From the article:
Quote:
VICTORY: Failing to Support Security Threat Claim, TSA Dismisses Case Against Muslim-American Pilot After Rutherford Institute Intervenes
PHOENIX, Ariz.—After failing to substantiate their claims that commercial airline pilot Imran Jamali is in any way a security threat, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has agreed to dismiss its case against the Muslim-American pilot and reinstate his flying credentials. The reversal comes after The Rutherford Institute intervened in defense of Jamali's right under the Fifth Amendment to not only know the charges against him but also defend himself against those charges in a court of law. Prior to the Institute's involvement, the TSA had stonewalled Jamali in his efforts to determine the TSA's basis for labeling him a security threat and stripping him of his flying badge and certificates.
"Hopefully this victory in Imran Jamali's case will serve as a warning to government agencies that they must abide by the rule of law, which is our U.S. Constitution," stated John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. "The right to due process of law cannot be sacrificed in a rush to identify potential security threats. When civil liberties are tossed out the window, we all lose."
Anybody have an inside story on this? It sounds horrible, and the worst kind of intimidation -- failure to produce any substantive evidence for the charges.VICTORY: Failing to Support Security Threat Claim, TSA Dismisses Case Against Muslim-American Pilot After Rutherford Institute Intervenes
PHOENIX, Ariz.—After failing to substantiate their claims that commercial airline pilot Imran Jamali is in any way a security threat, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has agreed to dismiss its case against the Muslim-American pilot and reinstate his flying credentials. The reversal comes after The Rutherford Institute intervened in defense of Jamali's right under the Fifth Amendment to not only know the charges against him but also defend himself against those charges in a court of law. Prior to the Institute's involvement, the TSA had stonewalled Jamali in his efforts to determine the TSA's basis for labeling him a security threat and stripping him of his flying badge and certificates.
"Hopefully this victory in Imran Jamali's case will serve as a warning to government agencies that they must abide by the rule of law, which is our U.S. Constitution," stated John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. "The right to due process of law cannot be sacrificed in a rush to identify potential security threats. When civil liberties are tossed out the window, we all lose."
Of course, it is a press release, but issues like this can be swept under the rug unless everybody (pilots, public, lawyers, lawmakers) are made aware of transgressions.
Quote:
TSA did not give specific reasons for it reversal but simply alluded to "changed circumstances."
Changed circumstances = bad publicity? I reserve strong judgment but I'm very suspicious.TSA did not give specific reasons for it reversal but simply alluded to "changed circumstances."