TSA: Program may use fliers' financial data

[Maine-ah]

A new program to speed travelers through airport security may require passengers to agree to a check of their personal and financial records, the Transportation Security Administration said.

The TSA said it will require "in-depth security background checks" that may involve "using commercial data" for people applying to the Registered Traveler program that starts in June. The checks will help verify people's identities to prove they have no ties to terrorism.

Commercial databases hold personal information from credit reports, property records, shopping histories and other records. TSA chief Kip Hawley said such data can be useful in flagging terrorists, who often won't appear in most U.S. commercial lists.

Business Travel Coalition Chairman Kevin Mitchell said the databases "are notoriously inaccurate" and could mistakenly label someone a terrorist. "It raises a huge liability issue," said Mitchell, who supports Registered Traveler.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-23-tsa_x.htm

Sorry if this was posted somewhere else, but I just read this and it scares the crap out of me.

[f-bush]

1. Welcome to the Fourth Reich

[sui generis]

2. well that part is pure horseshit -

does our government REALLY believe that your credit record is going to turn up those forty SAM's you bought last week?

If I were a terrorist, the only things I would EVER buy under my own name and credit would be reruns of Leave it To Beaver and Wonder Bread.

I can't believe anyone would buy their line on this -

[liveoaktx]

3. VIDEO from the other day-Jack Cafferty

Off CanOFun

[mnhtnbb]

4. Don't these guys ever go to the movies?

Cash only--in a suitcase, please.