On September 11, 2002, our world was changed for ever. In the words of FDR, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, �It�s a day that will live in infamy.� On that day, our country suffered as one. In New York City, over four thousand lives were lost when the World Trade Centers collapsed, after two large commercial jetliners carrying passengers were hijacked by suicide pilots, who crashed them into the towers, the jet fuel creating an inferno. Minutes later in Washington D.C., we suffered more loss of life and property, when another jetliner plunged into the Pentagon killing hundreds. It is still unclear where the hijacked jetliner, downed in Pennsylvania by brave passengers who fought back, was headed and what damage would have been inflicted. After 9-11 �Al-Queda,� Usama Bin Laden, now simply referred to as UBL became a household words, and terrorism became our greatest fear. A little country called Afghanistan became a focal point for the entire world, and the fight against terror began. These events of 9-11, as well as other breaches in homeland security, and terrorism aimed at U.S. holdings abroad, leading up to this date, have caused many politicians, as well U.S. citizens, to question what seems like highly classified information that is accessible internet. Not only can internet users get up-to-date photos and directions to U.S. landmarks, and military bases, which are possible targets for terrorism, they can also get step by step directions on how to produce powerful explosives using common household supplies.
The internet has allowed the flow of information to increase drastically. The entire world just about is able to access the internet and anyone with an Internet Service Provider can create a web page that can be viewed by any online user anywhere. On their web sight they can put anything that they want the world to see. Such as pictures of their kids, their favorite songs and their favorite links to other web sights. However, not all web page publishers are producing such wholesome sites. There are some individuals making a mockery out of the first amendment, which grants United States citizens the right to freedom of speech. There is no agency that governs or reviews what is published on a web site. This scares me. There should be more attention given to internet activity and what is being promoted on websites. Before 9-11, I might not have been aware of the real importance of internet power for terrorism, but now that is changed. It appears that there are purely evil and crazy people creating web sites for the soul purpose of doing mass destruction and interfering with the flow of normal life that most people would like to enjoy. There are plenty of web sites that publish the entire Anarchist cook book, which contains directions on how to create homemade explosives and other devastating devices using ingredients that can be found in the local hardware store. Other versions of recipes for terrorism, like the anarchist cookbook, have popped up online. This enables terrorist to flourish, and increases the chances for terrorism worldwide. I never looked twice at the guy in front of me buying bleach and fertilizer at Home Depot, but, now, after 9-11, I will.
It is the responsibility of the United States Government to protect its citizens. Also incumbent upon our executive branch is the policing of dangerous material available to the masses, who may not be fit to live in society and or gain access to potentially dangerous material. Granted this will violate the first amendment of the constitution, but we must take into account that we are living in a time when this amendment, broadly applied, can more harm than good in an open society. If it is the intent of those protecting society and our freedoms, then it should be a goal of balance, and the protection of innocent lives, worldwide, and the freedom of free passage for the exchange of ideas for the common good of mankind, not the destruction of advancement. Understood, that information for building explosives can be obtained in the library, but it is not in layman�s terms, giving a recipe for disaster to any deranged terrorist surfing the Web. Reading a chemistry book, then concocting explosives out of easily obtained ingredients is not the same as publishing The Anarchist�s Cookbook. Following instructions published on the internet, on websites promoting terrorism gives anyone the ability and access to kill thirty people at a time, wherever, whenever they want. If we make it difficult for terrorists to obtain such information, including how to fly jetliners, and we investigate suspicious websites, we may have a better grip on homeland security. It has been proven that the internet enabled a group of middle-eastern men to commandeer jetliners with box cutters and crash into buildings in the United States. Imagine the potential for terrorism when criminal acts can be perpetrated and planned unchallenged on the web. Is it not a criminal act to distribute information used solely for the intern to harm and disrupt peaceful and productive people, in the pursuit of happiness?