That's Thomas Greene colorfully describing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)'s rather dubious "Secure Flight" system. Greene makes a good case for why he thinks the system will never get off the ground.
A more measured view on the topic can be found at Information Week, System For Screening Passengers For Terrorism Risk Not Ready For Liftoff, Report Says.
But neither report gives me much hope that Secure Flight is going to be in action by August. If ever.