To the editor:

A 58-year-old guy in Wichita joins with al Qaida hoping to “commit violent jihad” against the United States. (Journal-World, Dec. 15) Happy to divert discussion from financial policies bankrupting Kansas, Gov. Brownback eagerly jumps onboard: “In our ongoing war on terrorism, the good guys won one today.” Sen. Moran, and Rep. Pompeo, also eager to divert attention from the disaster we call Congress, come in right behind: “the case is a ‘stark reminder’ that the United States continues to face threats from radical Islamic terrorists.”

So, the “good guys” won. But, if the federal agents were the “good guys,” who would the “bad guys” have been? The bomb makers of course. But, it was the agents who made the bomb. No Islamic terrorist group was ever involved. Think of the myriad levels of delusion here.

And, what should have been made of an old, middle class, married guy, with a kid, in Wichita, who surfs the web hoping to make friends with jihadists? The first logical reaction is “crazy,” finishing just ahead of “really stupid.” The greatest danger he ever posed was to himself. But, rather than a charitable intervention, these agents spent six months (and how many dollars?) exploiting the fantasy. It may have been fun, but it was neither intelligent nor courageous. Can we hope such nonsense will truly keep us safe?

On this, the first anniversary of Sandy Hook, a day we get reports of yet another school shooting, we might consider whether law enforcement agents could be better employed doing background checks on assault rifle purchases.