[Charles Henrickson]

Your attempt at sarcasm and exaggeration of what I actually wrote is not very effective. All I am suggesting is that anyone who fits the most likely profile--Arab male non-U.S. citizens--that we search what they bring on airplanes. Innocent people who fit the profile will still be able to board planes. They just will need to have their stuff searched before boarding.

Osama bin Laden and his gang of thugs have declared war on the U.S. His people almost invariably fit the profile.

[SLM]

No, you mentioned that people who fit a "profile" should not be allowed to work at airports. That goes too far. Profiling passengers is fine.

Uscit, seems like we already have plenty of seething hatred within our borders without all the scary foreigners. Let me guess, you wish me dead for being such a traitor to your America for standing up for people WHO HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

[LSJohn]

How do you suggest that those of Middle Eastern origin (not to mention look-alike Mexicans, Indians, South American Indios, etc) demonstrate that they are citizens?

I see your point, but how do we decide of whom we will demand proof of citizenship? Then, after requiring that citizens carry proof with them before boarding, won't terrorists find ways to counterfeit that documentation?

IMO, we need to look for other means, but the next attacks won't involve commercial airliners anyway because simple non-intrusive measures -- like skymarshals -- will prevent it.

Your proposal IMO is an example of "fighting the last war." Now we will need to increase our security procedures to defeat bombings and bio/chem assaults.