Pilot Sues Gov't Over Terrorist Watch List

[sabra]

Source: CBS News/AP

A "Law-Abiding Combat Veteran," Who Converted To Islam, May Lose His Job At A Commercial Airline


(AP) A commercial airline pilot and convert to Islam who says his name is on the U.S. government's secret terrorist watch list has fought back, filing a federal lawsuit against the Homeland Security Department and various other federal agencies.

Erich Scherfen says that unless his name is removed from the list, he faces losing not only his job but the ability to make a living in his chosen profession.

"My livelihood depends on being off this list," Scherfen told reporters Tuesday after his lawyers filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg.

He alleges that the government's actions have violated his and his wife's constitutional rights. The suit seeks a hearing and a decision before he is scheduled to lose his job on Sept. 1.

A New Jersey native, Scherfen, 37, said he believes his name was placed on a watch list because he converted to Islam in 1994 - even though he is a Gulf War combat veteran. Both he and his Pakistan-born wife, who is also a Muslim, said they have no criminal records or ties to terrorists.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/20/terror/main4366284.shtml

[Parche]

1. He Can Fly Himself To Guantanamo

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :hi:

[kestrel91316]

2. We have freedom of religion in the US - just as long as it's

the CORRECT religion.

[lumpy]

3. I'd like to see this go to the Supreme Court.

Might open the door to Homeland Security being examined for it's legitimacy.

[merwin]

4. That in itself guarantees that it will never get there.

[Peace Patriot]

5. "Yeah, but I have lists--lists!--of known communist sympathers, fellow travelers,

and pinkos, and card-carrying communists, lurking in the U.S. government, and subverting American values in the Hollywood film industry, and in every household and under every bed in America! List--lists!--you're on my list! Lists--lists!--you won't be missed! Oh, beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, my lists of commies ain't no lies, across the fruity plains!" --Senator Joe McCarthy (rendition)

Kudos and laurel wreaths to Erich Scherfen and to all the brave and patriotic Americans who fight this madness!

[Ian David]

6. Every commercial pilot should list their religion as "Muslim" in solidarity with him. n/t