Posted on 09/13/2006 7:40:49 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Democrats from New York and New Jersey asked on Wednesday for an investigation that could lead to criminal charges against former Environmental Protection Agency administrator Christie Whitman for breathing problems suffered by thousands after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Whitman told The Associated Press that she and the EPA "agreed then and I reiterate now that the air on the WTC site was not clean — the consequence of millions of tons of burned debris from the most horrific attack in our nation's history.
"We were emphatic that workers needed to wear respirators, a message I repeated frequently."
At hearings last week in New York, Whitman was the most frequent target of lawmakers who charged that ground zero workers were not protected as they worked to clear the pile of toxic debris.
Whitman, a former Republican governor of New Jersey, declared in the days after Sept. 11 that the air in lower Manhattan was safe for workers and residents. But she has said she and the EPA always differentiated between the air quality in lower Manhattan and at ground zero.
Former Sept. 11 Commission chairman Thomas Kean, also a former Republican governor of New Jersey, said it was troubling that the Democratic congressmen "would misuse the heroic service of thousands for their political gain in an election season."
The congressmen — New York Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Anthony Weiner and New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell (news, bio, voting record) Jr. — said the health of their constituents, and not politics, was their concern.
In a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the trio accused Whitman of "endangering the lives of thousands of people."
Weiner said, "Only with the appointment of a special prosecutor with subpoena power can an independent investigation occur and, if necessary, criminal charges be brought against those responsible."
Pascrell said it was "morally incumbent" upon Gonzales to appoint a special counsel. The Democrats want the investigation to look at other government officials as well, but did not specify anyone other than Whitman.
Justice Department spokeswoman Kathleen Blomquist said the agency had not yet received the letter.
Separately, Whitman and the EPA are being sued by residents, workers and others over health issues. Last week, Mount Sinai Medical Center released the results of a study showing nearly seven of every 10 ground zero responders suffered lung problems.
I agree; let's get the Bent One indicted for not responding to all the terrorist attacks PRIOR to the 9/11 attack, thereby emboldening the terrorists and costing the lives of about 3,000 Americans, due to his preoccupation with Monica in the Oral Office. Sounds like a plan to me!
So, where they down at ground zero on 9/11 handing out face masks?
LET'S SEE here....hmmmmm, another Tom Delay sorta type investigation which will probably lead into a criminal charge in a liberal court! If I were Whitman I'd move to another country! Fasto!
DemocRATS are nothing but a bunch of treasonous scumbags. Those who vote for them are no better.
Honestly this is outrageous. When the towers went down, people were just trying to get the people out. When the government agencies moved in, within days, everyone was told to wear a respirator. Many did not want to wear the respirator because it was uncomfortable for them to do their work. Everyone was warned. All the time Rudy, the mayor of NYC, was out there saying it, he even said wear the respirator the first day and second and on and on.
Look at the Congresscritters who are screaming- all Dems. They think the Dems can get votes over this issue. Talk about politicizing an issue.
I was at ground zero the Saturday after that awful day everyone that I saw coming out of the area had respirators on, or were just taking them off as they left for a break.
As long as she keeps up the backstabbing, I don't expect too much to come from this.
Kean and Whitman, two RINOs for the price of one.
It is a transparent grab at unionized cops and firefighters votes.
Oh and I forgot to add that while there on the Saturday after that awful day, the workers were handing out masks to everyone who was there including us who were just there to drop off food and water for the people that were doing all the work at ground zero.
I will never forget. I will never forget that the support groups were in the hundreds. We stood to cheer on the fire fighters and Police officers that had been there so many hours and so many days and all you could see is hundreds of people bringing snacks and food and water and love.
They'll keep the pressure on her until she says the magic words -
"Bush/Cheney/Rove knew about the air at Ground Zero, and ordered the EPA to shut up about it."
That's what the Dims want, so they can ride this to November. I expect Whitman will give it to them.
"Bush/Cheney/Rove knew about the air at Ground Zero, and ordered the EPA to shut up about it."
Sounds about right.
Watch for old Christie to get another stab or two in. What a wench!
WHERE IS THAT MONEY?
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