TSA Accused of Racial Profiling During Airport 'Chat-Downs': Is Racial Profiling OK?

by mrosen814 Posted 2012/08/14 18:00:00

Related Topics: TSA, Logan Airport, Racial Profiling

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	Yes	664 votes	52%
	No	608 votes	48%

TSA agents at Boston's Logan airport are being investigated over claims of racial profiling of "Middle Easterners, Hispanics and blacks." According to USA Today, "the chat-down program at Boston and Detroit airports is at the fore of TSA's effort to focus security on the riskiest passengers, rather than treating all travelers the same."

TRAVEL.USATODAY.COM reports:
The TSA says government investigators are looking at complaints of racial profiling in the chat-down program at Boston's Logan airport.

+29

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Depsycho 2012/08/14 18:59:08

No

+31
Terrorists do not HAVE a race. Nor do thieves, abusers, or murderers.
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More polls by mrosen814

toots 2012/08/16 13:40:49

Yes

+2
At an airport, if someone who is suspicious no matter what color, they should be checked. If a white man robs a bank, don't look at blacks or latinos. If a black man or latino robs a bank, don't look at the white man. This allows the perpetrator to get away, because we must be politically correct. It makes no sense.

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Sarina 2012/08/16 13:03:16

No

+3
Racial Profiling is not okay.

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LarryFine 2012/08/16 12:31:42

Yes

+4
If it looks like a duck and talks like a duck....

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johnqpu... to LarryFine 2012/08/16 19:07:33 (edited)

+1
AChTUNG!! please to report the zee gas.uh "showers" immediately!!!

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Seonag 2012/08/16 12:28:37

No

+3
Profiling based on race alone is not okay. But if these 'chat-downs' happen to lead to people of other ethnic or racial background than the 'chatter' it would not be racial. My problem is how well trained the TSA agents are at recognizing people who might need further examination. The Israelis have been doing this for decades and when was the last time an Israeli airline was hi-jacked? But then their agents are highly trained.

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AndyWolf 2012/08/16 12:27:26

No

+5
There is no race. I don't see it, anyway. Military breeds that out of you mighty fast.
I think if anything, TSA needs to be disbanded.

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Ben 2012/08/16 12:07:55

No

+4
You should make judgements based upon their behaviour, suspicious activity, prior information (and failing that, maybe some evidence) rather than by the colour of someone's skin.

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chris.haynees 2012/08/16 11:26:02

Yes

+4
But the TSA needs to be disbanded.

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iamnothere 2012/08/16 11:11:06

No

+2
since the only ones being profiled are grandma in a wheel chair and small children or white travelers.. not ok there is no rhyme or reason

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Pinball Wizard 2012/08/16 11:01:11

No

+1
Just check everyone the same with efficiency.

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Bulanova (Team Hargitay) 2012/08/16 10:14:35

No

+2
This is a vague question. I think nationality more than "race" should be considered, but some people count these as the same thing. And to clarify, more than just nationality should be considered, but I do believe it should be a factor.

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maci.ma... to Bulanov... 2012/08/16 10:27:44

in an ideal world, that would be fine, but I'm sure this is not what's going on. If it's a Chat-down, which is I think they are questioning you, already they are looking at the surface. Might as well be white cop profiling blacks or latinos, of which I don't know how they profile us as we are comprised of many races, including white.

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maci.ma... to maci.ma... 2012/08/16 10:28:49

but if it's for the safety of the passenger's I'd say I'm cool with it, IF they first give me the explanation. It would be interesting to see what caught their attention.

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Bulanov... to maci.ma... 2012/08/16 10:53:27

+1
I don't think anything TSA does is for the safety of passengers, honestly.

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johnqpu... to Bulanov... 2012/08/16 19:55:05 (edited)

+1
ACHTUNG !!! You vill please report to zee gas er I mean "showers" immediately!!! There's nothing vague about it.

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Bulanov... to johnqpu... 2012/08/16 21:52:27

Maybe it's not vague to you, but to me it is.

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michael.reeves.3150 2012/08/16 08:38:05

No

+3
its not even useful because white people can be terrorists and we don't get profiled :P

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HK5SBR 2012/08/16 07:50:57

No

+2
You fear filled people.

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SimianSays 2012/08/16 07:47:27

Yes

+2
We must recognise that certain races have a history of actions that it should be understood that with a certain background there is a likelihood of commission of certain behaviours. For example, white people should first and foremost be recognised as racist Imperialising, Colonising pigs with the proclivity to commit many of the most horriffic acts against humanity.
It IS what it IS.

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Cindy 2012/08/16 07:47:18

Yes

+1
"Profiling has been a prudent way to monitor serial killers. Why shouldn't it be used for terrorism security? After 9/11 we see what an "oversight" of terrorists can do. Either way, I believe we must use any way possible to prevent terrorism. Nobody is "accusing" people of color. It's just a protective mechanism. Even the news has desriptions of offenders where race is mentioned. "White" is also a description of perpetrators. After all, I consider "White" as profiling as well. At one time, serial killers consisted of mostly white people. Our safety depends upon racial profiling as well as other observed traits.

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maci.mas.96 2012/08/16 07:44:28

Yes

+1
I don't mind being frisked for being suspected of being a terrorist...if it helps people feel safer...some people are just a tad bit too sensitive.

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johnqpu... to maci.ma... 2012/08/16 19:14:37 (edited)

+1
ACHTUNG!!! You are being too sensitive!!! Report to zee gas 'er "showers" immediately!!!! you vill be "safer" there!! SEIG HEIL!!!

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Saint_Dee 2012/08/16 06:24:32

No

+2
Any kind of profiling that amounts to looking at race, gender, or any other group dynamic helps nothing but sow divisions within people. People, that's what we all are, so if you as a TSA officer or Police officer for that matter, suspect a PERSON of suspicious activity, do your job as long as your suspicions have nothing to do with the PERSON's race, gender, or religion... Just my 2 cents

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Butch 2012/08/16 05:57:54

Yes

+1
Yes ad infinitum yes. Too many thugs are walking the street with impunity nowadays, packing a piece and knowing they can get away with it because the police wont bother them. Police are so afraid of being accused of racial profiling that they are letting the gang bangers run rampant.

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Joey to Butch 2012/08/16 11:20:14 (edited)

So you are just making stuff up ?

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garyt212 2012/08/16 05:41:45

Yes

+4
It's time we stop with the racial BS, race card over used and abused! Let's use some judgement, if you want to call judgement being exercised and you want to call that profiling then you are sooo politically correct that you have your head up your a$$.

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Nancy Scott 2012/08/16 05:33:23

No

+2
NEVER

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Jacker The Capper 2012/08/16 05:26:11

Yes

+4
Im not trying to be racist, but the only group of people that wants to destroy America are the Muslims. Plain and simple.

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maci.ma... to Jacker ... 2012/08/16 07:45:31

although that is a generalization, I can't help but agree with you!!!

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Korgull to Jacker ... 2012/08/16 08:46:55 (edited)

Muslims =/= Arabs, though. Arabs are the people, Muslims are the religious ones, and Muslims can come of any colour.

So, really, when you go on and on about Muslims, while cautiously or aggressively staring at any Arab that walks by you, you're really just hating Arabs, not Muslims.

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nicstr2... to Korgull 2012/08/16 13:20:30

+1
So if your family gets blown up by Chinese people...we'll question whites,blacks and American Indians. We'll let the Chinese slide so as not to offend them. DOH!

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Jacker ... to Korgull 2012/08/16 17:48:52
Mikey 2012/08/16 05:24:26

No

+2
Is this really a question?

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meltrab9194 2012/08/16 04:55:24

No

+1
ppl needa give TSA a break they make it seem like they enjoy alot of things there accused for like touching ppl like c'mon really they're just doing there job.and you may think there being tough now but wait till they try to be "nicer" and if something happens? who are you going to blame? the TSA! (and this is coming from a blk & hispanic herself)

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johnqpu... to meltrab... 2012/08/16 19:19:18

Yeah, meltrab, sweetie take your meds and wash them down with a nice glass of koolaid. It's your bed time now dear.

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meltrab... to johnqpu... 2012/08/23 07:38:20

lol wow dude that was kinda harsh but from that response i dont understand you're thinking? are you disagreeing with the fact that they're using body scanners or with the subject up top?? and i dont drink koolaid silly! my fam says its not good for you and supposedly it stains your insides. i guess its true cause some ppl dye their hair using koolaid

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krystal chinothai 2012/08/16 04:48:39

No

+3
Who ever says yes is racist themselves

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Stan Kapusta 2012/08/16 04:23:51

Yes

+3
Like it or not it's effective. It gives a starting point. No different when you make a judgement on a person you see on the street. Sorry on PC here.

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Butch to Stan Ka... 2012/08/16 07:31:50

Saying yes and then apologizing for your opinion is the same as saying no you know.

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Stan Ka... to Butch 2012/08/16 17:03:52

No it's my way of expression. That's your way of trying to turn nothing into something.

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