Readers write for June 2, 2010

So a group of folks tries to run a blockade that Egypt and Israel set up to prevent unauthorized materials reaching the Gaza Strip because Gaza is run by the terrorist group Hamas. Israel stops and boards these ships after they refuse to turn around and abide by the blockade, and people on the ships attack the Israelis. The Israelis defend themselves, with unfortunate loss of life among the blockade runners. And somehow this is Israel's fault.

I don't think so! It's about time the Free World wakes up and smells the coffee rather than reliving Germany in the early 1930s.

BRENT J. CHRISTEN, MINNEAPOLIS

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We Americans ought to back Israel in its deadly raid on the Gaza humanitarian relief effort. After all, why do the 1.5 million residents of Gaza need food, medicine and cement anyway? Why can't they just be satisfied with the limited supplies allowed into their occupied territory by Israel? After all, God gave the land to Israel 2,000 years ago. Granted, American helicopters were used in the raid, but Israel is our ally. The country needs the $3 billion of annual aid we give it so it can continue deadly raids on civilians and the occupation of the Palestinian West Bank. After all, it's only $20 from each American citizen.

JIM DEWALL, st. Louis Park

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CATHERINE ABBOTT, EDINA

Imagine what a different world it would be if BP directed the millions of dollars it's spending on the Gulf oil spill, and the tens of billions of market capitalization it is losing as the value of its stock plummets, on research and development of renewable sources of energy. We could have safe, clean and affordable renewable-energy sources if we spent our money developing them instead of on cleaning up the after-effects of our current ways.

JEFF CONROD, St. Paul

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After listening to CNN for two hours, reporting expert and lay opinion about President Obama and the Gulf oil disaster, I think I understand where the country stands. Since Obama combines the powers of God and Superman, he must have known what would happen and should have prevented it. Failing that, he should have dived to the wellhead and plugged it before it became a problem. Since that didn't happen, he must use his Super breath to blow the oil over to England and let the Brits handle their BP problem. At the very least, he can borrow a Tea Party cup and help scoop up the oil to alleviate future gasoline shortages. Personally, I agree with all four and can hardly wait for the next election to show where I stand.

Reading about the vandalism at the Buddhist Temple near Rochester really galls me ("For monks, no peace," May 30). And that someone would scrawl "Jesus Saves" on their driveway angers and embarrasses me as a Christian. I feel compelled to let the Buddhist community know that these actions do not represent the vast majority of Christians in our region. Buddhism is a peaceful and caring philosophy, not unlike that espoused by (most) Christians. Jesus saves, yes, but not likely those filled with such hatred and anger. Shame!

HARALD ERIKSEN, BROOKLYN PARK

If you wonder why nurses in the Twin Cities are set to strike June 10, all you have to do is listen to Maureen Schriner, hospital spokeswoman: "We're not going to look at these rigid rules." Nurses have very reasonably proposed nurse-to-patient ratios and are willing to negotiate about this topic ("How many patients per nurse?" May 31). The hospitals' response has been to completely ignore and refuse to negotiate about any of these proposals.

If you have ever spent six hours in an emergency room waiting for a bed, you know why the hospital needs more nurses. Right now hospitals staff only for patients who are already in the hospital and try to squeeze in admits. This becomes impossible when the hospital census is high.

Last week I had a patient in the ER who spent six hours waiting for a bed in the intensive-care unit. This patient did not get the close attention he would have had in the ICU. Is that what you want for your loved one?

I was amused but not surprised to read St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman's mischaracterization of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's appeals to the federal government for assistance in fighting the oil spill currently threatening the Gulf Coast ("Jindal not anti-government anymore," May 28). What Jindal is actually asking the federal government to do in this case is mostly to get out of the way and let the state of Louisiana attempt to protect itself. Instead, the government has dithered and has repeatedly denied Jindal's requests to allow him to dredge the marshes and build sand barriers to protect Louisiana's shores. When President Obama finally approved a plan that allowed dredging before heading off on vacation Friday, it was a watered-down version that protects only 2 percent of Louisiana's coastline, deferring the decision on the rest for months until a proper environmental impact study can be done.

The federal government's inaction and incompetence in combating this oil spill should be a wake-up call to all those who favor increased government control over our lives.