Madam, - I know I experienced something or other on a recent trip to the US. I'm not sure whether it was Homeland Security or GWOT (The Irish Times, May 30th). We were queuing in Shannon to be processed by two US customs officials before boarding. Our hand luggage was examined and we were chatted up regarding the purpose of our visit, the awful weather, etc, and we had to sign a printed form.
Suddenly, just before we left, the female official asked her colleague, "Did they sign"? "Yes," he said, "they signed - oh, but, under the line". She paused while digesting this information and we were eventually permitted to go airside. We found out later that a friend of ours, on being scrutinised by them a little later, was asked if she "knew the Dunnes".
I'm sure the two officials (one of whom was Irish) are destined for a meteoric career in the US government service under the present administration, judging by their efforts on behalf of the Global War on Terrorism. - Yours, etc,
ARTHUR DUNNE,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.