The year in letters, 2014

With the help of news researchers Sandy Date and John Wareham, we've compiled excerpts of letters to the editor on topics that drew the most response. Enjoy, and keep sharing — in 250 words or fewer. Use the "Submit a letter or commentary" link at startribune.com/opinion or e-mail opinion@startribune.com.

As a white man, I am horrified that less than two weeks after the grand jury failed to recommend an indictment against the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, another grand jury did not indict a white cop in the death of another African-American, Eric Garner. Michael Brown, unarmed, shot dead; Eric Garner, unarmed, choked to death. These are the latest examples of a justice system that is stacked against people of color, especially black males, who have been scapegoated and vilified. We have a justice system that routinely preys on young black males, and constantly tells them that they are both dangerous and expendable. The white power structure of which the police are perhaps the most visible component will continue to perpetuate these myths until they are met with contrasting voices of reason, fairness and justice. We need to begin now, before further lives are lost and before more families grieve for their lost sons or brothers.

Following the grand jury decisions not to indict police officers in New York City and Ferguson, Mo., there has been talk in the media of a miscarriage of justice. It should be pointed out that, per the Fifth Amendment, "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury." The members of these grand juries were ordinary citizens chosen from the general populace of their respective cities. They heard evidence against these police officers presented by prosecutors. And based on that information, they were unable to issue an indictment. We are a nation of laws and indictments, and justice is carried out based on those laws, and not by media reports.

As a grandparent of two black children, I am extremely concerned. Over the years, repeated episodes of police overreaction and brutality visited upon black people have been well-documented. Overprotective laws, stonewalling police unions, weak and unrepresentative city governments, and repeated failures of the criminal justice system should move all of us to demand corrective action.

Speaking as a lifelong antiracism activist, and as a friend of police, here is what I saw: No police officer is paid enough to perform to required standards. They are expected to always get it right. I listened to the police officer explain his actions. I felt very sorry for him. I think that it's true that we need high-quality body cameras for such an important public service. All citizens must respect and obey demands of police officers, and officers need daily reminders that all the people are their boss in the end.

The events in Ferguson, Mo., demonstrate once again the strange phenomenon that seems to permeate our social conscience: We seem to care about the lives of innocent people only when their deaths come at the hands of some group that we don't like. This phenomenon was apparent in the coverage of the deaths of Palestinian civilians caught in the middle of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which merited 24-hour-a-day coverage, demonstrations and protests, while the slaughter of hundreds of thousands in other countries in the Middle East received little or no attention. Similarly, the tragic killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson is given wall-to-wall media coverage, demonstrations and protests and a presidential news conference, while the killings of dozens of inner-city kids last weekend in Chicago, Detroit, L.A. and Philadelphia goes unnoticed.

We have, in America, a long history of both blatant and institutionalized racism so prolific that it has become indistinguishable from political rhetoric, and we refuse to examine it honestly and openly. The riots and the unrest are a direct result of this. I don't think people should be rioting, and I won't absolve rioters of their actions or the subsequent consequences. But to view it solely in the vacuum of this verdict, especially to condemn it without qualification, is to not understand the true issue of race here, and to be complicit, in some regards, in the very cause that allows it to proliferate.

Who's to blame? How about every person who looks at someone who is different from himself or herself and sees that person as frightening, evil, dangerous? How about every person who uses racial epithets or demeans people for their sexual identity? How about you and me? Are we part of the mob that creates this kind of environment of hate? Or are we voices of calm, reason and love? It starts and ends with us.

May we open our minds and hearts to the truth and reality of what is happening to black men through our police and justice system. Advocate in your community for police body cameras, citizen review boards, racial justice training for police officers and unbiased laws. Support the many good police officers and help get rid of the bad ones. Read and discuss books and articles to gain a deeper understanding of race, racism and whiteness. Take ownership for your part in creating this unjust system and for creating a world that is safe for all people.

Republicans had a good night. However, not one of the pundits had a word to say about the biggest winners. First, there is the Incumbent Party. Incumbents won 88 percent of the Senate races in which an incumbent ran and a whopping 97 percent of House races. For all the talk about dissatisfaction with Congress, the voters sure have a funny way of showing it. Second, there is the Apathy Party. If you combine all the votes received by both Democrats and Republicans from eligible voters, they are dwarfed by the approximately 65 percent of those who didn't bother to vote.

The American voter just shouted loudly and clearly that President Obama's economic and foreign-relations policies were a failure. Yet Al Franken and Mark Dayton went all in on Obama's policies, and they were still re-elected. Minnesota voters would serve our state much better if they started voting more with their heads and less with their hearts.

[In a debate,] Republican Jeff Johnson was bright, optimistic, well-informed and full of ideas for making Minnesota a better place to run a business and raise families. He spoke easily about freedom, about less government intrusion in our lives and about letting Minnesotans keep more of the money they earn. Gov. Mark Dayton offered tired rhetoric championing higher taxes on the people who produce, more and more government control over education, and nothing to encourage small-business owners that state government is their friend, not their adversary.

Are you being bombarded with expensive campaign literature? Do some of these bright pieces feature Photoshopped pictures of the opponent, who is clearly a rabid zombie? Here's a little primer to help you distinguish truth from lies and distortions (L&D):

• If it looks like the front page of the National Enquirer, it's L&D campaign lit.

• If it makes wild accusations about the opponent, it's probably L&D campaign lit.

• If it screams at you about an inflammatory issue you never heard about before, it's L&D campaign lit.

Just load those L&D pieces into your recycle bins, folks. Seriously.

The Star Tribune Editorial Board endorses totally contradictory philosophies of candidates across all races who will cancel each other out and result in the gridlock that paralyzed our political system so many times in the recent past. If the board is conservative, say so. If it is liberal, admit it. But these opportunistic endorsements across the political spectrum indicate that it is more interested in sucking up to the power elite than anything else.

Congratulations to those Minnesota Democrats for whom Mark Dayton and Al Franken, the great purveyors of the liberal agenda, have to thank for their re-election. Congratulations to the Minnesota Republicans who changed the guard at the State Capitol. To my fellow Republicans, I urge you to resist reigniting the same battles when it comes to some of the hottest social issues. Please spend your newly gained capital on those things that keep Minnesota great for everyone: jobs, the economy, affordable housing, lower property taxes and sound infrastructure.

The Star Tribune Editorial Board wants President Obama to destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), neuter Putin, cure Ebola, peacefully unite Libya, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria and … Scotland? You want Obama to make blood brothers of the Sunni, Shiites, Kurds, Christians and Jews? Undo the calamity that the Bush-Cheney era did while smoothing over the Saudis, Kuwaitis and Qataris for something the French and Brits did to them 100 years ago? I can only imagine what your Christmas list looked like when you were a child.

The Obama administration has put itself squarely between a rock and hard place. On the one hand, we are supporting insurgents who are trying to overthrow Bashar Assad in Syria, recently indicating we may provide arms. On the other hand, we are considering action against insurgents in Iraq, who are challenging the existing Iraqi regime. Such support may include airstrikes. Interestingly, the insurgent group in Syria — whom we support — and the insurgent group in Iraq — whom we oppose — are affiliated. Moreover, Iran has indicated it would like to work with us in protecting the Iraqi regime, but at the same time it is supporting Assad, whom we oppose. Finally, Israel's continued existence (our best ally in the region and the most democratic country) is opposed by Syria, both insurgent groups, Iran and Iraq. With Obama's foreign policy record in the Middle East, I fear his legacy may rival that of Nero, who "fiddled while Rome burned."

For the United States to engage in the Middle East militarily again and expect a different outcome represents its own brand of insanity. I agree with [New York Times columnist] Thomas Friedman: As long as the U.S. continues to get involved in Middle East conflicts that have their roots in centuries-old traditions, we will not be getting at the cause of the perpetual blood feuds there. The U.S. and the West should let those in the Mideast fight it out among themselves.

Groups like ISIL and others become a magnet for a global Muslim recruiting campaign — including recruiting Somalis from Minneapolis. Having met and talked to parents whose sons have either gone missing or who have been subject to the grand jury process is worrisome, and the situation calls for caution and careful application of the law without alienating the community. It is obvious that the front line of the war on terror is getting blurrier than ever.

The writer is a Somali community activist.

So we're going to use a $4.5 billion aircraft carrier to launch a $57 million F/A-18 Hornet armed with a $180,000 Maverick to be fired at a $140,000 Humvee that we gave to the Iraqi Army, which rolled over and lost it to ISIL. Has anyone calculated how much we have to borrow from China to keep both sides equipped with weaponry and targets?

I am tired of people choosing sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I am an Israeli-American, the daughter of Holocaust survivors and born and raised in Israel. We need creativity in forming a political solution rather than criticism of one side or the other, which encourages war. Peace will require compromise and strong will.

The new Green Line isn't meant to get new passengers — it is meant to create the foundation for public transportation in the metro. People won't ride light rail unless it provides metrowide coverage. So the plan is to keep building light-rail lines. For every line we add, we exponentially increase the number of riders. Not only will we have people who have access to the Southwest Corridor's stops, they will also have complete access to the Green Line's stops. Who would use the subway in New York if they couldn't get anywhere?

Explain again why we are putting a rail line for commuters through a park, in a tunnel, and not down a commercial corridor where there are more people than squirrels? Oh, that's right — it was too expensive. Imagine how vibrant Eat Street would be 20 years from now with light rail? And imagine the Midtown Greenway lined with apartment buildings and a train right there on an existing, abandoned rail bed. Instead we are going to bury a train in a park.

It took a while, but the truth is finally coming out over the Southwest Corridor light-rail project. The real issue at hand is funding. Like a lump of coal in their Christmas stockings, the involved cities are awakening to a harsh reality. If this project is stopped, there will be a lot of hand-wringing and finger-pointing. In my view, cities have grown all too accustomed to feeding off government grants. A system that invariably encourages wasteful spending on poorly conceived projects — just to get the money. While grants certainly have their place, it cannot merely be the funding mechanism for a city's or region's "wish list."

Folks are missing the elephant and seeing the flea when they focus on transit operation and ignore road construction costs. Road taxes and auto fees cover about two-thirds of current road construction and maintenance, and they are laughably short given infrastructure life cycles and the near-term needs for reinvestment. This aggregate road subsidy dwarfs any transit subsidy. Rural roads, outstate highways and many suburban streets are subsidized the most, if you compare tax receipts to vehicle miles, and by that measure many should remain unpaved. If you don't want to raise road taxes, you're asking for either a) fewer, poorer roads or b) keeping the convenience of cars with subsidies from general funds. Only a careful, case-by-case analysis will identify the appropriate balance, not some general belief that the New Urbanists are out to take away your roads and "right" to drive.

A day in the life: Woman connects from Green Line to Blue Line, delayed upon arrival at Terminal 1 and misses flight at Terminal 2. Why in the name of historical awareness can we not give billion-dollar public infrastructure investments names that actually mean something and give the public some idea what it is? Make the words "Hiawatha Line" big blue letters. And "Capitol Line" big green letters. And the eventual "Minnetonka Line" red or whatever else. Oh, and I also liked that "Lindbergh" and "Humphrey" terminal naming, too.

Congressional Republicans should take two concrete steps in response to President Obama's executive action on immigration. When they assume control of both houses, their first action should be to pass a bill addressing border security only. All other matters will be addressed when a sufficient period, perhaps a year, has passed and the effectiveness of the measures can be evaluated. They also must pass a second bill that states that any individual here illegally who takes advantage of the benefits the president announced automatically forfeits any chance of ever being considered for citizenship. The most such individuals should be eligible to attain is legal permanent resident status. This would keep the compassion of the plan by retaining the principle of not separating families, but would also enact long-lasting consequences for breaking the law.

The immigration overhaul would shield from deportation families with kids born here, raised here, educated here — parents who may have entered the United States without papers, but who work jobs nobody else wants, speak English, obey the law, pay taxes and want only the best for their families. It would merely provide those parents already here with legal work permits. Do Republicans really want to separate parents from kids? Whose taxes will be used to care for these children if their parents are deported? Congress and the media seem bent on demonizing President Obama for his principled stand. I implore us all to think of these children!

I'm happy for the many innocent children who have paid too high a penalty for unlawful immigration and who stand to benefit from true reforms. As we focus on these (hopefully) soon-to-be Americans, we should also reflect on how this country came to have the problem that more people want to become Americans than who can. It is because, contrary to what some may tell you, the United States offers a better chance for a healthy, peaceful and prosperous life than most other places on Earth.

If a sexual assault were alleged to have occurred at 3M, would it be the company's job to determine guilt or innocence? What is it, then, that makes the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis think that it is somehow different when it comes to cooperating with authorities in matters of crimes that potentially rise to the level of a felony? What the Catholic Church has traditionally failed to realize is that, in America, its property does not have the legal status of an independent nation. Nor does it have a law enforcement branch with the resources required to investigate crimes. As such, a Ramsey County judge should never have had to issue an order for the deposition of Archbishop John Nienstedt.

I was truly disappointed in the Star Tribune Editorial Board's call for Archbishop Nienstedt to resign. We must be very cautious in criticizing anyone, layperson or otherwise — unless, of course, there is factual information involved. The editorial states that "[d]eservedly or not, Nienstedt has become the face of a coverup." These matters did not just occur under his reign, as we well know. The Star Tribune is being presumptuous and very judgmental in its commentary as a secular news organization.

Wow! Archbishop John Nienstedt claims he didn't know of any abusers in the diocese. One of the most divisive issues facing the Catholic Church for years, and he simply believed it wasn't happening here. He didn't even think about requesting a list of child sex offenders. To me, that is an admission of complete incompetence and poor leadership.

Just a quick note to the Catholic Church and to those who subscribe to the idea that the church is being unfairly targeted: It's not the crime, it's the coverup, as is becoming increasingly evident every day.

Harsh discipline is never warranted, whether for a 4-year-old boy or a 29-year-old dad. The best discipline fits the "crime," is immediate, is consistent and teaches a better way of behaving. Adrian Peterson's son should have learned to share. Peterson should have learned how to interact with his children with respect, and to use rewards and explanations instead of a switch. Neither being hit or being suspended the rest of the year are appropriate for the circumstances.

There is a great deal of holier-than-thou going around. Players are today's gladiators, taught well to inflict as much physical abuse as possible on opponents across the line of scrimmage. Little wonder when they sometimes inflict similar abuse on those close to them off the field. For the sponsors and endorsers suddenly to be shocked when that happens is hypocritical, to say the least.

People who condemn Adrian Peterson and the Vikings should do what they can to model their convictions: Don't go, watch or listen to Vikings games. Don't buy team merchandise. And speak up when you witness abuse in the family, neighborhood and workplace.

"The Super Bowl for Dummies" should be the title of the document leaked to the Star Tribune that detailed the demands the NFL makes on a city wishing to host the game. The final demand, unmentioned in the article, is a symbolic summary of all of the demands. Just before kickoff, on the 50-yard line of the "Peoples' "(Oops! Sid predicts it will be "U. S. Bank") stadium, the governor and the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis will gently but firmly press their lips on the posterior part of the anatomy of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will graciously acknowledge their homage. Then the game can begin.

I guess I'm not as enlightened as those making a stink over waiving certain taxes in return for acquiring a Super Bowl. The Twin Cities area would still enjoy a windfall of, depending on whom you believe, anywhere from millions to tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars of ancillary income from hosting the game, not to mention the priceless publicity of having our city and state beamed around the world, and being the center of the sporting universe for two or more weeks, with full hotels, bars and restaurants. (In February, no less — not exactly peak tourist season.)

As frugal Minnesotans, we are embarrassed by the opulence and extravagance of owners and players who behave like spoiled adolescents. This tugs at our sense of decency. Think of this reluctance to acknowledge the costs of the party as another form of avoidance behavior; then, don't mention it again, please.

There is little doubt that the Minnesota Vikings ownership hierarchy has heard the public outcry to minimize the number of birds killed by flying into the new stadium's huge glass walls. They also know that the same Minnesota glass manufacturer hired to furnish the design glass also produces bird-safe fritted glass. If they would for once set aside their combative attitude, they could improve the team's image as well as the building's.

What a huge problem the Star Tribune's editorials ("Separate and Unequal") revealed on the pitiful state of Indian reservation schools. It is a real-life mystery story why the U.S. government (and that includes all citizens) has neglected our part of the treaties we made with the original owners of the land we took. Now that we know how bad the crime scene is, it is our duty to make redress. If enough of us take up the keyboard and write Congress and the president, we can awake their dead consciences — and ours.

Mayor Betsy Hodges was photographed with a get-out-the-vote canvasser in a playful pose on a north Minneapolis street. The silly picture of them smiling and pointing at each other was tweeted out, and if we were living in a sane world, everyone would have smiled at the picture and moved on. We aren't, of course, so the picture prompted John Delmonico, president of the city's police union, to ask, "Is she going to support gangs in the city or cops?" It sounds like a lazy Onion article, but, here we are.

When payment for contraception comes into public discussion, as with the Supreme Court's decision allowing Hobby Lobby and other corporations with religious concerns to refuse to pay for women's health care using contraception, one should immediately include discussion of payments for erectile aids including Viagra as the comparative case. We must stick to the principle that, in all cases, medical doctors — in private consultation with their patients — will make decisions about individual men's and women's physical and mental health. Health insurance coverage is not something to be picked apart by selectively religious CEOs.

Next time you see somebody sweating to grill and package your dollar hamburger quickly or the person tending to your beloved mom in the nursing home, do more than thank them. Give them a living wage. Let's be honest, $9.50 an hour isn't a "living wage." But it's closer. And time is of the essence.

I wholeheartedly applaud the move by Stillwater's Oasis Cafe to add a minimum-wage fee to its customers' bills. It very transparently proves a point that many consumers either don't realize or choose to ignore: When businesses' costs are increased for any reason, including as a result of government edict, that cost increase gets passed on to customers.

First, the 100-car oil trains were a safety concern. Now they are overloading the rail system. Because that's the only efficient way to move tons of agricultural production to market, the overloaded railroads are failing our farmers. What's needed is a multifaceted transportation system, including pipelines connecting to North Dakota. Can everyone say Keystone XL and Sandpiper in unison?

At 26, my daughter Stephanie passed away from melanoma. The treatment caused her to waste away before my eyes. Medical professionals and family members urged me to let her use marijuana; I staunchly refused, because I was taught to respect the law. Thankfully, my other children took matters into their own hands, giving her marijuana without my knowledge. The results were amazing. Stephanie started eating again, regained some energy and looked better than she had in months. She lived three more months, and I attribute them to her use of marijuana.