Why We Should Profile Grandma

Last week, a 62-year-old retired teacher was convicted of assault when she reacted – rather strongly – to a pat-down search by a security officer at an airport in Wisconsin. This incident re-ignited the discussion about whether it is appropriate to target passengers who obviously don’t fit the “profile” of a terrorist for hands-on attention by screeners. After all, how dangerous could a 62-year-old woman be?

Perhaps we should consider these shocking stories:

Hilda Begley, aged 62, has been arrested for dealing heroin from her Columbus, Ohio, home.

Susan Gilner, aged 62, is accused of stealing pianos from at least six victims by posing as a consignment dealer. The pianos included “five vintage Steinways and one antique Bechstein.”

Yelena Ivanov, aged 62, is accused of slamming the piano keys on a performer’s hands during a recital at the Young Pianist Competition in Carnegie Hall.

Fatima Mukhadirova, aged 62, was convicted in Uzbekistan, according to observers, for political activities designed to call attention to the torture-death of her son.

A post-menopausal Frenchwoman called “Jeanine,” aged 62, gave birth to the child of her brother after an artificial insemination procedure in the United States.

It appears that 62-year-old women can be a little feisty! Maybe we should “profile” them after all – or at least take away their knitting needles before allowing them on a plane.

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UPDATE: One reader’s response: we should give older women knitting needles before boarding an airplane and let them take on any terrorists that get by the screeners!