Suggestions for sports 'experts'

Two suggestions: Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe, author of a recent opinion piece titled "We've seen a lot better than Favre," should get new glasses.

And the writer of a recent letter claiming female athletes don't grasp sports fundamentals should play a few games of "Horse" with Jolene Anderson.

-- Patrick Babbitt, Lone Rock

To the folks in my Southwest Madison neighborhood who have done a wonderful job keeping their sidewalks snow- and ice-free during this record-breaking winter, thank you. Your efforts have made it safe and enjoyable for this 57-year-old woman and her dog to be outside and enjoy the benefits of walking, even in the winter.

Kudos to George Hank and Tom Adamowicz and their staffs from the city Planning Department for responding to sidewalk complaints. I know your jobs have been especially difficult this year and that you have had to be the sounding boards for complaints of all kinds regarding the conditions of sidewalks around the city. Know that your work is appreciated by the majority of Madison residents.

To those who just don't get it and don't put forth the effort required to make your sidewalks safe, shame on you.

And to all of us, recent sightings of robins and migrating geese remind us that spring really will come. The best part of aging is the absolute belief that "this, too, shall pass." The winter of '07- '08 is almost over, and we have survived.

-- Patricia S. Rogeberg, Madison

U.S. influence needed to support Tibet

Our national leaders should take another look at China and their aggressive relations with Tibet. Violence is building quickly while we focus on the Middle East and the "possibilities" that could erupt. Where is our influence in this situation?

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asked China to "exercise restraint." This poor excuse for a reprimand is ugly proof of our preferential relations with large volume trading partners.

As we try to overcome our own human rights transgressions, we need to present a firmer opinion on China's latest government-sponsored murders. With the Olympic Games coming up, there is a real danger of violent protests and demonstrations being conducted on a global stage. As we make "change" the catch phrase of the year, maybe for once it can be more than media makeup.

Meanwhile, Tibetans are forced to watch their history, culture and family disappear and do so without hope of help from those who can provide it. T-shirts sold to college students will not create change. Unfortunately, Tibet does not have the capital necessary to provoke a response from Capitol Hill.

-- Will Taylor, Madison

Smoke ban debate ignores kids' rights

For months I have listened to the debate about having clean air in the work place, countered by the freedom of choice for business owners. Both are good arguments, but what about the kids?

If the state of Wisconsin ever seriously considers a ban on smoking, what steps will be taken to protect the lungs of the children who don 't have a choice? Before laws are passed so the public can eat or drink in a smoke-free environment, laws should be passed to protect children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

For instance, when driving on the Beltline, it is not uncommon to see an adult smoking with the window cracked, and two children strapped in the back seat. Where are the advocates defending their rights to fresh air?

What about the possibility of having businesses target their own customers and let the market place work itself out? If smoking remains legal, wouldn't the obvious solution be to open non-smoking bars and restaurants?

-- Eric Evans, Dodgeville

Fat cats bailed out; the rest of us lose

As a retired business instructor, I appreciated Bill Wineke's Friday column.

Wall Street's fat cats have scammed the system realizing that, because of their actions, financial institutions will have to be bailed out or the economy will collapse.

Their penalties are golden parachutes. Our penalties are lost savings, homes and confidence in our economic system.

-- Dennis Murphy, Beloit

Charity abounds; rebuild church home

Regarding a Tuesday writer's recommendation that the St. Raphael Cathedral site be used for a homeless shelter, I wonder if he would donate the site of his own home if someone had burned it down.

St. Raphael was "home" for the people of Madison's Catholic Diocese. It's where our bishop was the parish priest, and where we came together to worship as a whole community. It's like the home you grew up in and want to return to and visit.

If someone burned down your home, must it be rebuilt as a shelter or community center to prove you are charitable? Couldn't it be rebuilt, rather, to better fit your current needs?

It's not difficult to identify Catholic charitable works locally, nationally and internationally. Examples include The Society of St. Vincent DePaul, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development, etc. And don't forget our bishop's charitable act of forgiving the arsonist.

There's always room for more giving. In fact, one annual Lenten focus is "almsgiving." What is the letter writer doing to provide relief for the homeless?

-- Catherine Decker, Verona

U.S. Air Force stiffs Boeing workers

In this age, with so many people out of work, what is the U.S. Air Force thinking? Thousands of people depend on jobs at Boeing, and the Air Force gave a contract to E.U. Airbus, Boeing's European rival, to build a fleet of air tankers.

We need the work here, and Washington should be the first to think of our own. I don't get it, and they probably don't either.

-- Hank Twilt, Rio

Don't fault Obama for others' flaws

Sen. Barack Obama is being questioned by the media regarding his earlier association with people who are offensive and threatening.

I recall having similar associations during my days as a union leader and political activist. As a teachers' union president in the Detroit area, I solicited help from Jimmy Hoffa, then president of the Teamsters Union-Midwest States. His reputation was worse than the political activist Obama encountered during his early years in Chicago.

My 1960s activism caused the FBI to interview my neighbors, asking questions regarding my character, sexual orientation and other aspects of my life.

For those who have never known or associated with people of unsavory reputation, let them throw the stones at Obama.

I can accept any of the three presidential candidates, even though each one of them has friends who cause me concern.

-- William P. Rowe, Madison