Terence P. Jeffrey, writing for CNSnews.com, looks into the on-the-record reasoning behind the TSA's current policies, which do not screen against the government's full Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB). It turns out there is a report, demanded by Congress in 2008, laying out the TSA case that a smaller number should be screened. He quotes the TSA IG report:
"In applying more narrow requirements than the TSDB's minimum substantive derogatory criteria requirements, the No Fly and Selectee lists are intended to prevent specific categories of terrorists from boarding commercial aircraft or subject these terrorists to secondary screening prior to boarding, and are not for use as law enforcement or intelligence gathering tools."
This concedes that not all classes of terrorists will be screened. There are some terrorists they were willing to miss. But not to worry. We can rely on the other extremely capable federal agencies. Writes Jeffrey:
The IG analysis conceded that people not included on the "No Fly" and "Selectee" lists could "present vulnerabilities to aviation security," but concluded that screening and security actions taken by agencies other than TSA-including the State Department, which screens foreign travelers applying for visas, and Customs and Border Protection, which screens travelers boarding international flights bound for the United States-mitigated the risk.
Read all of the excellent article to observe the mindset of the guardians of our safety. Hat tip: James Lewis
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