On his December 9 show, “All In,” Chris Hayes said The Right was against using the no-fly list for background checks. He neglected to mention that there are those on the left who also are opposed — not because they're against gun control, but because the list is so flawed. Hayes, himself pointed out this flaw on the same show: the case of Saadiq Long which the RW media flouted but neglected to actually investigate for the truth (RawStory has video of the segment and more on the story: www.rawstory.com/... ).
There are many on the left who have a higher regard for liberty than temporary security (as Ben Franklin’s quote has come to mean for many) and who decry the secretive nature of the list and the convoluted, difficult bureaucratic nightmare to appeal. For me, it also brings back memories of J Edgar Hoover and Tricky Dick Nixon who compiled similar secretive and politically-based lists in the turbulent decade known as "The 60s." These lists were used to target demonstrators and political enemies.
The ACLU is bringing a suit on behalf of several Muslim U.S. citizens who claim an unfair process in including them on the list. Last year, U.S. District Court Judge Anna Brown ruled the government must devise a better system. In response, a process of notification was installed, though reasons for inclusion might still be kept secret.
U.S. Attorney Brigham Bowen argued that the government has no obligation to to divulge why people were placed on the list.
“Government is not required in name of due process to put its national security at risk,”
If prohibitions are based on profiling and secretive reasons, they are counter to the inherent rights enumerated in our Constitution. In addition, the extensive and invasive searches at the airport are supposed to be effective. Why is the list necessary?
If the no-fly list is to be used to deprive some citizens of what many consider individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution (possession of firearms and freedom of movement), fix the list, permit appeal with reasonable excuses for denying removal, and bring it into the sunlight.
As it stands, the no-fly list is perfectly criticized by the current connotation of Franklin's quote.