Former EPA Chief Refuses to Testify on Post-9/11 Air Quality

ABC's The Blotter has the goods

Christine Todd Whitman, the former administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency, has refused to testify before a congressional subcommittee, regarding the government's handling of the air quality at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 attacks.

In refusing to testify, Whitman's attorney cited that the former New Jersey governor is named as a defendant in two lawsuits involving her statements on air quality following the attacks.

Her attorney, Joel Kobert, also said in a letter to the subcommittee that Whitman "would be unlikely to assist the Subcommittee on this subject" because she is not a lawyer.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., the chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, said today he will continue to "strongly urge her to cooperate" and to appear at the hearing. He added he hoped he would not have to resort to the "compulsory process."

"I would strongly urge the Administration to encourage her appearance, given her absolutely central role in these matters, so that the American people may finally hear her direct answers to lingering, unanswered questions about the federal government's failed response to the environmental aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks," said Rep. Nadler.

On Sept. 18, 2001, then-EPA head Whitman released a statement declaring the results from air monitoring tests in New York showed "their air is safe to breathe."

Almost two years later, the EPA's inspector general released a report concluding the EPA's assurances were based on preliminary test results. The report also said that EPA press releases were softened under pressure from the White House.

Since then, multiple studies have documented health problems amongst 9/11 emergency responders and workers. One study released last year by Mount Sinai Hospital in New York showed more than 70 percent of Ground Zero workers suffered health ailments or severe respiratory problems.

An appeals court ruled last month that one of the lawsuit's against Whitman, brought by a small number of government employees, could not go forward because the EPA chief could not be held constitutionally liable for her statements in the wake of the disaster.

"Officials might default to silence in the face of the public's urgent need for information," warned Judge Dennis Jacobs.

That recent ruling may also affect a class-action suit that has been brought against Whitman by residents of lower Manhattan.

Glenn Beck

right now. did Bush know? I just walked in at the end. (OT)

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

If Glenn Beck

just said that, in relation to 9/11, then we know that something has changed at a very fundamental level, if that puppet is questioning. Maybe things are fracturing.. it's said that Bush doesn't even run the government any more, and that various areas of the government are just doing their own thing, even running contrary to his policy decisions. The whole thing is just one big mess. And Beck, as corny and as dumb as he is, is part of that mess, that insanity.
____________________________
On the 11th day, of every month.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q9nRs8cu5Y&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftruthaction...

He said it

in that are-they-nuts sort of way, but I only caught the end. He had a guest. It was near the 1/2 hr mark. (edit) You know what I thought was strange was Monday after Rosie went off again. Not a peep out of Beck or any of the FOX talking heads.

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.

Ah the day when the Becks and O'Reillys

of the world, are seen for the raving MANIACS that they really are.

I think that day is upon us! ;-)
____________________________
On the 11th day, of every month.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q9nRs8cu5Y&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftruthaction...

Mr. Beck

Has Glenn consulted with Danny Bonaduce?

I thought...

...that they were lovers.

--
"But truthfully, I don't really know. We've had trouble getting a handle on Building No. 7."
~~ Dr. Shyam Sunder - Acting Director Building and Fire Research Laboratory (NIST)

Job

It's a full time job trying to comprehend the evil of these people.

Exactly....

I, too, have disgust fatigue.

These people are soulless robots. Unfortunately, they also presently control the most powerful surveillence/police/prison/war machine in the history of the world.

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion.........

Huh?

"The report also said that EPA press releases were softened under pressure from the White House."

Whuh? The White House? No sh_t. You're telling me that the Bush Administration pressured the EPA to say that the "air was safe to breathe, and the water was safe to drink", and now all those people are sick, and dying, and not getting proper medical treatment to boot? The heroes of 9/11?

Man, that is some f'd up sh_t. They should be held accountable for something like that. That's like murder in the 2nd degree.

It kinda makes me think they are capable of murdering 2,973+ people.


It's Not The Crime That Kills You, But The Cover-Up

Yes, the White House

Yet further proof of their 'incompetence', wouldn't you say? I mean, I can't see any other possible explanation. Everyone knows they're not competent enough to intentionally jeopardize the lives and health of thousands of rescue workers--so incompetence must be the explanation once again!

From John Feal...

9/11 First Responder and President of the FealGoodFoundation...

Christie Todd Whitman should spend the rest of her life in jail. Her moral compass was pointing in the wrong direction when she took orders from the White House. She had a choice, and she chose to let innocent people get sick because of the almighty dollar. Shame on her, the White House and Congress for not moving fast enough to save human life. We call ourselves Americans, I call ourselves sad when our govt fails us at every level.


It's Not The Crime That Kills You, But The Cover-Up