Allan Leznikov's Blog
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American policy is only as good as it's great thinker's and the conversations they have with each other. All of you here are great thinker's, now all that is missing is the great conversation!
September 13, 2007
This passing anniversary of September 11, 2001 has hopefully given us all adequate time to remember those lost to us forever on that tragic day. Hopefully it has given us all an opportunity to do something more than just remember, and, that's reflect in a meaningful way. I know this past anniversary has given me just that, a chance to remember and reflect, and even more. The recent collapse of the Deutsche Building in Lower Manhattan has sparked renewed interest in the air quality of Lower Manhattan and a renewed passion to take care of our greatest heroes, our firefighters. With the collapse of the Deutsche Building, 2 firefighters were killed Robert Beddia, 53, of Staten Island and Joseph Graffagnino, 34, of Brooklyn. . The scramble to test air quality, and, implement old promises to our heroes and citizens was again underway. For years the former Republican now Independent Mayor of New York City, Michael R. Bloomberg denied that the respiratory problems that rescue workers were facing were a result of 9-11.
For years the Federal government under the Bush administration ignored these rescue workers who needed care so desperately. However, the U.S. Congress has a failed record of voluntary inaction also. "The truth of the matter is Congress didn't set up a victims compensation fund," Bloomberg said (NY POST, Susan Edelman). Figures in 2005 showed that at least 8,000 rescue workers had medical conditions resulting from 9-11. Yet many actions were taken to stop further studies and efforts to help 9-11 rescue workers. "The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program found that roughly half of the 16,000 people followed have a medical condition resulting from 9/11. A New York City Fire Department study reported similar findings. Other screening programs have not fared as well. One initiative geared to State workers was terminated while another for federal rescue workers was closed after screening only 400 of the approximately 10,000 federal responders at Ground Zero." Reps. Maloney (D), NY, Fossella and Shays Demand 9/11 Responder Health Treatment Plan NOW. Yet little has been done even in 2007 after six grueling years of sickness and death for 9-11 rescue workers. However, I came to realize something additionally troubling this past 9-11 anniversary.
Throughout my experience living in New York City, I had spoken to many rescue workers and their relatives. A few story's were forever engraved in my head, playing on constant loop, as if a record had been broken and nobody was acknowledging that it was broken. A dear friend of mine who's husband had been a police officer working to recover bodies on 9-11 told me some time after the event, that the mere contact of just being next to her husband and his gear when he would come home , had given her permanent lung damage, severe bronchitis, and asthma. More specifically her contact with his gear when she would wash his clothes so that he could make it to ground zero to work tirelessly to identify the remains of so many people's loved ones had the greatest effect on her illness.
However, you would think the same politicians who had championed slogans of 9-11 would be scrambling to come up with ways to help her? It may or may not surprise you that she wasn't covered by any government program, because even today there is no one even acknowledging the physical damage done to the families of 9-11 rescue workers. My friend's story is one of thousands out there and one of dozens that I can personally testify to. However, it's extremely difficult to have government officials acknowledge, study, and help relatives of rescue worker's when they won't even fully acknowledge the crippling damage done to the rescue workers themselves. Particularly so the case with the potential candidate for the Presidency, Mayor Bloomberg who had these stern words to say about rescue workers to a New York Times reporter,“We’ve got an insurance fund, and if we don’t make sure that we only pay out legitimate claims, we’re not going to have any money down the road. When I say you’ve got to show the damage was done to your worker, they say, ‘Oh, well, we’ll have them sign a paper.’ Does anybody understand what’s going on?”(The Bloomberg Vista, Johnathan Mahler, NY Times). Perhaps I understand! Rescue workers who the Mayor, Congress, and the President praised over and over weren't and aren't faking it Mike!
This anniversary of 9-11 has given me the hope that enough Democrats and really people from all political persuasions will unite to help the rescue workers and their relatives who suffer everyday from their truly heroic sacrifice. Most importantly this anniversary should give time to and inspire all the thoughtful people to acknowledge these problems and send letter's to government officials. For six years of suffering by 9-11 rescue workers and their families no one has mentioned their families health problems, but it's about time government officials allocate money to study's and surveys, and, then cover the family members along with our beloved rescue workers! Will you make this your party’s platform? 9-11 Butterfly Effect.
Resources:
Link
ex=1189828800&en=e90ef0fdf64d4842&ei=5070
Link
nce_fund_amid_furor_regionalnews_susan_edelman__frankie_edozien_and_leela_de_krets
er.htm
Link
This passing anniversary of September 11, 2001 has hopefully given us all adequate time to remember those lost to us forever on that tragic day. Hopefully it has given us all an opportunity to do something more than just remember, and, that's reflect in a meaningful way. I know this past anniversary has given me just that, a chance to remember and reflect, and even more. The recent collapse of the Deutsche Building in Lower Manhattan has sparked renewed interest in the air quality of Lower Manhattan and a renewed passion to take care of our greatest heroes, our firefighters. With the collapse of the Deutsche Building, 2 firefighters were killed Robert Beddia, 53, of Staten Island and Joseph Graffagnino, 34, of Brooklyn. . The scramble to test air quality, and, implement old promises to our heroes and citizens was again underway. For years the former Republican now Independent Mayor of New York City, Michael R. Bloomberg denied that the respiratory problems that rescue workers were facing were a result of 9-11.
For years the Federal government under the Bush administration ignored these rescue workers who needed care so desperately. However, the U.S. Congress has a failed record of voluntary inaction also. "The truth of the matter is Congress didn't set up a victims compensation fund," Bloomberg said (NY POST, Susan Edelman). Figures in 2005 showed that at least 8,000 rescue workers had medical conditions resulting from 9-11. Yet many actions were taken to stop further studies and efforts to help 9-11 rescue workers. "The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring Program found that roughly half of the 16,000 people followed have a medical condition resulting from 9/11. A New York City Fire Department study reported similar findings. Other screening programs have not fared as well. One initiative geared to State workers was terminated while another for federal rescue workers was closed after screening only 400 of the approximately 10,000 federal responders at Ground Zero." Reps. Maloney (D), NY, Fossella and Shays Demand 9/11 Responder Health Treatment Plan NOW. Yet little has been done even in 2007 after six grueling years of sickness and death for 9-11 rescue workers. However, I came to realize something additionally troubling this past 9-11 anniversary.
Throughout my experience living in New York City, I had spoken to many rescue workers and their relatives. A few story's were forever engraved in my head, playing on constant loop, as if a record had been broken and nobody was acknowledging that it was broken. A dear friend of mine who's husband had been a police officer working to recover bodies on 9-11 told me some time after the event, that the mere contact of just being next to her husband and his gear when he would come home , had given her permanent lung damage, severe bronchitis, and asthma. More specifically her contact with his gear when she would wash his clothes so that he could make it to ground zero to work tirelessly to identify the remains of so many people's loved ones had the greatest effect on her illness.
However, you would think the same politicians who had championed slogans of 9-11 would be scrambling to come up with ways to help her? It may or may not surprise you that she wasn't covered by any government program, because even today there is no one even acknowledging the physical damage done to the families of 9-11 rescue workers. My friend's story is one of thousands out there and one of dozens that I can personally testify to. However, it's extremely difficult to have government officials acknowledge, study, and help relatives of rescue worker's when they won't even fully acknowledge the crippling damage done to the rescue workers themselves. Particularly so the case with the potential candidate for the Presidency, Mayor Bloomberg who had these stern words to say about rescue workers to a New York Times reporter,“We’ve got an insurance fund, and if we don’t make sure that we only pay out legitimate claims, we’re not going to have any money down the road. When I say you’ve got to show the damage was done to your worker, they say, ‘Oh, well, we’ll have them sign a paper.’ Does anybody understand what’s going on?”(The Bloomberg Vista, Johnathan Mahler, NY Times). Perhaps I understand! Rescue workers who the Mayor, Congress, and the President praised over and over weren't and aren't faking it Mike!
This anniversary of 9-11 has given me the hope that enough Democrats and really people from all political persuasions will unite to help the rescue workers and their relatives who suffer everyday from their truly heroic sacrifice. Most importantly this anniversary should give time to and inspire all the thoughtful people to acknowledge these problems and send letter's to government officials. For six years of suffering by 9-11 rescue workers and their families no one has mentioned their families health problems, but it's about time government officials allocate money to study's and surveys, and, then cover the family members along with our beloved rescue workers! Will you make this your party’s platform? 9-11 Butterfly Effect.
Resources:
Link
ex=1189828800&en=e90ef0fdf64d4842&ei=5070
Link
nce_fund_amid_furor_regionalnews_susan_edelman__frankie_edozien_and_leela_de_krets
er.htm
Link
John Kerry has the ability to win a lot of important states on his own. John Kerry can sweep Massachusetts a very important state for Hillary Clinton, especially if she runs against Republican Governor. Mitt Rommney of Massachusetts. Also John Kerry doesn't outshine Hillary like Obama or Edwards would if they were chosen. Hillary recently did a press conference with John Kerry who is clearly not entertaining the idea of running for President again but may very will be working towards a vice presidential nomination. Overall John Kerry still has a lot of money left from his previous Presidential Campaign that he hasn't found a way to use yet. If nominated as a Vice Presidential candidate that could all change. Kerry has an enormous network left over from his previous campaign that he could add to the Clinton machine, making that ticket close to unstoppable! Also from a marketing point of view it's a good match because they look good together. Kerry is a tall, bit older than middle-aged looking man with gray hair like Hillary's husband Bill Clinton. That is great because people are already used to seeing the Clinton's together and would be very quick to see Kerry as a great substitute for Bill. Now Kerry would be perfect for the purpose of replacing Bill to some extent so that Hillary isn't perceived as having to fill the big shoes of her husband, yet Kerry would still remind people of Bill Clinton. In addition Kerry still has a lot of supporters who would be added to the ticket! Overall a great strategy for Hillary Clinton if she gets the nomination!
THE VIDEO AND ARTICLE IN REGARDS TO CLINTON/KERRY PRESS CONFERENCE CAN BE FOUND HERE-Link
THE VIDEO AND ARTICLE IN REGARDS TO CLINTON/KERRY PRESS CONFERENCE CAN BE FOUND HERE-Link
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