9/11

September 11, 2001 is a date that will forever invoke fear into the hearts of the American people. On this day, thousands of people died from four suicide bombings. However, more was lost to us after that date than those innocent people. After 9/11, America proceeded to pass the Patriot Act, which tramples on the Constitution. After this date, America would forever live in fear of another terrorist attack and this would allow the government to coerce the people into choosing security over liberty.

It is important to note that while 9/11 should not be taken lightly, American citizens should still not allow themselves to be fooled into giving up what was fought for in the American Revolution. Benjamin Franklin's famous quote is as follows, "Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Franklin knew that there will always become a certain point where after fear has escalated enough, a society will gladly give up all of its freedom. The government should not use the deaths of thousands as an excuse to treat every citizen like they are already criminals. It is both insulting to the victims of the families. However, as the years pass, 9/11 has also become something more akin to a media event, as opposed to a recollection of all of those who have died.

Every year, the footage of the World Trade Center falling has been broadcast over the news. One could argue that this footage is used to remind the American people why we are still at war with the Middle East. However, every year this footage invokes more fear than mourning. I believe society prefers to live in fear of a terrorist attack more than we prefer to pay our respects to our dead. I believe the media could take the recollection of 9/11 in a slightly different route considering the one who orchestrated the attacks has been dead for almost three years. However, one could also argue that that is the nature of society. Fear is a more powerful emotion than sadness and the media uses this to their advantage.