Constructive Approach is Needed
Reader comment on item: Should airport security procedures include ethnic and religious profiling?

Submitted by Phyllis Strauss (United States), Nov 15, 2006 at 16:57

This is an expanded version of what I wrote to costco:

Both Pipes and Hershey make important points, but only Pipes offers a constructive (part) solution. Since resources are limited and the dangers are real, compromises must be made to maximize effectiveness of efforts to enhance safety. Devise a screening routine that can be applied to all subjects and train screeners to act sensitively. Screen the small (1% of the population) from which all Islamist terrorists have come, so far. Screen at least another 1% of the remaining population by the best strategy available. Make it clear to all the population that screening is not and must not be regarded as a humiliation.

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