Readers write (June 5): Minneapolis tornado, Tom Horner, bipartisan efforts, school cafeterias, climate change, John Kriesel, Michael Brodkorb

I'm horrified by some of the things that I've read and heard since the north Minneapolis tornado. We deserve it? We're all lazy? We don't deserve help?

You have no idea who lives on the North Side. Attention is paid only to the criminals, though they are a very small percentage of our population. The rest of us are quite boring and hardworking.

The volunteers and workers who have come to assist have been amazing, professional and compassionate. We are grateful. And the overtime put in by law enforcement, firefighters, Xcel Energy and others will not be forgotten.

Less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the people who live here were causing trouble. I will never understand why the media ignores the other 99.9 percent of us.

LEAH WESTBERRY, MINNEAPOLIS

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I didn't vote for Tom Horner for governor in the last election, but I think he deserves our appreciation for his thoughtful commentary on the state budget ("In a state budget stalemate, let's ask the right questions," May 30).

GOP legislators have decided that they want to live in a state that will spend only $34 billion per year. If that isn't enough to cover what is needed for the quality of life that will enable us to compete with other states and with the world, then that's too bad.

In their desire to stick with this "magic number," they say we need to do what families do when times are tough and have limited funds. State economies and budgets cannot and should not be run like family budgets.

The family budget can be geared to cover the necessities of a few people and without having to deal with long-term issues such as infrastructure, parks, roads, bridges, and fine-arts , sports and education facilities -- in other words, things that families under tight budgets get to enjoy.

There is nothing magic about the $34 billion number. The " magic number," if there is one, is the number that will make Minnesota the kind of state that you and I would want to live in.

BEN KYRIAGIS, PLYMOUTH

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Former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson received a standing ovation after his speech to a large group of DFLers at the Southdale Library recently. Is there a lesson in bipartisanship there for the fractured Minnesota Legislature?

NANCY NEWMAN, MINNEAPOLIS

As a Minneapolis public schools student, I am pleased to hear about the "Great Trays" program, which aims to promote cooking from scratch in schools ("Back-to-basics solution," May 31). My school's cafeteria kitchen contains little more than a sink, a fridge and some ovens for heat up prepackaged food. Having food from scratch, as from my own kitchen, would be an amazing addition to our wonderful school system. And while we're at it, why not throw in some fresh, local and organic produce from a nearby farmer's market?

SETH COLBERT-POLLACK, MINNEAPOLIS

The astronomer Galileo, who lived in the 15th and 16th centuries, was accused of heresy by the church for disputing that the Earth was the center of the universe. The Star Tribune recently reported that leading Republican candidates (Romney, Pawlenty and Huntsman) have backed away from previous positions supporting action to curb global warming ("Republicans shift on climate change," May 30).

Is this flip-flop an expedient change to worship the party's far-right 15th-century dogma? The current scientific consensus, supported by every major climate scientific organization, is clear and undisputed. The Earth is warming, primarily because of human emissions of greenhouse gases. This warming is changing the climate, and immediate action is needed to curb the problem. Where is the integrity of these candidates?

GARY CARLSON, ALEXANDRIA, MINN.

It was heartening to read Jon Tevlin's column about state Rep. John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove ("Kriesel's honesty is a breath of fresh air at the Capitol," May 31). Politicians worry so much about following their party's platforms or are so obsessed with their own political aspirations that they forget they should be looking out for what's best for all Minnesotans. More legislators need to see what Kriesel is doing and follow suit, because the looming government shutdown is not in the best interest of anyone in this state.

NICK PETERSON, PINE CITY, MINN.

Brodkorb's editorial counterpoint characterized Republican legislators as teachers, veterans, Cub Scout leaders, etc. ("Democrats are the boors in budget debate," June 1). I think these Cub Scout leaders should continue teaching Scouts to help little old ladies across the street, instead of taking their health care benefits away.

DAVID MILLER, MENDOTA HEIGHTS