This question was asked by a local newspaper, and I thought I would throw it out there for all who sees it to answer. I already have my answer. It will be interested to see how others answer. Thanks..
2006-08-20 11:47:15 · 29 answers · asked by sweetiern34 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Behavioral profiling is the way to go - just like in Israeli airports.
2006-08-23 03:53:47 · answer #1 · answered by PoliSciFi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Given the long history of a connection between terrorism and radical Islam originating in the Middle East, I'm sorry to say racial profiling may be a necessity to lessen the chance of a repeat of something like 9/11. In an ideal world, they'd screen EVERYBODY, but the expense and time required are prohibitive. (I got held up long enough as it was when I flew last year...and they check an awful lot even if you're NOT being "racially profiled".) So the idea is that people who look like they might be connected to previous types who blew up (or tried to blow up) airplanes get screened first. That doesn't mean it's right, but it's better than no degree of safety at ALL. Sometimes in this crazy world, being safe is more important than individual human dignity.
2006-08-28 02:05:41 · answer #2 · answered by medrecgal1973 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although the terrorism issue has been with Muslim extremists instead of another group of people, I would say that going by behavior is better. The way I see it, people of any race or religion could get on a plane and be totally normal and non-threatening or they could be suspicious.
Of course, the other thing with behavior is that if someone is just having a bad day and they're annoyed, maybe security would watch them more. But in the end, it doesn't mean they are terrorists. Like in that movie "Anger Management." So going by behavior might have its faults to a degree. Security people are most likely trained to recognize a difference between average frustration and something that is really off about a personal trying to board a plane. So I still go with the idea of watching the behaviors of passengers.
Good question to ask.
2006-08-20 12:10:33 · answer #3 · answered by cassicad75 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To prevent hundreds even thousands of lives being lost because of some prat with a grudge or a silly ideal to be stopped and questioned is the right way to go about things. I think drastic measures do need to be taken, and if the majority of these acts are being done by one particular group then i do believe that they should be watched more closely than others but not solely singled out. But as it stands at the moment they are and for good reasons. I strongly believe that murdering people to make a point is a high disregard for life and human rights. I'm not saying that westerners should be forgiven for their actions in the past to these peoples in question but they have picked the wrong type of action for revenge and i think they have bitten off more than they can chew and they will pay dearly for p1ssing the west off.
For religious people they sure have an Ar5e about face way of spreading the word of peace.
2006-08-27 22:23:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last week a group of English holiday makers refused to fly on a aircraft returning to England from a Spanish resort destination. They walked off the aircraft and refused to get on. The reason! Two passengers looked Arabic and were wearing thick woolie jumpers and coats in hot weather and they were talking in what they thought was a Arabic language. If that isn't racial profiling I don't know what is? Last week, for the first time in my life I was truly ashamed to be British! The result of all this pathetic behaviour was that the two men were taken off the flight... Thank you America!
2006-08-28 11:20:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very good question!!!! You have had several responses which is really Great! I certainly agree that we have to screen all passengers and YES we should profile the possible threats of people that 100% want to do harm to all western society!!! I know you have an answer but come on ....this should be no question to this debate!!! If we are to survive as a Country and be safe then we must take all steps to secure this!!
2006-08-28 11:02:15 · answer #6 · answered by fxbeto 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes Definitely
2006-08-20 11:53:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Racial profiling? I don't think so! I'm going to America in October, will comply to anything/everything requested in order to feel safe, know others are safe if it would bever ever occur to me that anyone should suggest racial profiling! If this is meant as a way to ensure no terrorists travel on a flight ... Well not long ago, we had stacks of terrorists in Ireland! And none of them were Muslims if they were RC or Protestants! So no i don't think it should come to that!
2006-08-27 22:03:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would love to say no to this, but unfortunately there is a definite type that is a threat to the airlines in this millennium. Mind you, there are plenty of terrorists that are not of Middle Eastern descent, (Tim McVeigh, anybody??)but the big problems to the airlines tends to be a consistent type. I believe that all people should be treated with dignity and respect, but our safety is a crucial issue.
Peace.
2006-08-27 14:45:56 · answer #9 · answered by funigyrl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think racial profiling being used some of the time or most of the time although discouraging is less discouraging than your jet crashing or blowing up because the profiled person wasn't checked for illegal items.
2006-08-27 16:57:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely, positively NOT.
I hate how civil liberties are continuing to be pushed aside in the name of counter-terrorism. No. Racial profiling is wrong, and should remain that way.
2006-08-20 11:53:44 · answer #11 · answered by Karen O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋