Readers write (June 12): Minneapolis website goof, Sarah Palin, Bishop Sally Dyck, Lake Calhoun, John Kriesel, empty jails, circumcision

Oh, sure. Minneapolis city officials don't know who posted 22 unlicensed contractors on their website ("City gives bad repair advice," June 8). Just like another government official didn't know who hacked into his Twitter account.

Kudos to reporter Randy Furst for uncovering this failure of government to protect its citizens. In fact, it seems that without Furst and a state agency, the Minneapolis officials would still be "listing" companies without licenses or insurance.

Keep it up, Mr. Furst.

JAMES M BECKER, LAKEVILLE

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According to Sarah Palin, Paul Revere did not ride through the countryside of Boston exclaiming "The British are coming! The British are coming!"

Instead, she claims that he "warned the British that they weren't going to be taking away our arms by ringing those bells and making sure, as he was riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells, that we were going to be secure and we were going to be free."

If Paul Revere were alive today, he'd be riding through the countryside exclaiming: "Sarah Palin's an idiot! Sarah Palin's an idiot!"

DOUG WILLIAMS, ROBBINSDALE

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In a recent article a statement was attributed to Bishop Sally Dyck that she did not make ("40 Methodist clergy members support gay marriage," June 3). The bishop hasn't commented in news releases or to reporters about penalties facing United Methodist clergy who officiate the marriages of same-sex couples. She wasn't contacted for comment for this story.

While at this time it's a chargeable offense for United Methodist clergy to perform such ceremonies, those who do so don't face immediate expulsion from ordained ministry. United Methodist policy calls first for an investigative process that may or may not result in a church trial (a rare occurrence). Clergy found guilty of a chargeable offense faces a range of possible penalties, of which revocation of credentials is only one.

In the case of a clergy member in another United Methodist conference who was found guilty of performing same-sex marriages, the penalty was temporary suspension from the exercise of the functions of office. Yes, it is possible for a clergy member to lose her or his credentials in such cases, but to mention this as the only penalty misleads the reader.

VICTORIA REBECK, MINNEAPOLIS

The writer is director of communication for the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

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Columnist James Lileks joins those struggling to name the known as Calhoun ("How about a compromise? Just call it Lake Cal-Loon?," June 5). What about auctioning off naming rights? This fits our state legislative majority's agenda not to compromise and let the market decide. It's priceless.

THE REV. MICHAEL TEGEDER, BLOOMINGTON

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It was a breath of fresh air to read about a state legislator like John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove ("Kriesel's honesty is a breath of fresh air at Capitol," May 31). Jon Tevlin's column depicted a man who sticks to what he believes, yet is also willing to compromise.

Too many politicians worry so much about following their party platforms or their own political aspirations that they forget that they should be putting what's best for Minnesotans first. More legislators need to be like Kriesel, because the looming government shutdown is not in the best interest of anyone in this state.

NICK PETERSON, PINE CITY, MINN.

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Regarding those empty jail cells: It's time for creative problem-solving ("3,000 jail cells sit empty, with more on way," June 6) How about using some of the space for adult day care? Or a day care for children? Or a homeless shelter? How about Section 8 apartments? Regular apartments? English language learner education programs?

Surely there are needs that could be met without a great deal of structural change. The buildings would still be available if more cells were needed in the future.

EVELYN HEADEN, PLYMOUTH

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Matt Hess is free to create the idiotic and offensive Foreskin Man ("To circumcise or not. In San Francisco, voters will decide," June 8). I trust that San Francisco voters will recognize that people should also remain free to make their own decisions about circumcision.

VIC PRESUTTIV, DAYTON, OHIO