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Wake Of 9/11

Wake of 9/11 1

The Wake of 9/11
Are We Where We Should Be?

University of Maryland University College

Wake of 9/11 2
America suffered, what was initially thought, a devastating blow on September 11th, 2001. Something that only happened in other countries, to other people, had happened right here at home. We had been attacked; innocent lives were lost. Our economy slowed; people were in shock and disbelief. However, once it was clearly understood what had happened our nation jumped immediately into action to protect its people and its borders. This gave American society a newfound feeling of pride; pride in their country, military, and fellow Americans. Our country had taken their fear and pain and turned it into to something useful. But was this feeling here to stay? With the exception of those directly impacted by the events of 9/11, what impact has this event really left of the face of society as a whole? Have our attitudes changed, has our economy suffered? How about the overall psychological health of our society; has it been permanently affected?
Has society's attitudes really changed in the wake of 9/11? Before 11 September 2001, American society as a whole seemed to have had the unwavering belief that we were invincible; we believed we could not be attacked on such a large scale. As we saw the terror unfold on our television screens and the reality of what was happening began to set it, we watched in disbelief. Our nation, our superior and invulnerable nation, was being attacked right in front of us and we were helpless to do anything about it. We lost more than lives that day. We had lost the illusion that we were safe from this kind of terror; we had lost our sense of security. After all this, the attitude of society has not changed nearly enough considering the magnitude of 9/11. "Since the attacks, Americans have been subjected to a debate of homeland security that looks like a ping-pong match. On one side are those who...