2005/08/01

Why profiling doesn't work

The article "Europe Meets the New Face of Terrorism" points out the true problem of profiling: it's only good for teenagers and low "IQ" criminals. As 9/11 showed, terror masterminds are very sophisticated. They don't just keep trying the same formula over and over. Truck bombs haven't been used for some time now: USS Cole attack was with a boat, Madrid was on commuter trains, London was on subways and a bus. And the people went from immigrants to local citizens. Once they start using blue-eyed blond Muslims (like the American Taliban, John Walker Lindh) or Asian Muslims, then all bets are off. (Even the 9/11 hijackers were clean shaven, wearing your typical "western" casual clothing.)

Who are we going to profile now?