Posted on 12/05/2010 11:37:23 AM PST by rabscuttle385
Tow truck driver T. J Gilmartin hauled away destroyed FDNY vehicles from Ground Zero after 9/11, and now suffers diminished lung capacity and multiple breathing problems. He told the Daily News about his recent trip to Capitol Hill, where he hoped to sway Senators to vote in favor of the Zadroga 9/11 health bill, which will provide money and health care to sick first responders.
While he noted many positive experiences with most of the Senators--he called Sens. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby of Alabama "gentlemen"--he says his interaction with Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) did not go as well.
"I couldn't get to see McCain at all," he said. "I went to his office four times, and it was all like 'you need an appointment.'"
Gilmartin later saw McCain near an elevator in the Rotunda, and he approached the former presidential hopeful to discuss his thoughts on the bill.
"I stepped in front of him, and I was very respectful. I told him who I was and I asked for his help on the Zadroga bill," he said.
McCain said "thank you for your service," and then told Gilmartin that he couldn't help him.
He then got on the elevator, the paper said, and left.
"If his eyes were daggers, I'd be dead," he said. "They'd all be in my heart."
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnewyork.com ...
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McCain snubbed all of us in 2008 when he said “Obama is not scary” or something like that right before the election. (Not exact quote but everyone gets the point).
LOL rabs, that picture pretty well sums up what this guy was talking about!
I believe the exact quote was “You have nothing to fear from an Obama Presidency”. Famous last words from Juan McCain.
So this guy was promoting a bill to spend more money on first responders and McCain wouldn’t talk to him and buy into it? Sorry—I’m with McCain on this one. The federal government doesn’t need to be spending money on first responders despite their sainted status. McCain has been a good conservative vote on most spending issues despite being a RINO on other things. He should have just told the guy we can’t afford it now.
Bump!
Nothing new about that behavior from McCain. During the 1993 POW/MIA hearing, anyone trying to present evidence of men still in Vietnam received the same sort of glaring, intimidating posture from Juan.
The whining is becoming insufferable.
So we can send billions of taxpayers money overseas to despots, bail out European banks and companies but can’t find the money to help these people.
I am sorry for this man’s illness, but everyone who wants public money tells a sob story. NY State is the land of union leaches and public-sector greed and laziness, so take everything coming out of NY with huge grains of salt.
What a shot you could be
If you could shoot at me
With those Angry Eyes...
OK, how is a tow truck driver a "first responder"?
And how does being at Ground Zero after 9/11 make one a 9/11 first responder?
this was the original bill in the house - reposting something from another postin sept
sponsors rep maloney, carolyn b, cosponsors - 115
Latest Major Action: 7/29/2010 Failed of passage/not agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 255 - 159 (Roll no. 491).
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.847:
Appears to setup a federally funded WTC worker/survivor/exposed person health system to monitor, pay for treatments, wide variety of physical or mental ailments, and lawsuits.
seems to advisory committee has lots of union and first responder reps, as well as victim oriented advocates - unions and lawyers probable winners
significant
SEC. 3351. WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM FUND.
`(a) Establishment of Fund-
`(1) IN GENERAL- There is established a fund to be known as the World Trade Center Health Program Fund (referred to in this section as the `Fund’).
`(2) FUNDING- Out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there shall be deposited into the Fund for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2020 (and the last calendar quarter of fiscal year 2011)—
`(A) the Federal share, consisting of an amount equal to the lesser of—
`(i) 90 percent of the expenditures in carrying out this title for the respective fiscal year (initially based on estimates, subject to subsequent reconciliation based on actual expenditures); or
`(ii) $71,000,000 for the last calendar quarter of fiscal year 2011, $318,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, $354,000,000 for fiscal year 2013, $382,000,000 for fiscal year 2014, $431,000,000 for fiscal year 2015, $481,000,000 for fiscal year 2016, $537,000,000 for fiscal year 2017, $601,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, $672,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, and $743,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; plus
`(B) the New York City share, consisting of the amount contributed under the contract under section 3331(d).
so.... what is it paying for that the worker’s insurances wouldn’t have?
hmmm.... a muliti billion dollar fund for .... victim support and advocacy... with a panel of union and social activitist, it looks like...
As I recall he also told the elderly lady Obama would make a good Preident.
Only New York’s business? I don’t know if I agree with that statement. Our country was attacked on 9/11 not just NY. The damage was in NY and DC but we all took one in the shorts.
It has been that way for a long time now.
Victim support and advocacy. IOW those that need the money for medical needs don’t get it, just a bunch of speeches and things?
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