ANTIBULLYING BILL
New law would only create special status
Like the editors of the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Family Council is opposed to bullying in all forms, including bullying of GLBT children. Bullying is wrong. Period.
It was ironic, however, that in voicing its support for new antibullying legislation ("Protecting children from each other," March 25), the Editorial Board actually made a strong case that a new law isn't needed because we already have an antibullying law that just needs to be enforced.
Thus the proposed legislation giving preferential status to "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" is less about preventing bullying than it is about forcing educators, children and parents to affirm unhealthy sexual behavior and same-sex marriage.
We can stop bullying without forcing ideology and sexual politics on children.
JOHN HELMBERGER, MINNEAPOLIS,
CEO, MINNESOTA FAMILY COUNCIL
•••
I applaud Andy Berlin and the other students who testified before the Minnesota Senate Education Committee recently ("Bullied and harassed, a student can't learn," March 24). Their willingness to share their stories of being victimized at school took courage, far more courage than the students who harassed them could ever muster.
I am an educator and a parent, and every day I see children tease, intimidate and harass their fellow students. The language used to bully children includes words like "faggot" and "homo." Kids on the playground play a game called "Smear the queer." They use the word "gay" freely, intended as a put-down.
Listening to Berlin describe his personal experience, one must see the devastating effect this can have on a person's ability to thrive in school and beyond. Some people wonder why we cannot just leave this to the parents to discuss with their children at home, but that's obviously the problem. Parents are not talking to their kids. And, yes, I mean kids as young as 5 or 6 years old because this type of language is being tossed around this early.
So I ask those of you who are not having these conversations at home, what are you afraid of? It starts at home. Overcome your fear and help put an end to all kinds of bullying and intimidation.
SARAH REYNOLDS BROOKNER,
MINNEAPOLIS
SAVING ON PRISONS
Story failed to show benefits of proposal
Was that a news story about the Senate criminal justice bill or just a tired old "War on Crime" editorial reprinted from the 1980s ("Under this bill, crime pays better," March 26)?
If it was a news story, how come there was no mention of the testimony by the supporters of the bill -- including Anoka County Attorney Robert Johnson and former Hennepin County Attorney Tom Johnson? Was there any thought to put the proposed bill in a national context, highlighting comparable legislation in Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, California, New York and Kentucky?
These other states realize that, in this economy, there isn't the money to lock up all the nonviolent offenders and drug addicts for long stretches of time. These states are becoming "smart on crime."
Minnesota should be headed this way too, but we'll never get anywhere if the "get-tough-and-that's-it!" media drag us backwards.
JOHN STUART, MINNEAPOLIS;
STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER
return of indulgences
It overshadows the good the church does
As a Catholic, I find Jeff Strickler's article on indulgences a sad commentary on the state of our church (Star Tribune, March 25). Are indulgences a stimulus package to encourage pilgrims to visit and spend money at sites near and as far away as Rome?
When will articles on the Catholic Church highlight just labor practices, feeding the poor, releasing prisoners and the awe in facing a God who treats all as equals?
MARTY MEYER-GAD, CLEAR LAKE, MINN.
moving the market
Time to find it a permanent home
Residents of south Minneapolis cannot let this opportunity for a permanent farmers market pass by. Many of the people who have started the Midtown Farmers Market are committed to creating a permanent market on its current site.
Minneapolis needs to invest in its green future. The Midtown Farmers Market has become a town square at the crossroads of south Minneapolis. It promotes Minnesota farmers, urban health and nutrition and economic revitalization on Lake Street. It is a vital public space, and our hope is that it will help define a green south Minneapolis for decades to come.
GERRY TYRRELL, MINNEAPOLIS
•••
I rely on the Midtown Farmers Market all summer for fresh, fresh, fresh healthy produce. I not only enjoy the ambiance, but the location is easy to access, with plenty of parking, and adds life and color to the busy interchange with the light rail and Hiawatha Avenue. And buying local is good for our economy.
SUSAN HENSEL, MINNEAPOLIS
