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A Culture of Caution; Crime Terrorism and every day life
Topic Started: Jun 11 2006, 09:37 AM (307 Views)
Sandra

are the security forces doing a good job behind the scenes? ...or are they scaring people unnecessarily

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2088-2220204,00.html


I went on holiday recently and was made a tad anxious by being thoroughly scanned x-rayed and prodded at two UK airports. On my return journey however I just felt slightly amused by the security lady rummaging in our suitcases wearing a thin pair of plastic gloves but she had no interest whatsoever in anything that we carried on in our hand - luggage. As you can see we got home in one piece.

Were we protected or was it simply a matter of good luck?

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Sandra
Jun 11 2006, 09:37 AM
are the security forces doing a good job behind the scenes? ...or  are they scaring people unnecessarily

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2088-2220204,00.html


I went on holiday recently and was made a tad anxious by being thoroughly scanned x-rayed and prodded at two UK airports. On my return journey however I just felt slightly amused by the security lady rummaging in our suitcases wearing a thin pair of plastic gloves but she had no interest whatsoever in anything that we carried  on in our hand - luggage. As you can see we got home in one piece.

Were we protected or was it simply a  matter of good luck?

Honestly, I think the security measures at the airports are a big joke. I do not mind one bit being screened, searched, and prodded. Just be fair and do EVERBODY. People of arab decent should not be singled out. Another McVeigh and Nicholls can walk right through without being searched while security harrasses an honest person of arab decent.

Good topic Sandra
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Merry
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I guess I was lucky when I went to the airport last year! I wasn't singled out, but I was made to take off my shoes, put my purse and personal effects (keys, cell phone) through the metal detector, and of course I had to go through that, too.

It's probably a necessary evil in this day and age, but since I've heard dangerous things can be made of plastic componants, I'm not too sure all these measures are that effective, anyway!

But thanks to the "Homeland Security Act", we can be scrutinized at any whim of the government's, and not much is "sacred" anymore!

It's really a shame! Even private conversations are open to being tapped in on! We citizens have lost alot of our basic rights.


:) Merry


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tonyhemp
Jun 11 2006, 10:36 AM
Honestly, I think the security measures at the airports are a big joke. I do not mind one bit being screened, searched, and prodded. Just be fair and do EVERBODY. People of arab decent should not be singled out. Another McVeigh and Nicholls can walk right through without being searched while security harrasses an honest person of arab decent.

Good topic Sandra

Luckily I've never actually witnessed such a thing. I've been singled out twice, probably just to balance the scales (I certainly don't think I'm a shady character!) and literally everyone has to go through the motions of removing all extras and being screened.

If I actually saw Arabs/Muslims being singled out at the airport, I'd be very upset. Just imagine if other races and religions were judged by acts commited by certain members. White people would win, hands down, and no one would trust us. But with white people having the bloodiest past, we're still supossedly the ones who can pass all the judgement. The last group to go through persecution was the blacks. Now it's the Arabs' turn. Sad... but I've been to lots of airports recently and, although I can't say what's been going on in people's heads, I haven't any noticed racism. I do hope that says something.

Anyway, good thread. Security precautions don't really bother me until they start interfering with human rights. And bursting into someone's home, for instance, and killing them, you might say interfere's slightly with their rights.
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Merry
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I didn't see any racial profiling when I went through airport security at our airport, probably because we have a high population of minorities and many were doing the screening themselves. But I'm sure it happens, and probably with alot more frquency then we hear about.

I do know that they can detain anyone they choose to, and I guess that's both good and bad. Going by a person's appearance or nationality isn't a very good gauge, but it's all they have to go on, I guess.

It's just a shame that things have brought us to this point!

Btw, right now it's also pretty tight getting into Canada. You need to show ID and proclaim your citizenship, although they don't use any forms of metal detectors, the officials do have the right to inspect your vehicle if they suspect anything. My son and I went through there a few years ago, and his old car was just a mess, he had it really full of junk. So naturally we were pulled over while they went through it! :lol: It was embarrassing, but we were allowed in!

:) Merry


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maccascruff
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I've had to take off my shoes, etc. at airports for years now. I don't see that it's really doing anything to help stop terrorism. Personally, I don't think that is the way the next attack will come and so much money has been spent on all the airport security. If I can think this way, why can't a terrorist think this way? I've been pulled over two to be prodded and my bags hand searched. I had no problem with it. Never figured out why they picked me, but I didn't care. If I hadn't complied, the plane would have left without me. ;)
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mozart8mytoe
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Before 2001, getting into the US was pretty easy (at least for those of us with a US passport). Just flash your passport and they wave you through. Since then it seems to get harder each time. The last time I came back it took a good ten minutes to answer all the questions and "prove" that I was who I said I was. I was coming back from Austria and the lackey clerk asked me if I saw any kangaroos. I just hope they know more about security than they do about geography.

By contrast, the last time I flew into Amsterdam there was a single security guard at the arrival gate and he stamped everyone's passport without a single question asked. The only problems are leaving Amsterdam. That is when they go nuts checking the luggage.

Security can be inconvenient, but if it prevents the plane I am on from going down, I am all for it. If bad people want to crash a plane, they would be better off hijacking a cargo plane anyway. Security there is crap.
Nurse, I spy gypsies. Run.
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SherryO
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Geez, I hope when Paul & I go to see his parents in Ontario this fall that we don't have a big hassle. Last time we went, I think in 2003, they confiscated a pair of nailclippers Paul had on his keychain. No big deal. He'd forgotten it was even there. He gladly surrendered it.
I'm with Mozart, if it keeps me safe, so be it. She's right, security at the cargo sheds sucks. But, don't tell anyone, ok? :blush:
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Bill
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Well, it keeps you safe from being manicured to death, if nothing else.
Put a puppet on it.
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mozart8mytoe
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Hey, if would be hooligans want to mess with my nails, I definitely have a problem with that. My fingers are my livelihood.

I am sure there are many ways to sneak dangerous items through security - in trained hands, anything can be dangerous - but I will gladly wait an extra hour in line if all the nail clippers are confiscated.
Nurse, I spy gypsies. Run.
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