To the editor:

I was saddened by the death of ex-NFL player Pat Tillman in Afghanistan. When I view his sacrifice in light of the recent protest of the Patriot Act by the Lawrence City Commission, I am embarrassed.

Compared to the censorship and inconveniences our parents and grandparents endured during World War II, this act seems trivial. I see no fundamental issues of liberty at stake. The act just allows the use of sorely needed, more effective crime-fighting techniques, all under judicial approval. Our lack of cooperation shows disrespect for the Americans who died in the 9-11 attacks. Having suffered terrorism ourselves at the hands of Quantrill, you’d think Lawrence would show more empathy.

It seems we have elected four aging hippies to the City Commission who epitomize the worst aspects of the Me Generation. They view their nation through a lens of paranoia that filters out everything except perceived ulterior motives. While our security forces struggle to connect the dots to prevent terrorist attacks, our commissioners won’t even help them find the dots in the first place. They ask only what their country can do for them.

I would like to thank Commissioner Sue Hack for withholding her approval of this action. In the next election, I hope the people of Lawrence replace the other commissioners with adults.

Tony Miller,

Lawrence