LETTERS
To the Editor:

Regarding the recent Justice Department (JD) findings that the FBI was abusing its authority under the Patriot Act, and had illegally obtained private records during some investigations: did anyone really believe that such abuses would not happen? For me, I'm about as shocked as Inspector Renault was in the 1942 film "Casablanca," when he learned that there was gambling going on at Rick's Café. Abuses reported in the JD findings include illegally circumventing the National Security Letter (NSL) provision of the Patriot Act, and in some cases, issuing NSLs after the fact to "cover" illegitimate record demands for sensitive personal information such as telephone records and e-mail. Also according to the JD report, FBI agents contracted with phone companies to improperly obtain customer records, saying that subpoenas would later be issued in connection with an underlying investigation. But in a random examination of such "exigent letters," not one subpoena was sent, and in many cases the requests were not tied to any pending FBI investigations, which was a clear violation of the law. The FBI director said no one has suffered harm from the "errors" made. Ha! Next time you're caught speeding, try telling the trooper that it's OK because no one "suffered harm" from your actions. Democrat Senator Patrick Leahy said, "You cannot have people act as free agents on something where they are going to be delving into your privacy … We all want to stop terrorists. We all want to stop criminals. But the FBI work for us, the American people, not the other way around." And, Republican Senator Arlen Specter thinks the Patriot Act may have to be changed and the FBI's power curtailed because "they appear not to be able to know how to use it." Amen! Sounds like bipartisanship to me. Let's get on with it!

Cordially,

Chuck Esposito,

Suches, GA

To the Editor:

Just want to say thanks to the surprising amount of people who have called, sent a note or stopped me on the street to ask when I'll start my "Travels with Louise" again.

I'd truly like to share more trips with you but time slips by quickly and I never have any extra. I have written a couple on Spain for ITN as I had done previously but only once a month. I have ended those also.

I am preparing to go to Wales and the rest of the U.K. and hope I remember how to drive on the left. After seven trips to Jamaica. I had no problems but I'm rusty. See y'all later.

Louise Hughes

To the Editor:

The citizens of Union County have an historic opportunity to stand up for what they believe. At 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 24 at the House of Prayer, Union County's Republican Party holds its convention, where any Union County voter can take part in choosing the officers and direction of the party for the next two years. As a member of the local party for more than 5 years, believe me: Nothing could be more important for our community.

The time has come for our local Republican Party to more accurately and effectively represent the needs and interests of this community. For too long, our local party has engaged in frequently ineffective and sometimes ill-advised misadventures, ignoring the interests and hopes of the many, more interested in maintaining petty squabbles than in finding genuine solutions to the problems and concerns of the citizens of Union County. The time has come, for the sake of our community and our future, to lay aside the grudges of old, the feelings of mistrust, and above all, ego.

Achieving economic prosperity while protecting and preserving our natural beauty and stewarding the heritage of these mountains for future generations is going to take conscious and concentrated effort by 'we the people.'

We must turn our hearts, minds, and hands to the task of reaching out and working together to achieve the common good. It is time to end the failed policies of the past that have caused progress to be halted by an unwillingness to negotiate. Workable compromise that produces results is better than the relentless pursuit of currently unachievable goals.

This does not mean that we will yield for one moment our dedication to lowering taxes, smaller and more accountable government, defending individual liberties, protecting our natural resources, and upholding traditional family values. Rest assured, we will stand in strong but honorable opposition to those who seek to undermine these principles. However, our first commitment must be to put forward a vision and plan for the betterment of Union County.

We can and will achieve this first by discussion, then by debate and negotiation, and finally, through the power of the ballot box. Your presence at the county convention can make this a shared reality. Please join me Saturday, March 24th in taking a stand for our community and for a better way forward for our party. Contact (706) 781-5290 for more info.

Respectfully Yours, Justin Lewis Wight