Jon Stewart has distinguished himself repeatedly now as an amazing media watchdog. Consistently calling bullshit where bullshit exists in abundance.
He, and his team on The Daily Show did arguably their finest work last night.
Once again tackling the topic of the failure of the Senate to pass the 9/11 First Responders Bill he shamed all the networks for their lackadaisical coverage of the story. It seems the only network that took much notice was Al Jazeera, or as Jon characterized it: "The network Osama Bin Laden sends his mix tapes to!"
He took particularly sharp focus of course at Fox News, aka as he puts it: "The nation's #1 source of 9/11-based outrage."
Where is Fox News' populous outrage for the working man, Joe the EMT?
Then Stewart did what no other network or newsman has done: seated a panel of 9/11 First Responders to discuss their experiences coping with the health problems, the workman's compensation issues, insurance and disabilities. And what relief the bill could provide.
Stewart mercilessly mocked the Senate. He showed clips of Mitch McConnell crying on the Senate floor over the retirement of NH Senator Judd Gregg. "He did work with the guy for six years."
Stewart moved on to Senator Jon Kyl's complaints about having to work extra hours in the session, summarizing it as: "[Kyl's] basically saying, I can't stay here and work between Christmas and New Year's because that would be disrespecting Christians and his family." A fireman responded:
"It just goes to show the disconnect between those we elect to represent us and those who get out there to do the work. Because I'm here to say you won't find a single New York City fireman who considers it a sign of disrespect to work in a New York City Firehouse on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day."
He moves on to ask the men if the firehouse first needed to reach a super-majority vote before deciding to rush into the blazing wreckage of the Twin Towers and what compromises first needed to be struck so they would move to respond?
He then brings on Fox News personality Mike Huckabee. He says "What's up with that? I know you guys can gin up the outrage, you did on the Mosque, but I don't see it on this?"
Huckabee tries to dodge, pointing the finger at the other networks where he does not draw a paycheck. But ultimately, to Huckabee's credit (a man I have zero affection for) he does make a simple declarative statement that every Republican should vote for the 9/11 Bill.
I was NYC on 9/11, and I remember well those days after the attack. How we all wandered around shellshocked at the horror. We lost over 300 fireman that day. It still chocks me up to think of it.
I remember how in the weeks that followed when fire trucks or ambulances would pass by, New Yorkers would stop and clap, and cheer. It made us feel just a little better to show our support and gratitude. And we hoped it could provide a measure of solace to those men and women who had suffered truly unimaginable losses.
Nine years later, they need our comfort and support more than ever. And our country failed them.
And I feel our country has failed.
I thank Jon Stewart and the Daily Show for not failing them.
I thank too, my Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand for introducing and fighting for this bill. She made an emotional plea on the Senate floor for the votes last week, she said:
"And now, nine years later this body cannot come together to do what's right? This is the clearest example of right versus wrong that I have seen in this body." (Video here.)
With word coming out yesterday that Susan Collins supports the bill, there may be hope for our First Responders yet.
Maybe if we could gin up half as much outrage over abandoning our heroes, as we saw over the adjacent Mosque?
Update: BruinKid has typed the transcript. Thank you!
Update 2: From Senator Gillibrand's office:
AS MOMENTUM FOR 9/11 HEALTH BILL GROWS, GILLIBRAND AIMING FOR A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
Gillibrand: 9/11 Heroes Deserve An Up Or Down Vote
Washington, DC –Momentum for the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act continues to grow, as Majority Leader Reid announced his intentions to bring the bill to another vote and Republican leaders, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Governor Mike Huckabee, announced their support for the bill. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:
"I'm aiming for a Christmas miracle that would fulfill our moral obligation to these heroes before the end of the year.
"Due to the tireless effort of so many first responders and survivors, after nine long years we are close to fulfilling our duty to the 9/11 heroes, but we still have a lot of work to do.
"Senator Reid, who intends to bring this issue up for another vote, has been a courageous fighter on behalf of the heroes of 9/11 and their families. I am grateful for his efforts.
"I urge my Republican colleagues to end the filibuster, engage in an open and respectful debate, and let each senator decide for themselves whether the heroes and victims of September 11th deserve quality health treatment and appropriate compensation for their tremendous loss and sacrifice. The 9/11 heroes deserve an up or down vote."
So let's all pray for the Republican party to grow a heart and feel some shame. That would be a Christmas miracle indeed.
Update 3: Good news coming out of the New York Daily News:
"At first we were insulted, but in hindsight, we're flattered," 9/11 advocate John Feal said. "We can look past this because we believe Sen. Collins will support our bill.
"Both her and [Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa] Murkowski's office said to us, 'If your bill goes on the floor next week, it will pass,' " Feal said.
That was good enough for him.
A spokesman for Collins confirmed a staffer alerted police after they got a letter from Feal on Wednesday, warning that responders planned to sit in at Senate offices until they got answers or police hauled them away.
The spokesman insisted Collins was never worried, and would never prevent responders from visiting. The call was standard procedure, he said.
Collins even offered her strongest support yet for the bill after staffers met Feal and the others.
"I support the 9/11 health bill on the merits, and I have talked with Sen. [Kirsten] Gillibrand about the need for legitimate ways of offsetting its cost," she said of the $7.4 billion measure.
"If the majority leader [Sen. Harry Reid] were to bring the bill to the floor with appropriate offsets, I would support [it]," she said. Republicans oppose the bill's plan to raise funds by closing tax loopholes on foreign companies that funnel profits through third parties. They see that as a tax on firms that create jobs in America.
Update 4: Senator Gillibrand takes the fight to the belly of the beast, appearing on Fox News, link is here. (Grr, Kos won't let me embed!)