Opinion editor's note: Star Tribune Opinion publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

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I have been pushing for a flag redesign for years, including in the pages of this newspaper, and I am very happy with the final result ("Unfurling new colors," front page, Dec. 20). It's striking; it's simple; it's distinct from other state flags. The symbolism is clear yet specific to Minnesota. It's not perfect, and it won't make everyone happy, but 100 years from now it will still look good and the frustrations will have passed. It remains to be seen if people will embrace its imagery the way we've seen for Chicago, D.C., Colorado, etc., but it is objectively a step up from the boring and problematic flag we've flown up until now.

Now, if it's not too much to ask, can we redo St. Paul and Minneapolis? Those flags don't have the same controversial implications, but they are definitely ugly.

Max Murphy, St. Paul

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When I heard the state flag was getting a redesign I had high hopes. Over the next few weeks those hopes were dashed, reinvigorated and toyed with, but when I saw the flag committee had decided on the tricolor I was satisfied, even if it wasn't my first pick. Unfortunately, it seems the committee managed to trip and fall right in the dirt in the final seconds of the race. Is there a good reason why we got rid of the green and white stripes altogether? The half tricolor was a great idea; this new flag just looks boring with just two tones of blue and a white star. I thought we were trying to get rid of the old flag, not paint over half of it in a different shade of blue and slap a star in the corner for good measure. I'll still take it over the old flag, but I'm disappointed that the most interesting elements of it had to be stripped away.

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I have one word for the new Minnesota state flag: boring!

Daniel D. Dobson, Lexington

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Blue is a vibrant color representing lakes and rivers, but the flag needs a block of green for our prairies, farm fields and forests. With climate change, snow may disappear over the next century, but the white made an attractive visual divider.

The eight-point star on the flag should also appear on the seal, which has a four-point star.

Design by committee led to pretty good results overall. My thanks to the members.

Bridget Ryan, Minneapolis

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What a shame. I'm talking about this commission tasked with coming up with a new Minnesota state flag. First a commission is made up of appointed members from only like-minded, myopic organizations, then a farce of a design competition is held to solicit some type of buy-in from the public. Then the individual submission was chosen but completely modified by the commission, so that there is little resemblance of the original submission.

And this whole debacle was built on the false premise that the current state flag is somehow racist.

The Legislature needs to veto this commission's recommendation, and then spend its time and energy fixing the state's actual problems.

Bret R. Collier, Big Lake

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Simple, stunning, unique, appropriate. Hurrah to the flag commission for work well done!

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It seems to me that all the flag design critics wanted the new Minnesota flag to "say Minnesota" by including a loon, fish or pine tree. I imagine if the United States were to change its flag, these same people would demand a flag that contains an apple pie, the Statue of Liberty and a bald eagle.

James Halvorson, Farmington

I read with interest the letter "Have I missed the return window?" (Readers Write, Dec. 16). I have been following Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty's rulings. I have been shocked by her lenient approaches to youth offenders. But if you look at her record as chief public defender, it should be no surprise. I think too often people vote the party rather than the person. I have friends who, when asked who they are voting for, say "D." At first I did not understand but was told they always vote straight Democratic.

Please take the time to read about candidates. It is not hard to do and can really make a difference.

I would like to respond to the letter "Let's make plans" (Readers Write, Dec. 20) challenging people to come back to downtown Minneapolis once a month.

I would love to, and I miss it, but I'm not coming back until Mayor Jacob Frey stops violating the city charter and hires 300 more police officers.

Isn't it ironic that his commission and consultants keep coming up with lame ideas, when the real, and only, solution stares them in the face every day?

Rob Godfrey, Minneapolis

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Dale Kingsbury, Eagan

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As a St. Paul resident and supporter, I must take offense to Platt's comments about my city in his commentary "No one's to blame but us for fraying our urban fabric." On a recent evening, my wife and I walked downtown to meet a friend for dinner. Rice Park was beautifully lit up for the holidays, and there was a hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center, shows at the Ordway and Palace Theaters, crowded sidewalks and packed restaurants — we were lucky to get a table. Downtown St. Paul was definitely not the "postapocalyptic soundstage" described by Platt.

I know it is not like that every night, and there is still work to be done. But people should realize that downtown St. Paul has a lot going on right now. Glow Holiday Festival at CHS Field, the European Christmas Market at the Depot, restaurants, concerts, plays and lots of friendly people. Come on down and check it out.

Nathan Vik, St. Paul