ForeverInLoveWithJus

How ridiculous is this?

The US is considering forcing foreign planes crossing its airspace to provide lists of passengers as part of tougher guards against terrorist attacks.

Every flight entering US airspace, regardless of destination, would have to give full passenger details to be checked against US terror watch-lists. Such details must now only be given by planes actually landing at US airports.

The plan has angered airlines flying to Canada and Mexico, who say routes may have to be changed at great expense. The proposals come after US counterterrorism officials indicated that al-Qaeda may be planning to use foreign-based airlines to attack targets in the US.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4470957.stm

Lemons

Im failing to see whats sp rediculous about it. Please Explain.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

If I fly over airspace in America, I dont see why I need my name given to the American Government, it is crazy, an Invasion of my privacy.

I am not landing in America so I dont see why they need to know my name.

Kattie

It's a privacy issue. This is for planes that don't even land or take-off in the United States. The Terror Watch List's utility is dubious at best. These people are only suspected of having ties to terrorists. Remember that if your name matches that of a suspect, then you could be prevented from flying. In the past, the no-fly list had Senator Ted Kennedy's name on it.

And if your name matches that of a suspected terrorist and you are handed over to the U.S., then you could be sent to another country to be tortured. That's what happened to a Canadian man.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...&notFound=true

Knowing the names of passengers does not make anyone safer since a terrorist could recruit a sleeper agent unknown to authorities. Frankly, after 9/11, i don't think a hijacking will be successful like that again.

ForeverInLoveWithJus

It just isnt right, no matter how they try to say it, Thats frightening.

ManSlippers

And yet you don't live here, nor have you experienced first hand what has happened in this country, so it figures you'd be objected to it. While I agree somewhat with Kat, I don't see the harm in it. It's just a name.

Lemons

Okay, I understand.

YesJess

Eh, I see both sides. But if you have nothing to hide don't worry about it. *shrugs*.

Kattie

Even if you don't have anything to hide, you do want privacy protections. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. You are secure in your home because the police must prove to a judge that there is a good reason to tap a phone or search a house. A cop can't just arbitrarily decide to come in and "look for evidence". If there weren't restrictions on taps, any cop could listen in on your private conversations for any reason. A nation with an unrestricted police is a totalitarian one.

FantaOrSprite

I'd have to agree with you as usual. The government is getting too damn nosy. First the Patriot Act, now this. What the hell next? Chips imbedded in people's heads to tell them where we are?

I don't see any other countries demanding American info, even though we aren't the only country to have terrorist attacks.