Readers Write for Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009

Statements and actions attributed to me in the Star Tribune's Nov. 17 article "Gays reject church's attempt to 'cure' them" are pure fabrication. I read that story and marveled that the Star Tribune would accept a quote like that and alleged acts by me without even attempting to find out if they were true -- which they were not.

According to Michael Bayly of a group called Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, "Archbishop Harry Flynn came to us -- we didn't go to him -- in the late 1990s and asked us to serve as resource people for the church."

Take it from the archbishop in question, this never happened, period. I understand that Bayly later recanted those remarks on his website, claiming he was "misquoted." That excuse is a transparent one and one the reporter adamantly denies.

There were other errors and untruths in this story, but the truly unfortunate thing is that the newspaper and the reporter let Bayly, with an agenda of his own, use them.

THE REV. HARRY J. FLYNN,

NORTHFIELD, MINN.; ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS,

ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS

How about the president take $50 billion from our bloated military budget and offer low-interest loans for small-business startups, and for building schools, roads and hospitals in Afghanistan?

Young people training to be suicide bombers could be offered an alternative -- a college education anywhere. That might cost us less than if they become suicide bombers.

JOHN N. PHILLIPS, MINNEAPOLIS

A 12-0 loss to Iowa. Eight straight quarters of failing to score against the Hawkeyes. A 3-5 Big Ten record. Little discernible progress during his regime.

It's become patently obvious that Coach Tim Brewster is over his head and out of his element in the Big Ten.

Athletic Director Joel Maturi should admit his mistake, cut his losses and make a decision about the football program: Make it competitive or drop down to a lower division where, perhaps, it can be competitive.

JIM BUSH, MINNEAPOLIS

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One word should be used to sum up year three of Coach Brewster's administration: pathetic. With his coaching, the closest that Minnesota will get to Pasadena is watching it on TV.

It is time that AD Maturi, after all these years of lower- to mid-tier bowl games, find a coach who will bring Minnesota roses, not weeds.

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In keeping with the dictums and guidelines of corporate-think, perhaps the TCF people should cut an unprofitable division from the corporate family.

After giving its money and name to a new Gophers stadium, TCF should call it quits.

WILLIAM T. SMITH, ST. PAUL

More than 40 years ago concern was expressed about electing John F. Kennedy president because he was a Catholic. There was fear that his church would try to influence his decisions. That was refuted by the voters.