Tough Being an American in Ireland on 9/11 anniversary
Published Sunday, September 12, 2010, 7:25 AM
Updated Sunday, September 12, 2010, 7:46 AM
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We haven’t spoken more than a handful of times, but this year, I wrote her a Facebook message to let her know that I was thinking of her, and encouraged her to keep inspiring us all with her courage and good works.
In response, she wrote, “tough times. Messages like these keep me going ... Hugs, Talat.”
I just wanted to share a kind word with someone who deserved it, let her know that my heart went out to her for her sufferings. Not much different from my European friends I suppose.
Let’s just hope that monumental tragedy isn’t the only thing that compels us to show compassion towards our neighbors in the future.
*This story comes with thoughts and prayers for Talat Hamdani (mother of Mohammad Salman Hamdani, 23, killed on 9/11/2001), Lynn McGuinn(widow of Francis Noel McGuinn, killed on 9/11/2001), Trisha Wik (daughter of William J. Wik, killed on 9/11/2001), and all those bereft by the events of that day, around the world.
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Ulster1 | Sep 13, 2010, 09:05 PM EDT
maloney: I am sorry too the UVF and comrades have more than enough power with which to defend our country. I can't, however, promise you that Al-qaeda or other Islamists won't attack NYC again soon. Maybe then you will learn your lesson: "live by the sword--die by the sword". And, please, for your sake, stay out of Ulster--you are not welcome here.
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maloney | Sep 13, 2010, 08:21 PM EDT
ulster... shame on us we are so sorry, we promise to not do it anymore. At least until, say, day after yesterday.
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Ulster1 | Sep 13, 2010, 02:50 PM EDT
The money, the guns, the explosives were shipped and paid for by Americans. The NYPD and many in the FBI and State department did nothing to stop it--and may well have supported it, themselves. The USA has been a "Safe Haven for Terrorists", as your president likes to say.
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hancock | Sep 13, 2010, 01:41 PM EDT
Were the IRA/ UDA/ Brittish spooks Irish American?
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Windmaker | Sep 13, 2010, 07:55 AM EDT
It appears Ulster absolves the bombers from all responsibility and instead blames the USA for the bombs and resultant deaths caused by NI terrorists. Im of the firm view that the mmoney that was made available to NI terrorists didnt make them all of a sudden just decide to blow innocents up, the desire was there all along. Lets not forget that these tin rattling Americans were misguided fools; it was not official gvernment policy to support NI terroists. If you want to blame a country who through offcial lines supported the IRA look at Lybia or Palestine, which syphoned plenty of its UN aid to the IRA. Ulster sounds like those other blame America first idiots like Ward Churchill and the like. The people who died in those towers died due to a regressive pre-enlightenment set of ideals that is being propagated around the world by a sick bunch of islamo fascists. I dont think the Jihadis had tin rattling donations to the IRA in mind when they took their one way flight.
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jamesadamo | Sep 13, 2010, 07:32 AM EDT
ultster smulster
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Ulster1 | Sep 12, 2010, 10:54 PM EDT
to maloney:
I am discussing terrorism in Ireland. Last time I checked this website was Irish Central--not New York Central. Maybe you don't know where you belong, but I bet it's in the sewers of NYC given your racist, ignorant comments.
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maloney | Sep 12, 2010, 09:42 PM EDT
snivling orange punks, this wasn't about you. you sound just like the muslims & illegals. just another bunch where you don't belong. If you want to be mad at someone blame the brits.
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Ulster1 | Sep 12, 2010, 08:44 PM EDT
Dear Manhatten:
You state: "you have a nerve to compare the trouble in N.I. to what we suffer and still suffer from terroism"; New York has had two terrorist attacks in 1993 and 2001--try living in Belfast, where hundreds of IRA bombings have happened. I remember that, in one day in 1972, twenty-one IRA bombs exploded in the city center of Belfast. Moreover, it is a matter of undisputed FACT that the IRA terrorist war was largely paid for with donations from Irish-Americans (particularly from New York and Boston. Educate yourself.
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JohnnyMac | Sep 12, 2010, 05:18 PM EDT
It was even tougher being in Ireland ON 11 Sept 2001. I, a firefighter, was traveling on holiday. Was in Dublin during the attacks. I could not get back home to New York fast enough. It was a terribly helpless feeling.
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kateomprint | Sep 12, 2010, 04:30 PM EDT
This terrible tragedy is still causing dissension between people does anybody learn from these terrible things that happen.
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manhattan | Sep 12, 2010, 02:50 PM EDT
I will bet not one of the Irish Americans that died that day sent money to the IRA. And if any did, you have a nerve to compare the trouble in N.I. to what we suffer and still suffer from terroism. I will never condone the bombings there. The north has been fighting each other for 300 yrs. Misguided people thought they were helping catholics finally get justice in that narrow minded culture, but as always fanatics ruled the day. My money didn't pay for bombs, watch who you are accusing
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shanamahon | Sep 12, 2010, 02:47 PM EDT
Looks like Ulster clearly missed the point of the article -compassion and understanding in times of great need. Blaming a journalist who clearly does not appear to support terrorism/hatred of any description for buying arms just because she is, in fact, an "American" is just the sort of stupidity you'd expect from a disturbed and angry northerner.
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Ulster1 | Sep 12, 2010, 01:03 PM EDT
As Americans remember the terrorism of 9/11, they should also consider how the terrorism of IRA bombs killed innocent people--both Protestant and Roman Catholic. How much of the money to buy the bombs was given by Irish-Americans over the past forty years? Think of the 1998 bombing in the town of Omagh, Co. Tyrone. Your money paid for it. What goes around comes around, as they say.
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