Closing Arguments: Time to Profile Passengers?

i have always been completely against any kind of profiling. what scares me is that today for a brief moment i thought it might be ok…that seems to me like the terrorists might be winning. their actions are causing me to rethink my fundamental beliefs.

Not profiling will be judged as derelictionin the wake of the next terror attack.

Absolutely NOT!! How are you going to feel when it’s you that has been profiled? Or your mother? Or your sister? Or your child? And you, or them, are bent over a table in a back room being cavity searched because you look like/have the same name as a supposed terrorist?

Yes, all of the terrorist have been Muslim since 9/11. So why not target them.

I believe that people who fit the profile of a terrorist should be watched more closely during airport screening, and they should all be required to walk through the new full body scanning machines. This would be common sense, not racism, and we should not be concerned about “political correctness”. We should be concerned only with safety!

I have no problem with profiling. It may not be fair to some ethnic or religious groups, but frankly I don’t care. This country’s safety, and that of it’s citizens, myself included is MUCH MORE important

Yes. While TSA & Law Enforcement are public agencies, an airport is private property and responsible for keeping it’s customers safe. And with so much riding on how they secure their facilities, every possible means should be used, including profiling.
Fact is profiling is effective. It’s not pretty and it casts shadows. But it works.

Fear makes ppl do stupid things.

Flying is a privilege and not a right so therefore passengers should be profiled as they do in Israel. There is no violation of personal rights of any kind. If you agree to fly then you must comply with the rules. Political Correctness has gotten us into this position where terrorists are flying and legitimate passengers are grossly inconvenienced. BD

I have always though profiling was the way to go. Time to quit stopping grandma’s, babies, moms, kids of US citizens and they know who needs to be patted down & checked at the airline security lines!

Yes, we need to quit worring about being politically correct and start putting out safety first.

Racial profiling is wrong and should never be implimented under any circumstance. We need to work on our security measures and treat every individual fairly.

Absolutely-it’s time to stop being concerned about what is politically correct and attack the problem “head on”.

Absolutely Yes! And long over due.

Absolutely, let’s employ profiling which will improve airline safety by concentrating resources.

Absolutely. It is past time.

The 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution declares “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and siezures.” This right “shall not be violated … but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be siezed.” In no way does profiling fit within those restrictions.

Absolutely.
It’s about time.
Pulling aside one’s grandmother for a full search in the name of NOT profiling is more absurd than pulling aside someone behaving in an unusual manner – warranting a search based on behavior profiling.

Of course we should! We reached a point a long time ago when preserving lives became more important than ideals.

To NOT profile would be foolish! Profile by race! Profile by country! Profile by religion! So what if it offends! Look at how successful Israel has been. It works when it is done properly.

I travel frequently, and I vote yes to profiling, yes to extra security questions, yes to pat downs, yes to added screening devices, and yes to 1st checked bag costing $0.00 (thus reducing amount of cabin baggage)

Yes…we have to start profiling the passengers. I know this will be offensive to some, but they are coming from one religion. I hope we don’t continue to be politically correct on this because if we do, we will have more innocent people lose their lives!

Does 911 ring a bell? What will it take before we’re all having to board the plane naked! I have been saying ever since the shoe bomber, I’m sure glad he didn’t try to hide it in his pants… well need I say more?

Yes we should profile

Profiling is necessary in this instance. We have to so we can protect ourselves. Don’t you think it is time we start thinking of ourselves where this is concerned? this is no time to be “politically correct”! We are in a war situation.

Profile-YES!!!
Until sufficient dogs are trained to serve as bomb material sniffing and people who carry that material are identified. Then the dogs could be retired when technology creates a means to either eliminate the threats or eliminate the people who attempt to carry those out. Perhaps profiling isn’t as “bad” as once reported…especially if boarding an aircraft bound for the USA homeland.

Profiling has become a necessity. While being politically correct, we are endangering the lives of Americans.

The time has come to protect ourselves. Absolutely profile!

this a sad day when we don’t have better technology then to screen anyone that looks middle eastern even if they are from the US

Of course we should be profiling- as Bill Duckwitz pointed out, if you don’t want to be subject to profiling, you certainly do not have to travel by air. Nobody’s rights are being violated, because nobody has to submit to the search. Don’t fly if the extra search bothers you so much.

Absolutely yes on profiling. We know who to look at. They target us so let’s target them! High ideals are fine but they won’t save lives in the world today.

I think we’re beyond profiling or bomb-sniffing dogs. It may sound drastic, but why don’t we have a place in every airport where males and females have to part and we are all required to change into “authorized” travel garb. We would be required to check in our civilian clothes and have them returned at our destination point. It may sound drastic or gross to some, but if it will help eliminate another September 11 it’s worth it.

There are people of certain ethnic backgrounds who want to kill as many of us as they can–we have to profle,our lives and those of our children and grand children are at stake!!
These are not people we can negotiate or reason with–for some reason they hate us and want us off this planet!!

Yes, we should have been profiling all along. Why waist our finite resources searching a black woman from Memphis, or a gray haired grandfather from Chicago. Put your resources on Muslim men and women between the ages of 18 and 35.

Yes Should have started profiling 5 years ago.

“m” asks how I am going to feel when it is I in the back room bent over being cavity searched?
Safe. That’s how I would feel.
Search everyone if you have to. We want no more plane loads of innocents crashing to the ground because we were being politically correct.

If profiling had been in effect in 2001, 9/11 would probably not have happened. As a flight attendant, I have told the captain during our briefings that I profile. This, of course, was frowned upon, because it’s not “politically correct.” Look where “politically correct” has gotten us in the past.

I’m with Joanie G

Makes more sense than random searches that don’t even provide information except who has forgotten to throw away their Dasani before getting in line…the current system of protection is a laugh….when white Christian grandmothers start bombing airplanes and beheading people they disagree with, then profile them, search them, discriminate against them….I’ll gladly submit to the it….Profiling does not hurt anyone with nothing to hide…..

ABSOLUTELY! Quit with all the “political correctness” already, thats why this pious radical was able to attempt his plot already, no airport employee wants to lose his or her job for being “insensitive”?

Wow, at first I thought profiling would be a good idea while thinking about the facts, it is faster and more cost effective. Only take people who look like they would want to blow something up. (not just saying Muslims here, but clearly they would be on the list of things to watch out for.
Then I read the clearly racist and bigoted comments on this page and say that yes, it may be simpler to stop muslims instead of white people, but it goes against everything that America stands for (not really but everything that I want America to stand for) and is a hurtful, racist tool.
“Time to quit stopping grandma’s, babies, moms, kids of US citizens” just because they are muslim.

It is time to profile passengers. Our safety is more important than someone’s religion or ethnicity being insulted.

Why are we even questioning the idea of profiling??? Should’ve been doing it all along.

Absolutely, what is wrong with our leaders? Everyone is so concerned with being politically correct that common sense has been thrown out with the bath water! Wake up “leaders”!! How many have to die before you realize what most of us already know? That there is a specific group of people who want to kill US!!

I was profiled 6 years ago when I had to go to Kansas City for 2 consecutive weekends. I was searched 9 times on those 4 flights. 3 of those searches occured on a single flight. After the 3rd search I asked if I fit the profile and was told yes. It actually made me feel more secure, but yet annoyed. I have not been on a plane since.

Profiling is the most abused word when it comes to identifying suspects. The word was used for political mileage and the hopes of making lots of money from deep government pockets. (Tort reform) The proper term is Behavioral Characteristics. This tactic has to be used for preliminary identification of suspects. Experts have identified the various steps, behaviors, and patterns of those who have committed similar bad acts. When someone has satisfied a reasonable percentage of similar behaviors, they should be examined further to disrupt potential acts. If race happens go be one of the patterns, then it should be only considered with other known behaviors and patterns of similar criminal acts. It is never considered on it’s own merits.

It is past time to profile. If it is OK to assume that a person who is coming out of a bar that is staggering and getting into a car is a possible drunk driver. Then it should be OK to assume that a Muslim man with Jihadist leanings might possibly be a terrorist. When was the last time you saw a grey haired grandmother try to hijack a plane or to blow up the same? If it is alright to keep an eye out on a man who has leanings toward molesting children why is it not alright to keep an eye out on people who have radical Muslim leanings. It is a matter of public safety.

Absolutly! It’s about time that politically correct is not always the correct nor best way to handle all situations. Profiled peoples “rights” may be comprmised, but so are the dead pasageners on a bombed airplane. Sorry, the latter trumps the former every time!

Yes, It is time to start using profiling as a necessary tool to keep people safe. I think it is pretty obvious who needs to be looked at when trying to board a commercial airliner.

BTW, I am not a hysterical person who is afraid of a shadow, but I think these radicals have other plans for harming Americans as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if there are many jihadists living up and down American streets who are just waiting for a sign from their leaders to start blowing up cities left and right at the same time thus creating chaos. Then who will wish we had started paying more attention to who we allow to come here, and get lost in the system?

This is a matter of life or death. Life is sacrosant especially when one is an airline passenger and there is no escape, choice or freedom from a deadly situation. The choice people will need to make is between the threat of sudden death versus a diminution of privacy and a willingness to accept profiling in order to be secure and safe.

We should have started profiling years ago. We will never be safe until we wise up and stop being so foolish and naive in this country. Profiling might not make us completely safe but it will make us safer.

Yes, I see that we have no option but to start profiling. The terrorist are determined and we need to do everything we can to prevent an attack. Safety should be the objective,…..we need to profile.

Its not we who are blowing up our planes and cites… its “them”…. do we know who they are? what they look like? or what religion they practice??? maybe where they are from?… but wait!! thats wrong!!… lets look at those who ARE NOT blowing up our planes or cites… what do they look like… what cities or countries are they from…or maybe what religion they practice…. they are the ones we really need to be concerned about… those suspects need to be searched… xrayed and body scanned… those who are the lowest of the low in the terror scale.. Yes thats exactly what we are doing…. HELLO America! Terrorist Profile me if it will protect me (and my fellow Americans) against the real terrorist sitting next to me. I promise to thank you afterwards! Pro-Profiling!

As a commercial US based airline pilot, it is time to profile! If it was blonde hair, blue eyed males with Christian beliefs, who were trying to terrorize the USA, then I would expect myself and others that match that description to be singled out. If that is “profiling” then it needs to be done. Myself and many others would not be upset with the Governments decision to “profile,” or “search,” blond hair, blue eyed males more often because we would all understand that it would lead to everyone’s safety. If this is considered “profiling“ and not “excessive searching” then it needs to be used. The Government and the USA are not the people to be upset with, if you are blonde hair and blue eyed, it’s the people that continuously prove themselves to be terrorist. It shouldn’t no matter what they look like or what their background or beliefs are, if a specific description is creating these attacks on US soil then they need to be scrutinized or “profiled“ or searched.

Abso FREAKIN Lootly !!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I often wonder what our forefathers who fought so hard to establish and build this country would think of us. I am SURE they would be dissapointed that we have replaced our backbones with bleeding hearts and that we give two you-know-whats about what anyone else thinks. We have let TOO many extreme liberals put the concern of the many over the concern of our country. It’s time to kick some butt, take some names and to hell with political correctness. Political correctness never bought anyones freedom or rights !!!

There is nothing “unconstitutional” with profiling. In fact it would be unconstitutional for the federal branch of government to not protect its citizens.

Linda….so sorry I addressed you. I meant to address GP that posted right after you.

Absolutely yes!! It is long overdue. They already do in reverse. I am blond, female, 57 years old, weigh about 100 pounds and I am almost always pulled over for extra screening to prove they aren’t profiling. Now just how many 100 lb. blond females have you heard of that have blown up anybody or anything?? They are wasting valuable time with me. Profile & search those who fit the previous homicide bombers. Starting NOW!!

Amen Brian!!
Abso FREAKIN Lootly !!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I often wonder what our forefathers who fought so hard to establish and build this country would think of us. I am SURE they would be dissapointed that we have replaced our backbones with bleeding hearts and that we give two you-know-whats about what anyone else thinks. We have let TOO many extreme liberals put the concern of the many over the concern of our country. It’s time to kick some butt, take some names and to hell with political correctness. Political correctness never bought anyones freedom or rights !!!

We need to profile individuals and quit harassing innocent people. Failure to scrutinize people based on their background is foolhardy and unrealistic. But, this country will not put up with giving up all of their freedoms for the sake of being secure. Screening for terrorists is often like looking for a needle in a haystack. To truly be secure, we have to fully examine every person and every item that is shipped. We can’t even stop drugs. How are we going to stop a bomb?

It’s time! It’s way PAST time! The profile has written itself. I don’t think the founding fathers envisioned a religion that would be fundamentally bent on destroying the country, and I don’t think they intended that the Constitution would protect their actions and treasonous speech.
Our “political correctness” is keeping us from resolving this issue, and if we don’t get the issue resolved, we are in bigger trouble.
Excuse me, there’s a knock at the door… oh, it’s Homeland Security… guess they’re taking me somewhere…

Yes, passenger profiling should definitely be used. This doesn’t run against our Constitution or national ideals. The only thing it runs against is the ridiculous “political correctness” that has been forced down our throats over the past few years. America needs to once again focus on what is good for the country as a whole and stop worrying about those few who seek media attention by crying foul. We’ve become such a nation of crybabies that some are more concerned about someone searching their bags, pockets, or shoes than whether or not the plane they’re about to get on might blow up in mid-flight. A little more attention should be given to safety and self-preservation.

Profiling will keep us safer than we are now. I live in the Detroit area, and I want to be safe if I fly. I am probably not going to fly without profiling. I don’t wish to have a plane blow up–I probably would be able to see it. Anyone want to see it explode overhead? And…have the news show it over and over and over….and over…

Yes,we should profile

As long as our borders are opened to anyone being able to come and go for whatever reason they have, I say yes to profiling.
Its the only way to help keep us safe from more terrorists or wanna be terrorists.
The only problem is that most of them are here already because our government has not protected us better.

Yes do PROFILE to the thought of safety.. We have been profiling all along but to the idea that we are not really profiling anybody. Example: If someone seems “different” we seem to do all in our power to show that we are not treating them different apologizing if they feel inferior or slighted by anything whether we caused the situation.
It is unfortunately a sign of the times… political correctness has gone too far in many cases, it is now affecting our safety.
Now we are and will probably continue to pay the consequence of “less” liberties for the trade off of a possible thought being safe. Sad…but we all know that “feeling” safe and secure is thing of the past.

Yes – no questions no doubts – we need to profile. The terrorists have all been within the same profile – males of middle eastern descent ages 18-34. The fact that we have not done this yet is simply absurd. There are numerous actions that are allowed due to the Patriot Act and the fact we hold prisoners at Guantanamo Bay already show that the Constitution and personal freedom is moot in these matters so adding profiling is a drop in the bucket. The airports in Jerusalem have been doing this successfully for years.

Absolutely. We should start profiling and screening the people that are threateneing Americans and those that are most likely to target Americans.

Absolutely profile. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, odds are its a DUCK.
I would rather be politically incorrect and alive than politically correct and dead.

It’s about time we took our country back! We’ve allowed everyone in the entire world to run the U.S. for too many years now. Profile? HELL YES11

In Israel profiling as proved to be the sure way to prevent bombs from being brought on an airplane. It’s time for our country to realize that our constitution never had envisioned such an enemy as the terrorists have become.

Absolutely! This is crazy that we haven’t. I don’t care who we offend, it’s a matter of safety. If white males age 30-35 are involved in terrorist activity, I would be happy to be profiled!

Full body scan should be used on anyone on a watch list!

Yes we must learn from the Israeli airline that has been so successful in avoiding attacks.
We need to remember that this most recent attack, and the ‘shoe bomber’ attack were simple failures of the explosives. Each could have been another Pan Am / Lockerbie 747.
We aren’t keeping the correct people off the planes.

Positively profile. Way past time. As an American citizen I am sick to death of political correctness. We are at war with jihadists and we must meet them head on. We cannot give them opportunities. Our government entities need to wake up.

Profiling is not such a bad idea. We need to judge based on appearance if it will bring safety to one another. What does it matter if it’s your mother or sister who is being profiled? At least the attempt is made to protect. What if that ONE person is let by because they don’t SEEM like a potential terrorist and they are the reason your loved one is no longer? It’s time to adapt to the modern dangers of foreign society NOW.

I believe it is an invaluable system for the israelis. As far as American airports go, maybe not. Airport security managers have already traveled there and studied the way they work and found some compatibility problems namely the fact that we have much more air traffic here, most of which is inter-US travel (as opposed to a lot of International travel in Israel). But i think you would have to be a bong sucking soldiers spitting hippie living in Berkely not to notice the subtle pattern in WHO the problem is revolving around. We have a system. We know who these people are. round em up. send em to gitmo. keep em there. forever. dont let em fly, float, or walk into the country.

absolutely profile. we are in a war.

How long are we going to try to be politically correct,, Its way past due !! Obama is ordering new security measures,, PROFILING would be it,,If you want to come to our country then you might have to go through a little inconvinance for a short time..its time we protect ourselves..How long are we going to worry about what others might think, rather than worry about what they might do,,I am so sick of all this protection for our enemies!!

Absolutely, profiling should be incorporated…we are talking about saving peoples’ lives, not hurting peoples’ feelings!!!

YES!!! honestly, do you think a family with three kids is planning to commit a terrorist attack? profile all the way!!!! if it saves thousands of lives then who the heck cares?

Profiling in airports will be the beginning of legalized profiling everywhere. It is short-sighted to say otherwise. Sadly, though, logic points to profiling as a simple and effective weapon against terrorism in America.

My 70+ mother-in-law is searched every time she flies, because TSA has to process a certain percentage. We are ALREADY PROFILING just doing it in the lamest way possible.
Until we pay reasonable salaries all we will ever have is rent-a-cops with very little skills. The Israelies have developed their methods for 40 years.
I am for profiling but also learning how to do it right.

It is efficient. I have been profiled many times for the sake of political correctness, but nothing in my profile suggests violence. I am targeted simply because I represent the opposite of the likely offenders. I am old, travel with children with a ton of luggage and with two way tickets. I missed my plane twice because the line was so long for the extra “exams” including children and babies. That is nuts!

we should have started profiling people years ago…its important for the safety of ALL Americans, no matter what the color of your skin is, your ethnicity, or you religion. what else can we do to stop these horrible and totally devastating acts of violence?

What people call “profiling” is in actuality actions based on informed decision making and statistical analysis…Which obviously just makes sense. To not do this is not only pedantic, it is also irresponsible and means that ‘political correctness’ is MORE important than smart decision making. What a waste of brain cells!!
To NOT profile is an embarrassment and offensive to our intelligence, our decision making, and our ability to do what is right.
If one is scared to make proper decisions, that entity is weak and deserves to lose. Ask Patton, George Washington, Lincoln, MLK, and any leader you respect in any race, culture, government or religion. Fear and weakness will be our downfall, not smart decision aka ‘profiling’.
What a joke we are even discussing this in our society. I thought we were a nation of leaders, intelligent minds, compassionate souls, freedom-seekers and individual perspective. Obviously if the fear of profiling wins, all adjectives above do not apply!!
If we do not use our brain power to protect and serve, we are an aggregation of idiots. Cattle deserving of slaughter.
Get smart! Be proactive! Protect our sons and daughters!! Protect our historical heritage and our future destiny!!! To NOT due that, due to fear of not being politically correct…is grounds for emigration. Do what you know is best!!!

we should do profiling because:
1) Not all Muslims are terrorists, but most of terrorists are Muslims.
2) Flying is not right.
3) The airports and airlines job is to keep everyone safe.
Furthermore, if USA stop importing Oil, by drilling everywhere and clean energy, would stop funding to the terrorists.
It would stop the Iranian nuclear program (I am Iranian), Hamas, and other terrorist group in the middle east.
President Obama promised clean energy policy and millions clean energy jobs, which we are stilling waiting.
I would like to debate my views on your show. I have been watching your show since hostages crisis in 1979.

I agree with Greg earlier, its time to take our country back and do whatever it takes to keep terrorist OUT.I am tired of liberals saying “but they (terrorists)have rights too”. They do only if we allow them to have and I say NO. They don’t deserve any rights in this country.

we need to profile. this potential catastrophe should be a HUGE wakeup call. come on people, we need to make these sentiments known… flying on an airplane is one’s own decision.. profiling people is not taking away or violating people’s rights, if you think about, its protecting the rights of Americans

WE the People, in order form a perfect Union, establish justice, INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY, PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENSE, PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE, and SECURE the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish……
YES, PROFILE the heck out of everyone!
INSURE domestic tranquility! PROVIDE for our common defense! PROMOTE our general welfare. Whatever it takes!

for the record, i want my family, friends and loved ones to be safe and protected forever and always.. so profile!!!!!!! it brought tears to my eyes when i heard this story… it make me so SO SO SO ANGRY! why should we Americans take this? how dare this stuff should happen? ya know what, it shouldn’t!!!!

Yes,flying is a privilege and not a right. Those who fit the profile of a terrorist should be screened through a body scanner and watched more closely. If they are not a terrorist then they have nothing to worry about. It’s better to think about the safety of the passengers than to worry about political correctness.

i agree with you! you only have American rights if you are an American! so when these liberals go ahead and say “oh, but everyone must be treated equally,” “oh everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt…,” it makes me want to break something… people we need to protect ourselves and the country. our country will fail if we don’t do otherwise!

yes! no one, i repeat NO ONE, should ever, ever have to fear for his or her life or safety, or the safety of anyone they love, when they fly (or take any type of transportation for that matter)on an airplane! being an American should instill within us a feeling of security and it is weakened everytime something terrible like this occurs!

Please let’s protect the American people…can we really check everybody underwear..NO but we have been checking shoes..Can’t we put a small nice pet pig on every flight…we must start thinking like them..a person who will blow themselves up for 72 virgins wouldn’t if a pig was on the flight and parade it up and down the aisle for everybody to see. Allah isn’t going to let you in heaven if you die with a pig??? PROFILE every moslem name person or looks like one to make sure..if they have nothing to hide it won’t be any different than all of having to take off our shoes and underwear next..if it saves one life, it is worth it. They are not going to stop until they rub it in our face again and again and make us very fearful..we must start thinking like them to conquer them.

when i heard this news, i got so worried i almost peed my pants. the president has to do something about this! he was elected, now he must aid the American people in the fight against terrorism. we are in a war. the lives that have been lost should not be lost in vain. they are fighting for our freedom and we can only help the cause by being vigilent in our own country and our surroundings. Profile everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Profiling is wrong based on age race gender religion sexual preference.
Why cant they just profile people with firecrackers on them and no passports?
Does anyone even seem slightly skeptical that this person got on an international flight w/o a passport and was video tapped the entire flight?
This was a classic black op designed to bring in a total and complete police state. Next they will recommend everyone wear taser bracelets.

i agree with tom v, joyce mcgee and buzz (and everyone else who said yes to profiling). whatever the case may be, we have to stop this..what has America done to stop this kind of stuff from happening? obviously, we have failed in what we have tried to do (if that be anything at all) to end these attacks because they are still happening.

You know, this news just about completely ruined my vacation lans for next year… yeah it sound pathetic but thats how annoyed and angry and upset i really am. and the sad part is that i was really looking forward to going to my first international vacation…

um, we know that all recent terrorists have been Muslim… what else is there to try to find out? come on,

profile!!!!!!!!! i just ruined my diet because i got so worked up about this issue.

we need to profile people. its important for the safety of every American. please, president Obama, take action… our safety is in your hands

Profile people. i don’t think i will want to fly on a plane again until something gets sorted out

profile. i wish we lived in a world where we didn’t have to worry about these kind of concerns but because some people, who are easily persuaded because of weak character, get talked into doing stupid things like killing thousands of innocent souls, we need to take action against them

I believe that Islamic and muslim people should understand the seriousness of the issue. Obviously not all muslims are terrorists, so those that are not terrorists should give up 5 minutes of their time to be searched. If the muslim people of the united states and other countries are truly altruistic and care about the safety of the world, they will make this small sacrifice. However this is not to say we should lighten security on races and religions that are not in question.

We need to be on the lookout for people who look fishy… most likely, when people at airports, or wherever, profile people, they have some sort of deep feeling that that person could harm others. we need to stop expecting that American families with three kids, grandmas, and groups of all-American school kids are out to get us. people please.

YES! Why is this even up for debate!? Wake up America.

Darn right we should profile people on airlines. One doesn’t have to possess fear in order to possess common sense.
Those that think fear is a motivational factor for profiling, have no sense!

Unfortunately, I feel that it is now time for the U.S. government/Homeland security, TSA to do a bit of homework on those of us who fly.
To those out there that have tried to wreak havoc on us, remember this…divided we may fall but united we still stand tall!!!
Semper fi!

we will regret the decision not to profile soon. it needs to be done, darn it. a few people profiled because they look a certain way could save hundreds, if not thousands of people who deserve to live.

Not only is profiling necessary but it would also save time, money and effort now spent on our current useless searches.
Risking our security for P.C. has gone far enough.
If profiling picks certain groups perhaps they will change their spots!?

Isn’t profiling criminals common, i.e. serial killers? These terrorists are worse than serial killers. It’s common sense and not unconstitutional.

Absolutely not. A profiling system, presumably without provisions, would be wide open to abuse and exploitation, plausibly evolving into a system where anyone or everyone could be profiled regardless of race or religion. For example, imagine a scenario in the distant future where our government arbitrarily decides that white Christian females are considered a security threat, and thus could be profiled under the existing law. To avoid a nightmare like this, let’s put our present fears aside to preserve our cross-cultural constitutional freedom from discrimination for our children.

We should be profiling in airport security and in every environment where it is useful. It is completely obvious that it helps accomplish the main goal, despite all the whining objections. To compensate for the unfairness visited upon those who are wrongly pestered, let’s give them assistance in rooting out the elements of their community that are causing the problem. For example, the most effective deterrent to radical islam can and should be an empowered non-radical islam. Profiling is no more and no less a part of the solution.

Americans have lived with their rose-colored glasses on for far too long. We need to realize that it’s time to stop being politically correct, and to stop worrying about hurting someone’s – or a collective ethnicity’s – feelings. Israel has profiled passengers and have not had an air incident in over 30 years. We need to take a page out of their playbook and keep the skies safe.

these attacks on us need to be stopped by us. if we stay aware of people we fly with or are in contact with on a daily basis, we could help each other and the country. we do profile on a daily business but we’ve had so many airline problems regarding this issue that i think we should have learned a lesson by now.

I think we really have to think this out in more detail .Is safety more important or making someone feel uncomfortable that is coming into our country . I hate that we have to think this way as I came into this country myself . Safety first I would say ..

i flew the day after christmas and it was as if nothing changed! that is scary. the TSA people don’t do a thing and quite frankly, i don’t think they care. i’m sorry, but profiling should be used. we know who it is who is targeting us, well then, let’s use our brains and take care of the situation, shall we?

Absolutely, it’s a no brainer. What do you think they do in Israel, they don’t seem to have any problems. Better to profile than do a strip search of 85 year old granny! Now all we have to do is warm up the room temperature I.Q. crowd that is running the TSA show!!

Obviously. El Al has done it for decades … complete success. The TSA has been body pat downing grandmas one step above a wheel chair but let clear suspects walk aboard without a passport. The lines are a joke, the TSA is a joke. Let’s outsource the TSA jobs to Blackwater or Israel.

this is a difficult question but profiling should be used. but that alone cannot save us from these murderous villians. we need added security, i.e. at least 5 or 6 armed undercover officials on each plane who are there in the case of suspicious activity, and we need to instate this promptly. how much londger can we wait? for another attack? that’s just a swell idea… please, the hesitation alone makes me sick

down with the TSA!!! honestly, they should all be fired and replaced with some better sort of institution. pardon me, but i’ve been in the security lines at the airports (and most of you have been too, duh) and they barely do anything. they search bags belonging to a mon=m with four small children but let a group of weird foreigners go through without so much as a backwards glance. i think they are all just a pot of stupids.

We are allowing ourselves, as Americans, to look weak, and the terrorists are laughing at us, and attacks are going to escalate if we don’t start using COMMON SENSE, and SAY who our enemies ARE: the radical Muslims! And of course, we should profile! We are making ourselves look really STUPID!

Sadly I think it is a necessary evil. What are we going to tell the families who lost loved ones in a successful bombing, it is better to not profile? I think not. Can you imagine the disaster to the US transportation industry and the enormous ripple effect to the economy as a whole? Sorry, we have to profile people.

Absolutely profile muslims. The Islamic people say they are not all terroist, but they should understand from there people comes the terrorist. Do they want to be on an airplane that is blown up? I say do whatever is neccesary to keep our country safe.

i’m sick and tired of living in fear every time i get on an airplane, and ya know what? i’m tired of some darn muslim terrorits making my life harder every day. the lives of Americans are hard enough right now as it is, the economy is down the tubes, people are jobless, and poverty is on the rise. this addded on to our already large world of hurts makes me mad and it should make every other American just as POed.

i know this sounds extremely radical and very very bad (and please i hope no one takes this too badly, but its my opinion), but sometimes i wish that America just stopped letting foerigners into the country. and when Americans get stopped and searched but a group of idiotic laughing middle eastern jerks walk right on through, thats just sad and pathetic. way to go America, way to go..

what has the world come to? so a little old granny gets stopped by the brainless TSA people but suspicious non-English speaking turban people can just mosey on through the gates as if they own the whole place? what is wrong with that picture???? can anyone tell me???

i’ve never liked flying before anyway, but in light of recent events…. i’m now really worried… oh no…. oh no…. please,,,, what should I do?

forgive me everyone but people should just stay in their own countries…. it would make things a lot easier…. the USA has a lot of issues (it most definitely is not perfect, that’s for sure) but we can get through this together. if all of us team up we can fight this. theres more of us then there are of them. and don’t forget that its not just Americans who are getting attacked…. united we stand, divided we fall!!!!

you know the most stupid thing i have ever seen in an airport is when my 7 year old little brother, 7!!!! YEARS OLD!!! got wanded at the airport. okay people, get a flippin’ life. that’s the most dumb thing that’s ever happended. you honestly think a white middle class kid riding in first class (we got upgraded, we were lucky in that at least) is going to blow up the plane? i wanted to take that wand from the TSA person and whack them across the head with it. maybe they should wand that group of weirdos standing in a corner near the bathroom… what has the world come too?????

Hello, what profiling?
It is time for all authorities to start using COMMON SENSE, something they are lacking big time!

First of all, I would like to say that indirectly racial profiling already exhists; this, would just make things legal. I think people need to search for more realistic solutions that don’t underscore people’s race, relgion or ethnicity. What happend in Detroit was unfortunate, but keep in mind that the government was warned by the man’s father; also, this does not mean that all Nigerians’ or Muslims from any culture are capable of terrorism. Our governments security failed the system, even with the latest technologies. But, to subject everyone who looks like or practices a specific religion or comes from a certain country to additional scruitny is uncalled for. What’s next? Should the government bar them from travelling or entering the states at all? Why isn’t the media saying much about the men that were aprehended and released the next day (from the same airport)? Two men where travelling and because they “looked middle-eastern” and were watching a movie, they became terror suspects…..
If we’re going to subject people to additional scruitny, then it should apply to everyone regardless of race, relgion, ethnicity, etc.
There are groups of terrorists that are non-Muslim & non-Middle-Eastern and we need to keep this in mind.
Lastly, I wasn’t overall enthused by Obama’s speach regarding the incident because I felt that he made comments that contribute to stereotyping people from countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen,Somalia, etc.
I believe his speach should have talked about terrorism in general and not from what country the individual may be from. We must acknowledge that the father (also a Muslim) of the Nigerian man did his duty and forewarned our government; however, what our government did was to let something happen in order to blame a religious group and legally impose additional humiliating acts to them…..

I propose the Unabomber and the Washington Sniper as templates for profile no. 1 and no. 2. And profile no. 3 should be ‘anyone vaguely associated with Islam’… Obama will like the cavity searches i’m sure.

Profiling could work. however, it is limited by the individuals employing it properly. It still requires a human interpretation which is far from accurate. Full body scanners could also be part of the answer. Again, the data is still left for human interpretation and is still far from perfect. There is an alternative. There is a failure of TSA screeners to detect fake bombs brought through security by undercover TSA agents. In the most recent tests, conducted in 2006, security screeners at LAX failed to identify 75% of fake bombs, while Chicago O’Hare screeners missed 60% of the bomb components. Billions of dollars spent, for less than 50% reliability!
No screening process, operated by humans, operate at 100% efficiency. Professional profilers have limitation, biases and prejudices. Even with their highly specialized training, the trained profiler would find it very difficult to determine if a person’s intent involves acts of terrorism or smuggling. I know that the several agencies, domestic and foreign, are considering a touch screening instrument, call the PTSSA, that has the ability to determining a person’s intent, in this case smuggling and terrorism, in 2 minutes. I believe that an identification system like this would also act as a powerful deterrent

Profiling is unlawful by the standard of the Rule of Law – the intent of the Constitution of the United States. Nonetheless, common sense – which is not lauded any longer should be exercised at all times by personnel employed at locations with large populations of consumers such as airports. Law enforcement sometimes overstep the boundaries of their position, likewise, sometimes the law may seem weak. The solution is to use wisdom and discernment in each incident, but caution to place blame on groups unless – per the law of the land – it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Nah, lets keep pulling those little 80 year old ladies to the side and pat them down becasue we know they are the true threat

Maybe you can clutch the constituion when the plane explodes. Actually, the terrorist have won we when they get constitutional rights.

Absolutley! we should have been profiling years ago just like the Isrealis do. El al has never lost a plane to terrorists because it profiles. Flying is not a right. If you want to get on a plane with 300 other people you should be willing to undergo some discomfort.

Profiling has been poorly covered in the news. The way it generally works is that law enforcement looks at the specific evidence at the scene of a crime and comes to some reasonable conclusions about the type of person who committed the crime.
This may include race, but not always. Age, gender, height, weight, what kind of person they are psychologically etc. It’s not racist or unconstitutional. It’s just one of many tools used by law enforcement. It may be of little use in predicting future crimes unless you have a very specific idea of the type of crime you are talking about. Terrorist attack is obviously two vague. Suicide bombing using a specific type of bomb, at a specific airport might give you some ideas, however.

It’s way past time. Better to be profiled in the terminal than politically correct as your broken plane falls to the ground.
Lets get some experts in from Israel.

Absolutely profile. You look to where crime is likely to be.

Yes. If you have nothing to hide you will not be affected. It is long over due, it should have started in 2001. Shame on our government for allowing this not to be done.

Profiling simply means making educated guesses about where to spend additional effort in security. The alternative is uneducated behavior which has little chance of catching terrorists because the cost of treating Grandma and the bad guy the same is astronomical.
We already use profiling. Try going through security at an airport with a backback. I promise you will have someone swab your pack for tagets and drugs. Backpackers apparently ARE STATISTICALLY more likely to be bombers or involved with drugs.
Profiling works. The Israelis have been using it for years. You can’t argue with their success rate.
Can some security officer abuse a person and blame that on profiling? Why yes, of course. Can they do that today, and blame it on some other “characteristic” or “indicator”? Yes again. If some security person being paid a meager salary wants to ruin your day, they can.
Bottom line, take one characteristic (a backpack) and add it to another characteristic (gender) and another (age group) and another (you name it) and that’s a “profile”. Do you really want TSA ignoring important characteristics of the public because that’s profiling? Not really. You do want profiling, because it’s efficient, logical, and a better way to catch the bad guys.

Maybe we should have two separate flights to the same destinations. One where people are profiled and searched and one where anyone can get on the plane. Lets see which flight you choose to fly on. I think I’ll choose the body search, profiled flight. As the Israelis (and others with a brain) say “not all Muslims are terrorists but all terrorists ARE Muslims”! Wake up before more of us die.

ABSOLUTELY…the heck with political correctness! Our concern with what everyone else thinks is going to be the downfall of America.

Profiling is done every day in every city in America, and it’s common sense. If a short, fat caucasian man is involved in home invasion robberies, the news is going to show a sketch and describe his features so that people can be on the lookout and beware! This is a no-brainer. What gets me is when I see a sweet old couple who can barely walk being frisked and “wanded” in the security line. They are not likely to be carrying a bomb… let’s focus on the typical person that these groups go after for brainwashing and indoctrinating. Advertisers are great at profiling and it’s not considered negative at all… I guess “common sense” just isn’t so common anymore!

YES!! If you want to fly, you should be willing to abide by the rules. Keeping passengers safe is imperative.
Old grandmothers are not the bomb carriers. The people that fit the profile of a terrorist, or are on a “terrorist list” are the ones that should be watched.
if they are offended, TOO BAD. Peoples safety comes 1st.

To Whom It May Concern:
The focus of flight security should be the safety and security of every passenger, especially citizens of the USA as well as some clear thinking and creativity in order to maintain both. At this point, being politically correct and being careful about racial profiling, is not the issue!
This is a teachable moment! Is it possible to run instructional public announcements via television networks, etc., that provide US citizens with the basic information necessary, in order to spot some other traveler who might pose a threat. Arming US citizens with information would serve to increase their sense of security, and, at the same time, alleviate some of the paranoia and fear that may have resulted from recent terrorist events. Knowledge is power! Travelers would no longer feel so vulnerable and at the mercy of some terrorist extremist.
These terrorists are counting on our sense of political correctness and fairness. We do not have to prove that to anyone! We have the military capability, the know-how, and the power to have already destroyed al Queda and their strongholds. Instead, we are working to keep peace !
The United States and our allies have the best technology in the world.
Yes we can brainstorm about what possibilities there are:
• Network airline technology in order to track the travel history of “suspicious” passengers
• Train every employee at every airport to recognize passenger behavior that might seem “irregular”
• A public campaign to educate the US public to recognize certain unusual or irregular behavioral characteristics among fellow passengers
• Use all available technology to access terrorist and extremist computer networks, both in the USA proper as well as internationally! Whatever happened to propaganda?
• Monitor every passenger, and search every male (since it seems as though every terrorist incident has involved only males) on every flight, both national and international, especially flights with any passenger who has demonstrated suspicious behavior or behavior irregularities
According to one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin,
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Sincerely,
Emma Fogle-Borel

Absolutely! What are we waiting for? Another tragedy. I don’t understand why it is taking us so long to get serious about this. There was a time when I would have objected to profiling, but we are in 2009 and terrorist don’t give a flip if we hurt someone’s feelings by profiling. If we profile and get serious with this business then the terrorists won’t be so inclined to try and beat our poor security system. Please start profiling immediately.

Yes it’s time to profile.

for the person that thinks profiling means to bend someone over in a back room and cavity search them…well that is just ridiculous…we have to do something though. If pulling certain groups aside and doing a little extra search…around the pant legs etc (the last psycho had stuff strapped to his leg for crying out loud) then let’s do it. I for one would not be offended to be searched more if it meant more security. I was pulled aside twice for my flight to Florida…once because they saw a bottle of perfume in my purse and once in the line going to the plane…me and a sailor from the back of the line were pulled aside..almost like they had forgotten to check before and it was an afterthought…oh by the way, I am a white, blond female…

Profiling could work. however, it is limited by the individuals employing it properly. It still requires a human interpretation which is far from accurate. Full body scanners could also be part of the answer. Again, the data is still left for human interpretation and is still far from perfect. There is an alternative. There is a failure of TSA screeners to detect fake bombs brought through security by undercover TSA agents. know that the several agencies, domestic and foreign, are considering a touch screening instrument, call the PTSSA, that has the ability to determining a person’s intent, in this case smuggling and terrorism, in 2 minutes. I believe that an identification system like this would also act as a powerful deterrent

Profiling is way overdue.Had it been in force this man may have been stopped at security before boarding.Look at what we did to the Japanese during World War 2.I’m totally against that but we must stop being so wishy washy about muslims feelings if they are the main profile in this situation.How many more must die before common sense prevails?

As a retired Customs Officer I can tell you that the law and your training “require” you to profile types of individuals presenting themselves for entry into the U.S. It’s called “Border Search Authority”. Traditionally it has been used for detecting contraband… Have we moved so far to the left that we now do not consider a terrorist bomb to be “contraband”…???

The time to profile passengers came with the first Islamic Terrorist attack. When hunting rabbits one expects his Beagle to ignore cats and track only rabbits.

Should we profile? Duh…ya think?

Yes! We should have been profiling long ago and following the path of the Israeli’s. The terrorists are males, and we all know what they look like. Every one of them should be checked. Leave all the anglo women and old men alone! We are the ones who are inconvenienced. If you don’t like it, don’t fly.

Absolutely. If middle-aged-white-women were blowing things up, I wouldn’t mind a bit if I was profiled and checked. Lives are at stake here, don’t be stupid.

We MUST begin to profile passengers based on race, religion, sex, and age. It WORKS! The “hand wringers” from the ACLU and other liberal entities will go crazy, but it is the most effective weapon we have against terror, and it is time to protect our country.