Another Anti-Terror List Impacting Businesses, Customers

HangingChad writes "MSNBC is running a story about yet another government database designed to thwart terrorists and drug dealers that is having impact on people with similar names. Like a no-fly list for businesses, the Office of Foreign Asset Control's list of 'specially designated nationals' has been used in the past by banks and other financial institutions to block financial transactions of drug dealers and other criminals. Use of the list was expanded after 9-11 and now includes almost any financial transaction. Moreover, there is no minimum amount of money attached to penalties for selling to someone on the list: selling a sandwich to a 'specially designated national' can have a fine for up to '$10 million and 10 to 30 years in prison.' The article goes on: 'Businesses have used it to screen applicants for home and car loans, apartments and even exercise equipment, according to interviews and a report by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay area to be issued today.'"

Comments

Re:Good

[SpaghettiCoder]

That is exactly what the counter-terrorism is about (except on a larger scale): keeping terrorists weak and not allowing them to become strong.

There is absolutely nothing funny about any of this. Wake the hell up guys - this isn't a game.

Re:Once again, I'm glad to have an English surname

[monkeydo]

This has been happening to Americans buying firearms for over a decade and the ACLU has never given a shit. Every day, hundreds of law abiding American citizens are denied or delayed by a NICS check because of ambiguity in the records, but Congress won't fix it and I've never heard a peep out of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area. Funny that. I wonder why Pablo Escobar's "right" to get a mortgage is more important than my Constitutionally protected right to buy a Mossberg.

Re:Having (almost) done business with someone...

[SQL_SAM]

When I read the article I was almost concerned - until it mentioned

"according to interviews and a report by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay" - whew no more concern now, just some wack jobs from San Fran - nuff said!

Then I read your post and I almost felt bad for you until your far leftish political garbage came out:

"I'm quite certain at this point, that by running a small-business, esspecially online, you're just asking for reasons to be put into Guantanamo. Not that they need reasons, anymore."

uhm.... WHAT?

Why dont you just put on your tin foil hat (it's in your closet were you left it), drink the kool-aid (you apparently have it by the gallon) then handcuff yourself (I would put sexual reference with the handcuffs, but it's apparent you've never been laid) and turn yourself in, I'm sure the government (or the loony bin) has been waiting (a long time) for you and they have a cell waiting JUST FOR YOU (it happens to be padded), because you are indeed so important.....