Post September 11th Political Fallout

On Tuesday the 11th of September 2001 the United States of America suffered a series of catastrophic terrorist attacks. These attacks were organized and calculated to inflict large amounts of civilian deaths and symbolic damage. The economic timing could not have been more perfect, sending an already ailing economy into a full-blown tailspin. Four US commercial aircraft on domestic flights were hijacked. Two were flown deliberately into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the tallest buildings in New York City and the workplace for some 40,000 civilians. A third aircraft hit the Pentagon in Washington DC, and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to take control from the hijackers. THE ATTACKS HAD A FAR LONGER REACH THAN JUST THE CASUALTIES ON SEPTEMBER 11th, THAT EVENT HAS INFILTRATED THE WAY THE PUBLIC, THE POLITICIANS, AND THE PARTIES THINK AND INTERACT.

The attacks on New York were captured live on handheld camcorders, and these pictures were soon broadcast around the world. Millions watched in dismay as broadcasters showed the aftermath. They saw workers jump from windows high up on the 110 story buildings, in order to escape the intense heat.

Some people not sure how to react turned to rage calling for immediate retaliation on Afghanistan and Usama Bin Laden even though at that time there was no evidence or even a clear target to bomb. Cooler heads outnumbered those who called to arms fearing escalation of the carnage and pleaded with Bush to not act hastily or place blame without evidence. Congress men and women whom often spoke out against increasing the defense budget decided our homeland security was now more important than getting schools the money they still need. And some congressmen were more than happy to be out of the spotlight. Suddenly congress could agree on issues and get money and laws passed without the usual bipartisan logjam. Would this be the new way government operated or would this just be a temporary change.

This data is in comparison to under ten percent who feared a major terrorist attack prior to September eleventh. Since the attacks the majority of citizens have noticed increased depression and anxiety.

As September 11th becomes a more distant memory and elections grow closer bipartisanship and the general feeling of unity in Congress will began to wane. As public begins to feel more comfortable, the pressures on Congress to act together will decline. Instead, pressures driven by party differences and by what are probably going to be close elections this year begin to move the House and Senate back to their normal competitive way of getting things done. By the time Congress adjourned in December, little unity remained . If the war on terrorism goes badly, or if most Americans fear that more attacks at home are likely, congressional unity will return. If not, the law of the jungle will prevail.

Indeed, by early September, analysts warned that European and U.S. differences over a host of issues such as arms control, trade, the environment, and the death penalty had put our long distance relationship with Europe at serious risk. But all that talk came tumbling down with World Trade Centers

Bush has also been criticized for the continuation of arms exports into the Middle East. Also In the first half of last year, he threatened to block or withdraw from several treaties with broad international support most significantly an Anti-Ballistic Missile agreement with Russia. Bush's team also said it would decline to sign the Kyoto pact on global warming, as well as United Nations accords on biological weapons and small arms. Significantly, it also suggested America would pursue a missile-defense shield regardless of European or Russian objections. French President Jacques Chirac called Bush's stance on Kyoto "disappointing and worrying." European media dubbed Bush, an ex-oi

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