August 16, 2005

No Fly List: Wanting it Both Ways

Not only is Teddy Kennedy being inconvenienced when he flies these days, but it turns out that babies with names similar to those on the "no-fly" list are being grounded as well.

Sure it's silly, but rules are rules. And it seems that the parents, while a bit surprised, are being understanding.

However, the ACLU is being quite snippy about it.

An ACLU lawyer, Tim Sparapani, said the problem of babies stopped by the no-fly list illustrates some of the reasons that the lists do not work.

''There's no oversight over the names," Sparapani said. ''We know names are added hastily, and when you have a name-based system you don't focus on solid . . . leads. You focus on names that are similar to those that might be suspicious."

Sorry, Charlie. This is what happens when ethnic profiling is banned. Despite the fact that all of the bombers have been young men of either Middle Eastern descent, Muslim, or both, looking specifically for people who fit that description is a big PC no-no.

After all, hurt feelings are more important than accurate safety measures. So the rest of us can continue to expect to have to take off our shoes, be patted down, and possibly have our names on a "no-fly" list--because anything more specific just isn't civilized.

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