Clark has the easy job

Dear Mr. Doug Clark,

After reading your article, “An introduction to law enforcement linguistics” (May 20), I’ve come to the conclusion that I could do your job. (I’m no Hemingway or Dickens, but as demonstrated by what little I’ve read of your writing over the years, neither are you.) I could write four or five pieces a week, do some excellent armchair quarterbacking without ever having to take the field, and attempt to hit the funny bone a few times, all in order to make a living searching out new ways to poke fun at others.

Now call me arrogant, but in regards to my job, I’m quite certain you’re not up to the task. Whether I’m right or wrong, well, it really doesn’t matter. Sleep well, Mr. Clark, because no matter how much you insult me, no matter how low you go to belittle my profession, if you find yourself in harm’s way, you need only call and one of us will come and risk our life to save yours: an irony I am quite sure you can never fathom.

More letters by Terry Preuninger

• Can't overlook real heroesMarch 24, 2006