Readers write for Sunday, April 4

When your columnist C.J. does a hatchet job ("Arne finds a new battleground," March 28), she really does it. I am surprised she did not portray my wife, Susan, and me as international terrorists as well.

For the record, here are the facts: C.J. twice called, and I twice refused to deal with her due to her past recklessness. She then sent me an e-mail with a specific list of questions. On the same day, I responded and e-mailed to her that we were both ill with the flu. I wrote: "This is a serious news story and not gossip, in the sense that a successful businessman has filed a $5.8 million lawsuit against the Emerald Pointe Board of Directors for a variety of concerns including mismanagement and insurance fraud. We will work with you on this, but only if it is treated as a serious news story ..."

I never heard back.

Two days later, the Star Tribune published the article, which only mentioned my e-mail in the context that I was ill and would comment later -- maybe. There was no mention of my request for dealing with the story in a serious fashion or any information relative to the lawsuit against the association's board of directors.

The facts in the condo association dispute are relatively simple. In the spring of 2008, the association received a substantial hurricane settlement, and immediately divisions arose over who should get what. The board made a decision that sharply divided the community.

The money would be disbursed regardless of hurricane damage, which meant that some 65 percent of unit owners would receive checks in the amount of $20,000 per unit, even though they had no damage. Those units with serious damage would get some funding, but not enough to cover the costs of repairs. Considering the number of elderly people, this was an unbelievable hardship on many. But since they were not in the majority, their rights to fairness were being trampled on.

Susan vehemently protested as a board member and sought at least to have the board obtain a legal opinion on the issue of insurance fraud and the fairness of the distribution. The board refused. We then formed a reform effort and put together a team of candidates for board seats. I agreed to be a candidate. We knew the odds were overwhelming, since two-thirds of the owners stood to gain the $20,000 windfall, but we felt that the campaign would permit us to publicly discuss our concerns. I had no personal financial stake in the outcome.

The Star Tribune failed in its duty to adhere to journalistic standards. The paper made no effort whatsoever to contact Susan, who was demonized in the article. It ignored my e-mail and interviewed those people who stood to gain financially. (Would the Star Tribune consider doing a piece on President Obama and only interview Tea Party members?) The article never mentioned the lawsuit or the issues of insurance fraud, violations of the sunshine laws (open meetings) and financial mismanagement.

Journalism is a noble profession, and quality reporting is vital to a democratic society. Unfortunately, in the struggle to financially survive, quality and decency are being compromised. This story represents that kind of compromise and is a disservice to the newspaper community.

ARNE H. CARLSON, PLYMOUTH

Thanks to the Star Tribune for reporting suicides among the elderly ("A dark trend," March 28). It's time we moved past the stigma. I question ascribing mental illness to older adults who choose to end their lives rather than face years of debilitating disease and/or intractable pain.

For someone who feels they have landed on a slippery slope with no possibility of improvement and no way out, it seems to me to be a rational decision. I am convinced that, were physician-assisted euthanasia available, suicide numbers would actually decrease -- it's the prospect of total loss of control that is so frightening.

JAN WOLFF, BLOOMINGTON

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There is quality of life and there is quantity. When the quality disappears, what good is the quantity? I have no intention of whithering away in a nursing home after I don't even know who I am.

I will never countenance any medical ethicist or religious individual who attempts to control how I die. When it's time, it's time.

BILL HANSEN, MINNEAPOLIS

SIDNEY REINERS, GRAND RAPIDS, MINN.

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The idea that people continue to drink and drive because they have no fear of being caught is off-base. If you hang out at any bar after 10 p.m. any night, you will often see multiple police officers waiting for customers to leave. People have a fear; they just continue to drink and drive because it is a habit. A tax increase will not help lower DWI arrests simply because people who drink and drive outnumber the police by a staggering margin.

If everyone stopped drinking and smoking, the state would lose a huge amount of tax revenue. I just love how everyone jumps on the bandwagon of raising taxes on so-called "sin."

PETER SIME, BLAINE