911+Freedom+and+Security

=9/11 Freedom and Security=

//On September 11th, 2001, the United States was attacked by terrorists from the group Al Quaida who flew planes with their passengers into the World Trade Center Towers in NYC, into the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and into the ground in Shanksville P.A.. In the years that followed, extraordinary measures were taken by our government to prevent future attacks. The United States along with its NATO allies intervened in Afghanistan in the Fall of 2001 to drive Al Quaida and the Taliban Government that had supported them from power- and from the country. In 2003, the United States and a few other allies invaded Iraq to topple the government of Saddam Hussein to prevent Iraq from delivering chemical or biological weapons of Mass Destruction to terrorists for use against the United States and its allies. Our troops have been mostly withdrawn from Iraq. Our troops remain in Afghanistan in harms way. Additionally, law enforcement and national security agencies were given additional powers to gather intelligence at home and abroad on Americans and foreigners alike in hopes of anticipating and preventing future attacks. Transportation security measures have continued to increase... Security has also taken home-grown threats into consideration, and even schools are increasing their security measures.//

So what do you think, after all these years and all our nation's efforts, do you feel safer today than you have in the past? Is it in the best interest of the U.S. to intervene in conflicts overseas where American interests and innocent lives are threatened, or would it be better for us to focus our efforts on security at home? What do you think the future involvement of the U.S. should be in Afghanistan? What about the threats from Iran, North Korea, the Drug Wars in Mexico, or the Civil War in Syria? What about the security measures you encounter when you travel by air- or cross national borders? What about school?

This discussion will run until Sunday, September 16th.

Check out the resources area in the Menu for a 9/11 page full of links to information about the attacks and the way the world has changed since.