3.2 The threat of terrorism in the united states: the emotional

This manuscript has been peer-reviewed, accepted, and endorsed by the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA) as a significant contribution to the scholarship and practice of education administration. In addition to publication in the Connexions Content Commons, this module is published in the International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, Volume 5, Number 1 (January – March 2010). Formatted and edited in Connexions by Julia Stanka, Texas A&M University.

The threat of terrorism in the united states: the emotional answer of a nation in war

Alejandro del Carmen        

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 against the United States will be recorded as one of the most brutal violent events in American history. It is clear today, almost 4 years after the attacks took place, that the morning of September 11, 2001 changed the paradigm of American foreign and domestic policies. It was hard to imagine then, that such attacks would not only change the skyline of New York City; that is, that these attacks would alter, for years to come, the manner in which Americans regarded their government and the country’s domestic and foreign policies.

For those of us that experienced the impact of the attacks of 9/11, it is clear that this period constituted a time of confusion coupled with feelings associated with vengeance. Images of the newly elected president—George W. Bush, declaring war against the enemies of the United States, were often portrayed by the national and local media groups. At the time, President Bush marked the beginning of what was to be known as the “Bush doctrine”; he stated, when referring to other nations, as standing “with us, or against us”. He added, when making a comment to a reporter regarding Osama Bin Laden, that he remembered a sign back home---“wanted dead or alive”.

Both of these instances clearly affirm that the sentiment in the United States was of vengeance against the enemies that had been responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Within a few days of the attacks, the United States launched a major operation against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. This operation was viewed, by nations around the world, as a direct response against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden’s Al Queda terrorist network; particularly, for their direct involvement in the planning and execution of the 9/11 attacks against the United States.

The response of the American public towards the 9/11 attacks was of disbelief and anger. These feelings were coupled with a revived sentiment of patriotism. The latter was clearly observed in neighborhoods throughout the country as Americans began to display, in their homes, cars, and places of employment, patriotic colors representative of the American flag. In addition, the media reinforced this patriotic sense by displaying events that supported the nation that the United States was united. Some of these events included a major hockey game where the players hugged one another after the game ended. Another event included members of the House and Senate of the United States, holding hands singing “God Bless America” at the footsteps of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.