Report : Two Men Escorted Off Boston Flight For Speaking Arabic

[Super19]

I posted this in the other thread relating to the Boston Marathon bombings but realize it better fits this one.

Tim Wise on "White Privilege"

"White privilege is knowing that even if the Boston Marathon bomber turns out to be white, his or her identity will not result in white folks generally being singled out for suspicion by law enforcement, or the TSA, or the FBI.

White privilege is knowing that even if the bomber turns out to be white, no one will call for whites to be profiled as terrorists as a result, subjected to special screening, or threatened with deportation."

http://www.timwise.o...r-of-whiteness/

[VICanucksfan5551]

I posted this in the other thread relating to the Boston Marathon bombings but realize it better fits this one.

Tim Wise on "White Privilege"

"White privilege is knowing that even if the Boston Marathon bomber turns out to be white, his or her identity will not result in white folks generally being singled out for suspicion by law enforcement, or the TSA, or the FBI.

White privilege is knowing that even if the bomber turns out to be white, no one will call for whites to be profiled as terrorists as a result, subjected to special screening, or threatened with deportation."

http://www.timwise.o...r-of-whiteness/

[Ossi Vaananen]

If it really is the case that marathoners were on that flight, then it's completely understandable that they would express concern. The fact is the wound is still open, and marathoners have a right to be fearful of their lives being in jeopardy, especially not 24 hours since the incident occurs.

Yes, of course the objective of any terrorist cell (homegrown or international), is to promote fear. It's unfortunate that this occurred, however if it was the case that there were individuals who participated in the marathon and were on that flight - that were genuinely scarred for their livelihood - then it is reasonable that they would want safety regardless of potential racism.

If it is the case, that the two Arab speaking individuals were in separate areas of the plan speaking Arab - I for one would also find that strange. If they aren't communicating to one another, then are they talking to themselves? Or is it the case that they're speaking on their phones when the attendant has asked them to be turned off? (another perfectly good reason to be escorted off the plane).

Am I defending racism? - No, however a mulligan concerning an event that is still very fresh on our minds is perfectly reasonable.

[Apricot]

Joke. Just a complete god damn joke.

[Super19]

If it really is the case that marathoners were on that flight, then it's completely understandable that they would express concern. The fact is the wound is still open, and marathoners have a right to be fearful of their lives being in jeopardy, especially not 24 hours since the incident occurs.

Yes, of course the objective of any terrorist cell (homegrown or international), is to promote fear. It's unfortunate that this occurred, however if it was the case that there were individuals who participated in the marathon and were on that flight - that were genuinely scarred for their livelihood - then it is reasonable that they would want safety regardless of potential racism.

If it is the case, that the two Arab speaking individuals were in separate areas of the plan speaking Arab - I for one would also find that strange. If they aren't communicating to one another, then are they talking to themselves? Or is it the case that they're speaking on their phones when the attendant has asked them to be turned off? (another perfectly good reason to be escorted off the plane).

Am I defending racism? - No, however a mulligan concerning an event that is still very fresh on our minds is perfectly reasonable.

[Ossi Vaananen]

No, what you said is xenophobic and you're trying to justify it. It's an airplane - a place where many different languages are spoken. Why be scared if someone is speaking Arabic? Honestly, why report them? Do you have any idea how miniscule the percentage is of the chances that an Arabic speaking person is responsible for terroristic activities? It's very very small.

You don't look at a non muslim with suspicion, but if you were on that flight would you suspect an Arab or Muslim? You say you're not defending racism... so you're promoting xenophobia? It's okay and "understandable" that this happened? No, I don;t think it is. I think it's unbelievable and the exact type of xenophobia you'd hope doesn't have to exist.

And ya, really, throw a guy off the plane because he was on his phone. Granted you don't do it if you're told not to but really? Not even warning, just throw the guy off the plane?

[VICanucksfan5551]

I am not spreading fear or xenophobia at all, I am simply saying that the concern of those recently afflicted by such a tragedy (the marathoners) outweighs that of the inconvenience of a pair of Arab passengers. You haven't given me a reason as to why either was speaking Arab, when not speaking to one another. I attempted to bridge that gap by assuming they were speaking on their respective phones, of which is not permitted by any commercial aircraft. If you have another means of explaining that - feel free.

[AllEyezOnMe]

When I clicked on this post I was almost sure I was going to see much hate or racism against middle easterners about how they "shouldn't have been speaking in arabic like that especially in a time like this" but I saw the exact opposite and reading some of your guys posts made me feel happy to be Canadian and a part of this great nation so thank you appreciate it.

[Gurn]

"tragedy (the marathoners) outweighs that of the inconvenience of a pair of Arab passengers"

So as long as it was just a pair of Arabs it is ok?

How about if it was a pair of ........... would that still be ok?

Taken to a bit of an extreme is it ok if all the dentists get kicked off because well, who likes dentists anyway.

[UFTcan]

[UFTcan]

The truth of this matter is racial profiling does work, Isreal does it and their airports are the most secure in the world.

Critics say this method is racist, since it involves racial profiling. Arab passengers, or non-Jews, for example, are routinely subjected to greater questioning than are Israeli Jews.

Backers point out that the system works. The last time an El Al Israel Airlines aircraft was successfully hijacked was in 1968.

Moreover, no aircraft has ever been hijacked out of Ben Gurion Airport. The terrorists who took over an Air France flight in 1976 - the hijacking which culminated in the Israeli army's rescue of the hostages in Entebbe, Uganda - boarded the plane during a stopover in Athens.

Although airport officials insist that 'we do not give any information regarding our safety procedures and methods,' enough is known of Ben Gurion's security practices to ignite the debate whether other airports in the world should 'Israelify' their security.

It's a debate which has become more urgent since December 25, when Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up an aircraft en route from Amsterdam to Detroit.

Advocates of the Israeli method say he would never have been allowed onto an aircraft leaving Ben Gurion airport. The multi- layered, not always obvious, security in place would ensure that he would have aroused suspicion, and been stopped, questioned and arrested long before he boarded his flight.

[DarthNinja]

The truth of this matter is racial profiling does work, Isreal does it and their airports are the most secure in the world.

Critics say this method is racist, since it involves racial profiling. Arab passengers, or non-Jews, for example, are routinely subjected to greater questioning than are Israeli Jews.

Backers point out that the system works. The last time an El Al Israel Airlines aircraft was successfully hijacked was in 1968.

Moreover, no aircraft has ever been hijacked out of Ben Gurion Airport. The terrorists who took over an Air France flight in 1976 - the hijacking which culminated in the Israeli army's rescue of the hostages in Entebbe, Uganda - boarded the plane during a stopover in Athens.

Although airport officials insist that 'we do not give any information regarding our safety procedures and methods,' enough is known of Ben Gurion's security practices to ignite the debate whether other airports in the world should 'Israelify' their security.

It's a debate which has become more urgent since December 25, when Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up an aircraft en route from Amsterdam to Detroit.

Advocates of the Israeli method say he would never have been allowed onto an aircraft leaving Ben Gurion airport. The multi- layered, not always obvious, security in place would ensure that he would have aroused suspicion, and been stopped, questioned and arrested long before he boarded his flight.

[Scott Hartnell's Mane]

I'll bet you 20 bucks if you took these cretins who escorted these people off the plane for speaking Arabic...and you had some way comparatively for them to overhear two people speaking Klingon...they couldn't tell the difference. This is cultural profiling is what this is.

[KoreanHockeyFan]

This hasn't been posted yet?

[Buddhas Hand]

That's sad because it's probably true. They'd probably target a language next if that was the case. What a world we live in eh