Find Out Those 'Who Failed Us'

by Jennifer Gould and Frankie Edozien
The New York Post
April 1, 2003
http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/72444.htm

 

A federal commission began its investigation of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks yesterday by listening to survivors, rescue workers, politicians and relatives of the dead urging members to "point fingers" to prevent future atrocities.

"I think this commission should point fingers. I'm not suggesting that you find scapegoats, but there were people - people in responsible positions - who failed us," said Stephen Push, whose wife, Lisa Raines, was aboard American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon.

Mary Fetchet played a recording of her son Brad's telephone call from the World Trade Center's south tower.

Fetchet said the 24-year-old equity trader had been told it was safe to remain in his office. She said she wants to know "what were the failures and who was accountable."

Harry Waizer, a Cantor Fitzgerald survivor who was inside a north tower elevator when the first plane struck, said government reports are often ignored when they're released.

In a quiet, raspy voice - the result of inhaling burning jet fuel - Waizer said he hoped his story helped people remember.

"My hope is that by speaking today, I am putting a human face on the tragedy," he said.

Mindy Kleinberg, whose husband died at the trade center, wanted to know why many of the terrorists were allowed to enter the country despite inadequate visa applications.

Meanwhile, Mayor Bloomberg flew to Washington yesterday to press his case for more money for security in New York.

Among those he met with were members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

The mayor wants appropriation formulas to be based on potential security threats. Currently they're based on population.

"Every meeting we've had so far has been encouraging [but] we will not know until the budget passes," said Ed Skyler, the mayor's press secretary.

Copyright 2003 NYP Holdings, Inc.


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