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Is That a Vial of Nitroglycerin in Your Turban, or Are You Just a Sikh?
Some Sikhs object to a new TSA policy that allows discretionary "pat-downs" of headgear. The pat-downs, aimed at threats (such as liquid explosives) that would not trigger a metal detector, ostensibly have nothing to do with religion or ethnicity. But since the decision to feel up a passenger's hat will be left to individual screeners, many of whom may still be confusing the average bearded, turban-wearing Sikh man with Osama bin Laden, Sikhs are understandably concerned that they will be singled out for extra attention, stigmatizing them as potential jihadists and reinforcing public misconceptions. They also have religious objections to the fingering of their turbans.
If this new policy made sense as a security measure, the Sikhs' embarrassment and inconvenience might be considered (especially by non-Sikhs) an acceptable cost of protecting passengers from terrorism. But how likely is it that a terrorist would dress like a Sikh, which in the eyes of many Americans means dressing like a terrorist, so he can hide a tube of nitroglycerin in his turban? For that matter, has the TSA discovered any liquid explosives or liquid explosive components since it started focusing on this purported threat in 2006? If not, does that mean the new rules for liquids and gels are working?
Somehow I doubt it. Half the time when I travel, I forget to put my toothpaste and eyeglass cleaner in a separate "quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag," and typically no one notices. In performance tests TSA screeners routinely miss simulated guns and bombs. In this context, does adding hats to the list of items that require extra scrutiny, along with liquids, gels, shoes, laptops, tools, and sporting goods, make sense? If everything is the focus of special attention, nothing is.
On the brighter side, the TSA finally has lifted its senseless ban on "common lighters," almost a year after Congress said it could. The TSA notes that the U.S. was "the only country in the world to ban lighters" and that screeners were confiscating some 22,000 a day from passengers (and probably missing at least as many), which distracted them from more significant threats. ("Torch lighters," the fancy kind often used with cigars, are still prohibited.) Also, mothers will no longer be forced to taste their breast milk.
Most Inappropriate Moose|8.30.07 @ 12:26PM|#
*thinks about "pull start" joke, but can't make it work.
hrumph.
|8.30.07 @ 12:33PM|#
* Flag of India1982 August 22: A lone Sikh militant, armed with
a pistol and a hand grenade, hijacked a Boeing 737 on a scheduled
flight from Mumbai to New Delhi carrying 69 persons. Indian
security forces killed the hijacker and rescued all
passengers.
* Flag of India1984 August 24: Seven young Sikh hijackers demanded
an Indian Airlines jetliner flying from Delhi to Srinagar[10] be
flown to the United States. The plane was taken to UAE where the
defense minister of UAE negotiated the release of the passengers.
It was related to the Sikh secessionist struggle in the Indian
state of Punjab.
Air-India Flight 182 was a Boeing 747 that exploded on June 23,
1985 while at an altitude of 31,000 feet (9500 m) above the
Atlantic Ocean, south of Ireland; all 329 on board were killed, of
whom 136 were children and 280 were Canadian citizens.[1]
Up until September 11, 2001, the Air India bombing was the single
deadliest terrorist attack involving aircraft. It is also the
largest mass murder in Canadian history. It occurred within an hour
of the Narita Airport Bombing.
carrick|8.30.07 @ 12:34PM|#
Easier to provide the illusion of security than to actually implement policies and practices that actually work.
|8.30.07 @ 12:39PM|#
I'm on hold with United airlines right now. I need to know if we still cannot bring things like water bottles on board. THis automoted menu really sucks. The robot is trying to sell me a ticket. Their web site says nothing.
|8.30.07 @ 12:39PM|#
I had a Sikh friend in college. You could hide a lot in that turban, especially since Sikhs don't cut their hair, but even more freaky for airport security is the ceremonial knife that Sikhs carry. Bah. If a few Sikhs in America lose it and attack some people on a plane, well, we collectively deserve it for some of our whackjobs attacking Sikhs after 9/11. You know, those guys who aren't Muslims.
frequent flyer|8.30.07 @ 12:42PM|#
Here is the link the TSA website -- it provides the most current
"guidance" for travelers.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1012.shtm
Russ 2000|8.30.07 @ 12:43PM|#
If the government REALLY cared about security, they'd close all the airports.
|8.30.07 @ 12:44PM|#
It's the Sikhs' own fault because as moderate funny headgear wearers they haven't done enough to condemn and stop the extremist funny headgear wearers from Islam, so they should stop complaining. They bring it on themselves.
Curious \"George\" Moose|8.30.07 @ 12:46PM|#
*imagines taste of "belittled"'s breast milk when served out of a Sikh turban sippie cup
|8.30.07 @ 12:48PM|#
As if condemning something actually means anything. I bet Craig was condemning gay sex in a public restroom before he was caught.
The Extispicator|8.30.07 @ 12:49PM|#
That's what they get for attacking us on 9/11. They should just stop whining and take their just desserts.
|8.30.07 @ 12:53PM|#
I thought those Gummint agents were tryin' to find out what's in
my bourbon.
Never mind, y'all.
|8.30.07 @ 12:56PM|#
In a related story, the TSA has received a formal complaint from
a consortium of wealthy, aged dowagers, who claim that the agency's
security practices discriminate against law-abiding caftan
wearers.
Seriously, I think the TSA should leave the Sikhs alone. They're an
ethnic group you don't want to mess with, believe me. Some of them
can be real Sikh mothers.
|8.30.07 @ 1:07PM|#
No, no, officer, you don't have to worry. I am a Sikh. See?
(Pulls out knife)
Ow! Ow! Oof! What are you - ow! Ow! I'm lying down! I'm lying
down!
Wikinger Elch|8.30.07 @ 1:09PM|#
What if we just kill osama? wouldn't that help?
aw what the hell. Let's hope someone kills him, anyways.
und zen schoot him again. und again. faster und faster. ja ja.
schoot him!!!!
|8.30.07 @ 1:13PM|#
My Sikh friend had a great sense of humor. He had--I'm not making this up--a Zoroastrian roommate, and they both used to make me do my frankly insulting Indian accent. One would think me butchering English in such a way would be offensive, but they would go into hysterics. I kept trying not to do it, but they'd threaten me with fire and knives if I refused. Weird. For some reason, saying, "My penis is fondling itself" in Indian-accented speech was good for heavy laughs for a whole school year. Go figure.
|8.30.07 @ 1:14PM|#
As Pro Libertate and joe have both pointed out, Sikh males
always carry a Kirpan (Ceremonial Dagger) for religious
reasons.
What does the TSA have to say about that? Anyone know what the
official policy is?
|8.30.07 @ 1:20PM|#
PL
For some reason, saying, "My penis is fondling itself" in
Indian-accented speech was good for heavy laughs for a whole school
year.
Actually, saying it now will still get you some heavy laughs, not
to mention askance looks,
|8.30.07 @ 1:20PM|#
They're not lily-white and they're wearing turbans. Clearly they
are the enemy. /rolleyes
On the other hand, if the TSA goon at the airport can demand I take
off my ball cap so he can peer into it, why shouldn't someone
wearing a turban be expected to comply with the same request?
On the third hand, though, the TSA is a clusterfuck of an
organization staffed by dunderheads whose chief delight seems to be
semi strip-searching grannies and expectant mothers.
Anonymous Bastert|8.30.07 @ 1:25PM|#
Some NSFW travel safety tips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toqQL-tejek
|8.30.07 @ 1:25PM|#
Aresen,
I know, I know! Beat the knife-wielding foreigner senseless. It's
our policy to oppress first and ask for forgiveness later.
As for my previous entry, you understand that there's a world of
difference saying something with a bad Hindu accent than in saying
it in standard English (whatever the hell that is). For some
reason, cursing in that dialect was funny, too.
In any case, I can't do that voice very well anymore. Now I'm
reduced to impersonating Sean Connery. Everything he says
is funny.
VM|8.30.07 @ 1:31PM|#
ProGLib:
why not adjust it ever-so slightly to:
fondling itself as it prepares to make love to your neck
stump.
(mercy!)
"Now I'm reduced to impersonating Sean Connery. Everything he says
is funny."
Anal Bum cover!
Penis mightier!
|8.30.07 @ 1:32PM|#
Actually, the Sikh religious leadership has eased off the
knife-carrying thing, sort of like the meat-on-Fridays.
Anyone ever see the old SNL skit, with the dog going to
confession?
You ate chicken bones on a Friday?!? BAD DOG! BAD DOG!
VM|8.30.07 @ 1:36PM|#
Alice -
that's cuz the propeller might render their fingers to Dave W. pop
top diabetes stumps (perfect for stump batin, of course)
Doctor Duck|8.30.07 @ 1:38PM|#
"fingering the turban" ought to be a naughty. If You Know What I Mean. (winkies)
Abdul|8.30.07 @ 1:42PM|#
But how likely is it that a terrorist would dress like a
Sikh, which in the eyes of many Americans means dressing like a
terrorist, so he can hide a tube of nitroglycerin in his
turban?
If there sere some religious headgear exception to the search rule,
I'd say very likely. I'm sure terrorists don't care how
uncomfortable passengers are, they only care about exploiting any
weaknesses in the system.
Is what the TSA is doing stupid? Sure. But for years we stupidly
allowed people to fly with boxcutters and pocketknives with small
blades figuring there's no way that would resutl in a
highjacking.
|8.30.07 @ 1:58PM|#
I am not surprised that American are the most ignorant and stupid people as is evident from the racist silly comments on such websites. These assholes have absolutely no knowledge about Sikhs their history and their unique religion which is perhaps the most universal and tolerant. I have known Sikhs and they are some of the most friendly people on the face of this earth. How far we want to go with this so called protecting ourselves from the terrorists?? Why cant we balance this with commonsense?? Our liberties are being taken away not by terrorists but by a right wing mafia which is blackmailing Americans in the name of terrorism.
|8.30.07 @ 2:23PM|#
But for years we stupidly allowed people to fly with
boxcutters and pocketknives with small blades figuring there's no
way that would resutl in a highjacking.
And it didn't. The 9/11 attackers sprayed a noxious chemical -
probably pepper spray or mace - into the cabin and threatened the
use of a bomb.
dhex|8.30.07 @ 2:34PM|#
the correct headline btw would be:
"Is That a Vial of Nitroglycerin in Your Turban, or Are You Just
Happy to Sikh Me?"
Thomas Hobbes|8.30.07 @ 2:53PM|#
The 9/11 attackers sprayed a noxious chemical - probably
pepper spray or mace - into the cabin and threatened the use of a
bomb.
So the box cutters are what? Me mis-remembering a Tom Clancy novel
as real life?
And if a noxious chemical was the problem on 9/11, doesn't that
make the TSA's liquid ban more sensible?
|8.30.07 @ 3:18PM|#
"""Why cant we balance this with commonsense?? """
Because commonsense is the pre-9/11 mindset and pre-9/11 America
was bad. So they say. Fear rules the post-9/11 America.
Land of brave? Not anymore.
|8.30.07 @ 3:30PM|#
Thomas Hobbes,
I don't know where the box-cutters thing came from, but the
hijackers were reported to have stabbed people by the doomed
passengers who made phone calls, in addition to the choking
chemical and the bomb threats.
And if a noxious chemical was the problem on 9/11, doesn't that
make the TSA's liquid ban more sensible? I'd say it makes
sense that such a threat should be taken into account, but that
doesn't mean it makes sense to order people to throw out their iced
coffees.
|8.30.07 @ 3:42PM|#
The hardened cockpit doors and the policy to not leave the
flight deck while in the air is all that was needed to prevent use
of a commercial airliner as a weapon (from a forcible cockpit entry
anyhow).
The remaining TSA precautions are to try and intercede to stop
in-flight explosions or severe fires and passenger assault. There
are LOTS of holes in those provisions, so many so that we should
just return to a good metal detector and X-ray machine. Forget the
rest, save the money/time, and accept the risk that every so often
a plane may get brought down.
Why? Because that risk has and will continue to exist. We are not
reducing it with the 3-1-1, shoes off, and agressive frisking crap.
This is the illusion of security.
|8.30.07 @ 3:48PM|#
The 9-11 hijackings worked because most people passively allowed
the hijackers to gt into the cockpit and fly the plane unmolested
as they were told to do...
If someone tried that stuff now, I don't think they'd make it to
their targets.
|8.30.07 @ 4:00PM|#
The irony of the whole situation post 911 is that we are
targeting the wrong people. 100% of men who wear turbans are Sikhs
who had to endure all the racist hate and profiling because of the
TV images of Osama Bin Laden and other Mullas from Middle east. I
have never ever come across a SINGLE Muslim in USA who has ever
worn a turban.
While we are targeting innocent Sikhs who in fact are very very
friendly to USA but we are sending billions of dollars worth of our
modern arms to Saudi Arabia and Egypt from where all the hijackers
came. The first man who was arrested and humiliated hours after
9/11 attack was a Sikh IT professional at Rhodes Island railway
station. He now works at super secret war stimulation systems for
US Navy. Let us fight this war smartly and not through hysteria or
because of some political agenda.
|8.30.07 @ 4:07PM|#
It's not exactly policy to go after Sikhs, you know. Some nutcases may do so, but there's probably people out there who can't tell the difference between an Arab and Ricardo Montalban, so I wouldn't make too much of that. It's not like we're all running around killing everyone who doesn't look like a Viking.
|8.30.07 @ 4:18PM|#
Americans have become terrified wimps. Of course a hijacker is
going to want to remain undetected till they act, and thus would
want to blend in.
Here's more evidence of our stupidity and inability to rationally
analyze threats:
Read it and weep for our country.
|8.30.07 @ 4:26PM|#
there's probably people out there who can't tell the
difference between an Arab and Ricardo Montalban
Ricardo Montalban tried to destroy the Entreprise and you want to
let him onto a plane!?
|8.30.07 @ 4:28PM|#
Pro Liberate
I totally agree that this is not the policy but unfortunately it is
the ignorance of the large majority that has resulted in a
dangerous situation for Sikhs because of mistaken identity. In Mesa
Arizona, a Sikh Gas station owner was shot dead immediately after
9/11 to vent their anger at terrorists who attacked the world trade
center. Today the very site of a turban ( which only Sikhs wear)
conjures up images of a terrorist out to blow up Americans.
Americans have no idea that more than 85,000 Sikhs died as part of
Allied forces in world war 1 & 2 and Sikhs were awarded maximum
number of Victoria crosses for bravery. Prince Charles has asked
British Government to revive the old British policy of Pure Sikh
regiments in British army because of their great military
traditions and loyalty.
|8.30.07 @ 4:34PM|#
Aresen,
True. And his brother was a Latin American
dictator.
NotSurprised,
A large percentage of Americans may not realize that Sikhs aren't
Muslim, but I doubt that very many people at all actually intend to
commit violence against Sikhs. And there was a great deal of
publicity about Sikhs being mistakenly attacked post-9/11, so more
people understand the distinction than once did.
Rhywun|8.30.07 @ 4:36PM|#
Read it and weep for our country.
I'll weep after I finish laughing. Goddamn that's some (darkly)
funny shit.
|8.30.07 @ 4:55PM|#
That was funny. This line sums it up.
""You see powder connected by arrows and chalk, you never know,"
she said. "It could be a terrorist, it could be something more
serious."
edna|8.30.07 @ 6:05PM|#
But how likely is it that a terrorist would dress like a
Sikh, which in the eyes of many Americans means dressing like a
terrorist, so he can hide a tube of nitroglycerin in his
turban?
the day after the tsa bans searching turbans, about 100%.
i think the yarmulke analogy is close but not exact. there's no
room to hide anything under one. but a shtreyml is bigger, there's
lots of space, and i suspect that they are subject to search, too.
if not, that's wack.
|8.30.07 @ 8:21PM|#
I am a Muslim and an American. [insert blanket condemnation of
all past and future acts of terrorism in the name of Islam] I
really do feel bad for the Sikhs, imagine getting mistaken for a
group of people you really hate, like Sen. Widestance. Sikhs
actually carry the Kirpan for use against Muslims. If you believe
god mandated you to cover your head that's fine, but as far as I
can tell no one is claiming god mandated that they fly on
commercial airlines. Also, I do recall reading about a group of
Ultra Orthodox Jews smuggling ecstasy and diamonds in their black
brimmed hats.
Are Sikhs the only target of this new policy on pat-down of
headgear?
They are not alone in religiously mandated headgear. What about
headscarves (Muslim women), nuns' habits, Ultra-Orthodox Jewish
men's black brimmed hats, Orthodox Jewish Women's wigs/head
coverings, the pope's episcopal mitre (an erect cloth hat),
Rastafarian dreadlocks. I think some Christian women wear some sort
of head gear too.
If TSA is gonna feel up on my nuts then all funny headgear is fair
game. The TSA should grope them for good measure too.
thoreau|8.30.07 @ 9:25PM|#
So, if singling out Sikhs makes no sense because dressing like a
Sikh would attract attention, then won't terrorists dress like
Sikhs because it would make no sense to pay attention? Except then
we should pay attention, so they wouldn't dress like Sikhs. So we
don't need to scrutinize them, because...
If they know that we know that they know that we know that they
know that we know....
Somebody get a Sicilian in here to decide which flagon to drink
from.
|8.31.07 @ 12:04AM|#
Ahmet Sahin
It is certainly unfair to characterize any group by the extremist
elements. It is actually a common tactic for extremists to attempt
to drive a wedge between the group and the society in which they
are existing in order to force the group to identify with and give
support to the extemists rather than the society which has chosen
to tar the whole group with the extremist brush. In reading this
thread, I can certainly see where some of us have made what could
be taken as slurs. Rather than take umbrage, I would suggest you
'serve the offenders their own sauce.' If they can't take it, it
reveals their bigotry. I suspect the majority of the posters on
this site, however, would take great delight in your barbed
retorts.
Sean Healy|8.31.07 @ 8:23AM|#
Jews only wear the streimel on Shabbat, when they don't fly. Hasids aren't required to wear wide hats and, in fact, often take them off inside or when on a plane. Most wear a yarmulke underneath for that reason.
M|8.31.07 @ 8:28AM|#
Barbed retort. That would be a beard-holder, wouldn't it? I, for one, report that I am delighted.
|8.31.07 @ 9:34AM|#
Somehow I doubt the Pope will ever find himself standing in a TSA security line.
|8.31.07 @ 4:12PM|#
Ahmet Sahin,
Several centuries ago, Sikhs carried knives for use against
Muslims.
Today, Sikh men carry knives as a symbol of their commitment to the
Sikh religion.
|8.31.07 @ 4:41PM|#
Sikhs do not carry Kirpans to fight Muslims. Initially the Kirpan was introduced to help protect Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims from the oppression subjected by Mogul rulers. They didn't fight them because they were Muslim. If the oppressors were Chinese, I am sure Sikhs would have done the same. Sorry Ahmet Sahin I have no clue where you got your information. A Kirpan is a tool Sikhs fall back on when protecting the civil and moral rights of humanity (not just Sikhs). In battle, a Kirpan is only used as a last resort. Never is a Sikh suppose to remove his or her Kirpan from it's cover unless in a battle. It is not just a commitment to the Sikh religion but a consent reminder the oath a Sikh has made for the good of humanity.
|8.31.07 @ 6:13PM|#
ALL people wearing wigs should also be subjected to additional searches. Same goes to ALL people wearing hats if ALL turban wearing people must be searched. If this isn't racial profiling then I do not know what is. My experience has shown that Sikhs like to remain as a low key as possible. I had no clue that my community has more that 36,000 Sikhs--and more power to them. They are some of the nicest and sincere people I have met. Give the people some respect. Don't disrespect them and their religion. Perhaps it is difficult for us non-Sikhs to grasp the significance of the turban to Sikhs. Be as it may, that should not mean we disrespect them in such a manner.
Bopo|9.1.07 @ 5:45PM|#
"But how likely is it that a terrorist would dress like a Sikh,
which in the eyes of many Americans means dressing like a
terrorist, so he can hide a tube of nitroglycerin in his turban?
"
Given the suffocating political correctness prevalent amongst those
at the TSA, it's pretty damn likely.
An Honest Question|9.2.07 @ 10:40AM|#
I find it interesting how many similarities there are betweens
Sikhs and Rastafarians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarians
|9.3.07 @ 3:31PM|#
Essentially, I could tape a plastic tube to my leg and never be subjected to a pat down because I do not wear a turban. POINT IS PEOPLE --- Anyone can conceal anything that is not metallic based. Therefore, why are Sikhs with turbans being targeted? If I was a terrorist, the last thing I would want to do is dress like a Sikh man because I would be subjected to more stricter security rules and regulations.
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