Letters to the editor for Monday, Feb. 4

Thank you for the Jan. 27 article "A backlash against snowmobilers." Snowmobiles, ATVs, off-road 4x4s and jet-skis have valuable work applications. Otherwise, they are a nuisance. Their use has spread like a plague -- shattering the peace and quiet of lakes and woodlands.

The worst riders among these "sports" have a strange sense of entitlement that causes them to run roughshod over private property and public lands.

Off-roaders and ATV owners should be made to pay for the destruction they do to trails and wetlands. If owners can spend thousands of dollars for these machines, they can afford to pay to repair the damages caused by the renegades in their sport.

BRUCE CLARK, ST. PAUL

Regarding Steve Calvin's Jan. 29 commentary, "Bringing up baby," the remarkable part of the movie "Juno" is that, although Juno planned and fully intended to have sex with young Bleeker, this smart girl did not have the knowledge and resources to prevent pregnancy. Maybe if she had learned about contraception in school, including how to use it and where to get it, she would not have become pregnant.

Or maybe she couldn't afford it. Birth control pills are now more than $40 per month; clinic visits can be expensive. The new Minnesota Family Planning Program provides free family planning services to those 15 to 50 years of age up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level income. At many family planning clinics, you can sign up and receive services on the same day. For information, go to dhs.state.mn, and click on Health Care.

This program could have provided Juno with contraception if she had known about it -- as well as some useful information.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FAMILY TREE CLINIC

The Jan. 30 editorial "Pay attention to state's racial equity" rehashes the typical liberal class warfare declaration complete with so-called remedies that mimic the left-leaning DFL party line. While there may be some racial inequalities in Minnesota, I put my belief in the inherent fairness of Minnesotans to all people and all races, not to the latest politically correct big government program.

DAVID TEICHER, PLYMOUTH

The plan to constitutionally change the means by which we select judges is a concern to me (Star Tribune, Feb. 1). Is this to solve a valid problem or a reaction to a court whose decisions certain political interests disagree with?

I have to be convinced there is a problem, and, if there is a problem, are there means to correcting it other than a constitutional amendment? It is too important to our democratic system to play political games with.

As we consider the impact of the ethanol industry on water usage (Star Tribune, Jan. 28), let's be sure that we balance those considerations by also identifying the benefits of ethanol and comparing the ethanol cost-benefit equation against the costs and benefits of the many other things that we do every day that impact our environment, including our water.

First, let's consider the benefits of ethanol: When it's completed later this year, US BioEnergy's new Janesville, Minn., plant will add between 45 to 50 new jobs with an annualized payroll of approximately $3 million. A South Dakota study found that for every $1 of ethanol and ethanol coproducts produced and delivered in 2004, the total impact on that state's economy was $1.56. That doesn't even include the multiplier effect from corn production revenues.

Like other energy that's produced, ethanol, too, consumes resources. Importantly, we need to consider all of the competing demands for our natural resources. Consider this: Each of us uses 80 to 100 gallons of water at home daily. If you're a golfer, your favorite course needs approximately 680,000 gallons of water annually to irrigate just one acre. As you read this newspaper, keep in mind that 150 gallons of water goes into the production of one average-sized Sunday edition. As you fill your car, remember it takes 94 gallons of water to process crude oil into one gallon of gasoline.

Every person and every industry in Minnesota uses water. We need to evaluate all of the competing uses for water and our other natural resources and, if we must, let's limit those that yield the smallest benefit. Ethanol is reducing our dependence on foreign oil, lowering prices at the pump and bringing economic prosperity to rural communities. As a consequence, I believe that ethanol will continue to be a component of our energy equation for years to come, so everyone must work to find a way to balance the competing interests for limited and valuable natural resources. We are committed to doing our part.

GORDON OMMEN, INVER GROVE HEIGHTS;

The business community's successful lobbying against the mental health parity bill cosponsored by Rep. Jim Ramstad is as clear a testament as any that the power of corporate money trumps the basic right of Americans to inclusive health care. In this election year, it is an outrageous reminder that those who can afford to make large personal donations to candidates or hire expensive lobbyists continue to define our national health care policy.

GLENN HIRSCH, MINNEAPOLIS;