Readers Write (Jan. 21): Keystone pipeline, private equity, Vikings stadium, casinos, politics

The Obama administration rejected the Keystone XL pipeline project, which would have linked Canada's oil sands to refineries in Texas. The oil industry and construction unions said the project would create jobs and shift U.S. energy reliance away from the Middle East.

They don't seem to be concerned about the health of the environment, the problem of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and the impact on global warming.

If we spend the money on developing green-energy alternatives to fossil fuels, we can create jobs and decrease reliance on oil (not just Middle Eastern oil), while protecting the environment and combating global warming.

It would be a "win-win" for all except for the oil companies determined to squeeze out every last dollar possible for their benefit.

BRUCE FISHER, ST. LOUIS PARK

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Thank you for Jerry Pitzrick's commentary on the pipeline proposal ("Pipeline might actually lead to instability," Jan. 19). If TransCanada wanted to keep the oil in North America, it would build its own refinery and not bother with a pipeline. It's obvious that the company is more concerned with selling to overseas markets.

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Michael Goldner's commentary on private equity explains succinctly what the media has failed to communicate to the voters ("Private-equity firms: Devil is in the details," Jan. 19). At times a business will require an infusion of money for a variety of reasons.

For some, this will be the catalyst for growth. For others, even those with the money, there will be failure. Where does the money come from?

As stated, it comes from banks and pension funds, but also private investors, and it's managed by the private-equity and venture-capital firm as an investment seeking a positive return.

The businesses might be startups, long-established firms with a dated product or those with a good product but poor management.

DARYL WILLIAMSON, EDEN PRAIRIE

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It's time for us to contact our state elected officials to tell them that we oppose a Vikings stadium near the historic Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. It has been a religious and cultural icon for more than a century, and building a stadium near it would greatly impact its environment, both visually and acoustically.

As a musician, I can attest that even slight traffic noise on adjacent streets can be heard clearly inside the basilica. Think of how a roaring stadium and its additional traffic would further impact the sound quality. The Twin Cities is known nationally for its historic landmarks, so let's not tarnish that valuable reputation.

Vikings: Build a stadium elsewhere!

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The Star Tribune reported that Indian casino owners view a potential Vikings stadium funding source -- off-reservation casino gambling -- as a threat to the tribes' lucrative slot machine monopoly of the past two decades ("$15 billion stakes ride on epic gambling fight," Jan. 15).

Minnesota's tribal gambling compacts are extraordinarily lucrative because they require no sharing of the $15 billion annual revenues and the resulting $600 million earnings. Mystic Lake Casino in Shakopee is the crown jewel of tribal gambling in Minnesota.

The Shakopee, Mdewakanton Sioux tribal members are reported to receive annual, per capita payments sometimes exceeding $500,000 -- free of any state taxes. The Occupy Minnesota activists have overlooked the Shakopee "1 percent."

GENE DELAUNE, NEW BRIGHTON

Campaign spending has gone through the roof, and I find it hard to believe that few people are aware of the amount of money that's spent. Current forecasts for the 2012 election run as high as $8 billion. That's double what was spent just two years ago. Isn't there a better use for most of that money? Or should it all be spent viciously attacking, sometimes with false information, other candidates?

JACK GRAEN, EDEN PRAIRIE

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I take issue with the Star Tribune's characterization of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota as "an abortion advocacy group" ("Pregnancy centers come under fire for abortion info," Jan. 18). NARAL is an abortion rights advocacy group. Believe me, there's a big difference.

KEVIN DRISCOLL, ST. PAUL

Although we are currently facing one of the largest threats yet to freedom of the Internet in America, you can't help but admire our generation's desire to use democracy as a tool to make changes in our government.

From the protesters across the ocean involved in the Arab Spring to the "Occupy" protesters in cities around the nation, I'm incredibly proud to be a part of an era where young people use their voice in politics.

I was reminded of this when I saw the incredible outpouring of anti-SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) support. Both of Minnesota's U.S. senators' phone lines were down because of people calling to tell their representatives what they want.

ERIC HULTING, PLYMOUTH

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