There is much to admire in James Howard Kunstler's observations ("Delusion —- Unsafe at any speed," @issue, May 28) on the steps we need to take to prevail over "the instabilities that will shake the complex systems of daily life."

For example, he recommends fixing the passenger railroad system, a move decades overdue; also, restoring local economic networks "that the big-box stores systematically destroyed." He says agriculture needs to return to a central, local role in our economy because of the need to grow our food closer to home.

One area of disagreement has to do with his view that our large cities need to be broken down into "towns, villages and small cities." Not practical or workable. The big-city model works because of its ability to concentrate and centralize transportation, resources, goods, housing, technology, jobs, education, arts and culture in one destination, and then disseminate these benefits outward where they are needed.

Given that cities always need to be made more efficient, workable and livable, the strengths of great cities may be one of the essential elements of modern civilization that will serve the massive changes Kunstler says are barreling our way.

R. CARY BYNUM

Atlanta

Bush happened

At last! An insider, George W. Bush's former press secretary Scott McClellan and a loyalist, has the guts to put in print what we have known from day one: Our president, impulsive rather than analytical, misled the public when he attempted to justify the invasion of Iraq, an unnecessary war that destabilized not only the Near and the Middle East but our own nation and ruined its economy for generations to come.

REGINE REYNOLDS-CORNELL

Decatur

To protect DADS kids, seek middle ground

It is a good, necessary policy for schools to carefully screen backgrounds of adults with access to students on school campuses. It has also been shown in research and practice that positive parental involvement and presence in schools is important to academic and social success for kids. Furthermore, according to Helping America's Youth, it is well documented that the "presence of supportive and caring adults" is a critical protective factor that reduces risk for many violent and nonviolent incidents. The barring of members of the DADS group from Clayton County schools neither reduces risks nor strengthens protection for children ("Clayton schools cut volunteer DADS," Page One, May 30). Both DADS and Clayton County schools are attempting to support healthy growth of children and keep them safe and free from harm. A more useful strategy for both organizations is to find the middle ground to achieve this vital goal.

DePRIEST WADDY

Waddy is CEO of Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Georgia.

Fast-track security lane undemocratic

It is not surprising that Hartsfield-Jackson facility managers are moving to emulate European airports by installing high-speed, expedited passenger lanes so that some travelers, a kinetic elite, can avoid the shakedown that others must undergo. What is disturbing is that this development pushes America closer to a divided, less democratic society where regulations are applied unevenly to citizens on the basis of whether they are willing or able to pay for unrestricted access and "rights of passage." The emergence of a "nobility of mobility" will hinder freedom of movement for the rest of us plodding plebes unwilling to pay to have our "backgrounds" checked and give over even more of our constituted rights to be "secure in our persons" to the government.

BILL FLEMING

Atlanta