Name on government watch list threatens pilot's career

[Redstone]

Source: CNN.com

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- For Erich Scherfen, being on a government terror watch list isn't just a matter of inconvenience. It could end his career.

Scherfen served in the U.S. military for 13 years, as an Army infantryman in the first Gulf War and then as a helicopter pilot in the National Guard. After receiving an honorable discharge, he was hired as a pilot by Colgan Air Inc., a regional airline operating in the Northeast and Texas.

In April, Colgan informed Scherfen that he was on a government list and would be suspended from his job. He was told he faced termination on September 1 unless he was able to clear his name.

But Scherfen, of Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, has been unable to do so and said fears it could mean he has no future as a pilot.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/22/pilot.watch.list/index.html

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Welcome to The United Soviet States of America!

Redstone

[Fearless]

1. I think I just choked on one of my freedom fries.

In the words of George Carlin: "Germany lost the war but fascism won."

[MasonJar]

2. That is beyond outrageous. He needs to contact his Senator and

Congressman asap.

[bertman]

3. A Mooslem and probably a registered Democrat. Married a brown woman. Definitely a terrist.

This is so upsetting. It's beyond obscene.

I think I'm gonna go watch my DVD's of American Idol, then go shopping at WalMart. Maybe that'll keep me from doing something I'll regret.

[kimmylavin]

4. And all in the name of our "security"...

This 13-year veteran can't find out WHY he's on this list and has no means to take himself off.
Feeling safer yet? :sarcasm:

[RedLetterRev]

5. Once you get on, you never get off of it

and they never tell you why. Here we are, two white guys; me a veteran, my partner never traveled outside the US. He was raised Methodist, me a Lutheran. So why is it I get taken apart every time I go through an airport and he is on the list? He wrote to John Conyers and all he got back was "we can't tell you".

Good luck ever getting off of it. There's no reason on G'd's green earth my partner ever, ever, ever, ever, ever should have been on it. Except for the fact that we're Democrat, gay, and vocal. Not even so much as a frickin' speeding ticket. Not even so much as a parking ticket. You tell me.

Yeah, you got it. Welcome to the USSA. Is there any wonder I hate neoKKKons for shredding the Constitution and pissing on innocent civilians and veterans? Yeah, they holler "support the troops" while shitting on your boots.

[offog]

7. I know what you mean.

Greetings from Canada! One of my gay buddies drives to the U.S. pretty regularly for vacations and to visit friends. A few years ago he bought some gay porn down there, which the customs found when he was coming back into Canada. He was stuck in a waiting area for 5 yours and grilled. Now he's been identified as gay and gets hassled every time he comes back from the States.

[Solly Mack]

6. Oh, I'm sure that one day government will apologize to him

comment is chock-full of scorn

[slackmaster]

8. The silence from the "terrorist watch list" apologists on DU is deafening

Sound of crickets chirping.

[NeoConsSuck]

9. Long Live AmeriKa!!

And again, someone tell me, why is this supposedly the greatest country in the world? Do the terrists still hate us because of our freedoms?

I don't know what shocked me more: Reading the story itself, or seeing that the right wing cesspool, cnn.com, would even cover this story.

[barbtries]

10. one of my colleagues is on the list

he found out on his vacation. he's supposed to travel overseas for work next month. the TSA has "lost" or not received his paperwork attempting to rectify this absurdity. he's no more a terrorist than winnie the pooh.

[Doctor_J]

11. "innocent until proven guilty" unless Cheney considers you a threat

They put Maj. Scherfen on a list, and now it's his responsibility to clear his name?????

WTF has happened to this country?

[TransitJohn]

12. It's especially maddenning because

by their own admission, no "real" (read: actually considered credible threats to the country) terrorists are even put on those lists, because they don't want to alert them that they're under suspicion/investigation. These lists have nothing to do with security.