THE POPE'S VISIT
Come totally clean
Pope Benedict addressed the subject of sexual abuse of children by priests publicly at least three times during his recent visit to the United States. But I will believe the Catholic Church is serious about the problem when it turns over all information it has on the matter to law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution.
When the pope has the former Boston Cardinal Bernard Law, who aided and abetted known pedophiles by suppressing information and knowingly transferring violators to new parishes, on his personal staff, it is hard to believe that the church has made a serious commitment.
DALE VANDER LINDEN, DELANO
No solution I have a suggestion for the April 22 letter writer regarding the pope's remarks relating to the sexual abuse scandal: Please get informed. The Catholic Church's policy banning priests from marrying has nothing to do with the sexual abuse issue.
An abuser has deep-seated problems that are not resolved by marriage. It would only make his spouse another victim.
I commend the pope for his words, and I hope at another time he'll support marriage for priests.
MARGARET MERCER, LONG LAKE
SACK ON CARTER
An unfair attack
The April 22 Steve Sack cartoon hit a new low point. It demeans Jimmy Carter's work on behalf of Habitat for Humanity and depicts his attempts to work out a peace settlement with Hamas as something evil, misrepresenting in the extreme this truly decent man's lifelong dedication to peace and the eradication of poverty and disease. President Bush's diplomacy-free foreign policy has taken us nowhere, and all three remaining candidates for president advocate talking with our enemies, so Sack's cartoon is not only mean-spirited, but entirely off-base as well.
MARY MCLEOD, ST. PAUL
ELECTION '08
A bad trait
After winning in Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton said "the American people [deserve] a president who doesn't quit, either." We already have a president who won't quit! He keeps digging us deeper into debt and deeper into a hopeless war.
I'd rather have a commander in chief who knows when it's time to move on than someone else who is unable to judge reality!
ELIZABETH PAVLICA, BLOOMINGTON
Get to know Hillary Minnesota superdelegate Nancy Larson says she likes "how positive [Barack] Obama has been"? Hasn't she heard him denigrate Sen. Clinton as a "Washington insider"? She should read Carl Bernstein's book "Hillary -- A Woman in Charge." It's a neutral account of her life and contributions to society thus far.
Hillary swamped Obama by nearly 10 percent in Pennsylvania. If Michigan and Florida votes were to count, she would be ahead in the popular vote.
BETSY KIEFER, EXCELSIOR
THE WAR IN IRAQ
This is winning
Wes Davey's anti-Iraq victory manifesto ("Beware calls for victory that can't define what victory is," April 23) exemplifies the modern peace movement.
Mr. Davey, do you want a definition of victory? How about this: It would be responsible for us to end this mission when the experts (insert Gen. David Petraeus and others of his stature) tell us that Iraq can take care of and protect itself from our common enemies: Al-Qaida, Iran and all other Islamic jihadists in that cesspool region of the world.
C.J. SIMONES, FARMINGTON
A DOMESTIC INVASION
The enemy at home
While everyone seems to be talking about the fight for the Democratic nomination, the rising cost of gas or the war in Iraq, my mind is centered on a different battle happening closer to home. Actually it's happening in my home.
It's the war between the insects and me. Asian beetles and box elder bugs have invaded my space again. I find dead and alive insects everywhere and, despite my valiant efforts to eliminate them, their numbers are increasing.
Bugs are on my window shades, in the closets, in my lamps and even on the lint screen in the dryer. The porch seems to be bug headquarters. Oh, my porch is loaded with the vile shells of box elder bugs and Asian beetles. I vacuum them up most every day. But by the time I've taken the bag out to the dumpster and returned to the house, there are already reinforcements flying around the porch!
For weeks I've fought my lonely battle against these devils. Sometimes I study their slow, mesmerizing, single-file marches across my wood floors. They are smug little buggers; they seem to taunt me. You can catch us but you'll never get rid of us! I crush them in Kleenex and enjoy the snap that punctuates their death.
The constant stress is affecting my mind. I tell myself to think positively. Perhaps Martha Stewart could show me how to use the beetle bodies and a glue gun to create a colorful centerpiece. What a conversation starter that would be at a dinner party! Then paranoia sets it. Could these bugs be a part of a vast conspiracy to transfer wealth from the middle class to one group of people -- the vacuum-cleaner bag manufacturers?
Update from my kitchen: A centipede the size of my fist is in the sink! The exterior of my house must be marked so the bugs know this is the epicenter of their attack. Help me. Is there anyone else who fights for freedom from these evil aliens?
RUTH KOSCIELAK, ST. PAUL
VIKINGS SIGN ALLEN
Zygi has the cash
Zygi Wilf spent an absurd amount of money on Jared Allen -- despite his reputation.
If he can afford to pay a huge amount of money for a player with a questionable reputation, he should not feel the need to ask the taxpayers of Minnesota to support a new stadium!
Legislators, take heed.
DALE SIMMONS, WAYZATA
A sorry addition I am surprised by the press reports that most fans are happy with the Vikings' trade for Allen. I have been a huge Vikings fan for more than 25 years, but I am shocked and disappointed that my favorite team would make such a move.
Not only have the Vikings significantly overvalued this player; think about what kind of message the team is sending by signing a player with such a troubled past to such a huge contract.
How do we explain such a thing to our youth? This move has upset me, and I am embarrassed to be a fan. Shame on the Vikings.
GARY LUDWIG, BELLE PLAINE, MINN.
