dojR002521.xml

dojR002521.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-21

Thursday, March 21, 2002 12:40 PM
9/11 Fund

I must publicly comment on the recent decision to
exclude payments to the certain families of the 9/11
victims. To say that I am outraged is a understatement.

To publicly state that the families of certain heros
from 9/11 are not entitled to the same benefits of
others does not exemplify the American spirit that our
government so proudly exclaims exists. Our government
leaders are sending the message loud and clear: you do
not have to practice what you preach.

There was no discrimination on 9/11. None. People from
every nationality and from every walk of life were
killed, wounded, lost a family member, rushed into help
their neighbor and rushed into to help a stranger.
America was hurt that day; but American was also proud
that day. Our spirit rose to a level that even
surprised the most patriotic.

To publicly state that certain families of the heros are
not entitled to the benefits of the 9/11 fund because of
their sexual orientation is an outrage. Plain and
simple. Have our leaders lost this spirit that so many
of us renewed? To say that they are willing to turn and
look the other way in regards to illegal aliens and
provide those families with benefits and, in the same
breath, state that because same sex reunions are not
recognized at the state level, families of gay heros are
not entitled? Does this mean that state's do not
recognize illegal aliens or punish corporations for
allowing illegal aliens to work in this country?

I am not a proud American today. How will we ever move
to a point where America is free of discrimination when
our respected leaders are clearly not setting the
example. God Help America and God Bless all the heros
who gave their lives for my freedom without regard to my
religion, my sex, my color or my sexual orientation.
Individual Comment
Boston, MA

2002-03-21