Among Firefighters in New York, Giuliani Is Both Hailed and Hated

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/17/us/politics/17firefighters.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Among Firefighters in New York, Giuliani Is Both Hailed and Hated

By MICHAEL WILSON
Published: June 17, 2007

Their images are permanently etched in photographs after the fall of the World Trade Center towers, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and firefighters cloaked in the same gray dust. For months afterward, they stood together at funerals. Mr. Giuliani, in his eulogy, always asked for a round of applause to celebrate the dead firefighter’s life.

It would be easy to assume, then, that Mr. Giuliani can count on the support of the 11,000 men and women of the New York City Fire Department as he runs for president. But that would not be entirely true.

Interviews with more than 50 firefighters and department officers show a mix of admiration and disdain for the former mayor. Many firefighters praise his years in office, citing his success in reducing crime and his leadership after the terrorist attacks. Others harbor a resentment for what they describe as his poor treatment of the department before and after Sept. 11.

Some still speak bitterly about a contract that left firefighters without a raise for two years. Some also say Mr. Giuliani has exaggerated the role he played after the terrorist attacks, casting himself as a hero for political gain. The harshest sentiments stem from Mr. Giuliani’s decision nearly two months after 9/11 to reduce the number of firefighters who were allowed to search for colleagues in the rubble — a move that he partially reversed but that still infuriates many firefighters.

As his candidacy proceeds, Mr. Giuliani’s work on and after Sept. 11, his greatest strength in the eyes of many voters, will be scrutinized. The firefighters’ interviews indicate that in New York, at least, a critical evaluation has begun.

“I think they assume that we all love him,” said Robert Keys, 48, a battalion chief and 25-year department veteran, referring to people outside New York. “He wound up with this ‘America’s Mayor’ image. Those of us who had to deal with him before and after 9/11 don’t share that same sentiment.”

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[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. "Mr 9/11"

you do get Republican firefighters, you know?

No one should love Giuliani

[tired_old_fireman]

2. He didn't give firefighters the communications equipment they needed before 9/11.

How many firefighters died on 9/11 because they couldn't get the order to get out of the buildings?

Then, he allowed the rescue workers to breathe in fumes and dust that are now killing them.

Is there any other American directly responsible for the deaths of more American firefighters than Rudy Giuliani? Hero, my ass. He should be in prison.

[babylonsister]

3. Prison sounds too good, and welcome to DU, tired_old_fireman!

:hi:

[newyawker99]

4. Hi fired_old_fireman!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: