Want a trail? Grab the spur

I read that the Met Council has agreed that Summit Avenue is considered to be consistent with its policies as a regional trail system. What? A trail? I don’t know about you, but my interpretation of a trail is an unpaved path winding through the woods, with a compass or GPS device in hand.

Last time I looked, Summit Avenue is an avenue, and my interpretation of an avenue is a road cleared and paved for motorized travel.

If the Met Council wants to get in some good work, how about settle the purchase of the railway leaving the old Ford plant, now the site of the Highland Bridge project?

The railway is owned by the Canadian Pacific railway and they have not surrendered their hold on the spur. Long abandoned and a bit long in the weeds, it looks like a dandy spot to run a bikeway for the two-wheelers. The Met Council must abandon setting their sights on the Summit and spur on the sale of the spur.

Mark Kirchner, St. Paul

Our discipline problem

We have a discipline problem that is coursing through society. However, discipline is simply a function of compelling adherence to laws and societal norms of the group, through the inculcation of children at the earliest opportunity as the child begins socialization at home and school. Early on it’s “eat your dinner” or “make our bed.” Later it’s “get up and go to school” or “do your homework.” Failure to adhere to those rules is, or should be, met with sanctions commensurate with the gravity of the transgression. All too often it is not. However, it must be reinforced constantly through life. Today we find a distinct lack of adherence to those basic rules and norms from many people, most notably from the 10-to-35 age group.

In a religious environment, sanctions are through the threat of sin and eternal damnation. In a secular society, through the loss of rights or opportunities to partake in the normal discourse. However, sanctions must be appropriate and consistent to be effective.

I recall that day 63 years ago this week as I stood in those Yellow Footprints in front of Receiving Barracks, Marine Recruit Depot in the cool, damp darkness, surrounded by the pungent order of eucalyptus and having just experienced, through observation and personal fault, the sanctions for failure to follow direction. I knew at that moment, this was my “sea change.”

Jim Feckey, Mendota Heights

Let’s save a ton of taxes with better addiction treatment

Regarding “How Trump would wield power in a second term” (Nov. 16): Clearly Donald Trump has defined himself as the first American Dictator, who demands absolute loyalty from all federal employees, from the military soldier to every federal worker. Will the Republican Party go along with promoting a “first dictator”?  Trump must be so smart that only he should be obeyed?

Oh, and Trump thinks we need to really get tough on our drug laws (e.g. invading Mexico)? Wow, the Minnesota Medical Association board, last January, voted unanimously to promote decriminalization of our drug laws because all chemical addictions, whether alcohol or other drugs, are medical health problems, not criminal problems. Getting drunk on alcohol or heroin is the same health problem, not a criminal problem. Much more and better drug treatment would be MUCH cheaper than a Mexico invasion and more prisons for drug addicts. Let’s save a ton of taxes with better addiction treatment.

I think Mr. Trump needs to listen to a few more people before we accept his future “orders.”

Mark Nupen, Anoka
The writer is a retired pediatrician

It’s an appalling thought

In one particularly gruesome twist there’s been an uproar over whether Hamas had beheaded babies — an unverified claim that President Biden repeated before the White House walked it back.

“Indeed, since Hamas did murder children and take others as hostages, should it get credit if it didn’t also behead them? It’s an appalling thought.” New York Times, November 6.

Indeed, since the U.S. Government did murder innocent Iraqis using a “war”, should the U.S. get credit that we also did not behead them? It’s an appalling thought.

Frank Erickson, Minneapolis

He’s stalling

Reading Thursday’s Pioneer Press, in “President’s son wants Trump documents subpoenaed,” Hunter Biden’s lawyer explains the purpose for the subpoena, arguing that the information was essential to Biden’s defense that his case is possibly vindictive or selective prosecution.

Does this sound familiar? Sounds exactly like New York Attorney General Letitia James, who ran on a promise to take Donald Trump down.

Biden’s doing this to stall his case.

I hope the media cover Letitia James like they do with Hunter Biden.

Thomas McMahon, White Bear Lake

On the path to cleaner energy

Minnesotans want energy we can afford, energy that is always there 24/7 no matter what. And because we care about air quality and the effects of climate change, we want energy that is clean, carbon-free and safe for all.

In the early months of 2007, the Minnesota Legislature charted a new course for our state by passing an ambitious renewable energy standard (RES) for retail electricity sold in the state. A few months later it passed the Next Generation Energy Act (NGEA) requiring the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting clean energy and efficiency. Both bills passed with overwhelming support from both sides of the political aisle. It truly was a pivotal moment for Minnesota’s energy future and commitment to reducing carbon emissions. When Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the bills into law, he called them a “pathway to a better energy future.” He characterized them as policy that “benefits the environment, rural economies, national security and consumers.”

Fast forward and 16 years later Minnesota is reaping the benefits. Utilities have successfully met the RES ahead of time, and we have a good chance of meeting the NGEA’s interim goal of reducing emissions 30% by 2025. Our state’s energy transformation continues at the same time we are creating clean-energy jobs and keeping rates affordable.

This year’s Legislature was equally aspiring. It passed legislation requiring that 100% of Minnesota’s electricity be from carbon-free sources by 2040. Naysayers in both legislative chambers said it can’t  be done, that it is too ambitious. Rep. Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids responded that it is not a good idea to bet against Minnesotans and their ingenuity.  I think most Minnesotans would agree with him. We’ve been on this path since 2007, and we aren’t turning back. We can do this.

Mary Haltvick, Shoreview

Let’s count our blessings

I continue to be amazed by the polls showing that a majority of voters give President Biden a low approval rating on his handling of the economy. It appears this is based on their perception that he is responsible for the rise in their grocery and fuel bills, aka “inflation.” I recently googled “inflation rates by country 2023”. The U.S. is listed as having the ninth lowest inflation rate in all the world at 3.7%.

Some of the countries with higher rates: Canada, Britain, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Italy.

Many countries in the less-developed world have inflation rates in double, even triple, digits. I’m not surprised that many people from those countries take extraordinary risks to come to America, the land of plenty and opportunity. To my fellow Americans, I say: Count your blessings.

Rick Gavin, Eagan

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