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7yr Old Boy Still on Terrorist Watch List. "I don't understand why I am ...
Is this the face of a terrorist? John Anderson's family was taking a trip to Disney World in 2004 when they were stopped by security at Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport.
The airlines thought John, who goes by Jack, was on a terror watch list.
Agents were dumbfounded when they looked over the counter to see the suspected terrorist -- a 2-year-old St. Paul toddler dozing in his stroller with a pacifier hanging from his mouth.
Two years later, the family was stopped by airport security again, owing to Jack's common name. The Andersons have since given up flying, waiting for federal authorities to fix a database that has ensnared more than 30,000 Americans.
Prompted by cases such as Jack's, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is announcing legislation today to minimize airport delays and correct other problems caused by the watch list.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the FBI created a consolidated watch list to help identify potential terrorists. The list contains more than 1 million records on 400,000 individuals and is often used at airports and borders.
A Government Accountability Office report said the watch list "enhanced U.S. counter terrorism efforts."
October's report said the list created "the opportunity to collect and share information on known or appropriately suspected terrorists with law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community."
Klobuchar acknowledged that it's important to have a watch list to help gather information. "I am not opposed to it, but we need to use the technology available to reduce the number of misidentifications."
The list has received criticisms from groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union as innocent people go through increased scrutiny because their name resembles another on the list.
Not every John Anderson, Jim Smith or Susan Jones has problems. Passengers are stopped because of some combination of factors. . .
. . . Two years later, during another flight check-in at the Twin Cities airport, the Andersons hit another snag. They were once again allowed to fly, but the security checks frightened Jack as airport officials stared at him in disbelief.
"After that trip, he expressed the fact that he didn't want to fly anymore," Christine Anderson said. "He just kept asking me, 'Why am I on the terrorist watch list? I don't understand why I am a terrorist.'"
(Go to link for the full article) Is this the face of a terrorist? John Anderson's family was taking a trip to Disney World in 2004 when they were stopped by secur... more -
Disney World uses its magic to help a distraught couple
While visiting the magical kingdom, the Campanale couple had done some tidying before leaving and realized they had accidentally thrown away not only the misses wedding band but also her engagement ring, and her 5 year anniversary ring.
The Campanale's left the kingdom defeated but as soon as Disney Staffers got word of the misplaced booty they quickly acted. Donning full body hazmat suits the employees dug through the parking lot garbage and found all three jewels. While visiting the magical kingdom, the Campanale couple had done some tidying before leaving and realized they had accidentally throw... more -
American Idol: THE RIDE!
The Walt Disney Company is planning on opening an American Idol themed attraction in their Florida theme park. Guests will audition and then compete in front of an audience for prizes.
So now instead of yelling at and humiliating your children on your own in the theme park, employees will now do it for you. The Walt Disney Company is planning on opening an American Idol themed attraction in their Florida theme park. Guests will audition a... more -
Disney World Bans Children
Well, at least from one of their restaurants.
Beginning this week, children under 10 are no longer welcome at Victoria & Albert's in the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Victoria & Albert's is Walt Disney World's only restaurant with an AAA five-diamond rating.
Only about three families a month ever brought young children to Victoria & Albert's, said Rosemary Rose, Disney's vice president for food, beverage and merchandise operations.
Men are required to wear jackets, and women must wear dresses or pantsuits. The hushed atmosphere features live harp music, and the menu, which changes daily, offers seven-course dinners that can last as long as three hours. Prices start at $125 a person.
Oh, and they don't serve chicken nuggets. Well, at least from one of their restaurants. ... more -
Disney Shuns Jobs...Loves The Woz
Just because you sit on the board of directors doesn't mean you get to be an animatronic figure at Disneyland.
In the recently re-opened Epcot Attraction "Spaceship Earth," Disney has apparently shunned Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in favor of Steve Wozniak to represent the faceless inventor of the personal computer. I guess that's what you get when you take all the credit and most of the money for inventing the video game "Breakout." Just because you sit on the board of directors doesn't mean you get to be an animatronic figure at Disneyland. ... more -
America! You're too fat to ride "It's a Small World"
They have to remodel the ride to accommodate today's heavier Americans!!
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