Posted by
PoliCzar on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 2:48:03 PM
An interesting debate is developing in the TSA and elsewhere regarding
security check points at airports. This debate centers around the
profiling of young Arab men going through security. Should they have
their own line? Should they be singled out? Or should we just let it
go? We know where the ACLU stands on this. They believe that by
singling out these men would be a violation of their civil rights. I
have some news for the ACLU, it is not just Arab men that they single
out. I’m sure they do catch the eye of many of the security agents and
screeners, maybe even more so than another race. However, after my last
trip, I am not so sure about this. Before the latest terrorism scare, I
flew out to the east coast from the west. No problems going through
security at LAX, no one asked me to do anything strange at all. It was
quick and easy. Probably because the lines were so short, it was rather
early in the morning, people breezed through. Most people were
prepared, which was nice to see. I think as Americans we are used to
this by now. We arrived in Indiana and had a stop over, we left the
airport and came back and had to go through security once again. This
time something happened. My fiance’ was ahead of me and I was behind
her, they let her walk right on through, shoes on, no problem. They
stopped me dead. They moved me aside wanted me to go through the new
machine and everything. They even swabbed my shoes. I also noticed they
did this with the following 5 men in the line; all of the women went
straight through no issue.
So I ask this, is it Arab men they
are looking at or just Men? I can point out that I had a small beard
also, but I have a pale complexion. I do not look Arabic at all.
Unfortunately
when you are dealing with a civil rights issue, as the ACLU would like
you do believe, you need to make everyone happy. There is no doubt that
the Islamic fascists could come from another region of the world and
are not necessarily going to look Arab or carry a Koran with them. They
could be from Africa, Indonesia, India, anywhere! They could be of any
race. However, what we know for a fact is that most come from the
Middle East. This is why they are targeted. Israel singles out all
Arabs regardless of sex before they get into their airports or on their
planes. Nobody seems to have a problem with that.
The question
before us: are homeland security and the TSA doing everything in their
power to protect Americans? We are not 100% sure, are we? We trust they
are working hard to protect us. Will singling out Arab looking men
work? Nobody really knows. I don’t see why it’s an issue when they seem
to be singling out everyone not just Arab men. Looks to me like anyone
that looks like a man may be singled out. If you are chosen you go
through the extra screening process and it may take you a little
longer. So what? I had absolutely no problem going through the extra
steps. I really don’t think that having a separate line is required.
They should go through the line with everyone else and be singled out
if need be. They should not feel discriminated against, or harassed, I
certainly didn’t. Its unfortunate that the majority of the people who
want to kill us are from that region. As long as the screeners and
security officers treat them with respect and dignity they should have
nothing to complain about. This is the world we live in.
All in
all I had a pleasant trip. Upon my return, I even elected to go into
the new machine (the one that sprays you with air).They didn’t ask me,
I volunteered. Now, if only everyone would do that, we wouldn’t have
these problems. If you have nothing to hide then you should have no
problems.