Last Updated: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Has 9/11 Become So 2001? Updated: Friday, September 11, 2009 The World Trade Center site in 2004. Photo: CMS (c) 2004 On the eighth anniversary of the attacks on America by Islamic extremists the meaning of 9/11 appears to be losing focus. The current administration of President Barack Obama is doing its best to turn this day of sacrifice, reflection and reaffirmation into something else yet undefined. How about a rock festival? In the early days of the Obama administration, the term “war on terror” became politically incorrect, as did other references to the extremists bend on murder and mayhem in America. Even the name Osama bin Laden is seldom mentioned by White House officials today. And unlike the former George W. Bush administration that did all it could to keep terrorists from setting foot on US soil, this president wants to bring them here from Gitmo. But, more to the point, if the war on terror is over, then why are American troops and coalition forces still fighting and dying in Afghanistan? Why is the president contemplating sending more Americans troops there? On the home front, Americans have made great sacrifices in their freedoms and pocketbooks. The Department of Homeland Security’s infusion of tens of millions of dollars into fire, law enforcement and federal public works agencies has produced impressive results. Americans are generally safer from terror attack then they were pre-9/11. But, that safety net does not extend to most public events. In the US, and elsewhere, they remain as the terror-terminology goes, “porous” or “soft targets.” That is, susceptible to a successful attack. Little has changed here. Newspapers routinely publish domestic terror stories about shootings, stabbings and crowd mayhem at concerts and festivals. Public events remain overcrowded, making them choice targets. Private security still uses untrained personnel. Facility managers place profit or prevention. Event organizers press security firms to reduce staffing to dangerous levels. Meanwhile, around the world, terror attacks against public events continue, as if they were practice runs for something bigger. In 2009, dark clouds of terror remain on the horizon for those who choose to look. Before the current Obama White House breaks out the beer to claim a unilateral victory, it would do well to remember the lessons learned by its predecessor: It’s not over until the terrorists say it’s over. Now, as before, vigilance and remembrance remain the true meaning of 9/11. [ home ][ crowdcafe ][ new ][ crowdshop ][ contact ] Crowd Management Strategies © 1997 - 2006. All rights reserved. Crowdsafe is a registered trademark of Crowd Management Strategies © 2006.