Brooklynsoc.org,
BROOKLYN COLLEGE
In memoriam
9/11 and its Aftermath
Students of Dr. Chris Toulouse
WTC ONLINE FORUM POLL
9/24/01-10/7/01

WTC Scenarios
TIME TO MAKE YOUR PREDICTION:
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SCENARIO DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST LIKELY IN 5 YEARS TIME (2006)?

We're more optimistic than pessimistic but not by much (32-26)

Closed 10/7/01

Social Theories

Intro

PPP

Urban

TOTAL

bin Laden evades capture for years and his network of Islamic radicals create havoc in the developed world with a series of spectacular suicide attacks in public places. Riots erupt in Europe and the US as Muslim communities are attacked. In the Middle East Radicals overthrow the monarchy in Saudi Arabia, and destabilize Egypt and Iran to the extent that the US withdraws its ground forces from the Middle East and distances itself from Israel.

3

3

8

6

20

The US catches bin Laden but the trial takes forever, and the suicide attacks get worse again after W. executes him (on the same bed the feds used for McVeigh). Israel reoccupies the West Bank and Gaza and the conflict polarizes around the Palestinian Problem.

3

1

2

0

6

bin Laden is caught and gets life in prison (W. decides to deny him martyrdom). High tech immigration controls and counter-espionage reduce the effectiveness of his cells in the developed world. However, terrorist attacks on American citizens and US forces abroad still impede travel and commerce, the situation in Israel will be no better than it is today, and Islamic radicals are a closer to toppling governments in several countries.

4

3

8

0

15

bin Laden is found dead, killed by the Taliban. His power to inspire wanes and terrorist groups find it more difficult to operate because no country wants to harbor them. Terrorism is effectively contained but the US has ongoing problems with the high cost of its occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq and with the fickle politics of its many allies in the Middle East.

1

3

4

4

12

US forces destroy the Taliban, killing Osama bin Laden in the process, and then assassinate Saddam Hussein. The US places Iraq and Afghanistan under UN administration. The US War on Terrorism is an unexpected success in rallying nations and giving the US direction in international affairs. The US is actively mediating a solution in Kashmir (claimed by both India and Pakistan) and the Palestinian Problem is on its way to a resolution again.

5

8

5

2

20

Votes/Number on class roster (%voting)

16/28=57%

18/33=54%

27/48=56%

12/23=52%

73/132=55%


WTC Sentiments

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE?
Check the statements that best apply to you.

It was like a movie, only it wasn't; the media spoke with one voice, but you could hardly think; War has been declared on us; if the Mayor could run again he would win easily; we are more suspicious of strangers in public places.

Closed 10/7/01

Social Theories

Intro

PPP

Urban

TOTAL

It was like a movie. The terrorists must have thought about it as a made-for-TV movie. Most of us watched the whole thing on television.

8

5

13

4

30

It was one of the most unmovie-like experience I have ever had. Movies can be scary, but this was terrifying.

4

7

14

6

31

The media spoke with once voice, they kept us well-informed, they helped manage our grief, and they assisted the public services in containing public outrage and giving it direction.

4

5

13

3

25

The media spoke with so many voices you could hardly think. People needed time away from the TV and the papers to think through what had happened for themselves. Talking to other people helped the most.

8

5

4

7

24

That graffiti: Islam in not the enemy. War is not the answer.

2

3

6

5

16

War has been declared on us. We have no choice but to defend ourselves.

6

4

14

4

28

If Mayor Giuliani could run for re-election he would win easily.

2

6

10

4

22

The Mayor should be honored with a powerful post in the Bush Administration so that he doesn't have to worry about New York and hardly ever has to visit us (aside from dropping by to watch the Yankees occasionally).

3

1

6

2

12

I go out of my way to avoid prejudice against Arab-Americans.

2

1

6

4

13

I am more suspicious of strangers in public places.

3

7

10

2

22

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