Readers Write (April 19): Vikings stadium, teachers contract, hit-and-run, Norway killings

Contrary to what Jim Souhan alleges in his April 18 column ("No point in dumbing down stadium issue"), it's not opponents of a publicly funded Vikings stadium who are dumbing down the debate -- it's Souhan himself.

He ignores the big body of research showing that public funding of privately owned sports venues is a losing proposition for taxpayers. He doesn't say that stadium-related jobs are generally low-wage or short-term. Yes, construction jobs would help in this rotten economy, but the net financial impact of putting public money into a private facility enriches owners and players at taxpayer expense.

But let's say, for the sake of argument, that Souhan is right in predicting that a new stadium would revitalize the Metrodome area -- wouldn't that revitalization take place if Zygi Wilf paid for his own stadium? Why shouldn't the bedrock principle of capitalism -- the purportedly perfect, self-correcting organism that is the free market -- apply in this situation?

Finally, why is it OK to impose a tax without voter approval when certain segments of society -- including the Republicans who blame DFLers for the stadium bill dying -- would be outraged if we imposed, without voter approval, taxes to pay back what we owe to public schools or to provide health care for the poor?

STEVE SCHILD, WINONA, MINN.

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Legislators, please stop hiding behind committee procedure when it comes to controversial bills. I am talking about the stadium bill, but the problem applies to other bills as well. Get the issue out of committee and vote on it in both houses, instead of thinking that ducking the issue will help you come election time.

PAUL BAKER, MOORHEAD, MINN.

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The April 17 editorial ("Teachers contract: Too little reform") praised the Minneapolis teacher contract for giving schools more flexibility to pick "good fits" when determining teacher placements.

I am a career educator with 35 years of experience. I hold master's and doctoral degrees in education from the University of Minnesota. I have spent countless hours voluntarily serving on state committees and in professional organizations. I take issue with the statement that "the steps-and-lanes system is outdated and in need of an overhaul that includes performance factors." This statement begs for more specificity. What factors are indicators of performance? Is the writer referencing student performance, teacher performance or both? The statement implies that experience and advanced education alone are not enough to demonstrate successful performance. Lacking clearly articulated, measurable performance indicators, how can "good fits" be properly identified?

A recent personal experience offered me insight. In June 2010, I retired from a local school district but embraced the opportunity to continue working indefinitely on a half-time basis. When I received an e-mail welcoming my replacement to the position, I surmised that my one-year contract had not been renewed. Apparently, experience, academic credentials and exemplary performance reviews were not enough to ensure my continued employment. I can only assume that I was deemed not a "good fit."

VICKY SWEDENBURG, MAPLE GROVE

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Timothy Bakdash made a mistake: got drunk and argued with someone. Then he did something bad: drove his car into a group, killing a fine young man and seriously injuring two others. He was sentenced to 40 years, eligible for parole in 27. This sentence is far too long.

Why do we punish offenders? First, as a deterrent to others; but surely a far lesser sentence would serve that goal as well. Second, to keep a dangerous person out of circulation; however, Bakdash is 30 years old and has no previous criminal record, so is highly unlikely to reoffend. Third, as retribution and to satisfy the victim's survivors; but realistically, nothing is sufficient to match the loss of a loved one. Also, the judge used faulty reasoning to impose a sentence even greater than what the prosecution sought -- he was impressed by the qualities of the victim. That shouldn't matter: Would the judge have given a lesser sentence if the victim was homeless with no friends or relatives?

This is another example of our country's excessive use of imprisonment. We imprison more people than Stalin did in his gulags, and more than China does now. It costs us too much, is unproductive, and makes us ridiculous in the view of other nations.

DAVID SOMMER, MINNEAPOLIS

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The misleading headline "Anti-Islamic militant claims he killed 77 in self-defense" (April 17) suggests that Anders Breivik, the killer of 77 civilians in Norway last July, was against "Islamic militants" and that he killed 77 of them in self-defense.

It seems the labels "Islamic" and "Muslim" are so overused in the news, they're even applied in descriptions of bigoted people who arguably should be more accurately described as Christian terrorists.

After all, if Breivik had been a Muslim, he most certainly would be described as a Muslim terrorist, as indeed even the New York Times assumed he was in its very first story on the killings in July.

In fact, Breivik is a Christian claiming to be a member of a Christian organization, the Knights Templar.

To my knowledge, mainstream news coverage has never described him (or anyone else committing similar violent acts) as a Christian terrorist, even though this would be an accurate description if news organizations applied the same standards of description they employ when describing violence perpetrated by people of Muslim background.

Why the double standard?

NAHID KHAN, BROOKLYN CENTER