Moralizing?

The column by Noah Feldman (“Why Yale is so good at producing anti-elite elites,” July 26) is a collection of assumptions that may or may not be valid. My mind quickly went to the Pete Seeger hit song, “Little Boxes”. And that’s before Feldman built his thesis on a few hand-picked samples that provided his, apparently preferred, outcome. Would somebody please remind Mr. Feldman that not everybody fits in those little boxes? Not a scientist, he.

We, all of us, approach the world from our history. Some of us, rich or poor, loath our past and never progress out of a morass of “poor me.” Others forge ahead, building on what they’ve been given, or not, but are able to appreciate what they’ve accomplished.

A person with so-called common origins will be more likely to seek out those with whom they are familiar. But attending Yale, regardless of any feeling of acceptance, doesn’t confer elitism upon that person. In fact, it may have the opposite effect — cementing already conceived notions based on exposure to parents and others resulting in further reasoning on the part of the student.

And in the last paragraph, he pontificates, “Yet we can teach our students … to take some of the moralizing out of our encounters with people who think differently.” What? If I am having a discussion, I have to get my points from somewhere. I have reasons for thinking as I do, and morality is my bottom line. I don’t have to compromise that.

Considering some very recent news, if I believe it is immoral for leaders to lie and cover up critical public information such as the apparent inability of a public official to perform their oath of office, I don’t have to think or say otherwise. In fact, I have a moral obligation to speak up.

— Art Thell, West St. Paul

Can’t they imagine their turn?

Mike Johnson resorts to the cliche that President Biden’s proposed court reforms will be “dead on arrival” in Congress, and Mitch McConnell says the Supreme Court is “under attack.” They claim Biden is only making his proposals due to his differences with the conservative-leaning court.

Certainly Biden has issues with the current makeup of the court, as well he should. But his proposals, especially for 18-year term limits, would result in more fair court appointments, regardless of the president’s party. The current court makeup skews conservative partly because McConnell refused to hold hearings for Barack Obama’s nominee when Antonin Scalia died, and then rushed through Trump’s nominee when Ruth Ginsberg died, shortly before Trump lost the 2020 election.

These Republicans are being extremely myopic. Can’t they imagine some time in the near future when a Democratic president and Senate have a plethora of court nominees? Currently only the death or retirement of a justice provides an opening on the court. These random events leave court appointments up to chance. By assuring each president two nominees per term, fairness would prevail.

— Lee Hartzheim, St. Paul

Walz for VP?

It is interesting to note that our governor is being considered as a potential VP candidate for the Kamala Harris presidential team. An initial reaction might conclude or question whether the governor ‘s leadership skills would transfer from the state level to the national stage. Let’s examine some of his notable accomplishments.

1. Stood by, with the mayor of Minneapolis, while the 3rd Police precinct was burned to the ground May 28, 2020. He did, however, announce at a press conference prior to this tragedy, that the state didn’t have the resources to deal with a large presence of protesters should they gather. He delayed sending the National Guard, and tried to shift blame to Frey.

2. He and his Department of Education director apparently had no knowledge of the $250 million Feeding our Future food fraud being perpetrated on Minnesota for almost two years. Walz: ” We were shocked “. The former director, Heather Mueller, quickly resigned after the fraud was discovered. No one has ever been held accountable for significant lack of oversight.

3. Told us taxpayers he was going to return part of the $18 billion surplus, ($2,500 per taxpayer), but only gave us $250 each. Then frittered the rest away while increasing our annual state budget by billions. Tax increases anyone?

4. Is currently dealing with another large fraud scandal, involving the extremely unusual growth of mental health facilities, and subsequent rise in financial “claims”, in caring for children with autism.

5. In his last election platform, Gov. Walz repeated the phrase, “We need to fully fund education.” Our cost per student here in Minnesota is among the highest in the country. Walz and liberal school superintendents have changed the measuring stick of student success from graduation rates, and core subject competency levels, to how much money they are spending on an education model that is clearly failing our students. Is there an actual cap on “fully fund”?

On second thought, perhaps Tim Walz is the perfect candidate for the Democratic party’s VP ticket.

Why has personal responsibility, and accountability been abandoned by our leaders?

I will submit part the answer lies in the lack of courage from biased mainstream media.

— Pat McKenzie, Hastings

Valued traits

I found it interesting that David French, in his column, “There’s more, and better, to masculinity than Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock and Dana White” (July 30), made several references to Donald Trump’s masculinity. As an intelligent woman, I have never perceived him as such. A babbling voice inside a hang dog demeanor. Trump, Hulk Hogan and Rock, fit to join the clown club.

Now, Dr. Anthony Fauci is a man you want your sons to emulate. Although small in stature, he is intelligent and has an impressive track record. When under pressure or criticism, I don’t recall that he has ever resorted to bullying and name calling. He gets things done and does so with integrity. He also has a good sense of humor. And if you’re paying attention guys, these are not only qualities of a good human being, but traits that most intelligent women value in a man.

— Ursula Krawczyk, St. Paul

Why those words?

I see where the Christian Right in Louisiana has passed a law requiring a poster of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. We seem to run into this controversy in some state every few years.

I was raised Roman Catholic. I have often wondered why these Christians are fixated with the Old Testament. Ten Commandments in stone and Noah’s Arc theme parks. Why not a poster with the words of Jesus Christ? For instance, The Beatitudes from “The Sermon on the Mount”? “Blessed are the Peacemakers, Blessed are the Meek”,etc.? Oh, I think I answered my own question.

— Tom Leary, Mendota Heights