For reasons that no longer surprise me, the story barely made the headlines in the US (except for a brief comment by Keith Olberman on his Countdown show at MSNBC), but made a lot of brouhaha in the UK... and elsewhere too.
Since September 2001, if you have ever traveled to the US, you know the drill. I have my load of horror stories, you probably have yours too. :) Just this year around, I went 4 times in the US, twice for the job, twice on vacations and meeting friends. 3 times out of 4 were sheer hell.
Ahhh... the mighty US Department of Homaland Security...
So here's the story:
If you're a Muslim... with a weird name... You've been certainly subjected to even more scrutiny than everyone else. (Which makes you wondering about the usefulness of such extra scrutnity, from a security standpoint. Think about it, it will become clear. ).
This happened recently to a Muslim, on a visit in the US.
He's not an ordinary person you ask? That's a good guess. However, you have to admit that stupidity is applied equally well. :)
It happened at Washington DC's Dulles airport the other day...
To a member... of the UK parliament...
A ... UK minister...
A UK minister... who was a keynote speaker at a US government meeting.
A UK minister who was invited by... the very Department of Homeland Security... on defeating terrorism !!!
And you know what?
That very UK minister got nailed *TWICE* by the Department of Homeland Security in just one year !!!
Talk about winning the jackpot, isn't it? :)
I wish this is a Woody Allen movie... but it happened for real to Britain's minister Shahid Malik, just days ago.
In a sick way, it's kind of reasurring to us, poor peons and travelers that we are... if the US Department of Homaland Security can nail TWICE a UK minister...
Ooooookay! We're not alone! :)
On a more serious note... I've seen this happening *too* many times, and I have personally felt the pressure during my travels in the US, I never understand why there's no public outrage in the US.
Heck, the guy who you have good reasons to fear for your own safety... is the guy who wears a badge, and is supposedly there for... security. Hello ?!?
I love this quote from Malik:
"Obviously, there was no malice involved but it has to be said that the US system does not inspire confidence."
I wholeheartedly agree! And all this was put in place, if you remember well... to inspire confidence to travelers, to make sure that traveling is safe.
Yeah sure!
Since September 2001, laws have been passed... giving extraordinary powers in the hands of ordinary people... and at the same times, removing all checks and balances...
So, it's not surprising.
I wish I can say... Respect needed. without upsetting these distinguished personnel...
Cheers,
-E
Links:
BBC: MP detained by US airport staff
Guardian: Minister 'deeply disappointed' by US airport detention
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