Build the bike trail on Summit

Regarding the Summit Avenue Regional Trail, opponents have given a variety of reasons not to build a bike/pedestrian way:

1. It’s not needed (you’re safer biking in the street).

2. Hundreds (thousands?) of trees will be cut down because of the trail.

3. The current bike/pedestrian trails aren’t used enough.

4. The city can’t afford the trail.

5. For reasons of historic preservation, the trail should be nixed.

6. Planners violated data practices requirements.

7. Residents should be compensated for the loss of street parking in front of their homes.

The list goes on, and I’m sure I’ve missed a few excuses raised by opponents.

Current dedicated bike/pedestrian trails in St. Paul tend to run near the perimeter of the city, making it difficult and often unsafe to try to go north-south or east-west through the city by bike. St. Paul needs more and better bike/pedestrian trails to address this issue.

I’m guessing that the number of trees that trail opponents claim will be cut down is greatly exaggerated. As a far as saving trees is concerned, a gauge on my e-bike says that in the 2,500 miles I’ve pedaled on that bike, I’ve saved exactly 32 trees. Multiply that number by a factor of hundreds, and you can see that bicyclists have saved more trees than will ever be removed when the Summit Avenue Regional Trail is completed. By the way, maples and river birch, among other species, are fast growing trees that provide great beauty and shade. I learned that in forestry school.

In the name of historic preservation, why not return Summit Avenue to the way it was when it was when homes were first built there in the 19th century? That would mean no cars and no stoplights. Streets, curbs and gutters would need to be torn up and replaced with a dirt road. Perhaps a few gas lights and electric street lamps would light up the night. Horse and buggies would be the only vehicles allowed.

The claim that few bicyclists use Summit Avenue is pure malarkey, and so is the notion that you’re better off biking in the street. More cyclists would bike on Summit if a safe bike/pedestrian trail were put in. Nevertheless, Summit Avenue is often very busy with cyclists. I know of a couple who, until last year, lived on Summit near the intersection with Ramsey Hill. Avid bicyclists, they almost never used the current Summit Avenue bikeway near their home because they felt it was unsafe. My senior citizen bicycling club occasionally bikes on Summit Avenue, but it’s definitely not our favorite route in the metro area. We would bike it more often if there was a better bike/pedestrian trail.

With all of the students at nearby colleges and universities, the city should really be trying to accommodate them. An improved bikeway along Summit would better meet their needs.

As far as affordability is concerned, if motorists paid their fare share for the cost of building, maintaining, plowing and policing public roadways, cost would not be an issue.

As far as compensating residents for the loss of on-street parking. Those streets do not belong to you. They belong to the city. You can’t get reimbursed for the loss of something that you never owned in the first place.

I grew up in St. Paul. It was a wonderful place to come of age. It’s a very progressive city, for the most part. However, there has always been a reactionary attitude among many of its citizens, as exhibited in the city’s inferiority-complex regarding Minneapolis (pssst, the city across the river has better bikeways!). A much needed improvement to St. Paul’s infrastructure is being held back by a lack of forward thinking. It’s time to build the Summit Avenue Regional Trail.

M.L. Kluznik, Mendota Heights

 

Worried about hacking? Conventional precautions work

I was very disappointed by the Pioneer Press’s uncritical interview of Jacob Trippel on Aug. 1, on the front page. Among other issues, Trippel hypes AI and quantum computing and makes outdated recommendations about security.

This should perhaps be unsurprising: Trippel’s background is primarily in business and education, not software development or security. His LinkedIn lists him as the CTO of an AI-related startup, giving him ample incentive to emphasize the hype around AI.

To correct the most egregious statements:

Frequent password changes are counterproductive, leading people to forget them; to use short, simple passwords that are easily broken; and to reuse them across services. Lengthy passwords, infrequently changed, never reused and securely stored in a password manager, are a far superior approach.

More generally, access security is best accomplished by using a combination of three methods: something you are (biometrics, face or fingerprint); something you know (password); something you have (phone, physical key). Strong security relies on at least two of these. Using biometrics alone is foolhardy; if data is stored and compromised, it’s much easier to change your password than your face. If you are concerned about security, get a hardware authentication device for two-factor authentication.

While vulnerabilities are a problem, most hacks come through social engineering: phishing and scams routed through normal phone calls and email. Keep your software up-to-date, use multi-factor authentication, and be wary of unfamiliar callers. That will cover most ordinary threats.

Quantum computing is far from ready for any practical applications. Therefore, quantum hacking is even less likely than being hacked by a nation-state actor with conventional computers. Unless you have reason to be a high-profile target, you should worry more about social engineering.

Quantum computing is not magic; neither is AI. Current “AI” is a marketing label for a specific flavor of the banal machine learning I’ve been working in for a decade. AI has applications – many of which are not yet realized.

In short, you’ll likely be fine with conventional precautions – and ignoring the hype.

Rachel Reddick, St. Paul

 

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Felonious sandwich-flinging

I was first attracted by the headline, “Man charged with assault with a sandwich.” I thought, now that’s intriguing. Apparently the influx of Donald Trump’s police distraction into Washington, D.C., irritated one of the locals so much that he felt compelled to yell “fascists” at Customs and Border Protection officers. Not that they were fascists or agents of a fascist or just guys trying to do a job, didn’t dissuade him from repeatedly hurling this accusation, until such time as his frustration compelled him to hurl something else. The “else”, conveniently at hand, was a recently purchased sub type sandwich, which he directed, with an accurate overhand throw, to the chest of the source of his irritation. It was reported that the officer, who was the target of this edible missile, did not appear injured. He was truly fortunate, as who knows what damage a hard-crust ciabatta, might have done.

The cost for this wayward expression of political frustration, other than the $15 or so for the sandwich, is a felony charge. A Footlong Felony no doubt.

Bob Emery, Mendota Heights

 

But how are we doing today?

On Aug. 14, a total of eight letters to the editor appeared here, each of them bad-mouthing Trump. I would inquire, how is the border today, how are consumer prices, the stock market, foreign trade, arrests of illegals, positive military action and billions of fraudulent dollars eliminated?

Crafting eight letters bad-mouthing goofy Gov. Walz would take anyone conscious about eight minutes.

Jon Swenson, Eagan

 

Can’t afford to become numb or passive

History teaches that democracy rarely collapses all at once — it erodes when citizens grow weary and leaders weaponize chaos. We are seeing this now, in real time. Donald Trump, now back in the White House, is not leading with vision or unity. He is ruling by grievance, fear and retribution.

His tactics are dangerously familiar: overwhelm the public with lies, discredit institutions and accuse others of the very wrongs he commits. Those who challenge him face a flood of attacks, investigations or public shaming. This is not normal. It is a calculated effort to weaken resistance and consolidate unchecked power.

We cannot afford to become numb or passive. The longer we tolerate this assault on truth and democratic norms, the more fragile our republic becomes.

We need leadership grounded in integrity, humility and service to the common good — not one man’s ego or vendettas. If we care about the future of this country, now is the time to speak, act, and choose differently.

Jane White Schneeweis, Mahtomedi

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Today is Sunday, Aug. 17, the 229th day of 2025. There are 136 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On August 17, 1915, a mob in Cobb County, Georgia, lynched Jewish businessman Leo Frank, 31, whose death sentence for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan had been commuted to life imprisonment. (Frank, who had maintained his innocence, was pardoned by the state of Georgia in 1986.)

Also on this date:

In 1807, Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat made its first voyage, heading up the Hudson River on a successful round trip between New York City and Albany.

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Hundreds may have been exposed to rabies at bat-infested cabins in Grand Teton National Park

In 1863, federal batteries and ships began bombarding Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor during the Civil War, but the Confederates managed to hold on despite several days of shelling.

In 1945, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed independence for Indonesia, setting off the Indonesian National Revolution against Dutch rule.

In 1945, the George Orwell novel “Animal Farm,” an allegorical satire of Soviet Communism, was first published in London by Martin Secker & Warburg.

In 1959, trumpeter Miles Davis released “Kind of Blue,” regarded as one of the most influential jazz albums of all time.

In 1978, the first successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight ended as Maxie Anderson, Ben Abruzzo and Larry Newman landed their Double Eagle II outside Paris.

In 1988, Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq and U.S. Ambassador Arnold Raphel (RAY’-fehl) were killed in a mysterious plane crash.

In 1998, President Bill Clinton gave grand jury testimony via closed-circuit television from the White House concerning his relationship with Monica Lewinsky; he then delivered a TV address in which he admitted his relationship with Lewinsky was “wrong” but denied previously committing perjury (Clinton was subsequently impeached by the House of Representatives, but acquitted in the Senate).

In 1999, more than 17,000 people were killed when a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Kocaeli Province of Turkey.

Today’s Birthdays:

Computer scientist Margaret Hamilton is 89.
Actor Robert DeNiro is 82.
Businessman Larry Ellison is 81.
Film director Martha Coolidge is 79.
Filmmaker/author Julian Fellowes is 76.
Tennis Hall of Famer Guillermo Vilas is 73.
Singer Belinda Carlisle is 67.
Author Jonathan Franzen is 66.
Actor Sean Penn is 65.
Singer/actor Donnie Wahlberg is 56.
College Basketball Hall of Famer and retired NBA All-Star Christian Laettner is 56.
Rapper Posdnuos (PAHS’-deh-noos) (De La Soul) is 56.
Tennis Hall of Famer Jim Courier is 55.
Soccer great Thierry Henry is 48.
Rock climber Alex Honnold is 40.
Actor Austin Butler is 34.
Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers is 31.

Minnesota United’s offense was disjointed for the majority of Saturday’s game against Seattle at Allianz Field, so it was fitting Joaquin Pereyra’s goal was garbled.

The Loons midfielder sent an in-swinging ball from outside the box and toward goal in the 73rd minute. It might have been a cross, or perhaps a shot, but either way it rippled the net and was the difference in a 1-0 win over Sounders.

After walking off the field shaking his head after a non-threatening first half, Pereyra could crack a smile after his second-half goal.

The Loons held a team-only meeting immediately after a 2-1 loss to Colorado to address how the same things were resulting in them slipping up. But MNUFC (13-6-8, 47 points) eliminated defensive mistakes that cost them against the Rapids and in Leagues Cup to post its first shoutout in 11 straight MLS matches since May 28.

Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made some crucial saves in stoppage time to produce the win.

Seattle (11-7-8, 41 points) controlled the game, but the Loons stopped their unbeaten run at 10 straight games. MNUFC also completed a season sweep on Sounders.

Seattle became the latest team to employ a five-man back line against Minnesota. Seattle hasn’t used that formation in MLS play since May but used it to success on Saturday.

The first half was uneventful for both teams, with a combined three shots on target and a total of 15 touches inside the opposition’s box.

In a top Western Conference matchup, Loons started arguably its best XI: forward Kelvin Yeboah, midfielders Tani Oluwaseyi; Joaquin Pereyra, Wil Trapp, Robin Lod; defenders Joseph Rosales, Nico Romero, Michael Boxall, Carlos Harvey, Bongi Hlongwane; and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

Looking for a jolt, head coach Eric Ramsay subbed out Yeboah in the 68th minute, with left wing back Anthony Markanich coming in. Oluawseyi moved to forward and Joseph Rosales moved into midfield.

Yeboah seemed perplexed to being taken off, putting his hand out as if to say “why?” Ramsay just slapped his hand.

Briefly

Hassani Dotson cleared a milestone in his rehab from his meniscus injury this week, joining in warmups for training. But with him placed on the season-ending injury list, he won’t be able to make a late-season comeback. … Former Kicks forward Alan Willey was part of 20-some former players and staff honored at MNUFC’s heritage match Saturday. At Loons training Friday, he joked about playing for the Loons. “I’m a game-time decision,” the 68-year-old said while looking down at a knee brace.

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Of the 10 young players the Twins acquired before the July 31 trade deadline, none is more intriguing — or at least might be closest to playing regular innings for the big league team — than James Outman.

Outman is an outfielder who, in 2023, played in 151 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. He hit .248 with 23 home runs, 86 runs scored and 70 RBIs that season.

Since then, that offensive production has all but disappeared. Over the past two seasons, Outman has worked to come out of a hitting slump that, before Saturday’s game against Detroit, read .137 with 20 runs and 15 RBIs in a combined 75 major league games.

It’s a common story in baseball, and most often difficult to bounce back from.

“I think a big part of it is just knowing that you’re a good player, and there’s multiple ways to affect the game and help your team win,” Outman said Saturday after being recalled from Class AAA St. Paul to take the active roster spot of Alan Roden.

“You know, everybody wants to hit, and it’s frustrating when you don’t,” Outman said before starting in left field for his new team. “But it was just learning more about myself and learning that opportunities come and they go, and the important thing is to be ready to play every day.”

Outman, 28, is one of three outfielders acquired at the deadline, and now one of several players looking for enough good innings to show the Twins they can be part of a bright future.

Roden was getting that opportunity before he sprained his left thumb while sliding headfirst into home plate on Thursday. He was placed on the injured list Saturday and is scheduled to see a hand specialist.

Before he was hurt, Roden had been in the lineup every day since being acquired from Toronto. In 12 games primarily as the left fielder, he hit .158 with a double, a home run, 13 strikeouts and no walks.

Asked if Outman might get a similar chance to peddle his wares, manager Rocco Baldelli said, “I don’t make promises as far as at-bats and how much guys are going to play.”

But, the manager added, “He’s going to get opportunities to play, and to hopefully get into a good rhythm and show us some things he can do. I’d like to get to know the player a little bit, so that will be part of it, but whether it’s James or Austin or Trevor (Larnach), I’m not going to define just how much time these guys are each going to get, because there’s really no way to know the answer of that.”

In May 2023, Outman hit a grand slam in a 7-3 victory over Minnesota in Los Angeles. In his only previous series at Target Field, he went 4 for 11 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs as the Dodgers took 2 of 3 in April 2024.

“It was a good series,” he said. “I was happy about that one.”

Outman said the organization had him working on some things upon arrival with the Saints — they’re in Omaha this week — but added, “Nothing too crazy.”

Outman said the organization had him working on some things upon his arrival to the Saints — they’re in Omaha this week — but added, “Nothing too crazy.”

“Just kind of getting some more at-bats underneath my belt, I would say, and getting back into the swing of things, no pun intended,” he said. “I didn’t really have too many at-bats throughout July, so I think that was a big part of it, and just kind of, like, shaking off some of some of the rust.”

Baldelli said the Twins have some ideas about the outfielder’s swing, but added that it’s much more difficult to assess a position player from afar than a pitcher.

“It’s much easier to look at what a pitcher is doing, has been doing, and have a good idea of putting together a couple of bullet points for that guy to focus on, and then they can get down to the details,” Baldelli said. “For position players, it’s a reactionary thing. You’re always going to have (ideas), but the way it works is completely different.”

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