Fail to understand "Exigencies of living hammer away impatiently"

Bumbling attempts got close (could be a form of 'bungling') = screwups, clumsy, blunders
of attempted acts of terrorism

Exigencies of living = the demands of living

hammer away impatiently = repeatedly impact us impatiently

I disagree with the first response. This is poorly written, but comprehensible. "Exigencies of living hammer away impatiently" means that the expectation that so many things would now be different is not experienced because everyday life impinges on an individual's experience. "To hammer away" means to relentlessly pursue a course. This sentence is awkward because, of course, everyday life has no goals, no object--it doesn't do anything, it's effects are only perceived, not intentional. So the sentence means that the expected changes are not felt because everyday life continues as it always had, and the author expresses that as a relentless, an impatient, "hammering away" at the expectaions of the survivors.

"To get close" means to almost, but not quite accomplish something, or attain something. "Bumbling attempts got close" means that attempts subsequent to September 11th, 2001 to commit significant terrorists acts on American soil have not succeeded, despite nearly succeeding.

Thank you.

What is the definition of "Exigencies " there?

Needs (which is the definition here, there and everywhere).

Cool.

Exigencies of living hammer away impatiently.

This notion that Setanta advances is piffle, pure and simple.

What, exactly, makes it "awkward"?

Nothing.

Setanta's go to piece of nonsense - this is bad writing/awkward - the implication he intends we draw, "I am the master of the written word".

Really slimy, Set.

Of course English writers and speakers never have any reason to ascribe to inanimates living qualities.

Oh wait, we do. It's called personification.