TY - JOUR AU - Preston, Julieanna PY - 2014/07/02 Y2 - 2024/03/30 TI - Dear Rosa JF - idea journal JA - idea journal VL - 14 IS - 1 SE - DO - 10.37113/ideaj.vi0.61 UR - https://journal.idea-edu.com/index.php/home/article/view/61 SP - 4-13 AB - <div class="page" title="Page 7"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>11 June 2013</p><p>Dear US Homeland Security Agent #94142587 Rosa Gomez,</p><p>I am writing to you today after having returned to my homeland, New Zealand, from a trip to the United States of America on 2 May 2013. I was processed through the Los Angeles International Airport inTerminal 5.You are the officer who inspected my bags.</p><p>During that inspection, you came upon a small matchbox, and as it was deemed to constitute a flammable substance, it was confiscated. Understandably so, as a list of prohibited items is clearly posted throughout the airport and on the Homeland Security website.</p><p>At the time, our interaction was necessarily brief because a queue of grumpy passengers from a 14-hour bumpy plane ride was forming. Perhaps you remember me? I have had time to reflect on this incident and think it important to share with you the nature of that matchbox and the power it holds.</p></div></div></div> ER -