Jung ii

What is the New American Way of Life after September, 11

by Won-joon Jung

ENGL 102-D91 Prof. J. Owens May 02, 2012

Jung 1 What is the New American Way of Life after September, 11 It has been 12 years since the terrorist attacks happened in the U.S.A. On September 11, 2001 two airplanes flew into the World Trade Center, which was a symbol of American Economy. As a result of the attack, about 3,000 people were killed and the Americans were in panic. That was the second attack on the U.S.A. However it was more shocking than the attack on Pearl Harbor, the first attack, because it was the first that occurred on the mainland. Moreover, the Pearl Harbor incidents happened during World War II. Therefore, at that time Americans knew that their country was in the middle of World War II. However, in 2001, nobody knew that they would be attacked. So the result was that Americans realized that they could be attacked whenever and wherever even though they were in American territory. These facts made Americans afraid of terrorists and made them feel uneasy about their lives. Also, Americans say the terrorist attacks were a turning point that divided American history into two parts: before September 11 and after September 11. This means that there were so many changes in many ways that Americans have felt firsthand. After Sep. 11, American society changed. Under the pretense of preventing terrorism, American government enacted a new law; the USA Patriot Act. The formal name of USA Patriot Act is Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism( ).

On October 26, 45days after September 11, when the attacks happened, the Congress passed the USA Patriot bill. However, objectors insisted the Act threatened individual rights and freedom. The Act allowed the Secret Service and some criminal investigation squads to investigate people or organizations that were suspected of terror without any judicial control. In other words, government could search suspects houses or computers clandestinely and it also could inquire of

Jung 2 suspects using record at libraries, bookstores, hospitals and banks. Moreover terror suspects could be detained for an indefinite period. Wiretapping of telephone and e-mail was allowed without a warrant through this Act. In accordance with the Act, the most typical effect has been violation of privacy. Even though Americans have believed that privacy is a human right from God since the establishment of America, they couldnt have privacy under the cloak of protection from terror. The government could search citizens information just because they were suspected. More surprisingly the Ministry of Justice asked the court to delay on reporting to people who were searched even though they had to notify this fact. The Ministry of Justice insisted that an extension to the Act was needed to protect informers and prevent destruction of evidence. (Eric Lichtblau) Recently, at some subway stations in Manhattan, police inspect passengers luggage occasionally. It has happened since July 7, when the London Terrorist Attack happened. At that time someone said that we live in a world where we need this safety management (Michel Bloomberg) and made a declaration of inspection. After that, the New York City Police have arranged policemen at Grand Central Station, Penn Station and other important stations and they inspected passengers. In the daytime, inspections happen occasionally. At a total of 468 subway stations, over 450 million passengers are inspected but they cant complain because they cant take in the subway if they complain about it. In addition, New York City will strengthen the defenses of public transportation such as subways and bus. To do so, the City will spend hundreds of millions of dollars. Recently New York City announced that they would set up ultramodern monitors to keep watch. The new system is constituted of over 1,000 cameras and 3,000 sensors. This equipment will set up for watching traffic networks, passengers and foot passengers.

Jung 3 These events are happening not only in New York but also theyre happening in other states. For example, all Americans should submit many forms of identifications and papers to get drivers license. In this way, American society has changed since September 11. To Americans the fear of terrorism is a real situation now. Not only to Americans but also to foreigners, the terror attack was a turning point. After the attack, to get a visa became much more difficult than before. Since the introduction of the new U.S. visa application system on Aug. 2, 2004, over 95 percent of applicants have been required to appear for a non-immigrant visa interview(Korea Times). Previously, the American Embassy exempted those between the ages of 55 and 80 from visa interviews, resulting in only about 65 percent of applicants needing to go through the interview process. However, though someone may get visa, it isnt over there. A Korean bank officer said that a president of a bank was searched at a New York airport because he bought all his air tickets in Korea. It proves that entrance into America and travel there has become more difficult. Life in America has become too tough for some foreign students. The most typical hardship for foreign students is the Social Security Number. That is a identification number that people can prove their credit and information through it. Without it, having a credit card or a mobile phone is difficult though the items are necessities. Needless to say, work permit is almost impossible to obtain. If they bought an air ticket in America, it would be OK, but if bought in foreign countries they might be put on a black list and would be watched. However, it is not more serious than immigrants situations. Immediately after September 11, the Ministry of Justice examined Arabic immigrants. During the process, a minimum of 1,200 Arabic immigrants were detained and searched in connection with the terrorist attack without warrants. They werent allowed to keep in touch with family or attorneys. In one serious case, an Arabic student was detained for 3 months without any information. The Ministry

Jung 4 of Justice refused to announce basic information about these people including the student. Even though, surprisingly, nobody was under indictment because of suspicion of terror. After that, Arabic men and students have been targets. They have been watched everywhere and investigated because they were Arabic. Also they couldnt fly on many airlines. Airlines refused to carry Arabic people by reason of others feelings of uneasiness. They became a common object of hatred because of their looks. Its not over only to Arabic. At the beginning of 2002, The Ministry of Justice announced that they put into effect a law (NSEERS: National Security Entry-Exit Registration System.). According to the law, all men over 16 years old from 25 countries should declare themselves to immigration. Also they should take a picture and leave their fingerprints. If they refused it, they cant enter. According to the law, the USA immigrant demanded to attend to immigrants who came from 25 countries such as Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea. During the process, 1,200 people were detained. At December 2002, 400 men and boys who came from Arab nations were detained at immigrant of Los Angeles (John). Until the end of November 2003, the number of people who were applied by the law was 83,519(The NSEERS was finished at December 2, 2003). In addition they didnt have any special suspicion. Most people just had simple visa problem. In the process of dealing with the result of the 9.11 crisis, there have been a lot of changes nationally and internationally. Alertness and strict preparation and the whole worlds attention will be effective to prevent such crisis from repeating itself or minimize the amount of damage and the number of victims. The whole worlds attention and realistic international actions are significant elements to prevent terrorism. Also, the United States has fought terrorism with various consistent plans and in

Jung 5 reasonable and strong ways. And now, many nations gather to form an anti-terror solidarity with America which gets into the main axis in order to reconstruct an international order based on liberalism. But terrorist groups will be continuously reproduced among the politically unstable and economically underdeveloped countries, which will continuously threaten the international regularity of liberalism. And, therefore, we cannot deny the importance of having a more positive attitude towards neglected and undeveloped countries of the world to truly solve this world problem. Some see this whole situation as "the crisis of global capitalism" (Moore, 36) and terrorism as a presentation from the neglected and repressed people who need the help of powerful nations (Mulgrew). So the importance of realistic preventions of terrorism is mandatory, but the end of terrorism will truly begin when all the countries of the world focus on the universally balanced problem of welfare, which is that of guaranteeing a more humane life for all. The American government is now propelling The USA Patriot Act 2. In this law, an article expresses that American government has the power which government can expel a denizen citizen without prosecution. It mean for non-American such as foreigners, abroad students and immigrants it will still not be easy to live in America. Moreover, There will be a legal basis for government to search nationals information quietly. In my opinion the neurosis about terror will not be finished until the American government believes firmly that they are safe. Until that time, the crash of view between government and people who want to keep their privacy will be continuing.

Jung 6 Annotated Works Cited Balz, Dan and Allen, Mike Campaign Could Last 'Year or Two'. The Washington Post 12 Opt. 2001: A A1 Kerry, Jone F. Rooting Out Blood Money. 1 Nov. 2001 <http://www.ndol.org/blueprint > (25 Oct. 2002) Moore, Richard K. Understanding the Events of 9.11. New Dawn No. 69 (13 Nov. 2001): 35-37 Mulgrew, Ian. 9-11 Attack on America: The Truth Is Out There Right? 23 Feb. 2002 <http:// www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun> (22 Sep. 2002) Sisk, Richard Uniting the World against Terror. New York Daily News 5 Oct.2001: S42

Eric Lichtblau, Justice Department Lists Uses of New Power to Fight Terror, The New York Times, May 21, 2003.

John M. Broder & Susan Saches, Men From Muslim Nations Swamp Immigration