Letters to the Editor for Nov. 16, 2011

By: Staff | Nelson County Times
Published: November 16, 2011

‘Big Brother’ is always watching

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) SWAT teams are authorized to stop a bus and search it for chemical and biological agents under the provisions of U.S. Code Title 49, sub-chapter III, Chapter 53, paragraph 53 sub-paragraph J, Crime Prevention and Security without it appears the due process protections provided for under the Fourth Amendment. One must assume that with authority to stop and search the bus comes the authority to conduct the same through intimate personal examination of each passenger. I wonder when they will get to the family car?

Have we as a people reached that point that we have given up unto "Big Brother" the authority to control our very being under the banner of security?

We have today as a nation a difficult national security issue. It is not a problem of a "Pearl Harbor" or another "9/11." It is a security threat propelled by individuals and small groups imported and within the nation willing to die in some small act on behalf of some greater cause. This problem is further compounded by the unintended (or maybe intended) consequences of existing legislation and the partisan political ramifications.

I must again ask, "Who is the enemy and why?" To say that the "underwear bomber" who attempted to bring down an airliner a few Christmases ago was willing to die because he did not like us, seems to me to be a reach. So, what was the cause that he was willing to die for? Is the leadership of this nation so intellectually limited that it has no concept of the cause except that they don’t like us? It is not unreasonable to relate the attacks to Islam as all of the terrorists have been Muslim. But, this improperly creates concern for loyal Americans who adhere to the teachings of Islam.

We are at war, and we are giving up the freedoms fought for at Valley Forge to a tyrannical government without a whimper.

A final note. That same U.S. Code section that requires the states to tell the federal government your name, address and information on all vehicles you own.

Like Santa Claus, "Big Brother" knows who is naughty or nice.

The age old question still is "What can I do?"

BOB DEWEY

Wintergreen

Thanks from Almost Home

A huge thank-you to Jay Harris at Front Street Garage.

On the morning of Oct. 5, a cargo van full of area shelter dogs, including many from Nelson and Amherst counties, broke down in front of the Catholic church in Lovingston.

The van, owned by Gateway Regional Rescue, was loaded with dogs saved from local animal control facilities. It was on its way to no-kill shelters in New Jersey.

It was 6:30 a.m.

The driver called Front Street Garage so he could be towed to Almost Home Pet Adoption Center.

The owner, Jay Harris, said he would be right there. Twenty minutes later, he arrived with a roll back and carefully loaded the van full of dogs and drove them to Almost Home.

There we transferred all the dogs, in their crates, to the Almost Home van and sent them on their way.

Even though we got him out of bed, Harris refused to charge the shelter for the tow.

On behalf of Gateway Regional Rescue and Almost Home Pet Adoption Center, we want to say a big thanks to Jay and Crystal Harris for their kindness and generosity.

DONALD AND FONDA BELL

Almost Home Pet Adoption Center

Lovingston

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