Originally Posted by
SDF_Traveler
Sadly, the government is infringing on the freedom of movement. There is the no fly list and the selectee list for starters which is completely messed up.
I agree with you. I think the selectee list and no-fly policy is a wasted effort. As I've stated previously, I don't see the selectee and no-fly policies ever going away simply because they've become a political sacred cow by virtue of the 9/11 Commission.
Originally Posted by SDF_Traveler
Secondly, the TSA wants to implement Secure Flight as a replacement to CAPPS. Instead of the airlines handling passenger data, the TSA will be handling passenger data. This agency we are supposed to trust has already violated such trust and lied to the public by obtaining and using such data when they twisted the arms of certain airlines for it.
Again, I agree with you. I think there's a way to streamline the screening process without resorting to surrendering all sorts of personal data to TSA or any other government agency. But first things first: get rid of the selectee and no-fly programs. And that's the problem: no politician would ever dare go on record making such a proposal at the risk of being labeled "soft" on security.
Originally Posted by SDF_Traveler
There have been other data grabs through use of national security letters as well which directly affected travel in the United States. For example, the DHS demanded info on everyone travelling and staying in Las Vegas a couple years back. This information was used secretly and run through secret databases.
Secure Flight will be a huge data grab for the TSA, should it ever see the light of day. We are already on a slippery slope with the current administration when it comes to civil liberties. As much as I love the US, we have some serious problems right now as we go down this slope.
I will agree that this is certainly a slippery slope, but I don't see it as part of a government conspiracy to steal away civil liberties. I see it more as a result of bureaucracy and careerism as a new government agency tries to define itself. I'm not condoning this; I'm just saying that this isn't a concerted effort to infringe upon our liberties. At any rate, I agree with you that this needs to be pulled back under control.
Originally Posted by SDF_Traveler
All the information and secret databases setup for international travel into the US, which also affect US citizens gives me the chills. Just think, we all have computer generated terrorist target scores. Should that be part of a free society? I think not.
No argument here; I agree. And I expect these things to be challenged in court and the policy to be redirected back to a better path.
Originally Posted by SDF_Traveler
Getting back to the TSA, it is there for airport/airline security. However, it is also being used for other missions such as drug enforcement and FINCEN related matters. The higher ups running the TSA are baffons.
There may be some parts of TSA participating in these efforts; I don't know of any, but I'm only in one small corner of the world. If there are any airport TSOs involved in these other efforts, it's purely news to me.
Originally Posted by SDF_Traveler
Last, why the heck are we still on "orange" with the DHS alert christmas tree? Are there really all these big, bad, imminent threats?
Been asking myself the same thing.