Do Kansans, or for that matter, do citizens of the United States realize how fortunate they are to have Pat Roberts chairing the Senate Intelligence Committee?

Although a member of the Republican Party, Roberts has been able to oversee the committee’s work and direction at this critical time and in the world spotlight with minimal political partisanship. It is a task few senators would be able to accomplish.

His job is terribly important as well as demanding. Every major news media outlet besieges his office with requests for interviews; every word he speaks or writes relative to the committee’s work and investigation is put under the microscope to see if he is signaling some message or trying to point to one particular office or individual as being responsible for an intelligence breakdown relative to Iraq; he refuses to leak information or to use the media for his own personal gain; and his sole goal is to make sure there is a thorough, nonpartisan investigation of the intelligence communities’ role in supplying the White House with the best possible intelligence prior to the Iraqi military action.

There are some members of the committee who would like to use the spotlight now focused on the committee to help polish their own image, but this is not Roberts’ manner.

As he told several people earlier this week when he was in Lawrence, he is determined to have the committee do a first-class job in its investigation of this country’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, its strengths and its weaknesses, and how it performed relative to the Iraqi situation. Then, he intends to “let the chips fall where they may.”

Undoubtedly, there will be individuals and/or offices that will be disappointed or angered by the committee’s findings, but Roberts doesn’t hesitate in saying he has a job to do and he will do it to the best of his ability. He is not out to deliberately make someone of some office look good or bad. There will be no cover-ups. All he wants are the unvarnished facts.

This is what makes Roberts somewhat unique in Washington and why this country is so fortunate to have him in the Senate and representing the state of Kansas.

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A group of Lawrence residents is trying to encourage Lawrence city commissioners to do what they can to have the city oppose the USA Patriot Act.

A good number of these residents are well intentioned and they are just as strong in their desire to keep this country safe and strong as are many of those who are strong supporters of the Patriot Act.

The act was passed by Congress shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. It gives federal law enforcement officials authority to engage in expanded powers of investigation. Some of these powers include the use of wiretapping, secret searches, a greater sharing of information between various intelligence agencies and access to records of customers of libraries, bookstores and other such businesses.

Those opposed to this act believe the legislation gives far too much freedom for questionable investigations and that it infringes on many rights of U.S. citizens. Those opposed to the act want various city officials to refuse to cooperate with federal officials in numerous investigative and/or intelligence-gathering efforts.

The fact of the matter is this country is engaged in a war. It is far different than World War I, World War II or the Korean or Vietnam wars. Nevertheless, it is indeed a war, and it will require every effort to make sure Uncle Sam, as well as the rest of the free world, wins.

A war against terrorism is far different than a conventional war, but it can be just as deadly as wars of the past. In fact, the war against terrorism can, and probably will, bring far more death to Americans on American soil than any previous war, aside from the Civil War.

It must be fought with just as much resolve as any other war, and in so doing there may have to be sacrifices.

Numerous intelligence offices have said there are terrorist cells throughout the country.

This being the case, it is understandable why foreigners belonging to such cells and living in the United States want to remain as anonymous as possible. What better place for a young foreigner to go unnoticed than in a community with a major university that has hundreds, if not thousands, of students from throughout the world?

What better place to hide out and blend in with the citizenry?

This in no way suggests there are would-be terrorists among Kansas University’s foreign students, maybe there are or maybe not. Or, that terrorists may find it convenient to come to Lawrence and assume relationships with KU foreign students. However, it does suggest university communities, whether in Lawrence; Ames, Iowa; Manhattan; Norman, Okla.; etc., might be some of the most important locations in the country for federal investigators to use some of their intelligence-gathering techniques allowed in the Patriot Act. It should be remembered that federal agents cannot use such devices willy-nilly. There must be reasonable suspicion and there must be court approval for such action.

As well intentioned as some may be in trying to get city commissioners to deny the implementation of Patriot Act provisions in Lawrence, it would be a big mistake, maybe even a fatal mistake, if city law enforcement and judicial officials were to turn their backs on the Patriot Act.

This war, a worldwide war against terrorism, must be fought with every possible tool, and Lawrence should not play a role in weakening this effort.