| Author | Message | ||
     Nob Citizen Username: Nob Post Number: 176 Registered: 4-2004 |
Wow, how low can an author sink for publicity -- Ann Coulter attacks the 9/11 "Jersy girl" widows for enjoying their husband's death? Knowing one of the father's who died and how hard it has been for the family to recover, it just baffles me that any author would make such remarks. Personally I'll be boycotting this book. | ||
| Smarty Jones Citizen Username: Birdstone Post Number: 708 Registered: 10-2005 |
I have mixed feelings on this one. I was initially shocked when I read this, but with all due respect to everyone tragically involved, I'm leaning towards being indifferent toward the feelings of the Widows named. While what Ms. Coulter said is very unkind and unfriendly, these particular Widows have chosen to throw themselves in front of the National Camara's, and positioned themselves squarely in the middle of the Political arena. Unfortunately, in this arena absolutely anything goes, and that is NOTHING new (nor unexpected) to this nations politics. They should be happy they were afforded 5 years of peace before this began, but my guess is that this is Pandora's box and they will be shamelessly critisized to the point that they will be driven out of the limelight or choose to actually run for office and take it head-on. | ||
| Brett Weir Citizen Username: Brett_weir Post Number: 1629 Registered: 4-2004  |
Personally, I boycott Ann Coulter altogether. However, the 9/11 Widow Story is not new and not without some truth. I can remember a lawyer friend of mine who volunteered his time for two years to assist 9/11 families, and he said most were lovely, decent people who were too devastated to help themselves. But he added there was a small group of Jersey Shore widows who engaged in all manner of one-upmanship with money they didn't even have yet. Boob jobs, luxury cars, vacations, jewelry. And the big concern was that their rather public displays of defiant opulence would undermine the bigger cause, which was to help all survivors as best and fairly as possible. This same circle was also reputed to be quite adamant that their lost spouses were worth much more monetarily than the firefighters and police who died trying to save them. Many friends and family at the Shore have offered similar stories regarding widows, either as parents at the same schools or members of the same church. Some may be Sub-urban legends. But Ms. Coulter's story is not new and she is not the only person I've heard it from. She's just the only one trying to make a buck telling it. | ||
| Bob K Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 11747 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think the three woman involved (one of whom is the widow of a local guy who graduated from CHS) don't deserve the kind of working over Ms. Coulter gave them. Basically, I think they wanted answers and being highly educated (one I believe is a lawyer) insisted on the truth when they got the usually BS handed out by any government after something like 911. Criticise them for their politics, but don't get personal. Ms. Coulter loves to make things personal. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1714 Registered: 9-2004  |
Statement by five 9/11 Widows: We did not choose to become widowed on September 11, 2001. The attack, which tore our families apart and destroyed our former lives, caused us to ask some serious questions regarding the systems that our country has in place to protect its citizens. Through our constant research, we came to learn how the protocols were supposed to have worked. Thus, we asked for an independent commission to investigate the loopholes which obviously existed and allowed us to be so utterly vulnerable to terrorists. Our only motivation ever was to make our Nation safer. Could we learn from this tragedy so that it would not be repeated? We are forced to respond to Ms. Coulter’s accusations to set the record straight because we have been slandered. Contrary to Ms. Coulter’s statements, there was no joy in watching men that we loved burn alive. There was no happiness in telling our children that their fathers were never coming home again. We adored these men and miss them every day. It is in their honor and memory, that we will once again refocus the Nation’s attention to the real issues at hand: our lack of security, leadership and progress in the five years since 9/11. We are continuously reminded that we are still a nation at risk. Therefore, the following is a partial list of areas still desperately in need of attention and public outcry. We should continuously be holding the feet of our elected officials to the fire to fix these shortcomings. 1. Homeland Security Funding based on risk. Inattention to this area causes police officers, firefighters and other emergency/first responder personnel to be ill equipped in emergencies. Fixing this will save lives on the day of the next attack. 2. Intelligence Community Oversight. Without proper oversight, there exists no one joint, bicameral intelligence panel with power to both authorize and appropriate funding for intelligence activities. Without such funding we are unable to capitalize on all intelligence community resources and abilities to thwart potential terrorist attacks. Fixing this will save lives on the day of the next attack. 3. Transportation Security. There has been no concerted effort to harden mass transportation security. Our planes, buses, subways, and railways remain under-protected and highly vulnerable. These are all identifiable soft targets of potential terrorist attack. The terror attacks in Spain and London attest to this fact. Fixing our transportation systems may save lives on the day of the next attack. 4. Information Sharing among Intelligence Agencies. Information sharing among intelligence agencies has not improved since 9/11. The attacks on 9/11 could have been prevented had information been shared among intelligence agencies. On the day of the next attack, more lives may be saved if our intelligence agencies work together. 5. Loose Nukes. A concerted effort has not been made to secure the thousands of loose nukes scattered around the world – particularly in the former Soviet Union. Securing these loose nukes could make it less likely for a terrorist group to use this method in an attack, thereby saving lives. 6. Security at Chemical Plants, Nuclear Plants, Ports. We must, as a nation, secure these known and identifiable soft targets of Terrorism. Doing so will save many lives. 7. Border Security. We continue to have porous borders and INS and Customs systems in shambles. We need a concerted effort to integrate our border security into the larger national security apparatus. 8. Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Given the President’s NSA Surveillance Program and the re-instatement of the Patriot Act, this Nation is in dire need of a Civil Liberties Oversight Board to insure that a proper balance is found between national security versus the protection of our constitutional rights. (signed) September 11th Advocates Kristen Breitweiser Patty Casazza Monica Gabrielle Mindy Kleinberg Lorie Van Auken | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 1425 Registered: 10-2004  |
Phenix - thanks for posting that. I think Ann Coulter has real problems and is basically trying to cash in on the sacrifice of these women | ||
| Parkbench87 Citizen Username: Parkbench87 Post Number: 4326 Registered: 7-2001  |
Ann Coulter?  | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 625 Registered: 4-2006 |
Anne Coulter makes her living off of being an outspoken and, IMHO,somewhat boorish, conservative commentator. Otherwise she would just be one of many political pundits out there today. Threads like this, as well as the uproar about her book has the reverse effect, generating free p.r. for her book and getting her more notoriety. The lefties, near-lefties, and politicos are just playing into her hands on this one. IMHO to "celebrities" like Coulter, any publicity is good publicity, as long as you spell their names right. While I find her a bit cute, I do find that Michelle Malkin is a far more enjoyable read and a tad better writer if you want to annoint someone as the primo female conservative pundit of the moment. | ||
| Parkbench87 Citizen Username: Parkbench87 Post Number: 4328 Registered: 7-2001 |
"While I find her a bit cute" Ann Coulter cute?  | ||
| Brett Weir Citizen Username: Brett_weir Post Number: 1630 Registered: 4-2004 |
If they had ever cast the ubiquitous-yet-unseen Maris Crane on "Frasier", she'd get my vote. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 627 Registered: 4-2006 |
Parkbench- How about "fetching"? You don't find strong women with intelligence ( albeit misapplied) dah bomb? Come on now, you must be reading too much Maxim. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1715 Registered: 9-2004 |
You don't find strong women with intelligence ( albeit misapplied) dah bomb? Wow! What an INSULT to women who really are strong with intelligence. Ann Coulter is a true poster child for "diarrhea of-the mouth", weak in the mind, and a lack of common sense all rolled into one!  My favorite moment of this money hungry desperate for attention nutcase! Well, she got it!!!  Members of the notorious culinary terrorist group "Al Pieda" launched an attack on Ann Coulter while she was speaking at the University of Arizona. The report says some pie got on her face but attendants were able to wipe it off before she received any nutrional value from the pie.  | ||
| Parkbench87 Citizen Username: Parkbench87 Post Number: 4329 Registered: 7-2001 |
FVF, Ann Coulter is in no way a strong woman. She is a repulsive slime bag. While her looks are unappealing her to me, her personality is really what makes her unattractive. By the way I never have read Maxim. I believe there is a middle ground between Maxim and Ann Coulter. At least I hope there is for all the single men out there. | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 1427 Registered: 10-2004 |
Maxim ------- Everything Else in the World -------- Ann Coulter. Yes there is plenty of middle ground. | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 1082 Registered: 7-2005  |
I don't know what to think here. From what I'm seeing...9/11 widows are profiting but military widows are SOL | ||
| juju's petals Citizen Username: Jujus_petals Post Number: 265 Registered: 5-2003  |
There is really something wrong with Ann Coulter. I think it is terrible the way the media and others feed and profit from her functional, but obvious, mental illness. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro  Post Number: 3331 Registered: 5-2004  |
Glock, I don't think "profiting" is the right word to use. The rationale, agree with it or not, is that soldiers and their families go into war with their eyes open to the risk. Victims of a terrorist attack are just that - victims. | ||
| dave23 Citizen Username: Dave23 Post Number: 1816 Registered: 5-2001 |
The weirdest thing about Ann Coulter is she claims to have been a Deadhead but says she never took LSD. Whaaa??? | ||
| Project 37 Citizen Username: Project37 Post Number: 107 Registered: 3-2006  |
Surprise, Ann Coulter says something obnoxious. And go figure, there's a book to promote. http://mediamatters.org/items/200606060006 I'd expect no less from Coulter - he's that kind of a guy. | ||
| jet Citizen Username: Jet Post Number: 1133 Registered: 7-2001 |
I have a sister-in-law & cousin who are 9/11 widows . I also worked with Dan Trant "Kathy's husband " for years. I agree with a lot of what Ann Coulter says on this issue . I asked them all to participate in sending goods to the troops , we had this system already in place to asist them ,we figured they would jump all over it , but no, to busy getting there nails done , but could you watch my kids for awhile. After that I asked them to donate money to the Semper Fi fund even going as far as to have their lawyers call them "who worked pro bono " and ask them to do it. If they did they would have told you , because within 2 min. of meeting anyone of them you get told who they are. In the end there are no Betsy Rosses here , just some Jersey chicks who hit a macabre lottery. | ||
| Smarty Jones Citizen Username: Birdstone Post Number: 710 Registered: 10-2005 |
Glock makes a 100% valid point.... in addition to the personal insurance money all the widows recieved, there was Millions of government aid thrown at these individuals, along with tremendous immediate political clout, and plenty of politicians willing to shepperd them around. More $$ given these victims than was given to prior victims of Terrorist attacks on US soil (ie Oklahoma, Prior WTC attack), with no valid reason for the differential. As I understand it, a soldier's family is given the option to buy a $30k life insurance policy, and their family's are expected to shut-up and speak proudly of the nation they died for. To you, they may have volunteered for that ending. To the children, the wives, and the Mothers left behind, this is no different than if Pop was a "victim" of a terrorist attack. However, this thread has helped me sort this out....these widows are in the same camp as the dead soldiers mother, who is on tour right now with her book....throw yourself out there to the wolves, and you should expect any/all criticism that comes your way. | ||
| Nob Citizen Username: Nob Post Number: 178 Registered: 4-2004 |
Jet -- is there a website to donate money to the Semper Fi fund? Or a local chapter to contact? Sorry to hear the Jersey girls in reality may be less than perfect 9-11 widow models but personally I wouldn't trade places with them for a few million $$ and everyone has their own way of drowning their sorrow. While not perfect they do seem to be using their position to train a spotlight on important questions about improving our national security -- at least that's something | ||
| tjohn Supporter Username: Tjohn Post Number: 4360 Registered: 12-2001  |
Why should 9/11 survivors receive any compensation or more compensation than victims of other brutal attacks ranging from common murders to Oklahoma City to accidental victims of gang violence and drive-by shootings. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 631 Registered: 4-2006 |
If you are fundamentally fair you cannot say that Ann Coulter is not intelligent, or strong. You can decry her opportunism and act,and find those things very unattractive in a woman. Or a man. The bottom line is what celebrity in our society has become. For every Lance Armstrong (not a role model personal life-wise btw) there is a Howard Stern. If our society is ruder and coarser, so too are the people it wishes to celebrate. | ||
| jet Citizen Username: Jet Post Number: 1134 Registered: 7-2001 |
SemperFifund.org. | ||
| thoughtful Citizen Username: Thoughtful Post Number: 197 Registered: 6-2001 |
At least part of the reason the 9/11 widows (and widowers) received so much more than other victims of terrorist attacks is because they agreed to forfeit their right to sue the airlines for liability. | ||
| jet Citizen Username: Jet Post Number: 1135 Registered: 7-2001 |
It was the private donations , they collected them with boxes to bring the envelopes home. Thats the only thing that will remain a mystery forever, none of them will admit what the donations added up to , and there still coming. | ||
| juju's petals Citizen Username: Jujus_petals Post Number: 267 Registered: 5-2003 |
Factguy, Intelligent, strong and nuts are not mutually exclusive. Never said she wasn't the former. Never said those were unattractive traits. Bottom line -- this woman has serious issues. Just don't understand why the media and political types encourage us participate in her madness as if it were legitimate critical analysis. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 636 Registered: 4-2006 |
juju- So how would you interpret Huffington? Is she " playing with a full deck"? As far as the rest of this thread about widows, death, and benefits, I think the whole thing is too sad to reply. Tragedy is personal and proprietary. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 3336 Registered: 5-2004 |
Both sides have extremists. We're talking about Coulter, not Huffington. Coulter is a nutjob who will say anything to extend her fifteen minutes of fame. | ||
| Billy Jack Citizen Username: Kendalbill Post Number: 177 Registered: 6-2002 |
Ann Coulter has absolutely nothing to do with political commentary and everything to do with confrontation and shock value. For some weird reason, people respond to a pretty woman who can spew venom. I have never seen her make a point and then support it- it is all name calling and shouting. She is "entertainment", the same way wrestling and horror movies are entertainment. The fact that she is interviewed on Today is part of the farce. The only good and valid thing that can come out of her hateful comments is that more people can see her for the empty pant suit she is. And then, quickly, we can get to the point where we can ignore her. Refuting her comments only gives her credibility. Debating whether a widow finds joy in their husband's death is beyond any decency. Ignore her. | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23285 Registered: 6-2001  |
Has anyone actually gone back to the Attic to relive the raw and constant pain of the days following 9-11? The absolute horror of seeing first one and then the other tower crumbling into mushroom shaped rubble clouds with terrified people fleeing and us at home (excluding those that were in the city living this nightmare in real life) transfixed by the images being broadcast into our brains? Do you remember the almost shaking relief when you heard from a loved one who was alive who may have been dead? Did you note the fact that just a few cars in the transit lots went unclaimed? Try to imagine how it would feel to never get that phone call, to have to take the spare keys downtown to pick up your dead spouse's vehicle, and get back to me on the "greedy" widows of 9/11. Hell, did any one of you hear the voice mail left when the (did someone above actually use quote marks?) "victims" vowed their undying love to their families and said goodbye? Shame on all who criticized them. I know when I donated money to the red cross, that's exactly who I wanted to get it. Does anyone remember the outrage caused when the red cross did not use the funds as we fully expected them to (back then)? | ||
| bets Supporter Username: Bets Post Number: 23286 Registered: 6-2001 |
Oh yeah, and  Ann Coulter. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 1717 Registered: 9-2004 |
They settled in South Orange, N.J., and he commuted to work at the World Trade Center. Christopher and Cathy Faughnan were a team when it came to the lives of their three children. Siena, 7, is the budding artist. Juliet, 5, is the pink-skirted ballerina. Liam, 3, shares his dad's love of sports. On weekends, Christopher was coaching T-ball at the soccer field. After work, he helped with the nighttime routines -- getting the kids' baths, reading the bedtime stories. "I truly believe without any hesitation that he loved his kids more than any other human being possibly could," says Cathy, his wife of 11 years. "He completely and utterly adored each and every one of them. He found what was truly important and what made him happy was the kids." The man who loved the outdoors and riding his mountain bike supported a wide range of causes, from environmental defense to a program called Doctors Without Borders. "He was an extremely giving and moral person," Cathy says. "He was constantly teling the kids things that were character building. He would say, 'Don't look at what we don't have, look at what we have.' He would tell them that we were lucky for everything we have. And that we need to give back." He'll be missed because he would have given them so much in their lives that I can't because I'm not him," Cathy said. "I will try somehow to take all the things he would have taught them and help them grow into the people he would have wanted them to become." --Kathleen Kernicky (The Sun-Sentinel) Cathy Faughnan had been a South Orange resident since 1992 and had been involved with Main Street South Orange first as the volunteer on-site manager for the Farmers’ Market every Wednesday and later as the Executive Director of Main Street South Orange. Mrs. Faughnan was also the Chair of Design Committee and the President of Main Street South Orange. She has since moved back to Colorado. A Widow of 9/11. Presently, she is WOW Board President; Faughnan Family Foundation Director. Resident: Lafayette, CO. (WOW! Children's Museum (World of Wonder) is a place for toddlers and school age children and their families, offering a variety of interactive and informative educational and creative exhibits and programs that stimulate learning and child development. School groups are welcome.) Keeping her husbands name alive and volunteering her time to the family foundation, is a far cry from Coulters assumptions! | ||
| mjh Supporter Username: Mjh Post Number: 588 Registered: 5-2001 |
In the comments section of liberal blog ThinkProgress, "Bearpaw" observes: "So Ann Coulter's argument is that she can make political points off of 9/11 because her nation was attacked, but people who 'only' lost spouses in the attack are politicizing their grief. Oh, and 'these broads are millionaires'? How much has Coulter made off of the country's emotional response to 9/11?" | ||
| S.L.K.s. Ghost Citizen Username: Scrotisloknows Post Number: 1631 Registered: 10-2005 |
mjh- Alot of people exploit 9/11, even those who finger others for doing it. -SLK | ||
| mlj Citizen Username: Mlj Post Number: 270 Registered: 6-2001 |
I feel there is a general, underlying loathing for and hostility toward New York/New Jersey that disappeared for a while after 9/11 but has slowly resurfaced with a vengeance. | ||
| mjh Supporter Username: Mjh Post Number: 592 Registered: 5-2001 |
SLK: Obviously, this doesn't make it right. Nor does it answer the question as to whether Coulter has a reasonable point or not. The fact remains that Coulter is the one denigrating the character of the women who took an activist role in creating the 9/11 commission after losing their husbands, and any accusation of exploiting the emotions surrounding 9/11 by Coulter is a serious case of the pot calling the kettle black. If I were the victim of this type of character attack, I wouldn't much care that lots of people have been attacked before with similar accusations. In fact, I wouldn't find it relevant. It's my good name and character that matters to me. | ||
| Factvsfiction Citizen Username: Factvsfiction Post Number: 645 Registered: 4-2006 |
bets- Yeah it was one terrible day, no question. I remember thinking at the end of the day, and knowing my friends, family, and myself were pretty much ok that we were likely to become exactly like Israel, subject to more terroist assaults. For all everyone hates Bush, its great it didn't turn out that way. I also remember a friend calling me the next day, and telling me about the police going through the train stations, to see which cars were still there, in order to possibly determine what unreported residents perished at the WTC. It's sad/alarming/understandable that people have forgotten a lot of the horror of what happened on that day and what people felt at that time, or how unified we all felt as a country. One thing I resolved and I think a lot of people did is to enjoy every day and don't sweat the small stuff. As far as Coulter is concerned, don't buy the book or reward the act. | ||
| S.L.K.s. Ghost Citizen Username: Scrotisloknows Post Number: 1641 Registered: 10-2005 |
mjh- Think man...her book just came out... -SLK |
