Why not in the U.S.?

Submitted by C. Meyers' (United States), Mar 23, 2012 at 23:18

What are we willing to do in the U.S. in order to ensure safe air travel? Wait in lines, limit our liquid and gel-free carry-on luggage to the size of a grocery bag with nothing in it sharper than a popsicle stick? Or is sending EVERYONE through the hands-above-head and 'spread 'em" Intrusive Viewing Machine the epitome of modern day air travel efficiency? Is this procedure fraught with LESS dignity than, say attempting to rule out likely terrorists by scrutinizing--not jut the junk carried on--but the passengers themselves.

I have been told by those who claim to know, that EVERYONE should come under scrutiny because you never know if an 'old lady in a wheel chair" may be carrying a bomb in her Depends, or if a child may be bomb-strapped--unknowingly of course--in her Dora The Explorer back. I for one am willing to be profiled for anything: I am a rather pudgy, white woman, who holds down 3 part time jobs, has 6 kids, a very hard working husband, and lives in rural Northwest U.S. Anyone who wants to can profile me--AND THEY DO already! I get coupons in the mail (spam and junk-snail) for Cereal, golf stuff, Feminine products (how did they know I am 49 and have 4 daughters?) dog food, toilet paper (daughters again) and College information from God Knows Where.

This barrage of 'stuff' isn't due to profiling? What is profiling other than selecting a 'demographic' of people who, due to their shopping HISTORY, may be interested in something: whether it is a giant box of Kotex, or buying a one-way airline ticket in order to blow up an airplane? Either way, some privacy is violated, some dignity is insulted and yet, one of us may or may not take the bait. Which would Americans be more leery of- me wanting my coupon for $2.00 off a pack of 24, or Tariq Al Said getting searched before getting his ticket punched? Both should be considered the American WAY!

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