Readers Write (March 20): Afghanistan, voter ID, Mitt Romney, food packaging, Tin Fish

Our nation's hopelessly misguided Afghanistan venture must be brought to an immediate end. When we invaded that miserable country only weeks after the horrific trauma of 9/11, our goal was to rout Al-Qaida, denying it terror training camp sanctuaries.

We did so, using brilliant Special Forces tactics, within two or three months. We were never there to liberate Afghanistan, as too many continue to insist 10 long years into our nightmarish presence.

This is a nation of largely illiterate tribalists in thrall to the virulently fundamentalist form of Islam nurtured by the Saudis. It is entirely alien to the tenets of democracy.

What is not absurd is the reality that we can kill terrorists from land and sea bases in America-friendly locations elsewhere. We are doing so with regularity in both Yemen and Pakistan.

Bring our precious service men and women home to help build a stronger America. Leave the fight to our supremely advanced, technologically superior war-fighting resources.

MARK H. REED, PLYMOUTH

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My personal photo ID will be my driver license, on which I'm sporting a full beard, with very long hair. In the short time since that photo was taken, I've cut my hair quite short and have shaved off my beard completely.

Surely the GOP authors of this proposed amendment have considered the actual process of presenting a photo ID to vote. What will happen at the precise instant that a polling place volunteer denies someone their vote because they think the person doesn't look like their photo?

MARK POMMIER, HIBBING, MINN.

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If the economy is like a river, getting rich is using as much of it as you can. Hogging all the water and drying out your competition is a model.

From these brief examples I would suggest that there is a great difference between being rich and successful and knowing much about the economy, and that being rich and successful may actually be detrimental to said economy, especially if the proceeds of an enterprise (profit) is not responsibly returned to the area of operation.

Although my little microcosms are outlandish and simplistic, they speak to the point that Mitt Romney's claim to being an economic heavyweight because of his wealth and experience is a hoax.

Consorting with the owners of sports clubs and other 1-percenters does not exclude one from being an economist, but actions and policies do, and they show Romney as a hog.

JOHN CRIVITS, ST. PAUL

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Cans are recyclable, but are pouches? Or are they just destined for the landfill? Most cans are lined with BPA, regarded by many as a health concern. Are there any similar concerns for pouches? Look at the whole picture.

JOYCE MITCHELL, EAGAN

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I am not a motorcyclist, but I will not complain about the noise they make (Readers Write, March 19).

That throaty growl is an essential safety feature -- more than once, as I was contemplating a lane change, that sound gave me pause, saving the life of the biker in my blind spot.

RICH FURMAN, ST. PAUL

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The Minneapolis Park Board is negotiating the lease of the restaurant at Lake Calhoun and is demanding terms that I fear will result in the owners walking away.

In my many years of walking around Lake Calhoun, the greatest improvement has been this cultural attraction called Tin Fish.

I love the food and the way local youths are hired and are taught strong ethical leadership. I love the customer service and reasonable prices. But most of all, I honor the value this organization has added to the spirit of the city lakes.

Park Board, work with the owners rather than pushing them away. Celebrate your mutual success and do anything to keep them there.