Oklahoma City Bombing
analytical Essay
1861 words
Acts of terrorism are carried out due to ideologies that are followed by terrorists. These ideologies do not cease to exist with the apprehension of any particular terrorist that commits one act of terrorism. A clear example to point out is the death of Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda and their beliefs have continued full force despite the apprehension and execution of one of their top leaders. Their beliefs in their ideology will continued to fuel motives for potential acts of terrorism in the future. By understanding the motives of terrorists, societies can take precautions and measures to protect them from future acts of terrorism. “It's the human intelligence that is the answer and not the physical” that will allow us to fight back again terrorists states Wood, an international studies expert (Dahl & Thomas, 1995).
Countries will never be completely protected from all acts of terrorism. Consequently, it is up to each society to ensure that all available resources are expended to safeguard their country and its citizens. This case study researches the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. In hopes of understanding this act of terrorism the following topics are explored; the history of the terrorist act and organization portrayed in the act, logistics of the event, effect of the act, and the reaction of the intended target.
History
In April 19, 1995 an explosion occurred at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The explosion killed 168 people and additionally injured over 800 more; the victims included men, women, and children. Timothy McVeigh committed the majority of this atrocious act, his accomplices Terry Nichols and Michael Fortier, assisted in the planning of the act. Nichols received a sentence of 161 consecutive coun...
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...ernment have a prolonging effect to the nation.
Conclusion
References
Dahl, D. & Thomas J. (1995). Terrorism Has Already Left Its Mark on American Institutions. St. Petersburg Times (Florida).
Evans, M. (2013). The Times. A “Lone Wolf” Attacker is Investigators’ Best Guess.
Historical Crime Case Study #2: The Oklahoma City Bombing. Retrieved from: http://resource.rockyview.ab.ca/t4t/forensicscience35-3cr/Module3/L4/M3L4P03-CaseStudyOklahoma.html
Linenthal, Edward. (2001). The Unfinished Bombing: Oklahoma City in American Memory. Oxford University Press.
Solomon, J. (2013). FBI Linked McVeigh to Group After Bombing. Associated Press Writer. Retrieved from: http://www.ourmidland.com/import/fbi-linked-mcveigh-to-group-after-bombing/article_22536953-36df-55b1-a7c9-9ad4abc0dee5.html
White, J. (2014). Terrorism and Homeland Security. California: Thomason-Wadsworth.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that acts of terrorism are carried out due to ideologies that are followed by terrorists. osama bin laden, al qaeda, and their beliefs continue to fuel motives for potential acts.
- Opines that countries will never be completely protected from all acts of terrorism; it is up to each society to ensure that all available resources are expended to safeguard their country and its citizens.
- Explains that timothy mcveigh committed the majority of this atrocious act, his accomplices terry nichols and michael fortier, assisted in the planning of the act.
- Explains that the first assumption was that mcveigh perform a random radical crime against the federal building. the associated press gathered evidence that suggests he had contact with elohim city and members were familiar with his plan.
- Explains that mcveigh carried out the majority of this terrorist act, but was tied to an organization with anti-government ideologies. the bombing of oklahoma city took place on the same day april 19 years after the waco siege.
- Explains that the waco siege was a 51-day standoff between federal bureau of investigations (fbi) agents and branch davidians.
- Concludes that mcveigh acted as a lone wolf on behalf of the ara and its ideology.
- Analyzes how mcveigh funded the explosives used in the oklahoma bombing. he also gave money from a bank robbery to his sister and asked her to launder it.
- Explains that the oklahoma city bombing was made as a time-delayed explosive to allow mcveigh to detonate the bomb.
- Analyzes how mcveigh and his accomplice, nichols, parked their getaway car a few blocks from the building they planned to bomb. they took two days to mix the chemical elements and packed the truck with the created explosive.
- Analyzes how mcveigh planned to damage the alfred p. murrah federal building. the waco siege resulted in the death of 21 children.
- Explains that mcveigh was stopped by a patrol officer due to the absence of 'license plate' on the getaway car. the concealed handgun acted as the secondary method to detonate the bomb if the fuse failed.
- Analyzes the impact of the oklahoma city bombing on the lives of 168 people, including 19 children, and the injuries caused by glass shards.
- Analyzes how mcveigh planned to bomb a federal building composed of various organizations to honor the deaths from the waco siege, which occurred two years prior to the bombing.
- Explains that the oklahoma city bombing was an anti-government terrorist act with ideologies founded in aryan nations.
- Analyzes how the community and country came together to assist in the clean up and rescue effort. the public disregarded their own safety to continue to help the victims of the attack.
- Explains that the secondary reactions to the bombing consisted of force protection improvements and legislative acts.
- Concludes that terrorism has already left its mark on american institutions.
- Explains that the fbi linked mcveigh to group after bombing.
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
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- Oklahoma City Bombinganalytical essayWhat would the world be like if this happened everyday? There had not been very much terrorist activity in the United states. In fact nothing major at this point had happened on U.S. soil. This would all change due to two males that were United States soldiers having a plan and going with it. His plan? Was, well to get revenge on the United States!
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the world would be like if this happened everyday. there had not been much terrorist activity in the united states.
- Narrates how mcveigh grew up in western new york and became interested in guns and survival skills. he enlisted in the military and was discharged when the army was downsizing.
- Describes how mcveigh planned to park the truck and let it explode on april 19th, 1995, the two year anniversary of the disastrous end to the waco standoff and patriots day.
- Narrates how mcveigh was arrested for driving without a license plate, and the police found out about his ties to the explosion before he was released. nichols was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the bombing.
- Analyzes how mcveigh's attack on the branch davidian cult was a surprise, but the american people grew strong and supported each other.
831 wordsRead More - The September 11 Terrorist Attacksexplanatory essayOn September 11, 2001 an Islamic terrorist organization named al-Qaeda committed a devastating and scaring act of terrorism towards the United States. There was four different attacks that occurred which were carried out by four passenger airliners that were hijacked. Two of the attacks took place in New York City (World Trade Center’s North and South Towers), one was at the Pentagon in Arlington Country (Virginia), and the other occurred in a field in Shanksville (Pennsylvania), which was thought to have been intended for the Capitol or White House. These attacks were carried about a group name al-Qaeda which was led by Osama bin Laden, who was latter killed after being captured by the United States.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that on september 11, 2001, an islamic terrorist organization named al-qaeda committed a devastating and scaring act of terrorism towards the united states.
- Explains that osama bin laden's motivation for the attacks is seen in his declaration of a holy war against the us.
- Explains that the hijackers would take over the planes with the musclemen overpowering the crew. they would make bomb threats even though there is believed to be no bombs.
- Narrates how mohammed atta and abdulaziz-omari boarded a shuttle flight to boston's logan international airport, where they connected to los angeles-bound american airlines flight 11.
- Narrates how the south tower collapsed, killing 600 workers and first responders, and the north tower burned for 102 minutes. president bush addressed the nation about the horrific events.
- Explains that 2,996 people were killed on september 11th, 2011, including the 19 hijackers who were a member of al-qaeda and 2,977 victims.
- States that 9/11 was a devastating day for the united states and is if not the most, one of the largest attacks on the us.
- Explains that the fbi stated penttbom, which will become the largest criminal inquiry in the us history.
1724 wordsRead More - The Boston Marathon Bombinganalytical essayThe Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by several cities in Greater Boston in eastern Massachusetts. It is always held on Patriot’s Day, the third Monday in April. Begun in 1897, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathons and ranks as the world’s best-known road-racing events (“Boston Bombing,” n.d.). But on April 15, 2013, the marathon made history for something else. At approximately 2:49 EST, two pressure cooker bombs struck near the finish line of the marathon, leaving three dead and one hundred and forty one injured. Among the injured, twelve were reported in critical condition. The victims, who were treated in eight different hospitals, were as young as two (Lev, 2013).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the boston marathon bombings as an act of terrorism based on travis hirschi's social bond theory. attachment, committed, involvement, and belief constitute the weakened elements for the two suspects.
- Explains that there have been eleven thousand, seven hundred and ninety-seven acts of terrorism worldwide from 2007 through 2011 — domestically, it strikes not as frequently, but in significant numbers.
- Explains that sociologists had little interest in terrorism up until september 11, 2001. the boston bombing had a pretty big impact on the city and everyone involved, which the suspects wanted.
- Analyzes how hirschi's social bond theory applies to the actions of dzhokhar and tamerlan tsarnaev.
- Concludes hirschi's social bond theory can be applied to describe the actions of the boston bombers because there is evidence of weakened bond in the brothers.
- Describes how the boston marathon bombings left three dead and one hundred and forty-one injured, including two young men, and a 19-year-old college student in critical condition.
- Analyzes how tamerlan, a top golden gloves boxer, didn't feel welcome in the united states. he became violent towards his brother and brainwashed her into converting to islam. terrorist organizations appeal to the socially alienated.
1696 wordsRead More - Oklahoma City Bombingopinion essayDo you remember the conflict that America had in the Persian Gulf a few years back? An incident occurred there where a man drove a truck loaded with explosives into the building where more than 100 Marines were stationed. He blew up the building, along with the Marines. The incident was published by the AP Press soon after. Now do you remember the bombing just four years ago, in Oklahoma City? Suspects Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols drove a Ryder Van loaded with 4,800 pounds of fertilizer and fuel oil to the front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, where it subsequently exploded, killing 169 people and injuring some 500 others. Of course you do. While both were massive acts of violence involving American citizens, the impact of such acts is always felt the most when it happens right here at home.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the impact of such acts is felt most when it happens right here at home.
- Explains that america is filled with people who disagree with our system of government. when these people act upon their anger and disagreement, the feelings are brought beyond the point of normal behavior.
- Explains that they have been exposed to domestic terrorism all of their life. their father has investigated thousands of bombings, fires and explosions for more than twenty years.
- Analyzes how the bombing in oklahoma city destroyed the murrah federal building, leaving the city council and community members no other choice but to implode it.
- Opines that the destruction that follows these terrorist acts leaves its mark on the community with the abolished buildings and loss of property.
- Explains that domestic terrorism claims hundreds, if not thousands of lives every year. the oklahoma city bombing was the worst terrorist attack on us soil. 19 of the lives that were lost that spring day were those of children in the "america's kids daycare center."
- Opines that the most lasting effects of domestic terrorism are those inflicted upon the paramedics, support groups, and investigators that are subject to these senseless acts of violence.
- Explains how oklahoma sifted through their own broken hearts and dreams, and showed the agents love and affection. people worldwide were touched by the actions of the rescuers and investigators.
- Analyzes the impact of domestic terrorism that occurs with increasing intensity every year, including the destruction of the bomb, the injuries and deaths, and the ability of terror-torn cities to unify to recognize heroism.
- Explains how agents were faced with threats from anti-government talk show hosts like g. gordon liddy, who referred to federal agents as "jack-booted thugs" and then instructed listeners to shoot them.
1345 wordsRead More - John Edgar Hoover And The Federal Bureau Of Investigationexplanatory essayBeginning in the 1980’s all the way up to present day the FBI has increasingly focused its attention on acts of terrorism. In the middle and late 1980’s, several acts of terrorism were committed against Americans overseas. Terrorism remained in the spotlight during the 90’s in response to numerous incidents, such as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing in New York City and the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal B...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the fbi became well known by american culture during the rule of john edgar hoover.
- Explains that the fbi continued to fight against espionage throughout the cold war, which led to the decrease in communism in the soviet union and eastern europe. the fbi investigated domestic terror groups on both the left and right wings of the political spectrum.
- Explains that the fbi has increasingly focused its attention on acts of terrorism. terrorism remained in the spotlight during the 90's in response to numerous incidents.
- Explains that the fbi hired 9,600 special agents and over 13,000 support personnel during the late 1980’s. the fbi gained approximately 3,000 special agents and 5,000 support staff between 1993 and 2001 due to its increase in responsibilities.
- Explains that the drug enforcement administration (dea) is rooted in the treasury department. the harrison narcotics tax act was passed on december 17, 1994.
- Explains that the 18th amendment was passed in 1919 and the treasury department created a prohibition unit to investigate defiance against the volstead act.
- Explains that the legal prohibition of alcohol was abolished by the 21st amendment in 1933. the bureau of narcotics was established and stayed a part of the treasury department until 1968.
- Explains that the dea expanded throughout time due to the war on drugs, which began in the 1980's.
- Explains that the dea hired 1,470 special agents nationally and within outposts all over the world in 1973 and hired 2,135 merely two years after. the yearly budget exceeds $2 billion.
- Explains the fbi's mission to protect and defend the united states against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal and international agencies and partners.
- Explains that the fbi defends the united states against terrorist attacks, cyber-based attacks and foreign intelligence operations and spying. they also fight public corruption, violent crimes, and transnational/national criminal organizations.
1110 wordsRead More - US Needs a Counterterrorism Strategyopinion essayThere are a vast amount of policies and strategies set forth to counter-terrorism in every which way however, there is no real evidence to support the effectiveness of any of these policies. A lot of what we are practicing today is a result of hasty decisions made in a time of need. Many of the tactics being used to counter terrorism lack a...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that counter-terrorism is simply a reaction or opposition to the said acts. although the military has been the main effort for america's fight against terrorism, alternative measures can be taken on our own soil.
- Questions whether counter-terrorism tactics are effective or are they only stimulating terrorist activity in the long run.
- Opines that there is no real evidence to support the effectiveness of any of these policies. many of the tactics being used to counter terrorism lack any sort of evaluation.
- Opines that a counter-terrorism task force would be the most efficient way to eliminate terrorist activity from the world.
- Explains that the epa manages the national counterterrorism evidence response team, which supports the dhs and fbi in threat credibility assessment.
- Analyzes how america was left in shambles struggling to clean up after the political wrongdoing of those seeking approval.
- Opines that the public's lack of understanding of what america is trying to achieve can be incredibly confusing when everything is thrown together in a short period of time.
- Argues that america's policies and strategies for counter- or anti-terrorism were brought to light by a demand from the people to retaliate.
- Explains that bobrow and zunes both believe that the united states is directly responsible for the spike in terrorist activity since it’s retaliation.
- Opines that the reaction to a terrorist act responsible for killing thousands of innocent americans turns around and does the same thing in iraq.
- Opines that a proactive america is probably the best approach to an secure, terror free nation. if the american people can be proactive and assist local organizations like dhs, tsa, and border patrol, the overall goal of reduction in terrorism could be met.
- Opines that the military will never be completely removed from the equation when it comes to counter- or anti-terrorism, but it can be a secondary force deployed only once all other resources have been exhausted.
- Opines that america can work on helping others with the battle against terrorism, since it is an international dilemma.
- Opines that a proactive america could be the number one attribute to the overall success of the ‘war on terror’.
- Cites bobrow, d. b. (2004), losing to terrorism: an american work in progress.
1617 wordsRead More - Government Acts to Prevent Future Terrorist Attacksexplanatory essayOn September 11, 2001, a sequence of organized suicide attacks, conducted by al-Qaeda, occurred around 8 o’clock that morning. Earlier that morning, the four commercial passenger jet airliners, that were later crashed into buildings, were hijacked by nineteen al-Qaeda terrorists. These terrorists intentionally crashed two of the planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The third was crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, and the fourth plane was crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The passengers of the fourth plane fought the terrorist men by trying to regain control over the plane. These attacks killed over 3,000 people including the nineteen terrorists, and caused many people to realize that the United States will forever be changed. Since that day, the prevention of more terrorist attacks has become the number one focus in America. Over the years, the American society has seen many changes occur regarding government laws that increase security, provide more access to private files, and protect our homeland.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the 9/11 attacks killed over 3,000 people, including the nineteen terrorists, and caused many people to realize the united states will forever be changed.
- Explains the tsa's goal of preventing criminal acts by detecting next-generation threats and completing 190 baseline assessments for security enhancement. the visa security program relies on hsi to pinpoint terrorists before they can reach the us.
- Explains that the president created programs that allow him to listen, read, go through, and get into anything so he is able to track down possible terrorists.
- Explains that the intelligence reform and terrorism prevention act affects the u.s. federal terrorism laws. the enhanced border security and visa entry reform act of 2002 gives the united states government the power to control our borders.
- Opines that mockaitis, tom, “september 11 terrorist attacks.” world book advanced, 2014.
- Explains that hsi special agents identified an iranian national who applied for a visitor’s visa to come to the united states to attend an information technology conference on behalf of his employer.
- Explains that the united states department of homeland security (dhs) protects the u.s. from man-made accidents, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks.
- Summarizes bush's remarks on signing the intelligence reform and terrorism prevention act of 2004.
- Explains seaney, rick, and the enhanced border security and visa reform act of 2002, h.r. 352.
1417 wordsRead More - 9/11 Attacksexplanatory essayOne of the most devastating days in U.S. history was September 11, 2001 when the Twin Towers in New York City fell. Almost 3,000 innocent people died on that day. The outcome was serious on society and buffed up security in airports lots. A plane also hit the Pentagon, and one was heading for the White House. In this paper we will investigate about the hijackers, what the impact on society was, security in airports, communication, and the aftermath.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that 9/11 was one of the most devastating days in u.s. history. the twin towers fell, killing 3,000 innocent people, and buffed up security in airports.
- Explains that the security in airports up to 2001 was inadequate. 19 hijackers could take over 4 planes, smuggle box cutters and knives easily.
- Explains that airports allow people to check bags that have crossbows, hammers, knives, etc. this is a safe procedure and if any item on the list is found in the bag without knowledge from the airport, you get arrested.
- Explains that news networks were utterly confused and could not keep up with all that was happening on september 11th. it was so tragic that it is ridiculous to try to talk through this.
- Analyzes how an audio clip from flight 11 between flight attendant betty ong and ground personnel is confusing and has to be heard a couple times to hear exactly what they are talking about.
- Explains how the first plane hit the wtc, emergency services were heading to the scene, and president bush was notified while he was at a school in florida.
- Explains that finding the five hijackers for flight 11 was a difficult situation. the people on the plane found the hijacker's names and gave it to the ground personnel.
- Narrates how fayez banihammad and ahmed al ghamdi were killed on united airlines flight 175. the flight changed course at 8:47, but the air traffic controller didn't notice until about 5 minutes later.
- Describes how american airlines flight 77 was hijacked at 8:51 and a nationwide ground stop. the plane crashed into the pentagon at 9:37 and collapsed.
- Describes the hijacking of united airlines flight 93, which started at 9:28. the hijackers were trying to take over the cockpit, and passengers were planning a revolt.
- Explains that passengers broke into the cockpit using a food cart, possibly restraining one of the hijackers. there is no other information about the flight from this point.
- Cites "9/11 attacks." history.com. a&e television networks, n.d. web. 06 dec. 2013.
803 wordsRead More - The Transformation of the US Through Terroranalytical essayAmerican citizens lost their sense of safety and security after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 (9/11). The United States (U.S.) became a nation transformed, and a vital debate arose between civil liberties and national security. The attacks on 9/11 should not have come as a surprise, for years Islamist extremists had given warning of their hatred and intent to kill Americans. According to the National Commission On Terrorist Attacks Upon The United States (2004) throughout the 1990s hundreds of people were killed, and thousands wounded resulting from various attacks against the U.S. and several U.S. embassies. Furthermore, across the government, there were failures of management, capabilities, policy, and imagination. No action was taken against these acts of violence, and because of the egotism, on 9/11 the highest price was paid.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how americans lost their sense of safety and security after the terrorist attacks on september 11, 2001.
- Explains that the fourth amendment provides protection against unreasonable searches and seizures without probable cause and against the improper issue of warrants.
- Opines that the patriot act is unconstitutional and violates the protections of the fourth amendment.
- Cites the united states government printing office's list of countries by number of troops.
471 wordsRead More - September 11: War Against Terrorism is Necessaryopinion essayOn the fateful morning of September 11, 2001, few of us knew that the history of America, let alone our individual lives, was dramatically and permanently changing. As the day progressed, Americans, one by one, were dumbfounded at the events that had occurred. This is by no means the first terrorist attack in the history of the world. Nor will it be the last. Many cultures over time have been greatly wounded and even overcome by these fiendish terrorist attacks. Thankfully, the United States' history has not been heavily tarnished by these assaults - until now.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the media, showing the good and unintentionally rewarding the bad, is not the only source of mixed signals and messages. punishment is often double-edged, yet it can also result in negative, even backfiring, consequences.
- Explains sidman, murray, "coercion and its fallout." cambridge center for behavioral studies.
- Opines that america's history has not been tarnished by these fiendish terrorist attacks. the tragic incidents in new york and washington d.c. have played a profound role.
- Opines that the war against terrorism is a needed effort, but its end is not yet in sight.
- Narrates president george w. bush's speech to a joint session of congress and the american people.
1254 wordsRead More