The United States of America has entered a period in which serious choices need to be made in safeguarding citizens against those who wish to do harm to the nation. Both domestic and international terrorists seek to use biological weapons, chemical weapons, nuclear weapons, conventional weapons (including self-made bombs), and even the internet as means to attack the United States government. The threats posed by these groups necessitates the U.S. government to plan for the detection, neutralization, and clean-up of these attacks. However, a comprehensive system for dealing with terrorist attacks on the United States does not exist today. Instead, the federal and state governments have many uncoordinated programs to deal with the possibility of attack. Consequently, reforms are needed within all levels of government to properly plan for and respond to the terrorist threats.The need for a comprehensive plan for dealing with terrorist attacks stems from the increase in threats made against the United States. Foreign terrorist organizations, rogue/independent terrorists (such as Usama bin Laden), domestic right-wing extremists, and anti-government groups all have expressed their dissatisfaction with the U.S. government for some stated reason. These groups have made no secret in, to varying degrees, lashing out at American citizens, property, and territory in order to register their anger at our government. Consequently, steps have been taken by the federal and state governments to deal with the possibility of attack.Preparation for attack begins at the local level in the view of the federal government. Presently, the United States has spent over $10 billion since 1995 to train police, fire, and medical personnel in cities with populations of more than 144,000 people to cope with biological and chemical attacks. The federal government sees these local officials as the people who are the first responders to incidents of terrorism...
