(Image Source: Residence in Phoenix Airport)

BY BLAKE HANSON

A new report out from the Associated Press reveals the U.S. no-fly list has more than doubled in the past year -- and that’s got media outlets asking: how’d that happen? Fox News Radio has more...

“The secret list of suspected terrorists banned from flying in the U.S. has more than doubled in the past year, jumping from 10,000 names to about 21,000.”

So why’d it double? Newser points to December 2009...

“The list has been growing at a quick clip ever since the failed Christmas 2009 ‘underwear bomber’ plot, after which the government lowered the standards required to place people on the list. The new standards would have ensured that would-be bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was on the list…”

So how’s all this play into the so-called “War on Terror”? The Global Post writes...

“The news comes despite the Obama administration’s claims that it is close to beating Al Qaeda.  
However, according to the AP story the government ‘believes the current terror threat extends well beyond the group responsible for the September 2001 attacks.’”

Meanwhile, KCRA has reaction from some travelers -- and a not-so-happy American Civil Liberties Union...

TRAVELER: “There’s a lot of stuff the government does to keep us safe, we may disagree at certain times but some of this stuff is kind of necessary.”
REPORTER: “The ACLU is not happy about the growing list, they believe more rights are being violated because anyone’s name could be placed on the list without an explanation.”

As of Thursday morning, the TSA had not responded to the AP report -- but on its website calls the No Fly list a quote “essential element of the aviation security.”