49 Comments

• ciarrai | Sep 10, 2011, 01:07 PM EDT

  I agree with the sentence "nothing good came out of the horrible catastrophe." I hope we are better able, however, to deal with this sort of attack. If you listen on the New York Times website to the audio of the various military and civilian entities talking at the time of the hijackings and crashes you will be amazed at the confusion of the immediate response to the whole thing. Finally, forget 9-11? No, but let's realize that we got beat up bad that day and learn to deal with it better. BTW, how come I still have to take my shoes off at JFK and not Shannon?

• bob40wil | Sep 09, 2011, 12:25 PM EDT

  Forget 9/11, never.

• peterson | Sep 05, 2011, 02:02 PM EDT

  New York Mayor Berg, as seen fit to not allow a prayer to be said at the 911 Memorial Service as it may offend someone. This is the guy is in favor of the Muslims building a mosque at that location !! Some Guy, Huh ??

• FallsRNat | Sep 01, 2011, 03:54 PM EDT

  The legacy of this atrocity is that the US finally woke up to the dangers of the provos & every other terrorist organisation that lives on this planet living on some outdated, fantasist version of why their rights through violence should outweigh the democratic principles of the free people to decide their own future

• citizen69 | Sep 01, 2011, 02:36 PM EDT

  I agree with the article. The legacy of this terrible atrocity is the even more atrocious pointless deaths of over a million people. The vast majority of them bore no guilt for 9/11.

• YOUKAY2007 | Sep 01, 2011, 10:43 AM EDT

  We must never be afraid to stand up for the TRUTH. Always remind people of the TRUTH. 'Not worth remembering as victims suffer..' is inaccurate. Everyone remembers their dead anniversies. Is not this the same. Let us not make excuses to hide and wrongly influence. Thank you.

• antoman | Aug 31, 2011, 04:34 PM EDT

  10 to 15 yrs? Every year a single bagpiper should stand on the site of 9/11 and play Amazing Grace., and at the chorus 100 bagpipers kick in behind him or her. All amplified by speakers for the crowds assembled.

• jamieLM | Aug 31, 2011, 10:34 AM EDT

  @antoman, as an American, I appreciate your kind thoughts. I often think about what happened on 9/ll and pray for those who survived and are still suffering. Like Pearl Harbor, 9/ll will be officially commemorated by the U.S. on a similar schedule, every 10 to 15 yrs. or so.

• antoman | Aug 31, 2011, 05:34 AM EDT

  If Americans are contemplating forgetting the victims and hero's of 9/11 then us Irish must endeavour to make them remember and honour the fallen. I for one will never forget and my heart goes out to the families of all those who lost their lives so tragically on that dreadful day.

• maloney | Aug 30, 2011, 07:20 PM EDT

  I understand your intent but I for one will never forget nor should the nation. It's a shame the govt. took this horrible attack as a means to take away more American freedoms and rights.

• cathy/marty | Aug 30, 2011, 10:44 AM EDT

  GEE NIALL I GUESS MY ARTICAL STRUCK A LIBERAL NERVE. WE CAN'T INSULT THE POLITICANS. FROM A RETIRED NEW CITY FIREFIGHTER. WHO WILL CONTINUE TO MOURN THE VICTIMS. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE.

• cathy/marty | Aug 30, 2011, 10:32 AM EDT

  As a Retired NEW YORK CITY FIREFIGHTER, I will always mourn the people who died that day.But what is happening now we can THANK the politications.Uniform personal are for bidded from attending that service. No PRAYING ALLOWED. What is this country coming to.Bloomberg is kissing the Muslims ass. And screw the AMERICAN people.

• GeorgeDillon | Aug 28, 2011, 03:24 PM EDT

  Good article, O'Dowd. I'm with you. Even as I mourned 9/11 in the days after it, I remember saying to a friend: How many more are going to die in retaliation for this? And wasn't I right? You've hit the nail on the head, there's nothing to commemorate except sadness and misery and pain. Let this anniversary be the last for public commemoration, the relatives will of course always remember their loved ones but the rest of us need to move on.

• penneysue61 | Aug 28, 2011, 02:46 PM EDT

  We need to remember what happened on 9/11 and the future generations being born also need to be shown what happened. We have become complacent. I am all for the videos of the planes going into the twin towers being shown so that we never forget what happened!

• peterson | Aug 28, 2011, 02:14 PM EDT

  There cannot be enough PUBLIC PRAYER - ever. It is about time for us who are Christians, to pray for our countries and each other.

• brianmack | Aug 28, 2011, 05:52 AM EDT

  Interesting and provocative article. Truly one of the saddest days I've ever witnessed. Peace, love and prayers to those who did lose loved ones or close friends.

• themurphia | Aug 27, 2011, 04:51 PM EDT

  I know exactly where I was and what I was doing the day the planes flew into the twin towers...I had the tv on in the background with the sound off as I usually do wen I am working...I looked up and saw the footage and thought there was a Spielberg film showing..but it was lunchtime...I turned the sound on...the truth was stranger than fiction...I was due to fly to Ireland next day...It was my 'Kennedy' moment...but less glamorous...God! they were a family!

• kateorourke | Aug 27, 2011, 04:11 PM EDT

  I disagree with you. We cannot forget the loss of those lives and we can never ever again be apathetic in regards to the security of our country. Doing this is a way of giving power to those who hate the US and saying "You win". We cannot forget this attack any more than we can forget Pearl Harbor. We need to remember so that this will not happen again. You write as if you are speaking on behalfof all who suffered in this catastrophe, but you are not. We need to remember all who lost their lives, as well as all who lost their lives in fighting for the freedoms of our country. GOD BLESS THE USA.

• specksmom | Aug 27, 2011, 11:18 AM EDT

  I agree.

• bunkerisland | Aug 27, 2011, 06:32 AM EDT

  We have had enough public prayer about a variety of things. Any effort to pray should be done in a private manner by those who see it as comforting them not imposed on all of us. Let us not mourn each 9/11 but initiate something positive, perhaps a nation-wide marathon, fundraising for firemen. No family members of those lost in this horror will ever forget what took place regardless of the activities in NY.

• bogsidebunny | Aug 27, 2011, 06:08 AM EDT

  This article is a bad move on your part Mr O'Dowd. Maybe the Micks forget and forgive their transgressors (sancitity of life idiocy), but Americans will not forget or forgive untill every last terrorist and enemy of America is exterminated and pulverized into dogfood.

• RedBranch | Aug 27, 2011, 04:54 AM EDT

  Perhaps you forget the aftermath, flags everywhere, a real sense of patriotism. United we stand! This article will come back to bite you in years to come.

• warlocks | Aug 27, 2011, 01:19 AM EDT

  Its time to move on . We can bring back the Dead too many Hucksters will be hocking their 9/11 goods to make a fast buck. Coins , Pictures, and fake melted Steel made into Key Chains they say came from the Twin Towers .the list goes on . its become nothing but a money Racket for greedy people without reguards to people who lost loved ones on 9/11 Enough is Enough .

• JimMcGarity | Aug 27, 2011, 12:31 AM EDT

  On that day everyone was looking to GOD and saying prayers. Now 10yrs later the mayor has taken GOD out of the rememberence. Boy the city has realy gone to the dogs.

• kaydog1 | Aug 27, 2011, 12:28 AM EDT

  We will never forget, Niall, neither the VICTIMS nor the PERPETRATORS.

• Pittsburghkid | Aug 26, 2011, 11:35 PM EDT

  Are you getting Muslim Petrodollars for this artical? If not you should.

• tempranillo | Aug 26, 2011, 11:26 PM EDT

  apologies to Deidra47 for my omission. Thank you for your comment. Peace.

• tempranillo | Aug 26, 2011, 11:21 PM EDT

  How dare you suggest 9/11 is not worth remembering. Your right to speak, of course. But, have you considered the hurt caused by the comment. If you look back at our Irish and/or American history, you find we are great at forgetting: Memorial Day...pssss start of summer; November 1--maybe that what that damned Waltzing Matilda is about. An Gorta Mor---hey buddy, I dont speak that garlic stuff.At least Canada recognizes all who perished in its defense. but, who cares. Not us...we don't remember-----but, my friend, we must. we must remember 9-11 and all the other days if we wish to survive. To TedinDenver, Peace. Thank you

• Deidra47 | Aug 26, 2011, 10:20 PM EDT

  RedInDenver is correct. I have lost 2 sons and I would also be happy if someone remembered them on the anniversary of the births as well as their angel day. Doing memorials is a way of healing.

• noele.noele | Aug 26, 2011, 03:14 PM EDT

  Yes, the suffering is continuing...thanks to Bloomberg. No prayers at memorials? Where is the head of this a__ at? Oh, in his a__! What insensitivity!!!! I suggest those who go....bring your pastors, rabbis, your neighbors and say prayers holding hands in circles during the memorial, particularly when (if, does he dare?) Bloomberg speaks. The rest of us in the USA will hold memorials WITH prayers. Whether you like the institutional churches or not, 80% or more in the USA believe in God (Gallup Poll).

• sirpeter | Aug 26, 2011, 01:41 PM EDT

  I think it should be remembered.As a day Americans got frightened and allowed their government the authorization of indefinite detentions of immigrants; searches through which law enforcement officers search a home or business without the owner’s or the occupant’s permission or knowledge; the expanded use of National Security Letters, which allows the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to search telephone, e-mail, and financial records without a court order, and the expanded access of law enforcement agencies to business records, including library and financial records."Those who give up their liberty for more security neither deserve liberty nor security".Poor Benjamin Franklin must be turning in his grave.

• RedInDenver | Aug 26, 2011, 12:42 PM EDT

  Maybe it's not exactly the same thing; but my oldest son was killed several years ago. I would be please if anyone other than me and his brother remembered him IN ANY WAY -- including a memorial on the day of his death. We always feel so isolated in our sadness on that day.

• Paradigm | Aug 26, 2011, 12:27 PM EDT

  N O'D, would you then apply the same criterion to the Easter 1916 uprising; the PIRA 1969-1994 and now the 'dissidents'. We Irish may find your advice helpful!!

• FGreggMeagher | Aug 26, 2011, 12:07 PM EDT

  I think that remembering 9/11 should be the ongoing push supporting an International Investigation into 'who' is truly responsible for the Towers being brought down. It is too obvious that the story told to promote a War on Terrorism is not the True Version. Experts all over the World have confirmed that the Towers were not brought down by those planes. The question remains as to why air defense was never launched when the planes went off course... and on... and on. I do not think, I know, that an investigation must be done by 3rd Party non USA Private Sector Investigators who have no gains or losses involving the US Government.

• ceceann | Aug 26, 2011, 11:57 AM EDT

  Why should we remember? Because those who forget history are destined to repeat it; that is why! I think you and your fans are deluded. "You know several victim families who feel as you do"? I know thousands who do not want this anniversary to be ignored. They feel that the 9/11 anniversary will be difficult but every day is difficult without their loved ones and the fact that a grateful nation memorializes their sacrafice is a comfort. Why do you think the great majority of the families show up at these occasions if they feel as you do? If this is the type of anecdotal evidence that is in your books, I would not read them if you gave them away.

• mhichil | Aug 26, 2011, 11:44 AM EDT

  there is something wicked about celebrating wars, disasters,famine,Pearl Harbor, D Day .. it assaults the spirit and associates fear in a holiday way..totally wrong,. if you ask me.. " and the band played waltzing matilda..."

• mhichil | Aug 26, 2011, 11:14 AM EDT

  Agreed

• eileenkny | Aug 26, 2011, 11:01 AM EDT

  I think we'd be much better served if, instead of parading our wounds to the world, we make it a "Day of Service". Lay a wreath and have a memorial service. Everybody's always complaining about how our country has gone to the dogs. Well, there would be one day when that doesn't happen and people actually help each other and their communities.

• jwbrown | Aug 26, 2011, 10:37 AM EDT

  If you come to America you can talk crazy like that in the South and people will generally just sneer at you and move on... but if you go to the north, say New York City, and talk crazy like that they will probably assault you. I'm a Southerner and we don't talk about 9/11 as it is not our business really. We just pony up and fight the wars over all that. It's not your business to talk about it either, regardless of what family you know. Let them talk about it and tell us what they say. That's the story we want to hear, not your crazy talk after you've had too many pints. I totally get what you mean, but others will just take it the wrong way. Don't worry about it. Yank from Tennessee

• jamieLM | Aug 26, 2011, 10:27 AM EDT

  @Mr. O'Dowd, The elimination of Bin Laden can't compare with the 9/ll event. I can NOT believe you would suggest Americans should give this creep one iota of thought - out of sight, out of mind, and good riddance. Like other monsters, who cares about the day of their demise? Just glad it happened. Commemorations of any national tragedy are always painful, especially for those already in pain. Many Americans would think it was dishonoring the memories of the victims of these tragedies if commemorations didn't take place. As if who they were and how and why they died was now unimportant and should be forgotten - and that there wasn't anything to be learned from their deaths. Everyone has to decide for themselves how they want to deal with these commemorations. For me, I saw on TV and read about Americans on the planes, in the towers, and on the ground who put their own lives in danger and who died trying to save others. The innate goodness of these people triumphed over the evil of others. On 9/ll, I'm reminded of those people who are remembered, missed, and loved by family and friends, the sacrifices made by those in their service to others, and of the resilience of the human spirit that emerged after 9/ll - all worthy of commemoration for me, even if it is painful.

• IAPRINCESS | Aug 26, 2011, 10:21 AM EDT

  I do not think of 9/11 as any type of celebration but a memorial to those who lost their lives. The living need to remember just like we remember Pearl Harbor. This is not celebration. Bin Laden death came out of it finally! But we must not forget what violence can be wrought on our free country. Love the USA

• BiffSissy | Aug 26, 2011, 10:20 AM EDT

  "But why should we remember it? Nothing good ever came of it. Do the Poles remember the day the Nazis took over?" I do believe THEY do; and you do ye not remember Kristallnacht? Many decades later, association with the Kristallnacht anniversary was cited as the main reason against choosing November 9 ("Schicksalstag")for the German national holiday; Avant-garde guitarist Gary Lucas's 1988 composition "Verklärte Kristallnacht, is intended to be a sonic representation of the horrors of Kristallnacht. It was premiered at the 1988 Berlin Jazz Festival and received rave reviews. The German power metal band Masterplan's debut album, Masterplan (2003), features "Crystal Night" a The German band BAP published a song titled Kristallnaach in their Cologne dialect, dealing with the emotions of the Kristallnacht. And so to borrow quote "A day that will live in infamy" And I agree that we are a marketing/event-craved culture; and "Killing that continues even as I write, and you read this .. There is your 'Tragedy'!" I still believe the event needs to be remembered in a sensitive way that is respectful

• aobrien1 | Aug 26, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT

  Of course 9/11 should be remembered, but I agree with you about the total overkill. The best memorial would have been to rebuild the World Trade Center immediately and get people back to work instead of taking forever to build a useless memorial.

• jacke47 | Aug 26, 2011, 10:06 AM EDT

  You are so shallow Niall!!! With tens of thousands fleeing what socialism has done to destroy their country it's no small wonder that the word 'patriotism' has been missing from the Irish vocabulary of late. You sheepishly ask why we should remember 'IT'? "LEST WE FORGET"...that's WHY!!!!!

• joycean | Aug 26, 2011, 09:59 AM EDT

  While 9/11 was a personal tragedy for the families of those who died, it will be remembered as a day which utterly changed this country and our relationship with the rest of the world. It is as worth remembering as December 6, or June 6 because of the impact it has had.

• Searlit | Aug 26, 2011, 09:52 AM EDT

  Niall, I'm in total agreement with you, especially since the first responders who sacrificed their health to search for survivors, have not been treated well. Great comments by TomSwinford, and Towngate.

• hancock | Aug 26, 2011, 09:41 AM EDT

  Niall you think this piece is helping?

• hancock | Aug 26, 2011, 08:58 AM EDT

  Niall, a provocative piece indeed! In principle, I agree with you. The truth, of course, is that we couldn't care less about the families of the 911 dead or even the dead of 911. This isn't about them, it's about us, America - and our marketing-crazed culture. We want an emotion-charged extravaganza, a 9/11/11 Spectacular, hollow, weepy speeches to briefly re-kindle the rage and horror and fireworks to light up lower Manhattan. God Almighty! we do love a good show, don't we. This is, above all, a marketing event.

• Towngate | Aug 26, 2011, 06:32 AM EDT

  Niall: I look forward to your next book "Truth in the Morning" about why the Twin Towers Disaster was allowed to happen, and where you state how many foreign nationals were slaughtered by America on their own soil before the retaliation took place, and how many hundreds of thousands have been killed by the US in countries that had nothing to do with "9/II", since! Killing that continues even as I write and you read this .... There is your 'Tragedy'! ~ Where is your 'Truth'?!.