Bully for Saralou Caliri (Jan. 13 letter) for her courageous letter: “Where’s the Outrage.” But be careful, the president may be listening. Oh, but that is OK, say Mr. Cook and Mr. Howard. And they allude to the Foreign Intelligence Act as their justification.

Now, Saralou, you dare to question our president. Thus, according to Messrs. Cook and Howard, you are no longer an American citizen. You could be brought to task under the Foreign Intelligence Act.

Messrs. Cook and Howard, do you really believe that the president’s eavesdropping into the lives of American citizens has much to do with those “terrorists”? I think it has a lot more to do with “dangerous” people like Cindy Sheehan, Michael Moore, Molly Ivins, Arianna Huffington and anyone else who may be a threat to their imperial ambitions. This administration has already demonstrated their skill at destroying anyone who gets in their way.

Do you realize, Messrs. Cook and Howard, that Martin Luther King could have been sent down to Cuba as an “Enemy Combatant” under the Patriot Act? The government of the people, by the people and for the people is fast becoming the government for the rich and the military-industrial complex.

Sorry, Messrs. Cook and Howard, we are not as dumb as you think. We are not deceived by you or this president. We, with Saralou, will scream our outrage over what is happening to our beloved nation. Look out! The people are waking up!

The Rev. Robert A. Jones

Southern Pines