Democrats Flip Flop on Racial Profiling
Posted by Matt
Blogs for Bush
It is quite amusing seeing Democrats accusing Bush of cutting corners on national security over the UAE port deal. Over the past few days we've seen Democrats finally recognize that we have an enemy, and endorse the practice of racial profiling. This contrasts their views, even considering the events of 9/11, where they have unequivocally opposed racial profiling under any circumstance. Nancy Pelosi called racial profiling un-American, stating in a press release,
<<< "Since September 11th, many Arabs, Muslims, and Asians have been subjected to searches and seizures at airports and other locations based upon religion and national origin, without any credible information linking specific individuals to criminal conduct." >>>
She also claimed it is ineffective, creates suspicion, and erodes trust in law enforcement.
Rep. John Conyers said back in 2002,
<<< "The suggestion that Arab and Muslim Americans appreciate [being] singled out and interrogated is a prime example of the attorney general's wartime propaganda machine in full swing ... While they are more than willing to contribute to the war against terrorism, the national leadership of Arab and Muslim organizations have expressed to me their outrage over this illegal form of racial profiling." >>>
He has also lamented over racial profiling occurring on airlines.
Rep. Nick Rahall, according to the Congressional Record, said in 2003,
<<< "Singling out mostly innocent Arab, Muslim, South Asian and Sikh Americans runs counter to the principle of rejecting the use of racial and ethnic profiling, while we need to focus on building trust and respect by working cooperatively with community members." >>>
Back in 2004, Senators Jon Corzine and Russ Feingold introduced the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004. After the introduction of the bill, Corzine said,
<<< "Discrimination on the basis of race, religious background or ethnicity is never acceptable. But when this kind of bias finds a home in the enforcement of the very laws meant to protect us and bind us together, it literally rips our communities apart." >>>
The bill was cosponsored by Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, Barbara Boxer, Dick Durbin, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Harry Reid, and several others.
Rep. John Conyers said unequivocally back in 2004,
<<< "What was true before September 11th is even more true today: racial profiling is inappropriate and ineffective as a law enforcement tactic. ... Racial profiling not only undermines our constitutional rights, it undermines the trust on which law enforcement depends to protect our communities." >>>
Charlie Rangel has called racial profiling "illegal and unconsitutional." Cynthia McKinney has said, "We must make it clear that we will not tolerate racial profiling."
So, we've seen Democrats go from saying 9/11 is no excuse for racial profiling, to advocating it simply to oppose President Bush.
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