At war with their own
In the non-fictional version of Orwell’s “1984,” the world of Tehran, constant war is the norm. Violent unrest with the West serves to tighten the grip of the robed religious zealots over what should be a vibrant modern society. The population is controlled by a never-ending war emergency.
When not at war with other countries Iran’s leaders are at war with their population.
This should stand as a warning to democracies that might be struggling in the standoff against authoritarian control backed by misplaced religions steeped in politics.
Joe Danko, North St. Paul
The closing of Sonnen’s Pet Shop
My family had a restaurant in the heart of downtown St. Paul in the 1960’s and ’70s. I used to go downtown with my father on Saturday mornings and, after visiting with the staff, would go wandering around. Downtown St. Paul was a fun place to wander around in those days.
Sonnen’s Pet Shop was always one of my stops and often my longest one. Mr. Charles Sonnen, who had purchased the pet shop originally, was endlessly patient with my chattering and questions. I bought two aquariums and all my tropical fish from him. His son Dave was already his righthand man at the time. I remember that Mr. Sonnen was also the organist at Assumption Catholic Church downtown for decades. He and his son were very kind to me.
The closing of the shop is the closing of a personal chapter for me as well as a loss for the Hamm Building and St. Peter Street.
Mary Yee, St. Paul
What’s the plan for downtown?
Downtown is in dire need of attention from our mayor and city council. Relying on a return of state workers to downtown is not going to make a significant difference. Nor will spending $114 million on a River Balcony, $3 million on Osborn Plaza, $60 million on a Mississippi River Learning Center, or $500 million on Xcel Arena. What have the mayor and the Planning and Economic Development Department been doing these past five years to revitalize downtown?
Judy Schultz, St. Paul
Some dogs are lucky
I spent 20 years in active duty military and live with the effects of PTSD.
I now beat PTSD every day in part because of a wonderful service animal named, Peyton. Peyton was trained by the same organization the Melissa and Mark Hortman family volunteered with.
Peyton is such a blessing, no amount of words can describe the impact he has had on my life. I’ve taken him places like Mount Rushmore and the White House because I want him to experience as much of the world as he can. I know that sounds silly, and also Peyton is nonplussed by it all. He would prefer just a patch of unfamiliar grass to roll around in.
The Hortmans’ dog, Gilbert, was killed by the assassin. Gilbert went through the same training as Peyton did. Although Gilbert never graduated to be a service animal, I imagine he had the same kind of impact on the Hortman family as Peyton has on me.
I’m glad Peyton doesn’t know what happened to Gilbert. I think often about how much evil and malice is in this world and how lucky Peyton doesn’t have to know about any of it. I’m glad he just gets to know about pure love. Some dogs are lucky.
All dogs go to heaven. Service dogs get their wings. I know Gilbert got his too.
Ryan Radunzel, St. Paul
All that mulch
I was really amused by Joe Soucheray’s “The mountains of mulch arrived and our lives changed” column.
Years ago, I ordered 12 yards of mulch based on a formula I had somehow secured. Whether the formula was defective or I miscalculated, the amount of mulch I ordered was WAY more than I needed.
To this day, I can still see what 12 yards looked like on my driveway and can only imagine the shock of seeing 40 yards of mulch, 3-1/2 times more than the amount I ordered.
As I was reading Joe’s column, I was laughing so hard I got tears in my eyes.
Chuck Gudknecht, St. Paul
Celebrating each other
The Pioneer Press should be sainted for printing a picture on the front page of Sunday Life the June 15 edition, of two high school graduates from apparently different cultures, celebrating their accomplishments.
We need more pictures/articles celebrating each other.
Carol Gallivan, St. Paul
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