Okay, so I completely understand and fully support the need for a watch list to protect the safety of all of those who fly, and for protecting the United States in general. What I don’t understand is why they didn’t pat down the Nigerian underwear bomber to the same degree that they have been patting down this eight year old U.S. citizen from New Jersey since he was two years old? Apparently, the name Mikey Hicks is on the second tier watch list which requires high level security screening. The poor kid has gone through intense scrutiny every single time he and his family have flown into and out of the United States. The question I have then is, which list was the Nigerian listed on? Was he on the second tier list, or the first tier? My argument is not that they failed in discovering the powder in his underwear – what I learned in watching the reports is that powder substances are nearly undetectable, but what I want to know is, what type of screening was he subject to? Anything beyond the norm? Not from what I have heard, but at the same time Mikey Hicks has been routinely on the terror watch list for over six years, and the TSA has not skipped a beat each and every time he has flown. There are some serious flaws with DHS’ system I think, especially since TSA spokseman, James Fontenas commented that, “there are no children on the no-fly or selectee lists,” but would not comment on Mikey’s situation specifically. This is just another example of the need for reform when it comes to how the U.S. government screens individuals coming into the United States – they are spending so much time and placing so much emphasis on names that raise a flag simply because it may be a name of muslim origin, or from a muslim country, that they are missing what is right in front of them.
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