U.S. Dept. of Justice email announces some details regarding the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

I'm not sure why the email was sent to me but I thought you might like to know what "progress" looks like 10 years after we watched the towers fall.  At the bottom is a link to a Youtube Video.  It is 26 minutes of pain and suffering.  Watch it and never forget...

Dear Friend,

I am writing to let you know that I have sent to the Federal Register the Final Rule governing the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund. Since issuing the proposed regulations in June, I have met with hundreds of you at town halls in New York and New Jersey and reviewed the formal comments submitted in response to the proposed regulations. I am so grateful for and have benefited from having met so many of you and having heard your concerns and suggestions.

Based on your feedback, as well as further review of the best scientific and medical evidence that is available, I have made some changes to the regulations for the Final Rule. First among them, I have expanded the geographic zone recognized as a “9/11 crash site.” The proposed rule suggested that the term “9/11 crash site” included the area in Manhattan south of Reade Street – boundaries that were substantially broader than those used in the Fund’s first iteration. However, in light of the comments that were submitted, as well as further examination of the available evidence, the Final Rule expands the zone of geographic eligibility to include the area south of Canal Street. In addition to the dust that was present most heavily in the area south of Reade Street, there is also evidence suggesting that prolonged exposure to dust between Reade Street and Canal Street created a risk of physical harm. There are also substantial numbers of patients who live between Reade Street and Canal Street who are receiving treatment in the World Trade Center (WTC) Environmental Health Center program.

While there is evidence that the smoke plume from the site traveled beyond Manhattan south of Canal Street, the concentrations of contaminants in the smoke cloud were most intense within and very near Ground Zero. By the time the smoke cloud had reached other areas, such as Brooklyn, the particulate concentrations were significantly diluted. Thus, the initial zone of coverage will include the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville sites; the buildings that were destroyed; the area south of Canal St. in lower Manhattan; and the routes of debris removal.

One area that has remained unchanged since the draft regulations involves the determination of which physical harms and deaths were “a result of” the crashes or debris removal within the meaning of the statute. The Rule requires the Fund to maintain and publish a list of presumptively covered conditions that resulted from the air crashes or debris removal. This list will consist of the physical injuries and conditions that are found, under the WTC Health Program, to be WTC-related health conditions. I will update this list so that it includes not only those physical conditions listed in Title I of the Zadroga Act, but also any additional physical conditions that the WTC Health Program subsequently determines to be WTC-related.

I know many of you will be disappointed by this decision; in particular, because it means that, at least at the beginning of the Fund’s operations, the Fund is not able to identify any particular type of cancer as a WTC-related condition. Congress, in drafting the Zadroga Act last year, did not include cancer in the list of illnesses and health conditions that experienced medical professionals have determined could be found to be substantially likely to have been aggravated, caused, or contributed to by exposure to conditions resulting from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Since that time, the first periodic review by the WTC Health Program Administrator similarly found insufficient scientific and medical evidence for adding cancer to the list of covered conditions. After considering all of the comments and the available scientific and medical evidence, I have decided that it is important, and consistent with the intentions of Congress, that I continue to rely on the medical judgment made by the WTC Health Program. While the Fund will evaluate new evidence as it becomes available, and will add to its list of presumptively covered conditions any physical injury condition that the WTC Health Program recognizes as WTC-related, the Final Rule will not add any additional conditions at this time.

Although exceptions can be made to this list of covered conditions, the rules require such exceptions only in extraordinary circumstances, and where the claimant satisfies other eligibility criteria, including presence at a 9/11 crash site.

The Final Rule contains other changes as well. For example, we have attempted to provide greater consistency with the WTC Health Program by adding additional forms of proof that may be used to establish eligibility. We have also clarified the types of fees and charges that would come within the caps on amounts that a claimant’s representative may charge in connection with a claim made to the Fund.

I encourage you to read the Final Rule in its entirety. I am placing the signed copy of the Final Rule that was submitted to the Federal Register on the Fund’s website, www.justice.gov/vcf. I expect the Rule to be published later this week, and we will put the official version on the website when that happens. The Rule will go into effect when the Fund opens its doors on Monday, October 3. Much more information, including detailed instructions on how to file a claim, will be made available at that time. In addition, we will continue to update the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of our website, www.justice.gov/vcf.  

I can’t promise that everyone will be satisfied with every decision that the Fund makes, but I do hope you feel that the process is fair, transparent, and easy to navigate. As I said when I was first appointed, as a lifelong New Yorker, the opportunity to serve the country and the 9/11 community in this way is a tremendous honor. I have been touched by how many of you have expressed appreciation or good wishes for the Fund’s operations.

Thank you for your continued faith and support. I look forward to meeting more of you, and to serving you the best that I can.

Yours,

Sheila

http://youtu.be/wNNTcHq5Tzk

Taliban: Extreme evil through extreme tactics

There is a heartbreaking story coming out of Afghanistan telling of the Taliban using an 8-year old little girl as a homicide bomber.  It is believed that the child had no idea what was in the bag she was carrying.  She was the only casualty.

You can read more about this sad story HERE.

Little girls should be drawing and dancing.  They should be playing and having fun.  Sadly, evil knows no bounds. 

Will US Invade Syriia

After decades of violent religious and political persecutions it seems odd that the US has not invaded Syria. The absence of US intervention is only made more poignant when we have aircraft over half a dozen or more middle eastern cities and troop s in as many.
Over and over reporters from various news agencies tell the horrors of men, women, and children who are tortured and murdered at the hands of the Syrian government.

Syrian troops using terror tactics on protesters
More brutality in Syria as refugee camps swell
Syria's latest crackdown kills 33; girl dies
Syrian boy's brutal death rouses protesters

It is heartbreaking to hear about innocent civilians being tortured and murdered, but when it is a child that suffers, the father in me wants to chase down and destroy the evil.

Our soldiers are fighting throughout the world. I can think of no more important mission than the safeguarding of the defenseless against an unimaginable evil. 

Children are God's greatest gift. Please say a prayer for all of them.

Outspoken Supporter of Terrorism Coming to a Community Center Near You

I received the following information via email from a friend.  I have not had an opportunity to look into this in any detail but, considering the source, I am inclined to support the protest.  If an outspoken supporter of terrorism can conduct a fund-raising event at the Yorba Linda Community Center, I can certainly exercise my right to peacefully protest outside of the event. 

I encourage you to look into this on your own and decide where you stand. 

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Calling All Patriots: Come show your concern that Shariah Law is not compatible with the U.S. Constitution !! Our nation is at a cross road and hemorrhaging. Only your activism with God's help can save her.

Come partner with other Pro-American organizations: North Orange County Conservative Coalition, Tea Party Patriots, and California Republican Assemblies of Fullerton and Yorba Linda to peacefully protest this anti-American, anti-Semitic movement with American flags.

*ACTION ALERT*

Radical Imams fundraise in Yorba Linda's Community Center 

on February 13th at 5:30 pm

The Yorba Linda Community Center  has booked an organization directly connected to the Muslim Brotherhood and two terrorism, Anti American Radical Islamic activists, Siraj Wahhah & Anur-Abel Malik-Ali with the Islamic Circle for North America. 

 Both men have denounced Israel, SUPPORT HAMAS & TERRORISM. Imam spoke at University of California at Irvine in May last year and declared his support of terrorism.  Chancellor Michael Drake immediately released this statement on behalf of the University,"Let me be clear: we condemn the speaker's endorsement of terrorism... these remarks supporting terrorism were deplorable."
Who is the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)?
The Muslim Brotherhood document, "An Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Goal for the Group in North America” refers to ICNA as one of the Brotherhood’s 29 likeminded organizations who teach "that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and 'sabotaging' its miserable house by their hands ... so that ... God's religion [Islam] is made victorious over all other religions. “The Brotherhood’s creed is: ‘God is our objective; the Koran is our law; the Prophet is our leader; jihad is our way; and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations.’”

Who is Siraj Wahhaj?

The Muslim Brotherhood calls Wahhaj the “American Imam.” In 1993 he was named as an Unindicted Co Conspirator in World Trade Center Bombings Investigation. Believes in converting gang members to Islam for “day America will crumble.” Wahhaj says for the faithful to go into the hood and prisons and convert disenfranchised minorities, and then arm and train them to carry out an Uzi jihad in the inner cities. Wahhaj says “You know what this country (USA) is? It’s a garbage can.” He snarls. “It’s filthy.” He prays it (USA) “crumbles” and is replaced by Islam.

Who is Anur-Abel Malik-Ali?

At the Universal Heritage Foundation’s December 2003 Islamic Conference in Florida, he warned moderate American Muslims that their desire to be “liked” was turning them into “‘house slaves.’” He said, “Sooner or later, today’s Muslim students will be the parents of Muslim children. And they should be militants.” At the Sixth Annual Muslim Student Association Conference held at UC Berkeley in February 2004, Malik-Ali denounced “the white man, who is the enemy.”

The Old Guard

I had a meticulously thought out rant about the OCGOP, CRA, and old-school Republicans, a.k.a. “conservatives” but after reading it I decided to cut to the chase. It is time to retire the Old Guard of the Republican Party. They have gone off the reservation and are running amuck with hypocritical values and actions. Between the carpetbagging and the insincere threat against union-backed candidates, I’m done! It’s too depressing. To hell with all of them; may they find bedsores and incontinence at the old folk’s home when we vote them out of office.

Ok, maybe that was a bit too harsh…or maybe not. I hope the next time there is an election you will look very closely at the candidates and vote for someone who has NO endorsements from any of the old regime. Every time we put one of them into office, it comes back to bite us in the ass. Follow the money trail which can sometimes be done via the California Secretary of State’s website or other local and federal agencies.

In a day or two I will be posting a VERY long continuance to my interview with Bill Hunt, 2010 candidate for Orange County Sheriff. Please read every word of it. Not for me but for yourself, your family, Bill Hunt, and everyone else effected by dirty politics. Give your kids and spouse a kiss. Say a prayer. Give your pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Do these every day and we just might climb out of the hole we have been led to believe is best for us.