Conflicting views on train "no ride" list
Passengers heading for the Amtrak train at Penn Station in Manhattan. Credit: Uli Seit
I am appalled at Sen. Charles Schumer's proposal for a "no-ride" list for Amtrak trains ["Train 'no ride' list proposed," News, May 9]. Is it his intention to remove all semblance of freedom and liberty within these United States, or does he really think people are going to try to fly trains into buildings now?
The whole purpose of the increased security on airplanes is ostensibly to avoid another 9/11, where people hijacked planes and used them as weapons by flying them into other objects. This is patently impossible on a train. It concerns me deeply that Schumer is proposing a further erosion of the freedoms of everyday American citizens.
With proposals like this, Sen. Schumer reveals himself as another fear-monger, intent on further terrorizing the American population. Let us please just get back to normal existence and restoring our ailing Bill of Rights.
Mark Bonder, Great Neck
I don't mind the train security becoming stricter. In fact I think it's a wonderful idea. We deserve the right to be protected at all times, and if it means having to be at the train station a little longer, it's fine.
After all, we should be extremely vigilant, seeing that al-Qaida might want to retaliate, and we can't let something like 9/11 happen to us again.
Nubia Hernandez, Hempstead
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