What if a violent criminal, heavily armed, came into a place of business with one of those posters on the door [Centerfold, June]? Knowing that there was no one else armed, he/she would have full authority to rob, rape, or murder any/all in the place. What is the harm in letting responsible citizens trying to … Read more
I’m sorry, but I have to strongly disagree with the Rev. Rahelio Soleil’s point of view on the result of last November’s election [Letters, June]. Minnesota did not get it done to us. We did not get mugged. Yes, the Republican party spent lots of money and hauled in the heavy artillery to shill for … Read more
Late on a Sunday night, Northwest Flight 19—MSP to Tokyo Narita—is nearly empty. Alone in row 37, I sprawl across thousands of dollars’ worth of lost airline revenue while enjoying the latest Harry Potter film, tiny pretzel bag in hand. The mood of the few other passengers seems similarly contented (that is, unless those passengers … Read more
Thank you for Albert Eisele’s awesome perspective on the change in Minnesota politics [“The Minnesota Model—Unglued,” May]. His clear and informed article firmed up the sinking hunch I’ve had about our recent regime change: We’ve been mugged. The national political wizards chose our governor and senator for us, infused them with money and presidential backing, … Read more
Your recent article about Minnesota’s loss of influence in national politics [“The Minnesota Model—Unglued,” May] didn’t really get at the heart of the matter. My grandpa, Fred Dennstedt of Fillmore County, was a lifelong Democrat and DFLer (born in 1883). He loved Hubert Humphrey and all who stood in his shadow, which means the rest … Read more
You seem to think Iraq was “carpet-bombed” in the recent war [Good Intentions, May]. It was not. Those were precision munitions. Granted, “precision” does not mean “100 percent.” Still, “carpet-bombing” has a specific military meaning, which does not apply to this action. You find it suspicious that we have not uncovered any WMDs yet. Prior … Read more
Fabulous piece on Dennis Denning of St. Paul [“Building the Boys of Summer,” May]. I write with a long and positive historical perspective on Coach Denning. I am one of literally thousands of young men who was fortunate to have had Dennis as a coach, way back in 1966, as a 7th grade athlete at … Read more
Dennis Denning is undoubtedly a fine coach, but he might not even be the best one in St. Paul. After guiding St. Paul Academy to its then-record fourth state boys’ soccer championship in 1994, Manuel “Buzz” Lagos said “yes” to the pros by creating, from the proverbial ether, his own professional team. The Minnesota Thunder, … Read more
Craig Cox was absolutely right when he wrote that “[Charlie] Lau is probably not driving an eight-year-old mini-van and trying not to worry about retirement.” Lau, the legendary hitting coach, died in March 1984.Michael O’Donnell, St. Paul
Regarding “SARS Wars” [May]: One possible factor which I have never heard mentioned concerning SARS is the complaint that I’ve read of people in China spitting on the street. Riding the Edge, by Dave Barr, talks about the sidewalks of Beijing being covered with people’s spit. The author spent the winter there. He said that … Read more