Rep. Issa: I Was Profiling Victim

The Associated Press | AP-NY-10-26-01 1758EDT | MARK SHERMAN

[Lou in Mass.]

WASHINGTON - Rep. Darrell Issa, grandson of Lebanese immigrants, says he was the victim of racial profiling when he tried to board an Air France flight to Paris this month.

The airline denied the California Republican a seat on a late-night flight from Washington's Dulles International Airport on Oct. 4, after he showed up at the gate an hour before departure with a one-way ticket to Saudi Arabia via Paris, and, he said, ``an Arab surname.''

Air France workers would not budge, despite Issa's protest that he was a member of Congress who was departing on an official trip to the Middle East, and the intervention of Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla., who had already boarded the plane. Both men carried a series of one-way tickets, including one for a return trip to Washington, which Issa said he gave to the airline employees.

``They disappeared with my stuff for 15 or 20 minutes. When they came back, they said, 'You're flying tomorrow,''' Issa said in a telephone interview Friday.

Air France spokesman Jim Faulkner said Issa was kept off the flight because he arrived late. ``The flight closes at 9:30. He showed up at 9:40 according to our records,'' Faulkner said. ``He caused quite a scene and he wasn't very polite.''

Issa and Wexler, a Jewish congressman from south Florida, were headed to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Lebanon for talks on terrorism and the Middle East peace process. ``Rob and I made a good team, showing how diverse we are,'' Issa said.

He caught up with Wexler the next day.

There have been widespread reports from Arab-Americans and Muslims that they have been singled out for closer scrutiny and discriminatory treatment since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Several incidents have occurred on airplanes, including passengers of Middle Eastern descent being removed from flights.

Issa said he wants Congress to look into racial profiling, ``whether it's flying while Arab or driving while black,'' but not while the country is at war with terrorists, one reason he kept quiet about the episode for three weeks. ``I want us to keep our eyes on the ball, which is the war we're fighting,'' Issa said.

The congressman recounted his situation with good humor.

``Rob was more frustrated than I was,'' Issa said. ``He was facing going to Saudi Arabia without his Arab counterpart.''

On the Net:

Issa's office: http://www.house.gov/issa/

Wexler's office: http://www.house.gov/wexler/

[Lou in Mass.]

This article makes Issa look like a pompous ass; which pretty much describes most memebrs of Congress: "Don't you know who I am?!"

Get your pompous ass to the airport on time congressman!

[boycott]

We are all victims of Rep. Issa's GRANDSTANDING!!! That's what it's all about. You know he was hoping and provoking such a situation to draw attention to himself.

[clintonh8r]

Issa issa jerk.

[mombonn]

A report I heard tonight indicated that he was going to file a complaint.

He should be GRATEFUL that someone was on the job. He bought a ONE WAY ticket according to the report I heard, either FOX News or MSNBC.

These pompous "I'm sombodies" are starting to get on my nerves!

[K7TNW]

"...the intervention of Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla.,..."

Heck, the Wex is (prolly) the guy that pointed him out !!!

[Fixit]

There is a pretty funny thread already going about this article. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/557377/posts

Issama bin Laden

[Cultural Jihad]

Reminds me of an interview an airline stewardess gave on her book tour. Apparently a passenger was overly-demanding, and didn't care for the level of subservience he was being given. He asked the stewardess: "Do you know who I am?" Thereupon she loudly said, "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. There is a poor passenger here who does not know who he is. Can anyone help to identify him?"

[hinckley buzzard]

Absolutely. It reeks of Hitlery's attitude toward the "little people." Sorry to hear Issa's a Republican. Considering the circumstances, he was an arrogant damn son of a bitch and deserved to be booted.

So now we got an Arab and a Jew from congress, going to Saudi and Bahrain, to have talks on terrorism and Mideast relations?

I thought foreign policy was conducted by the executive branch, not a fricking dog and pony show.

[Deb]

You're exactly right. Not counting his name...which I wouldn't know was Lebonese, he fit the profile of someone to watch.

He should be happy they took special care with him and commend them. He's an idiot.

[Torie]

This guy is my congressman. His campaign hit literature during the primary was quite nauseating. The area is awash for GOP mediocrities at all levels. Chris Cox is about the only exception.

[KQQL]

Shouldn't he be buying the ticket from UNITED, AA etc.
American tax dollars should go to American based airlines, not the French Fries.

[caisson71]

Just like a congressman. What everyone of us has to go through is his "inconvenience". They just don't get the message and are so out of touch with the real world. How can we expect these clowns to nake real life decisions?

[Twodees]

Issa may have made it if Bobby Wexler hadn't put his two cents worth in. ;-)

[Left_Coast_Conservative]

I'm glad to hear the airlines are looking at people closely. It makes me feel better about flying. I'm not flying on my next trip, I'm driving, but it makes me feel better. I'm driving from Sacramento to Denver.

[OldFriend]

These guys are such jerks. Several years ago I watched a man arriving late for a flight on Lufthansa. His arriving flight had been delayed. Lufthansa felt they didn't have enough time to scrutinize his ticket, etc. and altho some were still boarding, the plane was only minutes from departure and they did NOT allow the ordinary looking white man arriving from Chicago to board. Frankly, this congresscritter would be the first to rush to the floor to complain if security was lax. And what was he doing with a one way ticket to Saudi Arabia anyway.

[mombonn]

These guys are such jerks.

They give jerks a bad name!

Frankly, this congresscritter would be the first to rush to the floor to complain if security was lax.

Absolutely right, he'd be "shocked, shocked", if ANYONE other than he had tried to get away with the same behavior!

[chatham]

Another Ugly American story.. He can blame Usama for his troubles. Jerk!!

[billva]

Wexler was probably foaming at the mouth like when the Florida vote was in question. I don't think I would want him to vouch for me.

[Jmouse007]

19 Hijackers/Mass murderers = 19 ARABS.

Sorry in case you haven't noticed Mr. Issa, this is WAR and these Arab/Muslim TERRORIST SAVAGES want to kill us all. As far as I am concerned, they can profile as many Arabs here as they want. The surprising thing is that even blacks aer overwhelmingly in support, fancy that. I guess they don't want to be killed either.

[sailor4321]

On the bright side, look at the progress the French have made. Sixty years ago they would have surrendered half the plane to him, then turned over to him all the jews sitting in their half....