People, in their grief, will often become enraged at anyone in a position of responsibility surrounding the circumstances that caused their grief.

In the case of families of the victims of violent crime, this rage is focused on the criminals. Families will usually take part enthusiastically in the prosecution of suspects accused of crimes that led to the death or injury of a loved one. They will also often attend executions and express relief, or even joy, at the event.

In the case of the 911 Manhattan murders, the criminals are beyond the reach of the victims' families, and of everyone else, so the focus of some families' rage has become those organizations that are responsible for public safety.

The hearings, as you say, provide the valuable service of analyzing emergency response patterns to improve communication and streamline first response procedures. Because of this function, they must necessarily cast a critical eye on procedures in order to recommend improvements.

Unfortunately, the hearings have also taken on the role, accidentally I believe, of second-stage grief therapy sessions for families who have not yet worked past that stage. It will take the families years to come to terms with their grief whatever their circumstances. For those without strong community resources to support them in this process, and especially for those whose support structure includes the "it's-been-six-weeks-get-over-it-you're-depressing-everyone" school of grief management, involvement in the public process of recovery and improvement may be the only way they have discovered to work out their anger. I believe this response, on their part, is not a conscious choice to be obnoxious and ungrateful.

I agree, it's not fair to lay this at the door of the City of New York and its magnificent efforts in the face of the unthinkable. Yet, I think that the unmet emotional needs of a large group of grieving families is really at the core of this reaction. To participate in social action whose aim is to improve safety is a positive step for them, as well as a suitable memorial for their loved ones, and can be a powerful force for proactive social change. What else is needed is some form of grief counselling that takes place in another venue, without the savage and unwarranted attacks on the people who tried so hard to do their best for the safety of the city.

We don't see this kind of response from the families of the Pentagon victims, or from the families of those killed on Flight 93. What's different about these groups?