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Readers still weigh price of Sept. 11, or other loss
© St. Petersburg Times This is what I get for writing about how much money the survivors of victims of Sept. 11 may receive -- mail, mail, mail. While most of my writers and callers were against the handsome payments, I received some passionate letters from people who believe the survivors deserve to be well compensated. The first letters here are from those who side with survivors. They are particularly angry that to get money from a $6-billion federal victims compensation fund, they have to give up the right to sue. (I have edited the letters for space considerations.) "Never before in the history of the U.S. civil justice system have the rights of citizens been tampered with in this way. Congress and the special interests lobbyists understood that when investigations into the events of Sept. 11 are conducted, a host of negligent acts would emerge. Restricting the amount of recovery that could be made against these entities is a tacit admission that there was negligent conduct." - Beverly Eckert, Stamford, Conn. "My daughter Wendy's husband, Kevin M. Cosgrove, was murdered in the attack. His death has left his three young children, Brian, Claire and Elizabeth, fatherless. I find your article upsetting. Many of your statements are inflammatory, inaccurate or incomplete." - Marie Rosser, Hudson "My brother-in-law was killed in the World Trade Center attacks. He made over $300,000 annually (including bonuses). What do you suggest my sister do to make up for the salary to raise three kids? I find your comparison of a victim of a murder and the World Trade Center very insulting. Do you know how it feels to lose a family member in this tragedy?" - Kevin Cregan, Palm Harbor "Random acts of violence and crime victims, unfortunately, are part of our lives. We know that. But the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 are an entirely different animal. Our intelligence agencies and our airlines failed us. We watched in horror, as people jumped out of windows, some on fire, wondering is that one of ours? And even it wasn't, what a horror. Too big for anyone to comprehend." - Barbara and Michael Ferrara, Largo "There has been a lot of media hype about the money collected but many have not had the good fortune to see much of it. They live in an expensive area of the United States where houses cost much more than they do in most other areas. Like most young families today, they are in hock up to their ears with large mortgages, car payments, and more." -- Walter Daniels, Gulfport Now, here are letters from the other viewpoint, that the survivors don't deserve all that they are seeking. "I just don't understand why the survivors feel they should get all that money. My husband makes $300 a week, and if he got killed on the road I would have to sell my house and rent an apartment and change everything. You do what you've got to do in life." - Jeanette Simmons, Spring Hill "Yes, I feel bad they lost someone, yes, it was a horrible event. But I too just lost my wife of 20 years, all of a sudden two months ago, to a brain hemorrhage. All I got from the government was $255 in survivors benefits. I just look at it and shake my head. What am I supposed to do with $255? Not enough to do anything with, certainly not to survive on. By the way, my wife was just 42, and I am 43." - Michael Abramo, Clearwater "Last year I went to the VA clinic in Inverness and applied for my VA benefits. After waiting for six months, and not hearing from them, last week I went back to check on the status of my application. I was advised by VA staff that all applications were on hold because of the lack of funding. Also, that there were 1,200 applications on the wait list and they had no idea if and when action was forthcoming." - George McElvy, Crystal River - You can reach Mary Jo Melone at mjmelone@sptimes.com or 226-3402.
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Times columns today Eric Deggans Mary Jo Melone Bill Maxwell Ernest Hooper Tampa Uncuffed From the Times Metro desk Mary Jo Melone |
