Open Forum: If Franken is elected we'll be mocked

I cant be quiet about Al Franken any longer. I can not take Franken and serious in the same sentence seriously, its like an oxymoron! A few years ago Bloomingtons mayors name was Laughinghouse, (I feel sorry for his kids). If Minnesota does, (if Mr. Coleman was in almost any other state, he wouldnt even have to break a sweat), elect Al, we would be a laughingstock. But knowing Minnesota voting, that wouldnt stop them.

I would like to apologize to the retired general I mentioned in my last letter. I know I spoke to you, but what was written offended you, so Ill write an apology also. I thank God there are people like you, sir, who would sacrifice 31 years of your life for our protection and ensured freedom. Thank you and all others who have or are serving this country. We owe you all a lot. God bless you and yours. Amen.

Thank You.

Stephen L. Heinecke

Baxter

Vote no on sex education

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is now telling us that one in four teenage girls is infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Comprehensive sex education advocates preach more condoms. The Minnesota Family Institute preaches that a sexually-active lifestyle should have no part of a young students curriculum (March newsletter).

In Minnesota , mandatory comprehensive sex education would encourage 7-12th graders to develop their own sexual identity separate from their parents influence. Many parents find this unacceptable because comprehensive sex education (S.F. 3349) represents homosexual behavior as normal and represents abortion as a favorable alternative to having a baby. The Democratic Party leadership deceptively names S.F. 3349 as Responsible Family Life and Sexuality Education Programs. Thats hogwash.

Theres only one strategy that prevents both STD and HIV, and its not part of S.F. 3349. Call or e-mail your legislators now and tell them to vote no on comprehensive sex education (SF3349).

John Holley

Ironton

When will the C-I board get it?

When will the Crosby-Ironton School Board quit wasting taxpayer money? Tuesday's Dispatch reported that the C-I board is looking into an appeal in the case of the terminated Spanish teacher. An arbitrator ruled in her favor, as did the Minnesota Court of Appeals. How many times does the board have to be told that they were wrong before they get it? How much money have they spent on arbitration and the court case? How much have they spent on lawyer fees? Isn't it about time for the C-I Board to move on? The strike is over. Quit wasting taxpayer money. Perhaps athletic fees would be less next year if the board quit wasting money on unnecessary appeals.

Tim DeJonghe

Garrison

This is not an ideal situation

I have been reading the impassioned responses by some readers as to their desire for all day kindergarten and would like to comment that in these times of budget cuts it is not a time to add programs. I would like to see the emphasis put on lowering class sizes in 1-3rd grades and restoring classes at the high school that are important for preparing the kids for their future. Studies have shown that kids in 1-3rd grades do better throughout their schooling years if they have smaller class sizes during their formative years. I think if parents want their kids to be in kindergarten all day, that the kinderclub alternative should be taken. I think it would be easy for the kindergarten teachers to communicate with the staff as to what they are working on and have that be part of their day in kinderclub as well. People that are on free and reduced lunch plans should also get a discount on this service. Lets look at what our students are missing at the high school level. Is it business and marketing classes, shop, tech ed, language? Talk to the counselors to get a feel for what the kids are interested in and are lacking. Yes, in an ideal world we would have the option for all day kindergarten. Its just not quite ideal right now. How can we help the most kids?

Claire Rud

Brainerd

Minnesota roads are worn out

I went on a short trip a couple of times lately. I used only well traveled roads. They are worn out. Several of them need attention this year or they will reach the state of some that I was on which had reached the point that they will have to be completely rebuilt. Finally they have started to raise some money to rebuild the roads, They should have used the few dollars they gave back several years ago to start and instead of piddling around with a lot of talk they could have done more for the economy by building roads and bridges.

St. Cloud is a real fun place if you need to get across the river and you arent familiar with the town. If they keep closing bridges in the Twin Cities we will need ferries to get across from one part of town to the other. If you are a student at the U you wont be able to have classes on opposite sides of the river on the same day. Well Im old so what I would like would be a light rail connection down to the VA and the airport so I wouldnt have to drive those places. A public transit system like we had when I was young is a distant dream.

Jesse H. Nix

Emily

JESSE H. NIX is secretary of the Crow Wing County DFL.

Unhealthy behavior promoted

Whoever approved placing the picture and article of the smoking and drinking buddies to be on the front page of the Tuesday Dispatch ought to be reprimanded. Promoting unhealthy behavior and air pollution is hardly newsworthy. Rather than Clearing the Air, a better heading would have been Smearing the Air.

Richard and Mavis Erickson

Baxter

Waiting for response from Olson

On Feb. 20, 2007, Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, and some senator with two last names, DFL-Duluth, wrote to the Brainerd Dispatch thusly:

Sen. Mary Olson recently voted for legislation which will create the strongest Renewable Energy Standard in the nation. This important legislation will help us become energy independent and create a new industry in Minnesota. This will result in many new, high-paying jobs and billions of dollars of investment in our state.

More than a year has passed and Im having trouble finding our energy independence (regular gas equals $3.49 per gallon), the new industry, the many new high-paying jobs and the billions of dollars of investments. I am also having trouble getting a response of any sort from Sen. Mary Olson. I have E-mailed and snail-mailed Sen. Olson five times requesting that she advise just exactly where any or all of these incredible new miracles might be found. Not a word from Mary.

An observant observer once observed in the Brainerd Dispatch that it was his observation that Sen. Olson only responded to complimentary correspondence. That may well be true, and I was about to give up, but then a brilliant politician told me that I should hope for change by changing my hopes for future changes in the hope of changing future hopeful changes, or something like that, so Ill hopefully try one more time to get an answer from the good senator by sending her a copy of this letter.

Stephen A. Busch

Pequot Lakes

No music for the Bush wedding

It is nauseating to see President Bush directing the Marine Band as he and his Republican co-horts (Gov. Pawlenty) destroy music programs and art programs throughout Minnesota and the U.S.A.

No Child Left Behind, because it emphasizes English and math at the expense of everything else in the public school curriculum, and budget cutting Republicans all over this country have made it just about impossible for music and art programs to survive, as evidenced by whats happening in Aitkin, Crosby and Brainerd.

President Bush does not deserve to have the finished product, ensembles, soloists and bands and/or choirs perform at any of his functions including his daughters wedding, if he and his cronies (state and federal) wont adequately fund public education for our kids.

The Marine band director should have felt mad as hell as he handed the uncoordinated Bush a baton. He should know that fewer and fewer musicians and directors are being trained because of Pres. Bushs domestic policies.

P.S. 1. Pres. Bush: Get off the podium before I regurgitate.

P.S. 2. Dont dance in front of a camera anymore either. Its embarrassing.

Bruce Femling

35-year band director

Baxter