AD

DG

I believe in this case "racial" has been incorrectly attached to "profiling". Let's face it terrorists can and do come in all shades humanly possible. While it is impossible (in many cases) to determine a persons religion by looking at them, that does not mean there are indicators that cannot be examined, call it profiling if you wish. Country of origin - If the person comes from a nation where there is a high probability of terrorist activity, check them out. Places visited - If the person has traveled to places that have high amounts of terrorist activity, as indicted by their passport, check them out. Suspicious activity - If the person seems nervous, edgy, overtly cautious, check them out. In order to accomplish this, I believe it would take more than just the persons at the counter. Plain-clothes officers, trained to identify suspicious behavior, need to mingle among the travelers in the waiting areas and terminals.

I'm all for privacy and convenience, but unfortunately these are the times we are living in. I would much rather be inconvenienced a little and arrive at my destination safely than zip through the airport only to have my plane explode with me on it. I also believe that a traveler should, at their own option, be able to submit to a background check of sorts that would eliminate some (but never all) suspicions. The check might include credit history, age, religion, criminal record and organization affiliations, again voluntary. Lets face it, a 39 year old, with a family, a good job, regardless of their race, is less likely to be a problem than a 22 year old college drop out, never had a job, no kids, member of the young anarchists (sorry young folks, grow up responsibly and you'll get yours).

I also would not be opposed to a credit-card sized ID, for domestic travel. It would be tied to a passport number if a person had one (and could be if they obtain one later). You need a picture ID to travel by air anyway, this would be convenient for that. The card would have a chip that keeps travel info, and perhaps a biometric finger print encoded and uploads that to a database whenever it is swiped (too big brotherish? If you have something to hide then drive domestically). As a convenience to the traveler, a kiosk could be set up at the airport where they could get a replacement card, for a nominal charge, by using a pin and biometric reading, and view the information in the data base on them. When you go to the ticket counter present your ID and finger print (maybe another form of ID for persons without hands) cleared for travel. Security would be able to see where the traveler has been over the course of their life, not just a 10 year passport. I would only support this for security and only if the information was strictly for that purpose. I know folks like privacy, I do too, and hate the thought of giving up any ground on that front. I do miss the days of running through the airport to catch a flight or waiting at the gate for a loved one, but with people trying to kill hundreds at a go, we need to aid in their capture before they can carry out their actions.

Madcow and MSNBC  ... I see the trolls have shown up to "associate" with people they despise again, but thanks ID for opening up your article to all comers, some would just allow their like minded friends to comment.

BTW the "Shoe Bomber" Richard Reid, didn't have his father contact the state department and tell them he was in Al Quida, planning an attack, in advance. Opps she left that out (surprise). Thanks for the spin, needed a laugh today.

Spot on AD. Just remember someones got to say "Well Bush did...." for this administration to function properly. I thought the first thing they where going to do was "erase every vestige of the Bush years" when they got in office. We get more Bush now than 2000-2008.

Get a clue, you don't need to come from the same country to have an inside man, two "God Damn America" supporters work just as well together. Clever attempt to label the poster as a "bither" (Isn't that one of your fav's) though, but it sure explains why you believe, then parrot the first words out of the likes of the Huffington Post and MSNBC. So great insight there.

Nice redirection of the post to suit your agenda! The DNC would be so proud!!! But that's right Liberals don't believe there is a war, just man-made disasters. Obama's just waiting to drop some hope and change on the Taliban, and they will just fall in love with him. Liberals just want to make sure these poor misguided souls get a nice fair $$$$ trial, right? After all the taxpayer has deep pockets! Plus, it's a nice payback to the trial lawyers.....follow the money LINK (anyone still wonder why we can't get tort reform? LOL). I wonder who is most beholding? Ooopsy. It's those naughty Democrats. Isn't their mantra down with the rich? They need to appoint more of them so we can collect the taxes they owe, not that they will do any time of course. I guess they just can't smell their own stink. That, or it's a big ol' show for the po folk (got em fooled good huh, sprinkle a few crumbs and they are eating out of your hand). But at least the taxpayers are getting a bargain on trying our own CIA men...only $75 million....sweet LINK. Wonder how much goes to the jury? Looked it up for ya... $40/day plus mileage LINK I guess they shouldn't quit their day job with that windfall for a months-on-end long circus.

BTW thanks for turning off troll mode after the news parody video.

The Reid case had me somewhat relieved that nothing happened being that it was so close to 911 and the result of the Mousawi trial was an outrage. Bush didn't get everything right, but I don't think you or any other liberals are in the position to lecture anyone about this cause you want to expand and build on these failed and bogus policies offering even more constitutional protections for combatants, even those captured on foreign battlefields.

The only thing I've done is to point out the hypocrisy of various complaints that have been made against Obama's handling of an event by comparing them to virtually identical situations where Bush has done the same or worse and received no complaint. Period.

I don't really see the hypocrisy. These events you mention occur in the time frame of 911 and this new event is almost a decade later. Here you have this guy who was denied a Visa in the UK, was on a Gov watchlist, Islamic, pacing nervously, one way ticket, paid in cash, his father desperatley trying to warn official that his son was radical... how is this catastrophic breakdown almost a decadse later even remotley like Richard Reid and Zacharias Mousaui?

Just wanted to mention that I wasn't intending to discredit your experience or intelligence. I too have spent over four years here and have learned a few things. Some of them I have a hard time applying though, lol.

No doubt, but one would think that any rational human being would be able to admit the other side's argument. Alas, that hasn't been true (for the most part) here.

We can only hope to find that person, right?

Well to be honest, it feels like those types of people are an endangered species. It seems most people are quite content to live in their own little, albeit delusional and novacane based, bubbles.

Happy New Year, ~AldericJourdain

Go over to DU. You won't have to look far to find others with your worldview....since it distresses you so much. Now dry your eyes, put your big boy shoes on, and go out and play.

Ah, and theres the rub. Only persons in total agreement with your view are "open minded" enough for you. If we wanted your band of crazy we'd all be over at DU, now wouldn't we? Yet somehow you feel you need to be the self appointed missionaries, compelled to spread the "religion" to the natives. Gee thanks, but no thanks. You have to learn that when you, Obama's witnesses, go door to door your message isn't as popular as it is with the rest of the true believers. Crying about no one willing to hear your sermon, just doesn't help your efforts much. I'm sure your messiah appreciates your martyrdom though. (you learn well from the institutions you vilify, I'll give you that). Just go say 5 "Our Congressional Majority's" and 6 "Hail Barry's", watch "An Inconvenient Truth" and all will be right in your world. LIL 

Now please return to your mutual, self righteous, self gratifying camaraderie and don't skimp, I find it amusingly entertaining.

The irony is that the Bush Administration knew someting was afoot, they did not know what, nor had anything like this been attempted before,  The problem is that Obama has none of those excuses.  He knew it had been tried before, knew it was going to be tried again, and knew about this idiot.  IN other words, he had everything even beyond what Bush had, and he failed. 

But then at least it was not a terrorist attack - just a man-caused disaster attempt.

AJ and MF seem to share an admiration that goes far beyond just towing a party line. Get a room fellas and stop nauseating the rest of us with it.