Regarding the Teen Forum question: “Is current airport security excessive?” Air travel today is a “hassle” and does border on the “ridiculous,” but the rest of Ms. Hassan’s statements bother me.

Does racial profiling exist at airport security? Let’s look at the facts; the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon; the USS Cole; the U. S. Embassy; the first attack on the World Trade Center; and the attacks of Sept. 11 were all carried out by Islamic extremists. Recently terrorists have been using women Islamic extremists.

If there is rampant and overt racial profiling then why were the members of her “Denver experiment” not stopped? On their return she and her sister were asked to submit to closer examination. I believe it was behavior, not the hijab, which caused them additional questions. TSA agents are trained to observe and react to behavior profiles.

She compares the United States to Nazi Germany and fascist Italy. Under those regimes, she would probably not be allowed to fly, possibly sent to a concentration camp or even shot.

Then we read, “I know my rights.” With respect, to fly on a commercial airliner you have the following rights: to courteous and respectful treatment by the TSA; to board the plane with the knowledge and comfort that through the efforts of the very people you accuse of persecuting you, you will fly in the safest skies in the world.

If you still believe that you are a victim of racial profiling then you have the right not to fly.

Bernard Jones, Pendleton