Comments on: "Half-Arab, half-Jewish housewife" terrorized on 9/11 for Flying While Dark-Skinned http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sun, 19 May 2013 11:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Nicholas Sweeten http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211988 Nicholas Sweeten Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211988 How about a T-shirt that just says "Arrest me, Im Arabic" How about a T-shirt that just says “Arrest me, Im Arabic”

]]> By: Michael Smith http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211985 Michael Smith Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211985 <blockquote>Did I hear that right? You're suggesting the seat-assignment software be reworked so that no one dark-skinned happens to be seated next to someone else dark-skinned?</blockquote>It might be in the interest of the airline to use seat allocation software which distributes lone travelers through the aircraft rather than putting them beside each other. A better idea would be to hold people responsible for stupid complaints.

Did I hear that right? You’re suggesting the seat-assignment software be reworked so that no one dark-skinned happens to be seated next to someone else dark-skinned?

It might be in the interest of the airline to use seat allocation software which distributes lone travelers through the aircraft rather than putting them beside each other. A better idea would be to hold people responsible for stupid complaints.

]]> By: teapot http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211890 teapot Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211890 What an excellent follower you are! What an excellent follower you are!

]]> By: BenME http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211865 BenME Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211865 Yeah, it's true if you only consider terrorism coming from the middle east.  If you figure in the anti-abortion terrorism and all the rest of the domestic terrorism, the statistics change a lot.  Yeah, it’s true if you only consider terrorism coming from the middle east.  If you figure in the anti-abortion terrorism and all the rest of the domestic terrorism, the statistics change a lot. 

]]> By: BenME http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211861 BenME Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211861 That you are willing to sacrifice others' liberty for your own safety is pathetic.  Not quite the heroic willingness to sacrifice their own safety to protect others' liberty that our armed forces demonstrate every day.  You deserve neither liberty nor safety (to paraphrase someone much smarter and more original than myself). That you are willing to sacrifice others’ liberty for your own safety is pathetic.  Not quite the heroic willingness to sacrifice their own safety to protect others’ liberty that our armed forces demonstrate every day.  You deserve neither liberty nor safety (to paraphrase someone much smarter and more original than myself).

]]> By: BenME http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211858 BenME Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211858 Yes...someone did a skit proposing just that...all air travel should be nude.  But of course airlines are already going bankrupt as it is! Yes…someone did a skit proposing just that…all air travel should be nude.  But of course airlines are already going bankrupt as it is!

]]> By: BenME http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211854 BenME Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211854 No you wouldn't have, for fear of being put through WORSE.  She wanted to get home, and it's made very clear in these situations that if you don't cooperate exactly and immediately, there will be consequences (none of which involve getting home to your family more quickly).  As for asserting your rights in a non-confrontational way, forget it.  You gave up your rights when the country reelected Bush and congress rubber-stamped the Patriot act, the short-hand version of which reads "those claiming to be protecting the country from bad guys are PATRIOTS and can do whatever they like and anyone who challenges them is NOT A PATRIOT and can be detained at will." No you wouldn’t have, for fear of being put through WORSE.  She wanted to get home, and it’s made very clear in these situations that if you don’t cooperate exactly and immediately, there will be consequences (none of which involve getting home to your family more quickly).  As for asserting your rights in a non-confrontational way, forget it.  You gave up your rights when the country reelected Bush and congress rubber-stamped the Patriot act, the short-hand version of which reads “those claiming to be protecting the country from bad guys are PATRIOTS and can do whatever they like and anyone who challenges them is NOT A PATRIOT and can be detained at will.”

]]> By: palad http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211836 palad Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211836 That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

]]> By: Mustang Girl http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211831 Mustang Girl Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211831 you can't get anything done in a single term... sadly with out government running the way it is, it can take 3-5 years to get something passed you can’t get anything done in a single term… sadly with out government running the way it is, it can take 3-5 years to get something passed

]]> By: Andrew Gaz http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211775 Andrew Gaz Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211775 I say we allow the Economy to fail, why do we want this country to stay alive if shit like this is going to keep happening. I say we allow the Economy to fail, why do we want this country to stay alive if shit like this is going to keep happening.

]]> By: SteveHolton http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211722 SteveHolton Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211722 Perhaps you missed this one:  http://www.politechbot.com/p-04973.html Subject: I was ejected from an airplane today for wearing a "Suspected Terrorist" button. Perhaps you missed this one:
 http://www.politechbot.com/p-04973.html
Subject: I was ejected from an airplane today for wearing a “Suspected Terrorist” button.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211602 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211602 <blockquote>I haven't flown since last October. All that's happened is that I've missed out on several family vacations.</blockquote>So what's the down side?

I haven’t flown since last October. All that’s happened is that I’ve missed out on several family vacations.

So what’s the down side?

]]> By: Brother Phil http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211571 Brother Phil Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211571 This reminds me of James Blish's "Cities in Flight" series - the Cold War was deemed to have been won by the soviets, after the US transformed itself into a copy of the USSR. This reminds me of James Blish’s “Cities in Flight” series – the Cold War was deemed to have been won by the soviets, after the US transformed itself into a copy of the USSR.

]]> By: Brother Phil http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211565 Brother Phil Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211565 They both do what they're intended to do - keep the American people scared, obedient, and conditioned to instantly obeying orders. They're great value for money - America's masters not only get an effective whip, but the sheep pay for it themselves, and demand more of it. They both do what they’re intended to do – keep the American people scared, obedient, and conditioned to instantly obeying orders. They’re great value for money – America’s masters not only get an effective whip, but the sheep pay for it themselves, and demand more of it.

]]> By: SuperGauntlet http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211552 SuperGauntlet Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211552 I would dive into a rant about racist asshats in power with no regard for civil liberties, but I think everything worth saying has been said enough. I would dive into a rant about racist asshats in power with no regard for civil liberties, but I think everything worth saying has been said enough.

]]> By: Jody Radzik http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211503 Jody Radzik Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211503 Clearly, the report of suspicious behavior was the work of a paranoid Christian dominionist. Clearly, the report of suspicious behavior was the work of a paranoid Christian dominionist.

]]> By: Belinda Contague http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211459 Belinda Contague Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211459 NOT flying is NOT the answer. You know, I went vegetarian for 5 years once, because, "one person can make a difference," and, "every vote counts."  Statistics show that the rest of the world didn't give a damn. I haven't flown since last October.  All that's happened is that I've missed out on several family vacations.   They don't care, they don't have to, they're the airlines.   NOT flying is NOT the answer.
You know, I went vegetarian for 5 years once, because, “one person can make a difference,” and, “every vote counts.”  Statistics show that the rest of the world didn’t give a damn.
I haven’t flown since last October.  All that’s happened is that I’ve missed out on several family vacations.  
They don’t care, they don’t have to, they’re the airlines.  

]]> By: Joseph Brown http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211410 Joseph Brown Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211410 Thanks Mike!  This is a disgrace, and you have the best idea for how to deal with it.  Find your representatives here:  http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml Thanks Mike!  This is a disgrace, and you have the best idea for how to deal with it.  Find your representatives here:  http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

]]> By: micmac http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211384 micmac Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211384 Here's what I did about it: Dear Senator Schumer, As a New Yorker and an American, recent news about the treatment of passengers aboard airplanes who are deemed "suspicious" has me greatly concerned. Recently, aboard a Frontier Airlines flight to Detroit, a woman was labelled as suspicious along with two men who were allegedly strangers to her. According to reports, she was then forcibly removed from the plane by law enforcement, cuffed, and held in a cell or room for hours. This is making us less safe! Not only does it foster some amount of distrust of law enforcement in some people, but it does something even worse. This is not a civil liberties issue, it is a security issue. We are reminded as conscientious Americans that if we see something, we should say something. So I ask you, Senator Schumer, if you thought such treatment may befall one of your fellow Americans, who turns out to be innocent, just because you thought she looked suspicious, would you say something if you weren't quite certain? I am a conscientious American, but I am also a decent guy. So I tell you now, that I will never speak up about someone just because I think they look suspicious. I do not want to be responsible for my fellow Americans being treated this way - or even visitors to this fine country. And I won't do it because of stories like this. And for that, we are less safe. Yours truly, Mike McIntyre Here’s what I did about it:

Dear Senator Schumer,

As a New Yorker and an American, recent news about the treatment of passengers aboard airplanes who are deemed “suspicious” has me greatly concerned. Recently, aboard a Frontier Airlines flight to Detroit, a woman was labelled as suspicious along with two men who were allegedly strangers to her. According to reports, she was then forcibly removed from the plane by law enforcement, cuffed, and held in a cell or room for hours.

This is making us less safe!

Not only does it foster some amount of distrust of law enforcement in some people, but it does something even worse. This is not a civil liberties issue, it is a security issue. We are reminded as conscientious Americans that if we see something, we should say something. So I ask you, Senator Schumer, if you thought such treatment may befall one of your fellow Americans, who turns out to be innocent, just because you thought she looked suspicious, would you say something if you weren’t quite certain? I am a conscientious American, but I am also a decent guy. So I tell you now, that I will never speak up about someone just because I think they look suspicious. I do not want to be responsible for my fellow Americans being treated this way – or even visitors to this fine country. And I won’t do it because of stories like this.

And for that, we are less safe.

Yours truly,
Mike McIntyre

]]> By: Jenny Reiswig http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211335 Jenny Reiswig Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211335 Two things. First, given that "they looked suspicious" detentions end in nothing, they really should not default to treating the detainees so badly.  They should provide decent facilities, and explain to the detainees exactly what happened immediately - someone on the plane reported them as being suspicious, and they are required to investigate.  Tell them at the beginning what you ended up telling them at the end.  Second, I think there should be a mandatory debriefing of the person who made the report, making sure they know that the person turned out to be completely innocent. I don't want to discourage anyone from reporting genuinely sketchy behavior, but they need to have some accountability and be told they freaked out over nothing. I read a lot of comments elsewhere that the flight attendants could have decided there was no threat.  I disagree with that - once a report is made, the airline crew should not be making judgments over whether the threat is real. They're not qualified, and as often as not they seem to be the ones freaked out by brown people. Two things. First, given that “they looked suspicious” detentions end in nothing, they really should not default to treating the detainees so badly.  They should provide decent facilities, and explain to the detainees exactly what happened immediately – someone on the plane reported them as being suspicious, and they are required to investigate.  Tell them at the beginning what you ended up telling them at the end.  Second, I think there should be a mandatory debriefing of the person who made the report, making sure they know that the person turned out to be completely innocent. I don’t want to discourage anyone from reporting genuinely sketchy behavior, but they need to have some accountability and be told they freaked out over nothing. I read a lot of comments elsewhere that the flight attendants could have decided there was no threat.  I disagree with that – once a report is made, the airline crew should not be making judgments over whether the threat is real. They’re not qualified, and as often as not they seem to be the ones freaked out by brown people.

]]> By: Brent Kirkham http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211312 Brent Kirkham Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211312 Nope, we're just at the beginning.  Stay tuned theres more to come on Radio Oceania. Nope, we’re just at the beginning.  Stay tuned theres more to come on Radio Oceania.

]]> By: Peter Hanley http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211305 Peter Hanley Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211305 "But they apologised, and nobody died." Isn't that the ending sentence of a Vonnegut novel? “But they apologised, and nobody died.”

Isn’t that the ending sentence of a Vonnegut novel?

]]> By: Peter Hanley http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211300 Peter Hanley Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211300 Why not just ground all flights, just to be really safe?   And strip search everyone.   No I mean everyone. Happy Freedom Day! Why not just ground all flights, just to be really safe?  

And strip search everyone.  

No I mean everyone. Happy Freedom Day!

]]> By: OldBrownSquirrel http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211295 OldBrownSquirrel Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211295 <blockquote>OK, serious question:  what should she have done?  what should any of us do in that situation?...3.  Not answer any questions?  Just keep asking for an attorny?</blockquote>This.  If I were taken off a plane by the police, handcuffed, and carried off to a holding cell with no explanation, I'd assume they planned to file serious (if baseless) charges and act accordingly.  If the police are determined to pursue charges, nothing you can say will get you out of it.  Refuse to answer questions without an attorney.  Inform them that you do not consent to a strip search, and even if you comply, it's done under duress, and they are not free of criminal or civil culpability.  That brings me to the next point.  Once free, demand police reports.  File complaints.  Purse state and federal criminal charges, even though those are likely hopeless.  Investigate the possibility of civil suits, which at the very least are likely to be more of a pain in the ass for those involved.  TSA, FBI, state and local police, and the flight crews probably all broke laws during this incident, in such a way that they'd theoretically not be immune to prosecution or suit.  One high-profile suit against the individuals who behave this way, and all of them might start reconsidering their behavior.  There must be consequences.<blockquote>4.  Refuse to be strip searched?</blockquote>If you physically resist, you'll be charged with assaulting an officer.  You can state that you do not consent, even if you comply.  If they don't have grounds for the search, they'll back off.  Worst case, you get searched, which is what happened.

OK, serious question:  what should she have done?  what should any of us do in that situation?…3.  Not answer any questions?  Just keep asking for an attorny?

This.  If I were taken off a plane by the police, handcuffed, and carried off to a holding cell with no explanation, I’d assume they planned to file serious (if baseless) charges and act accordingly.  If the police are determined to pursue charges, nothing you can say will get you out of it.  Refuse to answer questions without an attorney.  Inform them that you do not consent to a strip search, and even if you comply, it’s done under duress, and they are not free of criminal or civil culpability.  That brings me to the next point.  Once free, demand police reports.  File complaints.  Purse state and federal criminal charges, even though those are likely hopeless.  Investigate the possibility of civil suits, which at the very least are likely to be more of a pain in the ass for those involved.  TSA, FBI, state and local police, and the flight crews probably all broke laws during this incident, in such a way that they’d theoretically not be immune to prosecution or suit.  One high-profile suit against the individuals who behave this way, and all of them might start reconsidering their behavior.  There must be consequences.

4.  Refuse to be strip searched?

If you physically resist, you’ll be charged with assaulting an officer.  You can state that you do not consent, even if you comply.  If they don’t have grounds for the search, they’ll back off.  Worst case, you get searched, which is what happened.

]]> By: Peter Hanley http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211284 Peter Hanley Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211284 Seriously if you get my baby handcuffed so he can't tweet to me I will give you a legendary wedgie.  Seriously if you get my baby handcuffed so he can’t tweet to me I will give you a legendary wedgie. 

]]> By: manicbassman http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211239 manicbassman Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211239  there NEED to be consequences... such as being charged for wasting police time...  there NEED to be consequences… such as being charged for wasting police time…

]]> By: technosean http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211211 technosean Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211211 Never EVER talk to police. Confirm your identity, and then say "Officer, until I have an attorney present, I have nothing to say." to every single question. Continually ask *them* why you are being detained/arrested and what is their reasonable suspicion/probable cause. Tell them you'd like to be on your way. "Why?" "Officer, until I have..." Don't mess this up. And don't talk even if you are factually innocent. Here's why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc Never EVER talk to police. Confirm your identity, and then say “Officer, until I have an attorney present, I have nothing to say.” to every single question. Continually ask *them* why you are being detained/arrested and what is their reasonable suspicion/probable cause. Tell them you’d like to be on your way. “Why?” “Officer, until I have…” Don’t mess this up. And don’t talk even if you are factually innocent.

Here’s why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc

]]> By: lavardera http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211207 lavardera Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211207 I would rather be blown into little pieces than put one of my fellow citizens through that humiliation. I would rather be blown into little pieces than put one of my fellow citizens through that humiliation.

]]> By: Navin_Johnson http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211205 Navin_Johnson Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211205 <i>basic human rights</i>  haha. <a href="http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/08/30/lind_libertariansim" rel="nofollow">Why libertarians apologize for autocracy</a> basic human rights  haha.

Why libertarians apologize for autocracy

]]> By: Matt Williamson http://boingboing.net/2011/09/12/half-arab-half-jewish-housewife-terrorized-on-911-for-flying-while-dark-skinned.html#comment-1211199 Matt Williamson Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=117207#comment-1211199 There is a party you can vote for that protects not just basic human rights but all rights guaranteed by the constitution that both Democrats and Republicans like to slowly take away: The Libertarian Party There is a party you can vote for that protects not just basic human rights but all rights guaranteed by the constitution that both Democrats and Republicans like to slowly take away: The Libertarian Party

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