No Section

Readers write for Wednesday, March 15

March 14, 2011 at 11:45PM

Illustration by Bruce Bjerva (Susan Hogan — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

JAPAN

An orderly response. Would it happen here?

What an awesome spectacle it is to witness a civilized country such as Japan deal with disaster. The Japanese should be proud of their orderly, quick response.

One can only imagine the looting and worse that would be rampant had this catastrophe occurred in almost any American city (aka Katrina!).

I think back to the pride we had for New York during 9/11 and find myself wondering if the scenario would have been the same after a natural disaster.

LEONARD ISAKSON, SHAKOPEE

• • •

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan arrived Sunday off the coast of Japan. Twenty-two years earlier, ex-President Reagan had traveled to Japan and received a $2 million fee for two 20-minute speeches.

This time the mission is humanitarian aid to an American ally rocked by an epic catastrophe.

The irony will not be lost on some who remember Reagan's first inaugural speech, in which he said government is the problem, not the solution. Presumably in this instance, a powerful symbol of U.S. government is the right solution to relieve the plight of the Japanese people.

DAVID STRAND, AITKIN, MINN.

* * *

EXTREMISM

Let's also shine a light on non-Islamic radicals

The writer of the March 14 Letter of the Day says that radicalization of Muslims "exists and should not be avoided because it is sensitive." Fine.

Research by the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security shows that 48 of the 120 Muslims suspected of plotting terror attacks since 9/11 were turned in by other Muslims.

According to the FBI (reported by the Hill newspaper blog last week), roughly two-thirds of terrorism in this country between 1980 and 2001 was conducted by non-Islamic American extremists, and between 2002 and 2005, that number rose to 95 percent.

Meantime, the Southern Poverty Law Center reports that the number of hate groups in this country has grown to more than 1,000, including 824 antigovernment "Patriot" militias, and members of an Alaska militia were recently arrested and charged in connection with a plot to kidnap or kill state troopers and a judge.

I would like to remind folks that it was the "Patriot" groups that produced Tim McVeigh, and we all know how that ended. But it's easier to go after Muslims because many people in this country still see them as the "other."

Why is no one in Congress talking about racist extremism? The problem exists, and should not be avoided because it is sensitive.

LINNEA SOMMER, MINNEAPOLIS

* * *

INNOVATION

From Henry Ford to Mark Zuckerberg

Jim Buckman's commentary "Innovation, yes, but where are the jobs?" (March 14) offered a thoughtful take on a conundrum that will absorb us all for some years to come.

But I also could not help thinking with a chuckle what a marvelous juxtaposition the two photographs provided: Mark Zuckerberg, a brash, brilliant Jewish eccentric and Henry Ford, a brash, brilliant anti-Semitic eccentric (he actually published anti-Semitic tracts, lovely man).

Yet, somehow, I think they would have understood each other ...

DEBORAH MORSE-KAHN, SILVER BAY, MINN.

* * *

TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS

At times, it's a little too much for comfort

I love Target. A SuperTarget is across the street from where I work, and I go there at least three times a week. I often walk over to get something for lunch.

This week I was mailed a coupon book from Target, and 13 of the 30 were for items I have purchased within the last month at Target. They were good coupons, too.

I thought it was very coincidental. Then I realized that this was a custom-printed book just for me.

My question is: How did Target get my home address to send me this special book? To my knowledge, I have never signed up for one, and I always pay with my bank debit card.

Did the bank give my home address to Target? I am curious and a little freaked out. It makes me want to start using cash.

JIM MADSON, MINNEAPOLIS

* * *

MIA billboards

Unmistakable nudity, and in your face to boot

I would like to express my disapproval of the billboards from the Minneapolis Institute of Art that feature the top half of a female nude painting.

I'm aware of the disagreement over how to classify such things, but I think that everyone would agree that it is public nudity, and I believe that we all should have a choice about whether or not we want to see it.

ANGEL ZUEHL, FRIDLEY

_______

Readers: To offer an opinion considered for publication as a letter to the editor, write no more than 250 words to opinion@startribune.com. Include your name and the city where you live.

Follow us on Twitter @StribOpinion