| Recently, a student en route to California had a | | | | understand that the TSA were only doing their |
| forced change of plan when he was put in jail for | | | | job and making sure that all who fly are safe but |
| containing cards that had the words "terrorism" | | | | he believes that the way in which they |
| and "bombs" on it. It turns out that these cards | | | | approached the situation was more of an ambush |
| were in fact study cards and this young man was | | | | than enquiry. |
| using them to practice his Arabic language course. | | | | His study language flash cards contained Arabic |
| Nicholas George, a 22 year old student who is | | | | words and phrases such as "bombs" and |
| majoring in Physics at Pomona College, was on a | | | | terrorists" and these words were relevant to his |
| flight for Philadelphia to California and like many | | | | studies as Nicholas had to be able to learn and |
| other diligent students, decided to take his study | | | | understand current affairs and news articles. He |
| materials with him to keep him occupied during | | | | had recently travelled to Jordon and feels that his |
| the flight. He did not realise that his Arabic | | | | passport information in addition to these cards |
| language vocabulary flash cards (cards that display | | | | could have sparked suspicion. |
| words) for his course would cause such | | | | He has a love for the Arabic language and is |
| controversy and ultimately land him behind bars. | | | | hoping that by completing his studies he will |
| Nicholas did not even have a chance to get onto | | | | eventually be able to serve as a US diplomat in |
| the plane and travel to California where he is | | | | the Middle East area. Nicholas feels violated that |
| currently completing his senior year as he was | | | | he could not even take his language cards onto |
| abruptly detained after his Arabic English | | | | the plane without getting harassed. He feels that it |
| translation language flashcards were found in his | | | | is his right to study the Arabic language and he |
| bag during a security check. | | | | shouldn't be discriminated for it. |
| After Nicholas's disturbing experience, he has | | | | This is just one of many situations where |
| decided to sue the Transportation Security | | | | individuals have been discriminated against unfairly. |
| Administration, the FBI and Philadelphia police for | | | | The reality is that the TSA have to take extra |
| this inconvenience and his lawsuit was filed in court | | | | precautions to ensure the safety of others but |
| earlier this week. He is claiming that his detainment | | | | these precautions should be done so with dignity |
| violated his citizen rights. He does however | | | | and respect. |