I found an interesting critique of airport security in an unlikely source — Parade magazine:
…critics say U.S. security strategy still focuses too much on finding bombs rather than bombers. Israel, home to many of the world’s most devastating terror attacks, has a different approach to security….Travelers in Israel are interviewed by highly trained security experts. In the U.S., billions are spent instead on scanning machines and other technology to detect weapons. “The Israelis ask questions, and they profile the situation, not the person,” explains Seth Cropsey, a former Defense Department official. “It’s often a much more thorough approach to security.”
I’d rather submit to some questioning than a virtual strip search any day. Maybe the U.S. could learn something from Israel.
“Maybe the U.S. could learn something from Israel.”
– Very interesting choice of words C.J. Better be careful what you wish for.
If you thought taking your shoes off slowed the line down, wait until you have to submit to a psychological evaluation…
Seriously though, that seems a little too “Minority Report” for me. Unless the individual has a prior record, a bomber without bomb making material (thus incapable of detonating material while on the plain) is not a bomber. How many of us took those profiles in high school that told us what we should be when we became adults? And how many of us would be willing to bet whether or not someone is a bomber on that kinda test?
No American citizen should have to submit to a virtual strip search without probable cause. That so many have allowed themselves to become such sheep is truly frightening. Thousands of our ancestors fought and died to preserve the rights we now casually cast aside in the mistaken belief it will give us “security”.
Too bad we cannot poll the victims of 9/11 to hear what they think. I cannot imagine the terror in their minds and hearts as they saw their fate.
I am sure they would promote whatever it takes to bring an end to this stuff.
John33: Some people believe “whatever it takes to bring an end to this stuff” included a pre-emptive war with Iraq. I thought the same way, but that was when we were being told Iraq had a viable WMD program. I think we’re better off with Sadaam gone, but I worry we’re going to end up with something worse.
“Travelers in Israel are interviewed by highly trained security experts.” Impresses me as the kind of training and experts that don’t need to interview you for 10 minutes to assess your threat level. They ask you three questions and they’re good. They regularly review the lists of “serious” threats, as well as their pictures, so they know what’s up, who’s trouble, and just let moms like me, with two boys wrestling their way through the metal detector, go by with a “good luck, mam!”
Though, my brother had to go through a 3 hour lie detector test when interviewing for an internship with the NSA during college – and it shattered his nerves for like a week – so I’m not sure I’d trust this to US homeland security personel either!
I am always up for better security measures!
How many airports do we have in the U.S. – when compared to any other country in the world? In order to avoid another i-net search, I am simply going to say “lots more.”
Take it from here now.
“whatever it takes”? Yep, let’s just grab folks who look a little nervous out of line and take them to the back room for a little torture, just to make sure they don’t try to withhold any info. we need. Whatever it takes. Yes, the Bill of Rights is for old foggies who don’t understand the modern world. Individual rights should go the way of the horse and buggy. We need security. If that means a Gestapo agent on every block, or a camera in every house, well, whatever it takes.
The fallacy, my friends, is that it is highly unlikely a virtual strip search would have prevented 9-11. Nor will most of these so-called security measures do anything to stop a determined terrorist willing to die for his cause. Most of these “security” measures are about giving us the illusion of security, while taking away our rights and turning us into compliant sheep.
Security makes man dance-
A dancer says Israeli airport security forced him to perform to prove his identity.
-YAHOO HEADLINE