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Racial Profiling Not Racism: Malkin Protested at UCB
dailycal.org ^ | Tuesday, September 7, 2004 | ETHAN LUTSKE

Posted on 09/08/2004 11:20:50 PM PDT by risk

Opinion
Racial Profiling Not Racism
Profiling Can Be Intelligent Way to Prevent Future Terrorism

BY Ethan Lutske
Tuesday, September 7, 2004

Political conversations are supposed to be dispassionate. Ideally, we should be able to bandy about ideas freely, in a place where all notions and suggestions are given due consideration, deconstructed through logic, unencumbered by the weighing anchor of fragile emotion. But it rarely happens. A controversial idea will be inevitably blindsided by the accusation of intolerance toward some group. Racist. Sexist. Homophobe. Bigot.

Coming to campus tomorrow is a very controversial speaker, one who no doubt will be tagged with an aforementioned stain. Michelle Malkin is someone who advocates for racial profiling. A columnist and author, she is giving a lecture in favor of taking someone’s race, religion, and national origin into account when deciding how we should treat them for national security purposes. To these ends, she claims, we were right to be wary of the Japanese in World War II, and we are right to be wary of Islamic Arabs now. Sounds a bit racist, no? Well, I agree with her.

Although it sounds like a cliché, this country is facing a renewed crisis. We’ve faced them before, and we will face them again. Right now, we have a specific enemy, one we can control, one we can defeat. But we can’t do it by blindly ignoring who our enemy is in the name of political correctness.

Terrorists are not random people. They do not come equally from Nova Scotia, Finland, and Saudi Arabia. As much as it is difficult to confront it, our enemies today are mainly Arab, and mainly Islamic. Yes, there is the occasional Timothy McVeigh, but they do not represent the norm, if such a word can be used here.

And so I join with Ms. Malkin in advocating judicious use of racial and religious criteria in some security procedures. It’s not because I bear any ill will toward any groups which might be included.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I support this idea because it is the best way to ensure the safety and the liberties of all Americans. To take notice that 16 of the 19 hijackers were Arab Muslims from Saudi Arabia is not being racist. As Dennis Miller says, it’s being minimally observant.

Racism is a blot to be sparingly used. There are true racists in this world, those who call for the extermination and degradation of Jews, Muslim, Blacks, whoever. But an honest person shouldn’t have to tip-toe around the issue, trying to avoid the smudge of racism. We should all be able to read, think, and talk critically, kneading ideas without having a visceral reaction of recoil and dismissal.

I’ve been called a racist before, and I’m sure I’ll be called a racist again. But this isn’t a reason to change ones views. When I look at the facts, when I look at how our world is currently constituted, I see what I see. This is a time when the overriding motives and characteristics of those who wish to kill us are inextricably sewn up with race and religion. Am we supposed to ignore this?

We have just seen yet another example of Islamic fanatic terrorism in Russia. But the world seems to be ignoring the fact that these perpetrators were Islamic extremists. Are we to ignore reality in favor of a more comforting mirage?

We attend one of the great academic institutions in the world. We should be able to listen to ideas. Tomorrow night a woman is coming here with an idea that seems offensive to some: that we should put a little extra scrutiny on someone simply because of the color of their skin. Dr. King would be dismayed. But he didn’t have to face this threat.

No serious person advocates rounding up all Muslims, but to take their religion and national origin into account, to add those qualities to a list of other possible criteria, seems reasonable, and in fact, necessary. You think it’s offensive and racist? That does me no good. But, you have a logical and rational reason why it’s useless? Then come speak to me. I’d love to be proven wrong. I’m sure Ms. Malkin would also.

To advocate scrutiny based on race is an unpleasant necessity. But it’s what my logical mind tells me. So, think about it. Civilly debate it. Listen to the arguments. Then, please, tell me why I’m wrong.

Ethan Lutske is a third-year UC Berkeley political science student. Respond at opinion@dailycal.org.

(c) 2003 The Daily Californian
Berkeley, CA
dailycal@dailycal.org

Printable URL: http://www.dailycal.org/particle.asp?id=15979
Original URL: http://www.daiylcal.org/article.asp?=15979


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Israel; Mexico; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; Russia; US: California; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: academia; aliens; aztlaniscoming; berkeley; berzerkeley; illegalimmigration; immigrantlist; islamist; malkin; michelle; profiling; ucb
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Based on the ABC7 report I just saw, Michelle's free speech was protected from the loud protests she endured. A visiting Japanese professor on campus organized some of her students, who were sent out to protest the Berkeley Campus Repubican event.

Michelle Malkin speaking event on Wednesday, Sept 8!

On Wednesday, September 8th, the Berkeley College Republicans will be hosting Fox News analyst and bestselling author Michelle Malkin. She will be speaking about her latest book, In Defense of Internment: The Case for 'Racial Profiling' in World War II and the War on Terror. Mrs. Malkin adds desperately needed perspective to the ongoing debate about the balance between civil liberties and national security. The event will be held in 145 Dwinelle at 7 pm.

Please note that no large signs or banners will be allowed into the room. In addition, we ask that everyone show Mrs. Malkin respect by not interrupting her during the speech.


1 posted on 09/08/2004 11:20:52 PM PDT by risk
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To: B4Ranch; Travis McGee; neverdem; nopardons; GeronL; WayneM; NewRomeTacitus; henderson field; ...
Michelle Malkin ping! Go UCB Republicans!
2 posted on 09/08/2004 11:27:26 PM PDT by risk
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To: risk

We don't need to use racial profiling at airport security. It isn't very reliable anyway. Some radical Muslims don't happen to be Arab.

Instead, why not serve a mandatory pork Slim Jim before boarding! :)


3 posted on 09/08/2004 11:27:32 PM PDT by the_Watchman
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To: the_Watchman

Because observant Jews would be offended.


4 posted on 09/08/2004 11:29:08 PM PDT by nopardons
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To: the_Watchman

Ha! You get the watermellon bombers at the same time...


5 posted on 09/08/2004 11:29:29 PM PDT by risk
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To: the_Watchman

No Slim Jim? ==> STRIP SEARCH and NO CARRYONS!

See, no racial profiling is necessary! :)


6 posted on 09/08/2004 11:29:55 PM PDT by the_Watchman
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To: risk

According to Chris Matthews, Michelle Malkin also READS BOOKS.

The woman has to be stopped.


7 posted on 09/08/2004 11:30:43 PM PDT by VisualizeSmallerGovernment (Question Liberal Authority)
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To: the_Watchman

Some brilliant Freeper (not me) suggested that each airline have the following feature at the jetway entrance:

PAT THE PIG


8 posted on 09/08/2004 11:32:40 PM PDT by bootless (Never Forget - And Never Again)
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To: VisualizeSmallerGovernment

From the maniacal faces seen among the protesters would suggest they agree.


9 posted on 09/08/2004 11:33:47 PM PDT by risk
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To: risk

One cannot "advocate" for a term that was made up out of whole cloth precisely to be something to be railed against, not for what it is, but for what it isn't. "Racial Profiling" is, by definition, wrong. Unfortunately, it doesn't end there - because of who gets to define what "it" is - and what it "is". In the modern world where not much gets done other than a whole lot of verbal diahreah, word meanings constantly mutate according to the needs of the moment - start out with an innocuous, reasonable definition, say, harassment of specific racial groups without cause due to prejudicial hatred - Of course that's wrong.

Except, it doesn't end there. The much vaunted self-appointed experts decide that what was formerly known as "Good Police Work" is really evidence of some sort of mental defect, and to expiate our collective guilt it's necessary to strip search grandmothers and divest same of their fingernail clippers, all in order so that everyone undergoes some equal form of misery. Makes you feel good, don't it?


10 posted on 09/08/2004 11:54:05 PM PDT by Freedom4US
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To: risk

Hey, risk, you have to pit me on any Michelle Malkin ping list for now :o)


11 posted on 09/09/2004 12:03:48 AM PDT by tame (Are you willing to do for the truth what leftists are willing to do for a lie?)
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To: risk
A good friend went to hear her speak tonight but couldn't get in (Filled to capacity with hysterical screamers). He actually got to see her up close as she entered and verified that she was indeed as beautiful as she seems on TV. He stuck around outside to talk to some of the "protesters" and said actually it was a target rich environment for conservatives. Some of the students actually were curious to hear the other side and were irritated that the cry babies were drowning her out. More speakers should be like the fearless Michelle, march into the belly of the beast and attempt a gastric lavage.
12 posted on 09/09/2004 12:08:53 AM PDT by lainde (Heads up...We're coming and we've got tongue blades!!)
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To: tame

Hi tame, my ping lists are dynamic. I look for keywords and for people who often ping me on the same subjects... I'll remember to ping you if you often ping me :)


13 posted on 09/09/2004 12:10:12 AM PDT by risk
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To: lainde; B4Ranch; Jaysun
Love that post! I learned a new word: lavage

First Lady Laura Bush said that we're entering a new era of pamphelteering in America, much like the days before the American revolution. Hmmm, your post has the flavor and the fire. She could be right.

14 posted on 09/09/2004 12:14:45 AM PDT by risk
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To: risk
I'll remember to ping you if you often ping me :)

Okay :o) I used to keep ping lists, but lately I've been going off the top of my head. I need to organize ping lists for certain subjects (pro-life ping, illegal alien ping, etc.)

15 posted on 09/09/2004 12:42:07 AM PDT by tame (Are you willing to do for the truth what leftists are willing to do for a lie?)
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To: tame; John Robinson

It's too bad we don't have a ping list management system. Your personal preferences could indicate if you wanted invitations, and you could maintain your own lists, as well.


16 posted on 09/09/2004 12:43:52 AM PDT by risk
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To: the_Watchman
Instead, why not serve a mandatory pork Slim Jim before boarding!

I wouldn't eat one of those nasty things, and I'm a white guy.
17 posted on 09/09/2004 12:55:33 AM PDT by graycamel
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To: risk

If what Lutske wants is reason, he's picked the wrong campus. All a conservative speaker will find here is screaming and violence and that's the way the faculty and administration want it. Wish I could find that photo of the campus book burners. These students looked just like their counterparts in 1936 nazi Germany. Michelle will be lucky to get away from these screeching animals in one piece.


18 posted on 09/09/2004 12:57:28 AM PDT by Bonaparte (and guess who sighs his lullabies, to nights that never end...)
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To: risk

Yes, that would be nice!


19 posted on 09/09/2004 12:58:20 AM PDT by tame (Are you willing to do for the truth what leftists are willing to do for a lie?)
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To: Syncro

Did you make it to the event?


20 posted on 09/09/2004 1:10:41 AM PDT by CounterCounterCulture (Remember, name and town, name and town, if you wish to opine)
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