Posted by
Shogrensus on Monday, April 30, 2007 3:22:43 PM
In the final segment, one of the first responders, Bonnie Giebfried, spoke about the far-reaching effects of the terrorist attack:
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Giebfried: There was 258,000 toxins identified, which they are carcinogens. A carcinogen and a carcinogen make more death. They do not know what these chemicals combined do to us and it is wreaking havoc not only on us but our families are being dismembered. We have children cutting themselves because they can’t deal with it. We have children drinking and drugging, we have children committing suicide. We have members of families. When does the terror end?
Rosie: Ripple effect… For all of America I have to say thank you. These first responders deserve so much better treatment than they are given. Now anything you can do- please write and support for Dr. Jacqueline Moline. I wish there was more I could say or do. Next year that’s going to be a focus for me- helping the 9/11 first responders.
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The situation facing the first responders is very tragic. There are many questions and unfortunately answers that don’t satisfy.
It is impossible to sort out whose ailments actually stem from the attack and whose would have occurred anyways. That being said, the ultimate cost of the terrorist attack won’t be known for decades, if ever.
The same is true of the mental health issues people are facing. In reference to Ms. Giebfried’s comments, many people use drugs or drink. Many kids and adults cut themselves. Some people commit suicide. So while there is no doubt these people seem to be at a higher risk than the general population, not every problem being faced by these individuals and their family members can be attributed to the terrorist attack.
Every day, people in America are faced with the tragic deaths or injuries or illness. Most people don’t have access to a federal program to pay for their care. In truth, people do feel better when they have something at which to target their anger and the terrorists are a good target. We should ensure that whatever insurance these people do carry covers all of the illnesses they now have. Beyond their personal coverage, the government should provide the care these individuals need.
Unfortunately the issues raised by the illnesses being reported by first responders should be triggering some very serious discussion about how our government organizations should respond to any possible future attacks.
If a similar situation occurs in the future, should we send in first responders immediately? Should we surround the area and wait to send people in when the dust settles and proper precautions can be taken to ensure the safety of first responders? Is risking the lives of thousands of people a legitimate course of action in response to the hope of finding a few survivors? Shouldn’t all first responders be required to carry health insurance and life insurance? To what extent should the government pay for health and life insurance for all first responders?
The terrorist attack on September 11 was a horrible act of aggression that shocked our country. Thousands of people died immediately and many thousands more will die due to related injuries. It destroyed two very big buildings and some smaller buildings in the area. Homes and business were destroyed. This one attack will cost our country over a trillion dollars over the next several decades. In reality, it was a fairly small attack with limited impact.
While this was costly in many ways, think of the costs of potential future attacks. What if a dirty bomb was exploded in an urban center? What if several cities were attacked simultaneously? This war against terror, which is really a war against fundamentalist Islamic extremists, can not be minimized or ignored, as some on the left would like to do.
We need to do all we can to prevent future attacks on American soil, as the costs in life and resources of another major attack would be crippling in many ways. Our health, our psyche, our economy, our respect for freedom and our Constitution could all be jeopardized if the terrorists find a way to launch another attack in the United States.
And on the more cynical side, these new attacks on the lack of leadership in helping the first responders could be used as political fodder to go after Giuliani. Watch out!