Do you agree that security measures in airports...?

Question

are not correctly focused? I just saw on TV this nice typical english old lady who had to take her money in a plastic bag and wasn't allowed to take her medication with her or something. So far, all the terrorists look exactlt like Arab terrorists. They don't bother to disguise - or they just can't, really. So, instead of being polite and discreet to the Arab travellers and put nice old ladies to the examination, or make young mothers taste their babies's milk, don't you think security should be focused on specific persons more rather than banning everyone from taking their hand luggage? What about luggage in the luggage compartment?

I am really not a racist and I don't hate Arabs. But there are some people you can tell are innocent, definitely (typical english old lady...). Maybe not distinguish teh Arabs, but at least focus more on the suspicious looking people. That's Arabs lately, unfortunately.

I think it terrible to say liberals support terrorism, it is deeply un-democratic and un-patriotic. I support political correctness, but I am talking about common sense. I remember an old satirical film, where there was an airport control and guerillas with basucas were passing through, while the policemen had their sandwiches, an then they turned and did a physical search on an old lady. I am not saying that some people should not be checked at all, but honestly, I cannot be mistaken for a terrorist! (look at my avatar= I look and am equally innocent!)

Answer 1

You're talking about racial profiling. And the problem is it doesn't work.

Focusing on just obvious Arabs ignores all the other fanatics. In the history of this country, and air travel in general, far more hijackings have been done by non-Arabs than by Arabs.

Not to mention that many terrorist organizations recruit people from their target countries, who blend right in along with everyone else. So, right there, your proposed system would have failed to catch most of the problems.

Airport security is primarily for the peace of mind of the travelers. A competent terrorist can always find a way to get something on board that can do the trick.

I used to do computer consulting. And I used to carry a lot of electronic components. You'd be terrified about how often I got on board airplanes with electronics that airport scanners (or security people) couldn't identify. The security is a joke. And this is not news to anyone who travels for a living, or anyone who has studied the issue.

Racial profiling won't stop the problem. Any more than having people take off their shoes before going through the scanners did. Security measures are designed to give travelers peace of mind, and they focus mainly on whatever the latest problem was because that's what people are worried about now.

The only thing that has any possible chance of even slowing down airline terrorist activity is to make it so difficult for the terrorists to tell what gets scrutinized that they can't take obvious steps to avoid it. The more predictable your security measures are, the easier it is to get past them.

Racial profiling won't solve the problem. It will just make it worse. Because if you're only focusing on the people who obviously look Arabic, I guarantee the next fatal terrorist cell won't look that way.

Answer 2

AND you ask this TODAY of all days?
I think if they focused just on the Arabs then the others would slip in. BTW its not just Arabs its all middle eastern looking people
No we need to keep it like it is and check everyone out.
Im sorry the old women could not take her meds with her but at lease we will all get to where we are going because of the security measures that are taken.

Answer 3

Ok, you are not racist, but what you suggest is not legal in America ( thank the ACLU for that) you can not treat one race of people or susposed race any differently. So 90 year old white and 50 year old black disabled grandma's have to be subject to the same security as the 24 year old middle eastern.
Of course most 24 year old middle eastern are just great people, I helped do security at some mosques after 911.
But yes we should be targeting the type of people who are doing the crimes but can not, we go to extremes to search closer more of the people who don't fit that profile just to show we are not doing it.

And I think all carry on should be banned, that would solve the issue.

Answer 4

Both steps need to be taken. Carry-on baggage must be severely restricted, and racial profiling does need to be implemented. While it is absolutely true not all Arabs are terrorists, unfortunately it seems all terrorists are Arabs. I appreciate this sucks for the average law-abiding Joe of Arab descent who is just trying to get from point A to point B, but what alternative do we have? Do we let Arab terrorists blow our daughters and babies to bits, their mangled, dismembered body parts raining from the sky in a heap of burning fireball blood and guts because we are afraid of violating someone's civil rights or dignity? I don't think so.

Answer 5

Absolutely 100% agree with this question.

We have an Identity to the terrorists the are middle eastern. If you get stopped you are not guilty, it just means your people are all suspect of a war in which it's "soldiers" hide behind the skirts of children, women, and old ladies....they are the targets as well.

The Liberal Left and the Political correctness they spawn, are the assistance the terrorists count on to defeat there enemy...US! This is why the Liberals are so despised in this country.

Liberals support terrorism period.

Answer 6

The authorities have to be thorough.
The terror alert is at "critical". This means that they may be further attempted attacks in the foreseeable future. They cannot, not check everyone. Men, women old ladies, and moms with kids.
Racial profiling is not going to quicken the process. It will actually make things even more difficult and dangerous.

Answer 7

No. an entire physique test isn't a valid part of airport protection measures. it incredibly is what's called "protection theater"--an activity that makes the vacationing public sense safer, yet is only theater--in basic terms finished for the teach.