The Fresh Face of Terrorism

N.J. Boy, 8, On Terrorism Watch List
John Slattery/wcbstv.com

CLIFTON, N.J. (CBS) ― In New Jersey, there's a frequent air traveler who is always scrutinized by airlines and airport security. Unfortunately for him, his name is apparently on a watch list. And as CBS 2 HD found out he's only 8 years old.

According to the powers that be, Michael W. Hicks has the face of evil. Or so you might think by the way he's questioned and patted-down before he boards an airliner.

"I don't like getting touched in certain spots. They go like, (pat down on the side), and they do it on the sides and go like that way," Hicks said.

Hicks is an 8-year-old Cub Scout who may not look like a terrorist, but he gets the terrorist-screening treatment every time he flies with his parents -- because his name is apparently the same as someone else's on the list.

"That's ridiculous. That's just insane. What are you talking about? Get my kid off the list," mother Najlah Feanny said.

Mikey's mother said it's happened to him since he was 2.

"You could see he was 2 and 3 and 4 and 5. Now it's scary because he's eight. What happens when he's 16?" Feanny said.

Look, the Feanny family can go ahead and swallow the fake outrage here. Children are used worldwide as agents of terror. African militants use children to terrorize villages. The Viatkong used children to carry bombs and attack American troops. So the idea that some boy scout from New Jersey could be responsible for the next epic terror attack makes perfect sense. If I was in the NSA and this kid came through my line I'd take him in the catacombs of the airport and beat him senseless. Cub scout my ass.