Posted on 08/18/2006 12:32:17 PM PDT by SheLion
The mother of deceased Ground Zero worker James Zadroga described Mayor Bloomberg as a "cold, heartless person" for opposing a series of new laws that address the health battles of 9/11 rescuers.
"I don't think he realizes how the common people live - maybe for one month he should try and live on $500 a week," Linda Zadroga wrote in a letter to the Daily News.
"But when [you're] a billionaire, you have no concept of the so-called middle class. Well, one day he may have some tragedy in his family he will need to deal with, and then maybe he'll realize."
Zadroga was specifically angered by the mayor's pledge to donate $125 million of his personal fortune for a campaign to stop smoking worldwide, saying the billionaire should use that money instead to aid the 9/11 workers who helped the city.
"It is unrealistic that he could stop the world from smoking," wrote Zadroga, a smoker. "He gave so much money to other charities - why not accept [that] these people got sick from 9/11 and help [the] 9/11 fund?"
Her son NYPD Detective James Zadroga, 34, died in January of brain and respiratory complications, leaving behind his 4-year-old daughter, Tylerann.
On Monday, Gov. Pataki signed three bills aimed at covering the health costs of 9/11 responders - thousands of whom are suffering from debilitating illnesses as a result of their heroic actions nearly five years ago.
Bloomberg has voiced strong opposition to the legislation, saying he agrees with the intent of the laws but doesn't believe it's fair for Albany to impose costs on the city.
Asked to respond to Zadroga's letter, Stu Loeser, the mayor's press secretary, said, "While the mayor believes that this bill was flawed, that in no way discounts the respect he has for Detective Zadroga's heroic service to this city, or the sympathy the mayor feels to the Zadroga family for their loss."
The bills signed by the governor will ensure that Tylerann will receive 100% of her father's last salary as a pension benefit until she is 19. But Linda Zadroga told The News yesterday, "It's not about the money."
Zadroga said she wants Bloomberg to afford her son and all the other 9/11 workers the recognition they deserve.
"He's such a pompous ass, so cold-hearted," she said.
Mom's anguish
Here are excerpts from the e-mail Linda Zadroga, mother of 9/11 hero cop James Zadroga, sent to the Daily News:
"I read the article today about [Mayor] Bloomberg giving [$125 million] for the world to stop smoking."
"Well I don't think it could be done. He's still complaining about the bills passed for 9/11 victims; well maybe he should come down to reality and for one month live on $500 a week like my son did for four years.... "
"He lives in a mansion and after he leaves as mayor he would still be able to live in a mansion. He doesn't know the sacrifices the 9/11 workers suffered...."
"Well all I can say is Bloomberg is a cold, heartless person...."
"[My granddaughter] is 4 years old and has lost both her parents in a matter of three years, but Bloomberg doesn't seem to think about that in his perfect world."
I should know better than to ever stand between an addict and his fix. Nevermind...
Take away the issue.
Take away the money.
Like the lady in the article says--Bloomberg is still a pompous ass.
Whether or not you agree with the lady's point of view, she bravely brings out the point that limosine liberals really have no understanding of the suffering of the "poor" that they oh-so-passionately say they support.
Bloomberg, like Gates and Buffett, piss their money away on irrelevant things, instead of where the money could be most needed. Oh, and what a great way to avoid estate taxes that they think the rest of us should pay.
Bloomberg is a typical Democrat. And it is amazing, the trend in the Democrartic Party to nominate and elect very wealthy people--Kennedy,Kerry, Clinton,Corzine,Lamont,etc.-all in the name of helping the little people.That they can get in front of a microphone and fool everyone that they "care" about something they know nothing about, is amazing.
Pompous asses, all.
Yes! And I have NO idea why some in here are defending that idiot. Makes me shiver!!!!!!
Dream on. LOL
I should know better than to ever stand between an addict and his fix. Nevermind..
. I don't smoke. I just hate greasy liberals. Even if they have an (R) behind their name. You seem to like them. Looking at your other posts , you are one of them. Been fun.......... Bye.
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