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South of
49
The Final 911 Insule
The terrorists did the killing,
but, the U.S. Government had Inflicted
the final insult
on gay and
lesbian families.
by R. Zeke Fread 365Gay.Com |
Some of those who Feinberg stated were declared as eligible fund recipients, had me screaming at the top of my lungs at my television. I can't print my exact words, needless to say, they were extremely offensive at the least. This is a list of who is eligible, when you see who is included and excluded, you'll understand my utter disgust. Eligible Family Members: Spouses, Children, Infants, Fetuses, Illegal and Undocumented Aliens.
Yes, Feinberg and Attorney General Ashcroft, have voided federal laws on illegal and undocumented aliens, in order for them to receive compensation, without fear of arrest or deportation. Now, I am not against these people who suffered a loss on 9/11, to receive compensation. My point is, to circumvent federal law to compensate non-citizens and to refuse to do the same to state law for U.S. citizens, is a travesty of our justice system. To not guarantee Gay and Lesbian victims survivors, the same compensation as illegal and undocumented aliens, is blatant discrimination of same-sex partners, if not unconstitutional. When have the rights of taxpaying citizens of the United States of America, ever been so trampled on.
Feinberg has said that Gay and Lesbian's have not been left out of the compensation fund. But, he has refused to circumvent state laws on how they treat same-sex partners, domestic live-ins, etc. Instead, he will allow each states laws decide who is eligible. This I find most infuriating, because, this absolutely will guarantee Gay and Lesbians will not receive any compensation from the fund and Feinberg is well aware of this fact. One reason he stated why he won't dictate local law to cover same-sex partners was, "I would find myself getting sued in every state by people claiming that I’m not following how the state distributes money." He has to rely on state law in deciding on compensation for Gay and Lesbian's. Albeit, Feinberg has no problem with circumventing federal law to allow compensation for non-citizens.
To think, Feinberg got Ashcroft to pressure the immigration service to bend the law, so undocumented aliens will come forward, the families will not suffer any consequences. Yet, neither would do the same for the Gay and Lesbian survivors of victims. Who are being penalized and do suffer the consequences for being Gay and Lesbian tax paying citizens, not undocumented aliens. This just makes me sick to my stomach, it fill me with outrage and angers me to no end. My outrage and anger is not with those who are Illegal and Undocumented Aliens, I want this to be clear. The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, should offer all who lost a loved one, fair and equal compensation for all survivors. No one's loss should be judged any less painful or deserve any less consideration, than of all others.
When, Ken Feinberg, Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and our U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft circumvent federal law to enable non-citizens to be compensated. Then to refuse to take the same or any other action to enable Gay and Lesbian citizens to be compensate. They are both knowledgeable as to the number of states with laws that might find Gay and Lesbians eligible to be compensated. (I would guess four states at most, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii and Vermont, each offer either domestic partners registry or civil unions.) In my opinion, Mr. Feinberg and Mr. Ashcroft have willingly and knowingly sealed the fate against Gay and Lesbian eligibility for compensation. Thus, Gay and Lesbians rights, have gone from second class citizens, to below the rights granted non-citizens. The most disgraceful example of supporting discrimination and bigotry against U.S. American citizens.
I plan to, and I pray many of you will, write to Ken Feinberg, Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and vent your anger and outrage to them.
September 11 Victim Compensation
Fund:
888-714-3385 (Toll-Free)
202-305-1352 (Direct Dial)
TDD:
888-560-0844
victimcomp.advbenefits@usdoj.gov
John Ashcroft
U.S.Attorney General
U.S.
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
20530-0001
202-514-2001
Email Address:
Attorney General
AskDOJ@usdoj.gov Att. General Phone:
202-353-1555
R. Zeke Fread is the Coordinator & Organizer with Tampa Bay Coalition http://tampabaycoalition.homestead.com/wtcgay.html
365Gay.Com http://365gay.com/opinion/South/southf49.htm
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