Readers Write (Sept. 26): U.S. Bank Stadium vs. Lambeau Field, presidential debate, BWCA trail, white-collar crime

As Minnesota Viking fans who have spent the last 45 years living in Green Bay, we recently returned from a tour of U.S. Bank Stadium. Interesting tour; magnificent structure. However, our memory isn't all wonderful.

Being unfamiliar with the surroundings and wanting to not be late, we arrived by Metro Transit light rail (a superb convenience!) more than an hour early for our 3 p.m. tour. We wanted to use a restroom, but the stadium was locked; however, the Vikings pro shop was open. Our request for using a restroom was, "No, but you can use the Porta-Potties in the parking lot across the road." After wandering around for an hour, finding locks on eight Porta-Potties in two rocky, unkempt parking lots and receiving negative answers to our request at two business offices, we found a restroom in the basement of a coffee shop – thanks to two other "wandering Viking fans" from North Dakota who were also appalled at the lack of a welcome mat. Without a bench in sight, we sat outside on concrete steps waiting for the tour door to open.

Unfortunately, our story isn't over. Upon complaining later to "the guy in charge" at the pro shop, we were met with a defensive reply: "No NFL teams allow access to restrooms from their pro shop." Evidently, that young lad has never experienced Lambeau Field!

After returning to Green Bay, we purposely revisited the Packers' NFL stadium (on a Wednesday) and witnessed:

• A pro shop full of excited shoppers.

• An elevator leading from the pro shop to a huge atrium with restrooms (open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.).

• Fans, visitors and tour groups enjoying the atmosphere.

• Restaurants around the perimeter of the atrium.

• A customer service desk with a caring representative who shared with us the philosophy of Lambeau Field's employees and management: "Complaints are tools we use for improvement."

Obviously, over the past years of infrastructure changes, the Green Bay Packers' management team has listened. Their warm welcome speaks louder than a massive, magnificent structure with no hospitality. The management team of U.S. Bank Stadium should take a lesson from the "Lambeau Experience."

Dennis and Lois Midtvedt, Green Bay, Wis.

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I cannot be the first to raise a warning flag about the interior of Minnesota's artist gem of a stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium. I attended the Vikings' home opener against Green Bay and marveled at the exterior of the Metrodome replacement. However, our group found navigating the inside of the stadium shockingly difficult with corridors and main concourses so crowded, we gave up and simply shuffled to our seats and stayed there the whole game. It was simply unmanageable on a night when the announced crowd was around 66,000, yet capacity is said to be 73,000. Pity the sold-out crowd. I hate to ruin the coming-out party, but the design of this $1 billion marvel seemed stunningly shortsighted on the inside.

Mark Suppelsa, Evanston, Ill.

• • •

I am happy to read that the Vikings and Wells Fargo were able to come to an agreement about rooftop signs ("Vikings, bank reach sign accord," Sept. 21). Perhaps now the Vikings can focus on another sign issue at U.S. Bank Stadium. The two very small, illuminated signs displaying "Downs/Yards to Go" information are out of proportion in this huge, modern stadium. This very important information needs to be more prominent.

Nancy Duncan, St. Louis Park

The media frenzy anticipating the first presidential debate has reached fever pitch. Some say it's the Super Bowl of debates. Some are guessing which Donald Trump will show up. Some say, "Pass the popcorn," since it's already considered a bread-and-circuses reality show starring an actual reality game-show host. However, in my opinion, Trump has already won.

Imagine this scenario: The moderator, Lester Holt, asks his first question of Trump: "Good evening, Mr. Trump. Thank you so much for deciding to be here and participate. We really appreciate it. So, here's a question, 'What's your favorite color?' Take your time. We'll wait while you think about it."

Then Holt will address Clinton. "Hey, Hillary, I've got a two-part question. First of all, why don't the American people trust you and what about all those nefarious e-mails? Secondly, what's your answer to the Middle East crisis, immigration and the current protests around the country regarding police shootings? You've got two minutes."

The bar has been set so low for Trump that if he can speak in third-grade-level sentences and not throw up on Holt's shoes, he'll be deemed "presidential."

C.S. Wallace, Eden Prairie

The Sept. 6 story, "Decision to stop maintaining fire-damaged BWCA trail worries hikers," discussed the status of the Powwow Hiking Trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on the Superior National Forest. When I was contacted by a Star Tribune reporter, I mistakenly stated that we did not have an active partner committed to working on the Powwow Trail. I later learned that Fournier Outdoor Services has signed a volunteer agreement with our local ranger district to help maintain the Powwow Trail on behalf of the Forest Service. In fact, Fournier Outdoor Services contributed 100 hours working on the trail this summer and is planning an additional work session in October.

I apologize for not identifying Fournier Outdoor Services earlier as a volunteer group that is working with the Superior National Forest and wish to recognize them for their time and effort.

Kris Reichenbach, Duluth

The writer is public affairs officer for Superior National Forest.

Now that we are moving away from harsh mandatory drug sentences, let's move toward harsh mandatory white-collar crime sentences. A fine on the company based on a percentage of corporate value; a fine on those liable company executives, up to the top, based on past years' average earnings (stock included), negation of retirement/severance/golden parachutes. A multimillion dollar fine on a company with multibillion-dollar valuation does not deter. Make it hurt.

Bob Nelson, Pequot Lakes, Minn.