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The full article, with any associated images and links can be viewed here.Netlets for Wednesday, May 17, The May 6 editorial "New mercury limits are welcome reversal" overlooked Minnesota's prime opportunity to reduce mercury exposure -- mercury in vaccines.

Thimerosal, the 50 percent mercury preservative in some vaccines, has never been tested for safety because it was created in the early 1930s, before the existence of the Food and Drug Administration. Single-dose packaging or alternate preservatives eliminate the need for mercury, but significant use persists. Recent biological and toxicological research proves mercury levels present in vaccines can damage the brain and immune system.

The Centers for Disease Control has a dismal record of oversight and refuses to recommend available mercury-free vaccines to infants and pregnant women. Eight other states have independently passed bills limiting mercury in vaccines. Minnesota must stop treating mercury in vaccines as "the elephant in the middle of the room." It simply defies common sense to reduce environmental mercury pollution while continuing to inject mercury directly into the bloodstreams of Minnesotans. Can't the obligation to reduce this poison include the mercury in vaccines?

O'Brien, White Bear Lake

Why the Guthrie is changing venues

And yet people still grasp to hold on to the old Guthrie (letters, May 8). As a tour guide at the Guthrie Theater, I weekly have to explain as best I can why this building no longer meets the needs of a professional theater, nor will it work as a venue for a community theater or high school production.

It is a common belief among those not in the theater business that all you need do is turn on some lights, sell tickets and the high schoolers can perform on the Guthrie stage. However, the cost of opening, heating or cooling, cleaning, and setting up the technical stage in a theater this size would far outstrip any financial gains made by an amateur group.

I explain to the tourgoers that what they see -- the facade, the lobby, the house -- is meant to be kept fresh and nice. But I then ask them to take a critical look at what we are about to see backstage, under the stage, in the basement. It is an aging, nonaccessible deteriorating structure. I show how they have to build sets off site and truck them in. How more than half the office space is rented elsewhere because the building will not accommodate everyone.

There is, however, still hope. The Guthrie Theater is not going away. The theater is in the hearts, and the minds, and the talents of the actors, the directors, the audience, the light board operators, the stage hands, and everyone else who contributes to the show. And all it is doing is changing venues.

KEITH REED, ST. PAUL

Governor should rethink a ban on medical marijuana

As the only Minnesotan endorsed by NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), I feel compelled to comment on the ignorant and hurtful comments our governor made regarding medical marijuana (Star Tribune, May 10).

Republicans across the United States have thrust themselves into our personal health care decisions. These sometimes difficult choices should be between a patient and their doctor. Our governor, who has no medical training, is clearly not qualified to comment on the applicability of cannabis to medical science. It is a shame that conservatives have no compassion for the victims of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, the symptoms of which can often be effectively treated with medical marijuana.

Marijuana is useful in treating the debilitating nausea that often accompanies chemotherapy. In addition, these patients often suffer from a loss of appetite which, if unresolved, can ultimately result in malnourishment and death.

I hope our governor and GOP-controlled House will reconsider their unneeded, unwise and cruel support for the ban on medical marijuana in Minnesota. Contact your lawmakers and tell them to leave personal medical decisions to qualified professionals.

JUSTIN C. ADAMS, MINNEAPOLIS, CANDIDATE FOR MINNESOTA HOUSE DISTRICT 58A

Sixth District sportsmen have a friend in Bachmann

Some friends call me a tree-hugging nature writer for what I've penned for outdoor magazines. Some call me a taskmaster for the extreme canoe trips I've guided. Others call me a gun nut for my hunting enthusiasm. And, they agree: I'm sort of an expert on outdoorsmen's issues.

This is especially important is in evaluating politicians. I can definitely tell a politician who is genuine about sportsmen's issues from one who is faking it just to get elected.

Congressional candidate Michele Bachmann is the real deal. How can you tell? One clue is the way she proudly proclaims that she holds a concealed carry permit. Another: Her campaign literature mentions not only hunting and fishing but also trapping as important to our state's outdoor heritage. It's a nuance only a true sportsman could understand.

Sixth District sportsmen are fortunate to be able to vote for one of their own.

KENT KAISER, ST. PAUL

Frist's first health care priority

Although your May 9 editorial "Missing the mark on medical malpractice" makes some excellent points, it is somewhat misleading in identifying Sen. Bill Frist as "a physician." Although Frist has a license to practice medicine, his personal fortune is the result of his family's Hospital Corporation of America, the largest for-profit hospital chain in the country, which was founded by Frist's father and brother. Frist still owns millions of dollars worth of stock in HCA.

The fact that the Frist family fortune depends on hospital profits helps explain why Frist is so anxious to limit payouts in medical malpractice lawsuits.

ROBIN RAYGOR, SHOREVIEW

Remodeling? Read this

The April 29 article "A nightmare of a money pit" is an unfortunate, but instructive, illustration for homeowners who are considering using a home remodeling contractor who is not properly qualified. Thankfully, remodeling projects like those described in the article are entirely avoidable. That is why we strongly encourage homeowners to seek out remodelers who are members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

NARI offers a rigorous certification process that teaches and tests skill sets, safety issues and ethical business practices to full-time professional remodeling contractors who have been actively involved in the industry for five years or more. All NARI members are licensed and insured. Homeowners can rely on NARI members to be industry leaders in their commitment to professionalism, quality and ethics.

Minnesota homeowners can easily access a directory of more than 300 NARI member contractors in the state by visiting narimn.org. It's the first step in making your vision for a home remodeling project a dream come true.

DAVE KLUN, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE REMODELING INDUSTRY, MINNESOTA CHAPTER, MINNEAPOLIS

[Guest guest]

My home state. Yeah!Aasa <penas7ar@...> wrote: This article from StarTribune.com has been sent to you by Aasa.*Please note, the sender's identity has not been verified.The full article, with any associated images and links can be viewed here. Netlets for Wednesday, May 17, The May 6 editorial "New mercury limits are welcome reversal" overlooked Minnesota's prime opportunity to reduce mercury exposure -- mercury in vaccines.Thimerosal, the 50 percent mercury preservative in some vaccines, has never been

tested for safety because it was created in the early 1930s, before the existence of the Food and Drug Administration. Single-dose packaging or alternate preservatives eliminate the need for mercury, but significant use persists. Recent biological and toxicological research proves mercury levels present in vaccines can damage the brain and immune system.The Centers for Disease Control has a dismal record of oversight and refuses to recommend available mercury-free vaccines to infants and pregnant women. Eight other states have independently passed bills limiting mercury in vaccines. Minnesota must stop treating mercury in vaccines as "the elephant in the middle of the room." It simply defies common sense to reduce environmental mercury pollution while continuing to inject mercury directly into the bloodstreams of Minnesotans. Can't the obligation to reduce this poison include the mercury in vaccines? O'Brien, White Bear LakeWhy the Guthrie

is changing venuesAnd yet people still grasp to hold on to the old Guthrie (letters, May 8). As a tour guide at the Guthrie Theater, I weekly have to explain as best I can why this building no longer meets the needs of a professional theater, nor will it work as a venue for a community theater or high school production.It is a common belief among those not in the theater business that all you need do is turn on some lights, sell tickets and the high schoolers can perform on the Guthrie stage. However, the cost of opening, heating or cooling, cleaning, and setting up the technical stage in a theater this size would far outstrip any financial gains made by an amateur group.I explain to the tourgoers that what they see -- the facade, the lobby, the house -- is meant to be kept fresh and nice. But I then ask them to take a critical look at what we are about to see backstage, under the stage, in the basement. It is an aging,

nonaccessible deteriorating structure. I show how they have to build sets off site and truck them in. How more than half the office space is rented elsewhere because the building will not accommodate everyone.There is, however, still hope. The Guthrie Theater is not going away. The theater is in the hearts, and the minds, and the talents of the actors, the directors, the audience, the light board operators, the stage hands, and everyone else who contributes to the show. And all it is doing is changing venues. KEITH REED, ST. PAULGovernor should rethink a ban on medical marijuanaAs the only Minnesotan endorsed by NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), I feel compelled to comment on the ignorant and hurtful comments our governor made regarding medical marijuana (Star Tribune, May 10).Republicans across the United States have thrust themselves into our personal health care decisions.

These sometimes difficult choices should be between a patient and their doctor. Our governor, who has no medical training, is clearly not qualified to comment on the applicability of cannabis to medical science. It is a shame that conservatives have no compassion for the victims of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, the symptoms of which can often be effectively treated with medical marijuana.Marijuana is useful in treating the debilitating nausea that often accompanies chemotherapy. In addition, these patients often suffer from a loss of appetite which, if unresolved, can ultimately result in malnourishment and death.I hope our governor and GOP-controlled House will reconsider their unneeded, unwise and cruel support for the ban on medical marijuana in Minnesota. Contact your lawmakers and tell them to leave personal medical decisions to qualified professionals. JUSTIN C. ADAMS, MINNEAPOLIS, CANDIDATE FOR MINNESOTA

HOUSE DISTRICT 58ASixth District sportsmen have a friend in BachmannSome friends call me a tree-hugging nature writer for what I've penned for outdoor magazines. Some call me a taskmaster for the extreme canoe trips I've guided. Others call me a gun nut for my hunting enthusiasm. And, they agree: I'm sort of an expert on outdoorsmen's issues.This is especially important is in evaluating politicians. I can definitely tell a politician who is genuine about sportsmen's issues from one who is faking it just to get elected.Congressional candidate Michele Bachmann is the real deal. How can you tell? One clue is the way she proudly proclaims that she holds a concealed carry permit. Another: Her campaign literature mentions not only hunting and fishing but also trapping as important to our state's outdoor heritage. It's a nuance only a true sportsman could understand.Sixth District sportsmen are fortunate to be able to vote for one of

their own. KENT KAISER, ST. PAULFrist's first health care priorityAlthough your May 9 editorial "Missing the mark on medical malpractice" makes some excellent points, it is somewhat misleading in identifying Sen. Bill Frist as "a physician." Although Frist has a license to practice medicine, his personal fortune is the result of his family's Hospital Corporation of America, the largest for-profit hospital chain in the country, which was founded by Frist's father and brother. Frist still owns millions of dollars worth of stock in HCA.The fact that the Frist family fortune depends on hospital profits helps explain why Frist is so anxious to limit payouts in medical malpractice lawsuits. ROBIN RAYGOR, SHOREVIEWRemodeling? Read thisThe April 29 article "A nightmare of a money pit" is an unfortunate, but instructive, illustration for homeowners who are considering using

a home remodeling contractor who is not properly qualified. Thankfully, remodeling projects like those described in the article are entirely avoidable. That is why we strongly encourage homeowners to seek out remodelers who are members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).NARI offers a rigorous certification process that teaches and tests skill sets, safety issues and ethical business practices to full-time professional remodeling contractors who have been actively involved in the industry for five years or more. All NARI members are licensed and insured. Homeowners can rely on NARI members to be industry leaders in their commitment to professionalism, quality and ethics.Minnesota homeowners can easily access a directory of more than 300 NARI member contractors in the state by visiting narimn.org. It's the first step in making your vision for a home remodeling project a dream come true. DAVE KLUN, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE REMODELING INDUSTRY, MINNESOTA CHAPTER, MINNEAPOLIS

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