# Should Western Jihadists Be Microchipped? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 18, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770 "2015-12-18T13:45:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![botsgotme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/1 "2015-12-18T13:45:01Z")
The phenomenon of western muslims who travel to Syria (to participate in “Jihad”) is quite disturbing. Their subsequent behavior (upon returning) is concerning; should they be forced to have a microchip implanted in them, so they can be monitored and tracked by the police? I would think that this is a reasonable solution-we cannot be sure of their intentions, and it is better that they be tracked, and their movements monitored. What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/2 "2015-12-18T13:48:00Z")
yes also gun owners, racists, and anyone else who might be dangerous ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/3 "2015-12-18T13:55:55Z")
> [@botsgotme](#): > > The phenomenon of western muslims who travel to Syria (to participate in “Jihad”) is quite disturbing. Their subsequent behavior (upon returning) is concerning; should they be forced to have a microchip implanted in them, so they can be monitored and tracked by the police? No, they should be monitored and tracked by prison guards. That’s assuming they aren’t bombed and killed so they _can’t_ come back. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/4 "2015-12-18T13:56:56Z")
Doubtfully useful if they get lost; just put up flyers on lampposts as usual. - ‘Missing: Mukhmar — last seen around April 23rd. Deeply missed. $50 reward. Please check your outhouses and sheds.’\* Otherwise: no. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/5 "2015-12-18T14:19:17Z")
The ones who commit crimes should be prosecuted. The ones who do not should be left alone. That’s pretty much how our justice system works. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/6 "2015-12-18T14:51:47Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The ones who commit crimes should be prosecuted. The ones who do not should be left alone. That’s pretty much how our justice system works. And since it’s already illegal (in the US) to travel to Syria (or anywhere) in order to “participate in jihad”, then no microchip needed. n.b.: Using that quoted phrases loosely to mean partnering or participating in acts of violence with extremist groups. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/7 "2015-12-18T15:03:54Z")
I think it’s a great idea. Let’s put up a sign at the border that says “Jihadists stop here to get micro-chipped”. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/8 "2015-12-18T15:31:06Z")
It’s impractical anyway. As far as I know, embedded microchips have a very short range of transmission so police couldn’t really track anyone. It would have to be an external tracking bracelet. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/9 "2015-12-18T15:31:32Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > The ones who commit crimes should be prosecuted. The ones who do not should be left alone. That’s pretty much how our justice system works. This. There are crimes, and there are not-crimes. If they committed a crime, then the justice system takes over. If they committed a not-crime, then nothing happens. If they committed a not-crime and people think it should be a crime, they press the government to pass a law making it a crime. That’s the big criticism of the no-fly list: If these people are so dangerous that they can’t be let on a plane, then why aren’t they arrested? ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/10 "2015-12-18T15:36:27Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > It’s impractical anyway. As far as I know, embedded microchips have a very short range of transmission so police couldn’t really track anyone. It would have to be an external tracking bracelet. Besides, microchips can be removed. (I saw it on _Buffy!_) ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/11 "2015-12-18T15:38:28Z")
I don’t know if jihadists should be microchipped, but I definitely find myself thinking the SDMB should consider returning to pay-to-post. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/12 "2015-12-18T16:06:12Z")
> [@](#): > > Should Western Jihadists Be Microchipped? So, if someone brings one into the vet folks will know where their home is?? I’m unsure that there is really a lost Western Jihadist issue necessitating chipping them. > [@](#): > > The phenomenon of western muslims who travel to Syria (to participate in “Jihad”) is quite disturbing. Their subsequent behavior (upon returning) is concerning; should they be forced to have a microchip implanted in them, so they can be monitored and tracked by the police? I would think that this is a reasonable solution-we cannot be sure of their intentions, and it is better that they be tracked, and their movements monitored. What do you think? That even leaving aside the concerns of others up thread about no crimes having been committed (because obviously if they DID commit a crime they would be put in jail instead of allowed to wander about) micro-chips have very limited range, that even if this wasn’t the case this would be a huge slippery slope and a large potential for abuse and corruption, that it wouldn’t do much good in any case since I doubt people would line up to say they were Jihadists, etc etc. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/13 "2015-12-18T16:24:18Z")
By the way, if we _are_ actually going to adopt the _Demolition Man_ method of crime control, it would be cool if we also got a radio station that played jingles all the time. > [@OneCentStamp](#): > > I don’t know if jihadists should be microchipped, but I definitely find myself thinking the SDMB should consider returning to pay-to-post. And how will that be accomplished, huh? With microchips! Big Brother is all around us! ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/14 "2015-12-18T16:48:58Z")
Sure, track their movements, but I don’t think implanting a microchip would do the trick. It only works if you have a reader within inches of the chip, so it doesn’t really track movement. And it can simply be removed. ---
**Author:** ![IDtenT\_Error](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@IDtenT\_Error](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IDtenT_Error)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/15 "2015-12-18T17:07:52Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > By the way, if we _are_ actually going to adopt the _Demolition Man_ method of crime control, it would be cool if we also got a radio station that played jingles all the time. And a Taco Bell on every corner! ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/16 "2015-12-18T17:21:57Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > And it can simply be removed. It should be integrated into the jihadi’s vital systems such that its removal results in death. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/17 "2015-12-18T19:02:16Z")
you can then start tattooing the suspect muslims with a crescent embedded with a chip. Maybe a number can be added for the tracking purposes. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/18 "2015-12-18T19:19:52Z")
Easy, tiger. Now we’re just getting into fascist territory! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/19 "2015-12-18T19:25:30Z")
You really want to use radio collars. We can track their mating habits as well. ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2015, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770/20 "2015-12-19T04:54:50Z")
They should be put on trial for treason, terrorism and crimes against humanity. The first two is currently the practise in Denmark. The third should be included since it has been established that the crimes against the Yazidi was genocide. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-jihadists-be-microchipped/740770.md?page=2)