Unfettered Letters

A time for toughness

I would like to vote for the team of Barack Obama/Joe Biden in November. I would really like to vote for the first black man leading a major party in its run for U.S. president. I would like to see his elegant wife in the White House and watch his darling daughters as they grow into strong young women.

But here’s the thing. This world has become shadowy and wary, with little room for wishes and popularity contests. I don’t want to wear body armor when I go to Hy-Vee on Saturday mornings.  I will vote for the man who will be tough on our enemies and will give no quarter in showing what we will do to those who harm our country. Say what you will about President Bush, but I’ve felt safe the past eight years and don’t want to shake the boat. This is a time for toughness and big dogs. Elegance needs to wait for better days.

Susan Ramsdell
Lenexa

Helbig saga a scary scenario

If I understand the gist of the Zenia Helbig saga (8/10, Local,  "Joke leads to lost job, smeared reputation; With one remark, a social scientist’s military career ended”), the U.S. Army was weeks away from embedding a social scientist in a combat unit after she publicly said she would switch sides.

I don’t know what’s scarier in this scenario: a soldier, sworn to defend our nation, being sued for slander by a private contractor (who is under no oath of loyalty); a combat unit’s lives in such a contractor’s hands in a war zone; or a major newspaper’s portrayal of this civilian as a victim.

For the sake of all our men and women in uniform, I hope the court bounces this lawsuit. If Lt. McCroy’s distrust was not “working for the United States and acting within the range of his employment,” then what is?

Clyde Waltermate
Raytown

Stolen copper and plant security

Citizen Dave Fusselman was correct to be suspicious of large amounts of apparently new copper pieces being offered to him for purchase which turned out to be stolen from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence (4/17, A-1, “Stolen ‘bullet cups’ sold to wrong guy”).I commend his initiative in reporting his suspicions to authorities, which resulted in the arrest of two thieves who worked at the plant. I am curious about the security at the plant.

Did no one notice that eight tons (that’s a bunch) of the copper was missing? Are there any controls on inventory of materials?

How did the two men get eight tons of copper out of the plant?

Can ammunition be easily taken from the plant by workers? These are questions that should be addressed by the plant’s management and also by the customer, the Department of Defense.

Also, who stands the loss of the copper — the contractor operating the plant or the U.S. taxpayer?

Shirley Hurst
Knob Noster

Security camera in park

"BEEP-beep-BEEP-beep-BEEP...Your picture has just been downloaded for security reasons. Enjoy the park...and have a nice day!"

That's the booming welcome you'll get if you visit Kansas City's Englewood Park in the Northland.

You'll receive that ominous greeting for simply being in motion within the range of a security camera and speaker mounted high in a tree near the upper parking lot.

I had the embarrassing experience of trying to explain the necessity for such an assault on privacy and civility to an astonished out-of-town visitor. Unfortunately, I was unable to offer a plausible explanation. I live nearby and visit the park often. To my knowledge, there have been neither terrorists nor criminal activity of any kind in the park. So I was at a total loss for an explanation.

Have our basic civil rights been gradually eroded to the point where we no longer even question such affronts?

This "Big Brother" device must be removed immediately.

Paul DeRanek
Kansas City

Prairie Home show security

I attended the Prairie Home Companion show at Starlight Theatre on Friday night. Marvelous! Wonderful sentiments about Kansas City went out over the airwaves around the USA.
As we settled in, I took notice of a security person just ahead, sitting in a chair with his back to the stage, staring back at us, the audience. At first I was amused. He looked like a strip club bouncer: wraparound sunglasses (at night), arms folded across his big belly, a wad of gum in his mouth.
OK, I thought, a little stage security before the show started. Fine.
But as the lights went down and we descended into the world of Lake Woebegone, he stayed put, watching us watch the show.
I began to take offense at Starlight’s opinion of its own audience.
Did they really think some Taliban widow was going to jump the stage with her walker and take out Garrison Keillor?
Security, yes. But goons in our faces like this was an Ozfest concert?
This is Kansas City, where the women are strong, the men are good looking, and the children are above average.
Jerry McDonald
Overland Park

Airport security

The “Seeing KC airport makes a believer out of lawmaker” article in The Star on Wednesday (5/31, Local) was of great interest to me.

U.S. Rep. John Mica of Florida and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri had visited Kansas City International Airport and touted “its unique security system.”

I recently experienced KCI’s “unique security system” firsthand.

I flew out of KCI on May 18 on my way to Honolulu. My carry-on bag, purse, shoes and person were screened with seemingly great care.

As I was packing on May 27 in Honolulu to return to Kansas City, I discovered — to my horror — a knife and surgical scissors in my carry-on bag. My horror only grew when I realized that I had passed through the “unique security system” at KCI with no problem.

With all due respect to Reps. Mica and Graves, “unique” hardly begins to describe the security at KCI.

Let’s get serious about airport security before a tragedy occurs.

Linda VanDell
Kansas City

For quick security screening

Many people are not comfortable with airport security personnel seeing them naked (2/24, A-1, “Airport peeper — oh, so revealing; The X-ray scanner peers through passengers’ clothing. And some say that’s too invasive”). Some don’t mind so much.
For those comfortable with the idea: Show up at the airport wearing only an extra-long T-shirt and a pair of flip-flops. (Or, depending on local ordinances, not.) When you reach the terminal, stuff the T-shirt and sandals into your carry-on bag.
The TSA could establish a fast lane for travelers who now don’t need to be X-rayed or patted down, and who already have their shoes off.
This should accelerate security checks considerably, and be a great convenience to those travelers who voluntarily choose to avail themselves of these expedited procedures.
Julie B. Dailey
Overland Park