By Joe Sharkey
New York Times
August 25, 2008
MICHAEL J. KIRBY jumped through all the requisite hoops in an effort to be removed from the government security watch lists that flag thousands of travelers at airports each day.
He contacted his congressman and senators, sending notarized copies of his driver’s license, birth certificate and Social Security card. He petitioned the airlines he uses. He went online to the Department of Homeland Security’s much-publicized Traveler Redress Inquiry Program site, which bills itself as a one-stop “single point of contact” for travelers who have trouble boarding airplanes because of “watch list misidentification issues.”
Incidentally, whenever I see the word “issues” used as a euphemism for “problems,” I know I’m adrift in the sea of the invincibly obtuse. And sure enough, Mr. Kirby received a baffling reply.
“They sent me back a letter saying basically, you’re correct. You are who you say you are,” he said. He already knew that, but it was nice to receive government affirmation that he is a law-abiding citizen — and not the bad Michael Kirby who causes all of his namesakes to appear on terrorist watch lists. Mr. Kirby says he was nevertheless informed by Homeland Security that “you’re still subject to additional screening and clearance when you come to the airport.” In other words, tough luck, you’re still on the list. [Full Article...]
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