Re: group based judgment

From: Samantha Atkins (samantha@objectent.com)
Date: Sat Jul 27 2002 - 23:20:19 MDT


Rafal Smigrodzki wrote:
> Harvey Newstrom wrote:
>
> What we are trying to decide is if
> grandma's bag can be allowed to receive less security screening based on
> the assumption that it cannot be used to carry a bomb.
>
> ### Well, no. I wanted to discuss the issue of profiling and I am under the
> impression this was indeed the subject here, not merely baggage. If you
> peruse my recent posts, you will find that I at least twice mentioned that
> grandmas baggage should be checked, too. Please do not imply that I made
> claims to the contrary.
>

To get even further off-subject, surely we can think of a lot
less intrusive but effective methods of assuring as good or
better level of security than profiling or having one's person
and luggage arbitrarily searched. For bombs and explosives we
already have decent detectors in place afaik. For other things
that might be carried on board it seems to me having an armed
marshal or two on board and an ability to fly the plane by wire
if things go amiss are quite adequate to deter most of the rest
of would be airplane terrorists. Then granny's person and
possessions need not be searched and no one needs to be profiled.

To go a bit further, if enough of the citizens demanded a way to
get reasonable safety was found that does not infringe on
various rights I believe we would be much likely to see such
methods employed instead of turning the US into a police state.

- samantha



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