The creeps come out from under the rocks at times like this. They love exploiting your good nature and think nothing of pretending to be collecting for a good cause while actually pocketing your good money for themselves. Consider donating money at American Liberty Partnership Also remember there were plenty of people who were needy long before September 11th and their needs haven't disappeared. It didn't seem even remotely offensive to me. His choice of words obviously wasn't the most effective, but Maher made an important point.
Terrorists see themselves as brave warriors.
Calling them cowards because it makes us feel better won't make them any less fierce. There were some big solar flares the weeks of September 24th and October 1st. There were some auroral sightings at mid latitudes after the late September flares. The full moon nixed any chance of that the following week. Day of the Week finding formula I'll put some more links here too.