I'm so sorry that you carry that memory, Monica, hearts were breaking enough that day, to add that burden is sad. I wonder why people chose to behave that way, gang mentality I suppose? I had a person attack my faith shortly after 9/11, asking me where my God was when those planes went down. He was very ugly too.

At the memorial for the families in Shanksville Mrs. Bush stated that while we saw some of the worst of humanity that day we also the very best as our people banded together. I'm sorry that you didn't get to see that.

How were able to determine that all that hatred was being sent by Americans?

In simple words - originating location.
Remember this was 10 years ago, and thousands of messages.

That is so sad. I'm sorry you had to witness all that vileness firsthand. And very saddened by how those cruel comments must have hurt the families and friends of the victims.

I'm really surprised by what you post. My recollection of that day and time was of people pulling together, of being proud of their country and the brave men and women who are citizens. Especially the first responders. I am glad I have those recollections and pride in my country, and I wish you had the same experience. This is the first I've heard of this kind of reaction. I just wonder what could motivate people to do that at a time like that.

I notice many news articles I read online (Yahoo, most likely others too,) have many disgusting comments following. I think there are too many sad, sad people, mostly men, who do this to get attention. How awful for you to have had to read through them.

I think you saw the worst of SOME Americans....

ML

Monica, you saw what seemed to be a small portion of people and not the best on that day.

I was on a conference call with another part of our department in NYC. We listened as they watched each plane hit and how their tone changed .the horror in their voices ..the crying ...the prayers.

People grouped together to pass messages along as they could, blood drives ..anything possible to help. Our company sent buses up to pick up our fellow employees stuck in cities all along the east coast.

Heard new stories this morning I had never heard before ...the boat evacuations. I swelled with pride ..and some tears to see how the waters were covered with boats of all kinds heading into the unknown to help. People helping strangers all over.
Some people let their anger overtake their other senses. Hard to know how one would react and not everyone does it in the same way .

Sorry you had that experience and hope some of what you've heard will balance it for you.
I saw just how big Americans' hearts are that day and afterward .

I'm sorry. You saw a side the rest of didn't see. I also saw a lot of the good of Americans that day and in days after. I also saw a nicer side of some people that I had never seen before.

It's hard to know the tone and message without the context but I'm sure you felt offense and I don't question your accuracy. But I also have to say that differing opinions, expressing comments, whether offensive or not (subject to other restrictions such as threats or otherwise) are really not something I can get too worked up over.

Saying something "nasty", even offensive, bigoted or whatever to me hardly compares with scamming elderly out of their Social Security checks, stealing a handicapped person's custom designed van, murdering, assaulting, going in and scamming victims of tornadoes, floods and the like claiming to be insurance adjusters, repair contractors, etc and other things like that to me show far worse than an unhappy comment on an opinion board. To me that's a much darker America showing. But then when another part shows up where they go together and buy a replacement for the person and other deeds, it shows that there is good around too.

It's ironic you mentioned AOL. I've always noticed that AOL seems to attract a, well, "unique" group. But people expressing differing opinions, you'll get that anywhere. I'm active in a broadcasting board and they don't want to censor posts. You wouldn't be able to read some of them. But sometimes it brings out a good discussion.

I don't know your experience but it should be pointed out that "originating location" isn't always accurate and I'm not sure what you mean by that anyway. It's not unlike looking at the sender's address on an email. Not always accurate. Unless you have access to the detail, even ip address can be spoofed and even in those days there were a number of anonymizers available. In those days, it was much easier than it is now.

It's too bad you have this as a memory. It's a part of our history and everyone will have a different recollection and perspective of it. Nice to hear all of them.

I'm sorry. You saw a side the rest of didn't see. I also saw a lot of the good of Americans that day and in days after. I also saw a nicer side of some people that I had never seen before.

The patriotism I saw was unbelievable.

FLags everywhere to honor our country.

I'm sure you saw that, and I'm so sorry you did. That must have been awful for you.

My impression that day and for many weeks afterward was very different. It felt to me that we were all New Yorkers for a time, bonded together in grief at our losses and pride in our first responders. A few weeks after 9/11 I saw many, many people wearing FDNY caps and shirts way down here in Georgia, and many people with tributes posted on their cars.

I'm so sorry you had that experience.

Your experience does not surprise me at all. I was shocked to read (in the News Story comments section on CNN and other online channels) absolutely vile and disgusting comments re. the fires in Texas. There are lots of despicable people out there.

I experienced hatred that day too when I went outside to tell the workers who were building the house next door. To my utter disgust and horror the new "neighbour" laughed and said she was happy that this happened and that the Americans deserved it. That was the first time in my life that I uttered the words "I wish you would go back to your own country" She was from Yugoslavia and said the Americans did nothing to help them in their time of need. I can still remember that laugh.

Anne

What a hypocrite to say that while building her new home on American soil!

Does not surprise me in the least. I read despicable stuff all the time online on news forums. These people, mostly men, I'd guess, probably living in their mother's basement say the worst vile things about tragic events. There are a lot of thoroughly rotten to the core people.

Cherryfizz is Canadian, so she wasn't building her home on American soil.

I remember the anti-New York feelings also. Like those people who died somehow "deserved" what they got. I've lived in New York all my life (well, New York State, not Manhattan) and I've never felt superior to anyone because I'm a "New Yawker". I'm just an average, late middle age woman trying to savor life as much as I can.

"What a hypocrite to say that while building her home on American soil!" A perfect example of how people misunderstand, misinterpret, jump to conclusions, etc. Or just don't know what they're talking about.