N001567
Sunday, January 13, 2002 7:18 PM
Victims Compensation Fund
Dear Special Master,
As every New Yorker, I was horrified by the events of Sept. 11. I work
at and, like many others, heard and saw everything from my
office windows. Again, like many others, I walked that long,
eerily-quiet and sad walk north. And finally, like so many others, one
of the first things I did was write a check to New York State's
September 11 fund. I was happy to do it ... I felt that at least I
could do something to help.
While my heart goes out to all the victims of September 11, I am quite
saddened to see what is going on with respect to the financial
compensation to these families. Why all the squabbling? What dollar
amount WOULD be enough for them? People who died on Sept. 10 (in
fires, as by-standers to shootings, in the line of duty) did not get
the outpouring of sympathy and money as these people did ... and still
do. Nor did people who died on Sept. 12. Granted, this was an
exceptional circumstance and I think the reaction of thousands of people
around the world testifies to that fact. But the fact is that people
die all the time with little or no recompense. These families are
embarrassing themselves. Perhaps others are having my reaction ...
which is some sense of regret that I gave money to them rather than the
Police Athletic League or Doctors Without Borders. I don't believe
anyone had the desire to make them wealthy. We just wanted to help our
fellow Americans out.
However, many other charities are hurting because of all the money that
went to them ... as our hundreds of small businesses downtown. Are all
our public figures afraid of seeming mean-spirited by not going along
with the demands of these families? I have even read that some of them
want to be exempt from income and property taxes. Again, many of us
have lost people and just struggled along with no additional funds,
public sympathy or free trips to Barbados.
Please do not let either misguided sympathy or worry of how this might
look to the media encourage you to give in to what is starting to look
like extortion. I know that you are under pressure to change your
methodology. I trust you will stick to your principles prevent you
from doing what is right and fair, not just for the victims of Sept. 11
but for all victims and for all Americans.
I am very and truly sorry for those who lost their lives. But I am
also sorry for those who lost their lives the week before and the week
after. And we don't do anything to help them. Let's not overdo for one
vocal, visible group at the expense of others or of American citizens
trying to manage during the economic aftermath.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment