My analysis mainly focuses on semantic fields and syntax. A semantic field of fear runs throughout the discourses of both Blair and Bush. Bush began his speech with the following sentence; “Good evening… series of deliberate and deadly terrorist attacks”. Blair also opts to utilise the same method “it was the events of September 11 that marked a turning point in history, where we confront the dangers of mankind, it was tragedy, an act of evil”. Due to the semantic field of fear and terror running throughout the discourses of Bush and Blair their choice of lexis is crucial in conveying their political ideologies.
“Analyzing the Text” Michael Levin’s, “The Case for Torture” argues that there are various reasons for allowing torture in the United States of America. Michael Levin believes that torture is justified when victims are at risk, claiming that torture is not merely permissible but morally mandatory. The author makes hypothetical scenarios in which people’s lives are in danger and preventing future events from occurring. Then stating his position on torture when people’s lives are placed in danger. Levin’s target audience is Americans because his use of American symbolism such as “July 4,” and “unconstitutional.” In addition, the United States is not the only victim of terrorist attacks.
History and Summary of the Department of Homeland Security Homeland Security is a program that was created after the 9/11 attacks. The focus of the department was to protect the United States against terrorist attacks and to be able to respond in the event of an attack. The DHS became official in November 2002 when the Homeland Security Act was passed and signed by Congress. DHS consists of 5 departments that all ensure the safety of our country. Counterterrorism is the department that mainly focuses on preventing terrorism, preventing the use, possession, or transport of harmful chemicals, and enhancing the security in the United States.
The USA Patriot act is a legislation passed by congress for stronger security controls ("USA patriot act," 2001). This act was a result of September 11th attacks, and the 2001 anthrax attacks. The act contains ten titles; enhancing domestic security against terrorism, surveillance procedures, anti-money laundering to prevent terrorism, border security, removing obstacles to investigate terrorism, victims and families of victims of terrorism, increased information sharing for critical infrastructure protection, terrorism criminal law, improved intelligence, and miscellaneous ("USA patriot act," 2001). Title I, enhancing domestic security against terrorism provides funds for terrorist prevention security services, and for the terrorist screening center administered by the FBI ("USA patriot act," 2001). Title II, surveillance procedures, allows agencies to use enhanced surveillance procedures for any suspected terrorist.
In the article written with J. Bower Bell, Gurr argues that terrorism is a tactic used by the weak to intimidate the strong and, in turn, used by the strong to repress the weak. In this sense, America’s history is filled with terrorism activities. Labor violence was not the only source of early United States terrorism. The frontier had its own special form of violence. As people moved west, the laws of the United States trailed far from behind.
Due to the events of the 11th September 2001 the USA began its war on terror, and specifically targeted was George Bush’s ‘axis of evil’ which included; Iran, Iraq and North Korea. The USA used their war on terror so to legitimise their actions worldwide thus destroying any hopes for a post cold war collective international security, therefore basing their response to international aggression on protecting their own national interests. This is seen with the invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001. Together with Britain they acted unilaterally in order to remove the al-Qaeda and capture bin Laden, who was the prime suspect for the 9/11 attacks. The USA believed its actions were justified by labelling them as self defence under Article 51 of the UN charter.
Groups like the Ku Klux Klan and The Animal Liberation Front, are classified as “special interest” groups because their beliefs are not specific to any one end of the political spectrum. Most of the “left” or “right-wing” motives are perpetrated by individuals or smaller groups. The Wall Street bombing of 1910, Oklahoma City bombing, and the UNAMBOMBER attacks, were all committed by individuals or small groups of people. These major events in The United State's history got major headlines while smaller acts done by large groups get media attention for a short time. In The United States, there is specific legislation and laws dedicated solely to the deterrence of terrorism and domestic terrorism.
The effects of terrorism can cause loss of life and injuries to property damage and disruptions in services such as electricity, water supply, public transportation and communications. The dictionary defines terrorism as “ n. the policy of using acts to inspiring terror as a method of ruling or of conducting political opposition”. Though terrorism can be expressed in two ways. Domestic terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist acts are directed at situations of our government or population without unknown ways.
The FBI defines domestic terrorism as the "unlawful use of force or violence, committed by a group(s) of two or more individuals, against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives (Terrorism, 2012). The Department of Homeland Security was created after the September 11 attacks mostly to protect the United States and U.S. Territories. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has been added to the Department of Homeland Security to enforce laws and regulations of persons entering the United States however after 9-11, two other enforcement agencies were created, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Homeland Security - Protecting our Borders U.S. Mexico border stretches approximately 1.954 miles with an estimated half a million people enter the U.S. illegally.
Web. 20 Mar. 2013.) In the months and years to follow, the PATRIOT Act was met with harsh criticism by civil libertarians. They feel the PATRIOT Act violates American’s civil liberties by allowing overly broad surveillance.