September 11: two years later: how safe is the nation from another terror attack?

During a recent visit to the World Trade Center, Jaime L., 10, stared at the concrete basin where the Twin Towers once stood. "I'm still sad that [the terrorist attacks] happened," she told JS. "So many people died here. Now there's just a big hole in the ground."

Reconstruction at Ground Zero has already begun. Workers are rebuilding the subway station and other underground structures destroyed during the attacks. Construction has also started on a new World Trade Center. New York Governor George Pataki says that the tower and a 9/11 memorial will open by 2006.

But many businesses and communities in Lower Manhattan are still hurting financially. And tens of thousands of New York City firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers are suffering from physical ailments caused by toxic exposure during and after the collapse of the Twin Towers.

A recent study also revealed that the 35,000 people who worked in the recovery effort at Ground Zero still struggle with emotional scars. According to the study, about one-fifth of those workers exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress, including anger, insomnia (sleeplessness), and depression.

An Anxious Nation

When a blackout hit the Northeastern U.S. and Canada last month, many people immediately feared that terrorists were to blame. Such is the mood of a nation still anxious over another possible terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

In the two years since launching a devastating assault on the U.S. that killed 3,030 people, Al Qaeda, the Islamic terrorist organization, has claimed responsibility for deadly bombings in Afghanistan, Yemen, Indonesia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya. There is also concern that Al Qaeda is behind some of the attacks on U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

What progress has been made since 9/11? Is our nation safer now than it was two years ago?

So far, the war on terror has led to the arrests of 3,000 terrorists worldwide and "disrupted" about 100 Al Qaeda missions.

The newly created Department of Homeland Security is working to secure U.S. borders, airports, and seaports, and to defend against bioterrorism. Many experts say that the enhanced security measures have made airports safer today than they were two years ago.

But vulnerabilities [weaknesses] still exist. In August, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested three men who were caught trying to sell a shoulder-fired missile to a man posing as a terrorist. Such a weapon could be used to shoot down a commercial jetliner.

"I believe [terrorists] want to strike us whenever and wherever they can," warns U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Erosion of Civil Liberties

Many people accuse Ashcroft and other U.S. officials of exploiting (taking advantage of) people's fears about terrorism to take away civil liberties. In response to criticism, Ashcroft recently toured the country to defend the USA Patriot Act and other legislation passed after 9/11.

The Patriot Act broadened the U.S. government's ability to conduct electronic and physical surveillance. It also called for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the FBI to work together more closely. A recent congressional report criticized both agencies for not heeding several warnings before the 9/11 attacks.

Congress is currently debating whether to renew portions of the Patriot Act that are set to expire in 2005.

"There is a great deal of unease about how these new laws are being used," said Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont).

As U.S. officials continue to seek a balance between protecting the nation and safeguarding civil liberties, many young people are casting a wary--and realistic--eye toward the future.

"I believe that the nation is taking all possible precautions to ensure our national security," Michael Cappetta, 12, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, told JS. "But this does not mean another attack is not possible." JS

OBJECTIVES

Students should understand:

* The impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the lives and freedoms of Americans.

TEACHING STRATEGY

Provide students with an opportunity to share any reflections they might have concerning the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Have students discuss how the U.S. has changed since the terrorist attacks.

BACKGROUND

The FBI estimates that it cost about $250,000 to carry out the September 11 attacks. Al Qaeda terrorists used the money to pay for flight training, travel, housing, and other expenses. Federal officials have traced the funds to numerous Saudi Arabian citizens and organizations.

THINKING SKILLS

CAUSE AND EFFECT: How are New York City's firefighters, police officers, and rescue workers still being affected by the September 11 terror attacks? (Many are now suffering from exposure to toxins released when the Twin Towers collapsed. Also, several Ground Zero recovery workers admit to experiencing sleep disorders and feelings of depression and anger.)

MAIN IDEA: What has the U.S. government done to prevent further attacks? (It created the Department of Homeland Security to better secure the nation's borders, airports, and seaports. U.S. intelligence agencies work more closely together to monitor terrorist activities throughout the world. The USA Patriot Act expanded the U.S. government's electronic and physical surveillance powers.)

ACTIVITY

USA PATRIOT ACT: Ask students to write a report on the USA Patriot Act. How might it affect terrorists who try to attack the U.S.? How has the expansion of U.S. government surveillance powers affected civil liberties?

Your Turn: THINK ABOUT IT

1. Is the U.S. government doing enough to fight terrorism? Why or why not?

2. Find out what is being done to make your community safe from terrorism.

STANDARDS

SOCIAl STUDIES, GRADES 5.8

* Power, authority, and governance: What the U.S. government has done to protect the nation against terrorism.

* Global connections: How terrorists have continued to strike throughout the world since the September 11 attacks on U.S soil.

RESOURCES

PRINT

* Frank, Mitch, Understanding September 11th (Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 2002). Grades 5-8

* Marguilies, Phillip, Al Qaeda: Osama bin Laden's Army of Terrorists (Rosen Publishing Group, 2002). Grades 5-8.

WEB SITES

* 9/11 as History http://www.911ashistory.org/

* New World Trade Center http://www.renewnyc.com/plan_des_dev/wtc_site/new_design_plans/default.asp