Interesting story, the 9/11 widows.

[MONOLITH]

Interesting article on the 9/11 widows. Some sad stories for sure, it highlights both sides; the tragedies and sadness, but also some of the points Ann Coulter was making.




"Kathy Trant made national news headlines when her spending spree turned her into a celebrity. An attractive blonde, she has reportedly spent $5 million in the past five years, including £300,000 on designer shoes, £1,000 on Botox injections for friends and thousands of dollars on breast enlargement surgery.

Some, vilified by the public, would even receive a cash windfall which attracted others' husbands.  When Madeleine Bergin's husband, John, died in the 9/11 attack, she became a fireman's widow. She received a million-dollar payout, and married her liaison officer and John's best friend in the fire service, Jerry Koenig, who left his wife, Mary, for her after ten years of marriage. Mary believes that Madeleine's payout was part of the attraction for her philandering ex-husband. 'I don't know when it [the relationship] started, but three weeks after 9/11 the signs were there,' she says. 'So I'm going to assume it happened almost immediately.' Mary, who lives alone on the farm that she and her husband were decorating as their dream home, adds: 'In a sense I would say she "bought" him. And if I had $5million, I think I could do a little better than him.' "

"The real point that all of these people seem to miss is that the Federal Government has no right or authority under the Constitution to reach into my wallet for money to give them in the first place. They have no more right to be "compensated" for the loss of their loved ones than my wife would have if I were killed in a car wreck on my way to work this morning. If that were to happen, I have bought enough life insurance to take care of her, and I have a will and other legal instructions to insure that my wishes are known and will be respected. Lack of personal responsibility does not entitle anyone to a million dollar handout from the government, which can only get it by taking it from someone else. Ann Coulter nailed this issue.

- Davis, Orlando, FL"



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=403840&in_page_id=1879&in_a_source=

[Dr.Jeckyl]

$ does breed change.

[MONOLITH]

Apparantly in breast size.    :wink: :tongue:



It is pretty sad though. Not the botox women or the husband stealer, but the rest of them.
I can ralate to the whole 'family turns' on you after something like this.

The dark side of human nature.

[Aramis]

Weird. I just had a friend send me this article this morning. Must be making the rounds. I thought it was interesting, but kind of a sad display of how people can be to each other when money is involved.

I also kind of think the payoff scheme was messed up- how would it feel to you if they said that your spouse is "worth" $5 million and mine is $10 million? I think they should have just settled with everyone evenly.

...weird story, and a depressing one.

[MONOLITH]

I also kind of think the payoff scheme was messed up- how would it feel to you if they said that your spouse is "worth" $5 million and mine is $10 million? I think they should have just settled with everyone evenly.

.

But realistically, it has to be that way. The dollar amount is based largely on how much income the individual would most likely have generated for the family during his remaining lifetime.

So, if you and Bill Gates were both killed, Mrs Gates would most likey recieve a bigger settlement, to equal the status of life she is accustomed to, and would have had continue.

My problem with the whole thing, is I don't see 9/11 is anyone's fault except the terrorists. I don't see where there should be any payout at all, beyind whatever life insurance they had.

It's one thing if the wing fell off the plane because the airline clearly had a faulty mechanical/maintenance program, and willingly put people in jeopardy. Sure, then punish them.

But to make people milionaires because their spouse was killed by a crazy foreigner, I don't get.

If I'm killed tomorrow in a car crash, the government isn't going to award my wife $7 million dollars. If the other car is driven by a radical muslim, will she get one then?