Changing Threats Historical Eras

Changing Threats/Historical Eras Discussion response: Changing threats The American public's perception of threats has clearly shifted since the tragic events of 9/11 from an emphasis on state-based actors in the wake of the Cold War era to non-state-based actors in the era of terrorism.

Rather than threats to American security projected as something which occurs 'over there' in foreign lands, or the threat of destruction through nuclear war, the fear of home-grown attacks has grown and been further exacerbated by additional highly-publicized, more recent terror incidents, such as the Boston Marathon bombings.

States such as New York that are deemed high-priority threats are working harder to coordinate anti-terror efforts with federal agencies and are seeking to consistently engage in coordinated anti-terror exercises and planning activities, to ensure a more seamless response in the face of a likely future onslaught. "The 9/11 Commission Report highlighted the need for improved operational coordination at major emergencies.

New York State has successfully implemented the NIMS (through training, planning, and exercises) to ensure that all first responders in the State are operating using a common 'playbook' with regards to incident response" (Ten years after 9/11, 2011, NY State Government). However, although the American public may be more watchful, vigilant, and fearful, it has also at times expressed frustration with the additional requirements placed upon mobility, such as the onerous restrictions on airplane travelers.

Limiting liquids, removing shoes, and increased levels of physical surveillance have all brought complaints from passengers, even though these precautions arose from specific incidents and were designed to protect rather than inconvenience the public (How airport security has changed since 9/11, 2013, Flight Global). Although in the wake of heightened threats or actual events, public perceptions of security and the police may become more favorable, between such incidents the 'annoyance' factor regarding additional vigilance occasionally obscures the vital role such measures have in preserving security. References How airport security has changed since 9/11. (2013).

Flight Global. Retrieved: http://www.flightglobal.com/features/9-11/airport-security/ Ten years after 9/11. (2011). NY State Government. Retrieved from: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/media/documents/ten-years-after-9-11-nys-accomplishments.pdf Discussion response: Historical eras of policing The treatment of alcohol has undergone seismic shifts over the course of American history. Once largely unregulated, alcohol sales were prohibited through the 18th Amendment in 1920, a law which was then summarily repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933 (Lerner 2013).

The perception of alcoholism as a moral crime has also changed and increasingly drug addiction of all varieties is viewed through the lens of disease, rather than as a moral failing. Throughout the 19th century, during the 'first era' of how alcohol was perceived, alcohol was almost entirely unregulated -- even children could purchase alcohol or walk into bars. Temperance reformers condemned strong drink as breaking up families and causing crime. The Temperance movement gained traction, cumulating in what could be.