North metro letters

I was shocked that some of our legislators are talking about selling off some of our precious Boundary Waters ("An extraordinary incursion of the public forest," Opinion Exchange, Aug. 15). Even worse, this will pave the way for a strip mine. Klobuchar, Coleman and Oberstar -- what are you thinking?

Instead of the silence of the Boundary Waters, residents will listen to the thuds of huge rocks being tossed about. They will hear the diesel engines of the trucks that transport the materials and these trucks will pass by many homes that used to be quiet havens. The worst part is the air pollution! Sand and gravel particles will fill the air. ...

I don't think you are doing any favors to the people who live there. The jobs will be hazardous to their health. Our pristine Boundary Waters and the people that live and recreate in this area will be submitted to the ultimate insult if this happens. It's not worth it.

People who live by these mines typically suffer from the dust they inhale. There are many asthma and sinus sufferers. Please do your own research and you will see what the health dangers are. Klobuchar, Coleman and Oberstar, have you done your research?

KAY FRANK

BLAINE

Learn the anthem

Hello! Can any one of the gold medal winners sing the national anthem? Mouth the words? Sing at least "the land of the free and the home of the brave"? Come on!

LINDA BERGLUND

BROOKLYN CENTER

I can attest to the fact that Danes are happy people as per your article ("Happiness in surprising guises," Aug. 17). My dad was one of 12 children born to Danish parents. His brothers and sisters (my aunts and uncles) were the neatest people I have ever known. In addition to being happy they had many other fine attributes. Their dry wit was unsurpassed! They were kind, generous and pleasant. God bless you, happy Danes!

FRITZ (HAPPY DANE) CHRISTENSEN

FRIDLEY

MMA is a sport

I find it hard to reserve my opinion to Pat Baysinger's opinion (Letters to editor, Aug. 15) regarding mixed martial arts as the same as Gladiators of Roman times. So I won't. The opinion expressed by Baysinger is wrong on several points. First, Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) is a brand name, not the sport. The actual sport is mixed martial arts, or MMA. Seeing that Pat Baysinger is from St. Michael, I will simplify it: It's like calling the sport of hockey the sport of NHL.

I like the age-old argument, what is considered sport? But the point is grossly misdirected because of Baysinger's sole belief is the sport of MMA [is brutal]. Doesn't hockey or boxing, or football, or basketball, have brutality? It's just that the ability to dictate the level of damage in MMA is based solely on the two active participants, with rules and a referee. I don't remember referees or rules in Roman times. And there are no wild animals allowed in the ring either.

I have witnessed and trained MMA fighters from many different levels and there is one defining character among them all: Dedication. These athletes are the most highly conditioned athletes in any sport. ... So if Pat Baysinger is so squeamish about fighting and blood ... then Baysinger should stick to shuttlecock and allow those of us involved with the sport to fully appreciate what it takes to train and fight in MMA. It's MMA, not UFC! And yes, it is a sport.

MATTHEW OLSON

VICE PRESIDENT,

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE INC.

BROOKLYN CENTER