Readers Write: Wilderness for all ages, hurricanes, Donald Trump

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

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It is not a test.

I did not see Claude Peck’s article “Trial by Portage: When are we too old to test ourselves against Minnesota’s remote wilderness?” (StarTribune.com, Oct. 2) on the day it was published. I was in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with three other women, ages 68 to 83. This was our third trip in as many years. Of course there were “What was I thinking?” moments. There always are. But they were far outweighed by the wonder and joy of the spending whole days in nature.

Maybe we still go because for us, it is not a test but rather an opportunity to experience the wilderness. We can’t deny our aging bodies. Our routes have only a few, easy portages. Our packs are lighter but more numerous. It is much easier to carry and load two smaller packs than one huge one.

For us it is not about the distance covered. It is about the heartbreaking beauty of the night sky reflected in the lake, or the colorful lichen growing on the rocks and the silence so well described by Peck. We make time for reading, poetry and good food — fresh bread and homemade mushroom soup, anyone?

At 70, I realize I will not repeat the 25-portage trip that was my introduction to the BWCA nearly 50 years ago. I will only revisit that special campsite on Little Saganaga Lake in my memory. That’s OK. But please don’t tell me or my friends we’re too old to spend a few days in this beautiful place.

Deb Bieging, St. Paul

Weeks after Hurricane Helene battered a deadly path of destruction through the American Southeast, Hurricane Milton hit Florida. Milton blew up from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane over the Gulf of Mexico in just over a day. The rapid intensification of this monster storm is a result of record-breaking temperatures and rising sea levels in the Gulf caused by climate change.

American voters will choose a president in the coming weeks who will be confronted with even more frequent and costlier crises caused by our rapidly warming planet. This next president’s leadership will be critical in the make-or-break next four years for our nation and our planet. We know what steps to take to arrest our planet’s accelerating plunge toward irreparable harm; what is needed now is bold leadership to implement such steps.

George H.W. Bush called this the “White House effect.” Bush said once, “Those who think we are powerless to do anything about the greenhouse effect forget about the ‘White House effect.’”

Only one of the primary candidates for president in the upcoming election has pledged to exercise the “White House effect” and lead efforts to curb the climate crisis. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote to pass Democrats’ historic climate bill and vows to continue to continue working to meet bold goals for a clean energy future. Vote for a leader who understands the climate crisis and is already tackling it. Vote Kamala Harris for president.

Jeffrey Eisele, Chaska

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I was appalled and disheartened to read “Antisemitic attacks add to hate after Helene,” a story from the Washington Post that appeared in the Star Tribune on Oct. 9. The article states that in regards to Hurricane Helene, antisemitic attacks are being fomented on Elon Musk’s X with “wild claims that Jewish officials are conspiring to orchestrate the disasters, sabotage the recovery or even seize victims’ property.”

This blatant antisemitism is reminiscent of the hateful antisemitism behavior in pre-World War II Germany when claims were made against Jews that they were responsible for Germany’s record-high inflation in 1923 and factions blaming the Jews for Germany’s defeat in World War I. The folks posting on X are utilizing a technique used by the Nazi Party to turn sentiment against the Jews (Adolf Hitler’s “big lie” propaganda technique), and the postings are dangerous in more ways than one.

As Jews around the world are being targeted due to the current Gaza conflict and the crisis in Lebanon (both conflicts against terrorist organizations), the posts on X add fuel to the ongoing antisemitic fire. In addition, according to the Washington Post, lies and vitriol being disseminated on X are “compounding the challenges facing emergency management officials dealing with the aftermath of Helene and readying a response to Milton.”

If platforms like X continue to thrive, it is incumbent on individuals who loathe prejudice and discrimination against Jews or any group help put an end to the “big lies” being perpetrated on social media.

Sylvia Fine, Minneapolis

In the past few months, several of my conservative friends and family members surprised me, all indicating they simply can’t vote (again) for former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Mind you, none are jumping parties or voting for Vice President Kamala Harris. No, they are all simply not voting for president in this election. While this puzzled me at first, to think they would surrender their right to vote, it began to make sense as they all expressed similar sentiments. Their reasons for abandoning Trump included being tired of constant lies, being embarrassed at childish name-calling and vendettas, increasing concern for his arrogant narcissism and simply lacking honor and proper protocol to represent the highest office in the country. If this action extends to other former Trump supporters around the country, it will send a clear message to the national party: This peculiar stranglehold is over.

Dean Johnson, Plymouth

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There is a lot of clickbait trying to lure us to read articles that simply reinforce our political opinions, and a lot of inconsequential political drivel that can make us waste our time and energy. Small, simple facts can get lost in the noise. Yet those small, simple facts can speak volumes.

Here’s one: The “God Bless the USA” Bible that Trump is selling is made in China. The very same China that Trump says is our mortal trade enemy and is stealing American jobs. But this Bible is not made in China so everyone can afford to have one in their home. The one Trump endorses costs $60.

The economics and politics of international trade are complex and vary depending on the commodity, so I cannot make a blanket condemnation of buying goods from China. But for a politician to present himself as patriotic and religious by selling Bibles at a huge profit to himself, with no benefit to American workers or manufacturers, is simply wrong.

Gary Brisbin, Fridley

I voted early the first week, and my wife mailed in her ballot soon after, so we have moved on from the need for any more political campaign speak, endless repetition of both positive and negative ads and all the angst of a tight election as life goes on. We can only hope that our elected politicians will then get the job done to serve all Americans and world citizens. Democrats and Republicans will spend billions each working for votes for the future of our country, an obscene sum to create a difference in a 50/50 divide.

But now, having voted, we thank goodness for all the diversions that make life worthwhile: grandchildren, sunny days, good books, faith practices, Lynx playoffs, Vikings hopefuls, baseball playoffs, new seasons for hockey and basketball, and so much more to get through winter and beyond. Soon there will be no trace of political signs and TV ads as we take a big sigh toward a new year.

Michael Tillemans, Minneapolis