Copyright Star Tribune
The news article “Alarm in Nigeria over Trump threat” (Nov. 3) says that “analysts” say that “violence in the country has broadly impacted Nigerians, regardless of their religion.” The article says that “Ladd Serwat, senior Africa analyst for the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, said that claims of mass Christian fatalities are not backed up by data.” Contrary to the article, Nigeria has long been an epicenter of Christian persecution, according to the human rights organization Open Doors. According to an Intersociety report, there are at least 22 Islamic terror groups in Nigeria. More than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in the first 220 days of 2025. The violence has displaced at least 12 million Christians since 2009. Since 2009, 125,000 Christians and 60,000 liberal Muslims have been killed by Islamic terrorists. As a lifelong Minnesotan and first-time letter writer to any publication, I was inspired by contributing columnist Andy Brehm’s thoughtful column urging former Gov. Tim Pawlenty to run for the open U.S. Senate seat. I’d like to join that call with my own strong endorsement (“Pawlenty should reconsider and run for the U.S. Senate,” Strib Voices, Nov. 2). I’ve seen firsthand Pawlenty’s deep love for our state. He is a true patriot who would bring proven leadership, fiscal discipline and practical solutions to Washington — skills honed as a two-term governor and shaped by Minnesota values. Even in semiretirement, he quietly advises on today’s toughest issues with the common sense our politicians desperately need. The problem? He doesn’t fit the rigid mold now dominating Republican primaries. That’s why this moment demands more than endorsements from party insiders. It requires a grassroots surge from conservative and moderate Minnesotans who want a senator focused on results, not ideology — one who can win the general election and represent us with dignity. So now our old friend Brehm is throwing his tennis buddy Pawlenty’s name into the ring as a candidate to replace retiring Democrat Tina Smith. I think Pawlenty is a better choice than Royce Lewis and Scott Jensen, but he’s still the anti-tax guy who wanted to throw a 75-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes and call it a “health impact fee.” I have no problem taxing cigarettes, but call it what it is: a tax. President Donald Trump recently ordered the U.S. to resume testing of its nuclear weapons, which it discontinued in 1992. It comes quickly in response to Russia’s testing of a nuclear-powered underwater drone (aka the Poseidon). These are alarming and dispiriting developments. Testing such weapons serves more than one purpose. Indeed, “testing” is more of a euphemism for reckless saber-rattling. The timing here is important, as Trump’s decision also came just before Trump was set to sit down with China’s leader, Xi Jinping. Tensions between these two countries have been rising as a roller coaster of a trade war goes on, and China continues to flex its proverbial muscles over Taiwan and the important sea lanes abutting its borders. Similarly, the U.S. and Russia remain at stark odds over the continuing war in Ukraine. Testing nukes raises anxiety of citizens all over the world. Nuclear weapons are unique in that there cannot be any limited use because it crosses such a red line that retaliation and escalation are virtually guaranteed. The potential horrors of nuclear war have faded since the end of the Cold War. But earlier this year there have been several needed reminders. Japan marked 80 years since the atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima; a book published in 2024 by Annie Jacobsen (“Nuclear War”) gives a chilling and highly detailed minute-by-minute account of how a nuclear war would likely unfold. And a new movie, “A House of Dynamite” (directed by Kathryn Bigelow), does much the same. All this is to say that the U.S. and world vitally need a revitalized anti-nuclear-weapons campaign, now. Mass popular movements can effectively pressure government leaders. In the past, this led to the partial and comprehensive nuclear test ban treaties (1963 and 1996, respectively) and other arms control and nonproliferation agreements. There appears to be a renewed interest and participation in mass protest in the U.S., as nationwide “No Kings” gatherings show with nearly 7 million participants. This energy and interest need to be linked to efforts toward stopping U.S. and other nations from flirting with nuclear holocaust.
