Good Wednesday morning. Here’s a glance at opinion content published today:
Sept. 11: Commentary
John Leonard, a Nanuet resident and a New York City Fire Department lieutenant who responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, offers a community view on the way responders have been treated over the 10 years since the attacks. Leonard has been diagnosed with severe acid reflux and airway disease, which has been classified as 9/11-related. He writes:
It may be 10 years later, but for those who lost love ones on 9/11, the pain and sad memories will never cease. Who would have ever thought that a simple kiss goodbye that morning would be the last one shared between two people? Not only would so many people lose their lives this day, but many more would succumb in the days and years that followed.It became a different world for everyone.
For the “first responders,” what they saw and what they did in the aftermath of 9/11 are etched in their minds forever. Search and rescue quickly became a search and recovery. It was realized early on that no one was going survive the crushing impact. Police and firefighters kept digging, looking, recovering and searching around Ground Zero to help grieving families have something — a decent wake, funeral and burial — to help provide closure.It bothered first responders deeply that their fellow firefighters and police officers were never going to be found. Many of us showed signs and symptoms of depression as time went on. …
Hospital Safety: In Reply
Jon B. Schandler, president and chief executive officer of White Plains Hospital, and Michael Palumbo, its chief medical officer, reply to a Monday report on hospital safety data.
More opinion
Pushing for a cleaner sound: Editorial, Newsday
2 years of dwell time for soldiers long overdue: Editorial, Army Times
Irene response must be in sync: Editorial, Poughkeepsie Journal
Enough blame for everyone: Editorial, The Buffalo News
Schneiderman deserves more time to investigate banks: Editorial, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Irene leaves a flood of issues: Editorial, Albany Times Union
