec. 3 article "Don't assume your kid is immune: Poll finds sexting common among young people," little could, or should, be changed.

When people send a nude picture of themselves to another individual, it is most likely their boyfriend or girlfriend. There is also a pretty good chance that the receiver of the picture message has already seen the sender without clothes.

What teenagers have to be most aware of is that the picture they think they are just sending to a boyfriend or girlfriend could easily be sent on to hundreds of people in a matter of minute, and put on the Internet. There shouldn't be a law or rule that says you can't send these kinds of pictures, but if teens do, they have to be aware of the consequences.

The concept of parents looking in on the texts of their teenagers and young adults is pushing it. I believe that in high school you are starting to grow up; you start becoming independent from your parents a little more each year. With your parents peeking over your shoulder and reading your texts that you send or receive, it becomes very hard to become independent.

COREY GOODWIN, SAVAGE

I am wondering about the recent articles on Uganda's legislation imposing the death sentence for some gays.

People don't choose to be gay; they just are gay. If they love each other, then they should be gay if they want.

I believe that gays should not have a bill against them for being gay, gays have rights too.

Tiger, oh Tiger. He's good at playing fair on the fairway but not so good playing fair with his wife. Who would have thought that Tiger would cheat on his own wife?

Tiger's behavior has changed the way I think of him. Before I knew he was cheating on his wife, I thought he was a great golfer, husband and father, but I was wrong. Now he has made a big fool of himself. But who really knows what happened. Maybe he was on drugs or maybe he just actually wanted to cheat on his own wife. Who knows?

Tiger was a good man, but he is not good enough to make up for what he has done. So I think Tiger's wife should go ahead with this divorce. It's the right thing to do.

Tiger did deserve a good smack from his wife.

So, Tiger, think before you act!

•••

Recently there has been a lot of fuss over Tiger Woods. I think everyone should just leave Tiger and his family alone to figure things out.

I don't really care about Tiger, but my heart goes out to Elin. Not only has her husband cheated on her with several women, but Elin is having her face rubbed in it every second. It must be even worse for her because nobody can agree on how to say her name. People just need to give them their privacy, including Tiger's past mistresses.

I think that topics like this should just be forgotten. Let this family go through this tough time by itself to figure out what it is going to do -- if not for Elin, then for her kids.

JAIME PA0LMER, PRIOR LAKE

If I was the editor, I would have said that people are trying to catch it, or I wouldn't have published it.

ALEX STALOCH, PRIOR LAKE

The Nobel Peace Prize, recently accepted by President Obama, is something close to an outrage. Nobody who is involved in a war aside from ending it deserves such an award. Furthermore, he sent out thousands of troops to Afghanistan just a week before accepting the prize.

I myself am confused on how they could possibly consider picking someone who has done such things concerning war. Unless they changed the meaning of the word "peace," I'm pretty sure it's the exact opposite of what war means to many.

Barack Obama has done his job as he should, but it's unavoidable that many things he has done are just simply not peaceful. Had the Nobel committee looked more closely, I'm sure someone much more deserving could have been found.