I was thinking of generating a buzz-word filled response to the parent's post
that would be guaranteed to trip the NSAs filters. In the 90's, I would have
wrote such a post. I used to believe that people would apply common sense in
filtering the results of computer programs. Unfortunately, I no longer
believe the NSA will apply common sense, and some computer system will silently
add me to a list of potential terrorists. For an example, see the Maher Arar case.
Today,
once you become a person of interest, you are forevermore a suspect and no
protestations of innocence will ever get you off a watch list. The other issue
is that an ever increasing number of watch lists exists to trip the unwary. For
example:
- Does a nutbar have the same name as you? You are on the no-fly
list.
- Did you exchange an email with the wrong person? You are a
person-of-interest.
- Do you have kids? You are a potential kidnapper.
- Bad divorce? You might be an accused sex offender.
- Are you a
political protester? You might have a criminal arrest record.
It is tough to
be dull enough to not be on any lists. [ Reply to This | Parent | # ]
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