Safety more important than privacy right now

Dear editor,

I was extremely disappointed and disturbed by the letter I read in (Monday's) Statesman.

Have we forgotten what happened in this country on Sept. 11? Have we forgotten that these terrorists came from all over the United States and attended our colleges and aviation schools? They learned from us how to produce the carnage of Sept. 11.

And what did American citizens scream after that tragic day, not to mention every anthrax-filled day since then? I'll tell you, in case you did not hear it.

Americans roared, "How could this happen? Why didn't the FBI catch these murderers before they did this?"

We didn't know about these people because we didn't want to violate their civil rights! Boy, that paid off, didn't it? Sure, we lost thousands of innocent American citizens, but at least we didn't invade any students' privacy.

We had better start putting a little more trust in our government. Now is not the time to fight for privacy; now is the time to fight for justice. I am not a terrorist, so I have to tell you, I really don't feel violated at all by the prospect of the FBI looking through my records. As a matter of fact, if it will help prevent another tragedy, I welcome it.

I question why any intelligent American citizen would fight this investigation with such fervor. As a journalist, I believe wholeheartedly in the civil rights of our citizens. I also believe in open records and fighting back when it is necessary.

We have more important enemies to battle right now than our own government and president.

When your little brother, father, husband, sister or other family member can't come home for Christmas because they are protecting this country from enemies within its own borders, then you can call me and tell me how violated you feel because the FBI wants your criminal records. Until then, I will be happy to help our government any way I can.

This isn't just about us, or ISU or Indiana. This is about protecting our freedom. Perhaps protecting our privacy is what threatened our freedom in the first place.

I am disappointed that your board would support and print such a closed-minded, biased and anti-government letter. God-willing, terrorism will not come to the campus of ISU, but nothing is beyond the realm of possibility anymore. Perhaps true journalists should consider every angle.

Angela Sabaini

Class of 2000, Journalism major, Radio/TV/Film minor