Bet on Terror? Not Now, Not Ever (5 Letters)

July 31, 2003

Bet on Terror? Not Now, Not Ever

To the Editor:

Re "Swiftly, Plan for Terrorism Futures Market Slips Into Dustbin of Ideas Without a Future" (news article, July 30):

The news of a Pentagon plan to create a futures market for international terrorism and violence exposes an administration lacking a moral compass.

It is not surprising that John M. Poindexter, the retired rear admiral, is in charge of the group from which the idea emerged. As an architect of the Iran-contra scandal and of recent plans to spy on Americans, he has demonstrated a commitment to policies that are repugnant to the professed values of our nation. His continued presence in the administration weakens its credibility.

That the Bush administration had requested $8 million for the program indicates that Admiral Poindexter was not the only official to support the futures market in terrorism. There should be an immediate investigation of this program, and the people responsible for promoting it should be removed.

ERIN KELLY
New York, July 30, 2003

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