There are a few interesting facts about this case. One is WHY was Ms. Oden denied to board the airlines? As we all know, since September 11 the security measures in airports have been increased. We’ve been told there’s a better screening process, but I’ve also heard on news reports that this isn’t very effective and we need to increase this ability. Ms. Oden claims that her name was on some list which a “flag” for her to be searched, the reason she initially gave was for being a member of the Green Party. This has yet to be confirmed by anyone. There were several greens that inquired about this by asking airline officials, and the FBI but no one will confirm, nor deny, that Ms. Oden was on a list. This is a controversial issue that I'd hoped would have been resolved by now, but it hasn’t. As I don’t have the resources to inquire into this I can only go by what I’ve read by other reporters. Some say that there was a list that Ms. Oden was on, others say that there is no way that could have happened, as she stated. At best it could be said that because she paid for her ticket in cash that alone caused interest in the extra security check.
If the cash ticket purchase doesn’t explain it, then it raises other questions. What is this list that she might be on? Is it from the FBI? What got her on that list? Her Green Party activities, as she claims, or her other activism that she pursues such as anti-biotechnology. Ms. Oden has been associated with a “terrorist” group against genetically engineered food products. From a statement she made, a farm that was growing genetically altered food was identified and shortly thereafter destroyed. In the eyes of “the status quo” it seems that this is terrorist activity, which in all likelihood is what would cause Ms. Oden to be on some targeted list.
It is with a lot of doubt that her denial of air travel had to do with the fact that she is a Green Party member. If that were the case we would then see a lot more Greens being denied and shouting loudly. That has not happened.
