“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. We have taken the necessary security precautions and are prepared to do whatever is necessary to protect America and Americans.” President George W. Bush
On September 11, 2001, terrorists initiated multiple attacks on America that took the lives of nearly three thousand innocent people. It was a day of destruction and horror that will be branded in the minds of many for a long time. The tragedies on 9/11 could have been avoided if airport security in the United States had been stricter. A strong foundation for Homeland Security is essential in protecting America from further attacks. In the essay
…show more content…
For example, before September 11, if a mother and her two children were traveling and running late for the flight the airport attendants were willing to lend a helping hand. As the struggling mother and children hurry to the ticket counter the airport personnel help with her bags, quickly check her in, and ask as no questions. The attendant moves her to the front of the line, grabs her bag and the baby carrier, and carries them through for her. Nothing is said about the nail file or the can of mace in her purse. After all, she is a mother of two and she is traveling alone; she is not a threat.
Those days of helping a mother with two children are long gone. Instead, the government has attempted to add procedures to airport security that supposedly provides more “protection” for Americans. In her essay, Zeltser discusses how people are now examined with a fine tooth- comb. She talks about her brother recently returning from a vacation in Mexico. He was pulled aside and asked so many questions that he, himself, was almost convinced that he had taken part in illegal dealings while he was on vacation (Zeltser190). Does one consider extreme interrogation of this kind to be protective measures?
A similar event happened with my brother last summer when he was returning to California after coming home for my high school graduation. Every year, my brother Wesley flies in from San Diego to visit and never checks any
When people enter a place like the airport, they are not looking to be safe and sound. After 9/11 no one was safe. If you went on a plane you weren’t thought of as another person, you were thought of as someone who could potentially hijack the plane and perform a horrific tragedy. That’s why the TSA was created because no one ever wants to have that petrifying fear again. We all hate having to go through the checks but if we didn’t, there could be another attack exactly like 9/11. One of my dad’s friends once told me of a story where he went to the 1998 Major League World Series when it was at Qualcomm for free before all the security checks were put in. He said that he “walked through security like [he] owned the place and [he] told security that [his] they’re were with [him] and got five friends in by saying that.” Security was so lackadaisical that anybody could get through with any weapon. 9/11 was a wakeup call that freedom isn’t everything and the people need protection. All the risks in the world cannot be taken away, but with better safekeeping, at least it can be a safer
Many citizens expect protection from threats foreign and domestic, and to do so in a
In this essay, I will attempt to argue that TSA serves as a mechanism for the government to frame the nature of the debate on privacy, in a way that is beneficial to them. To do this I will first argue that airport security and the TSA is objectively ineffective and merely creates the illusion of privacy. Despite not actually protecting us, the system of airplane security, conditions individuals in the general public to be willing to make sacrifices in privacy for a perceived “greater good” in community safety. This viewpoint of individuals sacrificing a little privacy for the wellbeing of society is the essentially the same “nothing to hide” argument that the government uses to justify mass surveillance and the violation of constitutional privacy rights. This airplane security and analogues government argument is flawed because it defines privacy two narrowly in scope and assumes that privacy couldn’t have social value. However, despite being flawed, the indoctrination by the TSA, and subsequent ideology has become a widely accepted belief. This is inherently
September 11, 2001 began as a beautiful day with a clear blue sky, yet today people recognize it as “the single largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack”(September 11, 2001 2016). These attacks conducted by the terrorist group, Al Qaeda, killed thousands of people and left their loved ones shocked and devastated. At first, the people thought the plane crashing into one of the twin towers was just an accident; it was not until the second collision that people realized America was truly under attack. Though this tragedy lasted only a day, people continue to feel the effects 15 years later, and most likely will in the future. After this terrible day, the security at many places– such as airports –was strengthened greatly. Many people, however, continue to live with the looming fear that another tragedy like this may recur. The attacks of September 11, 2001 greatly affected my mother, Anita Kaplan, because after that tragic day, she became paranoid in regards to the safety of her and her family, afraid to travel on airplanes, and more aware of both the world news and her surroundings.
On September 11th of 2001, nineteen militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. During this event, many people lost their lives and any people lost their loved ones. In spite of what had taken place on that horrible day, the events brought out some of the most genuine hearts and minds to work. The events occurring on September 11th was an eye-opener to say the least. These terrorist attacks made airports and airport security more aware and in a way have pushed airports to progress in security. Finding new and smart ways to find dangers and saving innocent people’s lives.
September 11th, 2001 was a day of tragedy for American citizens and also a day of working together as a country to pull together and conquer terrorism. After the terrorist attacks caused by Al Qaeda, the security in airports changed drastically. Passengers were terrified of flying because they now knew anything could occur at any moment. Luggage and Full body scanners were introduced to airports all around the world(TSA). Prior to 9/11, security was not a huge concern. Having to buy advanced security equipment for all airports in America was a major change not only for airports, but also for passengers. Before September 11th, 2001, getting from the entrance to the gate only took approximately five minutes. With barely any security, getting
The officials at the airports are required to conduct random searches to ensure the safety of the citizens and themselves; however, these searches are not always random. William Raspberry goes over how officials should stay away from exploiting their powers and using more practical precautions like reviewing the passengers lists and enhancing the doors on the planes.
On September 11, 2001, 3,000 of Americans was killed in a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. In response the United States established a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and heighten its security throughout the transportation system, which were designed to prevent similar attacks in the future. This research paper will discuss the history of the TSA and what it does, how TSA improve aviation security, and the cargo screening process. This paper will conclude an overall debrief of my discussion about the TSA and transportation security.
These incidents show that the Transportation Security Administration is another bureaucratic agency that is incapable of providing proper airport security and has so far gotten lucky that another terrorist attack using airliners has not occurred. In this paper I will illustrate that the TSA is not the best vehicle to provide airport security and will offer some suggestions on how to improve security at airports.
Have you ever had to wait in a long line at the airport, get patted down, stripped searched, or even have to go through metal detectors! Before 9/11 the airports didn't really have secure control as did the Government. The agents used false badges and fake identity to get to secure areas and to get by the security. They did that to get to the gates to get on the plane. There were no background checks to see if they had any criminal backgrounds, or if it was the real them. Seeing’s how they used fake ID's, some of the agents could have made threats to passengers or had weapons on the plane because there wasn't complete control at the airport. It really didn't matter what you did at the airport or on the plane. After
In our time, the Transportation Security Administration is an integral part of airports in the United States. One cannot simply travel on a plane without going through the metal detectors or being instructed to take off his or her shoes to check for bombs. Many travelers regard the TSA to be a hassle, as it adds hours into the process of boarding a flight. Some treat it as a necessary evil; they believe that the presence of the TSA is needed to offset the vulnerable state of airports. However, the need for safety does not mean that the TSA is completely justified. The Transportation Security Administration fails to do its job in serving the public. Its policies and practices infringe on people’s privacy, have questionable effectiveness, and pose health risks, while its employees behave unprofessionally and have inadequate training for their jobs. Alternative security measures and internal reform will help the Transportation Security Administration do its job better and raise public opinion.
After the attacks on 9/11, security measures in airports increased. Although these security measures violate the Fourth Amendment of the constitution – which protects citizens from an invasion of privacy – many citizens do not mind this overreach due to the reasoning that it will keep people safe (). This constitutional violation reflects Machiavelli’s view and justification in The Prince that although there is an invasion of privacy, the citizens are being protected (“The
September 11, 2001 marked the most horrific day in history for United States of America. The events of this day changed the lives of those residing in America forever. United States was considered somewhat safe, in regards to terrorists’ attacks. However, this all came to a screeching halt when 19 militants known to be a part of the Al-Qaeda terrorist group hijacked four planes for the purpose of destroying targeted areas in the United States. As a result of the deadly attack on the United States, security measures drastically changed. Although, security measures throughout the United States have been in place, extreme caution came into effect. All departments looked at different measures to improve preventing terrorists’ attacks.
additions to airport security in the United States following the attacks of September 11, 2001, is
Giving airline pilots firearms, reinforcing cockpit doors, better authentication for airport maintenance workers, armed air marshals traveling on flights, and teaching flight attendants are all examples of suggested security measures that have no effect on individual privacy or liberties. (Schneier 773)