Tell me again why profiling for terrorists doesn't work?

[futurebeachbum]

In this CNN article Authorities in Maryland arrest man in alleged bomb plot they reference the four most recent prevented bombing incidents:

Authorities in Maryland arrested a Baltimore man Wednesday on suspicion of plotting to bomb a military recruiting station, the U.S. attorney's office said.
The man -- described as a 21-year-old American who converted to Islam -- is upset that the military continues to kill Muslims

Later in the article they discuss the other 2 recent domestic big bombing plots:

On November 26, Oregon State University student Mohamed Osman Mohamud, 19, was arrested after he allegedly attempted to detonate what he thought was an explosives-laden van parked near a tree-lighting ceremony at Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square, authorities have said.

and

In October, Faisal Shahzad, a Pakistani-American, was sentenced to life in prison for a botched attempt to bomb New York's Times Square.
He was accused of attempting to set off a vehicle bomb in Times Square on May 1. The bomb failed to detonate,
...
Prosecutors said he carefully selected his location as a highly populated target and intended to strike again if he wasn't caught the first time. He pleaded guilty in June to all 10 counts in the indictment against him.

and of course, the underwear bomber is mentioned

On December 25, 2009, Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab, the British-educated son of a Nigerian bank executive, allegedly attempted to set off a bomb sewn into his underwear on a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam, Netherlands, as it approached Detroit, Michigan.

I am only an engineer, not a criminologist or anti-terrorism expert, but I believe that there must be some common attributes here that all 4 share that could help me narrow down the search and spot the bad guys sooner.

 

[Matt J]

Under 30? That would describe your son too though.

 

[scooterbug44]

There is some degree of profiling that goes on, and you look at those cases and think you see a common thread, but it isn't enough of one to do any good.

The only thing all 4 of them had in common was that they were young males and believed in Islam. Some were born to Islam, some converted. Their methods, country of origin, race, location, motivation, and profession are all different.

 

[Lake View Too]

There is some degree of profiling that goes on, and you look at those cases and think you see a common thread, but it isn't enough of one to do any good.

The only thing all 4 of them had in common was that they were young males and believed in Islam. Some were born to Islam, some converted. Their methods, country of origin, race, location, motivation, and profession are all different.

I really don't think the lack of apparent profiling is political correctness run amok. It is probably the fact that if we lean towards profiling too much, the terrorists could use that against us. Being viligant towards all forms of possible assailants is really the best way.

 

[scooterbug44]

I totally agree - was just trying to point out the futility of calling for "profiling" when those 4 individuals cases had so little in common (if looked at objectively).

Rereading, my cut and paste did not work too well and clarity was lost.

 

[Bob]

make everyone have a bite of a pulled pork sandwich

 

[futurebeachbum]

make everyone have a bite of a pulled pork sandwich

Or even more telling... if they turn this down, they need additional screening.

 

[scooterbug44]

Yes, because sleeper agents or people on a mission NEVER adopt other customs or violate their religious tenets as a means to an end.

Killing civilians violates the basic tenets of Islam. Bombing little kids violates the basic tenets of Islam. Bacon isn't even an issue. :roll:

 

[Matt J]

Yes, because sleeper agents or people on a mission NEVER adopt other customs or violate their religious tenets as a means to an end.

Killing civilians violates the basic tenets of Islam. Bombing little kids violates the basic tenets of Islam. Bacon isn't even an issue. :roll:

Don't be so sure, look at all the do or die stuff in the bible that people overlook, but seem to dwell on the random iffy crap in the chapter that was canceled out by the newer chapter.

 

[scooterbug44]

Nope, I'm pretty clear on those. Not killing innocent people or harming children is basically one of the Muslim "10 commandments" so if they are willing to break those, they are willing to break more minor ones.