I STILL cannot understand the terrorist atrocities against America. Technology can be used for good or evil, the problem is how to minimise the latter.

There is talk of having security guards on the planes; this idea is at least a decade overdue. We were recently subjected to a six-hour flight of stress when a dozen nutters saw fit to abuse anyone who wasn't as drunk as they were. The flight attendants, meanwhile, continued to supply them with more drink in keeping with the airline policy of making money.

It occurred to me that there were only two people on board who could actually fly the plane and if anything was to happen to them...

It also struck me that there was more security outside my regular pub on a Thursday evening.

There is a difference between terrorists and domestic nutters popped up on spirits, but the consequences could be the same.

Drink should not be served on planes and we should not even allow anyone to board who has been drinking above the accepted driving limit.

We should have trained security guards on all flights and implement automatic prison sentences for breaches of peace in the air.

We should create a system whereby the cockpit can only be opened from the inside and have CCTV cameras installed on both sides.

Maybe nothing will deter the fanatic but at least it will make their lives more difficult.

Brian McCusker,

St Oswald's Road,

Fulford, York.

...THE letters from C Vassie, J Smith and R Lamb, concerning the attack on the US, make several valid and thought-provoking points.

I, like many others, obviously condemn the violence of Tuesday last, but we have to look at what has motivated it.

No organisation is created or can exist in a vacuum. G Alderson asks "what has generated such hatred and fanaticism?"

Until the Western world addresses this pertinent question and tries to comprehend the Eastern mind, not only will no progress be made, but, as some of our more balanced politicians have said, the whole sorry situation will get less stable and more dangerous.

Pauline Hall,

Vale Crescent,

Bishop Wilton,

York.

...THERE has been controversy over the re-programming of the Last Night Of The Proms, but I did not object one iota.

Watching it I found it a most fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives in last week's American tragedy - performed magnificently, by one and all.

In future we should move on, perhaps 'Rule Britannia' is a bit passe in 2001.

Beethoven's rousing Ninth, however, was totally appropriate - and ending with 'Jerusalem' was deeply moving.

I wish all our American friends who regularly visit our city in droves my condolences, peace and happiness.

David Bell,

Hull Road, York.

Updated: 10:24 Friday, September 21, 2001