Sen. Hollings Snubs 9-11 Pilot's Widow Over Cockpit Gun Stance

NEWSMAX ^ | 7/25/02 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Senator Fritz Hollings, D-SC, has reportedly snubbed a bid by the widow of the pilot whose jetliner was hijacked and crashed into Tower 2 of the World Trade Center because he disagrees with her support for arming pilots in the cockpit.

Ellen Saracini, whose husband piloted United Airlines Flight 175 on Sept. 11, told Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly late Wednesday that she wrote to Hollings requesting to testify before the Science and Transportation Committee, which he chairs.

Saracini's request was seconded by one of Sen. Hollings' colleagues.

"I have a letter right here that was addressed to the senator," Saracini told O'Reilly. "Sen. Bob Smith (also) wrote a letter, asking that I be able to testify and it was denied."

The 9-11 pilot's widow said she was given no explanation as to why Hollings' committee turned down her request, but she told Fox News, "Well, we know that Senator Hollings is against arming pilots. That's very clear and I think he thinks that I have too compelling a voice."

Saracini said she wanted to tell the Science and Transportation Committee that "we need to have the armed pilots in the cockpit. The cockpit is now the last line of defense.

"Everyone would be a lot safer," she contended. "And the worst-case scenario is, what do we want to wait for; a military jet to fly alongside us and have to shoot us down in case there's a problem?"

[white trash redneck]

That toad Hollings needs to be retired to the private sector. First his support of Hollyweird's attack on the first amendment, and now this. The man has no shame.

[Nitro]

Missile-Shot!!

[evolved_rage]

"Everyone would be a lot safer," she contended. "And the worst-case scenario is, what do we want to wait for; a military jet to fly alongside us and have to shoot us down in case there's a problem?"

That is what the RATS are waiting for, anything to use against the president. Obstruct and stymie, then point the finger of blame.

[TontoKowalski]

Well, you know, I have to agree with old Fritz here. It's not like she'd be testifying on a topic for which she could possibly have anything relevant to say.

Certainly not in the same league as Julia Roberts giving Congressional testimony on a childhood disease.

/sarcasm

[Ann Archy]

Hollings owns a bank building in Charleston that houses a restaurant..Saragen...(sp) and it is done in a very Arabian motif, the building, that is.......just wondering if he isn't a little pro-arabic.

[Thane_Banquo]

Well duh! Of course he's going to snub her. Like all Senators, Fritz wants to advance his agenda, and she disagrees with his agenda. He has no receive to help someone advance an agenda different from his. Don't get me wrong. I don't care for Mr. Hollings a great deal, but this is a no brainer. I can't believe it even made the news, but then again, this is Newsmax.com

[SCHROLL]

Being from SC, the retiring Senator Thurmond osn't the one that's senile. That honor goes to Hollings. What proof do I have? During the whole Battle Flag flap with the NCAAP, he couldn't seem to remember that he was the one that put it on top of the State House to begin with.

[RightResponse]

Senator Hollings replied, "Lis..I say, Listen to me boy.. there ain't gonna be nobody a tellin' old Fritz, about who and when he's a gonna be talkin' wit.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Wouldn't want a few facts to get in the way of Hollings' agenda, would we ?

[tenderstone jr.]

The cockpit is now the last line of defense.

The last line of defense is to shoot the plane down so that hijackers can't repeat what happened on 9/11. If hijackers do make it to the cockpit, Senator Hollings would rather have the plane shot down than actually have a pilot use a gun to defend himself and his passengers.

[Thane_Banquo]

Haha! He wouldn't, I'm sure. But my point isn't to argue whether or not we should arm pilots. I believe the evidence is clear that we should. My point was that Mr. Hollings isn't going to invite someone to testify when that person wants to advance an agenda in opposition to his own. No normal person would, in my opinion.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Very true, but 'snubbing widows' is a great stick to beat someone with in the press :)

[Registered]

A "Smart" GOP would be putting this lady in TV ads while we speak.

[Saundra Duffy]

Figures.

[Puppage]

Lemme see if I get this straight...he doesn't want guns in the cockpit because they need to focus on flying, right? Well, by that rational...WHY is there a Fire Extinguisher in there? Aren't they TOO busy flying to worry about a pesky little fire?

[kjenerette]

I'm trying to talk my husband, Van Jenerette, to run against Fritz Hollings in '04. He ran a pretty good race in 2000 for US Congress.

www.jenerette.com

Katherine Jenerette

[sheik yerbouty]

"There's too much consumin' goin' on!" In his case, Jimson weed.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

They should have had Pledge of Allegiance ads out the following day.