Letters to the Editor
Enough whining about the new Transportation Security Administration procedures ("A patriot protects his junk," Monday). I'm a 64-year-old grandmother who gets patted down every time I fly because I have knee replacements. It's uncomfortable and, at times, invasive, and I don't like it.
Enough whining about TSA actions
Enough whining about the new Transportation Security Administration procedures ("A patriot protects his junk," Monday). I'm a 64-year-old grandmother who gets patted down every time I fly because I have knee replacements. It's uncomfortable and, at times, invasive, and I don't like it.
But it's better than burying a loved one when a plane explodes.
My son, Rick, was on Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. How I wish the United States had taken security seriously in 1988.
Eileen Monetti
Cherry Hill
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Media amplify airport scanner story
The story about the Transportation Security Administration's new pat-downs and scanners is a great example of where our instantaneous media are taking us ("Scanner hysteria only muddies the picture," Sunday). They artificially amplify and elevate any story that people might react to. No network will be outdone in telling us how "furious" and "appalled" we all are at an inconsistent and clumsy effort to increase our security. I suspect few realized how angry and put-upon they were until the message was shared again and again.
If any of the planned "opt out" actions cause massive slowdowns at airports, and travelers who just want to get home are caught in a selfish orchestrated mess, the media can capture what angry really looks like.
Joseph B. Baker
West Chester
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Stop screenings, and then what?
Charles Krauthammer may be correct ("A patriot protects his junk," Monday). More than 95 percent of all TSA security measures are for assuring the public that flying is safe. They tell would-be terrorists that they have to work harder and smarter to get an explosive or weapon on an airplane. Still, on rare occasions, they succeed.
Perhaps Krauthammer would stop all invasive inspections and screenings until one of these terrorists is successful and then he would scream for the TSA and all government officials to be fired for not protecting the public. He wants it both ways. Does he have a method to keep the flying public safe?
Dave Savage
Collingswood
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Adopt profiling for added security
Michael Smerconish quotes TSA chief John Pistole in his defense of airline-security screening measures ("Scanner hysteria only muddies the picture," Sunday). But how much of an expert is Pistole? At a recent congressional hearing, he testified that it is "an urban legend" that children under 12 are screened or frisked, even though TSA's own website says all children must be screened.
Smerconish suggests a solution: Profiling. And a former El Al security chief has said that a brief interview with every passenger as he or she queues up would be a more effective security measure, as it would single out those with something to hide.
Right now, we have a mostly technological system, with major flaws, that could be replaced with something smarter, proven, and less intrusive.
James Miles
Collingdale
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A violation of citizens' rights
I am very disappointed in Michael Smerconish ("Scanner hysteria only muddies the picture," Sunday). He used to have a commonsense point of view, but now seems to be a President Obama flunky.
I refuse to fly in a plane while these unconstitutional measures are used against law-abiding American citizens. Our borders are breached every day by illegals entering this country and we can't solve that problem. But, apparently we can take away the Fourth Amendment rights of Americans who only wish to come and go legally. I hope this madness ends soon and we can get back to living free as Americans must do.
Carol A. Spagnola
Camden
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Smarter ways to handle addiction
Nice article on Camden and My Brother's Keeper ("Outreach effort in Camden targets suburban drug users," Sunday). When the legal system progresses to putting patients with addictive disorders into treatment instead of incarceration, and provides medication, social services, and vocational assistance, we will finally be able to stem the tide of addiction and turn people's lives around. In these tough times, politicians and administrators would rather spend money incarcerating these unfortunate people than provide cost-effective treatment.
Dr. Michael W. Shore
Cherry Hill