STADIUM REFERENDUM
It's a good idea that the public supports
If the public is so incapable of making a rational decision on a tax for a stadium, as was implied by a couple of recent letter writers, how do we manage to make tax decisions for school construction, parks and sewer upgrades, all of which require us to vote to raise our own taxes to pay for them?
While stadium supporters view the referendum requirement in the local sales tax law to be an impediment to the fulfillment of their dreams, it's imperative that these major expenditures go to the public for approval because of the massive amount of money involved, the length of the community's obligation and the transitory nature of our elected officials.
RAY ROSSBERG, EDEN PRAIRIE
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When are the people of Minnesota going to wake up? Either build the Viking stadium or don't. If you are not going to build, then stop this wringing of hands and let the team go to Los Angeles, where it will be welcomed. One last point: If you build a stadium now, you can do it on the cheap with very low interest rates. They won't be this low for much longer. Also, you can create well-paying jobs for the construction industry.
MICHAEL MADDEN, HUDSON, WIS.
AIR-TRAVEL SECURITY
A few inconveniences for a modern luxury
Since I retired, I no longer have "frequent flier" status, but I still do fly three or four times a year, both domestically and internationally ("At the airport, shoeless and irked," Sept. 8). When I arrive at the airport, I slip off my belt and cell phone, empty my pockets, take off my watch and glasses, and put them all into my carry-on before I get into the security line. When I arrive at the conveyor, I put my shoes into the basket, go through the detectors, put everything back on and go to my gate. On the plane, I may or may not sit near someone I am traveling with: It doesn't matter; it's only a few hours, and I never hesitate to introduce myself to my seatmates. Everyone has a story. I may put up with a cramped seat, a dry bag of pretzels, and a crying baby or two, but at the end I arrive at my destination safely and expeditiously. I can leave home at 7 a.m., and by noon my Florida vacation has started.
The point is, air travel is made safer by the few things we need to do to assure that safety, and the few inconveniences we may experience are more than made up for by the time saved.
