Questions and answers on terrorist list

Sometimes ya just stumble upon information when looking for something else. This is one of those times.

We're talking here about the terrorist "watch" list. Please note my emphasis below.

Q: How does someone get on the list?

A: Any agency can nominate a person to the list, but the FBI and CIA screen all nominations and make the final decisions. The FBI has said if there is enough evidence against a person to open a preliminary FBI investigation because of suspected terrorist links, that name will be placed on the list. An anonymous phone call about someone isn't enough by itself. The CIA has said its standards are somewhat subjective.

Q: How does someone get off the list?

A: If an FBI investigation determines a person has no link to terrorism, that name will be removed from the list. The CIA has refused to tell congressional investigators its standards for removal.

Oh just fucking peachy keen. The CIA makes subjective decisions on who is included and refuses to tell Congress by what criteria they will remove someone.

Are you feeling like you're living in the former Soviet Union? You are, you know.

Via Boston Globe.