Race profiling eyed for terror probes

[carpro]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080702/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/terror_profiling

Race profiling eyed for terror probes

By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jul 2, 4:29 PM ET

EXCERPT

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department is considering letting the FBI investigate Americans without any evidence of wrongdoing, relying instead on a terrorist profile that could single out Muslims, Arabs or other racial and ethnic groups.


Law enforcement officials say the proposed policy would help them do exactly what Congress demanded after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks: root out terrorists before they strike.


Although President Bush has disavowed targeting suspects based on their race or ethnicity, the new rules would allow the FBI to consider those factors among a number of traits that could trigger a national security investigation.

 

[carpro]

To disregard the basic tenets of profiling, including race, to identify terror suspects, has been idiotic from the beginning.

 

[sag38]

I agree Carpo. When a particular profile fits the bill for having a greater propensity to commit terrorism or any other crime for that matter than it is logical to give that profile greater scrutiny. Liberals, however, allow their bleeding hearts to get in the way of logic and feel that even an 80 year old, white grandma, should receive equal scrutiny at the airport.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

I agree Carpo. When a particular profile fits the bill for having a greater propensity to commit terrorism or any other crime for that matter than it is logical to give that profile greater scrutiny. Liberals, however, allow their bleeding hearts to get in the way of logic and feel that even an 80 year old, white grandma, should receive equal scrutiny at the airport.

No, granny's lipstick could be a plastic explosive. And God only knows what is in that blue hair dye!

Al-Qaeda terrorism suspect
Travelers beware!

 

[abcgrad94]

I agree Carpo. When a particular profile fits the bill for having a greater propensity to commit terrorism or any other crime for that matter than it is logical to give that profile greater scrutiny. Liberals, however, allow their bleeding hearts to get in the way of logic and feel that even an 80 year old, white grandma, should receive equal scrutiny at the airport.

Even grandma's cane could contain a weapon. I wouldn't put it past these terrorists to use women and kids, or even babies to help further their purpose.

 

[sag38]

Yes, but it is much more likely that granny isn't the culprit.

 

[sjeff1]

It seems the unfortunate bottom line is that we tend to be very reactive to various threats. The temporary banning by the TSA of nail clippers is a perfect example. It almost seems like we aren't capable of considering all the heinous things that some people are willing to do to accomplish their goals. We play within the unspoken rules of civilized people. Our enemies on the other hand see no need to play within those same rules.

We certainly know the profile of those that have perpetrated recent crimes, but who knows how our enemies will morph in the future. All that said, it would seem we should expend our energy to deal with the most credible threats, and those most likely to carry out those threats.

SJ