September 23, 2004
The Transportation Security Administration has announced it will require all airlines to turn over records of every passenger carried domestically in June so the agency can test a new system to match passenger names against lists of known or suspected terrorists.
I am one of those people.
On one airline, my name regularly comes up on a TSA watch list and my bags are completely surged and my person is patted down.
It is a pathetic diversion of time and resources that could better be used to track down those who pose the greatest danger to flying and to our country.
So far I haven't been able to get anyone at TSA to return my phone calls or emails.
The airlines say they can't take me off the list without TSA's permission.
All of us pay a fee to these people, but try to contact them.
You get a recording if you call and a standard email if you email, saying you will receive a prompt reply.
Not only do I not get a prompt reply; I have received no reply.
If the government wants to make us safer, it will stem the flow of illegal immigrants.
But this administration has done just the opposite.
Somehow, I don't feel any safer.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C. Watch his television show, After Hours with Cal Thomas, on the Fox News Channel, Saturdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
