Error Puts Kennedy on Airline No-Fly List
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...terror_list&e=1
Thu Aug 19, 6:58 PM ET

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (news, bio, voting record) on Thursday said he had been misidentified on a terrorism watch list when he tried to board airliners between Washington and Boston.

The well-known Massachusetts Democrat was stopped five times as he tried to board US Airways shuttles because a name similar to his appeared on a list or his name popped up for additional screening.

"If they have that kind of difficulty with a member of Congress, how in the world are average Americans, who are getting caught up in this thing, how are they going to be treated fairly and not have their rights abused?" Kennedy asked Homeland Security undersecretary Asa Hutchinson.

Hutchinson, who apologized for "any inconvenience" to the senator, was testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee (news - web sites) on the need for the federal government to take over the watch lists, which are currently administered by the airlines.

Kennedy said he was stopped at airports in Washington, D.C., and Boston three times in March. Airline agents told him he would not be sold a ticket because his name was on a list.

When he asked the agent why, he was told, "We can't tell you."

Each time, a supervisor recognized Kennedy and got him on the flight. But after the third incident, Kennedy's staff called the Transportation Security Administration and asked to clear up the confusion.

The TSA said a name similar to Kennedy's was on the watch list, and that he was later flagged to go through additional screening. TSA also said that the airlines didn't handle the matter properly.

But twice after contacting TSA, Kennedy was stopped again at the airline counter.

The American Civil Liberties Union (news - web sites) has filed lawsuits in San Francisco and Seattle over this issue, demanding that the government explain how wrongly flagged travelers can get off the lists.

Hutchinson said that people who experience problems can call the TSA ombudsman to clear things up.

Land sakes alive! Heavens to Betsy!

Its so political its not funny, though some repug at Homeland Security who put him on the list probably thinks its REALLY funny.

Can you imagine it taking three calls to Ridge himself from one of the most powerful senators in history and he still is not off the list? What chance do ordinary folks like ourselves have getting off a list like that? NADA

I have done some research on why Kennedy was on the list. The flight he was taking required a take-off or landing over water. In the event that the plane had to ditch in the water, they said Kennedy could not be counted on helping others from the water, especially young women.
:tongue: :tongue: :tongue: :tongue:

Oh, go check your email. :dripple:

If that is directed to me, then I haven't received anything as of this posting. :?: :?:

I was just being silly because of your username...

Sorry..I do that a lot, be silly I mean.

Actually, that incident you refer to about Kennedy...it seems everytime he is in the news someone brings it up...perhaps rightfully so, there is no excuse for what he did and anyone else (if it happened today) would have been sentenced to prison.

And that is that...touche.

It has happened to John Lewis too:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/20/...list/index.html

I understand.