A List to Prove I Don't Belong on the List?

If we've learned anything about the expansive nature of executive powers, it is that they are, well, expansive. Executive agencies can exert oversight, insight and control into almost every aspect of our once perceived "private" lives. So, when executive programs, the Patriot Act and several other executive orders and patchwork legislative acts developed the DHS Watchlist, lots of folks found themselves flagged as "of concern" when trying to travel based upon their public library selections, names-sakes and other ridiculous criteria. In classic legistlative style, Congress is now stepping in with a solution to the problem. If your name appears on the Watchlist, you now have the opportunity to petition to have your name not removed from the Watchlist, but instead added to another list of persons wrongfully listed on the Watchlist. So, if your name is Kate Baker and there is a notorious Kate Baker on the DHS Watchlist, you have to petition and must show you are not THE terroristic rightfully belonging on the Watchlist. If you prove you are harmless, then all of your personal data gets added to the "no longer belongs on the Watchlist" Watchlist. Isn't that rich? Congressional action will develop a list of people that don't belong on the executive agency's list. But, you've got to ask to be re-listed. If you are successful, you aren't removed from the Watchlist. You are simply added to another list saying you don't belong on the Watchlist. Huh?
Wired magazine has a great article on the Feb. 4th House action that explains the process. So, when I get ready to fly over to Barcelona for my 3-week vista with Stanley, I am prepared to explain that I am NOT the Nancy Leigh that should be on the terror Watchlist. In fact, I am not even a "person of interest". Call me Hettie. Later Folks.