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Flashpoint · 11-22-2006, 01:48 PM

All bets are off in Airport security. You will not be treated on the basis of your civil rights.

You will be judged on your behavior and treated accordingly.

The fact is, if you tell a joke about a bomb, you might just wind up naked in a room with a finger up your ass. Sorry, security isn’t taking any chances. This is a well known fact. Not how it should be, just how it is. Free speech doesn’t apply in the departure lounge.

This isn’t an issue of religious freedom. It is one of race. If they were talking about Saddam Hussein and were white, they might have gotten away with it. But they aren’t white. Neither was anybody else who has blown up a plane in the last 30 odd years. Hence racial profiling.

Racial profiling is a fact of life when it comes to Airport security. Sorry, security isn’t taking any chances. I’m not saying it is correct, or the way it should be, just that is the way it is. Freedom from racial discrimination doesn’t apply in the departure lounge.

As far as religious freedom goes, if you are a Muslim traveling in the US, you should be aware of the political climate in the United States towards Muslims. Particularly in an airport where most people’s minds are going to turn at some point towards terrorisim. I am not saying it is right or correct. Just the way that it is. There are a lot of scared people out there. Religous tolerance doesn't extend to the departure lounge.

So you have 3 Muslims who decided to publicly pray in the departure lounge. If they didn’t realize this was going upset folks, they are the ones who are ignorant about the realities of airplane travel in the US and paid the price for their ignorance. If they knew it had the potential to upset others who might be intolerant of their actions, and did it anyway, then they were inconsiderate and probably got what they deserved. Security isn’t going to take chances when a planeload of frightened Americans start bitching about 3 Muslims making a big deal about praying before a flight.

They then apparently got into a heated discussion about Middle Eastern politics. Bad idea, especially if you just publicly prayed to your god, and are clearly Middle Eastern. Why not make some bomb jokes while you are at it for good measure?

Given those circumstances, I am not surprised airport security took a look at them. Add to that the fact most airport rental cops are not the fullest cans in the six pack, and a 5 hour unintentional layover isn't exactly unexpected.

What's the flip side? Suppose they were praying quietly, there was no discussion of politics, and they were polite and curteous to all the airline staff and security? If they were still booted from the flight then it is a serious transgression, and I am totally on their side.

The truth probably falls somewhere between the two.

11-22-2006, 01:48 PM	#10
Flashpoint Not the 1 millionth post winnar Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles Exp:	All bets are off in Airport security. You will not be treated on the basis of your civil rights. You will be judged on your behavior and treated accordingly. The fact is, if you tell a joke about a bomb, you might just wind up naked in a room with a finger up your ass. Sorry, security isn’t taking any chances. This is a well known fact. Not how it should be, just how it is. Free speech doesn’t apply in the departure lounge. This isn’t an issue of religious freedom. It is one of race. If they were talking about Saddam Hussein and were white, they might have gotten away with it. But they aren’t white. Neither was anybody else who has blown up a plane in the last 30 odd years. Hence racial profiling. Racial profiling is a fact of life when it comes to Airport security. Sorry, security isn’t taking any chances. I’m not saying it is correct, or the way it should be, just that is the way it is. Freedom from racial discrimination doesn’t apply in the departure lounge. As far as religious freedom goes, if you are a Muslim traveling in the US, you should be aware of the political climate in the United States towards Muslims. Particularly in an airport where most people’s minds are going to turn at some point towards terrorisim. I am not saying it is right or correct. Just the way that it is. There are a lot of scared people out there. Religous tolerance doesn't extend to the departure lounge. So you have 3 Muslims who decided to publicly pray in the departure lounge. If they didn’t realize this was going upset folks, they are the ones who are ignorant about the realities of airplane travel in the US and paid the price for their ignorance. If they knew it had the potential to upset others who might be intolerant of their actions, and did it anyway, then they were inconsiderate and probably got what they deserved. Security isn’t going to take chances when a planeload of frightened Americans start bitching about 3 Muslims making a big deal about praying before a flight. They then apparently got into a heated discussion about Middle Eastern politics. Bad idea, especially if you just publicly prayed to your god, and are clearly Middle Eastern. Why not make some bomb jokes while you are at it for good measure? Given those circumstances, I am not surprised airport security took a look at them. Add to that the fact most airport rental cops are not the fullest cans in the six pack, and a 5 hour unintentional layover isn't exactly unexpected. What's the flip side? Suppose they were praying quietly, there was no discussion of politics, and they were polite and curteous to all the airline staff and security? If they were still booted from the flight then it is a serious transgression, and I am totally on their side. The truth probably falls somewhere between the two. __________________ "Isles give up 3 picks for 5.5 mil of cap space. Oilers give up a pick and a player to take on 5.5 mil." -Bax Last edited by Flashpoint; 11-22-2006 at 01:57 PM.