Post 9/11 Argumentative Essay

In events like the ones that took place on September 11th, 2001 I strongly believe it is more than acceptable to restrict the freedoms and rights of American citizens in order to contain and deescalate the situation. “The fallout from those events impacted the entire world to varying degrees…” (Harmening, page 8). It is safe to say the air travel security and the way we travel in general today has been changed. Since 9/11 the T.S.A. put into action stricter guidelines on passengers, there luggage, and things you could take on board the aircraft. T.S.A. checkpoints now became a thorough process with the introduction of metal detectors and body scanners, not to mention you had to take your shoes, belt and any of jewelry off before continuing

on through the detectors to meet that ever so happy T.S.A. agent. Items that were acceptable to bring on the airplane had to be in a clear plastic bag that was to also be inspected via x-ray. Any liquids containing 3.4 ounces or more would be discarded (so much for that expensive shampoo or conditioner you just bought that you forgot to put in your luggage!). If you want to say goodbye and wish your loved ones safe travels you better have a medical note or you’re not getting anywhere near that gate. Waiting to pick up family and friends from the airport has now become a tedious process as you are shooed off by state law enforcement if you are waiting more than five minutes in one spot. Of All non U.S citizens who now enter the country without citizenship via airways now have to be fingerprinted and photographed as well as pass a background check before they are free to go.

It is without question that taking away American freedoms in certain instances is an incredibly hard but justifiable thing to do. Just look at the outcome…in the days and months after 9/11 people stated how they would never feel safe flying again…EVER! They were in so much fear of another attack due to a lack of security measures. Today (post 9/11) looking specifically at the Security and the freedoms that were lost. Whether it’s traveling by air, boat, train or simply walking into a stadium to catch your favorite ball game it’s evident that security will always be a top priority. In conclusion yes it is in fact an acceptable measure to constrain freedoms for the safety of American citizens, these measures were put into place to stop another crisis like this from happening again.