Readers write for Saturday, Feb. 19

It's critical to be prudent when considering nuclear energy ("Lift state ban on nuclear plants," editorial, Feb. 16). The Editorial Board referred to the state's 17-year-old nuclear moratorium as a relic.

Frankly, I'm not sure the two Minnesota facilities should have ever been built. Just because our nuclear utilities have been safe so far doesn't mean that they will always function safely.

The slightest human error can lead to irreparable harm.

MICHELLE SCHROEDER, MINNEAPOLIS

Bravo for the Feb. 12 "Rash Report" on the poor state of international news coverage in the U.S. media ("Despite globalism, international news coverage is becoming a foreign concept").

The Star Tribune has cut back on international news coverage, yet reserves prominent space every day inside the front page for celebrity "news."

Quality international news coverage can help us to better understand the world in which we live. This understanding helps to improve our security, competitive position and the effectiveness of our aid efforts. I hope John Rash's commentary is widely read and taken to heart.

• • •

The Rash Report offered an excellent delineation of coverage of international events by American news outlets.

As I watched TV reports of the crisis in Egypt, the best reporting came from the reporters in the trenches with the protesters. The Internet, particularly social media, has its place, but that isn't enough.

In my opinion, American culture is so infected by entertainment, which includes sports, that nothing else seems to matter.

THE REV. ROBERT S. NELSON, EDINA

Breathing secondhand smoke while eating a meal is unappetizing and unwanted. Any elected official who feels that this is good for Minnesota shouldn't be reelected.

LORALEE BLANCHET, NEW HOPE, MINN.

People are in tears because they can't afford to pay their taxes. Public service workers are being laid off. Basic services are being cut.

Yet we still have people beating the drum for a new Vikings stadium. They're telling us to "man up" and take more pain. Maybe it's time for us to start marching in the streets here.

BRAD STAPLES, BROOKLYN PARK

It's with sadness that I announce the near-death of the American middle class. A relentless assault on incomes over the past 30 years, coupled with increasing expenditures, is leading to its demise.

JOHN M. HUBERTY, ELK RIVER

Frank Ball, the head of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, says the state's liquor retailers don't want to work on Sundays and therefore oppose lifting the sales ban ("As much as it makes sense, Sunday liquor is a tough sell," Feb. 13).

Ball made a great point. Everyone should enjoy a day off. To be fair, the Legislature would need to establish a system for rotating days off for various business:

Monday: Police, fire departments.
Tuesday: Gas stations.
Wednesday: Grocery stores.
Thursday: Department stores.
Friday: Restaurants.
Saturday: Newspapers.
Sunday: Liquor stores.

Dictators in the Middle East are running scared. The U.S. invasion of Iraq displaced a dictator. Citizens of other countries have accomplished the same result through largely peaceful protests.

Our military invasion cost the lives of thousands of Americans and left others severely mentally or physically harmed. It's also added significantly to our federal deficit. The decision to take such an expensive course for change in Iraq was fiscally, morally and politically unwise.

I have little confidence that the people of Tunisia, Egypt or Iraq will enjoy a better future as a result of these actions. The future for all is uncertain.

KEITH MARKWARDT, BUFFALO, MINN.

As a resident of Hennepin County and a member of the "noncable club," I can't help feeling somewhat burned at the Twins' decision to only offer eight games on broadcast TV next season. By my tally, the Twins got a new stadium and now higher TV revenues.

TOM O'REILLY, MINNETONKA

James Lileks writes the best newspaper column. With all the pressures of day-to-day and world news, it's a joy to read his original and humorous articles.