Americans Support Racial Profiling

[Mirorgate 0]

"To play the fool... gotta be the tool!"

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

erekose,

As much as I hate profiling, it does work. How many planes have been

hijacked from Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport? Not a single one

ever. And it wasn't for lack of trying on the part of the terrorists.

In fact, Richard Reid (the shoe bomber) had allegedly travelled to Israel

to familiarise himself with El-Al's security procedures; after being thoroughly

interrogated by BGI security officers (who apparently even asked him to

take off his shoes (!)), he gave up that idea pretty quickly.

Up to a certain point I agree - but clearly you can't assume that terrorists are stupid and are going to conform to codes of behaviour and appearance when boarding a plane that they intend to blow up.

Likewise Richard Reid wasn't apprehended until he was already on the plane (obviously too late).

The absolute solution is to scrutinise everyone, search every bag etc. But clearly that would shut down commercial air travel entirely, reduce the number of flights and disproportionately increase the costs. But realistically - another 9/11 type event will probably have just the same result. Which is what the terrorists want - to change our behaviour through fear. Which unfortunately, is exactly what they are doing.

There's also reason to question the efficiency and ethical behaviour of TSA employees. Have you ever gotten one of those TSA 'calling cards' in your luggage - basically says that "due to increased security measures we have searched your bag" etc. but then goes on to say that anything missing or removed from your bag is not their liability. Apparently the TSA had to conduct an internal audit down at Ontario aiport (in California) last year because some TSA staff were apparently using this loophole to steal things out of peoples bags.

If profiling is the way to go I'd want to know for sure that the people doing it are behaving appropriately, and aren't using their powers merely as a way of carrying out their own personal prejudices.

[Mirorgate 0]

...

The absolute solution is to scrutinise everyone, search every bag etc. But clearly that would shut down commercial air travel entirely, reduce the number of flights and disproportionately increase the costs. ...

...

5th Element.... put everyone to sleep, and flash freeze personals (no ticky-bombs in luggage)

[Ric Flair 0]

Woooooo!

Ric Flair says:

The key to profiling is that it must be done while styling. Ric Flair has been styling and profiling for years with unprecedented success. 22 time champion of the what? world.

Woooooo!

[garya505 2]

... racial profiling did not catch the shoe bomber, and would not have caught the white guy who was involved in the bomb plot the other week.

Profiling in general (whether by race or any factor) has never been terribly effective. That is another argument. The argument here, as far as I can tell, is if profiling is to occur, should appearance be allowed to be a factor?

Actually profiling has been working quite well at airports in Israel.

Appearance has to be allowed to be a factor for profiling to work, but it should never be the ONLY factor. Profiling which includes appearance should never be allowed to be used as an excuse for racism.

[mawilson 2,133]

Clearly you can't assume that terrorists are stupid and are going to conform

to codes of behaviour and appearance when boarding a plane that they intend to blow up.

I disagree. I think *most* terrorists and criminals are stupid -- otherwise they

wouldn't have become terrorists and criminals.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Clearly you can't assume that terrorists are stupid and are going to conform

to codes of behaviour and appearance when boarding a plane that they intend to blow up.

I disagree. I think *most* terrorists and criminals are stupid -- otherwise they

wouldn't have become terrorists and criminals.

Well like I said, someone who has made a decision to risk their life to carry out a bombing, for example, isn't going to get on a plane dressed like Bin Laden. Rarely a good idea to underestimate human resolve and ingenuity.

[mawilson 2,133]

Well like I said, someone who has made a decision to risk their life to carry out a bombing, for example, isn't going to get on a plane dressed like Bin Laden. Rarely a good idea to underestimate human resolve and ingenuity.

Have you seen many fanatical Muslims who would be willing to shave, drink beer

and eat pork? They simply don't exist. The only reason they do what they do

is because their lives are ####### and they want to go to heaven, and they wouldn't

risk doing anything that would land them in hell.

[Ban Hammer 13,641]

Well like I said, someone who has made a decision to risk their life to carry out a bombing, for example, isn't going to get on a plane dressed like Bin Laden. Rarely a good idea to underestimate human resolve and ingenuity.

Have you seen many fanatical Muslims who would be willing to shave, drink beer

and eat pork? They simply don't exist. The only reason they do what they do

is because their lives are ####### and they want to go to heaven, and they wouldn't

risk doing anything that would land them in hell.

you must eat bacon, oogle hooters waitresses, and drink beer before boarding this flight.......

[PlatyPius 5]

easy, because they are white americans that will never be profiled. As someone stated in the poll, people that are for is because they've never been profiled, they don't know what it feels. As someone who has been profiled before for stupid reason, I'm against it. Unfortunately the non-minorities think its fair, but they've never been in a minority shoes.. and I don't think they intend to be simpathetic with them

Umm, Pedroh.....you just profiled us "white Americans"....

Never been in a minority's shoes? Have you been to many US cities? Whites are the minority in quite a few of them. Have none of us white Americans ever traveled to another country? I'm sure we have.

Hell, you're not even a "minority", Pedroh.

Well like I said, someone who has made a decision to risk their life to carry out a bombing, for example, isn't going to get on a plane dressed like Bin Laden. Rarely a good idea to underestimate human resolve and ingenuity.

Have you seen many fanatical Muslims who would be willing to shave, drink beer

and eat pork? They simply don't exist. The only reason they do what they do

is because their lives are ####### and they want to go to heaven, and they wouldn't

risk doing anything that would land them in hell.

But they'll go to strip clubs and get drunk before flying planes into large buildings? I'm missing something here....

[pedroh 21]

easy, because they are white americans that will never be profiled. As someone stated in the poll, people that are for is because they've never been profiled, they don't know what it feels. As someone who has been profiled before for stupid reason, I'm against it. Unfortunately the non-minorities think its fair, but they've never been in a minority shoes.. and I don't think they intend to be simpathetic with them

Umm, Pedroh.....you just profiled us "white Americans"....

Never been in a minority's shoes? Have you been to many US cities? Whites are the minority in quite a few of them. Have none of us white Americans ever traveled to another country? I'm sure we have.

Hell, you're not even a "minority", Pedroh.

lol, typical argument.. simple, whites will never be a minority because white people are in the top of power.. you'll never see a cop pulling a white guy and asking 'hey, where u get the car from'.... yes, i've been to many cities, and in most of them still white people is the majority, so don't try to use the 'white people are the minority now'.. if that were true.. black females would be CEO's, and thats not true, high positions are still held by whites..

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Clearly you can't assume that terrorists are stupid and are going to conform

to codes of behaviour and appearance when boarding a plane that they intend to blow up.

I disagree. I think *most* terrorists and criminals are stupid -- otherwise they

wouldn't have become terrorists and criminals.

There are master puppeteers behind every stupid terrorist.

[type2negative 0]

easy, because they are white americans that will never be profiled. As someone stated in the poll, people that are for is because they've never been profiled, they don't know what it feels. As someone who has been profiled before for stupid reason, I'm against it. Unfortunately the non-minorities think its fair, but they've never been in a minority shoes.. and I don't think they intend to be simpathetic with them

Umm, Pedroh.....you just profiled us "white Americans"....

Never been in a minority's shoes? Have you been to many US cities? Whites are the minority in quite a few of them. Have none of us white Americans ever traveled to another country? I'm sure we have.

Hell, you're not even a "minority", Pedroh.

lol, typical argument.. simple, whites will never be a minority because white people are in the top of power.. you'll never see a cop pulling a white guy and asking 'hey, where u get the car from'.... yes, i've been to many cities, and in most of them still white people is the majority, so don't try to use the 'white people are the minority now'.. if that were true.. black females would be CEO's, and thats not true, high positions are still held by whites..

I know several black females who are CEO.

Move out of trailer park, see the world.

[mawilson 2,133]

It's "non-Hispanic Caucasian Americans" to you, Pedroh.

[Jenn! 918]