A001014
Wednesday, December 05, 2001 7:18 PM
Do not exclude WTC survivors of committed Gay/Lesbian couples from compensation
Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Dear Mr. Zwick,
It would be unconscionable to exclude the committed partners or surviving
children of victims of the September 11 massacres from financial benefits for
any reason, except lack of financial need. Please make sure that committed
partners or surviving children of gay or lesbian victims are not excluded.
Everyone should be included. It is only just. To exclude survivors of
gay/lesbian victims would be unjust and unethical -- callousness of
gargantuan proportions. And, for the benefit of the Christian right (who
ought be reminded to re-read the Golden Rule, the Sermon on the Mount and the
story of the Good Samaritan), it is also undoubtedly un-Christian. Shame on
them! I'm sure President Bush remembers his Sunday School lessons. Perhaps
he can quote them to good effect to the proponents of exclusion.
It would be scandalous to allow the process of victim compensation to be
sidetracked by the unusual infantile, Washington internecine political
squabbling. Anyone promoting exclusion of whole classes of survivors ought
to be forbidden to wear their little American flags in their lapels. In a
time of national catastrophe, individuals who engage in self-serving, selfish
and exclusionary posturing are about an unpatriotic as it is possible to be.
Please make sure there is fair compensation for everyone!
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Ossining, NY