{"id":9627,"date":"2019-05-16T08:56:21","date_gmt":"2019-05-16T06:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.desertsun.co.uk\/blog\/?p=9627"},"modified":"2019-05-16T08:57:57","modified_gmt":"2019-05-16T06:57:57","slug":"unvetted-vet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.desertsun.co.uk\/blog\/9627\/","title":{"rendered":"Vet Unvetted"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story<\/a> is amusing, in a grim sort of way:<\/p>\n

Where does an alleged war criminal accused of torture and directing mass executions look for work while living in the United States? For Yusuf Abdi Ali, there was an easy answer: Uber and Lyft.<\/p>\n

Within a couple of days of applying to be a ride-share driver, Ali said he was approved to shuttle passengers from place to place. He’s been doing it for more than 18 months, according to his Uber profile.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

Ali’s work as a ride-share driver raises new questions about the thoroughness of Uber and Lyft’s background check process and the ease with which some people with controversial pasts can get approved to drive.<\/p>\n

Ali has not been convicted of a crime, but a basic internet search of his name turns up numerous documents and news accounts alleging he committed various atrocities while serving as a military commander during Somalia’s civil war in the 1980s.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I think David Burge puts it best:<\/p>\n

\n

I’m just flat out dumbfounded by the framing here; no interest in how he wandered aimlessly here from Somalia, but Uber and Lyft are at fault for not checking on his war crimes dossier with Interpol and The Hague<\/p>\n

\u2014 David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 15, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n