LAUD HIGH COURT FOR PROTECTING LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS

Re: the Jan. 19 editorial "A troubling decision."

As a law-abiding citizen, I applaud the Supreme Court decision and do not
fear it is "rife with potential abuse."

What isn't rife with potential abuse? There will always be enough bleeding
hearts (and legitimate advocates of the Constitution) to make sure law
enforcement doesn't go too far.

Those who might be considered the wrong color, driving around in the wrong
neighborhood in the wrong vehicle have nothing to worry about as long as
they have done nothing wrong.

This is not the Soviet Union nor a Third-World country. Innocent people
have nothing to be concerned about when it pertains to search and seizures
by law enforcement. The critics you mentioned must be people afraid they
might actually do something wrong - on purpose.

It is high time we shed our pitiful past decade of casualness toward
suspicious outsiders and wrongdoers and protect our law-abiding citizens
first. If that means beefing up the Border Patrol, then so be it. We will
all be safer for it - all except for those who have no regard for the law
of the land or the people it claims to protect.

I'm certain your editorial will please Ralph Arvizu's attorney as he
prepares his appeal, but I thought it was over the top.

Carol A. Dart

Communications consultant