Info Theft Imperils Vets To The Editor: At this time I would like to applaud an opinion by U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman who blasted the Department of Veterans Affairs for the handling of the loss of 26.5 million veterans' personal data on May 3. Furthermore Rep. Ackerman brought up the fact that on May 22, the VA finally revealed the theft of veterans' names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers from the home of a VA employee who was not authorized to possess the data outside of his office. Now the VA waited two weeks to report the thief to the FBI and the Department of Justice. I for one did not receive my letter from the VA until June, although I heard about it in May on the news. The letter sent to me from the VA read in part as follows, "As a result of this incident, information identifiable with you was potentially exposed to others." This has caused me much grief and worry, as I know other veterans feel as I do.

This tells me a number of things and that is the VA was asleep and lax in their security not to mention taking too long in reporting these facts to law enforcement. Now in cases of a crime to wait too long to investigate can cause a case to grow cold.

I may seem a little paranoid but I believe a theft of this size is an indication of organized crime, not to mention this might be a major terrorist plot who could use the theft to secure identification for their operatives and fund terrorists' activities and wage a major attack on our cities. This is not the time for our government agencies to be lax and to let it happen to the Veterans Administration, whose job was to aid us veterans not to hurt us. This I find to be appalling.

Remember this, the veterans protected this great nation of ours but who is protecting us and whose lives can be destroyed by identity fraud? Sincerely Yours Frederick R. Bedell Jr. Bellerose

Immigration Vs. Nation To The Editor:

What constitutes a nation? A nation is much more than a line drawn on a map. It is an expression of shared principles, of a distinct culture, language and institutions, which together have the power to weld together multi-ethnic groups and create a vision of national unity.

Immigrants in the past, became Americans. They learned English and they gave their primary loyalty to the nation.

Our nation has cherished our freedoms which are based on following the rule of law, not on ignoring the law to suit the whims of myriad socio-ethnic groups.

Can a nation that no longer values the principles that formed its sense of unity continue to exist in the face of unchecked immigration, particularly when immigrants are no longer expected to assimilate? Will large numbers of unassimilated foreign nationals eventually seek political and cultural autonomy from the United States in regions where they hold numerical superiority?

We must put a stop to the illegal immigration crisis before that crisis results in the disintegration of our country. Yours truly, Janet McCarthy Flushing

Designate A Driver Dear Editor:

This Fourth of July, as we celebrate our nation's heritage and raise a glass to our founding fathers, many of whom were enthusiastic home brewers, let's also salute another growing, important American tradition- designated drivers.

More than 146 million American adults have either been a designated driver or been driven home by one. And thanks to efforts like these, along with effective law enforcement and community-based alcohol awareness and education programs, drunk-driving fatalities during the Fourth of July holiday are down 41 percent since 1982, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Our nation is making great progress, but there's still more work to be done.

This holiday weekend, do your duty as an American and be a designated driver. Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable, and there's no better way to demonstrate true American spirit than by looking out for family and friends and helping to make sure everyone gets home safely. Remember, Responsibility Matters! Sincerely, C.A. Verdon Consumer Awareness & Education Coordinator Anheuser-Busch Sales & Service Of New York, Inc Dismayed By Much To The Editor:

Dismayed I am and I am going to share my dismay concerning a number of subjects to the readers of your newspaper.

Firstly, I am greatly dismayed to learn that New York came in second to last in volunteerism. This selfishness shocks me. Since we are the largest city, we have the largest numbers of people in need and so many people who can help.

In addition, I am dismayed about the deep cut in the allotment of the homeland security money that the federal government wants to give us.We are vulnerable, sorry to say, and in addition to using police for antiterrorism protection, we need police to fight crime. I also heard that the Republicans want to have New York as one of their host cities for the 2008 Republican convention. That is strange. The Republicans want to use our city for their convention but yet not provide the same city with funds to protect it from terrorism. I cannot fathom or understand this way of reasoning at all.

I also support the [City] Council's cell phone policy. In classes they must not be used, but after classes, they can be given back to the students.

I am also dismayed at the surge in stabbings and crime in our city. Let us improve this situation. We can all help.

Let us begin today by jumping on political action bandwagons. Cynthia Groopman Long Island City