Is it just for airport security to check Arab looking people/ people with Arab-sounding names?

Do you think it is just for airport security to put Arabs/Arab-looking people through more security checks than anyone else? Do you agree/support it? Do you think its fair?

So far, I am sad and disappointed that so many people can be so ignorant. I think the security should be the same to EVERYONE. You are very ignorant if you think that Arabs should be treated unjustly just because of the way they look. You are also very ignorant if you don't believe that Arabs are harassed by airport security.

Well, it may not seem fair, but who said that life is fair? Under the circumstances, it may be necessary. Don't you think that "American looking people" get scrutiny in Muslim countries? Until the threat of terrorism is wiped out, the security will probably continue.

No, I think they give everyone a hard time. Now that's fair.

No, If it was then this country would fall apart

It's not good practice. You'd be missing all the Persian terrorists, for instance, not to mention fanatical non-Arab converts, or those with the presence of mind to use false names.

First, I don't see any evidence that they do that. Second, I wish to hell they would do it. I'd feel a lot safer if every Arab-looking person was checked twice (and luggage too).

Hey, Bobbi - Don't look now, but it ain't the Irish flying those planes into skyscrapers. I encourage the authorities to check every arab.

It may not be fair, however I do agree it is appropriate. If I was an american going to a foreign country that had been attacked by white american's I would put them under more scrutiny than any other nationality. It's not an issue of race, its an issue of culture and right now in our culture our greatest chance of a terrost attack is from a middle easterner. Not fair, to profile the legitimate visitors, buisiness men and women, but very much necessity.

Absolutely! Should you be careful not to disturb a wasp even though the females don't sting? Let's be just.

I recently came from the airport and noticed this in action. It's really apples to oranges however. For example, I drive a sportbike motorcycle and during the last year, I have been pulled over many more times on the motorcycle than I ever had driving in a car. I was doing nothing wrong either, but truth is, everyone has bias. Middle eastern peoples will continue to get searched more than others until this "conflict" is over. It will fade into history given enough time just like everything else.

In the US it's illegal and unconstitutional, though some people don't think that justice and law have anything to do with one another.

It's also unreasonable. By any rational calculations, less than a fraction of 1% of those from Middle Eastern descent have even the most remote connection to fanatic groups. So, stopping the other 99% just because they have the same racial and physical characteristics is the worst form of racism.

But beyond that, it's not practical. By focusing attention on one racial/ethnic group, that means less time and effort is being spent looking for actual threats. So, not only is racial profiling illegal and unreasonable, it's also counter-productive.

NO.

It's simply making use of available statistical information. Statistics show the vast majority of the world's terrorists are Arab and/or Muslims.

We do not have the resources or time to check everybody and everything.. so you put a priority on the high threat areas. It's common sense. It's utilizing our resources to their highest potential.

I'm an American, My husband is in the Army and we are stationed in Germany. I went to visit my mom, as soon as I got off the plane I had to go though customs well I went in to the wrong line, the line for non-US citizens. I got yelled at asking what my purpose was in America. I told them I was visiting my mom and they apologized welcomed me back and put me in the front of the US citizens line. So my point is I am VERY American looking, but because they thought I was not an American they gave me a hard time. So I think it is not just Arab people its just for our country's safety.And its not just America when I came back to Germany I went though the same thing, untill they saw my military ID.

mhmmhm

Well from my experience I was constantly picked on at singapore airport. I had to pass the screening so many times, but i didn't care. I think its slack that just because i am middle eastern that i should have to be treated in such a way. However, i don't really blame them, we created the sterotype, nevertheless i don't think they should screen you more than 10 times and have your game CDs (Spiderman 2) taken. Jeez