Netlets: Please profile airline travelers

A Jan. 2 letter questions whether profiling will really help or only discriminate against completely innocent people in regard to attacks by terrorists on the airlines. I, for one, vote for profiling.

A little over two years ago my husband and I took a trip to the United Kingdom. When we were checked in by British Airlines personnel in Chicago we were pulled to the side and had our passports taken away from us. For close to an hour we were questioned and scrutinized. When all was done, we asked what could possibly be the reason that two senior citizens of Scandinavian descent would cause alarm bells to go off. We were told it was because our last name started with Al. In the end it really proved to be nothing but a bit of an inconvenience, and British Airlines actually upgraded our seats because we proved to be such good sports.

I've always believed that if you have nothing to hide then you have no reason to feel that you're being discriminated against. Especially at a time when so much is at stake. Perhaps it's time for the American Civil Liberties Union to branch out and to get into the airline business. Then all those folks who feel as if their civil liberties are being violated, or who don't like being profiled can fly on ACLU Airlines. As for me, bring on the profiling.

CAROLYN ALM, CHISAGO CITY, MINN.

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Please help me understand! The CIA ignored warnings about the latest airplane terrorist, he was not an American citizen, he traveled on an international flight, he had no luggage, he bought a one-way ticket with cash.

To solve the problem we now pat down citizen grandma flying to visit the grandkids on a domestic flight on a ticket purchased with a credit card and won't let her read a book or go to the bathroom during the last hour of the flight.

PATRICK FINLEY, EDINA

Senate showmen (and women) Ezra Klein's Jan. 2 column, "Tear down that filibuster wall," was exactly right. Obstructionism in the U.S. Senate is threatening the ability to govern this country. Where have all the stateswomen and statesmen gone? And what about showing some concern for the good of the country rather than the outcome of the next election?

MARY WINGE, ST. PAUL

Homeless in Minneapolis I heard this week that the Minnesota Twins are caring for their new ball field during these cold days by keeping it heated to 40 to 50 degrees. Very strange to imagine people at the same time sleeping outside in 15 below weather all around that new stadium. Maybe since the heat that warms the ball field is partially funded by tax dollars the city would consider encouraging the Twins to invite the homeless it can't care for to sleep on our heated field. (Don't like to sound accusing, but this irony is just too much.)

JOEL WARNE, PLYMOUTH

So Tom Petters may get life in prison. He will get three meals a day, free lodging in a warm environment, free medical assistance, exercise options to maintain his health. What a bonus for bilking thousands of people out of millions of dollars!

Just what are we doing for the homeless?