Readers Write: Mary Moriarty, trade, the Twins, Minneapolis-St. Paul airport

Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

•••

Years ago, when we were all waiting for a verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial, I heard Mary Moriarty giving commentary on a news show about criminal justice reform. I remember thinking that she should really run for Hennepin County attorney, because her vision of criminal justice was modern, science-based, potentially effective and not merely an extension of the philosophy of fear and loathing we usually get from the more thoughtless version of “tough on crime” electeds.

It turns out that she did run, won by a large margin and did begin to implement meaningful reforms. Moriarty is always willing to speak to local groups and individuals about her vision and provide detailed information about the programs they are working on in her office. Despite the widespread practice of assuming that crime is constantly increasing, all or most crime rates in Hennepin County have gone down under Moriarty’s tenure, and we are doing a much better job of diverting kids away from a life of crime.

I was therefore sad to learn that Moriarty will not seek re-election (“Moriarty won’t run for 2nd term,” Aug. 7). Can we please put someone in this office who continues the project of dragging our antiquated criminal justice system into the 21st century, with science-based approaches that actually work?

Greg Laden, Plymouth

Hearkening back to Ye Olden Times when a monarch’s vassals presented golden trinkets as tribute, Apple CEO Tim Cook did the same for President Donald Trump (“Apple increases U.S. manufacturing investments,” Aug. 7). In a laughably surreal scene in the Oval Office, Cook presented Trump with a specially made glass plate mounted on a solid gold block. Tasteful? Hardly. But then, Trump loves gold in its raw, unmistakable form. He loves it so much he has decked out the Oval Office in gaudy gold statuettes, gold leaf, golden cherubs above doors and other baubles. For Trump, gold is a symbol of success and of his self-imagined infallibility.

Phillip Trobaugh, St. Paul

•••

Language counts. Has everyone noticed how Trump only talks about making “deals”? “Deals” connotes winners and losers. That’s not what friends do. What has happened to reaching “agreements,” which are win-win situations for both sides? Agreements are not part of Trump’s lexicon.

Pretty soon the United States will have lost all its friends.

Richard Portnoy, Minneapolis

Ah, the art of the deal! We’ve been here before. In 2018, Trump came to Wisconsin to promote Foxconn’s $10 billion investment and the 13,000 jobs it would bring. Fast forward to today, about $1 billion in tax subsidies later the company spent only $672 million and employed about 1,400 people. We don’t need experts to tell us that tariff “deals” that come with promises of investments are unenforceable — all we need to do is ask our neighbors.

Richard Rosivach, New Brighton

Andy Brehm’s article on Aug. 6 made me mad (“The Minnesota Twins broke their deal with taxpayers and fans,” Strib Voices). He used a lot of space being critical of the Twins’ finances regarding the ballpark, who paid for what, who paid “more” and the lack of serious salary offerings for top-notch players. Brehm did a lot of research, for sure. But I lost it when he said, “The team is unwatchable now and likely will be for years.” What? Is that what real fans do? Do you think a parent decides to forgo his son’s baseball games because the team hasn’t performed up to his expectations?

These young men are living their dreams. They finally made it to the Big Dance. They have worked long and hard, through injuries and heartache. There are good days and not-so-good days. And now you want us to just give up? Never! I will be a Twins fan because I love baseball. I love to see the success the players can achieve and love cheering them on to keep trying. I want to be supportive. They deserve that and more. They didn’t ask for this dilemma.

Pam Patnode, Minneapolis

Brehm, I agree: Boy, were you wrong! Too bad it took you 20 years to figure out what most people knew all along — that public subsidies of professional sports are just another transfer of wealth from taxpayers to the already wealthy (and I’m looking at you too, University of Minnesota). Makes me wonder what else you were dead wrong about back in the day.

As “a capitalist through and through,” you must know that the fact that you’re willing to pay $12 for a Diet Coke is what allows the stadium to charge $12 for a Diet Coke. That’s why most Minnesotans can’t afford a trip to Target Field more than once or twice a year.

Go ahead and withhold your season ticket purchase, but stop lamenting the fate of this “modest-market” team. Giant payrolls are no guarantee of success, and small payrolls do not make a team “unwatchable.” Your model Baltimore Orioles haven’t won the World Series in over 40 years, while the Tampa Bay Rays are a perennial thorn in the side to Boston and New York. Small ball can be fun to watch, even from the thirsty nosebleeds. And every once in a while ...

Mark Gortze, Champlin

This letter is to thank the staff at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for their stellar service for me and my son as we traveled on Aug. 2.

Much to my surprise, I received a phone call from a representative as we were en route (predawn!) to the airport. A kind man met us at the drop-off door, helped us check in, explained the processes to my son, intervened when necessary on our behalf and treated my son as a fellow human being.

The whole experience made his first flight enjoyable and stress-free. Many thanks to Griffin and the staff at MSP for an exemplary example of inclusion and equity!