Is racial profiling in airports wrong or necessary?

Question

I'm not saying that we should ban midde eastern people from flights nor incarcerate them on sight. But I think we would be wasting time and funds if we start closely examining about everyone and anyone. Though politically incorrect our national governments already do this. I mean if we look at the Islamic terrorists in Russia, or the terrorist attacks in Britain and here (US), wouldn't we be wasting our limited resources (time, funds, people) if we spent close inspection of Canadian white hockey fans, Jamaicans and Native Americans? If you look at the terrorists (Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, etc.) we're screening for, they're made up of people from certain countries.
I'm not saying we should grab and begin a lengthy interrogation on these people who could be innocent - that would be terribly wrong, but it would probably be better to keep a closer eye on them (for national & international interests) then fighting terrorism aimlessly.

I've stated mine. What is your answer to the question.

Aren't some of our rights prima facie? I'm saying taking a closer look at, not interrograting nor incarcerating these people.
Doesn't protecting national security, the lives of citizens demand a greater responsibility on part of ourselves?

I'm not alluding to terribly intrusive acts or interrogation.

John Walker Lindh is an strange anomaly, Richard Reid does look middle eastern (though this feature does not mean he is a terrorist). I find it hard to believe that they will find a way not to match that criteria. Will they all bleach their skin and undergo plastic surgery? (Middle eastern people look fine and there's nothing wrong with their apearance, but I'm saying to avoid identification). Also last names are a big hint (ie. Mohammed, Sheikh).

We shouldn't mistreat or throw anyone in prison - that would be terrible. But I'm saying take a closer look - maybe pay more attention to their bags, in inspecting strange behaviour. I don't mean throwing them in investigation for 8 hours because of their skin colour.

Answer 1

I don't consider it racial profiling when the people who are known to blow up our planes and crash them into buildings just happen to look the same as you do. If I was in line at the airport and someone said to me, "gee, you look just like the terrorists that blew up the planes," I wouldn't be offended because after checking me out they would find that I am not that person and had nothing to do with it and am safe to fly.

I'm reminded of a wanted poster with a picture of a guy on it, the guy from the picture clearly standing next to it and nobody will say anything because that might be considered profiling. If that makes any sense.

Answer 2

Racial profiling is not wrong at all. Asking if racial profiling is wrong is like asking if police should patrol some ritzy rich neighborhood, or should they patrol the ghetto more? Hmm, most likely the ghetto, stop crime where it starts. There is a much needed reason for profiling. I have not seen too many Japanese or Italian terrorist lately. Does this mean we should let the rest of the population pass free? Of course not, but pay attention where it is due.

Answer 3

Well, I don't think that racial profiling would do any good, because the terrorists will figure it out. They will figure out what criteria we are using to screen people, and then recruit people that don't match that criteria. Who would have ever thought that John Walker Lindh or Richard Reid looked like terrorists?

Answer 4

It is wrong, in a practical, because it is counter-productive. It harms far more innocent people than necessary, and it draws resources away from more accurate and effective profiling techniques.

Every time someone focuses additional attention on a suspect based purely on race, they are not paying attention to someone else -- and that someone else could easily be a threat.

Remember that of all the people who have hijacked airplanes or attempted to bring bombs onto planes in the past 20 years, a very small faction were of any one ethnic or racial group. Don't take my word for it, check the history.

It's also wrong, in an ethical sense, because it is a direct constitutional violation of the 13th and 14th Amendments.

Answer 5

final time I checked radical islam replaced into not a race. in case you initiate down that street you ought to besides initiate right here *Profile all Catholic clergymen as ability pedophiles *Profile all mid 20's Christan white men (Tim McVey) *Profile all teenage young ones with black coats (Columbine Killers) the place do you end? finally you will possibly could profile actual everyone.

Answer 6

Well, first of all, even though you were very well spoken in your arguement, you are still a bigot. But I'm sure you already know that.

It's people like you that I am afraid of the most. The obvious racist idiots are easy to keep an eye on. But your type are shifty. You think you really have a good idea on your hands.

Kinda like Nazi Germany. I know that this example is thrown around a lot, but there is a reason. Because you start treating one type of people differently then the others, for any reason, you are looking at a dark dark future my friend.

Answer 7

sure profiling may promote stereoypes, but as long as it doesn't go to an extreme I think it's fine. I mean most of them have nothing to hide, but what about that one person that does? As long as they don't have any muslim-exclusive procedures, then it's not some unforgettable profiling.

On the other hand they probably have some white ppl supporting that, so who knows. As long as nothing illegal is being done...

Answer 8

People have freedoms in this country guaranteed by the Constitution! Racial profiling is wrong and it was wrong in WW II when we put Americans of Japanese ancestry in concentration camps! We never learn, do we?

Many of the attacks in this country have been carried out by good old white boys, like Oklahoma!

If you can't practice within the framework of freedom, you aren't really free, are you?

Answer 9

Racial profiling is NECESSARY. This country knows that we are at war with Iraq and these people are radicals that want to kill us. Doesn't it make sense to watch out for THEM? Islamic terrorists are insane and just want to "kill for Allah". The majority of Islams may not be radicals, but peace loving people. It's their counterparts that make the airports, and other important places unsafe. Lest we forget 9/11!

Answer 10

I've never seen an 85 year old grandma in a wheelchair hijack a plane, but I have seen muslims crash 2 jets into towers. I say, profiling in airports, hell yes!