Originally Posted by PatrickHenry1775
The terrorists al-Qaeda is recruiting to replace the typical "middle easterner" profile share some common characteristics. They tend to frequent radical mosques, which means they subscribe to the virulent brand of Islam.
And you think the TSA is going to know who subscribes to what religion how?
They are not here in the United States, at least according to available news reports. Given these characteristics, it should be possible to narrow down persons of interest for additional attention, i.e. those who have been overseas.
So when we leave the country do we get our hands stamped or dipped in permanent ink to let the TSA forever know that we've been tainted by being outside the country?
Other governments can cooperate and keep tabs on those who frequent radical mosques and listen to so-called clerics. Even here in the United States, entering a mosque does not carry a privacy interest. Law enforcement and intelligence can observe a mosque, church, or synogogue to note who enters.
This is done a lot more in places like Britain, but hasn't been done so much in the US since stuff like COINTELPRO and other such abuses. Probably we'll see more of it from the FBI in the future, however.
These are non-intrusive first steps to develop some idea of people who should receive extra attention at airport checkpoints. We all realize that there are only so many resources to spend on aviation security. Those finite resources should be expended in such a manner as to maximize their effectiveness. Everyone should receive some baseline level of security - WTMD, X-ray of bags, ideally puffers and scanners - but pay more attention to those who are more likely to be terrorists. Seems like mere common sense.
How do you suggest that the TSA find out about people who have been abroad or go to mosques, etc.?