Readers write for Thursday, March 10

I find the assertion that we'd first need ground action to enforce a needed Libyan no-fly zone dubious.

If true, this is alarming. We've spent untold billions on advanced aircraft, drones and missiles needed to fight the world's most advanced militaries, now we can't stop a few, outdated aircraft from flying?

THEODORE HARMON, MINNEAPOLIS

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I found the juxtaposition of two March 9 commentaries ("Hearings on Islamic extremism set the worst example" and "We've met Public Enemy No. 1: It's us") interesting.

The topics -- Muslims and public employees -- are interchangeable, as both articles describe the ignorance, hate and bigotry that makes one group the scapegoat for any and all social and personal ills.

Sounds very much like another time in history.

LINDA CORDIE, MOUND

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As with many so-called spokespersons for Muslims, to Fedwa Wazwaz ("Hearings on Islamic extremism set the worst example") any conversation that takes place is automatically racist, anti-Muslim, bigoted, whatever, if one disagrees even an iota with what Muslims have to say. There is no middle ground with people like this.

And talk about preaching to the choir: Wazwaz should realize that about 90 percent of Twin Cities readers already agree with her views. Who is she trying to convince? Us know-nothing hicks out here in the sticks who just don't understand how wonderful Islam really is?

TOM R. KOVACH, NEVIS, MINN.

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A letter to the editor on March 8 criticized the narcissistic antics of Charlie Sheen; applauded the Christian, anti-abortion activities of the recently deceased actress Jane Russell; blamed the media for its focus on Sheen, and summed it all up as a sign of an increasingly damaged and immoral society.

However, on balance, I have to say that Russell did the most damage. Sheen is just an overly publicized buffoon busy destroying himself and causing distress to his family and those closest to him, but that's about it.

Russell's anti-abortion busybody campaign has probably caused a great deal of long-term harm to many women by helping to create restrictions on their right to terminate a disastrous pregnancy.

Apparently Russell was motivated by her experience with a botched abortion.

So, rather than work for safe, legal abortions, she worked to make such abortions more difficult to obtain, thereby ensuring that the number of botched abortions would increase. As far as harm goes, that easily beats Sheen's efforts to drink himself to death.

MARIE ALENA CASTLE, MINNEAPOLIS

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As a a mother and a grandmother, I too think of the difficulties that pregnancy can and often does bring to both young and older women (Readers Write, March 9).

But I worry that the incest victim who is encouraged to get an abortion will just go home to more sexual abuse and the very real possibility that future pregnancies and abortions are in store for her.

I worry that rape victims are being taught that it is better to continue the violence that was perpetrated on an innocent victim by aborting the baby.

I worry that, more and more, society's answer to a person who is less than physically or mentally perfect is to get rid of that person through abortion or euthanasia.

We owe women and men, the healthy and the sick, something better than an offer of death.

So, to state Sen. Warren Limmer: Please keep up the good fight to restrict the easy access to abortion that now prevails.

PATRICIA KATAGIRI, MINNEAPOLIS

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NARAL's executive director worries much about the lives of women. Pity there is nary a thought about the lives of the unborn children she thinks should be aborted.

JERRY KASSANCHUK, GOLDEN VALLEY

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I was refereeing a "B" game when two older couples started giving me very loud static on three calls ("Time for fans to be good sports," March 5).

After the third ruckus, I called a time out and walked over to them. What to say?

I told them: "If you're going to make noise, do it to encourage your team, but get off my back!"

It worked, but after the game the team's coach shook my hand, thanking me for shutting up his superintendent. Good leadership!

JEROME TEDROW, NEW LONDON, MINN.

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Barry Goldman ("We've met Public Enemy No. 1: It's us," March 9) doesn't understand that, in the private sector, if you truly don't perform over time, you go out of business. Government doesn't have the same accountability, but shouldn't it?

JEFF PELLETIER, INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

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