Readers Write (May 20): Michele Bachmann, dolphins, Bonnie Blodgett, Hubert Humphrey, Mitt Romney, Chicago's mayor

How interesting that U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, who spent a good part of the past 36 months challenging President Obama's citizenship, opted to become a Swiss citizen, then renounced that citizenship after public outcry. She has a legal right, by marriage, to dual citizenship. Nonetheless, it was a strange act for a politician who has made a public show of patriotism.

ROBERT VEITCH, MINNEAPOLIS

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Hearing a question on the radio asking, "Will you be less likely to visit the Minnesota Zoo without a dolphin tank?" made me wonder why the question wasn't reversed. My family is more likely to visit the zoo now that officials have made the correct decision and will no longer keep captive dolphins ("Zoo pulls plug on dolphin exhibit," May 15). The support of the illegal dolphin trade and slaughter in Japan to the enslavement of sentient beings (according to all current research) in a tiny pool, all for the entertainment of our children, isn't right.

Now is a great time to teach our kids that respect and love for wild animals means preserving them in their natural habitats. We were lucky enough to see wild dolphins off the Gulf Coast of Alabama recently, and while we couldn't see their faces and they didn't do any tricks, the thrill to my daughter was richer than any zoo experience. To imagine their life in the wild and to recognize their right to live free is far more enlightening than watching caged dolphins slowly dying, starved of the will to live.

KEVIN BROWN, MINNEAPOLIS

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Blodgett's most recent column was hard to follow ("It's bedroom vs. boardroom in America," May 13). She goes from homophobic voters to bashing the religious right. Please, must we all agree with Blodgett to be considered enlightened and informed? Must she call people names if they do not agree with her? She maintains that the Republicans get their money from the boardrooms. Would that be like Democrats getting money from Hollywood and the unions? I don't believe that religion has to enter into the discussion. I must point out that when gay marriage is put on the ballot, it loses. Look at North Carolina. You can't tell me that all those people are religious zealots. People like Blodgett want to back you down from what you believe in and make you feel self-conscious about it. Don't let it happen.

EDWARD MCHUGH, EAST BETHEL

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I thoroughly enjoyed the May 13 commentary by Norman Sherman and John Stewart ("Hubert Humphrey and the lost art of unity"). It was a call for common sense, civility and doing the right thing. Frankly, the essay should be published in every U.S. newspaper. Perhaps it would bring us back to a time when we valued the beliefs that this country was founded on. More federal and state lawmakers should look to the common good rather than their own self-interests.

DALE ALICE KROC, EXCELSIOR

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Shame on all the lawmakers who voted for the new Vikings stadium and not allowing their constituents to vote for how our money is to be spent. May the voters remember this when you are up for reelection.

LORI ARCHAMBAULT, HUGO

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I'm writing this letter to speak about the misinformation being bandied about over voter ID. If every voter who drives must have a license, and voting is more important than driving, why would someone not be required to have a license to vote? Voter identification is the best and surest way to insure an honest election. That is, unless certain elected officials don't want honest elections. If Minnesota is supplying IDs to folks, then what is the down side? It won't cause tax increases, and elections will be fair and honest. Election judges will be happier, too, because their work will be easier.

LEE HEDSTROM, ROBBINSDALE

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I am deeply concerned that Mitt Romney has some severe memory issues that may make him unfit to be the president of the United States. I am referring to Washington Post article that Romney, along with four classmates, tackled and held down a younger student while Romney cut off the boys' hair. He did this even though the boy was crying and screaming for help.

Four of the students who participated in the incident recalled the event with great clarity. Evidently, the incident was quite violent and so emotionally charged that it left some of the perpetrators guilt-ridden to this day.

But Romney says he can't recall the incident. If he can't remember such a violent incident in which he was the perpetrator, how can he possibly have the intellect and mental acumen to succeed as the president of the United States? Oh, by the way, do we really want a bully to be our leader?

JAY LARSON, ST. BONIFACIUS

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Much as been made about Romney's presidential timber after bullygate was revealed. Since we don't have positive proof as to what happened, his rambling apology for claiming to not remember actually hurting anybody is what illuminates the character of the present Romney.

What he said is this: "Back in high school, I did some dumb things, and if anybody was hurt by that or offended, obviously I apologize for that."

In that statement there's enough double talk, saying nothing while pretending to be saying something, admitting nothing, and taking no real responsibility for his actions, to give us a clear picture of what kind of a president Mitt Romney would be.

PAUL ROZYCKI, MINNEAPOLIS

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The articles on Accretive Health's aggressive tactics pale in comparison to Rahm Emanuel's audacity in sticking his nose into Minnesota's business ("Chicago's 'Rahmbo' flexes in Minnesota," May 12). To demand that Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson "back off" on her investigation shows what an egotist he is. Hmm, guess he thought he was still in the White House wielding power. Rahm backing big business? Where are the 99 percent when you need them?

MICHELLE PETERSON, PLYMOUTH