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Readers Write for Friday, June 12

June 12, 2009 at 1:17AM

SHOOTINGS IN D.C., WICHITA

They show U.S. problem with guns and security

I am deeply saddened to hear of the slain security guard at the Holocaust museum in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, as I stood in the airport security line, an individual was entering the "clear" or pre-screened passenger line. He was loudly proclaiming to anyone within earshot that he recently ran his car through a barricade, was stopped by police while in possession of two assault rifles, and that the police apparently considered him to be of no risk due to his TSA "security clearance."

Connect these incidents to recent gun violence such as the murder of the Wichita doctor, and it is clear to me that we are missing the mark on gun control in this country. Deadly weapons are legally in the hands of citizens who should not have them. Some obviously believe that they can use violence for stating political views. This goes against everything we stand for in America.

In the long term, we need better education. In the short term, we need to more strongly restrict the possession of some if not all guns. This gun owner will gladly submit to tighter controls.

DANN ADAIR, NORTH BRANCH

TWO-TERMINAL CONFUSION

It's real, and MAC must do something ASAP

As someone who has spent separate winter seasons working for a tour operator at Humphrey Airport, it is pretty obvious that the Metropolitan Airports Commission must deal with this two-airport confusion as soon as possible.

On a daily basis, I found myself directing lost and frustrated passengers to the light rail to quickly get to the correct airport terminal or assisting passengers who had missed their flights and lost their expensive vacation. And I cannot count the amount of times local cab drivers mistakenly dropped off passengers at the wrong airport terminal, only to have them pick up another cab and race to the correct airport.

In addition, often, there was no information regarding the correct terminal on the ticket, from the travel agency or online ticketing company. I recall one passenger whose ticket said "terminal: Main." It was for a carrier out of HHH, and this gentleman had gone to the Lindbergh terminal, only to find that he had to scramble over to HHH. There is no excuse for this sort of misinformation, yet this ticket was purchased by a well-known Minnesota travel agency.

In addition, there is some obvious confusion with carriers switching from one airport to another. Many carriers do not have this information readily available on their website or with their reservation centers. Last December, I found myself confused as to where to pick up my husband -- and I have worked in the travel industry for 21 years!

During tough economic times, it seems wasteful to spend $1 million on signage, but passengers deserve to go on their hard-earned vacations with minimal stress. I just hope that the MAC approaches a solution with more avenues than signage.

GEORGIA PERGAKIS, BLOOMINGTON

SEIZED VEHICLES

For-profit policing gives law enforcers bad name

Regarding "Strike Force seizures criticized" (front page, June 11): I would rather risk a gang member keeping his car than have mine or another citizen's property rights put in jeopardy. Laws should err on the side of protecting our constitutional rights.

For-profit policing is the worst threat to our justice system. Whatever properties are seized should never, ever benefit the arresting police department. Rather, the property should be ceded to the state or entity that made the law.

JAMES ROETTGER, MINNEAPOLIS

INSTANT-RUNOFF VOTING

What if the system could be retroactive?

The best reason to support instant-runoff voting is to prevent winning by the likes of Jesse Ventura, George W. Bush and Tim Pawlenty, all of whom would most certainly have lost with such a system, since none received a majority of votes. Think of how different the world would have been without them!

LUCYAN MECH, ST. PAUL

DENNY HECKER AND FRIENDS

Their vision and sweat make this country great

Hats off to the Denny Heckers of the world! These are the dreamers who toil to realize their aspirations and while doing so create opportunities for many others in the workplace. They take advantage of the opportunities our nation offers even the poorest and least connected and help make our country what it is.

Hecker is joined in his business failings by a number of firms locally and nationally that operated successfully for years in our business communities. I hope these business casualties will resurrect themselves.

DON STEELE, HOUSTON, TEXAS

SUGGESTION BOX

To cut budget, start by closing the OESW

I understand that the governor is seeking suggestions to reduce the state budget. The Office on the Economic Status of Women costs $185,000 per year, out of the Legislative Coordinating Commission's budget. Its real purpose is to fund Minnesota feminist officers and schemes.

This expenditure is unnecessary and wasteful. It's also unconstitutional in that it's for the benefit of one gender only. There are rumblings of a demand for an Office on the Economic Status of Men. Better to fund neither.

RICHARD DOYLE, FOREST LAKE

THE OBAMAS ON THE TOWN

Their dates raise profile of the U.S. and the arts

Along with Maureen Dowd (Opinion Exchange, June 11), I think that every cent we've spent on the Obamas' trips is money in the bank for the nation and its image.

After watching the NBC special on a day in the life of the White House, it's clear to me that both Obamas are "on the clock" almost 24 hours a day and to begrudge them a few hours in New York City or in raising America's profile with a tour of Paris is sour grapes at best. And, the arts deserve our support year-round, especially in these hard times.

DAN JORGENSEN, NORTHFIELD, MINN.

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Let's hear it for Maureen Dowd, who is picking up the tab for all future Obama date nights. I only hope her paper is paying her well, because the Obamas look like they know how to have a good time on someone else's dime. Standing "O" for Mo!

BOB HUGE, EDINA