(2008-08-20) -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, D-MA, does not pose an immediate threat to the security of the American homeland and he should be allowed to board commercial airliners, according to a statement from Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge.

The Massachusetts politician complained recently that he had been prevented from boarding planes because his name is similar to an alias used by a man on a government "watch list."

"We do not, at this time, view Sen. Ted Kennedy as an immediate threat to the safety and security of America," said Mr. Ridge. "We continue to seek the whereabouts of another man--Mohammad Tehdi al-Kennedy, who has ties to the al Qaeda terror network."

Mr. Ridge added that, "although the Senator and his party seek the overthrow of the current administration and preach a radical doctrine that would decimate the American economy, we have no hard evidence that he's linked directly to any foreign groups that would celebrate those outcomes."