[newbie] minicom as root

[Patrick]

Having some difficulty with minicom.  While logged in as user, I have to
su to root to access minicom. Works fine and I can dial up the local
library no problem. I tried adding myself to the uucp (?) group so I
could use minicom as a user. This leads to two questions:

1) Are there any security issues in running minicom as root?

2) Why can't I add myself to uucp? (Everytime I try, the setting is not
saved.  I'm using kuser logged in as root).

Pat the Rat