[sent 9/21/01]

Dear Governor Ridge,
Congratulations on your selection to be the new Homeland Defense
cabinet member.  I must relate to you that many friends of mine
had a fairly negative image when we heard the President announce
this new position.  We are very apprehensive that this may lead
to some kind of enhanced police state.  If so it would hand the
bad guys victory by destroying the freedoms America should stand
for.  

It's very clear that the FBI failed to act upon information
from Israel, France, and internally which could perhaps have
prevented some of the recent tragedy.  Rather than expanding
police powers, please make the police use their existing resources
more effectively.  Internal organizational reforms should be
a high priority given the apparent breakdowns, for example at FBI.

As an alternative view, I hope you will use your new position,
assuming confirmation, to expand the Director of Civilian
Marksmanship (DCM) program and to expand, open and make more 
uniform Firearms Concealed Carry (CCW) laws throughout the country.  
These would be very concrete and effective ways to truly enhance 
our national security.  I'm sure you are aware of the success of
the Swiss Militia in deterring Nazi aggression, and Imperial Japanese
concerns about encountering armed ordinary Americans in the course 
of an invasion during World War II.  These are legitimate and
highly relevant issues.

Very many Americans have expressed that we need the ability
to defend and protect ourselves, our communities and our
nation.  We do not need or expect the Government to provide
for our personal security.  It would not be possible for it
to do so, and the danger of police powers encroaching on
Constitutionally protected freedoms is very real, especially
under the pretext of national emergency.

I urge you in the strongest terms to please protect our 
Constitution against the fear, ignorance, and expediency.
We will win to the extent that we are free and self-responsible.

Jeff Chan