R001646
Sunday, March 17, 2002 12:54 PM
September 11 Fund
"[Gays and lesbians are] left out of my program to the extent that their own state doesn't include them. I cannot get into a position in this program, which has a one-and-a-half or two-year life start second-guessing what the state of New York or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the state of Virginia or New Jersey, how they treat same-sex partners, domestic live-ins, etc. I simply say this: What does your state law say about who is eligible? If your state law makes you eligible, I will honor state law. If it doesn't, I go with the state. Otherwise, Tim, I would find myself getting sued in every state by people claiming that I'm not following how the state distributes money. I can't get into that local battle. I've got to rely on state law." - Kenneth Feinberg on NBC's "Meet the Press," March 10, 2002.
The above "cop out" is just so much bunk! If the 9/11 Fund is willing to compensate the families of foreign nationals living and working ILLEGALLY in this country, then this fund should treat ALL citizend of the UNITED STATES equally, regardless of sexual orientation or domestic partner status. Absolutely NO innocent human being who was going about his daily routine deserved to be vaporized in that horrible attack on our country; PERIOD. You send a very wrong message by doing this. It's the gays today, who's next? Women, Catholics? Don't forget either that the illegal aliens may pay taxes but they cannot vote. Gay people can and DO!
Respectfully,
Individual Comment