I still have to wonder what the purpose of the list is? Ok, lets say some dude is up to no good and he ends up on the list. He then goes to fly and is told he's being watched. HUH? well now whatever he was involved in, he/they know the government is on to them. If a guy is being investegated this is the same as law enforcement tipping them off and letting them know. That would never happen. So what's the real purpose of this list? Just looks to me like a social control tool or at least doubling as one.
you answered your question. when i was a cop my job was to apprehend people. sit around until to you catch the person in the act. when you catch the person in the act you can arrest them, and they can be convicted in court.
i left the business of apprehension. now m in the business of prevention.
the business of prevention is incredibly difficult. on one hand its your job to make sure nothing happens. on the other hand if nothing happens, people say "waste of time" "theres no threat" "cant we just be left alone".. thats what they want us to do. but thats not what im going to do. i cant wit until that point because the plane is down and our economy is loosing billions each hour all aircraft are grounded.
the unfortunate problem with the system is innocent people get put in. lets say john smith comes through a checkpoint with a 9mm taped to his crotch(which ive seen happen).. well john smith got caught and got arrested. guess what? john smith just landed himself on the watch list. and theres the problem. now a different john smith whos completely innocent wonders why he always has to go through a private search every time he flys.
only if innocent john smith took the proper steps he could get that taken care of, but he doesnt, he just complains about the system.