Letters
A Name and a Prayer
Thanks for "In the Aftermath" in the January/February issue. It was a kind and insightful look into the lives of the faithful union members whose job it was (sometimes literally) to pick up the pieces after the massacre. Obviously my own story was only a small part of the big picture. I was especially touched by Edith Cruz's story and the loss of her daughter.
Working at Ground Zero for over six months now, I have been able to suspend reality in order to do what needed to be done. But after reading about Edith's tragedy, I felt her pain and lost control of my emotions. I know I am privileged to be working on this recovery effort. I also know I'll be here until the end, which means until the slurry (foundation) wall is secured and not a speck of dust remains in that 16-acre hole.
And I know that someday I will look back and wonder why I volunteered for this detail and put myself through this tremendously emotional and physically draining rescue-and-recovery experience. The answer is simple: I did it because Edith Cruz's daughter, Angela Rosario, needed someone to descend into that seven-story pit, whisper her name and say a prayer. It was the least I could do.
Ron Vega
Local 375 (DC 37)
New York City
Mychal & Michael: Setting the Record Straight
The November/December 2001 issue carried a very lovely article on Father Mychal Judge. He was a wonderful person and priest and will be sorely missed. However, I must take exception with the paragraph about how he stepped in to care for the cousin of a paralyzed officer who was "disowned" by his family.
I'm quite sure you are referring to Officer Steven McDonald and his cousin, Michael. Father Mychal was wonderful to both men in their hours of need, but in no way did Michael's family disown him. They were understandably devastated and hurt, but they visited Michael in the hospital and honored him with a touching funeral mass, presided over by Father Mychal. Father did spend many hours with Michael, for which the family will always be grateful, and some of its members stayed in touch with Father until his untimely end.
Barbara McDonald
CSEA Retiree Chapter 1000
Seaford, N.Y.
'Credit the GOP'
I just read "Architects of Victory" in the January/February issue. It cites the Congressional Accountability Act (CCA). Let's give credit where credit is due: The newly elected Republican Congress passed the CCA as part of the "Contract with America," which many demonized with the misnomer of "Contract on America." If not for the courage of congressional Republicans, standing up against career politicians, we would still have Congress passing laws for us and exempting themselves from them. It is time we, as a union, start looking at the damage the Democrats have done to us. That is best illustrated by what's going on in Congress right now. Republicans want to put more people to work by giving capital-gains tax cuts, whereas Democrats would rather extend unemployment benefits, keeping us dependent on the government.
Douglas Aitkenhead
Union Representative
Local 2465
Henryetta, Okla.
Don't Support Arctic Drilling
I am shocked and confused by newspaper articles reporting that President Bush has found union allies in his effort to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Not this union member and — I trust — not my union!
AFSCME should oppose the exploitation and destruction of public lands for private profit. Let us not go down in the history books as having wiped out the caribou and the other wild animals and plants of the Arctic refuge.
Margaret S. Vernallis
Retiree Chapter 36
Sepulveda, Calif.
Don't Puff Up Big Mac!
The last place I expected to see free advertising for Big Macs and McDonald's was in our union magazine [Across the Nation item, "Deserving a Break — and Getting It Everyday!" January/February 2002]. Besides being non-union, McDonald's has contributed to many anti-labor causes over the years. As a good union member, I don't eat there, and neither does my family. Please think before you put another article like this in Public Employee.
Jim Prola
Local 2019 (Council 57)
San Leandro, Calif.
TO OUR READERS
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