LETTERS: COLUMN WAS INFLAMMATORY, IRRESPONSIBLE

To the editor:

After reading Jay Eastlick's column (April 22, "After Waco, is anyone really safe?"), it seemed appropriate that someone challenge him and the "facts" he used.

This has to be the height of irresponsible and inflammatory reporting. At a time when everyone is hurting over the recent bombing and the loss of lives, to further the cause of the people who placed the bomb by such irrational statements is unconscionable.

ATF agents are hired to enforce laws which Congress enacts. They are subject to stringent guidelines. Did Mr. Eastlick give any thought to the danger he might be putting ATF agents in by publishing his interpretation erroneous though it may be) and excerpts of an article from a magazine which few people have heard of?

Information for search warrants is obtained from various sources and sometimes over long periods to ensure that someone's rights aren't violated. Once a U.S. attorney is satisfied sufficient information exists to justify the issuance of a warrant, the information is presented to a U.S. magistrate. If the magistrate agrees, a warrant is issued. Only then do ATF agents serve the search warrant.

Mr. Eastlick apparently overlooked the fact that sufficient firearms and ammunition were found following the fire at Mt. Carmel to indicate they had been probably cause for the search warrant. The was also information indicating that ATF agents did, in fact, knock on the door of the compound and identify themselves as federal agents only to have the door slammed in their faces followed by gunfire from the compound. ATF agents returned fire only in self-preservation.

I would like to ask Mr. Eastlick if a bomb were discovered in the Southeast Missourian building, whom would he call? If he knew his next-door neighbor was selling drugs and was known to have firearms, whom would he call? ATF agents aren't here to violate anyone's rights. They are here to protect the rights and lives of the innocent, many times at the risk of their own lives.

BRENDA STANFIELD

Cape Girardeau