Terrorist watch lists shorter than previously reported

[NeoConsSuck]

Source: CNN.COM

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The federal government's terrorist watch lists are far shorter than has been reported, the secretary of homeland security said Wednesday.

Michael Chertoff revealed for the first time that 2,500 people are on the "no fly" list and only about 10 percent of those are U.S. citizens. Individuals on this list are barred from boarding aircraft because intelligence indicates they pose a threat to aviation.

Fewer than 16,000 people are designated "selectees," he said, and most are not Americans. These people represent a less specific security threat and receive extra scrutiny, but are allowed to fly.

The American Civil Liberties Union has estimated more than 1 million names have been added to the lists since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The FBI, which manages the Terrorist Screening Database, said in August that there were about 400,000 people on its list, but that approximately 95 percent of those people were not U.S. citizens.

But even if there are only 18,500 names on the no fly and selectee lists, thousands of people not on the lists are mistaken for those who are. They are often subjected to extra security at airports because their names are similar to ones on the lists.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/10/22/no.fly.lists/index.html

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OK, let me try to wrap my brain around this one: So 10% are American terrorists? Are these 10% walking around on our streets? Do they enter huge stadims, concert halls etc? Well, we all know that the great senator Ted Kennedy had trouble getting his name cleared off these lists. Is he one of the terrorists?

[ixion]

1. then why the hell do I still have to take my shoes off at that airport?

and why the hell can't I take my shampoo?

[cliffordu]

2. I hope they spell my fucking name right.

[annabanana]

3. And we should believe Chertoff because. . . . . . . .

?

[Piewhacket]

4. sigh... Chertoff is lying... they've been purging like crazy since...

2006 when the threat of OVERSIGHT freakishly loomed on the horizon.
and in 2008 July, when it became obvious that ACCOUNTABILITY was next.

A secret list. Crap. It was illegal from the beginning.
Its purpose was never to keep America safe.
Its purpose was as a weapon to intimidate and supress opposition,
as a pretext to justify other illegal measures, and mainly ... MAINLY...
to keep Republicans in power.

That's why its being scrubbed now, and the evidence destroyed.
To hide the crime.
HEARINGS!!!!!! Then PROSECUTIONS!!!!
Chertoff in chains as an example to others. Guillotine the rest!

[santamargarita]

5. Then why do we need a Constitution-Free Zone?