NY Post: 9/11 Air Outrage

[jumptheshadow]

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/5746.htm

Christie Whitman blames Ground Zero workers for their illnesses...the firefighters get furious...the Post sets Whitman up for the fall...

>>The head of the country's largest firefighter union called Whitman's comments "a slap in the face to all firefighters."

"She's trying to cover her ass," fumed Harold Schaitberger, general president of the International Association of Firefighters.

"You could end with the EPA killing more people than the terrorists," added Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat whose district includes Ground Zero.<<

[alfredo]

1. the Post saying something critical of the Bushistas?

The world must be coming to an end.

[jumptheshadow]

2. The Post's strategy

It looks like somebody wants Whitman to fall on the sword and she isn't cooperating.

[NickDanger]

3. Did Whitman provide 30,000 respirators 'within days', or not?

eom

[jumptheshadow]

4. Good question

The firefighters say no. Whitman says yes. I hope somebody follows up, and soon. In the meantime, Whitman is blaming the NYC health department as well as the Ground Zero workers for health problems.

>>Whitman said the EPA "unfortunately does not have the authority to force people" to wear the cumbersome breathing devices, but that the city Health Department or federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration, which oversees workplace safety, might have required the protection.

Calls to the Health Department weren't immediately returned.

Whitman said that within "days," the agency provided some 30,000 respirators, a claim called "totally false" by the international firefighters union.<<

[Nancy Waterman]

5. It is called "blame the victim"

eom

[robbedvoter]

6. Respirators? They were lacking gloves and water! We provided them

New Yorkers were bringing bandaids, socks, gloves and T-shirts for those poor people whose hands were bleeding for lack of protection! FEMA was dismal!
Murdoch is trying the Raygun technique: blame those around him, keep the teflon intact. As a NY-er I say: F* Whitman, but mostly, F* you bush!

[Nottingham]

7. Yes and what about the people living around the area?

and the people who visited the site

All asured it was OK

This is going to be a major catastrophe!

[young_at_heart]

8. Another example of GOP self-righteousness!

"Cover your ass" seems to be more important to them than personal responsibility.

[Evanstondem]

9. Yes, it's never our fault

Let's blame someone who has already bailed out of our pathetic Administration.

[joeybee12]

10. It's not the respirators bitch!

It's the fact you lied in your press release--URGING--people to go down there--everything's fine and dandy!

Chritie Whitman--living proof there are NO decent Republicans!

[Lucille]

11. Rupert protects his pal Bush at Whitman's expense

The Post will do its best to keep NYer's rage directed against Whitman instead of her boss. It's the least Rupert can do in exchange for Bush's promise to veto tightening of FCC restrictions on media ownership. Post writers need to convince their readers that Whitman is directly responsible for the lie about air quality. Too bad for them that other reporting puts the decision to lie
about WTC air quality directly at the White House. Christie aids the Rove/Fox tactic of insulating Bushy with her ludicrous claims that the EPA tried to warn stubborn rescue workers in spite of themselves.

If she had any integrity, she would have resigned rather than promote the WH lie. She still could do something to compensate for her utter failure as EPA chief and human being. She could admit that she was pressured and she could apologize for her role in harming the health of rescue workers and NYers who live near the site. As I recall, schools opened up right near ground zero. Parents protested only to be told their fears were groundless. It's a a kind of justice that she is now abandoned by those she hoped would advance her career. She sold her soul to ride on Bush's coattails. NYers are justifiably angry Whitman, but we should all remember who is truly responsible. Christie Whitman was just the hired help.

[jumptheshadow]

12. Whitman's legal cupability

Very, very astute post. I agree with every point you made.

Can workers with health problems include Whitman in any lawsuits?

That might be one reason why we won't hear any apologies or admissions of culpability from her.

I hope she likes the fresh air on her farm.

[lostnfound]

13. Isn't Bush just hired help?