AMERICANS FAVOR PROFILING – AT 10:02 A.M. ET:  The term "profiling" is inflammatory in certain circles.  For some, it conjures up images of racism and bigotry.  But, in fact, law enforcement uses modified forms of profiling every day because, with reasonable protections, it makes sense.  The American people agree, as Rasmussen found out:

The Christmas Day terrorist attempt by a Nigerian Muslim on a U.S. airliner has reignited the debate on racial and ethnic profiling in airports, but most Americans agree that profiling is necessary to ensure airline safety.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of adults say factors such as race, ethnicity and overall appearance should be used to determine which boarding passengers to search at airports. Twenty-six percent (26%) say these factors should not be used to determine which passengers to search. Another 15% are not sure.

Interestingly, however, even more Americans (71%) believe such profiling is necessary in today’s environment. Eighteen percent (18%) disagree and see profiling as an unnecessary violation of civil rights.

COMMENT:  I suspect there's far more profiling going on than authorities admit.  They have to profile.  If most car thefts, say, are committed by blond-haired men in their twenties, it makes sense, if you're hunting a car thief, to focus extra attention on blond-haired men in their twenties. 

The Israelis, who believe that you fight terror by looking at the individual first, not devices, profile regularly, but do it professionally.  A catastrophe aboard one of their airliners was averted by careful questioning of a passenger, who was being used, without her knowledge, to carry a bomb. 

Only when we get past our obsession with not "offending" will we make real progress in strengthening our security.

January 8,  2010