How has the war on terror affected the United States?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The September 11, 2001 attack on the United States changed this country in several dramatic ways. For example, security has been increased at all large public gatherings and to some extent even at small ones. It is obvious that some of us are now accustomed to being screened and searched at various times such as when we attempt to board an airplane. We are not as free as we once were in this country. It may also be that the need for more protection from the terrorists could very well cause the police to become more militarized and more war oriented. In addition, the War on Terrorism has exacerbated the relationship between certain ethnic groups and the police. Allegations of racial profiling have expanded beyond the black community. Another result of the conflict with terrorists has been the lessening of federal funding for local police programs in some cases. This may have negative effects such as less local police efforts at developing police community relations programs. In addition, federal funding may be diverted from money being given to state and local social projects that could help deter crime because such money may be needed to conduct military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The conflict with the terrorists has also brought a division within this country about how imprisoned "foreign combatants" are treated by their American captors especially when such individuals are imprisoned in Guantanamo, Cuba. America's new war with the terrorists is also reflected in the formation of a new national department--that being the Department of Homeland Security. The text notes that this new department has become somewhat controversial regarding its effectiveness even though there has been an absence of a subsequent terrorist attack. Finally, not only are American citizens being searched more carefully and more often, the government has expanded its power to monitor our daily activities. This has resulted in allegations of violations relating to our civil liberties. Hence, regardless of where one stands regarding the American government's response to terrorism there is no doubt that the lives of American citizens have changed noticeably.