It's in reference to the 9/11 First Responder bill-- many of these heroes who were first to the scene on Ground Zero are now suffering from cancer, respiratory illness, and a host of other health issues due to their work trying to rescue people from the rubble. They were exposed to a variety of toxins and are now fighting for their lives. The bill would grant funds to help treat them. No-brainer, right?
Well, for some reason the Republicans have thrown these guys under the bus (don't pay for their health care! That's durn Commooonizzum!) and they tried to block this great piece of legislation. And it looked like they were going to succeed! Opposition to their obstructionist tactics seemed lacking... until...!
Stewart for President in 2016
John Stewart to the rescue!
from AMERICAblog:
"Many are crediting TV comedian Jon Stewart with shaming Republicans in Congress to stop blocking passage of the 9/11 first-responders health bill. It didn't have to be that way. Why did we need Jon Stewart at all? Isn't it obvious to anyone - even those of you who don't work in PR, and have nothing to do with politics - that blocking health benefits to the people who put their lives on the line on 9/11 just might be a political loser.
I'm glad that Jon Stewart invited the first responders to his show, and apparently the public pressure forced the GOP to relent, but why didn't the President invite the first responders to the White House? He was willing to have a beer summit with an irrelevant cop, why not invite the heroes of 9/11 too?"
Why does it take comedians and troublemakers like Dan Choi and myself to force our leaders into action? Thankfully, we're ready to do it and are even HAPPY to do it, but wouldn't it be nice if our elected leaders were troublemakers themselves?
[AMERICAblog]
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