Should it be mandated to racial profile Middle Easterners?

Question

Some may say its either unethical or racist, but with everything going on do you think it is necessary to profile those that look like they are from Middle Eastern descent to maintain some sense of safety?

Personally I think this is a great idea! During World War II the Japanese became a threat, so we set up Internment Camps (note: i completely disagree with FDR's decision on that), but it kept people with a sense of security. Today people of Islamic descent are the ones sacrificing their lives in order to kill others - on planes, on buses, and anywhere else you can think of. It is a dangerous world and throughout the last few years, terroist plots, plans, and successes have been from those of Islamic descent.

Please, please, please do not call me a racist, because I am not. There are many people who look Middle Eastern (for crying out loud even Israelis look Muslim!!!)

I just personally think that its time to put our foot down, screw being politically correct, and save lives

Answer 1

Yes, of course. How would it make sense not to?

I would expect if a murder took place near my home that witnesses described the attacker as a white male, about 6 ft tall, blond hair, wearing glasses, and driving a white Chevy, that I would become a suspect and possibly could get pulled over by the police.

Answer 2

Such a fear driven question.
Locking up everyone that is Middle Eastern descent will not keep us safe.
There are people from MANY descents, including Caucasian, African American, Indian, oriental descents that have chosen Muslim as their religion and some that have chosen the *extreme* sect of Muslims that are doing the damage.

Stepping up the security at airports is part of the solution I think.
From fingerprinting to retina scan for Airport flight entry, although scary because it is closer to Orwell's horrible society in his book 1984, still seems a step in the right direction to protect ourselves in the air.
I have limited knowledge in this so I'm just speaking from what I little I can see as a possible solution.

Answer 3

Well what happened with the Japanese 70 years ago is alot different with the Islamic Fascists of today.Now in Britian they have suspicion and they can go into anybodys house without a warrant.That's how they uncovered the plot to blow up 10 planes.Here in the U.S. it's different you have to have a warrant to search.Now I am not a terrorist but I do not want the federal Government to come into my house at anytime.The Constitution gives me that right to not have any forms of law to be able to do anything on suspicion.And I am not ready to give that up for the fight against terrorism.If they racial profile Middle Easterners at airports whats next?The Feds coming in and seizing my hunting rifles for no good reason?The whole point of this country is "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" I will die before I have any of my Constitutional Rights taken away from me because the Patriot Act is all screwed up !

Answer 4

I think your suggestion is disgusting. This is not a matter of political correctness. And despite the fact you think you are not being racist, you are in fact suggesting that we treat people of a given race inferiorly based on the barbarity of a few. This is unquestionably suggesting we sanction racism.

Are you middle eastern? How would you feel if you, an American citizen, are singled out because of your ethnic background - something you cannot control - and are subjected to humiliating checks and procedures your actions have never justified? To be treated like a second-class citizen while people of different races get to walk on by?

And do you honestly think the few Middle-eastern terrorists could not get non-Middle Easterners to join their cause?

What would we, as a nation, stand for if we compromise of moral standards to do this? We have no right to use racially motivated hysteria as a pretext for striping anyone of their dignity.

Answer 5

I am with Brand X on this.....as soon as you start racial profiling the face of the enemy will change. Observing behaviour is the most important thing we can do at this stage and everyone should be fair game....Yes! even little old ladies on walkers.....

For the last 4 years we have assumed that only pple born in the Middle East are capable of terrorism when what we are seeing are 2nd generation Muslims born/raised in the West adopting this radiocal ideology because they are disenfranchised. We need to understand the root CAUSES of radicalism to understand the PATTERN of behaviour so as to IDENTIFY terrorists.

Answer 6

Profiling, while it may offend some, works.
No, you are not a racist, just a realist. I wouldn't even consider what FDR did during WWII racism, it was in the sake of national security, and may have even saved some Japanese citizens from public backlash. I would speculate, (and hope) that our government is not so PC behind the scenes however, (heck, even Cat Stevens is not allowed in the country).

You should read "Flying Blind" by Michael Smerconish. http://www.mastalk.com/mastalk/flyingblind.jspx
It's more specifically about airline security after 9-11.

Answer 7

No, they're were people other than Middle Easterners involved in 9/11.... Saudis of African Descent... Anyone could be a threat, everyone needs to go through security....

Answer 8

well i believe you are not racist, but ill tell you why i disagree...

1) a lot of people would protest because if they are american citizens theyd want to be treated equally
2) usa as a whole will look bad to other countries for using descrimination
3) Israel is not doing anything right, you cant bomb a whole country for four hostages
4) have you really thought about it? i mean the number of civilians that died from terrorist attacks is no more than 7000, while the number of muslim civilians that died from the war and stuff is over 35000

Answer 9

Don't compare japanese to Middle Easterners. It's easier to distinguish a japanese among a crowd than to distinguish a Middle Easterner, also note that not all Middle Easterners are muslims, who would be more than happy to blow up a bus. You might as well stamp a sign on their foreheads, that says I'm from Middle East, beware!

Be realistic..

Answer 10

I'm all for it, sorry when one apple is bad don't it spoil the rest?
If you have freaks representing you then everyone thinks the whole group is
a freak. I'm pretty tired of political correctness on this matter.
I say close the borders and seal em in.
If your out oh well your out.
I'm willing to do this so we can be safe but will it solve the problem?
I don't have the answers.