National Security

National Security: Post September 11

Tragedy struck a nation. The date was September 11, 2001; a misfortune occurred that will linger in the memory of many lives. The nation was hit by the hand of a coward and with conscience of a criminal. It was not until that morning that the citizens of America began to question just how safe we really are. Terrorism became a reality to many citizens of America when the occurrence of the attacks continued; it terrified many and brought about the question of National Security. National Security breaches are an extreme threat to society, following the September 11, 2001 attacks; however, they pushed our leaders into a task to make our country safe form terrorists and to change our security procedures to achieve further safety. The uncertainty has brought about the question: measures have been taken to make our country feel safer?

What beneficial effect have we had in all these years? We have seen the cumulative effect of humanity shining through fire and smoke and heard many people preach about the importance of peace and understanding. How are we debriefing the situation of National Security? It is a case study for responsiveness training, for strategic planning, for risk assessment and knowledgeable management. The September 11 terrorists' attacks have had both positive and negative impacts on the use of computers and technology (Bush, G.W., 2007). It is hard to believe that good things can come out of this kind of horrific situation. In this case it took a terrorist attack to make us realize that there is room for improvement in the quality of our technology that we rely on so much. Areas requiring technological improvement include, but are not limited to: Airports/Air travel, Nuclear Plants and other major targets, and eliminating racial profiling.

Since 9/11, Security has moved quickly and aggressively to further enhance security in light of increased threat. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC, is advised to maintain the highest level of security at all times. At high risk areas in which security has to be guaranteed to be at its highest performance, there is the Homeland Security Advisory System. The System has five levels, Severe (severe risk of terrorist attack-Red), High (high risk of terrorist attack-Orange), Elevated (Significant risk of terrorist attacks-Yellow), Guarded (General risk of terrorist attack-Blue), Low (Low risk of terrorist attacks-Green) (Mayer, M.A. and Carafano, J.J. Ph.D., 2007). How are these levels set?

Ð'* To what degree is the threat information credible?

Ð'* To what degree is the threat information corroborated?

Ð'* To what degree is the threat specific and or imminent?

Ð'* How grave are the potential consequences of the threat?

To understand the full degree of the colors, Mayer and Carafano will explain it to you within this paragraph. Red is utilized to increase or redirect personnel to address critical emergency needs, such as monitoring, redirecting or constraining transportation systems and closing public and government facilities. Orange denotes the need to Co-ordinate necessary security efforts with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations. Orange also means to prepare to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site, dispersing the workforce, and restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only. Yellow means to co-ordinate emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions to assess whether the precise characteristics of the threat require further refinement of preplanned protective measures. It also denotes the need to implement, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans. Blue indicates the need to review and update emergency response procedures and provides public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately. Green indicates the need to ensure that personnel receive proper training on the Homeland Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department or agency protective measures. Green also denotes is the need to implement a process that assures that facilities are assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks, so steps are taken mitigate these vulnerabilities. The most common place where you would see this is in an airport. The majority of American citizens do not realize what the colors mean or what type of security color code they are under (Implementing the USA Patriot Act of 2001: Civil Rights Impact. ,2002).

Accusations

Racial Profiling

To what extent can race, ethnicity, and national origin be used in targeting suspects for stops, searches, and arrests? This has become a growing concern of many since the tragic terrorist acts that took place on September 11th, 2001. Before September 11 America had almost succeeded in eliminating racial profiling. After September 11, the situation has changed. Prior to September 11, 80 percent of Americans opposed racial profiling. Since that day, there has been an immediate reversal of public opinion (Response to concerns about housing security following September 11, 2001.,2007). Polls now show that 70 percent of Americans believe that some form of racial profiling is taking place. Since the attacks, there has been a massive increase in racial profiling at airports, particularly as it applies to people who appear to be Muslim or South Asian or Middle-Eastern decent. At an airport, a family with an eight year old son was taken from the line and the boys personally built Boy Scout pinewood derby car was taken apart. This is how the boy's mother she had explained the occurrence.

"Imagine how I felt when my eight-year-old son was pulled from the line because of his name and I could not go with him. Imagine how he felt when they started to take apart his Boy Scout pinewood derby car in the Boy Scout box... It is now routine for my son, for Omar Rana, to get extra security checks at the airport. He knows it's going to happen, and he expects it... But how do I tell my ... son that it's okay? He is now ten. He is learning about civil liberties and civil rights. What meaning do they have for him...? "

The son listens to his mother explain why they had done, this then later replied,

"They think September 11 is our fault. We have to take responsibility for it ...They think America is going to be a better country without us."

This is just one mishap that has happened. There are very many other unfair misfortunes that have happened to people. The United States has fought a long