Friday, January 06, 2006

4-year-old boy on government's terrorist watch list

Preschooler and mom stopped at airport

A Texas woman was told that her four-year-old son could not join her on a flight because he was on a terrorist watch list. Sijollie Allen and her son learned the surprising news as they attempted to board planes last month. All little Edward wanted to do is to visit his grandma. KTRK-TV's Gene Apodaca reports in this video.

Via: CNN

If you cannot view the video, you can read the report filed by The Associated Press.

Tags: , , , ,

11 comments:

Dr. Deb said...

How totally ridiculous is a 4 year old on a terrorist list. If I didn't read it, I wouldn't believe it!!

~Deb

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

This is a very strange story. In the news video, the mom talked about how the security staff wanted to see various forms of ID for her son - ID a four-year-old isn't old enough to have! The parents are requesting special security clearance so that this doesn't happen again.

S A J Shirazi said...

Strange indeed!

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Shi: It's nice to know I'm not alone. :-)

Rose said...

Gurl what is this world coming to. I am too through after this one.

AsianSmiles said...

OK Sis... I understand that we are all trying to protect ourselves from the terrorists, and so the no-fly list is issued.

I also understand that we cannot just "use common sense" in high risk situations so the mom&son had to be checked more thoroughly than the others.

What I don't understand is how hard it is to attach a pic or a profile in the no-fly list database.

Have a nice weekend Sis!

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Rose: The little boy is a typical four-year-old. He's as cute as a button.

AsianSmiles: A picture. A profile. What an innovative idea! Actually, security told the mom that she could fly with no problem. It was the son who couldn't! Once the parents get special clearance from Homeland Security, the youngster hopefully will be able to fly without incident.

Trucker Bob said...

What bothers me about this is the seeming inability, or unwillingness, of the inspectors to apply some common sense.

Has the ruling cabal got everyone so afraid of them that this sort of thing goes unchecked, save for the occasional story?

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Bob: Good observations and questions. We'll put you in charge of security!

Nth Dimension said...

I just finished watching a marathon-run of the excellent political satire "Yes Minister"...and the one thing that stood out...Government and common-sense are oxymorons.

We are expecting the government to behave with the common-sense of a common-man. No said the brown turtle...

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Nth Dimension: Interesting point.