Comments on: Setting the Record Straight on Terror Watch Lists

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:16:18 +0000

I believe that I can be of asistance regarding information of strategic planning of warfare of other countries toward our Nation. Its an unusual program developed by our Country such as Edward Casy. I am in need of a new partner, the Special Forces officer that I work with,he worked with Senoir President Bush, has now began to to have major health problems, so I need a way to get information threw to the ones that have the assets to prove my information. Tammi

By: Rubicon

Rubicon — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:38:55 +0000

Something tells me that in the case of the reporter, he exhibits attitudes and physical movements that lead security to be somewhat concerned about him. Whether facial expressions, comments, confrontational stances or postures, or whatever, I think its probable that “if” he has been “targeted,” it has more to do with him than it does any list!

By: GK

GK — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:49:36 +0000

@Ric Locke: You said: “Two questions. First, what’s the procedure for getting off the list? Does such a procedure even exist? Does it require Congressional influence? an Executive Order? divine intervention?”

from http://www.dhs.gov/trip
“DHS TRIP is a central gateway to address
>>watch list misidentification issues
>>situations where travelers believe they have faced screening problems at ports of entry
>>situations where travelers believe they have been unfairly or incorrectly delayed, denied boarding or identified for additional screening at our nation’s transportation hubs”

By: John Moore

John Moore — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:33:44 +0000

Oh, I forgot to add…

I supplied my DOB. I even went through a TSA process where I supplied them with certified documents that they requested, at some considerable trouble to myself. Didn’t work. Then I used the alternate spelling.

By: Common Name

Common Name — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:32:36 +0000

Errr…

I almost always fly Southwest – love ‘em. But I used to be on the watch list (I have a very common name). I couldn’t do online check-in (very important with Southwest’s seating system) and had to go to the ticket counter at the airport every time. I now get around the problem by misspelling my last name (by one letter) when booking. I wonder if Oxama Bin Laden is on the list?

But… that being said… Southwest is a great airline (perhaps the only even good one), and I believe they really try to minimize the hassle. Oh, and you did a good job hedging the oil market, too.

By: A.C.

A.C. — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:27:35 +0000

It should be also noted that the U.S. Air Force has procedures that never, never allow nuclear weapons to get lost. We all know how well they followed those last year. It is even easier to do things to databases and computer files against regulation than it to do things with nuclear weapons against regulations. In the case of the nuclear weapons, there they were where they weren’t supposed to be, and there was no “undo” or “delete” to make them instantly go back to where they should have been. In the case of watch lists, if there are, as has been said before, several hundred thousand names on it, who really, truely, checks them all personally? Abuse is easy, notwithstanding regulations, procedures, and Mr. Baker’s protests to the contrary.

By: roger

roger — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:56:44 +0000

As an australian holder of a green card (and long-time NYC resident), I find it almost impossible to get on a plane these days without being searched, scanned, sniffed and de-shoed.

Why? I’m 53, never been arrested, courteous, clean and never travel with anything that resembles a fuse protruding from any pocket or orifice. If you were to draw up a terrorist profile, I would fit so few criteria that it wouldn’t be worth giving me a second glance — maybe not even a first.

So why do I get searched EVERY time?

Here’s my theory: As a foreigner, I help the TSA meet its quota of “random” searches. Moreover, as I’m not a Muslim, each search bolsters the stats these bureaucrats need to cover their asses.

“Look here,” they can tell the next congressional panel, “we search balding, middle-aged white Catholics, not just those Muslims (who are so easy to offend.)”

Thanks, TSA, for adding to my CV. Now, in addition to all my other attributes, I’m also a statistical justification for billions of dollars wasted on a security program that is as useles as it is costly.

By: David Warner

David Warner — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:52:36 +0000

“For those that wonder why they do not want to make the list public….”

I wasn’t wondering. I was pointing out that it was not obvious. If it were, you wouldn’t need to explain it and Baker would not have included the clause.

“the type of guy who rails against the imcompetance of govt and how Big Brother is invading our privacy, but wants to nationalize healthcare.”

If you want to stop the latter, you’ll need the support of the former.

A suggestion to Baker, with whom I am in sympathy:

When writing to the public, pretend you’re writing to your boss, or if you’ve been in the private sector, to a customer. This might improve your tone.

As a public employee, it also happens to be the case that this is exactly who you are writing to.

By: kman

kman — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:46:04 +0000

My guess is that Spinoneone is the type of guy who rails against the imcompetance of govt and how Big Brother is invading our privacy, but wants to nationalize healthcare. Am I correct?

By: 49erDweet

49erDweet — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:31:02 +0000

Thanks to the author for an interesting post. Shaking my head at the un-medicated conspiracy twerps who think their wildest fancies bear some resemblance to rationality. As for the spoiled CNN reporter? Who cares? Get a life.
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