Two more A-rabs arrested at SEA

[Eagleflip]

I think Iraq is a target rich enviroment and if you live there and dont want to be a target , the next time your seen on the streets you need to be holding an American Flag and eating a BBQPork sandwich..

??? YGBSM...Another prime example of why Americans need to be cautious at home as well as in Iraq, Iran, Libya, etc.

 

[Kent4]

Kent4 - Prifiling by definition is where you selectively scrutinize certain groups. What you're describing is called a police state - scrutinizing everyone. Doesn't it bother you to think about giving up your freedom?! It makes me sick! Too bad we have so many people in this country so willing to trade a good deal of their freedom for FALSE security!

Yes, it bothers me a great deal. But as I said, everyone on this board is talking about getting serious about terrorism and not being too soft. Well, now that the harsh reality is staring some of them in the face, they complain about having to endure tighter scrutiny when we're really just looking for men of Arab descent. Their solution is to only step up security for that profile. What?? All it takes is one more John Walker Lindh to put a bomb in his shoe, or pour poison into a river, or bring down a 747 with an SA-18 missile. All it takes is for one security guard to say, "Oh well, it's just some ordinary white kid - no harm there," and we're toast. You must expect the best from your enemy or you will lose. This is what it means to step up the war on terror and be tough. Some of you folks want to have the lighter, easier version - the version where you don't have to pay any cost or bear any risk and others do (soldiers, innocent Arab people, firemen, etc.). That is the kind of weakness that our enemies could exploit in order to attack us.

But there is another way. Maybe, if we have a strong defense AND try to mend ties with these people instead of demonizing them as an entire group, then maybe we won't need a huge security state because most Middle Eastern people we come from friendly countries and we will handle any bad situations as they arise. We will always need a CIA, FBI, etc., but maybe we won't need a Patriot Act, or Americans spying on Americans, or the detention camps, or taking off our shoes in airports. Maybe one day we'll be able to meet our relatives at the gate again. That would be nice.

I believe in American freedoms. I believe in them so much that I'd be willing to die in a terrorist attack if it meant that we, as Americans, can still live free without an oppressive security state watching our every move. However, I believe that such freedoms should extend to all Americans, not just the ones who look like me. But, I don't believe in half measures. If we want to protect ourselves in the best way possible, then we've got to assume that the enemy will try to find many ways to fool us.

 

[dixieflyer]

Kent 4,

You make some good points. I think what he was trying to say is there is no room for common sence in the current enviroment. For example when some 18 year old punk that is now TSA federal agent, tries to take away Joe Foss's Congressional Metal of Honnor becaues he feel his the medal could be used as a weapon. Or when a woman at JFK is asked to drink her bottled breat milk to show its not flammable. Face it, instances like these are not keeping anyone safe. Instead of shaking down 80 year old grandmothers, and crew members, the TSA could allocate their time and resources in more productive areas.

 

[Kent4]

Kent 4,

You make some good points. I think what he was trying to say is there is no room for common sence in the current enviroment. For example when some 18 year old punk that is now TSA federal agent, tries to take away Joe Foss's Congressional Metal of Honnor becaues he feel his the medal could be used as a weapon. Or when a woman at JFK is asked to drink her bottled breat milk to show its not flammable. Face it, instances like these are not keeping anyone safe.

I agree that these examples are ridiculous. There is definitely room for common sense there. I heard about the CMOH incident. That was shameful.

I am just trying to alter the malevolent flow of this thread by pointing out problems with short-sighted, anger-fueled suggestions for dealing with the threats that we all face.

 

[sky37d]

Further
I heard that the UN HQ in Bagdad got bombed with 15 dead.