Wrong conclusions in the British terror case

Re “Britain Looks for Links to Transit Blasts,” Aug. 15

Referring to the successful British foiling of the terrorist plot to destroy commercial airliners, The Times reports: “Despite all the evidence amassed through aggressive surveillance of the men’s travel, phone calls and Internet communications, however, police still must answer key questions.”

Many within the Bush administration and in conservative circles have hinted that the pedantic adherence to existing laws and to the Constitution by some in the U.S. is hampering our efforts in the war on terror.

If the British success is materially attributed to warrantless domestic eavesdropping on its citizens; to unlawful, massive data-mining of e-mails, phone records, financial transactions; and to inhumane treatment of prisoners under British jurisdiction, I will be one of the first to retract my criticism of what I believe are misguided administration efforts to circumvent the law and to unconstitutionally increase executive powers.

Until then, I throw in my lot with our Constitution, our laws and the conventions we have signed on to.

DORIAN DE WIND

Austin, Texas

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The Bush administration talks a lot about security but doesn’t do much about it. It has been common knowledge since before 9/11 that liquids can be used as a component in making an explosive device, yet the government has done nothing to develop detection technology. Now that a plot using liquids has been foiled, the administration is finally jumping on the bandwagon, not by doing the proper research but by installing more restrictions for travelers.

Bush and his cohorts are more concerned with scaring people and accusing those who criticize them as being unpatriotic to gain votes. In reality, this administration and those who support it are the unpatriotic ones by creating a war based on lies and spending billions of dollars that could have been used to protect us at home.

AMY A. SCHWAB

Los Angeles