I agree, in most part, with the Sun Journal editorial “Focusing on wrong targets” that was printed Feb. 3.

Being a lover of peace and equality and an advocate for the working man, popularly known as a liberal – free from narrowness of mind, bigotry or bondage to authority or creed, as defined by Funk and Wagnalls – I generally abhor government paranoia, which exists to protect its own interests. However, it very much depends on the extent of government surveillance. If that surveillance extends only to the necessary information to determine if the group or some members threaten violence, then I think it is justified.

None of us wants a repeat of the Oklahoma City bombing. However, if it descends to the level of silencing opposition, then we should all feel threatened by our own government.

I think Rep. Tom Allen’s request for full information is wise, and a little transparency here would let us all make a judgment about the justification.

Marilyn Burgess, Leeds

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