Finally, the First Responders of 9/11 Get The Recognition They Deserve

[blackrock13]

The government of the US will finally give the recognition to these brave men and women who responded, no questions asked, and support their medical needs, especially the cancers that have ravaged their bodies.

... and screw all of TERB who think first responders have it easy and are paid too much. Just to help remind you who some of you are;

Firefighters


Holy Crap what a funny video on firefighers

 

[S.C. Joe]

I could not believe people were going in there with no protection. Common sense said that dust was toxic, the gov just wanted the mess clean up as quick as possible to move on

All those "test" that claim the air was OK, lol

Sometimes people will believe anything I guess.

I still wounder if Peter Jennings death was due in part to the dust, just 4 years later and he died. Or sure smoking didn't help but did the dust speed up his death ?

 

[blackrock13]

I could not believe people were going in there with no protection. Common sense said that dust was toxic, the gov just wanted the mess clean up as quick as possible to move on

The responders knew it wasn't normal. Normal smoke is black, grey, or white. The smoke from the site was 'green', but that didn't stop them one bit from spending months at ground zero.

 

[blackrock13]

It appears the haters are silent these days, good to see, especially on this day.

 

[blackrock13]

MON SEP 10, 2012 AT 09:59 AM PDT


Paul Ryan Voted Against 9/11 First Responder's Health Bill


​

Republican Paul Ryan voted against 9/11 First Responders Healthcare Bill many, many times in 2010.
In 2010, New York City Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D), sponsored The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, which provided medical monitoring to those exposed to toxins at Ground Zero, bolstered treatment at specialized centers for those afflicted by toxins on 9/11 and reopened a compensation fund to provide economic loss to New Yorkers.
Financing: because Republicans pretend to care about the Deficit, Democrats made sure that every penny of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was paid for by closing a Tax Loophole on Foreign Corporations. But that just outraged House Republicans, because Tax Increases, even on Foreign Companies, even to benefit 9/11 First Responders, are always evil.
July 28, 2010 Politico Reported

House Republican leadership is advising its members to vote against a bipartisan bill that would, among other things, bolster medical support to Sept. 11 victims.​

Politico went on to report that the Republicans were calling it a "job-killing" Bill that creates a new "Entitlement" - no kidding!

But according to Republicans, it’s a job-killing growth of government that would create a new entitlement and waste taxpayer dollars.​

Paul Ryan's 1st. "NO" Vote:
So, on July 29, 2010 little soldier Paul Ryan (R-WI) voted "NEY" on the 9/11 First Responder Healthcare Bill.

July 29, 2010: House Vote #491 (111th Congress)H.R. 847 (111th): James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010
This vote was taken under a procedure called “suspension of the rules” which is typically used to pass non-controversial bills. Votes under suspension require a 2/3rds majority. A failed vote under suspension can be taken again.
Paul Ryan voted "NEY"
Source: GovTrack
​

As a reminder, let me point out, that on January 20, 2009, Paul Ryan plotted to sabotage the U.S. Economy with 11 other Republican Congressmen, plus Frank Luntz, plus Newt Gingrich during a 4 hour covert meeting. (Read that here)
Paul Ryan's 2nd. "NO" Vote:
On September 29, 2010 (18 days after anniversary of 9/11) Paul Ryan voted against the 9/11 First Responders Bill again.

Number: House Vote #550 [primary source: house.gov]
Date: Sep 29, 2010 (111th Congress)Related Bill: H.R. 847 (111th): James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010
Introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D-NY14] on February 4, 2009
This was a vote to approve or reject a bill or resolution.
Paul Ryan voted NEY
Source: GovTrack
​

Ah, but despite the House Republicans sudden loathing of 9/11 First Responders HR 847 passed the House where it would be met with Filibusters from the 9/11 First Responder-Hating Senate Republicans.

Paul Ryan's 3rd. Vote "AGAINST" via "Did Not Vote"
You see, Paul Ryan did not make time to vote for the 9/11 First Responders Bill, in fact, the last vote Paul Ryan took in 2010 was the day before, December 21, 2010. He just did not have time for the 9/11 First Responders - maybe he had Christmas shopping to do?

Number: House Vote #664 [primary source: house.gov]
Date: Dec 22, 2010 (111th Congress)
Result : Passed
Related Bill: H.R. 847 (111th): James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010
Introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D-NY14] on February 4, 2009This was a vote to approve or reject a bill or resolution.
Paul Ryan did not vote
Source: GovTrack
​

Neat huh? So, let's see what Paul Ryan said about 9/11 victims on September 11, 2010 - 18 days before he rejected the 9/11 First Responders -- oh wait! Paul Ryan did not issue a statement on the anniversary of 9/11 in 2010 (see here) Hmmm ... Paul Ryan voted against 9/11 First Responders and does not even have time to make a public statement on the 9/11 anniversary in 2010 ... hmmm.
I always thought the emergency teams who responded to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 were considered American heroes. The nation's support for these men and women has been unequivocal and unending ... except ... for Republicans whose support has a finite limit.
Here's how House and Senate Republicans demonized the 9/11 First Responders in 2010:

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, called it a "new entitlement program that we simply cannot afford."​

Texas Republican Lamar Smith complained the measure "creates a huge slush fund open to abuse, fraud and waste."​

Slush fund, entitlement, job killer ... and other other adjective used to demonize the 9/11 First Responders and victims of 9/11.Senator Coburn went all out and wrote (pdf)

The federal government does not, have an obligation to provide for overly-generous, questionably-related, and fiscally-irresponsible benefits with a price-tag of $10.4 Billion.This legislation:
- Creates an expansive new health care entitlement program, despite multiple existing federally-supported health care programs for 9/11 first responders and victims; and
- Re-opens the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund (VCF), despite the fund’s original intent to be temporary in nature and a recent $815 million settlement that addressed gaps in compensation funding.
​

Isn't that odd? Senator Corburn says $10 Billion is just too much money for the 9/11 First Responders Healthcare -- isn't that very Unpatriotic and UnAmerican of those Republicans. I am reminded that the GOP fail to understand that Taxes pay for wars. I also am reminded that the GOP Cut Taxes twice, 2001 and 2003, and thus had to borrow Trillions (with a T) from China to pay for two wars.
I am reminded that Romney/Ryan's Foreign Policy Advisers spent $$TRILLIONS searching for their imaginary WMD when they worked for Bush Cheney.
I am reminded that Paul Ryan voted "yes" on Bush Cheney Tax Cuts - of which - in September 2003, Dick Cheney told Tim Russert that the "Bush Tax Cuts are 25% of the Deficit (Video here)
... maybe the 9/11 First Responders should have changed their pseudonym to Halliburton or KBR or some other private military complex corporation.
My point in writing this Diary, it will be interesting to read whatever BS Paul Ryan presents tomorrow knowing, in advance, that Paul Ryan did not have time to vote for the 9/11 First Responders and when Paul Ryan did make the time, Ryan voted against the 9/11 First Responders.
UPDATE: The poster, JR was kind enough to find Paul Ryan's Floor speech on why he would have voted "NO" on 9/11 First Responders Health Bill on December 22, 2010

Paul Ryan's Floor statement "A deeply Flawed Bill"
Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin.
Madam Speaker, I was absent for legislative business and missed rollcall vote 663 on December 21, 2010, and rollcall vote 664 on December 22, 2010. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on H.R. 6547, the Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act, and ``no'' on rollcall vote 664 (H.R. 847).

The vote I wish to discuss is the bill H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. Without a doubt, Republicans and Democrats can agree that both the victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001, and the first responders who bravely served following the attacks deserve to be fairly treated and compensated. However, this bill would create a new health care entitlement, the World Trade Center Health Program, while also extending eligibility for compensation under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. As a result, had I been present, I would have votedagainst passage of the bill.

Since the terrorist attacks occurred nearly nine years ago, I have supported legislation to ensure that these individuals are cared for and receive access to the services they deserve. However, rather than working with Republicans to craft a bill which truly addressed the shortcomings in care provided to those directly impacted by the September 11th terrorist attacks, the Majority instead rushed this bill to the floor in the waning hours of the 111th Congress, refusing to allow an open debate or consider amendments. The result is a deeply flawed bill. H.R. 847 creates yet another mandatory spending program--increasing spending by $4.2 billion dollars over 10 years--and paying for it by an Excise Tax on Foreign Manufacturers, an extension of Travel Promotion Act fees, and the extension of HI-B visa fees.
There is no doubt that we owe a debt of gratitude to those who came to the rescue of countless individuals following the attacks on September 11, 2001, but these provisions distort that noble goal. At a time when our budget deficit is $1.3 trillion and our national debt stands at $13.8 trillion, we must accurately account for those programs that take priority. I remain hopeful that as the 112th Congress convenes, my colleagues and I can work together to reform some of my concerns with this proposal and truly provide the services these first responders deserve.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/...ed-Against-9-11-First-Responder-s-Health-Bill

I don't very often see eye to eye with Peter King, but this is one of those times. He said today it was terrible that it took this long to come to fruition.

I wonder what VP hopeful Ryan will have to say today.
​

 

[train]

Do you feel better, now that you have lectured some poor insensitive slob and staked the moral political high ground - and all before 9.30 am. Good job Sarge.

Meanwhile I'm still thinking about the stark images from 11 years ago

 

[blackrock13]

Do you feel better, now that you have lectured some poor insensitive slob and staked the moral political high ground - and all before 9.30 am. Good job Sarge.

Meanwhile I'm still thinking about the stark images from 11 years ago

Paul Ryan?

It was actually more than one ignorant TERBie. As a matter of fact, one member poked fun in one thread and then praised them in another. Very Gayass of him.

 

[fun-guy]

The US government should be ashamed of themselves that it took 11 years to support the first responders after putting their lives on the line to help save many other Americans. I don't know why it took so long as I wasn't following the process but reading the above article Paul Ryan, who initially made a splash as the boy wonder, is starting to show a lot of cracks.

 

[K Douglas]

Has anyone here read the bill? I suggest you do and then you will see that it goes far and beyond the reach of helping 1st responders of 9/11. Dirty democrat politics at play.

 

[Aardvark154]

Blackrock13, as stated on the other thread: First Responders were already being provided health care, the Bill was passed in December 2010, it was not passed in July because the Democrats who were then in control of both the House and the Senate decided to play games, to prevent the Republicans from being able to offer any amendments to the bill they instead had to have a super majority. For both of these reasons, Republicans voted against the bill not because they didn't want to provide health care to 9/11 First Responders but because they were told vote for our bill or against our bill, your imput on the bill is entirely unwanted.