The New York Times

July 31, 2003 Thursday
Late Edition - Final

SECTION: Section A; Column 5; Editorial Desk; Pg. 24

LENGTH: 112 words

HEADLINE: Bet on Terror? Not Now, Not Ever

BODY:


To the Editor:

Re "Swiftly, Plan for Terrorism Futures Market Slips Into Dustbin of Ideas
Without a Future" (news article, July 30):

I am relieved that the Pentagon has announced the abandonment of its plan for a
futures market on assassinations and terrorist attacks. Any future consideration
of similar ideas must take into account that assassinations and terrorist
attacks, unlike oil prices, elections and movie ticket sales, can often be the
work of only one person.

If a market investment provides a financial incentive for that person to act,
the market has raised the probability of the assassination or terrorist attack.

BOB MEALE
Tallahassee, Fla., July 30, 2003