On the A&E; Live page (July 17) you printed an article about the film industry eliminating scenes of tobacco use so as not to promote smoking ("No ifs, ands, butts"). What hypocrisy!
Much of today's entertainment is awash with alcohol abuse, promiscuity and extreme violence. In many movies, smoking is the least harmful behavior that film characters could engage in.
Finally, here's a warning for the entertainment industry: If images of tobacco use promote smoking, then it can be argued that violent, sexually explicit scenes encourage that behavior and should be censored in the public's interest.
Bob Woodward, St. Paul
Delightful diversity
Late in the afternoon on July 17, I did one of my favorite summer to-do things here in my local park - Como. I enjoy riding my bike down to the carousel at the Zoo/Conservatory and listening to the carousel music while watching the happy people - of all ages - ride those pretty horses.
As I rode through the park and passed the flower garden, there was a Jewish wedding taking place. All the men wore their yarmulkes and the couple was standing under the traditional canopy. It was a lovely sight.
As I rode on, I passed a large group of Hmong folks having a picnic. A little farther on, I passed a couple herding their two young children in a language I think was eastern European. Not much farther, and there was another large group - this time Latino - strolling through the gardens. When I got to the carousel, I rode
passed a group of Japanese men in suits and ties (in this heat!) with their cameras clicking rapidly.
I was struck, as I often am, at the amazing and delightful diversity of our St. Paul world. How can we not take care of each other? It seems that all most of us really want is to have some happiness, to love and be loved, and care for our families and friends.
It's just not that complicated, and it's worth all of us working together to make it happen.
Patti Rogness, Roseville
Vote your hopes, not your fears
The bitter, partisan, divided government that resulted in the government of Minnesota shutting down is why we need Ranked Choice Voting.
We deserve governance that responds to the diversity of perspectives among the electorate, instead of rigid, single-issue dominated governance. Ranked Choice Voting rewards compromise and moderates extreme partisan and ideological influences.
With Ranked Choice Voting you get to vote your hopes and not your fears. You can vote for the candidate you like the most, instead of voting against the candidate you dislike the most. Ranked Choice Voting eliminates the "spoiler" effect. You have no fear of "wasting" your vote if you voted for the candidate for whom you really wanted to vote.
St. Paul will have Ranked Choice Voting this year. I am so excited to vote for the candidate I really like, without fear of "wasting" my vote.
Democracy is a good idea, and St. Paul is making true democracy a reality with Ranked Choice Voting,
Amber Garlan, St. Paul
