Sonia Pitt bounces back

Without checking with her former employer, the Department of Homeland Security hires Sonia Pitt -- a fired MnDOT emergency response executive who failed to return to Minneapolis when the bridge fell last year (Star Tribune, July 31). Don't you feel "secure"?

SUE DOYLE, MINNETONKA

The biggest turkeys in Frazee for the Turkey Days Festival were the cops who shot a starving, desperate bear with a plastic jar stuck on its head and the DNR officer who told them to do it (Star Tribune, July 31).

LINDA SMITH, NEVIS, MINN.

In light of the Sen. Ted Stevens' indictment, isn't it time to set term limits for the U.S. Senate and House?

We have seen too much fraud, graft and pork barreling from our elected officials. Why can't we put this issue on a referendum and let the people decide?

DARRELL BANKS, PLYMOUTH

Stereotyping is nothing new in this country; many different ethnic groups have been given undeserved labels. Every group represented in our country has good, bad and otherwise in its population. To single out one ethnicity or race and highlight certain pathologies is neither productive nor enlightening.

All Bell has done is give ammunition to those who think along narrow racial lines.

MICHAEL ASKEW, CHICAGO

When is profiling OK? Metropolitan Council Chairman Peter Bell wags his finger at "black leaders" for not responding to an assault at Valleyfair in the way he desires.

I would like to know what Bell thinks about racial profiling, which he claims "while sometimes unfair, is simply unavoidable."

But since Bell has been appointed by the current Republican governor to lead a powerful and important regional agency; he should let us know about those situations in which he suggests racial profiling is fair.

ROBERT FRAME, MINNEAPOLIS

I have spent the past two years as a lifeguard at metro-area pools and beaches, and I can assure Steve Young ("Swimming in rules," July 27) that every single one of the "no-fun rules" exists for very good reasons.

I have rescued children who have slipped out of water wings, pressed gauze pads against serious head wounds and bloody noses caused by children giving each other piggy-back rides and seen fellow lifeguards immobilize broken bones from running on docks. Only Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are allowed because parents often mistake water wings for babysitters. Many store-bought inflatable toys can slip off easily or hold children in a face-down position in the water. All the while, parents are busy reading a book or catching a tan.

Every year, despite being overlooked and undervalued, lifeguards save hundreds of lives in the Twin Cities area. A quick search on the Star Tribune's website reveals dozens of stories on people who have drowned while swimming at an unsupervised location.

JOHN DAVIS, EDEN PRAIRIE

Draconian rules I've worked as a lifeguard for the Minneapolis Park Board in the late '50s and early '60s, on a rescue squad, have been the director of Parks and Recreation in Juneau, Alaska, and have served as ombudsman investigating government activities and regulations based on citizen complaints in Alaska and Washington state.

And I strongly agree with Steve Young's July 27 commentary on Minneapolis Park Board beach rules. They go too far.

When I was a lifeguard, Harriet, Calhoun, Cedar and Theodore Wirth beaches had swimming docks, allowed swimming outside of the posted areas, and even let folks swim across the lake if they had their own safety boat with them.

We generally let people enjoy themselves as long as they did not interfere with the safety and enjoyment of others. There were accidents. But that is part of life.

I would hope that it would take Young's observations as an opportunity to do a complete review of the rules.

DUNCAN FOWLER, BUFFALO

In 1977, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I found a small lump, but the mammogram showed nothing. Fortunately, I had a doctor who chose to do surgery. It was cancer.

Because of self-breast examination, it was detected early, and I am here today enjoying a very healthy life. I continue to support self-breast exams.

CAROL MOEN, NEW BRIGHTON

At a time when we are encouraged to take better care of ourselves and be our own health advocates, I found this advice to be a strange approach.

I want to praise Dr. Marie Savard, one of the doctors quoted in the article. She indicated that it is "absurd and outrageous" to suggest that women not continue to do breast self exams.