Readers Write for Monday, Dec. 14

In the midst of our first winter snowstorm last week, when we all hunkered down in our houses to keep warm, I heard the sad news of another dear old friend's demise.

I haven't seen her in years. But when my children were young, she was in my house every day, keeping me forever entertained with her charms. The kids grew up, and I went back to work, and we lost contact.

At 70, I hate these losses, although more and more of them seem to occur daily: old friends in particular. Even when you don't see them, they're a part of your background, and you're comfortable in the knowledge that you could get together any time. Now, when I learn our link is broken for good, I wonder how many others lost contact with my old friend too. Despite her age, I'm sure she still had charisma, but maybe she simply lost heart when too few stayed in touch any longer.

What I know for certain is that my friend led a wonderful long life ... and I'm truly sad that "As the World Turns" is leaving the air next fall.

I will mourn her passing.

ELIZABETH FUNK, BLOOMINGTON

So we're on the same page: Bicyclists are to "ride on the right with traffic" and "have all rights/duties of any other vehicle driver" (M.S. 169.222, subd. 1). Having almost exclusively bicycled to work/school during the past three winters in Mankato (on subzero days, in snowstorms), I've heard it all from the momentarily-rolled-down windows of passing cars. But that was small-town talk -- or so I thought.

I own a car and use it to pick my son up from school (sometimes we ride the bus), but friends of mine choose not to own a car as a matter of principle. What are they to do on snowy days in Minneapolis? Call in sick? Spend $20 on a cab or 20 minutes waiting for a bus? How about the next time it snows, the "out-of-control automobiles" stay home and leave the roads to bicycles? Until the writer is ready to agree to that, perhaps he should keep his sarcasm to himself -- and his eyes on the road.

RUSDON TORBENSON, MINNEAPOLIS

With all the money spent on the new Target Field and the expansion of light rail with the Target Field Station, why is there no skyway from the station to the 5th Street Garage? This is where the majority of consumers walk to either catch a transfer bus or get to the skyway.

With the recent snow, the sidewalk and the street between Target Field and 5th Street Garage were not plowed properly. We also are fighting the bitter cold and wind.

MANDI WAGENER, ELK RIVER

As we proceed in Afghanistan, let's not forget that in tricking the Germans into an armistice at the end of World War I and then humiliating them with the Treaty of Versailles, the Allies helped pave the way for a Hitler to rise, and that by abandoning Afghanistan once the Russians had been driven out we ourselves planted the seeds for the rise of the Taliban and of Al-Qaida.

At the same time let's be mindful of the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe and Japan following World War II and laid the foundation for what those nations have become today.

JOHN NESSET, MINNEAPOLIS

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Like his predecessor, President Obama elected to use the word "evil" as a justification for conflict, noting in his Nobel lecture, "For make no mistake: Evil does exist in the world." But does it?

To label a group as "evil" absolves us from taking responsibility for our role in the conflict: Imagine replacing "they are evil" with "we disagree." Should our nation make the difficult decision to go to war, let us justify our actions based on each parties' failures to reach agreement and give "evil" a rest.

KATRINA HASE, WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP

I strongly object to your publishing a column by Sarah Palin on global warming (Dec. 10). She is not a climate scientist, and her opinion is unimportant. By publishing her the Star Tribune is asserting that the opinions of scientifically untrained and ignorant celebrities are as important as the opinions of climate scientists. There might be a place for her opinion if you published numerous essays on global warming including many by climate scientists. But I have never seen such an piece by an actual scientist.

In addition, in reporting on global warming, the Star Tribune routinely treats the opinions of scientifically untrained people as valid and as worthy of consideration as the research and reports of climate scientists. No wonder Americans are far more poorly informed on global warming issues than the citizens of other countries.

JAMES KERWIN, MINNEAPOLIS

I am 65. I rollerblade, bike and can dance continuously to every Rod Stewart song on my DVD, run up steps and wear size 4 skinny jeans -- what is my age compared to a chubby whose exercise is texting? Socially, I am anywhere from 12 to 80 considering what's going on. Please let's get away from being hung up on the numbers that don't really mean enough for all of the fuss they receive.