Readers Write (May 30): Veterans, Vikings stadium, air travel, local music

The Memorial Day report "Large share of veterans claim disability" should have outraged anyone who read it. Not because current veterans are "the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen" -- no, anyone paying attention to this nation's misguided adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan have long known that would happen.

What is truly infuriating is the fact that "these new veterans are seeking a level of help the government did not anticipate and for which there is no special fund set aside to pay."

We KNEW what was coming, but we chose to ignore it because the war was being fought by somebody else's kid. As a nation, we decided that it is more important to cut government spending and reduce taxes.

A friend of mine, another Vietnam combat vet, a chopper pilot, broke down in tears when he talked of seeing a planeload of wounded veterans, many with no arms or legs, being wheeled from a military transport less than a month ago.

It never ends.

MIKE SWEENEY, ST. PAUL

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JEFF MOSES, MINNEAPOLIS

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Monday was a day for memories, twice. I had gone to our veterans' memorial service in Bemijdi and thought of my brother who was killed near the end of World War II. He was buried in the military cemetery at Margraten, Netherlands. I was 5 at the time. My father died five years later. I was never able to ask him why he decided to leave my brother remain in a cemetery so far away from home. What a sweet surprise, then to read Jim Thielman's article about Margraten on the Opinion Exchange page ("A U.S. sacrifice, deeply honored to this day," May 28).

I was lucky enough, as a grown woman, to be able to visit the cemetery. I felt better when I learned of the good people of Margraten who cared for the soldiers buried there. The rolling hills, the apple orchard and the tinkling bell heard from cows grazing nearby reminded me of the farmland where my family settled when they came to this country. It was quite a day for memories. Thank you!

MAGGIE SCHWEGMAN, BEMIDJI, MINN.

The Star Tribune's headline "Anti-stadium crowd silent" (May 29) captured exactly why the protesters gave up. We were NEVER "anti-stadium" -- period. We were always anti-welfare for a private, established, mega-profitable business perfectly capable of financing its own building without taking money from taxpayers -- especially in these difficult times.

Moreover, we objected to being treated like second-class investors (dupes) forced to invest millions -- without getting an ownership interest in the business. The Star Tribune, and most other media, allowed the Wilfs, the NFL and others to manipulate the language to make team loyalty and the stadium the issue. It never was. We were anti-bullying and anti-extortion. But we were always pro-Vikings and pro-stadium.

NAOMI WILLIAMSON, FRIDLEY

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A May 24 letter writer compared airline coach sections to steerage on the Titanic and concluded that airlines "are bending over backwards to destroy what little pleasure is left in flying." A more plausible explanation is that airlines are "bending over backwards" to meet the flying public's demand for low fares.

Today, a comparable ticket can be purchased online for $370 (Delta) or $360 (Sun Country). That's an increase of 20 percent over 30 years.

By way of contrast, my law school tuition in 1980 was $2,000 a year. Today, the tuition is $35,000. That's an increase of 1,750 percent.

While it's true that airlines provide fewer amenities with their base fares, passengers can still purchase those amenities a la carte. Even so, many flyers would rather endure less-than-ideal conditions for a few hours than part with the extra money.

All of which raises the question: When the letter writer last flew, did he pony up the extra cash for a better seat and a meal, or did he opt for the "steerage" fare like the rest of us penny-pinchers?

GREGG J. CAVANAGH, MAPLE GROVE

Although not a "sincere Minnesotan," I feel the need to address A-list entertainment insider Laura Buchholz's May 28 commentary regarding the local music scene ("Local music: Let's dial down that pride"). Whether or not this is a "golden age" for local bands, they struggle mightily to reach people outside of fly-over land. Most deserve at least a pat on the back and our support, not some pointless article by a creaky Lake Wobegon scribe nipping the public-radio hand that feeds her.

I urge everyone to listen to Trampled by Turtles song "Alone." It should be nominated for a Grammy for Song of the Year.

JOE SADOWSKI, MINNEAPOLIS

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Does the local music scene take too much pride in itself? It certainly does. Does an out-of-touch writer (for "Prairie Home Companion," of all things) stooping to insult other local artists over such a trivial detail as their name help matters? I can't imagine it does.

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Note to Pert Near Sandstone and Trampled By Turtles: Next time you choose a band name, try to pick a "good" one, one that has deep meaning and universal appeal -- one like "The Beatles."