Submitted by M Hollingsworth(Canada), Mar 14, 2003 at 13:51
Having read your latest article I am at the point of thinking that we are at a pivotal point in history. We can either continue down the road of political correctness, or we can step back for a moment and review the lack of progress since 9/11. When Moussaoui was picked up, the people had to phone central office to see whether or not they could search his room. The F.B.I. has become a useless power structure that micro manages each incident and it is not apparent to them that this is IMPOSSIBLE. Let the field agents do their job within reasonable boundaries and secure the evidence needed to fight this war. This requires training and trust by central office to enable results to be forthcoming.
In my day it was referred to as "the ways and means act" and it was rarely abused and severely punished if abuse was uncovered. Trying to fight this war on terrorism with one hand tied behind one's back is indicative of all that is wrong with the West's approach and will hasten the day when we will have to retreat in the face of an inferior force. Take politics out of the day to day fight and back up the people on the street. As in any business you are only as good as the people working for you so don't hamper their efforts with politically correct procedures.
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