As an American of Japanese Ancestry, I'm sensitive--perhaps overly so, I admit--to the entire notion of profiling on the basis of race or national origin. Nevertheless, I'm appalled at the cavalier attitude expressed in many posts in this thread...which, after all, began with a warning about behavior that might be misinterpreted.

I understand the reality that the majority in this country, never a tolerant bunch to begin with, will more readily than ever be prepared to point suspicious fingers at a "suspect group." But finger-pointing absent reasonable cause undermines the foundation upon which this nation is built, as history clearly shows.

I've stayed out of the political discussions of the aftermath of the week's tragic events, but I can't be silent any longer given what's been said both in this thread, and in one FlyerTalker's personal tale, which is in the Trip Reports board at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/002144.html

I'd suggest reading that post and thinking what it might be like to walk in that FlyerTalker's shoes today.