9/11 Families Slam Hearings

NewsMax.com ^ | 4/14/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Forty relatives of 9/11 victims are slamming the so-called independent investigation into the Sept. 11 attacks, saying that too many on the panel are using the probe to "grandstand for political gain" in a bid to damage President Bush in an election year.

In an open letter released to the New York Post on Tuesday, the 9/11 relatives blamed the commission for fostering "the incredible notion" that President Bush knew 9/11 was coming and did nothing.

"I see the commission going partisan and that's not the way it's supposed to be. If it does that, it will be nothing but a political disgrace," former United Firefighters Association chief Jimmy Boyle, whose firefighter son Michael died on 9/11, told the paper.

Instead, said Boyle, Bush deserved praise for the way he's conducted the war on terror since 9/11, saying, "It's a whole new world as of Sept. 12 and I believe President Bush is the right man."

The letter also praised National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, saying: "We believe Dr. Rice when she says that the president 'would have moved heaven and earth' to prevent a terrorist attack had he known such an attack on our homeland was imminent. Any suggestion otherwise is incredible and inflammatory."

[ladtx]

Guess we can expect complete coverage of this on Dan Rather tonight.

[StrictTime]

Well, good. Now Chrissy Matthews can have a group of these 9-11 family members on his show for "balance"...Holding my breath...still holding...

[oh8eleven]

Well, don't hold your breath ... oh, er, sorry too late. </sarcasm>

[kb2614]

Don't pass out!!

[Badeye]

I think we are finally beginning to see the rise of true outrage, not just as a result of the Commission's obvious partisanship, but also as a result of the media's behavior last night during the press conference.

bout time....

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[Conspiracy Guy]

But what about the four widows? Don't they speak for all victim families? I am outraged that the real families back Bush. This is so political. </sarcasm >

[Howlin]

At last! The "other" families are heard from!

[socal_parrot]

Wait. I thought the 9/11 families were about to march on the White House with pitchforks and torches.

[finnman69]

The anti-Jersey girls....NOT coming to Hardball any time soon.

[kcvl]

The New York Post

NATIONAL DISGRACE


April 14, 2004 -- The national 9/11 commission has been hijacked by political shills -- men and women eager to subordinate truth to partisan advantage; who hold a transitory victory on Election Day more dear than American victory in the war on terror.

Tawdry ambition has eclipsed sacred duty; all Americans are diminished, but none more than the families of the 9/11 victims -- who expect better from the commission, and certainly deserve it.

Unless it is the thousands of young Americans now under arms in Iraq and elsewhere; their bravery and devotion to duty is inspirational. How shameful that the commission attack dogs hold their sacrifices so cheaply.

And John F. Kerry, who presumes to the presidency, acquiesces. What a disgrace.

Yesterday, Democratic shills Richard Ben-Veniste and Bob Kerrey hectored Attorney General John Ashcroft. They implied he was a coward for travelling on government aircraft at a time of heightened pre-9/11 security - if not, in fact, a scoundrel in possession of advance notice of the attack.

Last week, it was National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in the Democrats' dock; she was a fool, a filibusterer, a liar.

"Isn't it a fact, Dr. Rice, that [President Bush was] warned against possible attacks in this country?" demanded Ben-Veniste.



Funny thing about that warning. Ben-Veniste was speaking of the now-famous Aug. 6, 2001, presidential daily briefing paper - suggesting that it proved the White House had failed to comprehend al Qaeda's threat to America.

Yesterday, it came out that someone had indeed gotten it right.

George W. Bush, who had directed that the briefing paper be prepared.

In a 13-page report titled "Threats and Responses in 2001," the commission staff paints a picture of alarm bells going off throughout Washington in the months before 9/11 about an imminent "spectacular" terror attack by Osama bin Laden.

But the intelligence reports all talked about attacks occurring against targets overseas.

And the fevered reports, in the summer of 2001, of possible threats "seemed to be focused on Saudi Arabia, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen and possibly Rome, but the danger could be anywhere . . . "

So the CIA prepared the Aug. 6 memo, "summarizing its understanding of the danger."

In sum: The briefing paper was written specifically for the president in direct response to an order from the president!

Obviously, the CIA's "understanding of the danger" was deficient.

But it clearly was not "a fact" that Bush was "warned against possible attacks in this country."

It is clear, now, that the entire briefing-memo "scandal" was sewn from whole cloth. But will there be an apology from Ben-Veniste, Kerrey & Co.?

Not a chance.

Why not.

Because, to the Democrats, the enemy is not just al Qaeda.

It is also the George W. Bush White House.

So they cross the bounds of acceptable political discourse, twisting the truth and bending the facts to produce a product that will advance their political ambitions.

To hell with the 9/11 families.

And to hell with eight young Americans reported killed in action in Iraq just yesterday; to the 65 who died over the past week - and to the hundreds who have laid down their lives for peace and freedom since 9/11.

All to defeat Bush.

John Kerry could shut it down in a heartbeat, simply by saying: "Stop it!"

Kerry needs to do just that. He must state the obvious: that 9/11 was the work of Islamist fanatics, and that the danger will not have passed until those who make war on America are either killed or in captivity.

It is simply disgraceful that he hasn't already done so.

[Howlin]

FYI.

[StrictTime]

LOL! I would still be holding if it weren't for all you concerned FReepers. LOL!

[kattracks]

[auboy]

Thanks for the ping.

There are so many families who support President Bush. Even though they are strongly in the majority, it seems as if they will have to scream to be heard. The "mudstream mudia" only gives face time to "families" willing to advance their agenda.

No one will ever convince me that they miss their loved ones any more than Ted Olsen misses his beloved Barbara.

[Bob]

A minor correction, if I may: Because, to the Democrats, the enemy is not just al Qaeda.

It is also the George W. Bush White House.

There, that's better.

[wasp69]

Because, to the Democrats, the enemy is not just al Qaeda.

It is also the George W. Bush White House.

Let's see if we can clean this up and make it look more accurate:

Because, to the Democrats, the enemy is not just al Qaeda.

It is also the George W. Bush White House.

There, that's better.

[wasp69]

Beat me by six minutes.

[onyx]

Family of fallen soldier agrees with president (God Bless these American Patriots alert)
Rome News Tribune ^ | 4-14-04 | Matt Tuck


Posted on 04/14/2004 2:16:17 AM PDT by flying Elvis


Although the decision cost them the life of their son, Justin, Joe and Jan Johnson said they still feel that President George W. Bush was right to send U.S. troops into Iraq.

Given the chance, Jan Johnson said, she’d like to personally thank the president. “I think he’d probably like to know that there’s a mom whose son got killed who still supports him,” she said.


Their support came as the Johnsons watched the president’s press conference from the White House on Tuesday night, signaling their agreement with his every response.

Throughout the televised event, Jan Johnson nodded along to the president’s answers. At one point, Bush proclaimed that he doesn’t plan on losing the presidency this November, to which she responded to the television, “Amen.”


“I support (Bush) 100 percent. … To me, we didn’t start this,” Jan Johnson said. “Bush took it out of our country and back to them. Our guys are over there taking care of us here to make sure that doesn’t come back to us.”


Spc. 4th Class Justin Weaver Johnson, 22, was killed in Baghdad this past weekend when a roadside bomb exploded beside his Humvee, in which he was the gunner.

During the press conference, Bush fielded questions about his intentions to go into Iraq and his conviction to stay there until democracy is established, which hit home with the Johnsons.

The loss of Justin and other troops since the war began has been “a necessary evil,” Joe Johnson said. “It has to be done. If we weren’t there, it would be a more dangerous place.”


“If we don’t stay there, it’s going to turn into another hot spot, and my son’s death will turn into nothing,” Jan Jonhson said, tears running down her cheeks. “We need to stay until it’s over.”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1117269/posts

[wingnutx]

ping

[hresources]

No chance Matthews will be talking to these people. He has gone non-stop since last Thursday with one lib after the other. He twists conversations to elicit the answer he wants and then get that glib grin on his face. I haven't seen one person who disagrees with him in the last four episodes.

[nutmeg]

At last! The "other" families are heard from!

GREAT to hear, but I hope more news organizations other than NewsMax and the NY Post pick up on this (I mean no offense to either news group).

[StrictTime]

Make sure and watch the show tonight and post a list of sponsors to the Boycott MSNBC thread! I'm not watching, cause I'll throw stuff at the teevee...

[BillyCrockett]

"Kerry needs to do just that. He must state the obvious: that 9/11 was the work of Islamist fanatics, and that the danger will not have passed until those who make war on America are either killed or in captivity.

It is simply disgraceful that he hasn't already done so."

Nobody on this blog, or the planet, really expects sKerry to really DO anything about this... do they?

[GeorgiaYankee]

I saw Debra Burlingame lst night on Larry King Live. She was AWESOME! I also read the she WAS a lifelong Democrat, but she's clearly dusgusted by the politics of the "favored" 9/11 widows and the Commission.

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

Very cool! Thanks for the ping!

[Two-Bits]

Hi, Please take a moment and either call the President or send an email to let him know we, the American people back him. Also, if you could just tell one person to do the same and ask them to tell another, than God willing, we will flood the switchboard with calls and faxes like they have never seem. This is one way we can take it direct to the President and it can not be misled by the media or stupid polls.....
Please call or email and God bless:
Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414 FAX: 202-456-2461 E-Mail President George W. Bush: president@whitehouse.gov Vice President Richard Cheney: vice.president@whitehouse.gov

[Republicus2001]

Bush fault

[kcvl]

Debra Burlingame

Ms. Burlingame, a life-long Democrat, is the sister of Charles F. "Chic" Burlingame, III, captain of American Airlines flight 77, which was crashed at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

debraburlingame@prodigy.net

[Republicus2001]

Bush fault

[kcvl]

You all might want to drop Debra a note of thanks...(see above email address).

[BSunday]

Thanks for the reminder, I sent off an email to Pres. Bush

[oldcomputerguy]

I for one am sick of all the 9/11 families.
Who are these people anyway?

They are simply ordinary people who were standing around when their loved ones were killed. They are no better nor worse than anyone else in this country who has lost a loved one in a car accident, thr fight in Iraq or a fire.
We could argue:
Why wasn't the traffic light installed there?
Why wasn't the tank armor better?
Why wasn't the sprinkler system installed?

The point is that they have had their 15 minutes and while I have enormous sympathy for them as I do for anyone who loses a loved one before their time, I am tired of everyone kissing their butts. Besides, many are millionaires now while loved ones of soldiers killed are barely making ends meet I suspect, maybe our sympathy can be distributed a little more.

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

A PROTEST wouldn't be a bad idea here. It might send a message to the panel that we see the biased they are trying to push on the public, and we won't stand for it.

What do you guys think?

I'll also contact my group leader from Protest Worrior and see what he thinks.

[EdReform]

Bump

Gore 1996 Airline Commission brought to the attention of the 9/11 family members (DC Chapter Report)

The 9/11 Widows

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

What this particular group of families is trying to say is extremely valid. They are speaking up "BECAUSE" they feel the 9-11 commission has become extremely partisan and POLITICAL! Which they have. We have watched the hearings. (I'm watching as I type, live).

They also feel this President has fought the very PEOPLE who DID KILL their loved ones. It has NOTHING to do about "money" and everything to do about WHO killed them!

President Bush isn't watching "polls". He cares about America too much for that. Thank God!

So thank God there are families like these, that are willing to stand up for him, after all he is doing for all of them and for all of us!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

There are more out there that "do" support this President than not! The problem is they have to BUY an add to get heard!

[oldcomputerguy]

"So thank God there are families like these"

I am not complaining about this group in particular, just the press that they get in general.

[jmstein7]

Call on Jamie S. Gorelick to Resign from the 9-11 Commission (click here)

[Endeavor]

Who wrote that?

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

I hear ya!

I complain about the "selective" press that some get. The sad thing is that "these" people have to PAY to be heard!

[Mr.Atos]

Hear, Hear! Great Article. Thank you for posting.

It is funny to hear the libs today whine about not getting the performance that they wanted from Ashcroft yesterday, and soundbite set-ups that they expected from Bush's press conference. Again, their effort to destroy the President have failed. If they would only expend as much energy assisting this Nation's security, one might consider entrusting them with power sometime in the future. As it stands, America, as a whole, is coming to a consensus on the fact that the Left's mis-directed ambitions, and decrepid judgement will get us all killed. Let's be glad that the domestic enemies of America cannot shoot nearly as straight as their murderous allies on the streets of Fallujah.

Atos

[JulieRNR21]

Good to see them speaking out......but will any in the media except for FOX NEWS let Americans know?

As always we must spread the word via emails & letters!
And nobody does that better than FReepers!

[XBob]

43 - well put. This whole sideshow hearing reminds me of the funeral for, was it Senator Paul Whalen?, where xlinton and the demonRATS turned it into a political rally.

[XBob]

43 - and the demonRAT 'reporters' at the whitehouse press conference attempted to turn it into another demonRAT political rally and inquisition.

[OldFriend]

The Wicked NJ Widows plus Ms. Breitweiser have shown their hatefilled partisanship to be more important to them than the future security of the United States.

For that they will NEVER be forgiven.

[StrictTime]

Nobody on this blog, or the planet, really expects sKerry to really DO anything about this... do they?

Uhhh, no?

[OldFriend]

Had to switch to CNN to get away from susan estrich......and was impressed with Burlingame. Larry King wanted to cut her off but she would have NONE of it.

[OldFriend]

Tom Kean has decided that it is silly to ask gorelick to resign from the commission. He said we should stay out of the commission's business.

We need to let him know tht the commission IS OUR BUSINESS.

The WTC wicked widows have hijacked the commission and are holding it hostage. This cannot be allowed to stand. Our future national security depends upon an honest assessment of Sept. 11th.