The Senate recount

Thank you for providing the live streaming video from the Canvassing Board. It is fantastic to be able to watch the vote count and actually see the ballots. This is transparency and democracy at its best. The commentary has been interesting as well. But your guys should eat the cookies.

KAREN YOUNG, BROOKLYN, N.Y.

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To the Dec. 19 letter writer who implies that following "five clearly stated rules" assures that one's absentee ballot will be counted, and asks, "What exactly is the problem?" I respond: What part of "rejected in error" don't you understand?

CRAIG LAUGHLIN, PLYMOUTH

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Don't most polling places have volunteers demonstrating how to fill out the ballot 30 seconds before voters walk to the booth? And isn't one of the first things you learn when you're little is to color inside the lines?

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In the life-should-imitate-sports department, I have an original solution to the goofy Minnesota senatorial race, which increasingly looks too close to call.

Bow to the inevitable, declare the outcome a jump ball and invoke basketball's alternate-possession rule. As punishment for putting us through all this, send both Norm Coleman and Al Franken to Washington, make them share a desk and a salary (and a basement efficiency apartment?) and let them take turns representing us every time something comes to a vote.

They deserve each other, we are better off with only half of either of them, and it conforms to modern educational policy, which wants everyone to be a winner.

An acceptable alternative would be to give Amy Klobuchar two votes.

I admit, I was impressed by how skillfully President Bush avoided the flying shoe. But then, dodging things is what Bush is best at. During the last eight years, he's done nothing but dodge responsibility for his many failed policies.

DOUG WILLIAMS, ROBBINSDALE

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Enough is enough. The Arab world has spoken. It does not want freedom from dictators, etc. So, bring our troops home. Now! Not one more American military life lost for their freedom.

The thing about freedom is that you first have to want it. With all the Arab world celebrating the actions of the shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist, maybe he is a hero ... to the hundreds of American lives that will be saved in a battle for ungrateful people. Bring our beloved troops home now!

What is wrong with Kandiyohi County District Court? Charging a man for protecting his property ("Willmar man charged with assault after spraying teens with fox urine," Dec. 12)? He did not harm anyone, and the kids were doing damage to his property! Year after year, it seems.

Where are the charges for the teens involved? Shame on the county for continuing to perpetuate a sense of irresponsibility. The message it is sending is that it is you're not going to be responsible for your actions, so go ahead -- it's OK to damage property.

And shame on the father of the teen kid whose cell phone was taken. When the father asked for the phone back without an apology or offer to pay for damages, he was teaching his child that he was not at fault.

Step up and take responsibility for your own actions. Protect those who need protection. Teach responsibility through action.

JUDY BLYTHE, SHAKOPEE

Whoa, I recall a few years ago, Don Laughlin, the casino king from Laughlin, Nev., offered the governor and legislators $300 million to $400 million or more per year if he could operate a casino on the third floor of Mall of America. The offer fell on deaf ears.

If he makes the same offer again, I hope all politicians -- Democrats and Republicans -- listen this time.

JAMES CUMMINGS, NISSWA, MINN.

The authors of the Dec. 7 article "5 misconceptions about health care" were half right. We do spend an incredible amount for health care and get little for it.

But they are incorrect about the effect of our high administrative costs, thanks to insurance company overcharges. Don't take my word for it; take that of the U.S. General Accountability Office, which calculates that cutting out the insurance company middleman would save us enough to provide good health care to everybody.

In Minnesota, we have an opportunity to put a good system in place with state Sen. John Marty's Minnesota Health Plan. Let's take advantage of that!