The Parable of the Security Consultant

One day while teaching, Josh was asked, ”Teacher, on Bastille Day, what can we learn about democracy from the French?”

Josh spoke thus:

A foreign security consultant was speaking with a customs official.

“You are far too trusting,” the foreign security consultant said to the customs official, “You must be more distrustful.”

“That is not our way,” the customs official said, “In this country, we assume innocence until there is a reason to think otherwise.”

“Oh, that looks good on paper,” the foreign security consultant said, “And it sounds good on the television, but nobody believes it.”

“We believe it,” the customs official said.

“When is the last time you picked up a hitchhiker?” the foreign security consultant asked.
“Nobody hitchhikes anymore,” the customs official said, “It’s too dangerous.”

“There you go,” the foreign security consultant said, “It’s too dangerous. How do you know it’s too dangerous?  What do you know about the hitchhiker?  What do you know about the driver?  You know nothing.  You are not so trustful as you like to think you are.”

“That’s not distrust,” the customs official said, “That’s caution.”

“That’s profiling,” the foreign security consultant said, “We all profile.  Every one of us.  Every day.  We have to.”

“Making a judgment isn’t the same as profiling,” the customs official said.

“Profiling is making a judgment,” the foreign security consultant said, “Nothing more.”

“Profiling is judgmental,” the customs official said.
“Judgment is judgmental,” the foreign security consultant said.

“It’s inegalitarian,” the customs official said.

“It’s totally egalitarian,” the foreign security consultant said, “If it’s done right.”

“How is that?” the customs official asked.

“It’s simple,” the foreign security consultant said, “You simply flip your assumption that everyone is innocent.  Assume everyone is guilty.  Every man in a turban is a terrorist.  Every South American is a drug dealer.  Every Chinese is a spy.  Every young person is a communist or a neo-Nazi.  Every businessman is a smuggler.”

“That’s racism,” the customs official said.

The custom official shrugged.

“Have it your way,” the customs official said, “The Chinese is a drug dealer.  The businessman is a terrorist.  The South American is a communist and a neo-Nazi, both.  The young person is a spy.  It’s all the same.  Mix and match.  Just always start with the premise that they’re lying.”

“That’s a sad outlook on life,” the customs official said, “To start with the premise that you’re being lied to.  Where did that come from?”

The foreign security consultant shrugged again.

“I have two teenage children,” the foreign security consultant said.

The customs official let the foreign security consultant’s answer hang in the air and watched the passersby.  Then the customs official said, “So, the Chinese is a drug dealer, eh?”

“Or a neo-Nazi,” the foreign security consultant replied.