I think it would have made headlines for a couple of days, and the public would move on. It likely would have been seen as a somewhat alarming but necessary se

I think it would have made headlines for a couple of days, and the public would move on. It likely would have been seen as a somewhat alarming but necessary security move. America was largely still in its fat, dumb & happy phase from the '90s. America prior to 9/11 really seems like a different world. Social media was in its infancy, and 24/7 news channels hadn't kicked into overdrive (I don't even think scrolling tickers was a thing yet, outside of financial channels). By spring 2001 there was obviously political angst about the election and Florida's role in it, but both sides of the political spectrum weren't fueled by the constant outrage machines they are today.