Since 9/11, there have been 208 terroristic attacks in the United States including 21 attacks with fatalities. From the Boston Marathon to the tragic events in Newtown, Conn., there has been a dramatic increase in security precautions and procedures. And for the current generation of youth, life like this is all they’ve ever known. So what is the generation that will follow going to live through?
It’s safe to say those who have traveled through an airport since 2001 have most likely had to take their shoes off prior to boarding their flight and currently the MLB is in the process of installing metal detectors in stadiums across the league. Even the “Happiest Place on Earth” has had its fair share of threats and scares.
Personally traveling through an airport only twice, taking my shoes off for my own safety hasn’t been a bother. But on the other hand, frequent flyers and traveling businesspeople are likely to find the task aggravating, especially if they frequent specific airports. Although it may be bothersome to strip your shoes before every flight, it could save your life from the person a few rows back.
For me, I may not travel the country often, but I do regularly visit the Philadelphia Sports Complex. Midway through the current season, the Philadelphia Phillies installed metal detectors at their right field gate entrance. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the other two gates at Citizens Bank Park had them by the end of regular season play. For me, this presents a hassle as it delays the entrance’s flow and potentially makes me late for the start of the game. I also wouldn’t be surprised if other sports organizations like the NHL, NFL and NBA were taking similar procedures into consideration. For a regular at any baseball stadium, this gets tiring, but the practice may stop the next major catastrophe.
Lastly, in Walt Disney World Resort‘s 40+ years of operation, there have only been two times where a resort-wide closure has occurred. One of those closures was on Sept. 11, 2001. Some sites have sparked discussions on whether the vacation icon’s security is too much or too little. They suggest that if they really wanted to, guests could likely enter parks and resorts concealing knives, explosives and possibly biological weapons. But as the writer suggests, “The terrorists win if we are scared to go about our lives.”
So where do we draw the line when it comes to our personal privacy?
Probably one of many controversial questions currently being discussed by lawmakers, the line evidently needs to be decided on and set. For someone like myself currently growing up, the majority of my vote would go to safety. The current generation of youth may view things with the same stance. And further down the road, the tables may turn when our generation becomes parents. Perhaps our kids will feel their lives are being invaded. But let’s focus on the present – Ultimately it may feel intrusive, but at the end of day it truly keeps us and our loved ones together and safe.
