Rudy Under Fire From Firefighters Union

Relatives Of Firefighters Killed On 9/11 Attacks Claim Giuliani Was Unprepared For Attacks Aftermath

(CBS/AP)  Relatives of firefighters killed at the World Trade Center reproached Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani in a video, pairing footage of the falling twin towers with charges that the former New York mayor was woefully unprepared for Sept. 11.

The parents and siblings of some of the 343 firefighters killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks released the video with the International Association of Fire Fighters, which opposes Giuliani's candidacy.

Giuliani's campaign denounced the images, saying that the former mayor had a long history of supporting firefighters' health and safety and that the international union releasing the video only supports Democratic presidential candidates.

Fire union officials and family members, repeating claims they had made for months, charged Giuliani pushed for a faster cleanup of ground zero at the expense of finding remains, put an emergency center in a building that collapsed on Sept. 11 and failed to provide working radios for firefighters, making it impossible for them to learn the towers were on the verge of collapse.

"Virtually the whole thing goes back to him with the radios," Jim Riches, a deputy fire chief whose son was killed on Sept. 11, says in the video. "He's the guy on the top, and he's the guy you yell at.

"He takes the hit. And my son is dead because of it."

Giuliani's camp called the video a "mockumentary." Giuliani campaign spokesman Michael McKeon said the union leadership "makes Michael Moore look like Edward R. Murrow."

The documentary also claims that once some $200 million in gold bars (belonging to the Bank of Nova Scotia) had been recovered from the rubble, the order was suddenly given to remove firefighters from their efforts to recover the remains of fallen colleagues. It was a decision that has been among the most emotional of the disputes between some firefighters and the mayor, CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs reported.

Former New York firefighter Lee Ielpi, whose son died on Sept. 11, and former Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Richard Sheirer appeared at a news conference with McKeon, calling the video a "disgrace" and saying it is full of "half-truths."

Ielpi disputed claims made in the tape that workers searching for remains were pulled from the rubble, arguing that Giuliani allowed some workers to return. Similarly, Sheirer said it wasn't the radios that didn't work but rather a high-rise signal transmission system that didn't work in one of the towers but worked "perfectly" in the other tower, until it crashed to the ground.

"I was there. I saw it. I experienced it," said Ielpi, who worked at ground zero for the nine-month cleanup. "I'm not going to let lies like this go."

But the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Harold Schaitberger, said that Giuliani is opposed by firefighters on both sides of the aisle.

"Giuliani's biggest problem is that this video is a bipartisan condemnation of his record on 9/11," Schaitberger said.

The 13-minute video was being distributed to the union's 280,000 members, to the news media and online.

It includes statements from leaders of the city's two largest firefighter unions, who say Giuliani became rich and famous on his image as a post-Sept. 11 hero while ignoring firefighters' needs.

"This image of Rudy Giuliani as America's mayor, it's a myth," said Steve Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, which represents about 9,000 firefighters.

Cassidy said that his union supported George Bush in the last election and had supported George Pataki for governor of New York.

"It's not about Republicans, it's about this Republican," he said.

Peter Gorman, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, says in the video that Giuliani's image is more important to him than the needs of firefighters.

"He's making millions, tens of millions of dollars on the backs of my members, as far as I'm concerned," he says.

[huskerarmy]

We're the neo-cons. We love our firefighter, police and military heros. As long as they're on the job and healthy...

[huskerarmy]

... And not complaining about radios, armor, health care and trivial stuff like that.

[condumism]

The facade of "Rudy the Hero" won't go on much longer. As in any fascist society as is now the USA, the lies of the Corporate media always eventually get exposed. This leaves a Mormon Cult member as the new front runner for the 2008 GOP nomination. NOt even Southern hypocrits will be able to support a Mormon. Seems as though these Repuglicons are finally getting their due as the party with no direction, except to scare the hell out of their braindead base of fellow lying fools.

[briannorwood]

Please nominate Rudy. The guy has so many skeletons in his closet that by the time November rolls around, he'll be nothing but minced meat! He's a Democrat's dream candidate!

[pepperp1]

Woooh I saw it and it is powerful and breaks your heart all over again, it also reminded me of what I never liked about Rudy and the similarities I see with Bush, both men staking their own belief in their *** size on the backs and families of dead men serving the American People not their own courage or accomplishment. Rudy was hated before 911 he had just had his now 3rd wife evicted form the family home where his 2nd wife and children lived, even the liberal east NY %u2013 NJ had a problem with those arrogant in your face 2nd wife and kids family values.

I would count Rudy and McCain out and they will not recover Ron Paul is looking really good and Bloomberg still out there maybe

ANd you are not even hearing much about the organized crime ties yet....

[gunownerdan]

Rudy who?

Ron Paul is the MAN!

ronpaul2008.com

[rushlimpdrug]

Good to hear heroes speak up about those that ride on their backs.
Speaking up now BEFORE these scums get elected is important.

[bluestardad]

HE IS JUST ANOTHER FRAUD REPUBLICAN! STICK A FORK IN HIM HE AND HIS PARTY ARE DONE UNTIL WE ALL DIE OFF!

[zootallures2]

Radios? FEMA was there the day before and they put the thermite in a week before. Not just the firefighters, but they should have emptied and closed the towers before they even put in all the explosives.

[lawandorder7]

Boy, This is NOT what I heard then. Everyone was loving this guy.

[lawandorder7]

I have not heard from any heroes, all I hear is people that where not even there. Trying to rip a guy that did the best he could at the time. What the H-e-l-l would you have done? Monday Morning Quarterback. It is easy on Monday

[pepperp1]

HE IS JUST ANOTHER FRAUD REPUBLICAN! STICK A FORK IN HIM HE AND HIS PARTY ARE DONE UNTIL WE ALL DIE OFF!
Posted by bluestardad at 10:12 AM : Jul 12, 2007

agree,
Reminds me of what I never liked about Rudy strut and the similarities I see with the fraud dress up king in the flight suit Bush, both men staking their own belief in their *** size on the backs and families of dead men who truly sacrificed and served the American People instead of their own courage or accomplishment.

[gunownerdan]

How many million$ did Rudy make from the 9/11 tragedy?
Follow the money.

[condumism]

The facade of "Rudy the 9/11 Hero" won't go on much longer. As in any brainless society as is now the USA, the lies of the Corporate media are eventually exposed. This leaves a Mormon Cult member as the new front runner for the 2008 GOP nomination. Not even Southern hypocrits will be able to support a Mormon. Seems as though these Repuglicons are finally getting their due as the party with no direction, except to scare the hell out of their braindead base of lying, self-centered fools.

[infidel_us]

Anyone ever notice that all CBS does is rag on republicans? Every story about a republican just has to be "bad news."

Rudy Under Fire From Firefighters Union
McCain Meltdown Months In Coming
Republican Senator Hangin Wit Da Ho's
(ok, I made that one up)

Meantime, Edwards gets a HUGE puff piece for his "I'm taking a break from the campaign to go visit with teh poor." Because he cares!!!!

Please.....the bias is just unfathomable sometimes. Why can we not just get a fair shake? Where's the story about stellar deficit reduction????

[ioweign]

Anyone ever notice that all CBS does is rag on republicans? Every story about a republican just has to be "bad news."

Rudy Under Fire From Firefighters Union
McCain Meltdown Months In Coming
Republican Senator Hangin Wit Da Ho's
(ok, I made that one up)

Meantime, Edwards gets a HUGE puff piece for his "I'm taking a break from the campaign to go visit with teh poor." Because he cares!!!!

Please.....the bias is just unfathomable sometimes. Why can we not just get a fair shake? Where's the story about stellar deficit reduction????


Posted by infidel_us at 12:03 PM : Jul 12, 2007

It is just starting to catching up to them!

It is the tip of the iceberg.

[randalds]

Anyone ever notice that all CBS does is rag on republicans? Every story about a republican just has to be "bad news."

Posted by infidel_us at 12:03 PM : Jul 12, 2007

Because they're the ones who keep *** up, that's why. I mean when you go to the circus no one wonders why you're laughing at the clowns do they? Of course not, because they're the funny ones.

[homespunlady]

The NEOCONS are done.
They hijacked a perfectly dull acceptable party and turned it into a teenage boy's video wet dream.
STRIPPING social programs to FLAUNT wealth and power, strutting around like peacocks then inciting a world class peeing contest with the disenfranchised just to gain more wealth and power is not only immature but dangerous on a world ending scale.
Sorry neocons this is not a video game there is NO restart button if the "game" ends badly.
As for the Republican party - the only chance of ANY sort of recovery would be to do a 180 and run as fast from neocon crazies as they can.
A good start would be to REALLY LISTEN to the REAL CONSERVATIVE message Congressman Dr. Ron Paul is living. None of this smoke and mirrors, look at me, gime, gimme garbage; just straight MATURE, well considered reasoning and maybe just maybe a LITTLE of the ORIGINAL Republican Platform might shine through.
On the Democratic side, Obama seems to be getting the "Ron Paul treatment" - left out of the news no matter WHAT progress he makes and only derogatory or snide commentary if the people INSIST on hearing about him.
It's a shame if Rudy gets the nomination but rigged polls and controlled news outlets have already decided - the only choice there'll be is how FALSELY liberal will this sham race go and which NEW YORKER will we settle on.

[bareemperor]

Rudy got the gold, Bu$h recycled the crime scene...
New Yorkers got the poison.

[infidel_us]

Of course not, because they're the funny ones.
Posted by RandalDS at 12:29 PM : Jul 12, 2007

Unless you happen to be watching Cirque du Soleil - most synonymous with our politicians.....where they are all in the show.

The MSM just choses to push an agenda and single out th republicans. And they wonder why their ratings are plummiting.

[gunownerdan]

Rudy Who?
Ron Paul is the only truly conservative candidate.
ronpaul2008.com

[homespunlady]

FARTKNOCKER2 Unions have ALWAYS had political agendas clear back to their formation to protect the workers they represent. They are LEGALLY within their right to do so.
What's changed is the separation of Church and State. TAX FREE churches getting TAXPAYER DOLLARS and openly LOBBYING is against the intent of the Constitution. Of course as long as it's been Evangelical Christians controlling State policies too many people looked the other way or became defensive.
The Christians opened the door and set precedent for a potential Theocracy taking over. Now they're worried that that Theocracy might turn to Another Religion - Say Mormon or should I say it - Muslim?
The founding fathers were MUCH SMARTER they TRIED to put in place the means to avoid it but NO, one religion just HAD to get power hungry and ruin it for the rest.

[jonstorm-2009]

Because they're the ones who keep *** up, that's why. I mean when you go to the circus no one wonders why you're laughing at the clowns do they? Of course not, because they're the funny ones.
Posted by RandalDS at 12:29 PM : Jul 12, 2007


Randal, Love the analogy. Perfect. These people do not get it. Bush was handled with velvet gloves by the media leading all the way up to the war in Iraq and until Katrina.. Even then I long for the days of a media that understood what it takes to really uncover the crimes of the people who insist on such secrecy and clandestine operations... Oh well the ship will still sink, it is made up of greedy, self serving, hypocritical criminals is it not

And yes I was raised a Republican and voted for Reagan if anyone cares....

[long_rider]

For those who still refer to the GOP as republicans, get with the times, they are now called the American Communist Party, with the chimp and co-chimp as Directors.

The GOP we once knew dies about 6 1/2 years ago. The ACP has given the chimp the necessary tools to effectively do away with the constitution, and are still doing so.

The ACP is serving a much higher calling, that of the chimp, big business, large contributers. Since the electronic voting machines have been installed, they won't need our votes, they will just pay someone to fix it so their man wins the election.

ROVE FOR PRESIDENT IN 2008. WE WANT ROVE, WE WANT ROVE.

[gunownerdan]

Ron Paul verbally ************ Rudy Giuliani in the debates a few weeks back.
No wonder Dr. Ron Paul is doing so well on the internet even though the mass media will hardly mention his name!
ronpaul2008.com

[lars008-2009]

97-0 Vote for WAR with IRAN...

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seen looking for a spider hole...

hahahahahahahaha

Senate Shows Support In 97-0 Vote
Lieberman Leads Way In Warning To Iran
The Senate Wednesday put aside a growing schism over the conduct of the Iraq war and rallied around a strongly-worded warning to Iran authored by Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman.
http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-iran0712.artjul12,0,3251634.story
Al-Qaeda %u2018planning big British attack%u2019
AL-QAEDA leaders in Iraq are planning the first %u201Clarge-scale%u201D terrorist attacks on Britain and other western targets with the help of supporters in Iran, according to a leaked intelligence report.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1687360.ece
US warns against travel to Iran
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070531/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iran_5
'Military plan against Iran is ready'
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1181228588702&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
'Time running out for Iran strike'
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1183980036210&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
U.S. Navy sends third carrier to 5th fleet region
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20
070710/tpl-uk-usnavy-carrier-9562ed3.htm
l
Tunneling Near Iranian Nuclear Site Stirs Worry
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/08/AR2007070801307_pf.html

[starleo146]

Homespunlady I know, who am I, but I really like your posts as well I am getting a great list here of people who lay it out there and anyone with any sense at all (like me) can really appreciate what you say and what you say. Thanks and we do not have news any more only sound bites paid for by these d*a*m*n medication commercials.

[starleo146]

The unions have tried and tried to help this American worker and the Republicans are trying with all there might to destroy them. Look at what Ronald Reagan did to the traffic controllers. It takes money to fight for your rights believe me with these crooks trying to shoot you down. They know the democrats care about people so they go where the help is ,Republicans care about lobbyist and getting there agendas through, the h*e*l*l with the American people.Where would we be today and if the unions are so bad why do the Ceo's and management fight so hard to get rid of them so they can cheat you out of your workers rights.