Terrorism and Policy

The events of September 11, 2001 have forever changed the way that we as Americans look at outsiders. We have become skeptical of anyone who is not as we expect them to be. We have now implemented higher security measures, such as passing the Patriot Act into law. These new laws and policies are supposed to protect us. However, with the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and the creation of Homeland security we are all undergoing a learning experience in which we can only hope has not come too late. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the policy changes which have occurred due to September 11, 2001.

Terrorism and Policy

As the horrific events of September 11, 2001 can easily bring sadness and rage for most Americans it was a day of victory for terrorists who would do anything within their power to see America fall. Al Qaeda, a terrorist organization, gladly took the credit for destroying the twin towers, the pentagon, and thousands of innocent people’s lives. They accomplished this task by hijacking commercial airliners and deliberately crashing them into the buildings. This also does not count the millions of people who watched, listened, and mourned as they saw our country being attacked and feeling completely helpless.
What were we to do? What was anyone to do? What about the thousands of people who were losing their lives? This is not to mention the countless lives that would be impacted by the loss of lives due to the attacks. No one could have known the devastation which would occur, and the impact this would have on every person living within this country. The attack of September 11, 2001 showed the people of the United States that we were in fact vulnerable to terrorist attacks. We had no clue that this was going to happen, but it did. From this tragedy we have created a way to fight back, a way to hopefully protect ourselves from the terrorists.

Establishing the Department of Homeland Security

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, President George Bush and his staff took action to try and protect the American people against terrorism. The solution to the dilemma was to create The Department of Homeland Security. According to The Department of Homeland Security, there are three goals which are important to the agency “The first is to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States; the second is to reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and lastly minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.” (The Department of Homeland Security, 2005).

“The Department of Homeland Security was established on November 25, 2002 by the Homeland Security Act of 2002”. (Wilkipedia Encyclopedia, 2005) The introduction of Homeland Security has been said to be the largest “government reorganization in 50 years.” (Wilkipedia Encyclopedia, 2005).

One tool that was developed to help keep Americans up to date about terror threats is the color coded terrorism risk advisory scale. This scale was created in 2002, with the idea that it would help notify the American population the probability level of terrorist activity and or threat. For the most part it seems that the warning stays at elevated and that many people have come to mock the system. (The Department of Homeland Security, 2005)

The Patriot Act

The Patriot Act is not without its faults. It is a set of laws which are supposed to protect us, because of September 11, 2001. However there are many skeptics who would like to state otherwise. The Patriot Act has come into our lives and yet many of us do not know what it means, or have the time to read the 300 plus paged document.

There are skeptics who claim that with the changes in laws is a dangerous violation of our rights. There are many violations but one of the most controversial is the violation against our fourth amendment rights. This is stated in Section 213 of the Patriot Act which allows for the government to delay the notification of search warrants. With the protection of the fourth amendment the authorities are supposed to notify you of the warrant by knocking on the door before entering your home. This does not exist with the Patriot Act. The authorities only need probable cause to search and seize anything within your premises or person. “This part of the Patriotic Act has also led to the detainment of suspects under investigation for indefinite amounts of time.”(AskQuestions.Org). We have all become subject to this law because we want to fight terrorism. (The Patriot Act, 2005)

I found a statement that I found interesting. It clearly states how some people feel about the Patriot Act. “Here are just a few of the ways in which your freedoms may be jeopardized by the act: Freedom of Association: Government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity to assist terror investigations. Freedom of Information:

Government has closed once-public immigration hearings, has secretly detained hundreds of people without charges, and has encouraged bureaucrats to resist public records requests. Right to Legal Representation: Government may monitor federal prison jailhouse conversations between attorneys and clients, and deny lawyers to US citizens accused of crimes. Freedom from Unreasonable Searches: Government may search and seize papers and effects owned by citizens without probable cause to assist terror investigations. Right to a Speedy and Public Trial: Government may jail anyone indefinitely without a trial, including US citizens. Right to Liberty: Anyone may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them.” (Ask Questions.Org)

This is just one view point, it doesn’t speak for everyone, but we must consider that we are in fact losing some of our previous freedoms so that we may be a more secure country under the Patriot Act.

Conclusion

In reflection, we can see that the few obstacles we may encounter are worth the changes that have occurred since September 11, 2001. While it was never my intention to come across as Anti-American, I do support those laws which provide me with security, and the freedoms that I have come to enjoy as an American. However, these are things that we all take for granted at times.

When we are out playing with the kids we don’t concern ourselves with section 213 of the Patriot Act. Instead we are focusing on the moment, just as it should be. For many of us, it is not our direct job or assignment to track terrorists.

However, for those of us who are in the criminal justice profession or even seeking to become employed in the field, we take it a little more to heart. We must take into consideration the positive aspects which have come from having these laws such as the Patriot Act and the Homeland Security in place. The one reason these things matter so much, is because our freedom is always worth fighting for.

References
AskQuestions.Org, The Patriot Act (2005) Retrieved on October 23, 2005
http://www.askquestions.org/details.php?id=23
The Department of Homeland Security (2005) Retrieved on October 23, 2005
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/faq.jsp
The Patriot Act online (2001) Retrieved on October 23, 2005 from
http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html
Wilkipedia- United States The Department of Homeland Security retrieved on October 23, 2005 from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Homeland_Security