9/11 Patriot Act Essay

On September 11, 2001 four U.S. planes were hijacked by the terrorist group, al-Qaeda, and were used as weapons of mass destruction in a suicide terrorist attack which targeted four separate U.S. locations. Over 3,000 people died, more than 6,000 people were injured and there was over $10 billion dollars in damage, to property in the United States. These occurrences which took place on September 11, 2001 were among the most devastating hits to the United States in history, to date. [1].

Up until the 9/11 incident, most people including myself were under a false belief that the U.S. was secure from any threat and/or harm by outside militant groups. The method which al-Qaeda used in orchestrating the attack was completely unexpected because the missiles used were in the form of common airplanes. The 19 men who hijacked the planes did so by boarding the airlines as everyday passengers. No one ever suspected what was to happen next. This goes

The patriot Act was an abbreviation, meaning: "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001".The goal of the Patriot Act was that it allowed for search of any home when the FBI suspected terrorism. It also allowed for search of telephone. internet and financial records without a warrant. Government powers went beyond the fourth amendment when it concerned issues of terrorism. We have learned that it is not possible to prevent terrorist attacks, completely. [5]. Although, DHS, Homeland Security and the many agencies that have come together nationally and worldwide to end terrorism, work to mitigate threat of terrorism, in response and defense, there may never be a 100% certainty that an attack will not happen. And, it is important to understand that threats to the security of the nation do not stop at just