Open Forum

The University of Minnesota has lent its name, prestige and resources to a book that endorses consensual sex between adults and minor children. Officials at the U of M Press say they've received unprecedented criticism of ''Harmful to Minors: The Perils of Protecting Children from Sex." A group of legislators sent a letter to University President Mark Yudof, calling on him to withdraw the book. In spite of the controversy, the U of M Press has decided to print 10,000 more copies.

Believe it or not, there are a growing number of adults who condone and wish to legalize sex with minor children. The author argues for laws like those in place in the Netherlands. Dutch law allows sex between an adult and a minor between 12 and 16 if the child consents. The U of M Press has violated a tenet set forth by the Association of University Presses which states that a university press work should ''generate favorable publicity for their parent institutions through news coverage and book reviews, awards won, and exhibits at scholarly conferences.''

So far the publicity has been controversial. Go here to read the full article: http://www.mfc.org/contents/article.asp?id=531 and go here to e-mail the University Board of Regents with your comments: http://www.mfc.org/alerts/alert.asp?id=21

Sharon Thomas

Rural Brainerd

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An early morning walk through the Northland Arboretum should leave a person with feelings of peace, and tranquility. After a walk through it this morning, I was left with disgust, and confusion. As nice as the weather was on Saturday afternoon, it brought out more than the typical sun-seeker. The beauty and hard work of this area was trampled by vandals. Picnic tables were smashed, fencing destroyed, potted plants and flowers dumped, left broken and scattered. There can never be justification as to "why" someone would act out in this matter. Utter senseless destruction of an area in which the only purpose is to provide pleasure for any, and all who seek to use it. One can only ask "Why?" Speak out to youth close to you. Instill a need to expose these cowards for justice's sake. Let's send a message!

Marty Bosch

Brainerd