Readers Write

Pawlenty's day job

Why is our governor playing radio DJ?

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was hard at work on Monday and will be today. Is he working on the state budget deficit? The Minnesota economy? The jobs situation? The housing debacle?

No! The governor is busy hosting "WCCO Midday Live" from noon to 3 p.m. on AM 830 radio.

It seems that there is no limit to the governor's quest for broad recognition in pursuit of higher office, except perhaps for diligent performance of the job that the people of Minnesota elected him to do.

Jim Blacksher, Burnsville

The Obama budget

For the first time in 8 years, an honest process

People are complaining about President Obama's $1.75 trillion budget and comparing it with George W. Bush's last budget. What these people fail to realize is that Bush left out hundreds of billions of dollars from his budget, while Obama is including everything, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The past eight years gave us the most secretive and destructive White House administration in the history of the United States. Obama has only been in office for five weeks, and everyone expects him to have solved the problems of the Bush years without spending further dollars. Ridiculous!

Another question to ask. Where were all of these "fiscally responsible" Republicans the past eight years?

Kirk Neuman, Apple Valley

Nuclear power

Any discussion must start with waste issue

It is disturbing to see the rising clamor to repeal the ban on new nuclear plants. The call to begin that debate is premature ("Time for a fresh look at nuclear power," March 2).

Nuclear power is not a solution until the problem of waste disposal is solved and included in the costs. That, by the way, is a problem that needs a solution whether new plants are considered or not. Once a waste solution is available, a reasonable discussion of nuclear power vs. other available options can begin, not before. Why isn't this clamor a call for solving the waste problem?

Kenneth Glidden, Mounds View

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The state should give the OK for more nuclear power plants only if the Legislature agrees to store the nuclear waste right there at the Capitol.

Paul Rozycki, Minneapolis

Following the money

Anderson's scrutiny of council appreciated

I would like to thank Dennis Anderson for his great column on the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council ("More power to the people," March 1). Many of us are very angry that some legislators are trying to sabotage the funds from going to the causes that we, the voters, approved in November. The next election, let's put them out to pasture.

Please keep us updated.

Les Johnson, Worthington, Minn.

Liberians' uncertain fate

Their stay is over; it's time they go home

The March 2 story "This time, will Liberians in Minnesota be forced to leave?" missed all the points Minnesotans should be concerned with. The Liberians came as refugees — a short-term status lasting weeks or maybe few months, after which they must go back. It is way past time for them to have returned to their homeland.

Minnesota Nice has been sorely abused. Go back to Liberia, now.

Dell Erikson, Minneapolis

Petters protests venue

Defense motion shows a lot of gall

The whining and bogus public relations ploy by Tom Petters' well-paid and staffed defense team for a change in trial location is appalling (Star Tribune, Feb. 26). It shows what money can buy.

To complain about media coverage and comments to the Star Tribune is laughable. Seems to me the Star Tribune, by covering the comical lawyer's whining, is being very fair. Too bad all his victims don't have as much say in trial location, or for that matter, how much Mr. Petters can spend on his "crack" defense team.

What nerve — victims will only receive pennies on the dollar, if any, and now to ask taxpayers to pay extra for a change in trial location is a sham. Come on, the crimes were committed in Minnesota.

Petters asked his victims to trust him, now he can't trust the judicial system?

Tom O'Connell, Plymouth

Faith vs. the law

Obama forces doctors into moral quandary

President Obama's plan to force doctors, nurses and pharmacists to prescribe birth control against their religious beliefs is beyond imaginable.

Out of one side of his mouth he talks about the separation of church and state, while out of the other he panders to the radical left by tearing down that wall. His plan would push the state deep into the sacred space between a person and his faith and suppress the freedom of conscience. So much for moderation.

James Cline, Osseo

Judicial elections

Four-year terms would still give voters a say

I strongly agree with the Feb. 26 editorial urging legislative action on a constitutional amendment aimed at having Minnesota judges appointed by an independent board and, at the end of each term, running against their own records.

However, I would suggest that eight-year terms are too long. A four-year term, compared with eight years, would allow the community to feel less like a judge's appointment is for life.

Legislation to implement the amendment should provide that any judge seeking a new term who does not receive the approval at least 20 percent of all those voting in that election who are eligible to vote for him can only continue if reappointed by the independent board.

William Hay, Grand Marais, Minn.

the optimistic club

Tevlin's column made one person's day

Jon Tevlin's Feb. 24 column, "Even the optimists struggle to stay positive," on his visit to the Minneapolis Optimist Club brought not only a smile but a belly laugh. With all the doom and gloom being put forth, I found it very refreshing and want to tell Jon: Thank you so much.

James Jensen, Alexandria, Minn.