groan - HLS declares MIT science grad students to be security threats

[Duppers]

From "Physic Today" email:

The Tech: Eight MIT graduate students with student visas were denied a key credential by the Department of Homeland Security. After their department appealed the decisions on their behalf, the DHS declared at least two of the students "security threats."

The whole article here:

US declares MIT science grad students are security threats

The Tech: Eight MIT graduate students with student visas were denied a key credential by the Department of Homeland Security. After their department appealed the decisions on their behalf, the DHS declared at least two of the students “security threats.”

The troubles stem from a new homeland security program called the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, a plastic card which, like an MIT ID, contains personally identifying information and can be read wirelessly. Without the credential, the students will soon have a harder time boarding and leaving ships at U.S. ports, including the three research ships at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, where the students work.

The situation was well-known to WHOI, but it only came to MIT’s attention yesterday, when a German student forwarded to colleagues in the Earth, Atmosphere, and Planetary Sciences Department a letter from the Department of Homeland Security. The letter said in part: “I have personally reviewed the Initial Determination of Threat Assessment, your reply, accompanying information, and all other information and materials available to the TSA. Based upon this review, I have determined that you pose a security threat and you do not meet the eligibility requirements to hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).” A British graduate student received a similar letter, said James A. Yoder, dean of WHOI.

http://blogs.physicstoday.org/newspicks/2008/05/us_declares_mit_science_grad_s.html?type=PTFAVE

The first comment: "Unfortunately, we didn't get rid of all the Nazi's at Nuremberg and created our own homegrown agency."

[baldguy]

1. Anti-intellectualism is a hallmark of fascism

[Duppers]

4. that should be a bumper sticker

If ya print up some of those, I'll buy one. :) seriously.

[leftyclimber]

2. I'll bet it's really because of this study.

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/

They just don't want anyone to know that MIT's on to them. :tinfoilhat:

[Duppers]

3. I knew it

I knew it! ;)

[TreasonousBastard]

5. First order of business next year is to abolish..

Homeland Security.

It is getting far too powerful, getting involved in things it has no business being involved in, costs too much money, gets in the way of normal business, and after all that hasn't caught or stopped one damn terrorist.