Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Department of Justice Emails Description An account of the resource The Department of Justice received more than 11,000 e-mails in response to the agency's public solicitation for comments upon its plans to distribute the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 established by Congress to benefit the victims of September 11 and their families. These e-mails have been organized here by date. September 11 Email September 11 Email: Body The basic content, as unstructured text; sometimes containing a signature block at the end. Tuesday, March 12, 2002 8:21 AM Let us not become the infidels extemists would paint us to be. Mr. President: cc: "trustees" of the September 11 fund, paid for by ALL citizens John Ashcroft, Attorney General Let us not become the infidels extemists would paint us to be . . . This is a time to demonstrate our belief in true CIVIL equality and compassion, to demostrate how we follow the constitution above individual state laws, and not bend to religious views regarding biology or sin to encourage bigotry, discrimination and hate. First I want to say, even as a Democrat, that as far as any citizen is able to judge from the media, you have done an outstanding job as a leader during one the most difficult times ever for our country. I received a disturbing email (see below) and am appalled and angered that something like this could even be considered and was moved to correspond to ask for your leadership. The support and restoration intended by the Sept. 11th fund is a civil issue, and should not be influenced by different religious beliefs regarding biology. I am hopeful that you will continue your strong leadership and not allow bigotry and discrimination to taint the healing process or your excellent leadership thus far, by allowing denial of benefits to the partner of , hero of Flight 93, or any other domestic partners ~ straight or gay. I recently watched the film "The Laramie Project" and was moved to see that people in Laramie following the hate murder, like the silent majority of people in the U.S., are more tolerant than many would think. Most people in this country DO NOT begrudge gays and lesbians citizens, equal CIVIL rights and benefits. However, another lesson from that film is that the the preaching of different understandings and beliefs about biology, fear, hate, and the silence or inaction of others, does lead to discrimination and violence. Every time action is taken or not taken to stem the tide of equal CIVIL rights . . . . hatred and violence is encouraged. Please do not contribute to this through the misuse of a fund intended for healing. Please do not show more tolerance or understanding for non-citizens than you would for our own citizens who represent a strong 10% to 15% of the population. This country was founded on freedom of religion and different beliefs and equality for all citizens. Our constitution and bill of rights requires that our leaders see to it that there is a separation of church (differing views or morality, sin, biology) and state; that those with their own unique views of biology, religion or sin DO NOT prevent other citizens from sharing in ALL CIVIL benefits or to pursue life, liberty & happiness. I must admit that, unless your record and leadership on equal CIVIL rights regarding sexual orientation issues causes me to change my mind, for the first time in my voting life, at this time I anticipate I may be voting for Republican, George W. Bush in the next presidential election. But I cannot in good conscience vote for any leader who would, through action or inaction, encourage bigotry, blur the separation of church and state, or deny full CIVIL benefits to any of it's citizens. Please continue to provide the strong leadership you have shown in recent months and ensure that the families and domestic partners of EVERY PERSON who died as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks, regardless of age, sex, race, national origin, sexual orientation or current state laws, will be treated as equal citizens and receive equal benefits to help with their healing. Thank you. Individual Comment September 11 Email: Date The local time and date when the message was written. 2002-03-12 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource dojR000368.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. email Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-03-12