Keeping the Skies Safe From Teddy

Computerworld - Whatever your political stripes, you would probably agree that Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is not a terrorist.
But when he tried to board a US Airways flight at Reagan National Airport near Washington this past spring, he was stopped because his name appeared on the government's secret "no-fly" list.
This database is supposed to be one of the many weapons in the country's fight against terrorism. And although the list hasn't led to any arrests, it has caused approximately 350 U.S. citizens to either be delayed or denied the right to travel. The FBI won't reveal who is on the list, which is maintained by the Transportation Security Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which is run by Tom Ridge.
After that first incident, Kennedy, who you'd think is recognizable, was stopped repeatedly, even after his aides called the TSA to clarify the matter.
His name was removed from the list only after he personally phoned Ridge.
The reason Kennedy was on the list in the first place? Apparently, the name "T. Kennedy" has been used by a suspected terrorist as an alias.
Is that all it takes?
Is this the level of sophisticated technology being deployed to fight the war on terror? You might as well digitize the phone book.
Of course, the airline says it's the TSA's problem, and TSA officials say they're just doing their job and that glitches -- well, they just happen. And, yes, they're going to get a bigger, better system.
And while the government says the TSA will issue a letter for those who are mistakenly on the list, how will you know you need the letter unless you're stopped at some airport or border crossing?
I have an English friend who possesses a valid U.S. green card and has worked legally in the U.S. for years. A technology professional who regularly travels from London to Seattle, he was stopped by U.S. immigration officials because he had a U.K. address on one of his documents. When he tried to explain that he goes back and forth on business, he was ushered into a small room and grilled by officers, who made it clear that they didn't believe a word of what he was saying.
Finally, after a rather nerve-rattling experience, a supervisor was called to the scene, inspected the documents and let my friend proceed.
Technology is often touted as savior or scoundrel when it comes to big government projects. The government is spending boatloads of borrowed cash to