Terrorism, terror lies within the word itself, with latin roots that define it as fright. Terrorism, the practice of creating unrest in a group of people or society to physically hurt or to psychologically impair groups of people and individuals in order to gain control, create fear and, or, intimidate society. Domestic terrorism has been used as a tactic in battles and wars but has only increased within the last decade and has become an issue of concern across nations worldwide. After the attacks of September 11, 2001 on U.S. soil, the nation called for higher airport security in an expedited manner to better secure its borders and infrastructure from further attacks
In the United States when the word terrorism comes to mind one of the
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Due to different theories on how the hijackers gained control of the cockpit, new technologies have been added to airports to detect and prevent people from boarding planes with weapons intended for malice. Identification checks have also been implemented as as well in order to defer false or invasive personalities. Furthermore, to prevent access to intruders, possible hijackers and plane passengers, airplane cockpits have been equipped with locked doors and bulletproof walls, and pilots have been granted permission to carry firearms in case of a cockpit invasion. The new security guidelines and restrictions have in a way become routine and a part of every-day life. However, the more in depth and strenuous security screenings now taking place at airports worldwide can be considered as a security overhaul and an invasion of personal …show more content…
However, identification also checks came into play after U.S. authorities learned Al’ Qaeda terrorist infiltrated the system by passing through metal screenings and passport checks by using false identities. After 9/11 the question of national security was at stake and played a role on determining how to deal with terrorism problems outside and within the nation’s borders.
To further ensure the safety of plane passengers and in an effort to prevent future attacks U.S. officials made the move to reinforce cockpit doors with bulletproof technology in order “to prevent unauthorized access.” (*****) Furthermore, passengers are no longer allowed to enter the cockpit while in flight. Along with trained and licensed air marshals who are allowed firearms, more cameras have been placed “so the pilots to monitor any cavin activity.”
The Change in Airport Security from 9/11 The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2011 prompted the world to reevaluate and drastically modify airport and airline security. “Four targets had been chosen, all iconic American buildings that would send a clear message of the depth of their hatred for the United States. All four planes crashed, killing all on board—terrorists, crew members, and passengers, along with hundreds who were killed inside the structures, on the ground, and the men and women who ran into collapsing buildings in an effort to try and save others” (Smutz 1). As Jason Villemez said “the decade after the 9/11 attacks reshaped many facets of life in America” (Villemez 1). Before the attacks, people did not think that large scale hostility towards innocent people in our country was remotely possible.
After 9/11 there was a great increase in security nationwide. One major example of this is the number of agencies created as a result of 9/11. Among these agencies include the creation of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), the DHS (The Department of Homeland Security), the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and lastly the massive advancement of the US Coast Guard. Every one of the budgets of these agencies has doubled since 9/11. The creation of the transportation and security administrations primary goal is to improve the safety of all American Citizens traveling by plane. The TSA started implementing, new policies and new technological advancements.
Since 9/11 there have been nine major security changes at airports. The most important changes are the liquid ban, which bans liquids more than 3.4 ounces from being on an airplane and the body-scan machines along with the enhanced pat downs. (Seaney 1)l/ The body scan machines are x-ray machines that scan the person for anything that could be used as a weapon. Enhanced pat downs are violating to some people as they do not like their private areas searched for weapons. But these pat downs are necessary to detect, find, and remove weapons that a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agent cannot see with their own eyes. The last important change worth mentioning is that all special items including laptops, tablets, E-readers, and all electronic items have to be checked for explosives and other threats. These changes as well as other minor regulations for passengers give the TSA an extra line of defense while screening air travelers.
In today’s society the word “terrorism” has gone global. We see this term on television, in magazines and even from other people speaking of it. In their essay “Controlling Irrational Fears After 9/11”, published in 2002, Clark R. Chapman and Alan W. Harris argue that the reaction of the American officials, people and the media after the attacks of 9/11 was completely irrational due to the simple fact of fear. Chapman and Harris jump right into dismembering the irrational argument, often experienced with relationships and our personal analysis. They express how this argument came about from the terrorist being able to succeed in “achieving one major goal, which was spreading fear” among the American people (Chapman & Harris, para.1). The supporters of the irrational reaction argument state that because “Americans unwittingly cooperated with the terrorist in achieving the major goal”, the result was a widespread of disrupted lives of the Americans and if this reaction had been more rational then there would have been “less disruption in the lives of our citizens” (Chapman & Harris, para. 1).
“What time should we leave? Two hours in advance? Three? Four?” Millions of people ask these questions each year before boarding a plane. Between driving, security, walking to the gate, and getting settled, boarding a plane exhausts travelers. But out of all of these different activities, one frustrates and restrains travelers the most: TSA security. People ask why they need all this security, complain about the inconvenience it causes, and ultimately annoys people to no end. Created after 9/11, Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, nationalized airport security, increased screening duration, and supposedly increases security on flights. However, statistics say these added security measures never come to fruition and potentially cost more lives than they save.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, four airplanes were hijacked and two of them, brought the collapse of the World Trade Center towers in New York City. As a result of these attacks on the United States, airports have come to the realization that the only way to prevent another hijacking is by strengthening the security on aircrafts through the cockpit. In order to secure the cockpit and ensure the safety of the passengers on board, guns were introduced as a possible solution in the event of an emergency situation like those that took place in September of 2001.
The lack of security aboard commercial airplanes has become a concern for the government. Currently, unless there is an air marshal on board, the last defense of stopping a hijacked airplane is to have the military shoot it down so that it does not breech any more of the nation’s security. As a result, the idea of arming pilots and the rest of aircrew has been brought up to both the Senate and the House of Representatives (Bush Supports). The majority of government and people agree that it is a good idea to have guns aboard planes for pilots in the case of an emergency (Up in Arms). Both the Senate and House of Representatives voted to train pilots in the use of firearms. President Bush’s administration began to warm up to the idea of having firearms in the cockpits with the pilots.
To help insure that no other terrorist attack happens again, the government funded a new agency called the Department of Homeland Security. Under the Department of Homeland Security is a branch called the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TSA was established to make sure that no one carried weapons aboard an aircraft for terrorism related uses. When the TSA was established they realized that security was very weak, and could use new machines to help screen for weapons. The government funded the TSA to install new state of the art screeners, to help insure that nothing like 9/11 ever happens again. Thankfully, the TSA has prevented any further attacks, on American
The importance of the TSA in security can be seen on a daily basis, even though this security comes at a price. Majority of the time the lines move smoothly and delays are caused by passengers who rush and fail to follow the rules. This week alone 37 Firearms were discovered, of the 37 firearms, 34 were loaded and 15 had rounds chambered. (Transportation Security Administration, 2014) These are dangers items that we don’t know the intent of the passengers. If you look back at the events of 9/11 lesser weapons (box cutters) were used by the hijackers to take over the plan, fear is a powerful tool. The TSA has used multiple detection systems which assist with detection of these items which include but not limited to body scanners, chemical scanners (which detection gun power ingredients), metal detectors ...
As a response to the 9/11 attacks, one would expect that the TSA would improve airport security. In reality, it's just security theater. Originally, the use of metal detectors and luggage x-rays in airport security checkpoints was enough. However, on December 25, 2009, an inbound international flight was the target of an attempted bomb plot. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab got past security screening and successfully boarded the plane with explosives packed in his underwear. He nearly succeeded in detonating the bomb, but the detonation didn't go as planned and passengers overpowered him before he could fix the detonation[0]. As a result, the TSA increased the use of full-body scanners to replace metal detectors. Before the 2009 attack, there were only 40 full-body scanners in use across 19 airports. After the attack, the government planned to have over 1000 machines in use by the end of 2011. However, the expensive machines are ineffective. In 2010, TV personality Adam Savage unintentionally managed to get two 12" long razor blades through security[1]. In 2011, an undercover TSA agent was able to successfully pass through the scanners with a handgun in her underwear, repeatedly[2]. The TSA is clearly incapable of creating a truly safe airport checkpoint, and is becoming less effective the longe...
Homeland security was developed by the United States government to protect the country from external aggression, reduce the likelihood of terrorist attacks and manage the damage that occurs in case of attacks. To this end, the government set up and reconstituted numerous agencies to aid in the fight against terrorism in the United States. The United States Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security constitute the most prominent departments under the United States law to champion the fight against any attacks by extremist groups. Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the United States’ military also have a role to play in homeland security. With the increasing cases of attacks and acts of aggression towards the United States, the government sought to strengthen the resolve to curb any attacks aimed at killing or maiming the citizens or destruction of government institutions and installations. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, it was apparent that stringent measures were needed to prevent attacks on American soil and protect the citizens of the country. This paper examines the duties; responsibility and intelligence methods used by the military, federal, State and local law enforcement agencies, as well as homeland security agencies in the fight against terrorism, with the aim of drawing similarities and differences.
Post September 11, 2001 the life of a Muslim women living in America changed forever. Islamophobia is the prejudice against Islam or Muslims. Islamophobia is not a new concept, it has roots hundreds of years ago, however after 9/11 it became much more prevalent in America. Following 9/11 Western media used Islam and Muslim women who covered to inflict fear in American citizens. Western media framed Islam as a dangerous and hateful religion that needed to be stopped. At the same time the media became obsessed with Muslim women who veiled and wanted to save these women from their oppression. However, these articles written about the oppressed Muslim women did not feature Muslim women and their experiences veiling. They were not given a voice
Does the thought of going through airport security make you want to jump off a bridge? Some people may think that security in airports is either too strict, or it is not enforced enough. Airport security has certainly developed over time, both in terms of more technology, and in terms of increased security. It has had a lot of reasons to step up, both with terrorist attacks, and with other incidents, such as the way that explosive technology has evolved. The topic of airport security is a big debate: is it too strict or not strict enough? It is important that people know and understand both sides of this important issue.
It was the rash of airline hijackings in the 60s-70s that inspired the use of metal detectors at the airport to prevent passengers from bringing onboard any weapons they may use to hijack the plane. As airport security gets tighter terrorists are plotting to defeat those security measures. Airport metal detectors are just a speed bump and many other measures had to be put in place to ensure people are able to travel safely. Airport security continues to get more advanced.
Terrorism has a tremendous impact on society. It is a rational act of violence and its purpose is to change behavior in a specific society. Terrorism is a political act that is meant to achieve a goal through the act of violence. The nature of terrorism is the nonselective targeting of individuals or a group in society with a goal. The intentions of