Steve Watson

Prisonplanet.com

Wednesday, Aug 18th, 2010

Hero 9/11 first responders, many of whom are sick and dying, have slammed Obama in an open letter for ignoring their plight while taking the time to outline views on a proposed mosque close to ground zero, the site of the 2001 attacks that felled the twin towers.

The letter, written by Jon Feal, head of the Fealgood Foundation, one of the largest and most vocal 9/11 responders’ groups, asks “Why have you failed us?”

“…your campaign said you supported the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would provide us with the health care we earned through our service to this country. Since that time, though, you’ve said absolutely nothing about the heroes of 9/11. We thought you would be our champion, because the last administration failed us.” Feal’s letter continues.

Feal has worked tirelessly with other 9/11 responders to lobby lawmakers to introduce meaningful legislation to compensate and help care for rescue workers who are still suffering from respiratory problems and serious illnesses caused by toxic dust they were told by the EPA was safe to breathe during the cleanup effort.

He outlines how Obama has had to “be dragged kicking and screaming into providing help for 9/11 responders”, yet has still not fulfilled the campaign promises he made to help the heroes.

“…it is disturbing that you have the time and energy to speak in favor of the mosque, but not on the health crisis caused by the attacks.” the letter to Obama further states, also making clear that media driven controversy over the mosque is simply not an issue for the Fealgood Foundation.

“It is our understanding that you have never personally addressed the issue of 9/11 responders and survivors on your own, and that the only time you have even mentioned the issue was when you were confronted about it.” Feal adds.

“After nine years of speeches and tributes but no action, we’ve heard enough. And sir if you choose not to come to New York on the 9th anniversary, then I implore you to make a public statement saying you support 9/11 responders.” The letter concludes.

As The New York Daily News reports, the responders’ grievances with the president have been supported by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens), who has worked closely with them on promoting the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which fell short of a two-thirds vote in the House last month owing to Republican opposition.

A d v e r t i s e m e n t

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“While I welcome President Obama’s comments on religious freedom, I can understand why John Feal and his fellow 9/11 responders would want to hear that the President supports their cause, too,” Maloney said.

As we noted yesterday in our feature article, Obama’s choice to address the issue of the proposed mosque, and voice support for the plan, equates to political suicide.

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The important facet of this issue is not really about the rights and wrongs of the mosque, it’s about Obama politically choosing to lend support to something that he knows full well is vitriolically opposed by the vast majority of Americans.

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Open Letter to President Obama from John Feal

Dear Mr. President:

Why have you failed us?

Two years ago, when you were asking for our votes for president, your campaign said you supported the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which would provide us with the health care we earned through our service to this country. Since that time, though, you’ve said absolutely nothing about the heroes of 9/11. We thought you would be our champion, because the last administration failed us. Thousands of brave men & woman need your voice & support.

While supporting or opposing the mosque near ground zero is not an issue for us, it is disturbing that you have the time and energy to speak in favor of the mosque, but not on the health crisis caused by the attacks. It is our understanding that you have never personally addressed the issue of 9/11 responders and survivors on your own, and that the only time you have even mentioned the issue was when you were confronted about it.

We’re sure your advisers will say that you put $150 million in the budget this year for 9/11 health programs, and that shows your support for our cause – but we both know that 1) this is not even close to what you committed to support during the campaign, and 2) your administration has had to be dragged kicking and screaming into providing help for 9/11 responders – in fact, you only pledged the $150 million when you were pressed on the issue.

9/11 responders and survivors with lifelong illnesses need guaranteed health care, not a single year’s funding. Your budget also will do nothing for the men and women who can’t work because of their illnesses, and struggle to pay their mortgages and feed their families.

We are sure you are planning to come to New York on September 11th to honor those who died, as well you should, but it would be an insult to us if you were to come to New York and not say anything about the bill to help sick and dying 9/11 responders. After nine years of speeches and tributes but no action, we’ve heard enough. And sir if you choose not to come to New York on the 9th anniversary, then I implore you to make a public statement saying you support 9/11 responders, those effected by 9/11 and it’s aftermath and our bill HR.847 & S.1334. God bless you Mr. President, God bless America & God bless the tens of thousands of men & woman who need your support.

“Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure”

– Abraham Lincoln

Steve Watson is the London based writer and webmaster at Alex Jones’ Infowars.net, and regular contributor to Prisonplanet.com. He has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the School of Politics at The University of Nottingham in England.

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