Racial Profiling for Terrorists: Good or Bad?

**JimBob** · 08-13-2006, 18:25

But our resistance to profiling is enourmously stupid. Becuase of some lefty dillusion, we think that we should stubbornly ignore the reality of our situation and that being blown up because we searched old women is better than *gasp* facing the fact that the terrorists are not white Christian John Smiths.

Sure, now. We start using racial profiling and then the terrorists move. They stop using people who fit the profile. Or they change the way a person looks so they don't fit the profile. Then it's useless. I encourage profiling based on behavior, but based on race would work for a little while. Then Al Queda would stop recruiting in Saudi Arabia and move to the Sudan, Indonesia, and Chechnya.

And you can't see someone's religion. I put on a necklace with a cross and I look Christian, I put on a kippa I look Jewish, etc

**Samurai Waki** · 08-13-2006, 18:35

yeah. I'm German-Irish but I have been accused as looking both Mexican and Jewish...

**Banquo's Ghost** · 08-13-2006, 18:58

I posted this in the morning in response to Ecelctic in the Syria thread, and since it hasn't been moved here, forgive me posting twice.

Originally Posted by Eclectic

Oh Great. Now I'm a bigot? Give me a little credit man. All I am saying is to focus a little more and not give people a free pass because of their looks, and perhaps, maybe, use a little rational police work in targeting people. Were the British terror suspects last week white anglos? This isn't exactly a nutter idea my friend.

Actually, at least one of the suspects is 'anglo' - white, middle class and a convert.

Link

Originally Posted by BBC

Abdul Waheed, 21, was arrested at a house in Hepplewhite Close, High Wycombe.

He had changed his name from Don Stewart-Whyte about six months previously, according to neighbours.

Perhaps American security measures don't profile passengers, but European airports do. Racial profiling is very low on the list (as it doesn't really work) but one sees it all the time if you travel - those dressed in traditional garb are more often pulled over for questioning than white Europeans. Sadly, we have a long history of racism over this side of the pond and it doesn't fade away easily amongst the plods.

The real work however, is done through behavioural profiling honed over years of experience with drug smugglers, organised crime and yes, terrorists. You see, Al-Queda and the US didn't invent terrorism in 2001, we have been living with various forms for many years. A Basque, or Irishman, or Italian communist looks much the same if he is a normal citizen or a terrorist. Racial profiling doesn't help a jot.

What does help is observing the behavioural patterns of someone intent on a criminal act. Whilst it is possible to train out these behaviours, it is expensive and technically skilled.

A lot of the basic work at airports is to consider carefully who is coming through, match it to previous intelligence and watch. Effective security and intelligence work is low-key, diligent and unspectacular.

I would be surprised (but not greatly) if US airport security didn't already profile in the manner I described. Pulling over people who 'look Muslim'

in public view of the gallery achieves only the satisfaction of racial/religious stereotypes.

And now I'm off to the airport for a quick jaunt. Quick...erm. Well, I've got my plastic bag and I look real good naked

**scooter_the_shooter** · 08-13-2006, 20:00

The answer is obvious.......of course we should!

Who needs to be watched the most

The white middle class 78 year old grandma.

or

The 25 year old muslim who just came from iran?

Deep down all you bleeding heart types no the answer.

**John86** · 08-13-2006, 20:07

Well lets see....

We have arabs doing the majority of terrorist actions. So Tada! Watch out for arabs. Theres nothing wrong with watching out for someone we know is the enemy. Of course, only a small precentage of arabs follow the radical policy terrorists follow, but then again, I havent seen many white men blow themself up lately in the name of Allah.

**Divinus Arma** · 08-14-2006, 06:45

Here is a twist!

Baby bombers and fanatical moms!

By JOHN KAY
Chief Reporter
and SIMON HUGHES

HATE-filled mums willing to sacrifice themselves and their BABIES are being hunted in the war on terror.

Security sources confirmed last night that alleged “baby bombers” were among those arrested over the plot to massacre thousands by downing transatlantic flights.

Those being quizzed included a husband and wife with a six-month-old infant.

The discovery prompted fears that there were fanatical mothers in secret al-Qaeda cells in Britain ready to become suicide bombers — and to die with their tots in their arms.

And it emerged as the reason why women at airports were ordered to drink from their babies’ bottles before being allowed to board flights during last week’s massive alert.

One senior Government security adviser warned of a race against time to identify individuals who might pose a threat.

The adviser said: “It may be beyond belief, but we are convinced that there are now women in Britain who are prepared to die with their babies for their twisted cause. They are ruthless, single-minded and totally committed.”

The nightmare is that mums carrying tiny tots would provide “very good cover” and not raise suspicions among even the most alert security guards.

The threat was identified along with an additional warning that as many as two dozen terror cells may still be active in Britain.

The source added: “We believe all the known players involved in last week’s plot have been detained. Our biggest concern now is all the unknown players who may be out there.

“And that includes mothers who are ready and willing to see their little ones die. It is a race against time.” Women around the world have carried out suicide attacks in the past.

Two female Chechen terrorists blew themselves up on separate flights in Russia two years ago.

An intelligence source said: “Al-Qaeda specialises in attempting the unexpected. What could be more unexpected in Western eyes than women willing to die with their babies?”

Best argument I have seen yet against profiling. All your "civil liberty" arguments are poop. Now we expand the net to include muslim women and mothers. Crazy freaks.

**Papewaio** · 08-14-2006, 06:58

Originally Posted by Eclectic

Best argument I have seen yet against profiling. All your "civil liberty" arguments are poop. Now we expand the net to include muslim women and mothers. Crazy freaks.

Actually it disproves profiling. If only young Arab males was the profile target, then a married Pakistani couple with a baby would be outside the parameters and hence missed from that search.

Now if you search everyone, then everyone will get searched. Setup holes in a search program and the holes are what will be used. As anything that is not part of the profile is now a hole.

**Ser Clegane** · 08-13-2006, 20:08

Originally Posted by ceasar010

The white middle class 78 year old grandma.

Yes, it's really those thousands of grandmas everybody here is talking about that keep the security staff so busy that they cannot take care of the real terrorists...

**Reenk Roink** · 08-13-2006, 20:52

I think this will sum it up:

Racists on an Airplane

**rotorgun** · 08-13-2006, 21:18

Let's just call it International Profiling of People who come from Countries that Terrorists Originate or that Support Terrorists, or IPPTOST for short. I can think of nothing more appropriate then to put the governments of such countries on notice that their people are no longer welcome if they continue to believe in the "nutcases who want to have 72 virgins when they die a martyr for the cause of Allah." If they no longer wish to let antone to travel to thier countries, no problem. I didn't lose anything there in any case. Count me in as a yes until these insane fools are finished trying to tell the rest of the world that they must believe in their way or else. Screw them! Why should my people be the ones to suffer and not their people as well. Let them pound camel dung as far as I am concerned. They are acting like complete maniacs and deserve every bit of what comes thier way. It's like dealing with an errant three year old, except this child wants to kill you. Maybe they should have thought it out a bit better. Now they've got all the negative attention they could possibly want. For those countries who are against the Terrorists, welcome any day.

**Xiahou** · 08-14-2006, 05:40

I've been profiled by airport security before.... just not racially. I once commented to a screener that "I must look suspicious" since I had been selected multiple times for "random" screenings when boarding my flights during a business trip.

I was told by the screener that no, it wasnt that- it was just that my carry-on (a small duffle bag) was very easy to search, so they were selecting me.