听力题 September 11, 2001 will be a date the United States can never forget. The devastating (令人震惊的) terrorist attacks in history happened in New York and Washington, D. C. National security and defense organs and the public in the United States have all been fully mobilized to confront these horrific events. Responses have even extended to the rest of the world, as terrorism has an impact not only on the country in which it occurs but also on other countries, especially in this modern global society. September 11 terrorist attacks have therefore attracted worldwide attention, and also stimulated profound thinking, as this tragedy will have a lasting impact on post-Cold War politics. The geographical location of the United States always saved it from the danger brought about by wars, but the recent terrorist attacks in two of its major cities have caused great losses to the nation — financially, politically and emotionally, thus arousing a strong sense of insecurity in its people. Major American media agrees that the September 11 tragedy means as much to the current generation as the Pearl Harbor incident in 1941 and John Kennedy assassination in 1963 meant to previous generations. This nightmare in this age of civilization will leave a deep impact on the United States in particular, and on the world in general. This tragedy indicates a greater need for precaution against terrorism on the part of the United States, as well as greater cooperation with other countries to combat terrorism. The U. S. government will adopt stricter measures to prevent the recurrence (再发生) of such terrorist attacks by toughening up its administrative, legal and security mechanisms, which can affect, to a certain degree, its foreign policy advocating "human rights standing above sovereignty (主权)." The United States might have to sacrifice liberty a little bit for its security.