Letter to the editor

After 23 years with the U.S. Air Force security operations and serving a tour in Vietnam in 1968, I have fought for America and I am proud to be an American.

Regarding the new Office of Homeland Security, I feel all government or federal employees in information technology positions should work under its director, Tom Ridge. Why? We deal with networks, the Internet, firewalls, etc. Our level of responsibility is very heavy in the security field. This is especially true in the coming age with computers: Everyone is going to have one for better or for worse. I like to think that the Internet is a tool that can be harmful or helpful.

Make us all monitors of the Internet system. Place IT professionals under your department, and we can sound any alarm coming across our communication lines. This includes in-house or outside the United States.

John De Hoyos

Bureau of Indian Affairs