20 years after 9/11, most see some success in efforts against terrorism, but threats remain - CBS News poll
CBSN
In the twenty years since 9/11, most Americans feel the nation's efforts to reduce terrorism — sometimes referred to as the war on terrorism — have been at least somewhat successful, but that hardly means the threat is gone.
They also see today's terrorism threat in context as, perhaps unfortunately, just one of many things they're concerned about, outranked by perceived dangers from coronavirus, extreme weather, and violent crime. And many believe any threat of terrorism comes as much or more from other Americans as it does from overseas. Most don't feel particularly at risk from terrorism where they live, even if they think there is a general threat to the U.S. This has described the public sentiment since the 9/11 attacks: more concern about an attack on the U.S. generally than one in their own area. The specific threat of terrorism today elicits feelings of unease more so than outright danger.Ashley White received her earliest combat action badge from the United States Army soon after the first lieutenant arrived in Afghanistan. The silver military award, recognizing soldiers who've been personally engaged by an attacker during conflict, was considered an achievement in and of itself as well as an affirming rite of passage for the newly deployed. White had earned it for using her own body to shield a group of civilian women and children from gunfire that broke out in the midst of her third mission in Kandahar province. All of them survived. She never mentioned the badge to anyone in her battalion.
The knock at the door came at nighttime on Mother's Day 2008 in Oregon, where Jessica Ellis' parents lived. It was around 9:20 p.m. and his wife, Linda, was already in bed; her father Steve Ellis told CBS News, that he thought someone let their animals out — but two soldiers in Class A uniforms were standing at the door.