Unlikely Terrorists On No Fly List

Steve Kroft Reports List Includes President Of Bolivia, Dead 9/11 Hijackers

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on Oct. 8, 2006. It was updated on June 7, 2007.

Anyone who has passed through an airport in the last five years and has been pulled aside for extra screening knows that the government and the airlines keep a list of people they consider to be security threats. Every time you check in at the ticket counter your name is run through a computer to make sure you are not on something called the "No Fly List." It's part of a secret government database compiled after 9/11 to prevent suspected terrorists from getting on airplanes. As correspondent Steve Kroft reports, if your name is on the list or even similar to someone on the list, you can be detained for hours.

---

It began as a project of the highest priority. In 2003, President Bush directed the nation’s intelligence agencies and the FBI to cooperate in creating a single watch list of suspected terrorists. A version of that list is given to the airlines and the Transportation Security Administration to prevent anyone considered a threat to civilian aviation from boarding a plane. The government won’t divulge the criteria it uses in making up the list or even how many names are on it. But in the spring of 2006, working with a government watchdog group called the National Security News Service, 60 Minutes was able to obtain a copy of the No Fly List from someone in aviation security who wanted us to see what the bureaucracy had wrought.

The first surprise was the sheer size of it. In paper form it is more than 540 pages long. Before 9/11, the government’s list of suspected terrorists banned from air travel totaled just 16 names; today there are 44,000. And that doesn’t include people the government thinks should be pulled aside for additional security screening. There are another 75,000 people on that list.

With Joe Trento of the National Security News Service, 60 Minutes spent months going over the names on the No Fly List. While it is classified as sensitive, even members of Congress have been denied access to it. But that may have less to do with national security than avoiding embarrassment.

Asked what the quality is of the information that the TSA gets from the CIA, the NSA and the FBI, Trento says "Well, you know about our intelligence before we went to war in Iraq. You know what that was like. Not too good."

"This is much worse," Trento argues. "It’s awful, it's bad. I mean you’ve got people who are dead on the list. You’ve got people you know are 80 years old on the list. It makes no sense."

60 Minutes certainly didn’t expect to find the names of 14 of the 19 9/11 hijackers on the list since they have been dead for five years. 60 Minutes also found a number of high profile people who aren’t likely to turn up at an airline ticket counter any time soon, like convicted terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui, now serving a life sentence in Colorado, and Saddam Hussein, who at the time was on trial for his life in Baghdad.

One person who was not surprised is former FBI agent Jack Cloonan, who was retiring from the bureau’s al Qaeda task force just as the list was being put together.

"I did see Osama bin Laden on the list both with an "O" in the first name and a "U" in the second name. I was glad to see that. But, some of the other names that I see here, you know, I just have to scratch my head and say, 'My good, look what we've created,'" Cloonan says.

Intended to be a serious a serious intelligence document, Cloonan says the No Fly List soon became a "cover your rear end" document designed to protect bureaucrats and make the public feel more secure.

"I know in our particular case they basically did a massive data dump and said 'Ok anybody that’s got a nexus to terrorism, let’s make sure they get on the list,'" Cloonan explains. "And once that train left the station, or once that bullet went down range. There was no calling it back. And that is where we are."

The person who oversaw the project is Donna Bucella, who has run the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center since it began operations in 2003. Her group is responsible for evaluating the information submitted by the various intelligence agencies and actually compiling the list.

Asked if she is confident that the list is complete and accurate, Bucella says, "It's like painting a bridge. Once you finish one end, you gotta come back. So we endeavor to get the list as current and accurate and thorough as possible."

"We got a look at the No Fly List from March. And included on that list were 14 of the 19 September 11th hijackers. How do you explain that?" Kroft asks.

"Well, just because a person has died doesn't necessarily mean that their identity has died. People sometime carry the identities of people who have died," she says.

"What you are saying is that you have no information that this person is alive and poses a threat. It's just a name in the database," Kroft asks.

"In order fort the name to get in the data base there has to be information that they are a known suspected terrorist," Bucella says.

"So you are saying it's just a coincidence that there are 14 names in the computer that match the names of 9/11 terrorists. I mean, how do you account for that?" Kroft asks.

Bucella asked how recent this watch list was. When told it was from March, she said, "For some reason the agency might not necessarily want to have taken the name off the list. I can't explain that."

"Also on the list is Francois Genoud, who was a Nazi sympathizer and financier of Arab terrorism. Been dead for ten years," Kroft remarks.

"Well, when you said his – this is what we're doin' a quality review on our watch list," Bucella replies.

[pendragon679]

This is typical of our Homeland Security. We've become really, really good at preventing the last attack, but where are the people who are truly looking ahead to the NEXT attack? Does anyone really think the next attack is going to be another 9/11-style crash-an-airliner-into-a-building affair? These people aren't stupid; they know we're going to be watching for that. As for the no-fly list, I'm not in the least surprised. Actually, I'm more surprised that "John Smith" isn't on the no-fly list.

[clestes-2009]

Another example of how this administration can screw up. Homeland security is a joke. And we are asked to give up our rights to privacy by the same goofups as are protecting the airlines.

And they wonder why we object?

It does not surprise me at all that this administration thinks Indiana is first on the list of states that have the highest risk of a terror attack. They are about that dumb.

[bobearlbrown]

I don't know why when we all have a social security number we can't manage to get off one of these lists. Am I supposed to change my name just because I have a common name? Robert Brown

[logoff1]

The no-fly list is another unconstitutional apparatus used by this government. In a truly free society, you have the right to trial prior to being deemed guilty of a crime. Most people on no-fly lists are only on the list at the government's whim. I would hope that if we really suspected someone of terrorism, that we would try (and convict) them in a court of law instead of just preventing them from flying.

[popeface]

DONT RULE IT OUT.

4 October 2006: The US Attorney%u2019s office and the FBI announced yesterday that a federal grand jury issued a 6-count indictment against Michael Curtis REYNOLDS, 47, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, for his role in trying to assist al Qaeda in conducting terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. REYNOLDS was charged with:

-Two counts of attempting to provide material support to al-Qaeda;

-One count of soliciting to use explosives to destroy natural gas pipeline facilities.

-One count of distributing information through the Internet regarding explosive devices with the intent that the information be used for, and in furtherance of, a federal crime of violence;

-Two counts of illegally possessing hand grenades.

http://www.homelandsecurityus.com/site/modules/news/

[popeface]

Michael Curtis REYNOLDS....doesnt sound middle eastern to me.......Maybe its a name form the northern end of Pakistan.....

I agree that we should pay extra close attention to Middle eastern people, esp. Muslims.....but we should also be aware that we do have traitors in this country and I would gladly submit myself to be searched every time I got an airplane if they found me suspicious in the least, heck I would even miss my flight for it.

After everything the USA has done for me and the rest of the world it is the least I can do for it.

[popeface]

*23 September 2006: An Indianapolis man was arrested after police found a significant amount of hazardous chemicals, along with a gas mask and printed bomb making instructions. Also found were al-Qaeda documents and literature about Saddam Hussein, stated Captain Phil Burton of the Marion County Sheriff's Department. The suspect, identified as Joseph BAGLEY, admitted to mixing several chemicals in his northside apartment near 96th and College streets and using a gas mask while doing so.

4 October 2006: The US Attorney%u2019s office and the FBI announced yesterday that a federal grand jury issued a 6-count indictment against Michael Curtis REYNOLDS, 47, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, for his role in trying to assist al Qaeda in conducting terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. REYNOLDS was charged with:

-Two counts of attempting to provide material support to al-Qaeda;

-One count of soliciting to use explosives to destroy natural gas pipeline facilities.

-One count of distributing information through the Internet regarding explosive devices with the intent that the information be used for, and in furtherance of, a federal crime of violence;

-Two counts of illegally possessing hand grenades.

http://www.homelandsecurityus.com/site/modules/news/

[gladetryst]

Isn't that convenient, they can arrest just about anyone they want who they don't like - just because they have a name? That is a wonderful crime to commit, your parents named you the wrong thing. I'm not saying the current government would do that, but what about the next people. What if they don't like a Robert Johnson? He's a "suspected terrorist", lets arrest him and try him before a military tribunal, torture him in Guanatanamo. Good idea guys!

[chriscarlos]

If people who are living are on the list the terrorists win.

Don't we love it when stories like these are on local television news and a person or two has their name taken off the list? These people are so un-American! Take one [annoyance] for the U.S. of A!

I often like hearing about members of congress being stopped. Thank God we live in the land of the free, and home of the brave. (But please don't bring more than 4 ounces of shampoo on a flight. We need don't want you to get carried away; we are free, but not that free.)

[mac2499-2009]

If the goverment can not produce an accurate no fly list then how can it expect to win a war? They don't want to provide a true list because they are afraid that it might fall into enemy hands. Well if you decided to hire and pay a good salary to the people that work in airports instead of outsourcing to private companies maybe there would be no problem. This goverment spews out disinformation and misinformation. I love it. I can wait for the Republicans to continue to govern. They make politics that much more fun. Please Americans vote for your republican candidate. Sure they make mistakes, but they are more fun than Democrats and they know how to run a country.(Into the Ground)

[chicatibu]

This is the problem with our government, rather than use common sense they go to the extreme. There%u2019s no way for homeland security to manage a no-fly list of 44,000 people also there is no need. The excesses practiced by homeland security aren%u2019t as much for security as they are a power grab. Giving one agency that much power was a mistake.

[paddycmnt]

As to the listing the names of the 911 hijackers, sounds like a good idea to me. I think MORE names of dead terrorists should be added!

At first glance it may appear stupid. But, what better way to bypass security than to use a name that everyone has removed from their lists!

I do not believe every "security agent" will remember EVERY name that has been associated with terror. I think NOT!

[sigotratando]

One of the mantras for safeguarding the American people from terrorist attacks is "connect the dots." So while I have no problem with the government's having a list, I have a huge problem not cross-referencing other lists. In the example of this Reynolds guy - - - is he locked up? If he is, I would say that he's other lists that bear upon the status of the No Fly list. Does the Robert Johnson who "will never get off the list" (as the creator of the No Fly list, Bucella, said) have a Social Security number and other corroborating documentation of his identity that gets checked and re-checked every time to allow him eventual passage onto a flight? Is this not recorded on that list or some other relevant list to keep our government TSA employees from wasting money checking the same guy over and over again? Where the hell are the dots supposedly being connected? We have our passports stamped with a seal as we come through the gates as official notice that the document has been inspected and passed - - - come on administration, apply a few more brain cells to the problem.

[random_radar]

I am on the no-fly list, and it really is me that they don't want to fly. When I show up at the airport, I have to talk to a security official and beg to get on a plane.

I am a white, middle-aged, middle class man born and raised in the USA. I have never committed a crime or even been arrested. I assure you that I have done nothing worthy of being called a terrorist.

Except that I pay cash to buy plane tickets, fly one-way in my consulting business, and take flights at the last minute due to emergencies. So I am considered a likely terrorist. Never mind the fact that real terrorists might be smart enough to buy round-trip tickets with a credit card more than a week in advance.

Or maybe they have figured out who I am from what I write on these blogs?

[hissteps4u]

The List is what it is. I am on the list. I fly every month or so and each and every time I know with a certainty that my name is flagged and I am pulled aside.

Fortunately I simply let them know up front that I am on the list and hand all my documentation to them up front. I have never been striped searched and within about 10-15 minutes after they make the call I am usually allowed to get my ticket and move along.

It is amost a joke now. Sad to think that they cant or wont fix those who are like me not out to bring down a plane cant get off the list but it is the nature of flying now adays.

Interestingly enough when I fly out of country I am not held up at all and allowed to move freely through the flight process.

Guess I am not on an INternational Terroriest List thankfully.

[hissteps4u]

I fly monthly and am on the list.

It is bothersome that the government cant fix those of us they have come to know and fly frequently cant get off the list because of a similar name.

I have gotten use to delays and phone calls across the country as they try to figure out if I am carrying a Bomb or shoe laces.

For the Government to not be able to correct on the fly the National Do Not Fly List in this day and age of Technology is a farce in my view. I do not blame bush at all for this. I blame congress for its pitiful way it conducts itself.

I simply know to tell the ticket agent in advance that I am on the List and wait my turn to get cleared. The price we pay for our freedom.

I am not upset just wish that they could get their act together.

[random_radar]

And Donna Bucella should be put on a list of people barred from working in any government capacity, too.

[lsl_belt]

I have recognized different groups of terrorist taking pictures with digtal devices at our downtown tunnel shopping areas and major energy buildings in downtown Houston,Texas. As an American I notified authorities, and home land security. The terriost are posing as Tourist, some Middle Eastern looking and Russian dialects.

Please let me know how citzen can best help the Public.

Sincerely,
[e-mail]

[bmlott27]

hissteps4u: How do you blame congress for this rather than the executive branch? It is the responsiblilty of the executive to execute administrative functions. That's why they call it the "executive".

Though I'm not a Bush fan, I don't blame Bush for this one - its beneath his pay grade, so-to-speak. The real responsibility lies with the heads of the CIA, FBI, etc.

The only role that congress plays here is for funding (which they clearly did, to the tune of $144 million according to the article) and oversight, which they have NOT done since Bush has been elected.

However, blaming the congress for lack of oversight is alot like blaming a referee for not calling a foul. The player is responsible for the foul, not the ref.

At least if all of the poles are right we might have a new set of refs in Washington that might call a few more fouls.

[perception5]

blah blah blah ........ big deal if the names are still on the list......... maybe old Steve is working off an old list........ I think we should be more concerned if the names WEREN'T on the list........ better safe than sorry. CBS why don't you have Steve work on something more important........ like ........ find out what classified secrets Sandy Berger stuffed in his pants and shirts...... that had to do with 9/11....... and why he stole them..... and what did they say.......... OH YEAH stupid me ......he's a DEM and exempt from questioning.

[jw218389]

I suspect, as was the case with so-called "Red Scare" that anyone that opposes the GOP is on the No-Fly List... I know many Move-On.org members who have been banned despite being otherwise OUTSTANDING Americans....

Can anyone say," political witch hunt?"

BUSH Hater= Supporter of The Bill of Rights = No Fly List! God save America from Bush!!

[jw218389]

Is Mark Foley on the "No Open Fly List?" :-)

[zlocke]

hissteps4u, to watch you say:

"I simply know to tell the ticket agent in advance that I am on the List and wait my turn to get cleared. The price we pay for our freedom."

is just so counter-intuitive that I had to register to point it out.

What you're saying is that taking away our freedom to freely circulate the country until we prove that we're not someone on a arbitrarily created government list is the price we have to pay for freedom. That is, of course, ridiculous and our founding fathers are probably rolling in their graves right now.

Let's be clear about what we're trading--freedom for a little bit of temporary safety.

Now don't get me wrong. I like safety, but I don't favor the idea of putting myself in a jail cell because I might get myself killed in a car accident.

-z

[zlocke]

hissteps4u, to watch you say:

"I simply know to tell the ticket agent in advance that I am on the List and wait my turn to get cleared. The price we pay for our freedom."

is just so counter-intuitive that I had to register to point it out.

What you're saying is that taking away our freedom to freely circulate the country until we prove that we're not someone on a arbitrarily created government list is the price we have to pay for freedom. That is, of course, ridiculous and our founding fathers are probably rolling in their graves right now.

Let's be clear about what we're trading--freedom for a little bit of temporary safety.

Now don't get me wrong. I like safety, but I don't favor the idea of putting myself in a jail cell because I might get myself killed in a car accident.

-z

[grazinggoat]

Well Done G.Walking-LiarBush, you have succeded to instill fear in the heart of Americans. If this is what freedom means for you, well, we don't want it... We want real freedom, we don't want the witch hunt type of freedom as it's been well said by jw218389.

[mwe3wm]

We are so proud of you hissteps4u. Carrying the burden of freedom for all of us.

If we had more people like you on the list, the check in lines at the airport would go so much faster.

All of you heroes would just step out of line being so brave and selfless while you pay for our freedom.

Thanks again.

Oh by the way, your attitude is what%u2019s allows a corrupt or inept government to succeed in making policy that cause all of us to loose our freedoms..

Michael Edwards
Texas

I think the correct descriptive acronym for this is:

SNAFU

!

[robimon]

my name is rob adams and i am on the no fly list. i have tried for the last two years to get off....to no avail. as a traveling businessman, it is slowly killing my desire to work.

[clydeharris]

Duh what perception 5?

To paraphrase what Mark Twain once said, Wahington is an asylum and the inmates are running it. This is an example of getting what you paid for, incompetence on a large scale and growing.

Clyde Harris

[lbutts1]

I was outraged and felt my blood pressure rising at every point of this story: $144 million dollars and "nothing tangible yet," 44,000 names on a no-fly list, including 9/11 terrorists that have been dead for 5 years (it makes me feel really confident about the accuracy of the rest), Americans forever doomed to be detained and delayed because their name matches that used by a terrorist and because our government has been inept since 9/11 to determine how to handle such things and CYAers on the US Government payroll who are running this bottomless pit of incompetence. Another 20 minutes of this and I would have had to call the rescue squad. Here is my solution to one of the problems: Pass legislation that states that the head of the Transportation Security Administration will ALWAYS have his/her name on the no-fly list and must use public transportation when traveling by air. I suspect the Robert Johnsons of the world would see some relief within weeks.

[dreagleeyes]

Another very very common name on the list.... David Nelson. There was an article in the paper a few weeks about it just after the list was made. While I have never been strip searched, I have had delays of a few hours. It has gotten to where I go in three hours before any flight and then just pray I can get through security and not miss the flight.

[jahamilton1]

My husband's name is on one of these lists. He is in no way affiliated with any terrorist organizations, but his name happens to match someone who apparently belongs on the list. Until recently, this only meant that he was inconvenienced at airports, like many other people. Now, it's keeping him from working. He recently got a job at Home Depot, but when they did a background check, his name came up as a suspected terrorist. It's been two weeks now, and they still haven't cleared it up.

I'm all for homeland security, but isn't there a way we can be secure without preventing ordinary US citizens from getting jobs?

[buddyandmom]

I can't believe it. Some of these names on the 'No Fly List' ARE really common names. So common that I actually know two people with two of the names mentioned in this piece. I went to high school with a Susan Becker at Buena Park High (class of 1976) in Orange County Ca. I now live in Riverside County, Ca. (right next to Orange County) where I have a friend with the name of Robert Johnson ! These two people ARE NOT terroriests by any means. This is unbelievable. Now I'm wondering and want to know if anyone can tell me with 100% accuracy that MY name won't at some time be associated with either of my friend's names ? Will this nightmare of inefficient incompetence and ineffective methods and of policy ever end ?

[gregorio12-2009]

Who would really be comfortable flying if that list did not exist?
Not me!
People should quit their whining and be grateful!
I feel bad for the people who have to go through extra security.So go early you should be used to it by now.
44,000 checks not to have a repeat of 9/11 is worth it!Ask the families of the victims!

[why_not_nar]

Steve,

I am sorry. This time you got it wrong. Are there data issues with the 'no fly list'?, undoubtedly. Does that cause problems?, sure.

Steve, I believe you may be aware that the biggest threat to the country remains the terrorist ability to import and build a nuclear weapon. These very people on that list have been attempting that for ten to twenty years. The same terrorists that bombed the world trade center in 1993, turned up again in 2001.

Do I want to be 'strip searched' at the airport? , certainly not. But i still prefer that to what existed prior to 2001, no list at all.

If you are intent on 'embarrassing' government officials, there are many places to turn, start with those who opened and run a jail in Cuba, that is there, because our President is afraid to subject the men we have arrested to the American Law system.

Please let us know when the list is repaired. Of course, it should be as accurate as possible.

[donnie900]

You see how incompatible private companies are with security? Do you see? Do you understand? Libertarians out there are unintended terrorist supporters, by banning the giver of your social security number from social security. A private company can't help from being private. In essence, its a "security casino" .. based on suspicious access. Its like the differences between civics and consumerism were a schziophrenic Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. The same person but never knowing one another, and afraid of one another.

[donnie900]

As an American, I have no quandaries with allowing my government the access to do all my security for me. There is no lack of liberty. There is no lack of freedom. It is not a violation of rights. So long as there is an equal and opposite effect with oversight.

There should be no private interest in security. That is godfather bs.

[donnie900]

Al Pacino? F you! Robert De'Niro? F you. De Supranos? F you! Its de "age'a de geek".

[donnie900]

There are firefighters? Cops? Probation officers? Civil servants? Garbage men? And now there are PUBLIC AIRLINE SECURITY SERVICES! Funded by your's truly: Uncle Sam.

[nfangus]

You know that if the officials - police and homeland security - could identify the race and age of the suspects alot of the confusion regarding identity would be cleared up.

[lukemccain12]

Interesting how the first to respond are the trolls. Wonder who they work for? The No Fly List Story shows just what a joke the U.S. has become. No, it is not just an inconvenience for the people falsely on the list. It is harmful, hurtful, wasteful and wrong. It is worse than not doing anything about terrorism. The bureaucrats interviewed use the excuse that it is necessary and that you just have to get used to it. These comments showed their lack of moral character and amoral behavior. We need real, reasonable safety measures. Not this Kafkaesque nonsense. The TSA has failed. It should be abolished. Of course, the real bottom line of such policies is to limit the freedom of movement by American Citizens.

[dvpotter1]

This list is a sham. My Dad who was in the military, retired civil servent with a top security clearence, worked on Patriot,stinger and other missles and security for the goverment is on the list. He went to renew his drivers liscence and couldn't because he was on the terrorist list. He is 75 years old!! Had to bring in his birth certificate in order for them to over ride the list. Plans are a nightmare!! How does a man with so much military and civil service end up on the list. Maybe we should replace some of the nuts making the list.

[exploder750]

I'm sorry, but as I was listening via radio to your reporter on this story tonight, he sounded whiny and vindictive when asking the government official "how do you account for this?" in reference to the 14 dead 9-11 highjackers being on the no fly list. Just as whiny & vindictive about asking about the President of Libya being on the list. This reporter's tone reminded me of the whiny reporter on the GM Goodwrench commercials; "If you love Mr. Goodwrench, why don't you marry him?" LOL Has investigative journalism dropped that low? Lately with the tone of the "new school" guys on 60 minutes it seems to have done that!! Scot Thayer, Cottage Grove, Mn.

[tsamfr]

Is it really that much of an inconvenience to be detained for 5 or 6 minutes to go through extra screening? It never killed anyone to be detained for 5 minutes so don't act like it is the worse thing that could happen to you. Think about the alternatives if someone got on the plane that wasn't checked who had the same name of a terrorist and didn't get extra screened. Would you want them on your plane? So get over it and let TSA do there jobs. They are doing what they are told to do so don't take it out on the screeners like some of you people like to do. How would you like to be in there shoes and get hastled by passengers for 40 to 50 hours a week. So people just move on with your lives and get over it.

It is for your own good. It might help to go tho the TSA website and see the latest restrictions so it will speed your process of getting through the checkpont faster.

[smc1941]

This reinforces my belief that Americans have book learning but no common sense.

[bichondog]

The following email was sent to the TSA in January 2007 reg the terrorist watch list and has been ignored: 1/26/07National Security Concerns. Please read carefully
My boarding was delayed for the first time today, in my Department of Defense related travels from Denver to Alb, NM, apparently because I am now on a terrorist watch list. You should be aware of the following:1) I am a scientist with TOP SECRET DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CLEARANCE AND HAVE BEEN DOING WORK FOR THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT FOR MY ENTIRE CAREER OF NEARLY 30 YEARS. In fact, today I flew to New Mexico to give a talk to Government Scientists on my work. I nearly missed the flight because you have just seen fit to add me to your watch list;2) My name is not John Smith or some other common name that may be used by someone of real interest to you. There is only one Jeffrey ... in the United States.I deserve a non-form-letter reply on why my future travels will be delayed. If you believe that I may have some terrorist connection, then you MUST CONTACT THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT, IMMEDIATELY, AND ADVISE THEM TO TAKE AWAY MY TOP SECRET CLEARANCE. You cannot have a scientist helping his Government develop laser weapons and also put that person on some no fly watch list. (I have also received Q-clearance from the Department of Energy)

[gregorio12-2009]

I do not believe there is such a thing as an unlikely terrorist.
They either are or are not.
And... You don't know until they do something. The consequences far out weigh the time of inconvienience spent on extra security.

[bobrc51]

I travel for business every week and I'm on the no fly list. I was in the US Navy for 13yrs, so I have served for my country. I have to add another two hrs onto my arrival before flight time. What is most irritating is the counters are using electronic kiosk. They point me to them;I explain to them that it won't work but they insist. 10 minutes later process, it kicks me out and says I have to see an attendant. Once I get to the counter the questions begin. My check-in time to get a ticket is 3x longer as a non-no fly list member. I still have to get through security which at times can get stressful. I asked questions and submitted my paperwork(4 times with no response). I see myself standing in line and I see others get through so easily. Makes me wonder why I volunteered to defend this country. I understand that we have to protect our borders why does it have to be at the expense of our innocent. When I hear somebody who complains about our country. My question to these people is did you serve? 9 of 10 times the answer is no, so I tell them until you do you don't understand. I just wish I had a chain of command to go to that can give me a valid response; why I can't get my name off this list. My question to you is the ones that made this list are they on it?

What are we all complaining about?

I for one am very glad that people who have been dead for ten years will have to face questioning should they ever try to board a flight.

It makes me feel so much more safer.

And heck, I never want to sit next to Osama (or Usama) Bin Laden should he ever board a flight.

Goodness gracious me - whatever would we talk about?

His suntan? His camels? His view of desert from his cave?

Thank god the Bush Admin is on top of all this terrorism business.

[mcvet]

The Bush Administration and the Republican Party in General are nothing but a bunch of Cowards. That is why they have failed so badly in defending this nation. You can't defeat Terrorist by doing what they have, by giving the people who want to make you scared, who want you afraid of everyone, what they want. If everyone will think back to the decade of the 60's when college students and blacks took on the established terrorist in the South, a folks these people were just as bad if not worse than the Taliban, you can understand how we should be taking on radical Islam. The NAME of the Religion isn't important, the METHOD IS!! When we understand that the MODERATES and the average guy in the Middle East is the key. When we understand that we MUST take away the weapon of Terrorist, the FEAR, then we start to defeat it. Being a Southern Fascist, a COWARD? That's not going to solve anything. Sieg Heil Y'all.