B.I.R.T (Be it resolved that) the Canadian (or American) government should not practice ethic profiling towards immigrants as well as descendants of Arab countries.
Since when are Arabs a race?
You know what I mean. People who come from the middle-east.
(from Dictionary.com)
n.
A member of a Semitic people inhabiting Arabia, whose language and Islamic religion spread widely throughout the Middle East and northern Africa from the seventh century.
Islamic or not, people from the Middle-East and surrounding areas.
OK, but why do you think this?
Just trying to gather ideas for a model debate (Canadian Parlimentary style) that I’m presenting tomorrow (not homework or anyting, just want to look good).
- Ever since September 11th, Western countries feel a tigher need for security. After much debate, numerous people of Arabic origin have become targets of investigations. Many of these investigations have proven to be conclusive that these people are an enemy to the state. They wish to undermine the rights and liberties of ordinary people to enforce their own.
(bolding mine)
If that is the case, then why shouldn’t the US or Canada practice racial profiling?
Well is it fair to say that Arabs are THE only ones to commit acts of terror? If Joe Schmoe has numerous counts against him and Abdul Ali has many less, much more is to be spent watching and making sure Abdul doesn’t commit any crimes.
May I go back and change my quote from Dignan and say that a number of people are an enemy to the state (I don’t want to sound racist).
Timothy McVeigh.
Take for example, drunk drivers. The reason it is illegal to drive drunk is because not just one or two but thousands have been killed by them. As in the case of terrorist suspects, not one or two are from the middle east, but hundreds if not thousands.
Head on over to the “I hate living in Saudi Arabia” thread and get an earful of people who live there describing what ordinary Saudis think of America and Americans. This may inform your debate somewhat.
By your analogy, then, we should target all drivers, in case some of them are planning drive drunk.
It’s a nice thought but not a practical reality. In order to protect the public you must screen in a way that is most effective with the limited resources you have.
If you own an airline and could set policy would you screen everyone equally even though that little ol’ grandma lady has basically 0 chance of being a terrorist or would you screen (I want to use the word intelligently here) according to who you think is most likely to commit terrorism.
I personally would rather fly the latter one.
After the attacks on NYC and Washington a team of (IIRC) fed officers went to Israel to learn about anti-terrorism methods. They were basically told by the Israelies that our problem is that we are looking for weapons (which doesn’t work) while they are looking for terrorists.
One man, one truck.
When you have thousands of blonde hair, blue-eyed men named Tim, Tom and Harry chanting for the destruction of America and all the while supported by their government, then you can bring up Timothy McVeigh.
I’m so sick of people bringing him up in reference to racial profiling and terrorism. There were 14 men of Middle Eastern descent who hijacked 4 planes in order to kill as many civilians as possible. There is country after country after country in the Middle East that have daily protests calling for the downfall of America, who are drafting young men on a daily basis to become terrorists.
When you have 14 guys named Mohammed hijack 4 planes and kill a few thousand people, you keep an eye out for guys named Mohammed.
That is the stupidest profiling I have ever heard. Do you keep an eye out for all people called Michael, or Paddy, or Tom, or Ronnie, or Henry or Boris?
Terrorism didn’t begin with 9/11. there were enemies of America long before Osama (member of the CIA supported Afghan Mujhadeen, remember, back when killing Commies was AOK) and there will be more in the future.
You cannot assume that because someone if called a certain name, or looks a certain way, you are right to assume they are terrorist. In fact, thinking that way makes you no better than the terrorists themselves.
I do not think it reasonable for the U.S. govt. to treat all Arabs as terrorists, but I think it’s reasonable for them to consider Arabs to have a considerably higher chance of being terrorists than non-Arabs and to investigate accordingly. The official culture of the middle East is largely to blame for this: they teach their citizens that America and Americans are evil.
I’d also think it reasonable for the U.S. government to suspect U.S. citizens who have a history of being involved with the militias as being more likely terrorists than those who do not, while recognizing that not all militia members are terrorists.
I mean, what’s wrong with a little common sense here?
I was using a generality when using the name Mohammed for anyone who appears (in name or appearance) for those of Middle Eastern descent.
Terrorism didn’t begin with 9/11?! Why I’m shocked! :rolleyes:
TwistofFate said: "You cannot assume that because someone if called a certain name, or looks a certain way, you are right to assume they are terrorist. "
Why not? If the shoebomb fits. Why would you not investigate people who appear suspicious? And yes, anyone who appears to be of Middle Eastern descent is suspicious. Why? Turn on CNN and watch them dance and sing and call for the destruction of the US. Read the “I hate Saudi Arabia” thread in the pit and see what these people think of America.
TwistofFate said: “In fact, thinking that way makes you no better than the terrorists themselves.”
How so? I don’t recall calling for the destruction of all Middle Eastern countries nor the summary execution of all people of Middle Eastern descent.
:rolleyes:
straight back at ya
The terrorists assume that all Americans are evil, thus, in a way, they are “profiling” us. By saying that all Arabs are potential terrorists, we use the same logic.
Any assumption based solely on skin color, or culture, is wrong in my opinion, and can only bring negative results. It breeds a culture of fear, misunderstanding and hatred, which is against everything that America is supposed to stand for.
In the 1940s, we feared and loather the Japanese, our enemy in World War II. Propaganda posters suggested that any “Jap” was a potential spy and sabotuer. People of Asian decent were abused, discriminated against, and eventually ended up in camps.
Blacks in this country are still portrayed as criminals. Some white people fear and despise blacks, and cross the street if they see a black youth coming their way. Cab drivers won’t pick up blacks in some cities.
Both of these are examples of the harm that racial profiling, and just plain old predjudice, can do. The last thing we need is a new culture of fear. If we change our nation of freedom into one of suspicion, then the terrorists have done what they set out to do: destroy the American ideal.
The problem with lumping “Arabs” into a threat category is, of course, that not all people who look like they’re of Arab decent come from “dangerous” counties. The Southern Poverty Law Center has recorded hundreds of hate crimes against people who look like Arabs, some of whom were from Isreal, some from India, some from the Good Ole US of A.
So what? Let them sing, let them dance, and let them shout their slogans. Public protest harms us in no way whatsoever. Reacting to it by treating Arabs harshly only confirms in their minds that what they’re saying is true. Why turn ourselves into the people they think we are?
Thunderbug:
You are extremely xenophobic. I pity you.
I did not call for hate crimes against people of Middle Eastern descent. I did not say we should discriminate against them. I did not say they were “evil” nor did I say they were lesser people. I did not call for them to be rounded up and put into camps.
What is wrong with checking them a little more thoroughly at the airport. Why pull the blonde girl with the big boobs over to be searched and let the bearded Middle Easterner go through unchecked? Who is more likely to be a terrorist? The woman whose goverment taught her the American ideals of freedom or liberty or the man whose government taught that America is evil and must be destroyed?
I’m not concerned about taking the moral high ground or being PC when I get on a plane. I’m worried about the safety of my friends and family.