[pragmatic]

To follow up my own post with paranoia - Al-Queda et al aren't stupid. The next John "Taliban" Walker they get their hands on, they aren't going to stamp "fanatical convert" on his forehead. They might well clean him up and put him in a three piece suit with mission directives - and I'd hate to see him stroll through security just because they were only checking every Arab rug merchant that came into the airport.

[Dr. Frank fan]

They might well clean him up and put him in a three piece suit with mission directives - and I'd hate to see him stroll through security just because they were only checking every Arab rug merchant that came into the airport.

But again, no one "strolls through security"!! Not now, not even before 9/11!! No one!! Argh!! I'm so tired of reminding people of this simple fact!!

Now you're right if they give some sophisticated 007 type gear designed to get through regular screening to a white Johnny Jihader kid and send him on a plane, he just might get through the extra screening if we're profiling.

Heck, for that matter he is probably just as likely to get through extra screening if we're not profiling and only doing more or less "random" in-depth checks!

So you're right, profiling is not a panacea and will not usher in a new world utopian order of perfect airplane safety. You're right, a white kid could get through (just like a white kid could get through right now with no profiling!). In other words, good point: Profiling will not be 100% effective.

But why do you think that means it shouldn't be done at all? The mind boggles.

Do you wear seatbelts?