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RACIAL PROFILING

n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
edited May 2002 in General Discussion
Department of Homeland Security is dropping the requirement that residents of selected countries (mostly Arab) must register when arriving in the United States. Many Arab and Islamic groups complained that it was "profiling". About 74,000 visitors registered since the program was put into place after 911, and several were deported when it was discovered that they had overstayed thier visas.

Question - September 11, 2001. 19 hijackers. All Arab males, 16 were Saudis. Over half were illegals or had overstayed thier visas. None were American Citizens. Do you guys and gals think it is wrong to keep tabs on visitors from these countries? Is this common sense, or "racial profiling"??

Or is a better answer to increase surveillance on American Citizens in the name of "fairness"?

~ If your not an American Citizen, you are not protected by the blanket of the United States Constitution.
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Comments

  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Racial profiling is nothing new to this country.

    World War II. Americans of Japanese decent were stripped of all their possesions, and intered in camps for the duration of the war. the mind set in those days. "ALL JAPS ARE BAD" and a threat to our country.
    There were many Japanese here sympathic to the Japanese cause. Many Japanese Officers were schooled in this country.

    So why the big stink, When Arab,s and other middle eastern people strike out at the U.S. then every one is suspect. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, as we can see in the cost of that "CURE" with the Billions of Dollars spent to go after the perp,s that caused 9-11
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    And "profiling" is bad because.......?????


    http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/24/saudi-student-in-texas-charged-with-plotting-terrorist-attack/?icid=maing|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk2|46359

    LUBBOCK, Texas - A young college student from Saudi Arabia who studied chemical engineering in Texas purchased explosive chemicals over the Internet as part of a plan to hide bomb materials inside dolls and baby carriages to blow up dams, nuclear plants or the Dallas home of former President George W. Bush, the Justice Department said Thursday.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    I was standing at the bar in the Airport when this small Chinese guy comes in, stands next to me, and starts drinking a beer. I asked him, "Do you know any of those martial arts things, like Kung-Fu, Karate, or Ju-Jitsu??

    He says "No, I don't. And furthermore, why the hell would you ask me that? Is it because I'm Chinese?


    "No", I said, "It's because you're drinking my beer, you little jerk
  • thesoundguy1thesoundguy1 Member Posts: 680
    edited November -1
    This is my understanding of the japanese internment camps during WW2.
    Around the turn of the century(1900),a nationalist movement organization was coming to prominence in Imperial Japan.They were
    called "the Black Dragons"(I think thats what they called themselves.)
    This organization was made up of a number of government officials,
    military,business leaders,educators,with very radical nationalistic views.(they even influenced the Nazis).During this same period,
    immigration of japanese to the U.S. was hitting an all-time high.
    In order to keep future generations of Japanese-Americans from losing
    touch with their culture,their immigrant parents would send them to
    school in Japan.Nationalism was taught in these schools,according to the staunch view held by the Black Dragons,as in the years leading up to the war,the Dragons influence was felt in every aspect on Japanese life.
    American military intellegence was aware of the Black Dragons involement in sabatoge of shipment of raw materials fom South America.
    Immagrant Japanese fishermen working near the S.A. coast,would
    radio information about ships leaving those ports,bound for the U.S.,
    to Japanese submarines lurking nearby,that would promptly sink them.
    And,this was BEFORE the attack on Pearl Harbour.
    Military intellegence also knew that the Black Dragons were active
    in the U.S.,but not sure who was an active member,or who was a sympathizer.Because military intel.depts. were made-up almost exclusively of whites,infiltration was impossible.
    German nationalism in the U.S. at the same time was easier to
    keep track of.The people involved in those movements were "loud
    and proud" of their Nazi support,so they were easy to follow,
    and being these were white folk,easier to infiltrate.Consquently
    several German-Americans were arrested for espionage attempted
    sabatoge etc.To the best of my knowledge no Japanese-Americans
    were busted for such.(I could be wrong.)
    What to do about Arab-Americans, I don't know.That's a question
    best left answered by more intellegent men than myself.I do have
    some Arab-American friends,and would vouch for them in a heart
    beat.They are feeling the heat,though,even from other immagrant
    americans.
    About the Black Dragons,History Channel had a fascinating episode
    on one of their regular programs about them just recently.






    Edited by - thesoundguy1 on 05/24/2002 04:05:31

    Edited by - thesoundguy1 on 05/24/2002 04:08:06
  • ProkoteProkote Member Posts: 82 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My wife and mother-n-law are from Lebanon,I can think of a few places to send them!No they are not Muslims,but they are foriegn as hell!! I've got to keep the kids though. If they could only fill magazines like they fill diapers! Everyone needs someone to load the magazines!

    Shoot straight!
  • ProkoteProkote Member Posts: 82 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Opps, never got to the point,Hell yes profile! If apples are hitting you in the head, are you going to look at the orange tree?

    Shoot straight!
  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with Prokote, everyone should have someone to load magazines for them. I've been trying to teach my old lady how to load magazines, but "It hurts my fingers..." I tell here, if you want a darn loading tool then go buy your own, you can use mine...

    If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I see it as perfectly acceptable. Freedom is not free, deal with it if you wish to continue to live here. Nuff said.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Saxon is exactly right on this one. Profiling may have been aroung a long time, but it was not right then and is not right now! I would say more, but could not say it better than Saxon did. Read his post again. Dead Center Saxon!
  • YankeeClipperYankeeClipper Member Posts: 669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm not sure how many attacks there were by the Japanese on the main land during WWII, but think of the idea that maybe they didn't succede because the opertatives were in a camp.We will never know what would have happened if the goverment hadn't taken a drastic step.Think of the ship that thought the Titanic was just shooting off fireworks? We can "what if" ourselves crazy. What do YOU do when you go duck hunting?Look for phesants?

    Helping keep America free: One gun at a time.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    If anyone has been the subject of profiling, ITS ME:

    Being a long time Harley Davidson Rider, over 50 years, It would seem that every where I went, I hear "We dont want your kind here" Police Harrasment, and stared at every where I went.

    This was not only in the past, but continues to today. Yes I wear the leather, the wallet chains, occasionaly a beard, Have actually been ask to leave a McDonalds, just because of my appearance.

    But to this I say, I have never committed a crime, have only one Traffic ticket to my credit in my life, Raised Three Kids of which all are doing quite well in life.

    So I say if you dont have something to hide, why be upset when you are checked out, These are troubling times, and caution should be uppermost in the minds of people. If this caution means a little inconvenience for you, think of other people, not just "YOU CANT DO THIS TO ME"


    LR
  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I suppose being imprisoned in an interment camp would be a little 'inconvenient'. I suppose having your home/automobile searched without a warrant or your property destroyed would be a small 'inconvenience' as well. How does that go... "Those who would trade freedom for security will have neither"...

    Racial profiling is unconstitutional. That doesn't bother some people, of course it's usually the same people who want your guns.

    Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    I guess what you all are saying is "LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE" , wait till they blow your house up then do something about it. GREAT LINE OF THINKING.

    IF you rob a bank and they get a discription, would it not be the thing to do to stop anyone fitting that discription, Again if you aint got nothing to Hide, why fear it.

    LR
  • 4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
    edited November -1
    Racial profiling exists and is used throughout the United States every day, the liberals call it affirmative action....

    When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another great thing about America,... the right to our own opinions.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Racial or ethnic profiling is bigotry. It is unconstitutional and it is wrong. Saying it is ok in these troubled times, calls to mind that quote from Dr. Johnson: "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." Patriotism is well and good, but beware the evils that wear its' name.
  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Classic,
    'If you aint got nothing to Hide,' then why won't you fill out our friendly gun registration form? 'If you aint got nothing to Hide,' why can't you wear our new citizen tracking device? 'If you aint got nothing to Hide,' why can't we search your car and home on a regular basis? 'If you aint got nothing to Hide,' implies that refusing a search means your guilty. In America our courts are 'SUPPOSED' to operate under the assumption of innocent until proven guilty. The fact that you don't have anything to hide doesn't mean you have to prove it, otherwise aren't you guilty until proving yourself innocent?
    Monkey


    Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Golly! I guess I will have to go into a herd of sheep to find that Elephant.


    LR
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    What I was saying SAXON is that if ARABS are doing the bombing, dont ya look at ARABS? Ya darn sure dont go to CHINA TOWN.


    LR
  • twinstwins Member Posts: 647 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I guess some people just don't get it.

    I think that the police should not be allowed to get descriptions of people either. That is profiling too. They don't know who it was they just have an idea as to what they look like. I suppose that is ok in your book though, somehow I'm sure it must be different.

    Where are people asking to have anyone registered, wear tracking devices, etc...? Clouding the issue is good. Pure BS. If they ain't got nothing to hide, what's the problem of questioning them, how is that. Questioning does not imply guilt, it is making sure there is no evil intent. Do you go through a detector at an airport and * about that too. Oh wait, I'm sure that is different. I am sure glad you are more than willing to risk the safety of your family and everyone elses, by making sure the people who match the general description of the ones who destroyed the towers and killed so many, are not asked questions.
    Screw em, if they don't like it, leave the country or become a citizen.....oh wait they have to prvide documentation to do that. Just give it to any who ask, right.



    Edited by - twins on 05/24/2002 14:14:44
  • 4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
    edited November -1
    Classic, if Im not mistaken, wasn't Jouhny Walker a white guy, and wasn't there a couple of other towellyheads that were white guys including an Australian? Also, is it just me or does that Zacharias Mousaui guy look like your regular average run of the mill black guy? We cannot simply profile arab looking men based on there looks it wouldn't be adequate defense against traitors and people in disguise. Giving a green light to profiling would open the door to more loss of rights in this country, something nobody wants.
    In my state they have recently passed legislation allowing police to pull over any vehicle without cause. They call it a seatbelt law. If they pull you over and your wearing your seatbelt they can still run your plates and check your insurance and registration. So much for innocent until proven guilty. Im sure it will do wanders for the collections dept. sence they no longer need just cause. Now they can pull you over and herass you"just cause" they want too.

    When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Well said TWINS.

    Like I said earlier, Lets all set back, scrutinize no one, and wait for the next disaster before we take action.

    LR
  • twinstwins Member Posts: 647 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They never needed the seat belt law to pull you over, it is simply an excuse for revenue. An out light, covered plates, out of date tags, etc... is all they legally need. They can follow you, run your tags and do the same thing without pulling you over and DO.

    There are criminals of all colors, but when you know a certain group of people want you and all like you dead, you would be a fool to not watch them and question their intent. It's called common sense. Be aware of those around you and know your situation and it's dangers.

    Those of you who don't believe this, why would you avoid places you know might get you in trouble. "Biker bars", gang areas, etc... How do you know to avoid these areas' profiling I bet.
  • Josey1Josey1 Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it looks like a duck,walks like a duckand quacks like a duck,the best bet is it IS A DUCK!

    "If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
  • thesupermonkeythesupermonkey Member Posts: 3,905 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Classic095,
    "Golly! I guess I will have to go into a herd of sheep to find that Elephant."

    You're absolutely right! The only people in that herd are the ones who gave up their rights for empty promises of security.

    Sheep, I couldn't have said it better myself.

    I wonder if you'll stay in the herd after guns are outlawed and gun owners are declared domestic terrorists? What am I saying, of course you will!

    For people who are so quick to exchange freedoms for protection I find it ironic that you feel you even need a weapon! "Don't worry they're from the government and they're here to protect you", right?


    Don't worry about the bullet with your name on it, worry about the fragmentation grenade addressed 'To Occupant'.

    Edited by - thesupermonkey on 05/24/2002 16:35:12
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    I Rely on NO ONE to protect me, nor do I cower in the security of numbers,

    But common sence would tell me that if a group of people, intent on doing me harm , should be watched, any idiot that wouldnt keep an eye on someone threatening harm, is just that an IDIOT.

    I think I smell a bit of Hypocrocy in this forum.

    Every one yelling dont infringe on my 1st ammendment rights, but when several comments on the YOUTH OF ISLAM web site, "NUKE EM" HACK EM"
    Destroy their web site, isnt that a form of censurship, wanting to take away their right to express themselves.

    However I do not agree with the ISLAMIC point of view, I do respect their right to express that view, as Long as it is not done with violence.

    Again its "AS LONG AS It AINT ME, ITS OK"


    LR
  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If profiling is so bad, how does the Border Patrol along the Mexican border do their jobs? If they are looking for illegal Mexicans but they are not allowed to look for mexicans how will they ever catch them? Do they ask everybody they see if they are an Amercan citizen? Don't even say "that's different" because it's not, profiling is profiling and if you do not want to justify profiling of certain groups than profiling for Mexicans has to be stopped, I'm sure Chico and the gang will like that, Border Patrol aint allowed to stop them to check ID.
  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    Profiling? No!
    Japan does this. Russia does that. Germany does so so.
    Sometimes it the country/government , not the race of people.
    Don't confuse race for the government that controls its people!
  • flatlanderflatlander Member Posts: 20 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hopefully in the next terrorist attack some of those here will not lose a family member or close friend to some Islamic fanatic. I'm sure then the attitude would change concerning profiling. Hell yea profile, I don't want to go through and hope no one else has to go through what I had to on Sept. 11.
  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    Flatlander-- I'm sorry if 9-11 was a tragety for you and you have my support.
    I remember when the Germans wanted to take over the world. I remember when the japanese wanted all Americans dead. It goes on and on. The people of these governments/countries did what they were told and were brainwashed as the people had their government controling all comunications and weren't connected to the outside world. You must understand that people in some countries are cut off from the facts and are raised by the likes of Osama, and what else do they have?
    They don't question or they are killed! It isn't a race of people- it's the governing body that puts these things in their meager minds.
    You cannot tell me that people want death and destruction instead of life and freedom by design. To see a loved one killed, is devistating to all races,- this is testimony that humans are in fact human.
    People need to think for themselves, instead of letting governments telling them what they think! This is happening in America, right now as we speak. Germans, Irish, Japanese, Chinese, Africans, Mexicans, Asians, Scotish, English, Spanish, and more,live in America in peace and these Americans all mourn for the deaths of their American brothers of 9-11. We are united as Americans of all races and shouldn't let one country devide us because of their insane religion.
    Get rid of the hate- let it go- then stop the government that is a threat to life, liberty, and happiness and peace.
  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    I don't believe that non-citizens of this country have any rights or protections guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. American citizens? You bet. Non-citizen foreigners? No way.

    Try going to another country and demanding your rights. They'd laugh you all the way to the lock-up.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    Lowrider; you lost me, where did I state they have the same rights as Americans? If attacking us- they are indeed the enemy and we will deal with that. When "they" are Americans- they have the rights!
    Inlighten me.
  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Not anything you wrote, Daddo. I was commenting on SaxonPig's post further up the list.

    Sorry for the confusion.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    Lowrider- I Gotta pay attention when I read sometimes.
  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    FLATLANDER- If you'd like to tell your story- I'm sure we would like to hear it. Your among freinds here!
  • seductiveoneseductiveone Member Posts: 159
    edited November -1
    I think the FBI, CIA, and all other government agencys need to get their crap straightened out. All this info they have can be comunicated to each other and take the proper cannels available to them to nip it in the butt before it happens again. As for profiling, I dont want to loose any of my rights as an American, I say keep your eyes peeled for suspicious activity in your area. Talk to people in line at the gas station or wherever. They more are talked to the more the might slip up about something suspicious, like when one of the
    9-11 hijackers said something to the bartender at the strip club the night before the hijackings.
    I'm just sure there is more we as a nation can do before we get compleatly mid-evil on there arses.


    "Respect my authority"
  • thesoundguy1thesoundguy1 Member Posts: 680
    edited November -1
    I've been profiled before several times.Back when I worked as a professional musician,I had long hair,drove a van,and had expensive musical equipment.When I made the decision, to work as a pro musician,
    I knew that profiling would come with the territory.I've since changed
    professions,cut my hair,and still drive a van.I'm still profiled.
    A proud gun owner,with a german sirname.I'm just not profiled by the police anymore.I'm profiled by average people on the street.I have
    even had people ask me if my grandfather was a Nazi!!!No,I'm not hasseled by the police as much,I'm profiled by everyone else!
    I'm proud of who I am,I'm proud of my heritage.So the sins of other
    germans will be my cross to bear,everytime someone gives me a peculiar look when they hear my name,and everytime some idiot asks
    me if my forefathers were war criminals.Just as the sins of the
    Muslim-Arabs of the 9/11 attack will visit themselves upon the
    good,peace loving Muslims that I know that are out there.
    Profiling,in this time of uncertainty,may just be a nessessary evil.
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lots of good points made here. Our national devotion to the principles of individual freedom, however they have been / are being threatened, is both our greatest strength and our greatest weakness. But we can't have it both ways, with the rights of "Group A" protected and those of "Group B" circumscribed. Virtually everyone here has been stereotyped, if not "profiled," as the term is being used presently. From the comments made, I doubt any liked it.

    How many times have we heard or voiced the phrase "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance?" seductiveone has made a very key observation - it is incumbent on us all to pay attention to what is happening around us. Not just in the sound bites / photo ops rationed to us by the media, but in our mundane daily lives. If we are a bit more sensitive to the words and actions of Ali, Osama, and Muhamed than those of John, Hiroshi and Pedro, I think that is reasonable. In World War II, it was Rolf, Hiroshi & Carlo. For the next 55, Ivan - still do have some concerns about that boy. Hey, it isn't "fair;" it isn't 100% accurate (Johnny Walker, for example) - but it is only natural. But we cannot institutionalize it nor condone it being institutionalized, without abandoning our principles. Those principles are what set us apart from (and I would submit, above ) the rest. Abandon them and we become no better than our enemies, howling like animals, "Death to the infidels!"

    We need to pull together as a people and a nation, with the same unity of purpose that characterized our efforts 1941-1945. Eradicate these terrorist vermin w/o mercy, but not lose sight of the fact that many patriotic American citizens are of Arabic descent and / or follow Islam as a religious practice. The internment camps of WW2 were one of the most shameful acts in our history, we should learn from our mistakes.
  • Patrick OdlePatrick Odle Member Posts: 951 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Arabs are arabs, No one on this panel can change that. The lovers are
    unfortunately just as suseptable to a bombing as the rest of us. The only difference is that just before they changed worlds they would say , oh it's nothing,he probably had beans for lunch.
  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Once again prejudice and a scientific statistical tool are being confused. It is not about putting someone under arrest or stopping them because of race, creed or color.
    Proper profiling, excuted correctly, is an awsome weapon, and tool to find the person(s) connected to a crime. Ignore history, and facts and and history will repeat itself.
    As to using descriptions to identify suspects, as someone was previously was objecting to, is also a valueable tool. The description of a white male automatically excludes from interest all females, blacks, mexicans and shifts focus to a smaller group of the population.
    This is not an emotional issue. It is a basic, scientific, statistical tool, used with great success, and used with proper police procedures.
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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