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America: One Year Later
By Mike Bayham
September 9, 2002

The year 2001 was really two very contrasting times contained within a single 365 day period. The world that existed for most Americans on September 10, 2001 was a very different place only 24 hours later. With the crashing of the first plane into one of the towers of the World Trade Center, America and its people were changed forever.

On September 10, the nation was preoccupied with domestic issues that not very many people remember even if they were centers of our attention then. The rest of the world was very far away and Americans were oblivious to the imminent danger and destruction that lurked right around the corner.

After September 11, the concerns and priorities of Americans were different. The shock of the attacks momentarily paralyzed the country. It had been nearly two hundred years since a foreign entity had stricken the country in such a manner, though the loss of civilian life was unprecedented. In the 12 months that have come to pass in the aftermath of the destruction of the World Trade Center towers, Americans have adopted a different view of the world and ourselves.

In many ways, the nation has historically had a "happily ever after" attitude of foreign conflicts. Geography had physically and psychologically isolated the country from the troubles of Europe where proximity had placed many of the nations in an almost continuous state of conflict for centuries. After coming to the conclusion of an engagement, the country summarily disarmed itself militarily and disengaged itself in its global presence, thinking all would be well eternally, only to be disappointingly interrupted by some kind of event that forced the country to "suit up" again.

Contrary to popular belief, evil did not die with the Soviet Union nor was it exterminated with the liberation of Kuwait, which was the agreed upon political point by the allied coalition in the Persian Gulf War. Toppling Saddam Hussein was never something our erstwhile allies consented to nor was it believed that it would be in the best interest of regional stability. So with the exception of the overextension of our military in mundane police actions through the United Nations under President Clinton, things were relatively quiet.

Once the immediate enemy was identified after September 11, military action was initiated in a country that had not prominently appeared in the news since the Reagan and Bush administrations. Almost overnight, America was introduced to its new mortal enemy, Osama Bin Laden, though coordination of the attacks should not have come as a surprise since Bin Laden had been involved in several previous bombings that had cost American lives. Unfortunately, it took the death of thousands and the permanent reshaping of the Manhattan skyline to take Bin Laden seriously.

Not only was the United States dealing with a relatively new enemy, but also a new kind of enemy. Instead of having to deal with nation-states with cities and standing armies, America now had to contend with a network that was able to shift its operations quickly and even set up shop amongst us. Though the capital of the country that Al Qaeda operated out of was captured, the organization has been able to evade apprehension. At least so far.

Domestically, the country has also changed. The outpouring of charity and assistance by Americans was nothing short of fantastic and our generosity was not limited to just September 11th victims. America not only stepped up to the plate to help their countrymen, they filled it to the brim with contributions.

People became more aware of their communities in general and attendance in churches increased markedly. Patriotism, once sneered upon as being corny, also made a comeback in a big way with American flags being displayed in great numbers in almost every corner of the country. There was such a run on the once well stocked item that measures were enacted in some places to prevent price gouging by opportunistic vendors.

A new appreciation has also come for our civil servants. Firemen and police officers achieved the status of heroes after finally being recognized for the risks they take with their jobs when many of their colleagues perished shortly after they rushed into the buildings to help others rush out. These common men displayed uncommon courage and commitment to their duties not hesitating to think that they might not be alive an hour later.

The importance of domestic security has also changed. The government and other agencies responsible for protecting civilians had been lax in implementing new policies and in enforcing current ones. The most damning piece of evidence regarding this was when the dead terrorists were mailed their residency extensions from the INS after the attack. Since this amazing revelation, we have been assured that the mistakes that contributed to 9-11 would not be repeated.

Airport security is another area that has received a great deal of attention. The practice of letting people board planes with boxcutters and knives has ended and many people are thoroughly searched. Some officials have decried the prior refusal to incorporate profiling as a means of rooting our terrorists. Rather than letting political correctness and sensitivities dictate security procedures, persons who may pose a potential risk should be screened in recognition of the realities of the war that has hit the United States.

We are indeed a different nation since last year when the problems that other countries endure with unfortunate regularity seemed very distant. I am hopeful that September 11th will be the last time the country will be caught off guard, even though the prospect of being attacked again will always be a possibility. While the terrorists succeeded in destroying lives and structures, their testing of the American spirit proved to the world and ourselves that we are stronger than anyone, including ourselves, realized. Though there is much to mourn on Wednesday, September 1, 2002, there is also much to be proud of.