How Has 9/11 Impacted Society

On September 11, 2001, the world stood still in sheer disbelief, as the United States fell victim to an appalling terrorist attack. An Islamic extremist group, known as Al-Qaeda, hijacked four commercial airplanes in the morning of this life-changing day. The group targeted monumental buildings in both New York and Washington, D.C. and executed multiple, suicide attacks, which left behind a massive sea of destruction. Images clearly reveal flames and plumes of black smoke, billowed from the floors and windows of the World Trade Center. Lives have certainly changed in some shape or form and for some, more than others. Thus, 9/11 fabricated significant social, psychological, and economic changes to American society, which has proven to be more

The central government’s new surveillance systems (challenge/interfere with) our basic constitutional rights. In addition, spying has increased fear among American citizens. Finally, the government has squandered its resources/money on new military and (security/defense) technology, which has proven to be ineffective. September 11, 2001 significantly impacted the social life of the United States. Following the violent act, President George Bush addressed the nation and swore that those responsible would be hunted down and punished. The United States government moved quite hastily and enacted new security systems and policies. On November 9, 2001, President Bush sanctioned the Transportations Security Administration. The TSA is responsible for strengthening the security of the nation’s transportation systems. While the organization aims to provide the most effective measures to prevent any terrorist activity, these heightened security procedures have negatively

Since September 11th, fear connected with national security threats has shifted to fear of the federal government. The U.S.A. Patriot Act certainly caused much anxiety amongst society. Signed by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001, this act increased law enforcement’s surveillance and investigative powers, “The purpose of the USA PATRIOT Act is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world, to enhance law enforcement investigatory tools, and other purposes.” Clearly, federal agents have abused their power, as personal information, telephone calls, and Internet searches were and are being recorded and saved. A recent news article, posted in The Guardian, fully elucidates the intrusive government spying of American citizens, “the watchlist tracks ‘known’ and ‘suspected’ terrorists and includes both foreigners and Americans. It’s also based on loose standards and secret evidence, which ensnares innocent people. Indeed, the standards are so low that the US government’s specifically allow for a single, uncorroborated source of information…to serve as the basis for placing you on its master watchlist.” Essentially, everyone is vulnerable. All individuals, whether “known” or “unknown,” are under constant surveillance. One is simply labeled a “threat,” by