PIGEON CONTROL
Wait for marriage
So, the city of St. Paul is trying to decrease the pigeon poopulation, I mean population, with birth control (Star Tribune, June 19). May I suggest that, in honor of our Republican convention guests, we begin with an abstinence-based program?
DAVE BLACKBURN, MINNEAPOLIS
TEENS AND VIOLENCE
They've lost God
The June 20 editorial asks, "Why do our young people keep killing?"
Maybe because we've taken God out of our schools and our lives, reduced family to a single parent and taken to worshipping the things of this world. That puts Satan in charge.
So, what do you expect?
JERRY KASSANCHUK, GOLDEN VALLEY
addressing gas prices
Obama's bad ideas
Barack Obama's primary solution to high gas prices is to impose an excess profits tax on the oil companies.
This would not result in the production of one drop of additional crude oil becoming available, and it would deprive the oil companies of the funds they need for refinery construction and new exploration and drilling, both of which he opposes.
The problem is simply that worldwide demand has grown more rapidly than worldwide production in recent years.
The only way for us to reduce the current trend of rising oil prices and eventually to reduce oil prices is to start immediately to begin drilling offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to begin construction of plants to process our vast reserves of oil shale and to begin constructing additional refineries -- all of which Obama and most Democrats oppose.
We should continue to do all we can to conserve energy and to pursue viable alternative sources of energy -- including the construction of nuclear power plants, but we will be largely dependent on oil for the operation of our transportation systems for at least the next several decades.
ROBERT L. MOISON, APPLE VALLEY
Spinning Katrina A June 20 letter writer supporting offshore oil drilling asked, "And did you hear of any spillage ... after Hurricane Katrina?"
A quick Google search for "Katrina Gulf of Mexico oil spills" gives the answer. There were 741,000 gallons spilled in the gulf by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. There are even satellite photos of the oil slicks in the gulf.
This is just another big lie -- like the one about China drilling off the coast of Cuba -- told by the oil companies and their supporters. The truth is that offshore drilling is more about raising oil company profits than about lowering the price of gas.
DANIEL ETHIER, WOODBURY
Just say no to oil President Bush said that Americans are addicted to oil. He was right, and it is perhaps the only thing he has ever said I agreed with.
Now he wants to drill for more oil offshore and in wilderness areas? I have news for him: The first thing you have to do to cure an addict is to stop supplying him with the substance to which he is addicted.
It's painful to go through and to watch, but, in the end, the addict and everyone around him are better off for it.
JEFF JACOBS, ST. LOUIS PARK
SUN COUNTRY NEEDS HELP
So do truckers
Sun Country Airlines is asking for $50 million from the state to help with fuel costs (Star Tribune, June 20). My husband asked me, "What about the truckers? They are starving right now while transporting the food we eat."
We don't begrudge Sun Country trying for a loan. However, something needs to be done for our truckers who can't make a decent living with these fuel prices. When they are all forced out of business, we will see how much we need them for all our basic needs.
JEANNE NORRGARD, BLOOMINGTON
MCCAIN VS. OBAMA
Comparing visits
As I followed John McCain's heavily guarded motorcade to the airport, I couldn't help but reflect on the contrast in styles between his trip to the Twin Cities and Barack Obama's.
Obama's visit earlier this month culminated with a huge public rally, attended by tens of thousands of people. Anyone who wanted could attend.
McCain, on the other hand, essentially sneaked into town and held a private fundraiser with a secret list of attendees. He then held a so-called town hall meeting that was closed to the public and attended by a couple hundred handpicked quasi-supporters whose questions were prescreened.
It makes me wonder, what are McCain and his supporters trying to hide? Why do they fear public scrutiny? It's reminiscent of George W. Bush's presidential campaign.
LYNN B. NOLAND, BROOKLYN PARK
