LETTERS: WHY IS GOP UPSET BY RAID ON HOME?

To the editor:

I was astonished to see a headline in the April 24 St. Louis Post-Dispatch which reads, "Republican leaders step up attacks on taking of Elian." In your capacity as an organ for the Republican Party in Missouri, I would appreciate an explanation.

First, of course, I understand that the Republicans believe they have no chance of winning the presidency without winning Florida. I understand their position on Elian Gonzalez is nothing more than pandering to the South Florida Cuban vote in an effort to win a state they perceive to be crucial.

Further, I understand that the Republican Party has been totally adrift since the collapse of communism and since then has exhibited no apparent purpose in the world. I appreciate the fact that this chance to hark back to the concept of Cuba exporting communism throughout Latin America is irresistible to the deep sense of purposelessness in the Republican Party.

But my question is this: Where is the Republican Party headed with the idea that there is something wrong with federal agents storming into an unarmed home carrying gigantic machine guns? What is next? The Missouri Water Patrol has recently been armed with .40 caliber Glock pistols. Will the Republicans think automatic weapons aren't needed for DWI arrests?

JOHN L. COOK

Cape Girardeau