] "Shortly after Sept. 11, the FBI had entrusted a quickly
] developed watch list to scores of corporations around the
] country. Departing from its usual practice of closely
] guarding such lists, the FBI circulated the names of
] hundreds of people it wanted to question.
]
] Counterterrorism officials gave the list to car-rental
] companies. Then FBI field agents and other officials
] circulated it to big banks, travel-reservations systems,
] firms that collect consumer data, as well as casino
] operators such as MGM Mirage, the owner of New York-New
] York. Additional recipients included businesses thought
] vulnerable to terrorist intrusion, including truckers,
] chemical companies and power-plant operators. It was the
] largest intelligence-sharing experiment the bureau has
] ever undertaken with the private sector.
]
] A year later, the list has taken on a life of its own, with
] multiplying -- and error-filled -- versions being passed around
] like bootleg music. Some companies fed a version of the list
] into their own databases and now use it to screen job
] applicants and customers."

There is nothing more annoying then a stupid person with some thin basis in authority who thinks they are helping.

politechbot.com: FBI's secret, post-9-11 watch list acquires a life of its own