Blame it on profiling.  Moussaoui, Atta and the entire terrorist gang responsible for September 11, the London terrorist bombings, the Madrid terrorist bombings, the other terrorist bombings were mainly Arab Muslims with dark skin and dark hair.  Aware that authorities were suspicious of them

Terrorists have been working to recruit non—Arab sympathizers — so—called "white Muslims" with Western features who theoretically could more easily blend into European cities and execute attacks — according to classified intelligence documents obtained by The Associated Press.

A 252—page confidential report jointly compiled by Croatian and U.S. intelligence on potentially dangerous Islamic groups in Bosnia suggests the recruitment drive may have begun as long as four years ago, when Arab militants ran up against tough post—9/11 security obstacles.

"They judge that it is high time that their job on this territory should be taken over by new local forces ... people who are born here and live here have an advantage which would make their job easier. By their appearance, they are less obvious," the report reads.

Arabs, it adds, "have become too obvious, which has made their job difficult."

The former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and parts of the former Soviet Union have European native Muslim populations who are indistinguishable from others; European converts can add to the pool of potential terrorists. Richard Reid, who was not white, and tried to blow up a plane, is one example.
 
So although some civil libertarians are sure to complain about the evils of racism, the harm of profiling and privacy intrusions just remember this when you're pulling off your shoes while shuffling around in long lines at airports. Other inconveniences may be on the way.
 
Ethel C. Fenig    4 18 06