particularly fanatics intent on killing us (and liberals) -
airport  screeners will not be allowed to profile people.
They will continue random searches of
80-year-old women, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification,
Secret  Service agents who are members
of the PresidentÕs security
detail and  85-year old Congressmen with metal hips.
LetÕs pause a moment and take the following test.
At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Israeli  athletes were murdered by:
(a) Mother Theresa
(b) Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder
(c) a group of Mexican folk dancers; or
(d) Muslim Palestinian extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
In 1979, the U.S. embassy in Iran was taken over by:

(a) Norwegians from Ballard;
(b) the American Jewish Congress
(c) A tour bus full of 80-year-old women; or
(d) Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40.

In 1983, the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut was  blown up by:
(a) an Orthodox Rabbi and his yeshiva students;
(b) Crazed feminists complaining that being able to throw a grenade  beyond its own burst radius
was an unfair and sexist requirement
in basic  training;
(c) Geraldo Rivera making up for a slow news day; or
(d) Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by:
(a) Luca Brazzi, for not being given a part in ÒGodfather 2;Ó
(b) A group of Buddhist monks
(c) Butch and Sundance who had a few sticks of dynamite left over from  the train mission, or
(d) Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40.
 
In 1998, the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania  were bombed by:
(a) Mr. Rogers;
(b) Hillary, to distract attention from Wild BillÕs women problems;
(c) Nelson Mandela; or
(d) Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40.
 
On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked and  destroyed by:
(a) Bugs Bunny, Wiley E. Coyote, Daffy Duck, and Elmer Fudd.
(b) a Hollywood mogul seeking unbelievable special FX
(c) a group of Falun Gong spiritualists; or
(d) Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40.

Curve ball here. Tim McViegh.

Things like patterns and trends could aid in profiling, Pangea.

Right on, [b]9divdoc[/b], you know, I think I'm beginning to see a pattern here!

Now, if only Sec. of Transportation 'Normal' Norman Mineta would begin to see that same pattern.

Eric The(No,He'sNotNormal)Hun[>]:)]

I'm not dissagreeing with the need to profile. I'm pointing out that there are variables to this equation. A false sense of security could be achieved by profiling only one group. Granted, you will never stop all the crazies but profiling seems to be the best; though least popular, way to stop terrorist.

Remember also that the passenger the brought the bomb on board Pan Am 103 was not a terrorist, and did not fit any current profiles.  She was an unwitting accomplice.