Readers Write for Wednesday, April 15, 2009

JUDGES RULE FOR FRANKEN

Coleman now faces a very difficult decision

The photos of Norm Coleman show a weary and strained face. Although I didn't vote for him, I do have empathy for his personal turmoil.

But, at this point, it would be best for him to gracefully accept the outcome of the recount process, a process that three independent judges have ruled was fair, impartial and aboveboard. To fight on -- sacrificing himself to the wheels of the Republican Party when it's clear he has lost the race -- is not the mark of a good public servant, nor is it in Norm's own best interests.

ANDREA JOHNSON, LAKE ELMO

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Congratulations, Sen.-elect Al Franken! Thank goodness the election is finally over.

But wait! Norm Coleman doesn't like the fair, impartial ruling? Oh, well, there's not much going on in Washington right now that needs our full attention anyway, right?

JANET HILL, ST. PAUL

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Minnesotans have been disenfranchised for more than three months. What part of "lose" doesn't Coleman understand? It is time to stop the foolishness so we may again be represented by two senators.

LEANN LINDEMAN, BROOKLYN PARK

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In previous elections, Norm Coleman's detractors have claimed that his No. 1 constituent was Norm Coleman. Current political cynics claim that he is only carrying water for the special interests in the Republican Party by delaying the seating of his Democratic opponent, thus eliminating one potential vote for President Obama's agenda. Given the specificity and directness of the ruling of judges in Coleman's election contest, it is time for him to recognize what is best for all of his constituents in Minnesota, give up his improbable quest, and prove the cynics and his detractors wrong.

MICHAEL MILES, VICTORIA

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What a great day for Minnesota citizens. We have apparently succeeded in electing a liberal comedian to join the clowns that already run the U.S. Senate. We, the voters, should be proud of what we have done.

CURT EVERT, BRAINERD, MINN.

OBAMA'S BOW

He's repairing our rep around the world

According to the outraged author of the April 13 Letter of the Day, President Obama has disrespected all Americans by having the temerity to bow before the king of Saudi Arabia when the two were introduced last week at the G-20 summit. The letter writer would have "fought to the death" before bowing to "anyone who claimed to be a king."

This right-wing blather is how many conservatives view the president's attempts to rehabilitate our sullied international reputation.

On the contrary, Obama's attempts to undo the damage wrought by eight years of George W. Bush have been well-received. The president's bow represented nothing more than a simple gesture of courtesy and respect for a long-time American ally, totally undeserving of that writer's unwarranted and biased censure.

CHARLES CLELAND, BROOKLYN PARK

KIDS AND WEIGHT WOES

Schools need to push physical education

The Star Tribune April 9 editorial, "The battle of the bulge is being fought by the preschool set," was spot-on. This problem is not caused by all of us making poor decisions; we've collectively created an environment that encourages too much "energy in" and not enough "energy out."

Right here in Minnesota, our economy lost $1.3 billion in obesity-related medical costs in 2003. If this trend continues, it's projected that obesity-related problems, including cardiovascular disease, will cost an extra $1 billion in 2010.

These statistics are overwhelming. But there is something simple we, as Minnesotans, can do to stop our spiraling obesity epidemic -- both for the sake of our health, ours kids' health and the health of our economy.

As the editorial states, obesity can be controlled by instilling lifelong, healthy habits in our children, starting with physical education and activity. Since our children are in school for much of the week, it only makes sense to include physical education as an important part of their curriculum.

Since 2003, Minnesota is one of only three states not to have PE standards, and, as a result, it is one of the things on the chopping block for school curriculums in these recent years of budget cuts. Further, research has shown that students who participate in quality physical education have higher academic performance.

A bill that would establish statewide standards for physical education and reinstate a half-credit graduation requirement has been introduced in the Legislature every year since 2003, yet fails to be made law. Why? Because we haven't told legislators that it is a priority.

So tell your legislator. It is a win-win for kids, schools, families and the physical and financial health of our state.

JULIANNE SEIBER, ARDEN HILLS

WARMING UP TO CUBA

Let all Americans have freedom to travel there

So Cuban-Americans are now free to travel to Cuba (Star Tribune, April 14). What about the rest of us? Plain old Americans still are not allowed to make the trip? We can go to the People's Republic of China -- or anywhere else in the world we want to visit -- but not Cuba? Isn't it time to free the rest of us?

ROBERT PERSCHMANN, CHASKA

TAX AND TEA DAY

Republican heroes were big spenders, too

The latest Republican tactic --tea parties to protest runaway government spending and increased taxes -- is just another example of the party's hypocrisy.

When the Republican Party patron saint, Ronald Reagan, took office in January 1981, the national debt stood at $960 billion. By the time he left office, it had tripled. Along the way, he signed off on no fewer than six tax increases.

If Obama added a trillion dollars in national debt for eight years running, he would still not even double the national debt he has inherited from another runaway spender -- George W. Bush.

PAUL MARAVIGLI, CHANHASSEN