Federal Judge Not Impressed With Government's Defense Of Its 'No Fly' List

[mikea]

Risner went so far as to point out that those stranded by sudden inclusion on the no fly list had made it back to the US via alternate forms of travel, thus "proving" a lack of air travel isn't preventing traveling.

Unfortunately for Risner, Judge Anna J. Brown wasn't buying it.

"To call it 'convenience' is marginalizing their argument," Brown said. [She] said alternatives to flying are significantly more expensive. "It's hugely time-consuming, and who knows what impediments there are between the Port of Portland and other countries."
She also pointed out that sea and land travel options aren't suitable replacements for flying, especially when time is of the essence and that the government's argument "fails to take into account the realities of modern life."

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20...ith-governments-defense-its-no-fly-list.shtml

Yay! The "No Fly" list might finally get trimmed by the courts.

David Nelsons and Edward Kennedys everywhere are hopeful.

 

[comanchepilot]

We're all dreaming here- no court is going to tell the government it needs to have the no-fly list make rational sense, no court is going to tell the government that citizens on the no-fly list need a timely appeals process - and if they could not get 'Ted Kennedy' off the list, I dare say that kareem muhummad al-aksi is not coming off the list . . .

The supreme court has essentially given up on freedom - the last bastion is us.

 

[Jaybird180]

and they said separation of powers will never work!

 

[steingar]

It'll get punted up to the SCOTUS where it will die and unceremonious death.

 

[wsuffa]

It'll get punted up to the SCOTUS where it will die and unceremonious death.

It won't make it that far.

 

[mikea]

It'll get punted up to the SCOTUS where it will die and unceremonious death.

It won't make it that far.

Right now the judge is listening to recordings of some of the phone calls she was on that she would rather not be made public.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

Right now the judge is listening to recordings of some of the phone calls she wa s on that she would rather not be made public.

The judge has not tried to get on a commercial flight yet.

 

[N801BH]

The judge has not tried to get on a commercial flight yet.

....................

 

[Palmpilot]

"This decade-long lack of specifics or actual redress has led to the ACLU suing the federal government on the behalf of thirteen no-fly list members."

That reminds me - I think it's time to renew my ACLU membership.

It will be interesting to see how the judge decides the case.