Look at the *terrorists* the No Fly List is catching.

[shance]

Who's Watching the Watch List?

My name is on a list of real and suspected enemies of the state and I can't find out what I'm accused of or why, let alone defend myself.

Heading for Oakland from Seattle to see my grandkids last week, the Alaska Airlines check-in machine refused to give me a boarding pass. Directed to the ticket counter, I gave the agent my driver's license and watched her punch keys at her computer. Frowning, she told me that my name was on the national terrorist No Fly Watch List and that I had to be specially cleared to board a plane. Any plane. Then she disappeared with my license for 10 minutes, returning with a boarding pass and a written notice from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirming that my name was on a list of persons "who posed, or were suspected of posing, a threat to civil aviation or national security."

No one could tell me more than that. The computer was certain.

<snip>

Searching my mind for possible reasons, I've been more and more puzzled. I used to work on national security issues for the State Department and I know how dangerous our country's opponents can be. To the dismay of many of my more progressive friends, I've given the feds the benefit of the doubt on homeland security. I tend to dismiss conspiracy theories as nonsense and I take my shoes off for the airport screeners with a smile.

I'm embarrassed that it took my own ox being gored for me to see the threat posed by the Administration's current restricting of civil liberties. I'm being accused of a serious--even treasonous--criminal intent by a faceless bureaucracy, with no opportunity (that I can find) to refute any errors or false charges. My ability to earn a living is threatened; I speak on civic action and leadership all over the world, including recently at the US Air Force Academy. Plane travel is key to my livelihood.


<snip>

Huh? My name is on a list of real and suspected enemies of the state and I can't find out what I'm accused of or why, let alone defend myself. And I'm guilty, says my government, not just until proven innocent or a victim of mistaken identity--but forever.

Sure, 9/11 changed a lot. Tougher internal security measures (like thorough screenings at airports and boundary crossings) are a dismal necessity. But, in protecting ourselves, we can't allow our leaders to continue to create a climate of fear and mistrust, to destroy our civil liberties and, in so doing, to change who we are as a nation. What a victory that would be for our enemies, and what a betrayal of real patriots and so many in the wider world who still remember this country as a source of inspiration and hope.

I don't think it's like Germany in 1936 -- but, look at Germany in 1930. Primed by National Socialist propaganda to stay fearful and angry, Germans in droves refused to see the right's extreme views and actions as a threat to their liberties.

And don't forget that frog. You know that frog. Dropped into a pot of boiling water, he jumps out to safety. But put him into a pot of cold water over a steady flame, he won't realize the danger until it's too late to jump.

<snip>

I know what I will do. If my name is not removed completely from the Watch List in 45 days I will use every resource I've got to challenge the government of a country that I love and have served. In all the press about identity theft, I find myself railing at having my identity as a patriot stolen--by my own government. This must not stand.

John Graham is the author of Stick Your Neck Out: A Street-smart Guide to Creating Change in Your Community and Beyond (San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler, 2005). He is also president of the Giraffe Heroes Project and a former US diplomat.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=3264

[Maple]

1. A link

pretty please?

[shance]

2. Apologies Maple. Just edited and included the link.

n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Ugh

Everything in this country is so backwards. It's all about big brother and this guy probably goes around telling the truth and we can't have that now can we? :mad: AH! :banghead:

[shance]

7. Yes. He's not going to let it stand though.

Looks like the No Fly list is going to cause trouble and problems for this Administration.

Perhaps because the manner in which it's being used is looking increasingly illegal.

[crizzo5137]

4. huh...Did you sign the conyers petition?

[shance]

9. Which one?

n/t

[napi21]

5. Did we ever hear if Ted Kennedy ever got HIS name removed?

I remember the big new hassle he created when he was stopped at National Ap (I think) and told he couldn't board the same flight he has taken for over 20 years! It was news for about a week, and I've not heard anything since.

Like Ted said, I know the right people to call and get this straightened out, but what about the average American????

[shance]

16. What other Dem leaders have been harassed? Al Gore

and there was someone else.

[napi21]

17. Yes there were, but I don't remember who.

Teddy is the name that always sticks in my mind . I still can't believe the people in the AP didn't recognize him!

[BrklynLiberal]

6. That could happen to any one of us.....

[indepat]

10. Especially if our politics aren't right or if we have had the temerity to

question any action or policy of those controlling all levers of power.

[shance]

11. Point well taken Brooklyn lib. (First they came for the.........)

And the author puts it so well.....

<< I'm embarrassed that it took my own ox being gored for me to see the threat posed by the Administration's current restricting of civil liberties. I'm being accused of a serious--even treasonous--criminal intent by a faceless bureaucracy, with no opportunity (that I can find) to refute any errors or false charges. My ability to earn a living is threatened; I speak on civic action and leadership all over the world, including recently at the US Air Force Academy. Plane travel is key to my livelihood.>>

[Quixote1818]

8. I got pulled aside crossing back into the US from Mexico and my

friends who were in a different care were let right through. I was wondering if my name came up on their computer because I am a political activist? Perhaps it was the old Wesley Clark sticker on the back of my car? Perhaps it was just a random thing?

[shance]

12. I'm hearing this alot.

A good friend of mine flies alot due to her business and was pulled off intentionally both leaving and returning on her last trip. She said she was pulled off for atleast forty five minutes both times upon boarding.

She said what is so evident is there were no reasons or red flags that should have triggered her having to go through the whole scenario, much less on both her outbound and return flight.

She believes it was intentional, has contacted the airline and is pursuing information as to why she has been "chosen", other than her political beliefs and involvement in anti war/peace movement.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. I've heard that some names on the list are

very common, something like "Ted Johnson"-there are hundreds of people with the same name, and they are ALL stopped. This includes eighty year old grandmothers and infants in arms.

[amazona]

14. if you have a common name, yeah, you get pulled aside

Don't know what to do about it other than to leave a long connection when re-entering the country. It is less stressful if you don't have to worry about missing your connection while they check you out.

However, some of those "infants in arms" I saw in secondary clearly did not have proper paperwork, and I think Immigration must have a difficult job trying to safely check them out in all different languages. Don't know what the alternative is. We wouldn't be any happier if kidnappers were merrily spiriting babies across international borders.

[shance]

15. Not when it happens repeatedly and they have done nothing to

create or raise any level of suspicion. Then it's called harassment and, if continuous, it's essentially assault.

[amazona]

18. not at the airport it isn't

I've been repeatedly searched and screened, and it is not harassment or assault. It is done in a professional manner.

[shance]

19. Well, that's nice to hear. However you don't speak for everyone Amazona.

I've known a number of people who have not shared your positive experience, and have been searched and screened with their entire contents repeatedly searched through, had letter's stamped on their tickets for which they had no idea what they meant, for no reason other than they were 'chosen'.

It becomes rather suspicious when it happens more than one or two times.

If you truly have been repeatedly searched and screened like the individuals I know, I doubt you would be quite so cheery about the process.