And, terrorism experts warn, Tuesday's devastation in New York and Washington could inspire more acts of terrorism.

''We have been saying that we are living in November 1941,'' said Cham Dallas, a toxicology professor at the University of Georgia and an expert in bioterrorism. ''There was this expectation of a mass-destruction event, probably with conventional weapons.

''More than likely, this is a harbinger of things to come. Now that the line has been crossed, the kinds of people who think this way are now inspired to go forward.''

If it wants to stop future attacks, the United States must change the way it prepares for them, a national security expert said.

''It's a reminder that we have to improve our intelligence capability,'' said Loch Johnson, Regents Professor of Political Science at the University of Georgia. ''I don't think the solution is throwing more money at it.

''We have tended to spend most of our intelligence dollars on satellites and other machines. Those are good for some activities, such as counting Russian missile sites. They're not good for eavesdropping on the plans of terrorists.

''To do that, you have to get inside the tents and buildings.''

The United States also must examine why it inspires anger and hatred among some people in foreign nations, Dr. Johnson said.

''Over the long haul, we've got to find out why these people want to direct this anger toward the United States,'' Dr. Johnson said.

Resentment of America's status as an economic superpower might fuel such emotions, the professor said.

He pointed to a recent news article that said a Colombian coffee grower makes only $7,000 annually for a crop that nets U.S. companies $750,000 per year.

''When people can't feed their families, they turn to more violent means,'' Dr. Johnson said. ''Maybe it's impossible to work with these people, but I have the feeling that a lot of these people we can try to reach out and talk to more.''

Reach Brandon Haddock at (706) 823-3409 or bhaddock@augustachronicle.com.