Domestic Terrorism Essay, Research Paper
Trent Kenmai 5/15/00
DOMESTIC TERRORISM
Over the past few years a new threat has been encountered by the United States.
This threat does not come from away, but from within. It is know as domestic terrorism.
This has been seen over the past decade in the form of violence and terrorism across the
United States. This has become a threat to American security and the American people in
general. To battle against this issue, Congress has upheld the Anti-Terrorism Act in 1996.
One of the best examples on examining these acts of uproar can be viewed, seen and
understood by studying the case of the Oklahoma bombing which occurred in 1996. Major
newspaper headlines have also described the World Trade Center bombing, the
Unabomber?s arrest, and Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta as other major cases. All this
demonstrates how sinister1 terrorism is in American society. This paper will explain
background data on anarchy/terrorism, case studies including the Oklahoma bombing,
government?s reaction toward terrorism. In addition terrorism now and the
years coming.
A number of terrorist attacks in the 1990s have brought the fear to the public,
giving rise to vulnerability2 between many Americans. Most terrorist incidents in the
United States have been bombing attacks, involving detonated and undetonated explosive
devices, tear gas and pipe and fire bombs. 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.
International terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are
foreign-based and/or directed by countries or groups outside the United States or whose
acts pass national boundaries. In the United States, most terrorist attacks have involved
small anarchy groups who use terrorism to achieve a destined objective. Local, State and
Federal law enforcement officials monitor suspected terrorist groups and try to prevent or
protect the US against a suspected attack. Also, the US government works with other
countries to end the cause of support for terrorism. A terrorist attack can take certain
forms, depending on the technological approach available to the terrorist, the kind of the
political issue causing the attack, and the points of weakness of the terrorist’s target.
Bombings are the most frequently used terrorist method in the United States. Other
possibilities include an attack at transportation facilities, an attack against uses or other
public services or an attack involving chemical or biological weapons. Terrorist incidents
in this country have included bombings of the World Trade Center in New York City, the
United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC Mobil Oil corporate headquarters in
New York City, the Oklahoma bombing, and the Continental Olympic Park.
Terrorism in America
During these past few years, there has been a perception3 that the United States is
becoming more vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Many cases such as The World Trade
Center Bombing, The Olympic bombing, The Unabomber?s arrest, , and the Oklahoma
bombing, has given many Americans fear among terrorism. Below are a few case studies
that have been researched.
World Trade Center Bombing: In February 1993, a bomb exploded in the World
Trade Center in New York City. The World Trade Center is the third tallest building in
the world, and more than 100,000 people work and visit every day. The bomb exploded in
the parking structure underneath the building, damaging the base and subway tunnels.
Smoke reached the top of the 110-story building in minutes. Six people were killed; more
than 1,000 were injured. The FBI joined the Joint Terrorist Task Force in the research,
which eventually brought 22 Islamic extremist to trial. The trial revealed extensive plans to
use terrorism to wreak havoc4 in the United States, including targeting government
facilities.
In April 1996, federal agents arrested Theodore Kaczynski and charged him with
the crimes committed by the so-called “Unabomber.” The Unabomber, who targeted
university scientists and airline employees among others, had evaded authorities for over
18 years. According to the FBI, the suspect had killed three people and injured 23 others
with package bombs.
Olympic Bombing: During the Summer Olympic Games, in July 1996, a pipe bomb
exploded at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia, killing two people and injuring
more than one hundred others. The FBI said that the pipe bomb looked “homemade” with
“nails and screws attached.” They suspected domestic terrorists, and members of local
militia groups were questioned without any results. Olympic athletes and spectators
became tense and worried. Lines to attend Olympic events became even longer than
before; spectators were submitted to more precise observation as they passed through
metal detectors and had their bags inspected.
One of the recent and major attacks from terrorism has been the Oklahoma
bombing. Oklahoma City became the site of the most deadly terrorist bombing in the history of
the United States. At 9:02 a.m., on April 19, 1995, a massive bomb exploded in a truck in
front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City , killing 168 , injuring more than
500 people and destroying much of the building and damaging surrounding buildings. On April
19, Timothy James McVeigh was arrested in Oklahoma for vehicle and weapons
violations. On April 21, 1995, McVeigh was charged with violating Title 18, US Code,
Section 844 {f} and 2, Maliciously Damaging and Destroying a Building by Means of
Explosives. On May 11, 1995, Terry Lynn Nichols was charged with the same violation.
Timothy McVeigh was charged with 11 counts of conspiracy5 and murder by the federal
government. His trial took place in April of 1997. On June 2, 1997, McVeigh was convicted on all
charges and was sentenced to death . McVeigh?s partner Terry L. Nichols was sentenced in
1998 Calling him
“an enemy of the Constitution,”
a federal judge sentences Terry L. Nichols to life in prison. This was the ending to a part
in American history that showed the nation’s vulnerability to domestic terrorism.
On July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800 exploded in the air off the coast of Long
Island, shortly after taking off from New York?s Kennedy International Airport. The
explosion killed all 229 passengers and crew. People guess about whether the crash
resulted from technical failure or a bomb. In response, President Clinton assigned Vice
President Al Gore to head a new Commission on Aviation Safety and Security. The
President also announced that the federal government would take on the primary
responsibility and cost for airport security. Airline security has received renewed attention
since the crash, even though no evidence has been found that the explosion was a result of
a bomb. More strict security measures are now in place.
Government?s reaction toward Terrorism
In 1996 President Bill Clinton signed Antiterrorism Act to strengthen the power of the
federal government to foresee6 and respond to both international and domestic terrorism. The
act
makes terrorism a federal crime punishable by death, as well as aids in the investigation,
capture, and trial of terrorists in the United States, and includes terms that allow US
deportation proceedments without being bound by Terrorists to show classified
information. Disallows fundraising in the US that supports terrorist organizations, and
bars terrorists from entering the US The law also allows for the deportation of foreign
terrorists without the need to disclose classified evidence against them, and it authorizes
overdoing of up to $1 billion on state and local antiterrorism efforts. Both the American
Liberties Union and the National Rifle Association opposed portions of the legislation
that they claimed would provide the federal government with too much power. An earlier
provision in the Anti-Terrorism Act that would have given the federal government power
to wiretap suspected terrorist groups? phones without a warrant was removed from the
final bill, following objections from both Democrats and Republicans. The Act would have
allowed the information obtained in this way to be used in court. Rep. Bob Barr (R-Ga.)
said:
“We do not need to give our government vast new powers.”
Members of civil liberties groups agreed, saying that this provision would have violated
people?s right to privacy. Other lawmakers argued that tragedies such as the Oklahoma
City bombing make it essential that the federal government be allowed to monitor militia
groups more closely.
Terrorism Today and Years Ahead
Since the world has become so very technically advance it will be more difficult to
find concealed or secret explosives, and these technological advances have made chemical,
biological and even nuclear weapons much more widely available, and have thereby
occupy the ability to inflict mass destruction. As lawmakers debate what steps to take to
prevent future attacks, many Americans ponder what sacrifices they are willing to make to
counter the terrorist threat. Are air travelers willing to wait in longer lines at the airport so
that sensitive equipment can inspect their bags for explosives? Are they willing to pay
more for airplane tickets to finance new detection equipment? Are Americans willing to
submit to increased security measures at the expense of their freedom of movement as well
as privacy?
In conclusion lawmakers have tried to respond to the fear that America is
becoming more vulnerable to terrorist attacks. But, many experts believe that the
American public and lawmakers need to think about whether they are responding to fear
or to facts. For these experts, the response to the explosion of TWA Flight 800 is an
example of overreaction. Investigators have not determined what caused the explosion,
and yet, this explosion has prompted a revival of the Anti-Terrorism Act and President
Clinton has requested the expansion7 of the federal government?s wiretapping rights once
again. Should Americans give up a measure of freedom for the increased safety it will
likely provide?
539
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reserved