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WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT WORKS
I completely agree with Mark Steyn’s article about airport security. He is absolutely correct when he says that in every instance of a bombing (or attempted bombing), Muslims are always the common denominator.
I would suggest that the people responsible for airport security in Canada and the USA take a trip to Israel. While there they might ask their airport security if they do racial profiling. The answer will be an unapologetic, “CERTAINLY.” They might also take a look at where everyone checks their baggage; I believe you will find that all baggage is checked outside the terminal.
So, how many times in the last twenty years there has been a problem on an Israeli airplane? You might be amazed at the answer. Until we stop looking for things and start looking at who might be a terrorist, we will continue to have serious problems.
Norman Hawley
Colborne, Ontario
...AT LEAST NOT WITH NAIL CLIPPERS
After reading your Macleans article, I realized that the folks who believe the TSA is useful are using probably the same ones who thing we should ban guns— both focus on the theory that if you take the tools away from bad people, they won't be able to harm good folks.
Lee Rodgers
WAIT'LL YOU SEE THE JACKET COVER!
Gosh, I can't for Steyn's next book: 10 Ways to Spot a Muslim. It will be required reading for airport security everywhere.
Brian Mahoney
Toronto, Ontario
MISSING THE POINT
Mark Steyn has figured out the problems plaguing security issues in our world: It's the Muslims, we ought to note— not the 99-year-old grandma.
Aside from such obvious examples as the Oklahoma City bomber (who was a born and bread American Christian), if "terrorism" is interpreted to include any act that deliberately induces large-scale chaos, Toronto residents could argue that it's the Tamil Tigers we ought to fear most— and they are Hindu.
But forget even that argument for a second and accept Steyn's premise. Now what? Many Bosnian and Turksih Muslims are perfectly blond and blue-eyed, while many Middle Easterners and Africans are not Muslim. Shall we make it easier to identify the Muslim among us by making him wear, say, a yellow crescent around the arm?
My 91-year-old grandma may look tame, but she has lived through the Holocaust, and believe me when I tell you that Mark Steyn's ideas could very well make her want to blow something up.
Ksenija Trahan
Toronto, Ontario
YOU FORGOT TO MENTION THE BILDERBERGERS
I will agree with Mr Steyn that measures in place at airports do little to keep us safe. However, it is his kind, the neo-cons, who crafted this clever fear factor to boost profits for any and all companies that are related to the security industry. The TSA is simply the bureaucracy that signs the checks. We are living with the legacy of his heroes: Cheney, Wolfowitz and Perle. Mr Steyn should refrain from feigning disappointment and continue to enjoy the financial windfalls of the neo-con fear factor scheme.
Jacob Kasperowicz
Kirkland, Quebec
HOOSIERS ON FIRST
In your otherwise excellent overview of Gene Hackman's acting career, you failed to mention his single greatest performance as high school basketball coach Norman Dale in Hoosiers. Far from being just a niche movie for sports fans, Hoosiers featured the full expression of Hackman's trademark gruffness, but also included a great deal of depth beyond that. (In what other role can you envision Hackman reciting a line like, "I love you guys", while having it sound completely authentic and consistent with the character?)
Also, contrary to your general observation that Hackman was "excluded from romantic roles", Hoosiers did feature a major subplot of romance between Hackman's character and the female lead played by Barbara Hershey— one of the few actresses who could not be out-gruffed by Hackman. In Hoosiers, Hackman demonstrated his trademark prickly strength, but showed there was a lot more to be had besides.
Alex
Detroit, Michigan
Thank you for your kind (and unkind) letters from America, Canada, Britain, Australia and around the world. Mark reads all mail, but especially enjoys the vicious ones. Each day Monday to Friday we pick six of the best for our Daily Delivery. So drop a line to Mark's Mailbox, and on Friday if you're chosen to be the one and only Letter of the Week you'll join our roll of winners from four Continents and receive a copy of Mark Steyn From Head To Toe. It would help if you could indicate your city or town, or, at any rate, your state, province or country. If not, at least let us know what planet you're on.
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