Don’t take this the wrong way. The above mentioned are true heroes and I’m not sure I could march into death like they did. This isn’t about them or an attempt to minimize what they did or what their families lost.
But, there are about 6500 victims in this attack. Nearly every fundraiser I see, whether it’s a cup at a soda shop, dollar from every Pizza Hut pizza, or a radiothon on our local dials is for NY firefighters and rescue workers. Estimates I saw was around 300 of these guys lost. They will be some rich people when this is all said and done.
What about the other 6000 people and their families? What about the people who will be going their second week without a paycheck? Shouldn’t all the money go into one big pot and be dispersed by need? Why all the focus on one particular group?
I put this in the Pit because I see the potential for nastiness and it seems it’s become the Terrorist Attack forum.
What about the guy washing windows or the guy sitting at his desk and had to jump out because there was nowhere to go?
It seems the NYPD, FDNY, and rescue workers families are getting a disproportionate share of relief. That’s my only beef. There’s plenty of need to go around.
I can see your point, Oblong, and it’s a valid one. I think the thing to remember is that the victims in the tower were already there. Many of them showed great heroism as well (probably more than I would have), such as carrying disabled co-workers down the stairs, and other noble acts. But the thing to remember is that the rescue workers were the guys going up the stairs after the danger was already apparent. I don’t think many of us mere humans would have had the bottle to do that.
For what it’s worth, the Red Cross is collecting funds for everyone affected by the attacks. To quote, “ALL donated money will go to the Red Cross to help victims of this and other tragedies.” (Full text here.) Also, the Hunger Site is directing donations received until the end of the month to the same ends.
Hmm. It’s true that many of the fundraising efforts have mentioned emergency workers specifically, and I agree with TheLoadedDog on the reasons why.
However, I don’t think the Red Cross is raising funds solely for those folks, nor are other efforts such as the September 11th Victims Relief Fund. And isn’t at least part of the Federal Government’s disaster relief funding going to provide assistance to the victims?
You raised a fair point, but I don’t think that the financial relief provided is going to be as lopsided as you feared.
Maybe it is easier for the media to focus on a couple hundred firemen because the six thousand dead people is a concept that is nearly impossible to wrap your head around.
We’ve had to edit stories to include references to the Pentagon and Pa. NYC is so big, and the stories so accessible that it seems most of the “human interest” stories are coming from there.
I’m pretty sure the Sept. 11 fund is going toward all victims, not just the public servants.
Actually, from my point of view in the newsroom, reading the wires, it seems like most of the attention is directed toward the firefighters and rescue workers, and less on the police officers.
Just my perception, but I got the impression that the media was focusing on plane passengers and rescue workers more because no one wants to give up (or tell loved ones to give up) hope that their loved ones who worked in the WTC actually made it out of the towers (are injured or trapped somewhere). With 6333 missing (and possibly presumed death) from the WTC and only 252 identified and confirmed deceased, I think no one wants to “declare” the remainder dead. I assumed (figured) they were focusing on rescuers because these people seemed to be more definitely in the buildings during collapse–it is more likely that they went in and didn’t come out…while everyone still seems to be hoping the others missing got out.
As I said, just my perspective. I just assumed people couldn’t quite figure out how to pay tribute to the others without seeming like they are telling family members to “give it up.”
Believe it or not- despite my personal experience there- I am in 100% agreement with the O.P. While it’s true as stated that the rescue personnel- Police, Fire and EMS- ran IN when others were running out, I find that an awful reason for one group of families to get more funds than another one.
Give to whomever you wish, but the bottom line is that over 6,000 LIVES of equal value and precious need were lost. This is not the time to debate whose loss is of greater value, the very idea of that sickens me.
Just a quick note, there’s stories on local TV news now of restauants raising money for said group.
Now is some of the money going to the current workers who are volunteering and thus not able to go to their current job?
i just get an uneasy feeling when I see these stories because I think some are forgetting about the people who died in PA and the Pentagon. They have families and children too.
Maybe I’m wrong and the firefighter fund will be shared equally. That would be great.
Hmm, it’s a valid point. I think there are a few things at work here. I, for one, contributed to a fund for firefighters families because I was so moved by their sacrifice. Yes, it’s just one group of the people lost, but lacking a small fortune, I can’t contribute everywhere. And so for whatever reason I wanted to make a contribution that was directed in a certain direction. I guess it made me feel better to be able to imagine where my contribution went to.
One reason for the focus, besides their heroism, is that there are overarching organizations to focus the efforts. The victims in the WTC and Pennsylvania came from all over, worked for many different companies… It’s much harder to coordinate that kind of thing. I would guess that the companies in the WTC are probably doing something to take care of the employees of their families.
And while I don’t know what the situation is for civilian employees, the military members killed in the Pentagon most likely all had the excellent life insurance policy that is available to them. ($250,000) There are also aid groups in the military that will probably be raising money for those families as well.
So I guess what I’m saying is that even with the focus on the rescue workers who were killed, I don’t think whole groups are getting ignored. At least I hope not. But there are so many hurt by this that I am not sure enough could ever be done to help them all. Money can only do so much.
I’ve been feeling the same way as the OP. To use an emotional example I should be ashamed of, I don’t see where the six year old daughter of someone who was working in the WTC is worth less in the eyes of charity than the six year old daughter of a firefighter who died in the rescue efforts. The rationale of “the rescue workers chose to go in” is a bit inane to me. Those in the plane and buildings didn’t have any choice one way or the other about the situation. How can you possibly compare the two? “Yeah, we’ll have a bunch of fund raising for you guys because you chose to go in but you guys who were trying to make a living when a plane crashed into your office and destroyed your life are out of luck.”
Ok, so I don’t believe anyone is saying that, but I would like to see more for the families of the lost. Perhaps we don’t know who all of the lost are just yet, but that’s no excuse not to collect money for them. Ratio wise, there’s a lot more need coming from the families of the victims than the families of the rescue workers.
Of course, I am 100% for fund raising for the rescue workers. I have nothing but respect for them; I’d just like to see things spread a little more.
While I agree with the OP in some ways, it’s like I’ve heard over and over again: while everyone was running AWAY from the WTC, it was the police and firemen that were running TOWARDS it- to save lives. For that reason, I think they are entitled to extra recognition, not that we should not celebrate the lives of all those who died in this tragedy (except the hijackers of course).
I think in the end, all the victioms families will be getting some monetary help.
Trouble is, no amount of money will replace any of these people, in the end, maybe it’s amoot point.
I believe that I saw something on the news last night that may hearten you. At a makeshift firefighter’s memorial in manhattan, there was apparently a plea from firefighters to help all the victims when it comes to fundraising.
As long as they agree not to sue the airlines, which I don’t think anyone should. Choices were made about the level of security we wanted in the country. There are always risks to those choices.
I also agree with the OP, despite being guilty of it myself from time to time. VV has a good point, of course, that the rescue workers go into places that we get out of, and of course they deserve an extra tip of the hat for that.
But I think some of this may also be because of a corollary to that reason which allows us to distance ourselves from the disaster. The rescue workers are not us. They’re the brave guys who assume the risk every day. The people in the towers and on the planes are us. We’re in a building every day. We don’t seek danger. Things like this aren’t supposed to happen to us. But it did. And it could again, this time to us.
That might be even more difficult to digest than the disaster itself. Focusing on the rescue workers allows us to put the ongoing risk onto the back burner.
I would also think that some of it is do to the lack of appreciation that these folks had gotten before Sept. 11. In many ways they, the firefighters esp. were taken for granted and I think there is at least some attempt to “make up” for that.
Especially since each and every firefighter gets a death benefit of over $150K from the federal government. Their spouses get a life pension equal to the last year’s salary of the deceased firefighter, the kids get free college, health care to age 23, and a lot of other benefits. Why are we raising even more money for them?
What about the families of the restaurant staff of Windows of the World, none of whom had life insurance through their employer? Their families will be getting just the basic workman’s compensation award for a workplace death, 50% of salary or $400/week, whichever is less. And it may be months before that kicks in.
There is a fund now for the families of food service workers killed in the attacks, but it’s not getting anywhere near the attention that the firemen and policemen are getting.