The 9/11 "Jersey Girls": The Hurricane and Accountability (NYT)

[DinahMoeHum]

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html
(sorry, need registration. However, it's short enough to post in its entirety.)

:banghead:

To The Editor:

Re: "A Can't-Do Government" by Paul Krugman (column Sept 2):

The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina is further proof that this country is not properly protecting its citizens. To date, we have not seen elected officials who have met their obligation to protect and serve with regard to the preparation, prevention and rescue and recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast states.

In Katrina's aftermath, our leaders, much like in the days after 9/11, continue to say that the time will come to look back and examine failures and hold people accountable for the thousands who have been unnecessarily injured, made sick, or killed.

As 9/11 widows who are still waiting for accountability when it comes to our nation's failures to prepare, prevent and mitigate damage from the Sept. 11 attacks, we don't accept these hollow promises. We urge Americans to demand accountability now for the government's reponse to this natural disaster.

If we don't, we will spend our future cleaning up messes that our government officials, through their incompetence, see fit to allow. Sadly, it seems that there is no leadership now, as there was no leadership then.

Kristen Breitweiser
Monica Gabrielle
Shelter Island, NY, Sept 2, 2005

:banghead:

[quiet.american]

1. Yes, Kristen! n/t