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109
112
Yes No
Debate Score:221
Arguments:90
Total Votes:249
Ended:01/08/10
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 No (48)

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Should airport officials use profiling to prevent terrorist attacks?

Yes

Side Score: 109
VS.

No

Side Score: 112
Winning Side!
10 points

Profiling has been a key part in stopping many terrorist attacks. If an airport security worker sees a man acting suspiciously while carrying a container that also seems suspicious then they should be able to search that man. Also, if profiling can be used to catch people who have had a B.O.L.O. put out on them with a rough statement of their appearance. For example, if a B.O.L.O. goes out for a white male approximately 5'5" with a large beard heading for the airport then airport workers should be able to stop people matching the description. This does not mean, however, that workers should pull people aside based solely on race or ethnic. People should be pulled aside if they fit a profile of a known fugitive or if their appearance creates suspicion. It is very hard to get people who will profile without racial prejudice, but I believe it would be worth it if out of the hundred times an airport official angers an innocent person for simply "looking" like a terrorist, one terrorist is actually caught.

Side: yes
8 points

Tough some people may find it offensive, profiling of suspicious characters helps keep people safe. Sure, extra security checks may be a hassle, but in the end everyone gets to their destination safely, so it pays off. However, profiling should be done with discretion and openmindedness and not as an accusation. If used, profiling should not be limited to just one demographic, either.

Side: yes
7 points

Since 9/11 the United States has been a lot more aware of its surroundings and strict in airports. The terrorists that struck the twin towers were Muslim. Due to that, we infer that a loud person with a long beard, a turbine may be a terrorist. Some people may find this offensive but it’s for our safety to be more alert. However, this may be considered stereotyping but it stops the increase of attacks and deaths to our country. You don’t lose anything by having someone search your bag for looking suspicious, you never know you might find deadly weapons and you just saved over 100 lives.

Side: yes
7 points

Profiling should be used to an extent by airport officials. Profiling based on race or religion shouldn't be allowed but certain profiling should. If a known group of terrorists was known to have a very distinctive tattoo on there head then why wouldn't airport officials stop them if they saw them. We have to decide if saving time is more important than the lives of innocent people.

Side: yes
6 points

The accusations that the airport officials may be stereotypical, but at least they limit the amount of harm that could occur on the plane, or in the airport. I'd rather be safer than sorry, and check a few people, rather than getting the shorter end of the stick, and not profiling any one at all.

Side: yes
6 points

Such measures as profiling is necessary during these times where terrorist attacks in the U.S. are imminent. No one should feel judged or scared to profiling unless they are suspicious or are a terrorist themselves. Profiling is not harmful to anyone. While it may seem that profiling is an attack to a group of people based on the airport officials' judgment, the only result will be discovering a terrorist or not. The recent incident of an attempted bombing in a U.S. plane just goes to show that even now our airport safety policies are not flawless. Profiling is expedient. It is for the safety of the citizens of this nation. The government is trying their best to keep terrorist attacks out of airports and America.

Side: yes
4 points

Profiling has been effective and worked so far with terrorist attacks, so I see no need to change it. It's better to check the people described to be dangerous than to waste your time on people that aren't dangerous at all.

Side: yes
3 points

The accusations that the airport officials may be stereotypical, but at least they limit the amount of harm that could occur on the plane, or in the airport. I'd rather be safer than sorry, and check a few people, rather than getting the shorter end of the stick, and not profiling any one at all.

Side: yes
3 points

Having a pre-determined profile for the use of detecting terrorists in airports is a good idea. Profiling can be very useful it gives you an idea of what to look for to help prevent disasters, granted it will not always be correct and it will offend some, but that is just a cost for the safety of many. It is smart to have a certain criteria of what certain passengers should look or act like, it makes it easier to find and prevent terrorists that mean to cause harm. It makes the jobs of airport officials easier instead of having to search every passenger the same amount instead of the ones who fit the profile of a suspicious passenger. Every passenger should be searched but having these pre-determined profiles helps decide which passengers are to be searched more thoroughly. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and if it means taking these extra precautions and maybe offending a few individuals, it will help us all feel a little safer.

Side: yes
3 points

If it keeps everbody safe and helps them get to their location then it should be necessary. Many people may find it offensive but it's better to be safe than sorry. In the end, it pays off because of everyones security.

Side: yes
3 points

Airports should use profiling to prevent attacks because it may be the best way to prevent them. Stopping every person who rides a plane would take up to much time while ignoring signs of a terrorist endangers passengers. So profiling is the way to go a prime example where profiling could have prevented an attack is the Christmas bombing. The Daily show said that the Christmas bomber followed he same characteristics of the previous shoe bomber. He carried no luggage had only a one way ticket and paid in cash if the airports simply profiled people with those characteristics the whole risk could have been avoided.

Side: yes
3 points

Only to a certain extent should there be profiling. For justification, if someone were to look as though they had suspicious behavior, only then should the officials search them or think to be more aware of what they might do. Since the terrorist attack on 9/11/01, Americans have been much more prompt on what to expect and how to prevent such dramatic things from happening again by profiling, so there is no need to change a thing. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Side: yes
3 points

Profiling keeps people safe so why should we remove it? It's like taking seatbelts out of your car except now your car can explode with hundreds of people in it. you want every safety feature you can have on anything you use, so what is the problem with getting pulled aside to see if you have bombs if you know that others are also being pulled aside same as you who might have bombs that would kill you otherwise? would you rather live a little embarassed or die?

Side: yes
2 points

I think they should use profiling, but it should be done with limits. It may cause more chaos, therefore it should be done with discretion so people wont freak out and go crazy thinking a terrorist is on the loose. Also airport officials should not just go after one certain kind of individuals. It should be kept fair, and limited. Limited in the way that people should not be attacked for having a gun, hairspray or lighter even. Profiling could have it's ups and down, but mostly ups. This country can not afford another tragedy and it's up to the people with higher authority to do everything they possibly can to avoid another one.

Side: yes
2 points

People have made the connection that profiling is a bad thing when in reality it was only implemented in order to keep the passengers of the flight safe. 9/11 showed the airport officials that there are certain groups of people in the world who would wish to harm the nation by using the planes as a weapon of destruction. Now by using profiling the security of the airport is able to keep a more watchful eye on suspicious people who may pose a threat. Most people know that walking into an airport sporting a turban and screaming at the top of your lungs isn't going to go well with the security so they may change their appearence to seem less suspicious. By using profiling we may be able to stop one of these individuals who would have gone unnoticed under other circumstances and thus keep people just a little safer.

Side: yes
2 points

Airport security can never be too careful. Profiling is necassary to ensure the security of America. Though profiling is not the eonly precaution theye need to take. They should not rely on profiling alone, but also be aware that some people who are dangerous wont look that way. So yes, they need to be allowed to profile.

Side: yes
2 points

Profiling, which is considered to many being racist, is necessary. These precautions are used based on the trends of those who have infiltrated, or attempted to infiltrate our system. But there's also another side of profiling that most people haven't touched, and that's the fact that profiling in many eyes, is automatically assumed that we're covering racial profiling. You can profile someone who's acting suspicious, wearing shady clothing, or has odd luggage. In the end, it shouldn't matter if you are stopped to have a search because if you have nothing to hide, there's nothing to be worried about. The officials at the airport are just doing their job, trying their best to keep everyone safe.

Side: yes
2 points

Although profiling may seem to be "wrong" and "unethical" to some, it gets the job done, and that is what matters. In most cases, profiling doesn't discriminate race or religion, but it discriminates how somebody looks. The acronym "B.O.L.O" means, Be On the Look-Out, and is a very good example of profiling. It simply means to search for suspicious looking characters, whether it be an Aryan brother tatted up with Swastikas or somebody wearing an excessive amount of clothes. Anything that looks out of place should be checked, regardless if somebodies feelings are hurt. I would rather one person's feelings be hurt in vain rather than hundreds in a plane hijacking or bombing. Terrorism doesn't just mean attacks by the common image of radical Muslims, it could be a pissed off white person taking out their anger in a wrong way. Suspicious person profiling set by the B.O.L.O example is the way to go.

Side: yes
2 points

Profiling should be used to stop terroism not because its the most effective way to identify terroist subjects but because it allows a greater chance of preventing a major disaster. The terroist that failed to blow up the plane from Ghana was a muslim. Although he didnt fit the sterotypical look of a Middle Eastern person with a long beard and turban he was still a muslim. I think that if this had been taken into account and the security guards had searched him a little longer the incident would not have happened. I believe that all aspects of a person should be examined if of one of those aspects is related to a violent or destructive tendency. Profiling is degrading i will admit to that but if one indiviual's pride is hurt in order to stop hundreds of deaths i think its worth it.

Side: yes
1 point

If profiling could even possibly save lives by raising the possibility of catching terrorists, and I belive it can, how can anyone be opposed to it? Profiles have been used in law enforcement for a long time to help catch people doing unlawful things. It is effective. If you have ever seen the TV show Criminal Minds, you should understand this. The lawmen in the show develop a very specific profile based on phisical appearences as well as actions to narrow the search for a killer. The idea is that the search can be narrowed from billions of people down to a million or less. This technique can be used in airports to identify those who are most likely to commit terrorism. Some people may argue that "it isn't right to judge people", but the fact is that it can save lives. and should be implemented for the security of the general population.

Side: yes
1 point

Profiling is necessary in an airport because it prevents bad things, such as, terrorist attacks, bombings, etc. Even though it might seem like it's too much security, it keeps everyone safer in the airports. It might not seem fair for a person to judge you by how you look, but sometimes it's necessary, for safety issues.

Side: yes
1 point

When you travel on an airplane you want to feel safe. You do not want to feel threated or have a thought that something terrible might accrue when you are thousands of miles in the air.

But in order to prevent all of that, and to be close to 100% sure nothing will happen, the airport officials should be allowed to use profiling. As long as they check everyone, and not just certain select people. Some people may feel the officials are being racist by selecting just them. one person in a line of fifty going through security. It may be time consuming , but would u rather be on the airplane that the terrorist is on and not know it, or would you rather stand in line a little bit longer, and know that you will have a safe flight.

Side: yes
1 point

I believe airport officials should use profiling to prevent terrorist attacks because it would be better to check them to make sure they dont have anything dangerous, then to wonder and put the lives of others on the plane in danger. If profiling keeps people safe and out of harm then I believe it is okay to do so.

Side: yes
1 point

You may say that profiling is wrong, but what if doing so saves lives? I am not discriminating against a ceartain race or religeon, but in most recent terrorist attacks, there has been a common race and religeon. If we take this information and use it in airports and other high risk places we could save lives. Stepping up security on profiled individuals may make security longer and make things more stressful, but people should be prepared for that. If profiling saves lives then it should be used.

Side: yes
1 point

Everyday, there are thousands of people coming in and out of airports world wide.Among these people,there is a slight chance that some idiot is lurking around planning a terrorist attack.We can not risk losing the lives of many people just because we didn't take the time to examine each individual.If we were to use profiling,we would reduce the chances of having an attack.Sure, it might take more time and more workers to do this,but at least the passengers can get to their destination in one piece.

Side: No
1 point

By profiling, the airport officials are able to pick up on individuals who may be a threat to the airport. Profiling not only makes it easy for officials to pick out certain suspects, but it helps keep the airport safe. Even though profiling sometimes seems racial,it is only done for safety reasons and to protect and keep the people safe. Officials have to be strict because if they loosen up, then any threat to the people and the airport could slip in right beneath their nose and they wouldn't even know it.

Side: yes
1 point

Profiling is rather nessescary for the safety of the country despite the obvious feelings of prejudice and racism. No law, no ruling, no security is flawless and profiling is just another defense against the imperfections. I understand the argument that a security should be strong enough and smart enough to maybe not use this tactic, and even profiling isn't the best of methods, but when it comes down to the fine line of upseting one person's feelings for a minute to saving the country, why not answer a few questions? Now, there may need to be some changes to the questions asked; rather than ask questions specific to the race and religion of the people taken aside, have a set of questions to for everyone.

Side: yes
1 point

Many argue that profiling condones racism and hinders our society of advancing to a nation that accepts all and treats all with widespread equality. When the nation's security is threatened, however, actions must be taken despite the connotations that come along with the actions. If there's a trend of groups that commonly commit terrorisms, precaution should be taken to those groups in addition to the general population.

Side: yes
1 point

For the safety of everyone in the airport, there should be really good security systems, and some of this systems may include use of profiling but there should not be taken to an extreme. I think that individuals with certain visible tattoos or certain things like that should be questioned more then average people. Because a lot of gangs or bad groups have/wear certain things to recognize themselves from everyone else and recognize each other. So there should be well trained staff to deal with that, checking if more then 2 people are wearing certain clothing or have certain visible marks. But there should not be strict profiling just because certain races.

I would not mind waiting between 2-3 hours before avording the plane, if it gives me a higher chance of living and not dying in a terrorist plane attack.

Side: yes
1 point

For the safety of everyone in the airport, there should be really good security systems, and some of this systems may include use of profiling but there should not be taken to an extreme. I think that individuals with certain visible tattoos or certain things like that should be questioned more then average people. Because a lot of gangs or bad groups have/wear certain things to recognize themselves from everyone else and recognize each other. So there should be well trained staff to deal with that, checking if more then 2 people are wearing certain clothing or have certain visible marks. But there should not be strict profiling just because certain races.

I would not mind waiting between 2-3 hours before avording the plane, if it gives me a higher chance of living and not dying in a terrorist plane attack.

Side: yes
1 point

Profiling is a method that is necessary to prevent terrorist attacks. Without profiling, there are not many methods that can be used to discover terrorists without racking up costs and prolonging airport travel time. Profiling should not be solely based upon race, gender, and religion but upon several other things such as actions and lifestyle. I actually think that the FSA should work together with teh FBI and CIA to have a better understanding of the people booking flights in airports. With their cooperation, they can solve the many dangers lurking behind strangers.

Side: yes
1 point

profiling is mostly said to be wrong and sidetracking. But, alot of terrorist attacks are by muslims. our most wanted list is filled with muslims from alot of places in the middle east. theres no harm in pulling a suspicious looking person to the side to question them or search their luggage more thouroughly. Since the September 11th attacks profiling has become more used and obvious. i think someone Foreign to a country is most likely to attack than someone native to that country.

Side: yes
1 point

Profiling should be used however limited. Profiling is considered racist by many, but this is a misconception. Profiling could be used only to take aside people who look suspicious, not people of a certain race or origin. If a certain group of people are known for their attempted terrorist attacks, then your chances of catching a terrorist is higher in that specific group than in randomly selecting someone. For example, while an old woman in her eighty fifth year of life could be a threat to the plane, you are much more likely to find a terrorist to be a younger man. Profiling is not only a good idea, it's a necessary one for the safety of thousands of innocent lives.

Side: yes
1 point

Many people might think profiling is offensive; however, it is a fast and simple way to keep our airports, airplanes, and most importantly ourselves safe. This Christmas in Amsterdam, if profiling had been used then, the bomber from Nigeria wouldn't have been able to fly and the situation that he had created would have been prevented. Out of all the other security measures, that airports and the security agencies use, profiling would be the fastest and simplest because they could just enter in the name of the person and it could tell the airports whether or not that person is a security risk. The process of profiling would make things easier because people wouldn't have to wait in long lines and money wise it would be beneficial because it wouldn't require a lot of man-power, the only thing that airports would need are a computer at each of the security check-points. Profiling along with other security measures can dramatically help increase the safety of our airports and reduce situations like the one created during Christmas.

Side: yes
1 point

I thinkl that profiling would be very useful to airport officials because it would decrease the number of aatacks. It shouldn't be based on their color or their ethanicy, but on their criminal background. If they had like murder convictions or carring illegal weapons, then they shouldn't be allowed through. Also another way is by symbols. Like a known terroist group has a specific color of clothes they wear or a design on their skin could help to.

Side: yes
1 point

Profiling is a another word for judging someone or a group of people before you get to know them, like judging a book by its cover. I've been told, as well as other people, that doing so is wrong. Still I find it hard to not judge people and put them in a group that fits their description. I see a guy with a tatoo, piercings, and sagging and I think "I look at that guy the wrong way and he'll kick my ass". It's human nature, atleast for me, to judge someone by their looks, and I know doing so is wrong. So airport officials doing it to protect others will "justify" profiling. It lets airport officials to save potentialy a couple hundred lives just by taking some precautionary measures.

Side: yes
1 point

Accusing someone with my beliefs as prejudice is wrong, so don't assume so. Airport officials aren't prejudice either, in fact they'd sacrifice their job if they were. They are hired to keep people safe. I think it's safe to say we've all noticed a pattern in the characteristics in those that have threatened to or have actually taken action to harm our citizens whether we're prejudice or not. Though some may find profiling accusatory and unjust, I think that we sometimes fail to consider the facts. For starters, profiling isn't only done by race, it could be done by where they're from in the world, where they're flying to and from. Secondly, there's no harm in keeping an eye on someone, especially if they are a suspicious person, but there could be harm done if they don't. If an official pulled you to the side and questioned you, I'll admit you might be slightly offended and surely caught off guard, but if you weren't there and had nothing to hide, I doubt you'd have a real problem with it; Nobody else should either. Again, there's a pattern to be seen, and I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Side: yes
0 points

Profiling can be extremely useful in the detection of terrorists, but should not be used exclusively. Even though it may not seem politically correct, stopping a suspicious man or woman going to or coming from the Middle East, despite race, may be the only way to catch terrorists, and any suspicious behavior in an airport should be investigated and dealt with swiftly. The fact is, though, the majority of past hijackers have come from the Middle East. If trained airport officials can pick out these terrorists and save lives, profiling is more than justified. Though not all hijackers will fit into the airports' "profiles", profiling can be a useful tool in preventing terrorism.

Side: yes
0 points

Profiling, some say is a way for law enforcers to use stereotyping people into a way by securing the safety of others. It can be wrong when stereotyping, but would you rather be profiled for security and safety reasons, or not be profiled while somebody just walks through that can do harm to many people.

Side: yes
-1 points

The profiles would have to be confidential meaning they are only for the eyes of airport officials or the FBI. Judgements on whether passengers should be allowed onboard the plane have to be based on criminal records and past transgressions, not on race or ethnicity. This method might not be the most effective, but it is fair for everyone and works to prevent criminals endangering a flight.

Side: yes
-3 points
6 points

Using profiling could not be the brightest technique in keeping terrorist attacks from happening because any person with the wrong intentions could be planning a scheme to harm others. This person could be anyone, all they need is a plan and the right weapons.

Side: No
6 points

No one really knows who could enter a bomb into an airport, let

alone put people into danger. According to some, profiling may

seem to keep terrorist away, but what is it really doing? By allowing profiling into airports, you are discriminating many people by their looks, culture, and gender. Terrorist may not always seem to be what we think they are, they could end up to be your typical neighbor, school teacher, or even police officer.

Side: No
5 points

Detaining a passenger because of their appearance is absolutely not ethical or acceptable. Airports should only be permitted to withhold passengers if they are on one of the government lists of suspected terrorists, or suspicious people. These people have acted in ways that give the government reason(s) to belief that they could be a threat to the country, a justifiable reason to aprehend them in an airport, where multiple terrorist attacks have been attempted and carried out successfully. A normal citizen or airport goer, however, that is not on any sort of suspicious list, should not be hindered based on a brief impression they make on an airport official who can only judge them by their outward appearance.

Side: No
5 points

Profiling has been on the rise since 9/11. More and more people are being profiled just because their ethnicity and views. Middle Easterners are especially profiled as all being terrorists just because a few commit acts of sin and hatred. The acts of a few doesn't mean the rest of nation is the same. Terrorists are of all races and different backgrounds and can be anybody that enters the airport. If profiling is used, it should be used on everybody because terrorists don't always look as people think.

Side: No
4 points

Ofcourse we should try to do everything to prevent terrorist attacks and profiling is way of doing that in airport security.

Profiling is not always accrate though. Profiling might seem like a good way but it might be offensive to people who are stereotyped. racial profiling is sending our citizen a message that they are judged by their appearance and contradicts the idea that our enforcement officials are actually protecting us. Race-based assumptions that lead to negative stereotypical comments which also contradicts our diverse American society. I don't think its right to ask somebody to step aside for a random search just because they have facial hair, odd clothing or a peculier accent. It is pretty embarassing when you're asked in the middle of a line and strangers are looking at you and whispering about you, thinking you did something wrong.

Side: No
4 points

Airport officials shouldn't have to profile people in order to prevent terrorist attacks. Airports already have the screening technology to prevent foreign or forbidden objects from entering the plane. If a foreign object is found, then the officials can screen the individual for contraband, however, most of the time it is a false alarm. This technology should be more than enough to prevent future attacks.

A while back, my grandma was screened for being "suspicious". I don't see how a 65 year old woman can possibly be suspicious to bring on an attack to an airplane. This just proves that officials are overly aware of the dangers and probably should back off a little bit. Profiling would just make things more chaotic in an airport environment.

Side: No
4 points

In a world where the only thing more precious then money is time, there is hardly room to wait hours in a line just because the man three people in front of you is wearing a red bandanna and might be planning to whip out a "fresh new glock" on the plane.

In this day and age there should be a more efficient way of preventing terrorist attacks. A terrorist, or anyone planning to cause harm at the airport or on a plane, can take any shape or form. A terrorist could easily give a five year old innocent at heart AND innocent looking child a piece of candy and a bomb and send him on his way.

People constantly complain about the tediousness of airport service but get upset when a woman is held out of line for wearing a head dress. So what do we dumb Americans do about this problem? We create a faster and more efficient system of checking EVERYONE getting on planes. This is 2010 for crying out loud, assembly lines were created 100 years ago! Doesn't at least one single American think its time for an upgrade?

Side: No
3 points

I see no reason to profile people. If you want to keep a terrorist of the plane, then you should just check everybody. A terrorist may be any race, height, or religion. Just check everybody's luggage and the person them self. Yes, it might take a long time but I'd rather it take a while than blow up on a plane because searching everyone was to time consuming.

Side: No
3 points

If airport security profiled to prevent terrorist attacks, it would be too much work to handle. Majority of the attacks on our nation have been made by people from countries such as Iraq and from groups such as Al Queda.

Knowing those facts, profilers might profile people who are from that area and group, leaving out other endless possibilities. Their main focus could just be on people who we are at war with today, instead of profiling everyone around the world who travels in and out of our country. A terrorist attack can be made by anyone at anytime, and profiling wouldn't be the smartest thing to do.

Increase airport security to the highest level, get new detectors that can sense anything that would threaten others, and that could help prevent any further terrorist attacks.

Side: No
3 points

America is known to be the land of opportunities for anyone who is determined and diligent regardless of the ethnic background, religion, or financial background of any person. However, we Americans fail to consider the silent racial discrimination/prejudice that we impose on any one who looks slightly foreign, specially in places like airports where security is taken very seriously. Just because people hail from places where terrorist attacks are a consistent occurance does not mean these people also engage in similar types activities. From personal experience, airport officials tend to single people out because they have beards, wear foreign clothes, speak a "weird" language, or come from a country in the Middle East. This kind of profiling is what im strictly against because of the fact that not only does it embarass an individual for being different, but it questions the rights of an American citizen who was given freedom from such discrimination.

Side: No
3 points

Although 9/11 is years behind, the memory of the tragedy is still lingering in everyone's mind. Americans today are constantly assuming that anyone from the Middle East could be a terrorist. If airport officials use profiling for anyone that looks Middle Eastern, they could actually miss the real terrorist. A terrorist could be disguised as practically anyone. They could be any race, any gender, and could have any sort of style. Profiling will only cause Middle Eastern people to be looked at as more of a threat than they already are. Everyone should be checked to prevent a terrorist attacked. Anyone could be a terrorist.

Side: No
davida(6) Disputed
1 point

Nothing in the question states anything about profiling people of Middle Eastern origin. Yes profiling should be used, but mostly against suspicious peoples, not just ones of Middle Eastern decent, but those of Caucasian, African American, Asian, and Latino as well. And yes, anybody could be a terrorist, and profiling is no substitute for security, but looking out for ALL suspicious people, rather than all people like the Average Joe is the way to go.

Side: yes
3 points

I don't think that airport officials should use profiling to prevent terrorist attacks. I think airport officals should take people more cautiously though. In the most recent terrorist attack, the terrorist tried to blow up a plane that was headed from Amsterdam to Detroit. He tried to detenate the bomb by using hydrogen peroxide. Anybody could get hydrogen peroxide from the local CVS or Wal-Greens.

The terrorist, named Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, is from Nigeria. I assume that he is probably of color. Also, he is 23 years old. When we think of Al-Qaeda, or any other terrorist organization for that matter, we automatically think of some Saudi Arabian, 52 year old male, most commonly named Osama or something.

In conclusion, I think that profiling of any sort is utterly ridiculous and that we, as citizens should take a stand to defend ourselves and our aircrafts.

Side: No
3 points

Stereotyping has always been unjust. Segregating people, especially by considering some to be terrorists based soley on their appearance, is unfair.

In order to protect against an attack, you need to check ALL passengers of a plane and ALL people coming into an airport. Profiling isn't necessary because anybody could be the cause of an attack and anybody, regardless of religion, race or gender, could be a terrorist.

No one person should be singled out. Because there are so many people who could fit image America has constructed of a terrorist (and so few actual terrorists who look that way when boarding a plane) every person should go through the same, tight security and not be singled out because of race or religion. For each person to go through such extensive security just to walk into an airport is a hassle, but it's necessary in order to keep airports as safe as possible from ANYBODY who is planning an attack of any kind.

Side: No
3 points

The issue with profiling is that airport officials view on how a terrorist should look or act may not be acurate. They may have approached that view by past experiences, but that doesn't conclude that the terrorists will fall under the same profiling. Terrorist are after all difficult to find, for they keep changing and improving their methods. Terrorist won't easily fall under the same trap several times. Apart from that terrorist are usually people that blend into the crowd. They are so descrete that its difficult to spot them even if you use profiling. It would be better for officials to use a device that would permit them to detect the weapons that the terrorist would use for the attack.

Side: No
3 points

Every person has his or her rights as a human being. To stop someone at an airport because of their physical appearance is extremely wrong and takes those rights away from that certain human being. Sure they're trying to be on the safe side and what not, but picking people out like that is not the way to go. If they want to prevent anything from happening then they should have a security system good enough to do so without embarrasing a human being. I've personally been there and know what its liked to be picked out in front of people and taken into a room and be asked questions relating to your personal lives. I personally know how it feels to have that happen, and it was really offensive on my side. Imagine how all of the other people feel who that happens to. To me, it's inhuman and injustice.

Side: No
3 points

In 2001 tragedy struck America and changed our views of Muslim people. Now we are engaged in a war with Mid western countries. Yes, 9/11 was a defining moment in our country but that does not justify profiling. If the airports continue to profile and pick out terrorist wouldn't they start to dress and act different? There is no definite way to determine who is a terrorist, and offending people isn't going to help the case.

Side: No
2 points

Profilfing is not the most acurate way of preventing terrorist attacks. What if they did use profiling to prevent attacks, and what if the a terrorist was a normal looking white guy? They would be too preoccupied checking what we all think a terrorist is, and let the actual terroist walk right on through the gates to the planes. Then next thing you know, we have a terrorist attack. Terrorists can be the people we least expect and who we don't worry about.

Side: No
2 points

They shouldn't because there are a lot of people who can bring a bomb onto a plane, no matter what they look like. Just because somebody fits a certain appearance, doesn't mean that they are a threat. There are also a lot of ways a person can get past airport officials if there is one appearance officials are looking for. A person can shave if they have a full beard and mustache, can change their hair color, change their clothing, and pretending to act differently than what they normally would. It would be safer just to check their bags, rather than looking for a certain type of person.

Side: No
2 points

Based of their apperance, ethnicity, or the way they dress should be become a factor into determining whether they could possibly be terrorist. Now in days, it feels as if America bases their view towards certain people by the current events that are happening. The 9/11 attack for example, because of that event most Americans now assume that most Muslism are terrorist. Since America is a country full of opprotunities, and for airport officals to degrade someone just based of their appearance, seems unjustice.

Side: No
2 points

How often do bombings on an airplane occur? If this was an everyday thing then we might need to start profiling. Why would profiling be justified if sexism and and racism and any form of predigest aren't. In reality we are looking for where the person appears to be from and the way they dress and their gender. Profiling will take time. What if a 5'4 black boy was in their profile and I was quickly trying to catch a flight? They might tell me to come with them and I would have to go through questioning which takes a lot away from my time. If someone were to fit in their profile and they caught him, how will that effect the person emotionally? It will make them feel like the person they are is not good enough and they have to go through extra security because of the way they look. If I was a terrorist in America (which for some reason in America everybody thinks they have to be from an "Arab" country) would I really dress up like an Arab or would I try to look like everybody else? It doesn't even guarantee that they will find a terrorist. People who are good terrorists are trained to not look suspicious anyways so how does profiling even help?

Side: No
2 points

Ofcourse we should try to do everything to prevent terrorist attacks and profiling is way of doing that in airport security.

Profiling is not always accrate though. Profiling might seem like a good way but it might be offensive to people who are stereotyped.

Side: No
2 points

The problem with profiling is that anyone can "look" suspicious in an airport official's eyes, but even so, there is no certain look on a person that can be immediately discerned as threatening or clandestine. A passenger could just be having a terrible day and look gloomy or could be wearing his/her absolute favorite shirt, but anyone can be a threat to a flight no matter his/her looks. Stopping every passenger that seems to have the same countenance as a terrorist only creates more trouble and back-up in the airport.

Though it could be safer, profiling is also insulting to some people who are excited or anxious for their flight. Everyone should be checked thoroughly and equally by airport officials, not profiled.

Side: No
2 points

In most cases, the average terrorist seems tough and coldhearted on the outside. Although, not all terrorists are the same. Profiling just seems completely unecessary; It's stereotyping. Not all men or women of a certain race could be a threat to society. Same goes for gender or age.

As I see it, why not just treat everyone equally? What if an airport offical were to profile a completely innocent man with a sucpisious visage and fail to see the actual terrost, for instance, the average business worker?

Singling out a certain person because of race, appearance, gender or religion is... offensive.

Side: No
2 points

Anybody can be a terrorist, and not all terrorists look the same, wear similar clothing, come from the same race, country, or come from the same cultural backgrounds. Although profiling may work at times, there are still terrorists who are not captured. I think everyone as a whole should be checked and not just picked individuals. Everyone's baggage should be checked and searched really well and everyone should be questioned.

Side: No
2 points

I think rather than profiling, airport security should simply use common sense. If someones looks suspicious, they should be checked. If they focus on profiling and look for small details, it might facilitate the job of a terrorist. For example, if statistic show that people with red hats have been known to cause problems, and security gets caught up checking these individuals, then a terrorist not wearing a red hat would easily get through security. Ofcourse this is unlikely to happen.

Side: No
2 points

Profiling is stereotyping. Because of past territorism attacks, muslims and especially the ones from Eastern Europe are always seen as terrorists. That is not fair, to put every one in the box , even the ones that are guilty? The First Amendment in the constitution states that everyone has the rights to choose their own religions and express their beliefs. Just because most of the past terrorists were muslims does not mean that all muslims are. Profiling will only lead to fustration for all the ones that are being profiled. It is wrong to stereotype people because of race. We cannot change our race, and airport officials should find another way to prevent terrorist attacks because profiling is very offensive and threaten the First Amendment. Many they can ask the passengers to come a day or two before in order to be checked. They can leave their liggages and strenghten the camera system.

Side: No
2 points

Despite the fact that it could prevent certain events from occuring. It would be quite a burden for the individuals being questioned and having people go through their personal belongings. Sterotyping people just because of their ethnicity or clothing is a wrong thing to do. Other plans need to be thought up in order to prevent terrorist attacks.

Side: No
2 points

Pulling someone out of the crowds of hundreds and just questioning that one person limits the amount of certain rights he/she has as an individual. just because someone looks foreign in any way, or dresses themselves or speaks kind of a different language then you are use to of hearing does not mean that they are related in any suspicious activities that are going on around. airport is one the main places where terrorist activities occur, but not every person is involved in those. high profiling one person specifically might be an effective way but whats more important is for the every person to go through the same security checks as everyone else. which shows that everyone is treated equally and taken into a different account because of their profile.

Side: No
2 points

Although some of America thinks of terrorists as Muslims, or people that look like Muslims, in reality, anyone could be a terrorist. Profiling just causes problems with Muslims in America. For example, if I were Muslim-looking, and I was stopped after going through security in an airport because of my skin color or the way I dressed, I would be furious. I know our country is very protective of it's citizens, but it seems that we are also stereotypical of them too.

Side: No
2 points

Racial profiling is not at all an acceptable way to detect possible terrorists or terrorist attacks. We already live in a country that hasn't let go of stereotypes, and racial inequality completely, and using racial profiling as a method of terrorist detection in airports will only make our country more racist and unfair. The main problem is that if certain races are doing bad things, it does lead the public to believe that those races are up to no good, but there are many people in the world with cruel intentions, and it's not possible to figure out or find every enemy that tries to get past airplane security. It's only fair to check everyone thoroughly to prevent future attacks on our planes, but going after just one race based on prior discrepancies may throw airport security off track and cause them to miss the terrorist.

Side: No
1 point

Airport officials shouldn't use profiling because that is like stereotyping. What would happen if a white guy showed up and he was a terrorist? Would they question him, or just since he's white that means that he would never do anything to hurt people. Just because someone is a muslim or is an iraqy doesn't mean that they're a terrorist. Using profiling to detect terrorists wouldn't really be helping anything, yeah i bet you could find a few but you would have to interrogate them intensely.

Side: No
1 point

Airport officials should not profile certain groups of people. Innocent people may miss their flights because they look a certain way. I feel it is unethical and racial. Profiling could cause trouble with the airport. If a person's bag has guns knives or they are covered in bombs, I believe that they should be considered a threat at the least.

Side: No
1 point

Since 9/11, airports have taking extreme measures to make sure that something like that can never happen again. Everyone goes through a metal detector and they have all different types of rules and restrictions that people must follow in order to even get into the airport. Therefore, I see no need to profile anyone. If someone is acting suspicious, that’s different, but stopping someone or possibly searching someone just because they look like a ‘terrorist” is wrong and unnecessary. Its always good to be on the lookout for people who could potentially be a threat, but unless they have broken a rule, there is no need to act on it. And this goes for anyone, all colors and races.

Side: No
1 point

I don't think that airport officials should profile people. If they want to prevent terrorist attacks then they should check everyone, not choose someone based on race, religion, or any type of appearance. A terrorist could be anyone going on a plane and if they didn't check everyone then someone who looks normal could be the next person responsible for a terrorist attack.

Side: No
1 point

The first thing that comes to mind when i hear of profiling at least for me is the act of discriminating others, whether it is religion, culture, or simply the color of your pants. It is simply unfair and discriminative to use profiling for anything including the prevention of terrorism. There are better ways to do it, cheking everyone no matter how boringly painful it may be would be a better inclination. That way no one would feel like being pointed at, and set apart for a particular thing. Besides if you think about it, for officials to use profiling to prevent terrorist attacks would not work and it would be a waste of time, for a terrorist could be anyone, from anywhere, and could be wearing anything. What are the odds that the terrorist will be in the chosen group!

Side: No
1 point

Anyone, no matter what they look like, can be a terrorist. Profiling someone might not get you very far, but airport officials should look for someone being supspicious. I don't think everyone should be checked because that takes too long.

A terrorist is probably smart enough not to dress in a turban and a ong beard.

Side: No
1 point

We should have a security system strong enough to where profiling isn't necessary. Profiling should be our last hope, if necessary at all. If we base our accusations with the appearances of others, then we might miss the real terrorists that look like average Americans. Terrorist will begin to catch on to the fact that we base our suspicions of terrorism on stereotypes and change their appearance or hire terrorists that look American, to fool airport officials.

Side: No
1 point

I don't think that it's fair to profile people, just because they wear certain clothes, believe in a certain religion, or have a specific skin color. I understand what they are trying to do, and yes I want to the airplanes and airports to be save but I don't think it's right to single out someone like that.

Side: No
1 point

Although racial profiling would be loads of help for airport officials when securing the country of terrorist attacks, it should not be used period. There are many other methods for making our country safer but discriminating and judging people due to their looks or ethnicity is not appropriate. We have to keep in mind that these people are not all responsible for terrorist attacks and they too have feelings and rights. It would seem ignorant of us to use racial profiling today, as a developed country we should consider the feelings and rights of all people coming into our country. As we would all like to be cosidered if we went to a foreign country.

Side: No
1 point

Profiling is similar to sterotyping, and sterotyping is not always correct. On CSI or Criminal Minds, the killer or kidnapper is sometimes not the person we expected it to be. I feel like if we question people just because of what they look like, or what they're wearing, then the real terroists will just walk by us. We shouldn't focus on peoples appearance. We should focus on their actions and personalities. Don't judge a book by it's cover.

Side: No
1 point

Profiling people won't help stop terrorist attacks. How can you profile a terrorist? The answer is that you can't. Terrorist can be anyone from anywhere in the world. That being said, there's absolutely no way to profile a terrorist. Recently, there was a suicide bombing in the Middle East by a CIA member. It turned out he was a double agent working for a terrorist group. Most people wouldn't have expected him to be a terrorist because he worked for the CIA, but like I said, terrorists can be anyone from anyplace. Also, if airport officials profile on a certain race or group of people, they might pay too much attention on that group of people instead of others who could also be terrorists. Not to help future terrorists, but if airport security profiles a specific appearance as a terrorist, then can't people just change their appearance to look less like a terrorist?

Side: No
1 point

Anyone regardless of what they look like, where they come from and what religion the follow can be a terrorist, therefore profiling would not be very productive. Although it may work at times sometimes terrorists still manage to evade all of the security and still manage to board the plane. In some cases they pick out the wrong people and those people are humiliated. Just because someone looks a certain way, speaks a certain language, or has any other qualities does not necessarily make them a terrorist. Putting the peoples' best interest first is good but doing it by discrimination is not the right way to go. There is already enough discrimination and profiling, airports don't need to add to that. I think people should be pulled aside by the way they are acting and if they look suspocious.

Side: No
1 point

Profiling is a useful technique. However using such techniques to prevent terrorist attacks can be offensive to many people. Although the terrorist from 9/11 were Middle Eastern doesn't mean every terrorist is ass well. To prevent problems in the airport everybody should be checked to prevent any kind of attack.

Side: No
1 point

When you see a random white guy walking down the street, it is safe to assume he is not a Muslim. This assumption could very well be correct but that doesn't take away from the fact that he could be a terrorist. The definition of a terrorist is not a Muslim extremist but rather one who use inflicts fear on others as a means of coercion. Because of 9/11, we are compelled to believe that terrorist are only Muslims and they will once again hijack a plane and that's not necessarily true. We have no legitimate way of knowing who is a threat to us just by looking at them. It is not a safe practice to just keep an eye out for someone who looks like a terrorist. Our nation is built on the principle that every citizen has their rights and they can't be taken away just because others are scared. It is important to keep our country safe but we shouldn't sacrifice everything to help calm a some people's nerves.

Side: No
1 point

Airlines should use different techniques to try to prevent terrorist form boarding a plane. Like they can have tight security that check any and everybody that comes through their airline. People can't automatically assume you're a terrorist just because you are Muslim. Anyone could be plotting to cause harm to others. Using profiling wouldn't be a very adequate method for trying to prevent an attack.

Side: No
1 point

The terrorist attacks in the past, and the recent terrorist attempt in an American airplane, have devastated the lives of millions of Americans. We have a right to be concernced for our safety, but suspecting every person of the same race of past terrorists to be involved with terrorism isn't fair and people of other races wouldn't see it as fair either. People who are from the countries which are considered enemies to the U.S., who are possibly terrorists, should be throughly checked in the airports, but other people should be checked the same way. This would make it fair and safe for America.

Side: No
0 points

Based of their appearance, ethnicity, or the way they dress should be become a factor into determining whether they could possibly be terrorist. Now in days, it feels as if America bases their view towards certain people by the current events that are happening. The 9/11 attack for example, because of that event most Americans now assume that most Muslims are terrorist. Since America is a country full of opportunities, and for airport officials to degrade someone just based of their appearance, seems injustice.

Side: No
0 points

I do not agree with profiling to prevent terrorist attacks. I feel that everyone should be checekd. If we only check the type of people profiled we may miss an actual terrorist. People come in all shapes, colors and creeds and we they're all capable of terroism. I think everyone should be checked, this will be more effective.

Side: No