what positive effects has the 9/11 tragedy brought to our nation?

Question

what im saying is how has it made us stronger?

Answer 1

It hasn't because the Republican party has consistently practiced the politics of divisiveness and fear-mongering. They only care about winning in the next election. National unity and the national interest mean nothing to them.

Answer 2

For a while after 9/11 there were no hyphenated Americans. We were all just Americans. I don't think it's lasted.

The one real positive benefit I can see is people traveling by plane or bus are ready to take action now against suspected hijackers. This is how it should be.

Answer 3

I am not from the US. You are asking how it has made you stronger? I dont think it has. I believe it has made you weaker.

You are now very divided as a nation with both parties and supporters hostile towards each other. I cant remember the nation so divided apart from the Civil War. Saluting the flag (- count how often you see the flag on TV and compare with other countries), and saying "you are with us or against us", constant referrals to "our young persons fighting for freedom and democracy" etc (forget the abuses by soldiers), a focus on patriotism and making criticism of the Government almost the same as a lack of patriotism, all of these arise post 9/11 and contribute to isolationism. (No French fries anymore only liberation fries hehehe, please!!!)
The standing of the US despite it being the greatest power has never been lower worldwide. It is now unsafe for Americans to travel abroad, regardless of what governments may say as they smile and do business with the dollar.

9/11 has been amplified as a war, first for liberation, then a war against terror, and ultimately used to justify torture; absence of due legal process; jailing with no trial and no legal rights of redress; phone tapping; supplying Israel with cluster bombs and supporting its invasion of Lebanon, and preventing an early halt to the war; and so on and so on.

9/11 has created in inward looking nation confused as to why it is not liked and failing to understand its own policies or its recent history seen through the tinted glasses of Fox News and Republican spin. It has failed to seek out the causes of 9/11 and deal with them. It has dealt only with the symptoms of the problem.

Had you not continued with the plan (already detailed by the Bush team) to invade Iraq and taken a justified course of action 9/11 would have made you stronger, but it has been "muddied" by fear- mongering politics.

However, whilst I cannot say that 9/11 in my view has made you stronger as a Nation, I have to say that 9/11 showed many personal stories of great courage and sacrifice, particularly by the Fire Department. And 9/11 seems to have made, at least initially, New Yorkers see themselves as a closer knit community.

But the sad thing is that 9/11 has been packaged as a patriotic event, the subject of films and documentaries but all dealing with terrorism as if it was a meaningless disease. Whilst there are crazy people about ( some of them in government) the reality is that despite a few educated passionate people who can see the abuse of power and corruption in the US and in the UN, the majority of anger comes from the poor and less privileged, a ready breeding ground for action. The causes of "terrorism" are actually injustices, not fanaticism. Fanaticism is a result of injustice ( or perceived injustice). This is true in the south of Thailand and in the south of the Philippines. The issue is one of North/ South not East/ West. It is not one of Muslim/Christian actually, but it is being reconstructed as that which is very foolish.
If the root causes of "terrorism" is poverty and injustice, then 9/11 which has made Americans less tolerant encourages a hit them hard response. And if poverty and injustice are the causes of terrorism this is truly fuelling the flames. 9/11 has made you pay attention to who you are, but if you are not careful the blind patriotism generated by some will cloud your judgement and destroy the qualities for which America has , until now, been famous.

Answer 4

initially it brought a greater sense of nationalism from both parties...all americans. there was and for some still great indignation that our country was attacked so openly on the homeland. From speaking w/ my elders, it was the same mood after Pearl Harbour.

as time passed, it made people want to become more aware of our gov't and its processes; in addition to to the effects on human/constitutional rights.

less likely to take anything for granted...security, comfort, freedoms, and rights.

we've become less complacent...however, it seems we have much to do in order to become less reactive and more proactive...even visionary when dealing w/ the varied nation's challenges.

Answer 5

Nope, no positive effects I can see, aside from *record setting* profits for Big Oil.

And the only people, really the ONLY ones who have become stronger from all this long-term are the Wahabbi Terrorists. Period.

I could go into detail, but people don't *like it* when I do. *lol* :)

Hope this helps....have a good one!

Answer 6

I'm not from the usa, but I personally feel that since 9/11, the world is falling apart, not coming together in any sort. I think people have become more judgemental and cautious. Thats about it.

Answer 7

Well...it SHOULD have made us stronger, but we're still letting our guard down. We should be on alert 24/7. I think average Americans are stronger but our government and the "powers that be" don't have our welfare and best interest in mind. Money matters to them.

Answer 8

Far more people are now aware that the government cannot be trusted, and that they are likely to conduct another similar operation in preparation for war on Iran, and to win the election.
This additional awareness is the only thing which might prevent it happening.

Answer 9

It has made a lot of people realize the importance of organizing in opposition of oppression and bad government. Using places like the one I ref'd

Answer 10

We have tightened security on airlines, FINALLY. In 2000, I flew Southwest, and I had a harder time boarding a bus than one of their flights. Today, people are, rightfully, scrutinized in more ways, prior to boarding what is essentially an aluminum can with a lot of combustive fuel and oxygen. That's positive and good.

We have confronted terrorism with military force. We had not done that in the past. Had we sought to launch two missiles into Afghanistan and call it a day (a la the Clintonian response), we would have been deemed as weak, dismissive, ripe for attack again. Today it is harder to plan, finance and execute terrorism, in nations where the populace is unapologetic about the roots and sponsors of terrorism. Where nations bow to public pressure for religious tolerance where no such tolerance is warranted, attacks will continue. Where nations ignore the dictates of peace and brotherhood that most religions espouse, attacks will continue. Where man has abandoned God and adopted his/her own concept of right/wrong as predominant and governing, there you will see the slow and steady erosion of society and the growth of evil, war and death. In this sense, Americans are closer to their families, friends and God since 9/11. For we know we do NOT have all the answers.
That's positive and good.

We have forged new relationships with nations who have previously gone through attacks and occupation by totalitarian dictators and forces, and have unique experience and background on what this type of regime does to personal and societal psyches. Eastern Europe, Central Asia and a host of other nations have forged stronger ties with the US. Nations like Iraq and Afghanistan are closer to the US now than ever before. Africa is more meaningful to the US now, because of Islam's radical incursions there, but also because the people have shown a willingness to progress, democratize, capitalize and participate in the global community on equal footing. That's positive and good.

We have seen the true face of our purported allies, namely Germany, Spain, France, etc. We realize who we can and can't count on in the continued fight against communism, against radical Islam, against totalitarianism and the denial of basic human rights. In a sense, there is a core of UNITED NATIONS, separate and distinct from the official UN, that has taken a stance against what is blatantly corrupt and essentially inhumane in the world, as epitomized by the regimes of Iran and N. Korea and Syria. This redrawing of world alliances is a positive and good development.

Lastly, the American people, for whatever their slumber or apathy was prior to 9/11, have awoken and spoken. They do not take their rights for granted any longer. They do not plead ignorance when it comes to global economics and world affairs. They are developing opinions, some founded on passion, some on fact, some on both. But they are engaged. And that is a wonderful development.

Are we stronger? I would say the greatest threat to our strength is the polarization within. We are often quick to besmirch and slow to research. We are not UNITED states any longer, and perhaps that is the greatest threat. We tend to offer every comfort and benefit of the doubt to those who show little or no justification for such treatment, while we are often too hasty not just to abandon God in our lives, but to chastize Him. This is sad, weakening and not indicative of the best society of mankind.

There is an American identity lost on current generations. There is a rush to blame and to slander and to yell. There is no inclination for unity, for resolve, for truth and fact, these notions die on the vine, while our youth and the politicians and corporations who vie for their affections and support, forget everything that has come before them and jeopardize everything that is yet ahead.

I am a stronger person, I believe, since 9/11. It placed a focus on my life, and my future, and in that sense, I have walked forward, with pride and purpose, since that day. I hope many others have as well. I love America, it is the best man can aspire to when man seeks cooperation and mutual benefit and trust. Those who attack America or Americans are simply and resolutely envious of such a mix of cultures and languages and backgrounds all busily and purposefully moving ahead in their lives and in the nation's evolution. We should ALWAYS work together, as a people, and never apart. We should always remember that, as Lincoln spoke to the Nation and the World, on the brink of Civil War: "A nation divided against itself cannot stand". It is time for us to unite, and to stand, for ourselves and against those who seek our demise. IT IS TIME.