Who says McCain's too old?

I do not understand why people claim Sen. John McCain shouldn't try to become president because of his age. Is there a certain age one reaches at which time we are expected to just play croquet or lawn darts, dance the polka or simply wait for death?

He should be applauded for wanting to lead our country, especially with the challenges that lie ahead.

-- Roger Pankow, Madison

There are many ways for Wisconsin's citizens to express opinions on whether or not there should be a hunting season on wolves.

One way was to go to a Conservation Congress hearing. Another is by paying extra to have a picture of a wolf on your license plate. Writing letters to the editor of the local paper is a third way. Voting and contacting your political representatives are other ways.

Going to the Conservation Congress is not the only way to express your opinions. Just because I didn't go to the meeting doesn't mean that I don't care. And while I appreciate the fees paid and conservation efforts of hunting and fishing groups, I do not view increased hunting opportunities as the primary reason to conserve land and species.

Wolves play an important part in the ecology of our land, and they can help to keep the booming deer population more healthy and in check. Farmers should be able to shoot problem wolves and be aided in their efforts to protect their livestock from wolf predation.

I like milk, cheese and burgers as much as the next guy, but I, and many other Wisconsinites, believe there should not be a hunting season on wolves. In short, we do care.

-- Greg Ferguson, Middleton

Smoking permits merit consideration

As a non-smoker who quit nearly 20 years ago, I like the fact that I can now choose to frequent establishments that are non-smoking.

Having said that, I disagree with the idea of forcing businesses like taverns to eliminate smoking. Ban it in offices, restaurants and places where children are present -- but not taverns.

The concept of allowing taverns or bars to purchase a "smoking permit" is an excellent idea. A permit should allow the owner of a business -- I advocate that only taverns or bars that generate more than 50 percent of their revenue from the sale of alcohol be included -- to make a financial investment in their business to qualify.

They would be required to purchase the permit as well as make upgrades to their air handling systems. It would be expensive for the owners, but we have always allowed business owners to make their own decisions about how to spend their profits.

This is still a country of choice, and I cannot understand why people should not be allowed to go to "smoking permitted" locations when they clearly have a choice to go to non-smoking establishments. The same is true for the employees, who can choose to work at smoking or non-smoking establishments. They do that now.

I'm referring to public places, and I don't suggest they become private, which under current law would allow them to be "smoking permitted" establishments. Permits for private clubs aren't being issued either, except for those that cater to the wealthy.

-- Bob Crofoot, Madison

Duty of all to protect children

In the wake of the recent murders of twin infants in Baraboo, allegedly committed by their father, I am outraged. Given this man's history as a convicted abuser, he should never have been entrusted with the care of those babies, no matter how desperate child care was needed.

I am disgusted over hearing about infants dying because one of the parents "loses it." If you know you cannot control drugs or alcohol, your temper or the stress of caring for a baby, there are options available. Hand the child to a neighbor, drop them off at a hospital or give them to an adoption agency. Do not beat them.

As the adoptive mother of twin babies, I know there are people who would give anything to have a child. Admitting that your child would be better off in a stable home is an honorable parental decision. It's also a more sensible solution than serving jail time for causing them harm.

To friends and family members of those who are struggling to parent, monitor and protect these babies. It is the duty and responsibility of everyone to stop these unspeakable tragedies of abuse.

-- Stephanie Zwettler, Mount Horeb

ATC's off-duty cops threaten arrests

The State Journal's recent article about Dane County Sheriff's deputies working off-hours for non-county employers didn't mention that American Transmission Company hired them, as well as uniformed police officers, during their open houses to sell the public on the benefits of their proposed high-voltage line.

I was threatened with arrest twice while trying to hand out fliers at area hotels hosting open houses. I was told I was not allowed on hotel property, even several yards from the doorway.

The fliers were non-incendiary, but pointed out the excessive profits to be made by ATC, the cost to rate-paying consumers, possible dangers to the environment and health, loss of property values and so on, all because ATC claims we face an electricity shortage in the near future.

ATC's studies of area needs were flawed by the use of questionable growth figures and discounting the economic slowdown. They also discounted conservation efforts that can lower electricity consumption. And they seem not to care that the electricity transmitted by the new line will come from coal-fired power plants, adding to global warming.

I am a 75-year-old, non-intimidating grandmother asking what ATC is afraid of and why are they so anxious to suppress the opposition.

-- Jacqueline Kelley, Madison

Surprised by cost of Allied Drive rehab

Regarding the Allied Drive boost plan, I cannot fathom how rehabilitating this area could cost up to $28 million. Who's making obscene profit on this?

I am a homeowner in Allied-Dunns Marsh. The dollars being discussed do not make sense. I would like to see the detailed analysis.

-- Mark Kochanski, Fitchburg

Guns on campus cause more danger

Regarding Saturday's guest column, "Students left defenseless," concealed carry on campus strikes me as dangerous.

There's no way to guarantee that only stable, responsible people will be licensed, because campus shooters may not perceive deterrence the way normal people do, and bad things can happen even to good people who carry guns.

Someone bent on killing and suicide may find other armed people not a deterrent, but a challenge. After all, a person who plans to kill himself anyway (as many of these shooters do) may not be afraid of other people with guns.

I've been on college campuses for 50 years as a student and professor. Years ago a student of mine was carrying a pistol off-campus when a friend got into a fight. My student tried to break it up by displaying his weapon. Somehow, he says, the gun went off.

It doesn't matter now whether my student mishandled the gun or the victim tried to wrest it away. A young man died, and my student is still serving time in prison.

The problem at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois was that a student and former student had guns on campus. More guns won't solve that problem; more guns will lead to more trouble.

As a professor, I wouldn't want to wonder which students might be packing. Now, as a student once more, I don't want to wonder who's got a pistol in a purse or bookbag. The last thing we want are gun fights in our classrooms or shootouts in the corridors.

-- David Cole, Baraboo