Airport security and terrorism

All of the debate on how to handle terrorism and air travel is really starting to get on my nerves. People on the right are blaming Obama for every attempted plot, even if he is not responsible. People on the left are preaching tolerance and diversity while simultaneously claiming we are safer then ever before. All of this segues to the purchase of around 400 full body scanners that has some people up in arms, and others wondering "what's the big deal".

Obama didn't let the underwear bomber on the plane. But it was a failure that he wasn't on the no-fly list. Full body Scanners have potential to make flying safer, but some people find it to be an invasion of privacy.


This whole issue is far simpler than anyone wants to admit. I personally have no problems with the body scanners, I just don't know how effective they'll be in preventing terrorist. The real issue for me, is how our concern over political correctness is blinding us of what is so simple. We are ignoring the most obvious and cheapest security measure we could try. The one thing we could do that would make air travel infinitely more secure.....Passenger PROFILING.

Profiling works, because most terrorist fit a particular PROFILE......... But of course that is racist and intolerant, so we will continue to pat down 90 year old grandmothers traveling from Florida to Iowa (Thank God they checked into that crazy lady, eh?). I hate to break it to those fighting for social justice, but frisking women over the age of 90 is stupid and accomplishes nothing. It doesn't deter terrorists, it just gives everyone an excuse to laugh at the ridiculous spectacle that has forced them to be 3 hours early for a flight. Here's an idea that may shock you: instead of random screening and frisking old ladies, we could check out the dude chanting “Allah akbar” and wearing a towel on his head? Offensive I know, but that doesn't make it any less logical.

ISLAMIC terrorism is the threat we are currently faced with, end of story. It's not that all Muslims are terrorist, or that those who are not Muslim should get a free pass. But, ANYONE (white, black yellow, whatever) fitting a profile that would raise alarms should go through a more strict pre-flight protocol. It may not be fair to innocent Muslims, but life isn't fair.

It's not racist, it's common sense. If people dont like it, they can hear the same excuse the entire county is now hearing regarding the body scanners----"Don't like it? Don't fly"--. I'm sorry that Muslim people feel like they are being singled out in terrorism, but their feelings are collateral damage of  historical realities. We have had two Islamic terrorists attempt attacks in the last 6 months. We are at war with basically the entire Middle East, and we we were attacked on 9/11. It is irresponsible not to take these issues into account.

It is ludicrous to ignore the common characteristics of terrorists, even if it is offensive. We cannot sacrifice our common sense to our social habit of patronizing minorities. It's time to buck up, and simply acknowledge that Islamic extremist exist, and they are a bigger threat then elderly women.