9/11 Worker Dies As Son Heads To Speech

Cesar Borja Jr. Was Invited To State Of Union By Sen. Clinton

(AP)  A former New York policeman died late Tuesday in a Manhattan hospital, just as his 21-year-old son prepared to appear at the State of the Union address to symbolize the desperate health problems of his father and other ailing Sept. 11 workers.

The former officer, Cesar Borja, 52, had been in intensive care, breathing through a tube, at Mount Sinai Medical Center, awaiting a lung transplant. Hospital spokeswoman Lauren Woods confirmed the death late Tuesday.

Borja's son, college student Cesar Borja Jr., was invited by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., to attend President Bush's speech as a reminder to the president of workers who were stricken with a host of illnesses after exposure to toxic World Trade Center debris.

The younger Borja learned of his father's death in a phone call while eating dinner around 6:30 p.m. but insisted on attending the president's 9 p.m. speech - in memory of his father.

The senator called Borja's death a "terrible tragedy."

The son, she said, "is a courageous and remarkable young man. His sense of duty to his father and to the mission that brought him to Washington is inspiring and heartbreaking."

---

Read about Bonnie Giebfried, an ailing 9/11 EMT.
Read the story of NYPD Detective James Zadroga, the first confirmed casualty of ground zero exposure.

---

The son's comments earlier in the day showed he was aware of just how critical his father's health situation had become — and why it was still important for him to speak out in Washington.

"It's a very emotional time, and it's very difficult," said the son. "My father is a symbol of those in need, in desperation."

The Hunter College student said he came to Washington to make the point that there are many more whose lives are threatened by their exposure at ground zero.

"9/11 is not over. It didn't end in 2001. It is still affecting my father and numerous other first responders," he said. "My father is an extreme example of what can happen and what may and will happen in the future."

[feelfree1]

Yet another victim of the Bush League. What will be the final toll?

As I mentioned on another recent thread, For those who have some lingering questions about the events on 9/11/01, I would like to reccomend 2 short films:

Improbable Collapse

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUMKP4WaMgM

& 9/11 Press For Truth

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5589099104255077250&q=google+paul 9%2F11&hl=en

[porion]

Nero...I mean Bush, how does he sleep at night?

[smartwoman2]

I understand the pain of the family, but his father is a hero, not just a victim. There was no way to predict and analyze the situation and potential problems BEFORE our heroes responded to the tragedy of 9/11. It is NOT Bush's fault that the fall-out from the explosions and fire and collapse of the buildings would result in such terrible health problems. These people responded as they were trained, and NO-ONE could have predicted the outcome. Thank God they were there for the citizens of NYC! Did any of you Bush-bashers think on 9/11 what would happen later in time? Why didn't you speak up then? Bush didn't fly those planes, nor allow them to crash! Is Bush also responsible for every carcinogenic effect of food, air, and plants in this world? It is just absurd! Painting him as the anti-Christ is just as much a mistake as every other "hate-monger" on earth - People who hate others and then paint them with such a broad cloth, blaming them for everything, are so ill-informed and close-minded. No wonder this world is in such a dangerous position. I usually read these comments with laughter at the stupidity, but had to speak up this time for some sanity! Think clearly and stop blaming Bush for every wrong in the world! I'm sure I'll be bashed for this, but why don't liberals allow people to have differing opinions than their own without condemning those with courage to speak? I'll be praying for the US!

[alphaa10-2009]

Bush EPA Lied about WTC Air-- 2
After her comments, the EPA discounted Jenkins, saying she had not participated in the air sampling and knew little about EPA air assessments at WTC. Jenkins replied she read the same research EPA samplers conducted, and considers it not only faulty but directly responsible for the false safety level announced by the EPA.

Today, seven out of ten WTC workers has a new or worsened lung and/or respiratory-related condition, but for the past five years, federal assistance has been almost non-existent. Last fall, however, responding to growing criticism, Bush sent funding to the Mt. Sinai center targeted at WTC illnesses. Despite that measure, the program remains badly under-funded, according to the Mt. Sinai center. Principal reason-- some forty percent of the WTC workers affected have no health insurance to deal with their illnesses.

[alphaa10-2009]

Bush EPA Lied about WTC Air--

Two days after 911, with dust still heavy in the air, Bush-appointed EPA Director Christy Whitman certified that air in Lower Manhattan was safe. Speaking to reporters gathered at Ground Zero, Whitman said, "We have not seen any reason %u2014 any readings that have indicated any health hazard."

In fact, Whitman's statement was false, says agency critic Cate Jenkins, Ph.D., employed by the EPA. Jenkins said the air at WTC was dangerous and EPA staff knew of the danger and did nothing. WTC air was not only full of asbestos fibers but the dust was heavily caustic-- in some cases, as corrosive as Drano. One WTC worker, asked why he didn't wear a mask, said he wanted to, but the work made wearing one very difficult. Besides, he said, he took the EPA's word for it the air was safe to breathe.

[finwick1]

I am SO sick of the democrats bashing Bush for everything that they can think of. Calling him a villian in the white house shows how stupid most of these people are. No one thought of illnessess from the fall out on 9/11. However, the ailments did come along.
Somewhere, in time the people of the United States will see that President Bush has been a good president, and I wonder just how many mornings Gore has woke up to say, "Thank God I didn't become president!" after 9/11. President Bush has served under the most severe happenings in the history of the U.S. He is a human being, who has emotions, frailities, and actions just like every other person on the planet. There is NO ONE who could have done any better considering what the U.S. has gone through. No Democrat could have done or planned better. It is so easy to bash Bush at every turn; my hair won't go right today! That "***" Bush! See how stupid that is? Quit Bashing Bush, and pray for the man!!
Finwick

[alphaa10-2009]

smartwoman said, "It is NOT Bush's fault that the fall-out from the explosions and fire and collapse of the buildings would result in such terrible health problems... I'm sure I'll be bashed for this, but why don't liberals allow people to have differing opinions than their own without condemning those with courage to speak?
---
Bush is responsible for many failures around 911, including failure to ensure the safety of WTC recovery workers-- read the post, "Bush EPA Lied about WTC Air". EPA administrator Whitman is a Bush appointee, acts under Bush's direction and serves at his pleasure.

No critic of Bush has to certify his party affiliation or beliefs, and there is a huge variety of opinion about Bush coming from all directions, largely negative and largely well-deserved. A recent poll showed Bush at a 72 percent non-approval rate. Bush is found wanting by many of even his own party, including conservative Brahmins like Buckley.

The only requirement is the truth, and that truth is damning for Bush. Everyone, including Bush, should have a problem with official lies about WTC, especially those promoted by Bush administration officials. Bush is responsible for allowing a Katrina-like executive incompetence to endanger the lives and health of not only WTC workers, but the rest of the country.

[baj12]

i"am a black american who works 80 plus hours a week in sales,college educated and by the way a 26year u.s army veteran,if the president(Bush) is so wrong about Iraq.I suggest that the congress and senate of this great country,take a simple binding up or done vote to cut funding and bring all troops home,i assure you vote would fail,president Bush is not the problem members of congress and the senate are the real problem.Oh my the way what is the dem or rep plan,lots of talk but no action talk is cheap but it takes money to buy whiskey.

[alphaa10-2009]

Bush Disasters-- 6
10. Did I mention the national debt? Cheney lectured former Secretiary of Treasury O'Neill, "Reagan proved deficits don't matter." Cheney, you recall, is the same guy who proved WMDs would be found in Iraq. We are in debt so deeply, we resemble a family hit by credit card fraud. And guess who holds railcars ful of US treasury notes-- the very people who control the oil spigot and the friendly dictatorship of the proletariat in China. There, my friends, is a bizaare dependency.

So, while you part your hair, think over this list of "negative achievements" others insist on calling failures of leadership and criminally incompetent behavior. These are only ten of a much, much longer list, but most of it started with 911.

[alphaa10-2009]

Bush Disasters-- 5
8. The nation's security infrastructure is a joke, with the TPA failing its own airport security tests year after year. Our seaports have little funding for even basic measures like lighting and fences. Forget about anything more comprehensive. And at the few demonstration projects, radiological weapons detectors set off false alarms. With Bush, it was business as usual as he tried to hand security at nine US seaports to some firm from Dubai-- the same country the FBI fingered in laundering money for al Qaeda!

9. Our southern border was a standing joke among Mexicans under Clinton, but the flow of illegals surged under Bush. Yet, it was not until this year-- after some six years of ignoring the border while preaching about protecting the homeland-- that congress vored to do something "effective". In years past, it has been easy to account for the delay-- Bush-boosters need these illegals to pluck chickens and slaughter hogs, clean rooms, harvest crops and make it appear Halliburton is rebuilding New Orleans, so the rush to close the border was not overwhelming.

[alphaa10-2009]

Bush Disasters-- 4
5. Iraq was not on the menu at 911, and last summer, when asked what was the connection between 911 and Iraq, Bush admitted petulantly, "Nuttin'!" Yet, in 2001, immediately after 911, Bush and gang went to work on finding a reason to attack Iraq. Bush and his regime lied to the American people over and over again about threats to national security. After invasion, none was found-- no uranium enrichment equipment, no chemical trailers, nothing.

6. The Iraq war and its $355 billion waste provides an easy excuse to gut funding for everything else, especially educational programs. The Bush "No Child Left Behind" initiative was, and remains, an unfunded joke. Likewise, the Bush measure to fund private charities is mere window-dressing and public relations, as charged by even critics close to the program.

7. The country still has no comprehensive healthcare system we can afford. The HMO circus Bush created has left Americans paying 2.5 times more for their health care per capita than what even "socialist" EU systems pay. And America is dead last of industrialized nations in infant mortality-- after even Cuba.

[alphaa10-2009]

Bush Disasters-- 3
3. Bush redistributed tax burdens to the middle class and lower, so the only people not paying for Bush and his so-called Tax Cuts are those in the upper five percent. Bush has been an economic burden for the American middle class and has widened the gap between rich and poor in America. And unless you count "McJobs" as economic growth, the economy's job creation rate is dismal. American firms are faltering in even traditionally strong areas.

4. Katrina showed a Bush totally out to lunch, with no history of proactive funding for New Orleans levee work, and no clear command of recovery measures. Bush and appointees had gutted the FEMA of competent people. Failure to plan and fund US Army Corps of Engineers work in years before Katrina led one Army official to become loudly critical. For his trouble, this registered Republican was forced to resign. Heckuva job!

[alphaa10-2009]

Bush Disasters-- 2
Let me point out only some Bush failures of "due dililgence"--
1. Not scheduling even one counter-terrorism meeting in the eight months preceding 911, and ignoring persistent tugs at his sleeve from Richard Clark about somebody named Osama bin Laden. Paul Wolfowitz had to be reminded who bin Laden was in the hours after 911.

2. Not effectively marshalling forces to apprehend or kill bin Laden and the Taliban. At the direction of our congress, Bush initially went into Afghanistan but then lost interest, pulling units for his Iraq invasion. Not surprisingly, Bin Laden is still out there, al Qaeda is bigger than ever, and has set up a model insurgency in Iraq under our very noses-- the country where no al Qaeda existed before Bush. And back in Afghanistan, the Taliban is back, with a bullet.

[alphaa10-2009]

Bush Disasters--
Finwick1 said, "I am SO sick of the democrats bashing Bush for everything that they can think of. Calling him a villian in the white house shows how stupid most of these people are. No one thought of illnessess from the fall out on 9/11... President Bush has served under the most severe happenings in the history of the U.S. He is a human being ... my hair won't go right today! ... pray for the man!!"
---
You miss the point entirely. (And some of us do pray for Bush daily, because he needs the best advice he can get.)
But I note your only defense for Bush is his inherent frailty as a human being, not because of particular achievements. And that is the point of critics-- Bush has been an utter failure at due diligence. This is called simple competence and intelligence in most management contexts. As you correctly observe, the Bush watch has seen an extraordinary run of disasters.

[long_rider]

http://unsungwar.com/

http://www.911weknow.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=11&Itemid=15

[huskerarmy]

"Calling him a villian in the white house shows how stupid most of these people are. No one thought of illnessess from the fall out on 9/11..."

Finwick1,
Why is it stupid to call this man a villian, when your only defense is that he is human? You imply that he is competent.., Those who consider him a villian give him more credit then that. There's a malady the infects GOPers today. It's called "greed." The point isn't that "no one thought of illnesses from 911," the point is that GOPers don't want to pay for the care for the heros who are still dying.

[annette999]

oh my goodness is this what this board about/ bashing the President and how bad he doing is Job?No one couldnt predict what happen at the trade center would make people sick. I dont believe the president should be blame for that. and yes I am sick and tired of the democrat of bashing the President.They think they could do better lets see.

[webdepot]

"......No one couldnt predict what happen at the trade center would make people sick. I dont believe the president should be blame for that......"
Posted by annette999

This administration has been accused by more than one source of leaning heavily on the Dept. of Health to issue false reports about the quality of the environment surrounding ground zero saying it was safe.. If the truth had been allowed to be disseminated, additional precautions could have been taken for those working the rubble pile..

This administration has lied since the first day in office and they continue to do so.. It is really sad that you people can't fathom that but instead blindly follow Sir Lies a Lot...

[rafterman1]

"No one couldnt predict what happen at the trade center would make people sick."

Are you kidding me? The media was already talking about potential health hazards from the debris, especially lung damage, just days after the attack. The dust from the debris was a huge issue. Everybody knew. Except Glorious Leader of course.

[Fred Lane]

Because I have family on the other side of the river in New Jersey, I distinctly remember warning them all that disastrous day that people WOULD get sick and possibly die from the toxic cloud in the air and that it might posibly change the weather there temporarily. It doesn't take a rocket-scientist to figure that one out but of course within a week, some government agency that claimed to have checked the air quality claimed the air was fine. This board is for all comments from the left or right and you Bushbots that still believe in your commander-in-chief should go and support his efforts if that's what YOU truly believe. GW is and continues to be a failure in so many ways that I've lost count and in my opinion, does not have the best interest of this country or its people in his heart. Greed, lies, deceit, death and destruction, racism, and profiteering seem to be the only thing the GOP really cares about and NOT the well-being of this country or its people. Chew on that Bushbots!

[cryonbrian]

Everybody has got a freaking sad story! GET OVER IT! It is all a part of life! A time to be born and a time to die! Every other story in the news is about a bunch of propaganda! These people are not heroes! They were and are paid to do a job regardless of the risk! Every freaking body and their grandmother have got a tragic story! From public figures to regular American%u2019s everyone has got a sad story to tell! Suck it up, my ancestors did! Everybody is always looking for someone to blame and someone to pay! Typical Americans!

[pfd0511-2009]

I do wish the Democrats would get off their soapbox about the Republicans. I am old enough to remember when the Dems were in office during the Vietnam war, sending thousands upon thousands (and the weekly death toll was way more than the total number of the Iraqi war) and when our boys came home - they totally ignored every branch(to the extent that they could not get the needed medical treatment for exposure to chemicals and the elements - not to mention the psychological effects they came home with)as if THEY were the cause of that war. Not to mention that a certain Dem in the Oval office committed adultery, while even another DEM killed a young woman by leaving her in a car submerged in water (also during an adulterous affair). How soon the Dems forget the err of their ways. I believe that President Bush is trying to do what is best for the United States because he has God on his side. Let us pull together and move forward "One Nation Under God".

[debluezzman]

Seems like Cryonbrain is breathing good air that someone else should be breathing, its sad when we have things that live like it

[jhearne1-2009]

of course bush has god on his side, he think's that he is god!

[inventagod]

When I saw WTC7 plummet to the ground, I knew without a doubt we were watching Controlled Demolition Inc in action. I have watched demolitions before, and was stunned when the first two buildings fell into their own footprint. WTC7 made the area a crime scene, and not one elected official treated it as such.
Now that the real heros of 9/11 are dying like this, I beg those who can to find out if our government was involved. I believe there were those in the Bu$h administration who steered the Committee away from the obvious truth, and down the path of a right-wing conspiracy theory.

[canaima]

I don't think there's any doubt that our next President will be a Democrat.

Let's see if, with a Democrat in the Oval office, the Democrat administration decides to will pass legistlation to "pay up" for Sept. 11 health treatment.

I for one am not convinced that they will beyond token payments.

[ubikvalis2]

"and was stunned when the first two buildings fell into their own footprint."

Actually they did NOT fall into their own footprint. , WTC1 fell OVER WTC6 and hit WTC7. WTC6 was almost totally destroyed by WTC1 (that would be a really awful demolition job) but because it was not as tall it remained standing (barely). But WTC7, being much taller than WTC6, couldn't take having a 20 story hole punched in it.

[duhrer]

Despite all the defense that has been articulated regarding the commander in theif's responsibilities, he, like the captain of any ship (or in this case, sheep), should be held responsible for anything that goes wrong while steering it, defending it, loading/unloading... etc. Even if he had no direct knowledge of any of the machinations of his administration, the captain of any ship is accountable for all that happens on, in and around his ship while he is in charge.

[santo_marco]

It was a catastrophe. Unplanned on our part. Why should anyone be "held responsible" for the healthcare of those afflicted? They just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[jimibear]

"Actually they did NOT fall into their own footprint. , WTC1 fell OVER WTC6 and hit WTC7. WTC6 was almost totally destroyed by WTC1 (that would be a really awful demolition job) but because it was not as tall it remained standing (barely). But WTC7, being much taller than WTC6, couldn't take having a 20 story hole punched in it.

Posted by UbikValis2 at 12:43 PM : Jan 24, 2007"


Um .. no, but nice try. WTC7 was untouched and fell (into its own footprint) without visible external assistance, supposedly because of the shock wave, which certainly sounds feasible. MTC1 did indeed fall straight into its own footprint.

Any number of sites could show you that. I'm not going to get into the rights and wrongs of what happened on 9/11, but I will say that giving wrong information doesn't help anyone.

[jimibear]

"I believe that President Bush is trying to do what is best for the United States because he has God on his side. Let us pull together and move forward "One Nation Under God"."

You addleheaded idiot; Bush has God on his side? If that's the case, then God must be a raging a$$hole as well, because Bush sure is.

I wish Bush supporters would take responsibility for the colossal blunders that their party and president are making right now, instead of trying to divert attention by pointing fingers.

Your "president" is a disaster of Katrina-scale proportions. What other lousy politicians have done has no relevance to that whatsoever. Stick to the point.

[jimibear]

By the way -

Separation of church ans state. Ring a bell, Bible-Basher-Boy?

[jimibear]

"It was a catastrophe. Unplanned on our part. Why should anyone be "held responsible" for the healthcare of those afflicted? They just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Posted by santo_marco at 01:02 PM : Jan 24, 2007
+ report this comment"

They were doing their jobs, and as such entitled under law to workman's comp for work-related injury and illness. That's why.

[jimibear]

"WTC7 made the area a crime scene, and not one elected official treated it as such. "

Actually, it was a crime scene from the moment the first jet hit, regardless of whether it was demolition, terrorism or both. Intentionally flying a plane into a building is a crime.

So, with that in mind: can anyone explain how it was that huge quantities of rubble (including the amazing steel beams that apparently melted at a lower temperature than any other steel in the world) was gathered by the ton and shipped to India as scrap before investigators could examine it?

"Move along ... nothing to see here ... "

[cdegolier]

Hey jimibear,

Do you actually know that workman's comp is not paying the medical bills already?

Why don't you stop attacking people and find something actually constructive to do with your time, maybe get a job.

[jimibear]

I have a job. I was on lunch, thanks. Now I'm on break.

The people I attacked deserved it. The reason I did attack them was that they suggested that the health problems they sustained as a result of doing their jobs were no one else's problem, everyone's got a sad story, etc. etc. I found that offensive. If you didn't, there's something wrong with your moral compass.

I mentioned workmen's compensation to stress that there is a responsibility to take care of people injured on the job. If you read this story and others like it, you will realize that there has been a widespread policy of attempting to deny coverage for these people, claiming no connection to 9/11, etc. People like Annette who moronically claim that no one could have predicted this only add to the denial of rights these people have suffered.

It's ironic, sickening and hypocritical that the administration and Bush supporters in general give lip service to "the heroes of 9/11" and "our brave men and women in uniform" but are the first ones to f*ck them in the a$$ as soon as they chance arises. I think that attacking that sort of disgusting behavior is a highly worthwhile endeavor. Sorry you don't agree, but that is most profoundly your problem, not mine.

[h0lli]

Jimibear, your anger management teacher called; you missed class again!

[cdegolier]

The point is jimibear all you do is attack your opinions are simply a stream of derogatory comments and cursing.

You definately need anger management.

[jimibear]

"The point is jimibear all you do is attack your opinions are simply a stream of derogatory comments and cursing.

You definately need anger management.
Posted by cdegolier at 04:19 PM : Jan 24, 2007
+ report this comment"

You clearly haven't read many of my posts here other than these, then.

And I submit that if attitudes like those stated do not make you angry, you may be the world's first living soul donor.

[jimibear]

Again, this time to you, Holli:

If people dying as a result of our neglect for those who did their duty, and, indeed, the state of our nation in general does not make you angry, you are lacking a vital spark of soul and compassion.

I see you don't bother to respond when someone posts "everyone's got a sad story, get over it" (as if you can "get over" a slow death due to respiratory collapse) or "why is it anyone else's responsibility to look after these people? They were just doing their jobs" when, in fact, "just doing their jobs" consisted of attempting to rescue victims of a horrendous attack and suffering horrible health consequences, leading to eventual death in some cases.

But when I am angered by such callous stupidity and say so, that's worthy of some silly, sarcastic response in your eyes.

What is wrong with you people? Where did you go so horribly astray that things like this don't even bother you any more? It is enough to make one despair of the heart and soul of people in this country.

[coosagal-2009]

"Everybody has got a freaking sad story! GET OVER IT! It is all a part of life! A time to be born and a time to die! Every other story in the news is about a bunch of propaganda! These people are not heroes! They were and are paid to do a job regardless of the risk! Every freaking body and their grandmother have got a tragic story! From public figures to regular American%u2019s everyone has got a sad story to tell! Suck it up, my ancestors did! Everybody is always looking for someone to blame and someone to pay! Typical Americans! "

Can you wear a sign on your shirt, so if you are in a car accident, hit by a falling meteor or happen to be in the next terrorist attack, I can just walk over and say "everybody has a sad story." I might be mistaken, but I believe many of those heros were volunteers working hours trying to save one more person. What happened to your sense of decency and respect for human lives?

[h0lli]

Jimibear, you can be passionate about something (which by the way, I've agreed with your points so far) without being a complete ****** (which of course from your ealier comments about a-holes, you can take as a compliment if you like).

[thgdriver]

As far as I am concerned, those buildings have not yet stopped falling on people. They should all be added to the death toll of 9/11.

[Jasonian18]

let me ask you where was the soul and compassion of the people who ran plains with Americans on them into the twin towers with Americans in them? huh why should we show any compassion in this time of war to the very same enemies who killed our people when Clinton had plenty of times to stop the 9/11 attacks. Let me ask you where were those terrorists compassions!

[epearson65]

CHOICES PART TWO:
There are people who CHOOSE to spend money on cigarettes or drugs and dont save money in retirement accounts. They expect the government to COMPENSATE for this with medicare, college grants, and social security--programs that were never meant to be stand-alone solutions, only stop-gap measures. By the way, my family is lower middle income, we pay high taxes, we have inadequate health coverage through our employer, our oldest daughter attends college without financial aid and my spouse is a FEDERAL FIREFIGHTER and EMT who puts his butt on the line every day just like the workers of Sep 11 did. He is exposed to countless health risks such as aids, hepatitus C, chemicals, unsafe air, etc every day and HE UNDERSTANDS THE RISK. We don't do drugs or smoke, we don't party, and we don't buy new cars even though we have the disposable income to do so. We wait until we have saved money to make major purchases (instead of financing them), we save for our childrens education and we put aside money for emergencies. It is our sole responsibility to do so. We talk about this all the time, and it bothers us both to hear everyone blaming everyone else instead of just stepping up and doing their very best to get through a bad situation (even though it may take many years). He and I would like to think that Americans are just as proud and strong now as our forefathers were when they struggled and persevered for our freedoms sake so long ago.

[epearson65]

CHOICES PART ONE:
I am not completely satisfied with how things are being handled in Iraq, and I know there are many people suffering as a result of Sep 11, but I feel that the people making decisions for our country (President Bush is not working alone in this endeavor) are doing the best they can under the circumstances just as a Democrat administration would. Unfortunately, we live in a country of ENTITLEMENTS where the masses want to be compensated for the imperfections in life. They want someone (anyone but them) to take the blame for their suffering, and to foot the bill. The fact is that many of the people without proper health coverage for illnesses resulting from Sep 11 would also not have had the proper health coverage if they had been diagnosed with terminal cancer that day, either. Workers compensation isn't a premium health care plan, it is a last resort. What happened to providing for ourselves, taking responsibility for our own actions and pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps when adversity hits? It is a struggle and people sometimes suffer, but that is what makes us (as a whole nation) stronger. There are people in America who CHOOSE to purchase brand new cars on credit instead of purchasing GOOD health care plans. There are people who CHOOSE to spend money partying and dont save for their childrens college.
CONTINUED IN POSTING BELOW.

[feelfree1]

epearson65,

More people would be able to afford health care, if we hadn't just wasted 2 trillion dollars ($2,000,000,000,000) on a disgraceful and self-defeating illegal war of aggression, for nothing.

[sparknurlife]

Just signed up to CBS NEWS...read all the comments on this story, and I would have to agree with jimibear. Holli, this isn't a personal attack on you, but where in the world is your compassion for your fellow AMERICANS? What if this were your husband, father or brother? How would you feel then?

[juliemd]

I am sick and tired of this administration and their complete lack of follow-up on domestic issues, whether it's the health of the brave first-responders in NYC or the state of the City of New Orleans after Katrina.

They are not doing the best they can, and I believe they really do not care about everyday men and women.

[epearson65]

feelfree1, Thanks so much for your opinion on healthcare costs, and I hope you'll consider the following:

Healthcare has been a volatile issue since before the war in Iraq, and even long before the present administration took office, so I fail to see how blaming President Bush applies here. Democrats and Republicans alike have failed to come up with solutions for decades because they can't come to a comprimise between ENTITLEMENT, CHOICE, and COST. AGREEMENT on how to implement a government sponsored initiative without SOCIALIZING healthcare seems to be the main roadblock to solving the healthcare issue....