Kentucky Man Wins Terrorist Award

Lester Neab, a fifty year old farmer from Kentucky, was named winner yesterday of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) 'We're Watching You' sweepstakes prize for being the one millionth person to be included on the Terrorist Screening Center's (TSC) watch list.


Lester has won a brand new 2008 Ford Ranger Sport Extended Cab Pickup Truck.

The Ranger is available in two or four-door configurations. Engine choices remain the same, with a 2.3L four producing 143 hp, and 3.0L and 4.0L V-6s making 148 and 207 hp, respectively.

Four-wheel-drive is an option on all trim lines, but available only with the V-6 engines. And if you can't fit all your toys in the available 7-ft bed -- the only one that long in the segment -- chances are you can tow them, as capacity is a maximum of 6000 lb.

Options, though varying by trim, include a limited-slip Torsen differential, a payload package that includes rear springs with increased rates and heavy-duty gas shocks, a Class III hitch, and a Pioneer 290-watt MP3 stereo system. The topline FX4 trim comes equipped already with heavy-duty Ranchero shocks, skidplates, and bucket seats, which are new to the model as standard items.

Ford claims that a newly revised front bumper makes the 2008 model more fuel-efficient than last year's model, however, research on www.fueleconomy.gov, a Web site of the Environmental Protection Agency, shows that this change only affects 2WD Rangers equipped with the 2.3L engine and a manual transmission. In 2007, this combination was good for 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. According to the EPA, a similarly equipped 2008 Ranger will get 21 and 26 mpg, respectively. Still, the Ranger is the most fuel-efficient truck in its class.

When notified of his win, Mr. Neab's water boarding was immediately stopped, and he was released.

Winston Bretcht, director of the DHS Prize and Promotions division, handed the keys to Mr. Neab at a special ceremony held just outside the detention center where he had been a guest.

Mr. Bretcht said "Putting a million names on a watch list is not an easy task. It wastes huge amounts of our budget, but it's worth every penny."