Letters from the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Give 'em hell, Minnesota!)

[lebkuchen]

Replace the exec

When the CEO of a company makes a big mess of things, the best thing the board of directors can do is fire him and bring in a new boss. If they don't, nothing good is likely to happen, even if the old boss has all kinds of alibis. The new leader may not solve all the problems, but his chances are better than those of the old guy, who showed he couldn't handle the job when he had it.

It's high time for our people, our national board of directors, to make a change in the CEO of this country.

Emil J. Slowinski, Minneapolis.

Where the buck stops

Unlike a May 6 letter writer, I've thought a lot about the alleged abuse of Iraqi POWs and concluded that I do care. A lot. As do Americans with any sense of decency whatsoever. Where does the buck stop? Ultimately, it comes down to this: George W. Bush is commander in chief.

Barbara J. Miller, Eagan.

I want my president to make a true apology to the world for the horrible acts commited by members of our armed forces. It was his decision to invade Iraq and he takes credit for whatever successes occur. He must also take responsibility for failures as commander in chief.

Do the right thing, Mr. President. It might regain some of the respect the United States has lost.

Dorothy Hust, Chanhassen.

Beyond our borders

A May 6 letter writer dismisses the abuse of Iraqi POWs with a flat "I don't care." He states that what he does care about is the dismemberment and murder of American soldiers.

How unfortunate to see people still affording themselves the selfish luxury of picking and choosing whose human rights deserve worry. The last time I checked, it was a round world and we all lived on it.

It is precisely such irrational, belligerent nationalism that has isolated us in the global community and united much of the world against us.

Ben Johnson, Minneapolis.


Bush bravado

Isn't it troubling that a sittingpresident, personally unfamiliar with the ravages of war, suggests that John Kerry, a decorated Vietnam vet and a hero to his soldier buddies, is weak on defense?

President Bush, listen up: No one believes you. I suggest you debate Kerry on this and other subjects if you are so convinced of your bravado, and let the real man win.

Doug McNamara, Minnetonka.

War realities

I find it interesting that some people regard reports of our dead and wounded soldiers as "liberal propaganda." At least 4,133 soldiers have been wounded, many with injuries such as lost limbs, and more will continue to be wounded and killed.

For Bill O'Reilly to compare cartoonist Garry Trudeau to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goeb bels (Commentary, May 6) is despicable. It is also interesting that those people so upset over Trudeau's "Doonesbury" cartoon strip are not condemning Darby Conley, whose "Get Fuzzy" strip also portrayed a soldier losing a leg in Iraq.

Dirk Langeveld, St. Paul.


http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4764597.html

[Nobody]

1. I thought it was amusing in a dark sort of way

that during campaign 2000, Bush stated over and over he wanted to run the country like a business. No one checked up on his business expertise.

He has none, unless you count running three companies into the ground.

[lebkuchen]

2. ...which is exactly where our country is today

Got a beef w/Bush? Send it to the Star Tribune! :)