PORT ORANGE, Fla. -- Not surprisingly, most analysis in the aftermath of the 15th anniversary of 9/11 focused mainly on the horrific loss of life and the physical and psychological sufferings of both victims and first responders.
While the direct physical and psychological suffering occasioned by 9/11 were horrific, the greater cost of 9/11 and subsequent attacks may result from how we as a people choose to address continuing threats of terrorism. How will the war on terror transform our beliefs and our institutions?
In our haste to identify and neutralize terrorist cells will we be willing to compromise the privacy rights of all? Facing recruitment of the naïve and the troubled by those engaged in terrorism, will we as a people be tempted to significantly limit free speech? To forestall attacks from within will we soften search and seizure, interrogation, and due process guarantees? Will the right to bail and counsel be compromised in the effort to secure a safer America? To limit weapon availability for terrorists, will we deny second amendment rights to bear arms for all Americans?
In our haste to identify and neutralize terrorist cells will we be willing to compromise the privacy rights of all? Facing recruitment of the naïve and the troubled by those engaged in terrorism, will we as a people be tempted to significantly limit free speech? To forestall attacks from within will we soften search and seizure, interrogation, and due process guarantees? Will the right to bail and counsel be compromised in the effort to secure a safer America? To limit weapon availability for terrorists, will we deny second amendment rights to bear arms for all Americans?
In the interest of efficiency and effectiveness in fighting terrorism, there have even been suggestions to federalize all local police. There have also been calls to rewrite “posse comitias” and allow federal troops to engage in policing functions and order maintenance within the United States.
While perhaps marginally more effective in fighting terrorism, federalization of local police and military involvement in controlling citizens could in the wrong hands doom our democratic order. Clearly we must change to confront the ongoing threat of terrorism.
However, the way we change must be moderate and well thought out. It would be ironic, if confronting the challenge of terrorism drives us to abandon democratic processes and cherished ideals.
We would thus become more like those that wish us harm.