FIRST RESPONDERS

Gentle Readers,

Earlier this evening my trusted friend DVR and I watched last night's Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Mr. Stewart has been calling attention to the First Responders Bill that is stalled in the Senate; it has passed through the House but can't make it through the Senate.

Then Jon Stewart had some actual First Responders on the show and they talked about the illnesses from which they are suffering and what many of their colleagues are going through - including death from cancer and respiratory illnesses. They said they had a First Responder friend whose nose actually fell off because of what he was subjected to working at Ground Zero. He had to have a prosthetic nose. One of the guys on the show died twice last year and was revived and has lived thus far, but how much longer?

Their illnesses are not covered by their health insurance because they are on the job injuries. So they get turned over to workman's comp, who fights them over paying their bills. They're losing their jobs because they can't work; one said he has lost his job and is getting 3/4 of his salary. He was told he was costing the NYPD too much money.

How dare the Senate adjourn for the holidays without passing this bill? This is the ultimate in callous behavior.

I don't know exactly what to do, but on Monday I'm going to call the offices of my senators and tell them I want this bill passed.

I hope you will do the same.

Police officers and firefighters and paramedics work on Christmas every year. Why shouldn't the Senate?

Explanation, please.

Infinities of love and gratitude to our First Responders,

Lola

WISH LIST XII

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Twelve million dollars to help the homeless
Eleven million dollars for homeless pets
Ten million dollars to stop slavery around the world
Nine million dollars to promote literacy
Eight million dollars for health insurance for those who don't have any
Seven million dollars for textbooks
Six million dollars for Habitat for Humanity
Five million dollars to feed the hungry
Four million dollars for the ACLU
Three million dollars for a greener world
Two million dollars for underpaid Wal-Mart workers
And a one million dollar prize for the person with the best idea to help humankind.


And after the twelve days were up and all the money had been distributed I sold my Birkin bags and Hermes scarves and every other worthless thing I had that was valuable to somebody else and I gave the money to my church to help people live in a world without end, Amen.


Idealistic? Yes. Impractical? Yes. But if we don't try, then who will? 

WISH LIST XI

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eleven days in London
Ten nights in Paris

Nine dozen books

Eight Birkin bags

Seven Hermes scarves

Six cuff bracelets

Johnny Depp, Beck, and George Clooney

Four landscapers

Three Maytag appliances

Two storm doors

And a handy man with no plumber butt.

WISH LIST X

 On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Ten nights in Paris
Nine dozen books
Eight Birkin bags
Seven Hermes scarves
Six cuff bracelets
Johnny Depp, Beck, and George Clooney
Four landscapers
Three Maytag appliances
Two storm doors
And a handy man with no plumber butt.

WISH LIST IX

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Nine dozen books
Eight Birkin bags
Seven Hermes scarves
Six cuff bracelets
Johnny Depp, Beck, and George Clooney
Four landscapers
Three Maytag appliances
Two storm doors
And a handy man with no plumber butt.

WISH LIST VIII

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eight Birkin bags
Seven Hermes scarves
Six cuff bracelets
Johnny Depp, Beck, and George Clooney
Four landscapers
Three Maytag appliances
Two storm doors
And a Handy Man with no plumber butt.

WISH LIST VII

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Seven Hermes scarves
Six cuff bracelets
Johnny Depp, Beck, and George Clooney
Four landscapers
Three Maytag appliances
Two storm doors
And a handy man with no plumber butt.