Why was 9/11 so special?

Because it affected the constituents of New York Congressman Peter King, previously a fervent supporter, apologist and enabler of terrorism, who spent decades squeezing himself with delight whenever the explosives and weapons he put in the hands of the IRA killed and maimed people in Ireland.

He is the new Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. I don't do this often, but I am going to quote the New York Times:

Long before he became an outspoken voice in Congress about the threat from terrorism, he was a fervent supporter of a terrorist group, the Irish Republican Army. "We must pledge ourselves to support those brave men and women who this very moment are carrying forth the struggle against British imperialism in the streets of Belfast and Derry,” Mr. King told a pro-IRA rally on Long Island, where he was serving as Nassau County comptroller, in 1982. Three years later he declared, “If civilians are killed in an attack on a military installation, it is certainly regrettable, but I will not morally blame the IRA for it".

Nor do I often watch, let alone cite, the supposedly amusing American TV commentator Jon Stewart (odd - I actively despise every person I know who spells his name "Jon"). Yet I am going to link to this video from his "Crooks and Liars" series, as it does the requisite number on the Irish-American scum-bag.