Really
szicree said:
Why? Just asking. It may not be cool but 9/11 is not cool either. Just saying. I disdain bigotry, but in context, is that bigotry? Just saying.
All pilots should be treated equally, questioned the same. It's the answers and behavior which are the "tell" to a trained interrogator; we can't totally dismiss
context?
The reality is the "enemy" emanates from the middle east. The enemy justifies their actions on the moral authority of the "Qur'an", ie islam/muslim.
If it's true, it's not bigotry. The bigotry comes from assuming all arabs and muslims are terrorist. I don't think that is in play.
It's normal for good people to have a hard time believing the worst of other people. You just don't want to believe it, so we compensate by over accommodating to a group. Our own morality and goodness used against us if you will.
Debate from all points of view, thoughtfulness and constant watch is needed to strike the balance and maintain the good. Civil discourse is good and powerful. That is why America is great, we have freespeech and freedom of thought and ideas. They can't take this away from us, our strength. Let's not let "them" use that against us.
BTW: I have a friend from Jordan; yes he's more likely to get more scrutinized than I, and he takes it in stride, avoiding the appearance of suspicious behavior or breaking even the most minor law, which I might get some slack on. The true democratic thing would be authoritarian suspicion of everyone. It's a balance of freedom and security. That's democratic,
common sense for the greater good? Just asking (rhetorically). Also during war sometimes some individuals rights get stepped on. US WWII Japanese internment is one example. Seems like a bad idea now, but may be understandable in 1942. Who's to say it did not help. We don't know.
Bottom Line: If you see, hear or think there's anything suspicious, regardless, report it, check it out. If the behavior is suspicious and they happen to be arab, It's got nothing to do with bigotry.
PS, We're talking about a hypothetical aren't we. Yes al qaeda could recruit persons of any background (trojan horse), including a little old Norwegian grandmother, however lets get back to
common sense. Family?
Kids are used by terrorist. They don't care. The way Israel does it, they ask probing questions, not just did you pack your bag. Of course ACLU and right to privacy may protest if questions are too probing. However we give up some privacy rights when we fly. We all can agree, law should apply equally to everyone.