Disturbing news article

In the paper today was an article concerning financial compensation to the families of victims. If I read the article correctly (and if the facts were correct as they often are not in the newspaper) - the families of those firemen and policemen (but NOT the EMT's) who were lost on September 11 may get the lion's share of financial compensation and the families of people who were maintenance workers, cooks in company dining rooms, etc. will get little compensation.

Please don't blast me for this - but I feel that's just not right. There had to have been many, many unknown heroes who did not survive and whose families will be left close to destitution. There had to have been many, many more who were just too terrified to even take care of self, let alone anyone else - we will never know.

Apparently, many of the special funds that have been set up are collecting money for the survivors of the lost firefighters and policemen. But there are children who have been left orphans and not much information has been disseminated about them. They should be financially compensated through college.

From the numbers I have seen, enough money will be donated to provide all children of all the deceased with money to go to college; money to pay off mortages; health care, etc.

What can we do to attempt to see that everyone is justly compensated and that no one goes without?

I understand what you are saying, yes. I would like to think they could put up an orphan fund, and an EMT fund etc...most firemen I thought were also EMT's? Many here are both. I believe you get a higher paycheck if you are a qualified EMT as well as fireman.

Governor Pataki said that he was ensuring that all victim's kids were to be educated. i know lots of people are focusing on the rescue victims and they mostly deserve attention, but i think the mayor and governor will make sure things are fair. i am not sure i would put too much faith in that story for now, i just don't think that is how bush, pataki and guliani are. but lots of individuals like the mets, can't remember who all, are specifying funds for the police/firefighters.

Arlene, I'm really glad to hear this, since I've read this article, it's been one of the things that have upset me the most. Surely they are thinking clearly and the media just isn't reporting everything. surely they wouldn't let something like this happen.

I've been a little bothered by the fire/police constantly saying "we've got to get our guys out of there"...as if, they were the ONLY people buried in there. There are about 5700 people, other than emergency workers, under the rubble as well. I know the fire, police, etc have been very heroic, lost a lot of people and have done an outstanding job...but to continue saying "we've got to get our guys out of there", gets more disturbing each time they say it. They may not even realize they are doing it, but every time I see them interviewed on TV, I hear the same thing over and over. I've not heard them specifically speak of the thousands of people who worked there, that are now buried below. When they are asked how they feel about it and if they hope to find anymore survivors, again they come back to the same statement about finding their guys under there and not leaving the job until they get all of them out. Most people probably don't even realize anything odd about it, but for me, it justs gets to me. Imagine one of your family members being trapped in there, and you keep hearing the rescuers talk about finding their own first. With all that's happened, you'd think they'd be a little more sensitive. Has anyone else noticed this?...maybe I'm just overly sensitive?...

Martyboy, kind of. I can forgive them, though, as they are looking for their blood relatives and probably people they have personally known, probably some for many years. i don't think they are intentionally not looking for others, but human nature, their loves ones/friends lost are foremost on their minds.
as an outside, sure you watched GWB's speech...uncanny to me, kind of, as my name is arlene howard. don't know if george howard's police shield given to him by his mom, arlene, still has the last name howard but she must have at one time at least. i am thinking how it would be to be in her shoes, thinking about the president keeping that shield...such sad times, thought i would never see in my lifetime.

Oh, I'm sure they are looking for others...I guess it's just the way it appears on TV to me. I have no doubt many of them were close. And yes, I watched the speech. It's hard to really grasp it all. Not knowing what's coming in the future is what makes me nervous. I just hope Islamic people don't get more angry with us...but I'm supportive of the proposals. It's all a matter of education...certain people grow up in an environment where they are taught to hate us. I'm not sure what the answer for that is. Doesn't seem to be an easy answer.

Police and Fire have some big insurances on their members.

Also remember that esp Police & Fire Depts will take the donated money and help the local folks in need.

Byron

There is a fund set up now for restaurant workers families.
It was on TV today. 77 lives were lost in a restaurant on top of the Trade Center.

never fear, Ralph Lauren sent 13,000 pieces of clothing to the rescuers. ???? what were they thinking? where is their money, that's what Tommy Hillfiger sent!
sorry, that just hit me a little funny:)

I have been thinking of your post too Foxglove and I do hope that all the dependents of those who were lost will be helped.

tiG - I heard that about Ralph Lauren too and thought that was a little strange. Tommy Hilfiger donated one million $$.

Foxglove, I, too, think that ALL victims (families of victims included) should be helped equally no matter why or in what capacity they were there. But I do believe that the reason much has been said about the firemen and policemen who lost their lives and little about everyone else is because right now the nation needs heroes. They and the passengers who fought the hijackers on that flight that crashed into a field instead of another building are being held up as the heroes that they are so, as we see the destruction wrought by a few despicable inhuman people, we can hold onto the thought that there are still good people in the world. I'm sure you've heard the saying that firefighters, EMS workers and policemen "run towards things that everyone else runs away from." I think right now we need to know that that is true. I'll bet my ranch that later, as time heals our wounds, every victim of this tragedy will be helped.

Marty, I feel the need to respond ~ not in a condescending tone but in the hopes that I may shed a little light on how it feels to be a "rescuer." I don't know if you've ever been in a situation where you have to face first hand the destruction of familiar surroundings and/or death of a human. If you have, then please forgive my presumptuousness and let my response be for others' benefit. If you haven't, then please take my words in the way they are offered, only as an attempt to make you feel a bit better about those firemen and other rescuers.

I was an EMT and firefighter for ten years with the local EMS and fire department. I have gone into a burning building not knowing if it would fall and I have stood outside holding my breath when my fellow firefighters did the same. I have seen a person in a plane crash burned beyond recognition. I have pulled a friend out of a ditch after a car wreck and didn't recognize him until I saw the other uninjured side of his face. I have seen a baby covered in blood and glass, and silent, because his mother decided not to buckle him into his car seat. This last one conditioned me to think that a baby's cry is the most beautiful sound on Earth ~ when I approached a destroyed car and heard that sound, I immediately was relieved to know that the baby inside was alive and breathing. I still smile when I hear a baby crying.

I tell you this not to get a pat on the back, but to let you know that I speak from experience. When a person sees things like this it changes them, makes them feel ostracized from those who haven't seen this misery, makes you feel guilty to ever smile again. You do smile eventually, though, and all your smiles are sweeter and more meaningful. Other people who have seen the same things and know how you feel become your closest friends. You bond incredibly with them, whether you have actually met them or not, but more strongly if you have worked side by side seeing the exact same things. This bond is different than the bonds between brothers, sisters, parents, husbands and wives, but many times it is equally as strong. Yes, it is a "brotherhood" for men and women alike. I think, though do not know from experience, that this bond is similar to one that has been forged between military men. They all know how it feels to face war or atleast the thought of it for that's why they are there in the first place ~ to guard against it and fight it even if it means laying down their lives.

And keep in mind the fact that these men in New York are seeing things the likes of which I nor most of us have never seen. I can't offer words to describe the scene there as I realize that I will never know. I'm sure the magnitude of it cannot be captured through a small camera lens nor the mind's eye, but only through all the senses at once and actual physical presence would be needed for that.

Couple these things with the thought that these men and women are working with the knowledge that many of their "brothers" are down there ("brothers" meaning men and women alike). They HAVE to be in shock, some surely in a state of denial and possibly thinking, "I have to find my brothers so they can get up and help us find everyone else." Regardless, if it was me there and my family was under all that rubble I would most surely feel an overwhelming urge to get them out first, then get the rest. No, maybe they shouldn't be saying it over and over again on national TV, but I do hope that this gives a little bit better picture of why. Please let their actions speak louder than their words.

Your words are eloquent, Wingnut.

I know one person who has been to the site and reports the sight, sound (and at times the lack thereof) and smell are all overwhelming.

I certainly understand how someone could feel that way and therefore respond the way the do. I guess it was just an observation of mine...and how I would feel if I had someone down there.
By the way, our company is donating $1,000,000 and matching another million of employee donations, for a total of up to $3,000,000.

Dont worry-this is now the attitude of British workers, i know if that had happened here i know the policemen and firefighters families would be well paid out of government funds, its hard here to get the police to do anything here because as soon as any get a slight injury they are retired medically sick with pay and high pensions plus extra money, in fact i am sure our lot would not have gone in like yours did unless they had been guaranteed a lot of money, i do think they have been VERY VERY brave people. Dont forget they are dealing with people who they have known and worked with-the other people are strangers, they dont mean to diferenciate . Sheila in NW England

The only thing I might have to add is yes, Ive been in the military...and there is a feeling of family there. They are the people your life depends on. They look out for you, you look out for them. It's the same thing in the police dept. I think the firefighters are even more so that way. They live with each other, cook, work, and even associate outside work with each other, and their families. Even the wives of the firemen feel the family connection. When a fireman goes into a building his life literally is in the hands of the guy/woman going in there with him. This creates a bond that is unlike any other.
Also being a shift-worker on a crew that worked 12 hour shifts together...that also creates a bond. You tend to know each other better. It too is like a family. Although it is nothing like the firemen have.
I too noticed what they said Marty. It kind of bothered me. But, for firemen they go in together...and they expect to come out together...its like an oath or something..leave nobody behind. Although it is very disconcerting for other victims...I agree...but this maybe what keeps the guys going for so long. They have gone beyond a second wind. They are on a mission. The sad thing is they have found so little. You would of thought there would of been more survivors to celebrate. This must be very discouraging to them. Maybe they have to have a slight denial going on just to carry out the mission. Otherwise they would just give up? These are my thoughts. I could very well be wrong about this.

Shiela I am sure that the account you gave of British workers was very generalised but true in a lot of cases. But to say that our firemen are the way you portrayed them is, to my mind, grossly unfair. Are you trying to tell us that if England had incurred the same terrorism attack our firemen would say, "Sorry can't help clean up that mess and look for survivors until I know how much the job is going to pay me"??? Please think again - this goes against the grain with me. I am actually going back to your post to make sure I understood you the first and then a second time. Well here is your statement:-

in fact i am sure our lot would not have gone in like yours did unless they had been guaranteed a lot of money,

Honestly Sheila, I cannot for the life of me understand how you could have said that!

Just remember too, other folks are beginning to feel the crunch.

In NE hotels, resturants and cab companies are laying off 2/3 of the work force.

There are about 1,000,000 folks without jobs...