Terrorists attack our sense of complacency, security
by Dahnya Jones
UHCLIDIAN Staff
Commentary
Recently , during the Olympics, local news broke in to warn that a band of terrorists was planning an attack for the next day and flashed several faces on the screen. The threats were to take place on Feb. 12; however, attacks had not been confirmed.

My initial reaction was "What does the media know that they are not telling the public?" and "Gee, let's needlessly scare everyone." The threat was a false alarm, but the reality of Sept. 11 began to resurface. For the first time in years, the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon left its imprint on America on an emotional level.

Continuous warnings by the Justice Department keep the public on guard.

"I want to encourage all law enforcement officials, and frankly, all Americans everywhere to be on the highest state of alert in regard to these individuals," said Attorney General John Ashcroft on CNBC news.

Before the attacks, little thought was given to a national uproar that would emotionally scar millions of people, especially a generation who may have been sheltered from previous attacks such as the World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. Never truly dealing with such atrocities before the events of Sept. 11, instinctively I felt the betrayal that had been inflicted on my country.

Hurt and frustration of a new kind came alive, and all previous contentment was destroyed. Everyday trials and tribulations became minuscule. Watching the news daily, waiting for the next bomb to drop consumed much of our time. As time passed on and the initial shock began to wear off, many began to slip back into worlds of comfort. Only this time, comfort levels were permanently distorted.

The United States' reputation for freedom for those who wish to call it home is taken for granted. However, terrorists take advantage of Americašs open doors and force us to re-evaluate who is allowed to come in. The terrorists responsible for the recent attacks came into our country with little identification and were allowed to take flying lessons that enabled them to hurl themselves into our buildings as well as our psyche.

Terrorism thrives on complacency and we cannot let ourselves fall prey to another attack. Many warnings will be false alarms. America's comfort will never be the same and that is to be expected. Measures will continue to be taken to heighten our awareness. If we do not adjust to the idea of having to be on the alert, we will continue to suffer for what may be prevented merely by being more conscious. Awareness of potential threats desperately needs to be active all the time but tolerable enough to continue with everyday life.