I just finished reading another letter ("Face reality," Nov. 28) from a disgruntled Republican and also Joe Soucheray's column ("Soak the rich! Now! Then we can move on to the real solution"), and in neither letter or column did I see the word "compromise."

It is my understanding, Mr. Soucheray, that yes, President Obama wants to eliminate tax breaks for the rich and also bring taxes for those making more than $250,000 up to equal levels of those who make less. Obama never said it would eliminate the national debt, and I am not sure it will ever be eliminated. I also know that it just didn't start with George Bush, so there is plenty of blame to go around to both parties.

Also, the letter writer should get over it and start thinking on how both parties can work together. Mitt Romney did not lose the election solely on his views on the economy. Please also include the Republicans' stand on women's rights and health and the 47 percent that Romney wanted to "forget" in the equation.

I heard many times in President Obama's speeches leading up to and including after the election the use of the word "compromise." Let's start putting that word to use instead of telling us how we are still wrong in electing President Obama.

Bill Howe, Woodbury

Unreasonable demands

The management of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is on track to destroy this world-renowned chamber orchestra, the No. 1 "gem" of St. Paul. It is time for new management including board chair Dobson West.


I find it an outrage that he and management refuse to continue negotiations. Their demand that the musicians agree to a 33 percent decrease in salaries is out of line. Management has not accepted the musicians' reasonable offer of a 10 percent salary reduction and have locked out the musicians through December.

What is truly confounding is Mr. West's February comment in the Minneapolis newspaper in which he mentions "the strong and talented group of staff, musicians and volunteers" and the organization's "large and growing audience." He made no reference to any financial problems of the SPCO.

If there are major financial problems, why did management reduce ticket prices? This three-plus-month lock-out simply worsens the financial condition as it brings in no revenue to the organization and will surely be accompanied by loss of musicians and debasement of this fine orchestra.

Additionally, what comes to mind is my understanding of a plan to revamp the McKnight theater for future SPCO concerts which will have less seating capacity than the current main theater.

To me and undoubtedly others, this claimed financial difficulty appears to be a case of inept management. To the management and Mr. West, I say, cancel the lockout, resume negotiations and go to mediation if necessary. You are disappointing the loyal patrons of the SPCO and making unreasonable demands of its professional musicians.

Warren A. Olson, St. Paul

Teacher and coach

With the retirement of the now officially legendary John Gagliardi, as a St. John's University alum ('97) I am greatly saddened that despite this man's clear credentials, pressures surfaced this fall calling for him to do so. And while it is painfully clear that health ailments contributed to this dear man's decision, one may only wonder at how much of that was predicated by unnecessarily rigid stressors caused by unwieldy questions coming from "fans," alumni, SJU officials, and worse yet, by matter-of-fact, scrutinizing journalists.

In a nation where the character of coaches has been rightfully brought under great scrutiny, from a secretive Joe Paterno at Penn State to the recently suspended college basketball coach at Morehead State for his brash behavior involving a player, Coach Gagliardi was a coach of Division III college football at its best; and more importantly, he was a teacher first, embodying a philosophy that enjoined principle and character, all while winning more games than any other coach in college football history.

Shame on us all for idly standing by as similar treatment given to Paterno was applied to this largely unblemished coach. Undoubtedly, he has cast a long shadow across many a fall football sideline; no coach to come will ever win or teach his way fully out of it. 

Jeffrey M. Ayer, Forest Lake