Last year the Ayatollah Bloomberg banned first responders from the September 11th ceremony at Ground Zero. Once again, Bloomberg has issued another outrageous edict, along with the the autocrat Joe Daniels, who is running the 911 Memorial and Museum (for which he pays himself over $400,000 a year).
The city has been cursed with the imperial one -- three terms -- despite a two-term limit. He changed the law. It's good to be the king.
The 911 families have issued this statement.
9/11 Parents and Families of Firefighters and WTC Victims Statement Regarding Edict of 9/11 Memorial Foundation President Joe Daniels & Chairman Mayor Michael Bloomberg: Elected officials NOT Speaking at the 9/11/12 Ceremony at GZ
We strongly disagree with Mr.Joe Daniels and Mayor Michael Bloomberg's vindictive decision banning elected officials/politicians from expressing their condolences at this year's 9/11/12 memorial ceremony. We have been arguing for years that decisions affecting 9/11 families need a consultative process. This consultation never occurred. No one individual or group should unilaterally make this decision not allowing Gov. Cuomo and Gov. Christie to speak on 9/11. Is it because of their recent support of the Port Authority of NY/NJ against the 9/11 Memorial & Museum's out of control construction costs? We think so.
Elected officials, including the President and Vice President of the USA , have for the past ten 9/11 anniversaries respectfully read from historical speeches and poems. It was an exceptional honor to have them there. This year, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum President Joe Daniels, & Chairman Michael Bloomberg, who are adamantly opposed to any fiscal or planning oversight, have banned any politicians from speaking at 9/11 ceremony. The very same elected officials who helped 9/11 families with the Victim Compensation Fund and the Zadroga Bill to help sick first responders and civilians are now persona non grata . HOW SOON WE FORGET!
Joe Daniels' quote was " Family reading of names will be the exclusive focus... and in a way that is free of politics." This is totally HYPOCRITICAL because banning the Governors of NY & NJ from speaking is the ultimate political decision. Disagree with the future of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum , then silence and punish both governors and others who are critical of Daniels and Bloomberg. Why shouldn't the governors have any fiscal oversight or control? Bloomberg feels that Mr Daniels and his private non-profit organization - the 9/11 Memorial and Musem - with their high six figure salaries and BLOATED $60 million dollar "projected" annual budget- should be allowed to do whatever they want without any questions or oversight.
Following this edict by Joe Daniels and Mayor Bloomberg, it is our hope that this rash decision will be reversed. The past ceremonies have been nothing but respectful and dignified. Daniels and Bloomberg are the ones who must stop politicizing the 9/11 families' ceremony.
If this decision is not changed, we intend to invite Gov Cuomo and Gov Christie to speak to our families on the anniversary of 9/11 at WTC after the regular ceremony has concluded. No one person or group has the right to change this ceremony without consulting all the 9/11 families who are there to mourn and to honor their loved ones. Families and others who are watching the WTC are truly disgusted at what is transpiring on this sacred ground.
We must ask Joe Daniels and Mayor Bloomberg: " If the President of the United States once again wanted to come to the 9/11 ceremony to express his condolences for the 9/11 victims, do you mean he would not be allowed to speak because this policy would prohibit him from doing so?" We hope not.
Chief Jim Riches, FDNY (ret.)
Father of FF Jimmy Riches, WTC/911
Chairman, 9/11 Parents and Families of Firefighters and WTC Victims
Board Members:
Al & Sally Regenhard, Parents of FF Christian Regenhard, WTC/9/11
Jim McCaffrey, Brother in law of FD Chief Orio Palmer, WTC/911
Rosemary Cain, Mother of FF George Cain WTC/911
Russell & Joyce Mercer, Parents of FF Scott Kopytko WTC/911
Rosaleen Tallon, Sister of FF Sean Tallon WTC/911
Eileen Walsh , Mother of FF Michael Brennan, WTC/911
Maureen and Al Santora, Parents of FF Christopher Santora WTC/911
