Do you think it is wrong that we must be racist to stop terrorism?

Question

I think it would be embarrising to be stopped just because I was a middle eastern person (I AM NOT) however, they do not have the same rights that we do if they are not americian, so how do you stop terrorists without racial/religious profiling? How do make sure they do not just walk into our country?

okay, personally, if there was a feamle psycho out there and i was stopped and checked, it wouldn't bother me i would know she wouldn't be getting through the airline I was, it would make me feel safe!
The question is just for anyone who thinks they have a better suggestion on how to stop terrorism!

Answer 1

i'm from the middle east, and yes i've been stopped a few times. i didn't care A BIT.
i know whats in my bag (and whats not) so who cares if they wanna have a look at it.
all this is to protect people, including me. the more they search the safer i feel.

Answer 2

You say that they don't have the same rights because they are not Americans. There ARE middle-eastern Americans. So you sound like you are not so much into profiling middle-easterners as you are non-Americans. Also, the second largest terrorism attack on the US (Oklahoma City) was from a white American. So profiling would only work to an extent.

Answer 3

First of all, that is a loaded question. You are assuming that racial profiling is "Racism". It is not that at all. What it is is using race as part of the criteria that one can use to define who is "likely" to be a terrorist. For example, lets suppose that on 9/11 we were attacked by red headed Irish female members of the Irish Republican Army. While this is unlikely, hear me out...
Should a screener be able to watch for other female, Irish, red heads because they are the most likely to be a terrorist?
YES of course!!
Why would you want to search the 90 yo chinese lady in the wheelchair? Would it make you feel better, less racist perhaps?
Such thinking is just plain stupid.
We need to racially profile as part of a larger profile of likely terrorists--nuff said.

Answer 4

It has been stated that the Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. They could have had a state, which was offered to them by Israeli former PM Barak, but they chose terror as a way of making Israel disappear.

We must bear in mind that Arabs do not think the way we do, so their conclusions are not rational ones. And their hate for a Jewish state far exceeds their desire to have another Arab state for their own.

Thus, when the Jews left them hothouses in Gaza, so that the Arabs could prosper economically, the Arabs chose to dismantle the hothouses for scrap. And to turn the pipes into launchers for the Qassam rockets. And to dwell in poverty because they don't have the hothouses to provide income.

Don't try to understand their mentality. It is hopeless.

Answer 5

There's a difference between "profiling" and doing one's job. Look, if two White men rob a store, should the police be looking at cars with Black men in it or obvious Latinos? Or, for that matter, if two Latinos rob a store, should the police be stopping cars with White men or Black men... or cars with Latinos? So, if a person of Middle Easter complexion and features (whatever that is) commits a crime, should the police be stopping cars with blonde blue-eyed white men? Or, if a midget robs a bank, shouldn't the police be looking for very short individuals? It is not profiling to search for people that fit certain profiles... or is it?

Yes, there is a sense of unfairness. But, don't all attorneys get a bad reputation for a few (or however many) crooked, devious attorneys in the profession? Don't ALL police officers get dumped on for a few bullies in uniform? Or, let me ask, if a WOMAN robs a bank, she the police also stop cars with only men in it in order to be "politically correct"? Aren't we being a little silly?

I understand profiling when White police officers only stop Blacks or Latinos for no reason other than to harrass them or interrogate them... or Black police officers only stop Whites or Latinos for no reason other than to harrass them or interrogate them... or if Latino police officers only stopped Blacks and Whites for no reason other than to harrass them or interrogate them... is that too difficult to understand?

Profiling is a necessity to doing a job right; don't throw in the racist card where it doesn't belong, please. I am against random searches when there is no crime being investigated and the searches are being done just to intimidate and scare the populace. It is, by the way, against the 4th Amendment of the Constitution of the good ol' US of A, in case you were not aware of it. No laws can be enacted that go against our Constitution! PERIOD. 'Nuff said!

Answer 6

Racist? I don't believe its racism. Its called doing our job of protecting OUR CITIZENS. If your a cop and told specifics about a murderer and your ignore those to question all other possibilities first instead of using those given to you by a witness you may get somebody killed. But, all of sudden a group of people (let's say it muslims from Pakistan, Middle East) are causing pain suffering to the world and now its racism?

Me thinks not. Using the "Racism" bait just allows them to do more damage. I'm sorry but if I getting questioned every day because some of my friends are causing constant trouble I'm gonna start smacking those boys down and HELP solve the problem not complain racism.

Answer 7

America has been practising freedom and rights for a long time but do they really know what is freedom and human rights,you have the freedom to do anything but you do not have the right to use the freedom at somebody else expense,to suppress others and not to mention killing,people now are living in fear because of your urge to control others remember conquest of oneself excels over a thousand others in battle

Answer 8

It is a sad statement on the intelligence of our leaders who cannot find ways to solve issues like terrorism without resorting to racial profiling. We have lectured leaders around the world regarding their human rights policy and yet we hold people like animals in Guantanamo.

We have lost our authority and say in the world because of this. Shame on us for allowing this to happen.

Answer 9

To the emotional mind profiling is racist. To the analytical mind profiling is logical.

When a group of people typically involved in violent acts are predominately of a particular background logic dictates that those are your most likely suspects.

Answer 10

I believe sprydle said it quite correctly. And as a side note, both my uncle and cousin are stopped at airport security every time since the have the same name as an IRA member. So, the muslim/ Arab community aren't alone.