Readers Write: Foundry closing, self-defense ruling, Trump doubles down, Seventh District race, Orono

Opinion editor’s note: Star Tribune Opinion publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

•••

In response to recent articles regarding the Smith Foundry shutting down (“Smith Foundry to close doors after a century in Minneapolis,” July 27), I want to share my personal experience to emphasize the significance of this win for Minneapolis. As a parent, I faced a real and painful choice between sending my child to a wonderful day care where he was thriving and worrying that I was putting him at risk due to the proximity of this polluting foundry across the street. It was a genuine, heart-wrenching dilemma.

In stark contrast, Zynik Capital’s portrayal of their decision to close as a choice between jobs and health is a false dichotomy. The choice I faced was real; what they present is not. We can have good jobs while also protecting the health of workers and communities.

For decades, the community surrounding Smith has suffered from chronic health conditions related to air pollution. The foundry owners are quick to blame community advocates for being “anti-jobs,” while in reality it was their own unwillingness to comply with basic permitting laws that is to blame for their immediate closure.

Smith Foundry’s EPA and OSHA violations endangered employees, the environment and the community. When news broke about the foundry closing, I was not the only one crying happy tears. My relief in knowing my son is safer at his preschool across the street from Smith is immeasurable.

Environmental justice regulations aren’t arbitrary. It is critical that we apply them as intended as we move forward with site remediation and that we support displaced workers and continue the fight for environmental justice in Minnesota.

Desiree Dantona, Minneapolis

I was outraged over the decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court (”Court: Retreat before brandishing weapon,” Aug. 1).

What does this even mean? Does a young woman — with mace or a knife to protect herself — have to hope she is a faster runner than her attacker? That a husband can’t protect his wife from a mugger with a stick or his fists because that might “escalate the situation?” That a gun owner can’t produce a weapon to deter a potential mass shooter?

It’s a ridiculous decision. No wonder the dissent said it is unprecedented in judicial history.

Jim Piga, Mendota Heights

•••

Retreating is the best option, but this ruling is now making it a crime to use a weapon as a deterrent. In the ruling, the justice said the defendant “could have walked at an angle.” Really, in what world outside of a movie does someone have to know all the angles and retreat options to avoid being charged with a crime when they are the ones being threatened? The bad guys are winning because of rulings like this.

Robert Lommel, Minnetonka

I was frankly not surprised by the article “Trump doubles down on voting remarks” (July 31). Given multiple opportunities by the radio host to clarify that he did not mean doing away with elections in America, presidential nominee Donald Trump stood by his statements to a gathering of Christian conservatives. In case you missed it, he told those gathered last week that “You got to get out and vote. In four years, you don’t have to vote again. We’ll have it all fixed so good, you’re not going to have to vote.”

This guy will do anything for power. And, what ultimate power it would be to become the first dictator of America. He’s already thought about trying to suspend the U.S. Constitution and invoking martial law to stay in power. No telling what he and his enablers will do partway through another term or after the results of the 2028 election as his time to peacefully leave office draws near.

Well, I sure hope the Christian conservatives, and many others, get out and vote to keep Trump away from the presidency again. No matter what your cause may be, to vote for him or just against a Democrat, this guy is just too dangerous in so many ways.

Robert Rudin, Maple Grove

•••

In a democracy you never have to vote, you get to vote. Voting is a right and a privilege that many countries don’t have. Imagine if everyone stepped up and voted.

Cheryl Buck, Northfield, Minn.

The other day, in his customary rhetorical mode of assertion without argument, presidential nominee Donald Trump labeled Kamala Harris the worst vice president in our history. Other candidates come to mind: Aaron Burr, John Calhoun, Spiro Agnew; as well as a couple whose full perfidy showed up after they became president, Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon.

Deep down, though, I suspect Trump really believes the worst veep ever is the one who wouldn’t do his election-stealing bidding: Mike Pence.

Conrad deFiebre, Minneapolis

I must respond to a recent “Counterpoint” concerning U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach’s service on the House Ways and Means Committee (”Fischbach represents Seventh District well in Congress,” July 29). I certainly would not brag about her service on that committee, nor the comment that she “supports the extension of the Trump tax cuts of 2017.″ Those tax cuts have only put more money in the pockets of the wealthy, while ignoring the plight of lower income citizens. How can she possibly say that she’s a champion of Social Security and Medicare while cutting taxes for the very wealthy?

Has every conservative in this country consumed enough of Trump’s Kool-Aid? Fischbach’s constituents deserve way better representation than she’s providing.

Jim Stromberg, Edina

The editorial on Orono’s Fire Department plans (”Winner of the award for friction: Orono,” July 30) is mystifying. Poor Mayor Dennis Walsh has probably had more critical reporting and editorializing in this newspaper than any Minnesota public official. And we are to believe that our crack state auditor (who missed a half-billion dollars in fraudulent payments by state agencies) should be on the case? All over a fire department plan for a small city? I’ll bet that what is really happening is that some of the old-monied lake aristocracy have a personal vendetta with a self-made entrepreneur, who isn’t blue-blooded or woke enough for them, successfully serving as mayor and running again. Nothing to see here, folks.

Doug Seaton, Edina

I read Senior District Judge Bruce Peterson’s commentary with tears in my eyes (”Harris, Emmer and the subject of crime,” Aug. 1). Imagine what a different world we would be in if we would be willing to hear each other’s stories and see others as we want to be seen — as three-dimensional individuals. During this vital election season, we must do all we can to call on politicians to imagine this with us, and reject the falsehoods that they believe will win them a vote.

Mary Lynn Oglesbee, Northfield, Minn.