h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2801673.stm

For those that can't follow links:
Derek Bond is a 72 year-old pensioner from Bristol in the UK. He went on holiday to South africa where he was arrested at gunpoint by the South African authorities at the behest of the FBI, who believed, based on intelligence, that he was a man on their 'Most Wanted' list.

Mr Bond then spent 3 weeks sleeping on his concrete cell floor, waiting for the FBI to compare his photo with the man they want to catch. The FBI finally got around to it (after they arrested somebody else in the US) and let him go as he was clearly the wrong man.

Lots of interesting stuff in this story - Why did this take so long? Can we trust 'intelligence' from the US when it causes problems like this? Mr Bond was actually ruled out years ago when it was discovered that his identity may have been stolen by the real criminal. How secure is your identity?

I'm sure I heard somewhere that the FBI claimed that the South African police wouldn't let them talk to him for a while, but don't quote me on that.

It really does make you wonder about the 'intelligence' that the US works upon. If it can make this sort of blunder involving a man that they themselves had already realised had had his identity stolen, why couldn't they have expedited matters and released him immediately? It is all the more worrying since they are all busy working up cases against terrorists as well. God help the poor sap whose identity is stolen by one, is slapped in irons and 'interrogated' at length before they realise he is a vicar from Scunthorpe!

I first heard about it this morning and was horrified and very angry on his behalf (not that it does him any good). I can't believe the things that the US is doing to people at the moment. I could keep ranting for ages but once again doesn't do anyone any good.

Best wishes to Mr Bond in his recocery from this and evil eye to those who stuffed him around.

Y