A special responsibility.(Memo To Members)(war and consumerism)

In the days following the terrorist attacks of September 11, the staff of Consumers Union responded in much the same way as did Americans across the country. We were stunned, we were angry, and we shared an unimaginable grief. We asked why, we asked who, and then, as people everywhere did, we asked, "How can we help?"

We found ways as individuals and as an organization to offer whatever support we could to the victims and their families. And as the days, and now months, passed, we recognized more than ever that CU's role has not changed. Rather, it has been reinforced.

Throughout this issue of the magazine, as in issues past and to come, CONSUMER REPORTS addresses subjects on the minds of all Americans in the aftermath of September 11. We examine safety, privacy, personal finance, and health on an ongoing basis. We look at these issues in both a personal and a national context, and provide detailed information and practical strategies for handling them.

SPECIAL HELP THIS MONTH

In this December issue, you'll find several reports on topics that are of particular concern now:

* In "Travel: The New Realities, "on page 8, the editors of Consumer Reports Travel Letter give sound advice on how to negotiate the changing system of air travel. They tell you what to expect in the way of new rules and requirements. And they recommend steps that the government, the travel industry, and passengers should take to balance travel safety with the rights of consumers.

* The Your Health column, on page 60, looks at the wide range of psychological reactions people may still be experiencing because of the crisis. It discusses how to recognize when you--or someone close to you--needs professional help and where to go for information about treatment.