Be Offensive

And my followers will drop...now.

As I flew back to Europe (on a Northwest flight through Detroit, no less) I couldn't help but thinking about what was to be a Christmas Day act of terrorism. (Yes, TERRORISM.) I got to thinking about the information that has since surfaced about the case:
-The man bought a one way ticket with cash, and checked no luggage.
-The man had no passport.
-The man was on some sort of list, and was feared by his own father.

The fact that these items (single handedly or collectively) failed to raise a red flag at any point along the way is pretty outrageous. Perhaps even more outrageous (no, not global warming, but that's crazy too), is that the possible security measures that could have prevented this attack are still being debated. Why? Because they are offensive. They invade privacy.

What I would like to know is in what universe does someones' privacy take precedence over my LIFE?! If a full body scan will help catch underwear bombers, then scan me- I hope you like the view. If my bags need to be searched, then so be it. If you need to feel me up to successfully pat me down, then you do what you have to do. Here's the deal- if you don't have anything to hide, then you don't have anything to worry about. Afraid somebody will see your underwear? Well, I am even more afraid that they won't see what's under the underwear of the guy next to me.

Further more, if you have reason to believe that there is a whacko on the loose by the name of Casey that matches my description, PROFILE ME. Please. Do not, however, pull a little old lady out of line when you should be spending your time on the man behind her. It's common sense.

Maybe it's offensive. So what. America needs to step up and do what needs to be done. Let's stop worrying about who will get their bombing panties in a wad and get real. Terrorists should be scared to step on a plane bound for the US, and if that take inconveniencing some people, then so be it. If that means that Muslims are screened, particularly those from suspect countries, then that's what we need to do. If that means that you have to have a passport (what a novel idea) then so be it. I'm tired of my safety being compromised for the comfort of someone else.

Be offensive.


**Update: I see that people agree, but take issue with the Muslim bit. I think you are missing my point. If we have proof that the current threat is from Muslim extremists (and we do) then why should our screeners have to spend extra time screening little old ladies from Memphis. If the suspect you are looking for only has one eye, do you question everyone with two eyes? No, you use the process of elimination to save yourself needless work. Check everyone, but spend time where it is needed. Am I saying that all Muslims are bad? No! What I am saying is that the extremists and terrorists we are being attacked by all have a common characteristic, and we should use that knowledge to our advantage in the screening process. As the queen of offensive Ann Coulter says, "Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims." (In context- she explains that this is regarding the current, not historical, world situation.) Or, "Airports scrupulously apply the same laughably ineffective airport harassment to Suzy Chapstick as to Muslim hijackers. It is preposterous to assume every passenger is a potential crazed homicidal maniac. We know who the homicidal maniacs are. They are the ones cheering and dancing right now."