Most Minnesotans reside in the center Don't fire Katherine Kersten. Instead run her column on the far right. Run Nick Coleman's column on the far left. And then every Wednesday put a column right in the middle of the page by someone who sees the big picture, like most Minnesotans do.
ERIC SCHUBERT,
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS
Distracted drivers These days it seems as though the last thing people pay attention to while driving is driving. One can be eating, drinking, putting on make-up, talking on the phone or text messaging while driving. This brings me to my point. Why doesn't the state of Minnesota pass a simple law making it an automatic fine, possibly $100, for those who are caught using "hand-held" phones or text messaging while driving? This type of law exists in many other states and makes sense. Let's be honest: The roads are crowded and driving is difficult enough with two hands on the wheel.
S. MILLER, HASTINGS
Kline fails to truly support the troops If Rep. John Kline truly supports our troops fighting in Iraq, wouldn't he be in favor of the new G.I. Bill? This bill would pay "in state" college tuition for our young servicemen and women who have served at least three years on active duty. Surely, Mr. Kline, who spent a career in the Marine Corps before becoming a U.S. congressman, would jump at the chance to vote for this bill. He hasn't hesitated to vote for any of President Bush's previous Iraq war spending requests. Now here's a chance to really provide a direct benefit to our brave soldiers. Well, our Republican representative just voted against the new G.I. Bill. It passed anyway and now awaits action the Senate. Fortunately most members in the House, be they Republican or Democrat, think "support our troops" is more than just a slogan.
JOE CRAVEN, EAGAN
No more leniency In September, former Gopher hockey player Nate Hagemo failed to submit to chemical testing (drunk driving anyone?) after a car accident. Result: probation. Careless driving and disorderly conduct? Result: dismissed. In November, he ran a red light and hit a car and a bicyclist. Result: not cited. In December, he was charged with careless driving. Result: probation. Now this year he's got felony charges for drug possession in his car. Will he continue to "skate" responsibility with a not cited, dismissed, or probation? Maybe it wasn't his heroin and he could use the Randy Moss defense of "I don't know who uses my car." And here I was in court and paid a $120 fine for going 10 mph over the speed limit. But then again, I didn't play hockey at the U.
