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June 21, 2007
Not flying
In recent weeks, three notable Canadian columnists - names of Travers, Walkom and Wente - have gone on record against Canada's no-fly list on the grounds that no self-respecting terrorist would travel under his own name in the first place. With all due respect, they're making asses out of themselves. That's the subject of my latest "Fact Check" - a bit of a gimme, really - at Macleans.ca.
Posted by Chris Selley at June 21, 2007 12:23 AM
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Comments
Definitely enjoyed it.
- Joey
Posted by: Joey Coleman at June 21, 2007 03:05 AM
A good article, I enjoyed it.
- Joey
Posted by: Joey Coleman ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tartcider.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 21, 2007 03:06 AM
Well more to the point, is that no-fly lists still don't work. And Chris, you proved it - not only were those two 9-11 hijackers travelling under their own name, they were on a no-fly\watch list at the time they entered the country, at the time they fly to Florida then to Boston and at the time they boarded the flights.
But I'm just a lowly web surfer. Ask Bruce Schneier if they work. They don't.
He has written pretty extensively on the subject.
Now Travers, Walkom and Wente may well be "making asses of themselves" based on your narrow parameters, but they are entirely right in their conjecture that our no-fly list is an ineffective, expensive waste of time and money that restricts our civil liberties and does nothing - NOTHING - to make us safer.
Posted by: Mike at June 21, 2007 01:40 PM
They weren't on "a no-fly\watch list." They were on a watch list, which wasn't a no-fly list. Had the two been coordinated - which they are now, roughly speaking, for better or worse - then it might have caught those two particular dickheads.
The no-fly list will likely cause more problems than it solves, I agree. But since hindsight's 20/20, I see no reason to be willfully blind in criticizing it.
Posted by: Chris Selley at June 21, 2007 01:50 PM
What about the claim that actual terrorists aren't on the no-fly list because that would tip them off?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/subscribe?user_URL=http://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FLAC.20070621.LETTERS21-3%2FTPStory%2FComment&ord=9772875&brand=theglobeandmail&redirect_reason=2&denial_reasons=none&force_login=false
Posted by: Dr.Dawg at June 22, 2007 03:33 PM
Is there any way we can add all children under the age of 12 (and anyone else inclined to kick the seat backs or holler without ceasing) to the no-fly list?
Posted by: Chris Taylor at June 22, 2007 04:40 PM