Keeping Our Eyes Open
Michelle Malkin reports on an FBI investigation into purchases of large numbers of disposable cell phones by people of Middle Eastern/South Asian descent. To quote her title, "We are all homeland security agents," and this story shows why.
Clerks at Target and Wal-Mart thought it odd when a group of Middle Eastern men attempted to purchase large numbers of disposable cell phones. These phones are difficult to trace and have been used in the past by gangs. The clerks called authorities and the FBI has opened an investigation.
The vigilance of clerks of the Target and Wal-Mart stores mentioned in the story may have prevented another tragedy. I think they all should receive some sort of recognition, along with the police departments who took the calls seriously.
Before you dismiss this as insignificant, think of what may not have happened had reports of people taking flying lessons, but not wanting to learn how to land would have been taken serious before 2001.
Clerks at Target and Wal-Mart thought it odd when a group of Middle Eastern men attempted to purchase large numbers of disposable cell phones. These phones are difficult to trace and have been used in the past by gangs. The clerks called authorities and the FBI has opened an investigation.
The vigilance of clerks of the Target and Wal-Mart stores mentioned in the story may have prevented another tragedy. I think they all should receive some sort of recognition, along with the police departments who took the calls seriously.
Before you dismiss this as insignificant, think of what may not have happened had reports of people taking flying lessons, but not wanting to learn how to land would have been taken serious before 2001.
posted by Dennis | 11:15 AM
5 Comments:
I hope you don't mind me throwing race into this discussion, but I'm curious of your views as a somewhat conservative black male.
It seems racial profiling played a part in this situation. Had it been a group of teenage white girls trying to purchase 60 disposable cell phone, I doubt anybody would have picked up a phone and called the police. I was just curious to hear your thoughts on the topic of racial profiling.
Mike, I think there are common sense reasonable times to use racial profiling. The easy way out would be for me to say anyone buying 60 disposable cell phones should be questioned, and perhaps they should no matter what race. But the simple fact is 9/11 tells us we need to be more diligent when it comes to certain races. I will get in trouble on this one, but they have been racially profiling blacks for years often for the wrong reasons. That should not stop us from using reasonable profiles in situations that warrant extra vigilance.
I agree Dennis
What has this world gotten into? I wish everyone can just live in peaceful world.
I share that wish but we live in a fallen world. These are the types of things we will face until the return of Christ. But do not let this discourage you. There is a message of hope and peace in the Gospel aimed at our fallen world.
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