R000083
Monday, March 11, 2002 2:16 AM
September 11 fund
Mr. President,
I am writing you yet again. I really do not want to, but, living in Puerto
Rico where we have limited voice (and that voice only represents only a part
of society in Puerto Rico, not the English speaking population, not the Pro
Statehood population, not the Gay of Lesbian population) no vote in
Congress.
I truly believe that as long as one person is denied their civil rights, no
one has civil rights or protection under the law.
I know that you never read your e-mail, but that it is read by a staff
member who makes check-marks on a card and you are given total numbers of
people who write you by category, pro or con. If you never read anything I
have written, or respond to anything I have written before or since, please
read this and respond. The Autoresponder is so insulting. If people take
time from their lives to send you their thoughts and prayers, you should
have someone on your staff to respond, but that would mean you would have to
care, wouldn't it?
I was shocked to hear Mr. Feinburg on Meet the Press yesterday. He stated
that our country is so compassionate that the fund will give money to all of
the widowed, the children, born and unborn, even fetuses of those who were
killed in the September 11th tragedy. He then went on to say that illegal
aliens will be eligible, without any repercussions due to their unlawful
status, nor will their employers who illegally employed them.
He then stated that Gay and Lesbian people will be excluded to the same
extent their States Laws discriminate against them.
Heroes like and Flight Attendant are not only having
their ultimate contributions ignored, but partner in life (as well as
the partners of all of the other Gay or Lesbian folk who were killed either
in the terrorist act, or who died saving others as fire fighters, police
personnel or just plain folk trying to save others). Senator McCain gave
the eulogy at memorial service. He, by his actions on the
plane, probably saved countless lives, many of them Republicans, and
possibly your own, and sacrificed his own life in the process. Why?
Because he believed in the American way of life and justice. He believed
that, like hundreds of thousands of other Gay and Lesbian people who have
died in war that he was protecting his own country. Now this country is
dishonoring the memory and humanity of and others who just happen to be
Gay or Lesbian.
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME on you and on congress for your bigotry and denial of
justice to Gay and Lesbian Americans.
Unborn fetuses can get justice! Illegal Aliens who have no right to be
here, no right to work here and no right to compensation and who broke the
law, and their employers who broke the US Federal laws by employing them are
all being shown "justice and compassion" "from a truly grateful nation."
Gay and Lesbian Americans, most of us very patriotic, tax payers and
supportive of the American way of life are yet again subject to the bigotry
and prejudice of the Republican Party and it's mistress the Religious
Wrong!.
You will notice sir, that I am a clergy person. In my denomination, and
indeed in my mission parish, we discriminate against no one! You would be
welcome to worship here, but so would the drug addict, the old person from
down the street, the married couple with their children, along with the gay
couples and drag queens. God created all people. The diversity in humanity
is a reflection of God's infinite love of diversity in all people and all
things. Gay people are God's Children as much as all others. God's grace
and mercy extends to them as much to you. Jesus died for their sins, just
as he did for yours. How then can you discriminate? How can you approve of
discrimination against fellow Americans (many of whom, I am ashamed to say
supported you) while giving special consideration to law-breakers who were
here contrary to American Law?
Gay Americans are Americans whether you like us or not. We have
relationships (mine is now over 19 years, Christ-centered and faithful to
each other) whether the government OF Some of the People, FOR Some of the
People like it or not. We will sacrifice, scrimp, save and even die for
this country whether you like it or not. Our tax dollars and spending will
help the country to recover from your recession whether you ignore us or
not.
It is time sir, to do the right thing. Denounce the bigotry publicly and
totally. Demand that Gay and Lesbian Americans be included in the September
11th fund. Ask for laws to give civil rights to all American Citizens
equally. Ask for, and sign a hate crime bill that does include sexual
orientation. At present, you, Mr. Feinburg and Congress of guilty of the
crimes of prejudice and discrimination! You will have to answer for these
crimes in the next life, if not in this one as will we all.
God Bless America and ALL Americans.
Individual Comment
Old San Juan, PR