The nation’s security, the citizenry’s privacy

Re “ ‘Big Brother’ Bush and connecting the data dots,” Opinion, June 24

When Jonathan Turley writes, “It is only in the assurance of privacy that free thoughts and free exercise of rights can be truly exercised,” he omits one other key prerequisite to enjoying freedom and rights: You need to be alive. Being dead significantly diminishes free thoughts and the free exercise of rights. The Bush administration’s security measures have been used exclusively in the interest of keeping Americans alive and safe. Turley and the New York Times keep missing this. Thankfully, the majority of American voters doesn’t.

DENNIS SNEE

Simi Valley

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As President Bush and his henchmen continue to chisel away at our constitutional rights to privacy, for “national security,” it reminds me of what a Louisiana politician had to say about a similar worldwide movement of the 1930s. Sen. Huey Long warned the U.S.: “Fascism will come to our shores, wrapped up in the American flag.” It looks like Long was prophetic after all, when viewing our nation at the beginning decade of the 21st century.

BOB TEIGAN

Simi Valley