My dad, a firefighter, says Fire Fighter's Ass. support of Kerry is big

[SodoffBush]

He writes:

This fire fighter endorsement of Kerry is bigger than it looks. Before now you could count on 90% of firemen voting Republican. Due to Bush's cutting off all the "first responder" money he orignally proposed and his proposals to cut overtime pay, firemen are hot. Since 9-11 everyone likes firemen, and they will wield a lot of clout.

I just got our F. Dept union magazine. It had numerous pictures of firemen walking the picket lines in the Ca. grocery strikes. Union people tend to stick together.

I wonder how many terroist teachers will vote for the VI.


http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=132-09242003

"America's fire fighters will be on the front lines of the Kerry campaign across this nation in the coming weeks and months just as we are on the front lines everyday to protect the safety of all Americans. And now John, let me give you the first "Fire Fighters for Kerry" T-shirt. I assure you that the public will be seeing a lot more of these gold and black shirts as this campaign moves forward to secure your nomination and ultimate victory on Election Day."

and 2nd e-mail...

Don't sell the firemen in the country short just because of their small numbers. They will have an impact and will spend money for Kerry.

http://daily.iaff.org/030404press.htm

“We’re going to be aggressive and vocal in our efforts to ensure that the citizens of this country know about Bush’s poor record on protecting their safety and providing for the needs of the people who are supposed to respond in an emergency.”

About the International Association of Fire Fighters

The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, is the 16th largest union among the 64 national unions that makeup the AFL-CIO. The IAFF represents more than 263,000 full-time professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel who protect 80 percent of the nation’s population. More than 2,900 affiliates and their members protect nearly 6,000 communities in every state in the Unites States and every province in Canada.

[RichV]

1. Outstanding!

Bless all those brave firefighters who are on the front lines for us every single day. We couldn't be happier to have them on our side.

[Stephanie]

2. This is great news.

Thanks for posting it.

[jburton]

3. Who hates Firefighters?

I mean, other than the *Administration, who could possibly be "against" Firefighters?

When I worked for a "moderate to liberal" state referendum we were endorsed by the firefighters and the effect was HUGE!

Our polling showed that the undecided voters who didn't know much about our referendum were much more likely to vote for us when they learned of the endorsement.

Also, the firefighters were an amazing group of volunteers. Delivering yard signs, phonebanking, etc. Just a great bunch of folks.

[sandnsea]

4. Tell your dad THANK YOU!!!

We know how we won Iowa. Firefighters and vets. Saving the country again!

[Jane Austin]

5. Firefighters

I have enormous love and respect for firefighters.

Before our home of 27 years burned down, I pretty much took them for granted. Never again.

Not only did they do everything possible to save our house (which was too far gone to be saved), but once the firefighting was in full swing, the second wave went in and pulled out our photographs, scrapbooks, furniture, Best in Show trophies and everything else that looked like it had any value.

When I found out they'd saved our boxes and boxes of photographs, I nearly collapsed in gratitude. Most were in boxes in an upstairs rear hallway, near where the fire did the most damage. It had to be dark, smokey, hot and confusing back there, and they got them out to the front veranda and to safety.

When people asked me what they could do for us, I told them there were two things: First, send a donation to your local Firemen's Fund, and Second, go get your photo albums and boxes, and put them near an exterior door so no fireman will ever have to risk his or her life trying to save your pictures!

Our friends in the Golden Retriever world sent not only donations, but dozens of tins of homade cookies, cakes and candy, and as I delivered them to the 11 firehouses that responded to our fire, I thanked the firefighters from the bottom of my heart.

Never have I met people of such modesty, sense of duty and honor as those firefighters. They didn't expect to be thanked and were even a little embarrassed by it.

They all said they were sorry they couldn't save our home, and that it was just their job and so forth.

Firefighters are absolutely tops in my book, and I am honored that we are on the same side in this campaign.

[rumguy]

6. great story

and great advice!

[Jane Austin]

7. Thanks

Thanks, and it really would make me feel happy if some readers
for a fact did move their family photos nearer the exits.  :)

[opihimoimoi]

8. This old fart gonna work hard for Kerry against the Bush guys/

Most of my retired FF buddies and I are gonna bust our buns for JohnK. Once a Dean Fan, now a Kerry Man.

[juajen]

10. Wonderful, brave men and women who put their lives on the line for ours

Whenever you get a chance, push for pay raises for all fireman and policeman. They are so vital to our society I cannot understand why they are so poorly paid. This should change.

[historian]

9. are they going out in force??

I think firefighters and the relatives of the victims should camp outside the white house and demand satisfaction that buhsie is refusing to divulge. What would bushies do - crack a relatives head? Theywont know what hit them

[playahata1]

20. Remember the "Bonus Army" during Hoover's term?

The "Bonus Army" were homeless and other destitute World War I veterans who marched on Washington during the Great Depression to call for a bonus and other benefits that were promised but not delivered. They marched on the Capitol and the White House, and they eventually built a shantytown, a tent city, if you will, saying that they would stay there until their demands were met. To make a long story short, Hoover turned the military on the veterans: several were killed, many injured, and their camp destroyed.

I would not put it past Bushco if that were to happen to the firemen, too, should they ever become a modern-day Bonus Army.

[cmd]

11. It's true

My husband is a retired firechief. I was making phone calls for Kerry before the Ohio primary. One of the firefighters I called went out of his way to tell my husband how much he appreciated my call and that the union support is very strong.

edited for wrong tense of verb

[latebloomer]

12. I was telling my little daughter

"Not everybody likes the police. But EVERYBODY likes firefighters!"

When my son was 2, he used the term "firefire" (firefighter) as a synonym for "good person." "Bay" meant "bad". When my daughter was a newborn in the hospital Matt pronounced the cleaning lady, who was very kind, a "Firefire." The doctor, far colder, was "bay."

[phillybri]

13. My dad was a firefighter for 30 years....

A lot of his old buddies are seeing the same momentum for Kerry that your dad is seeing.

Awesome sign of things to come!!!

[seabeyond]

14. my firefighter story of love

since my oldest was about two i would have him work on being vocal and interactive with yes, strangers, grin. and i chose policemen we would see walking into convenient stores. the first couple my son would boldly say hello too, didnt break a smile or interact and i would tell little one, just an adult that isnt a kid person. but firemen. oh we love the firemen. they are at grocery store often, and we walk by the truck and they would always grab boys and put them in truck. and all would chat. we walk in, and my youngest now have had such fun in conversation about what they are cooking. these men always take the time to interact with my boys, a wonderful example of grace and heroism. we talk firemen often, the true hero's of our world along with daddy and grandparents, grin

there was also the time my baby stopped breathing, firemen where there the quickest and took over in such confidence and care

beautiful my firemen are and such a contribution to the good in our society

i honor them, as do my boys, always

[Kathy in Cambridge]

15. My father is a former firefighter and was active in the union

he said that most firefighters voted Democratic, whereas the police tended to be Republican. He runs a small credit union where he interacts daily with cops and firefighters, and says that they all without exception HATE Bush.

[blm]

19. The only other Dem voter in my family of 11 brothers and sisters is my

fire fighter brother.

And he works actively with his union in Ohio.

I think they will be key to winning Ohio.

[BabsSong]

16. NYC Convention - has anybody heard anything about whether

firefighters and police will stage any kind of demonstrations?? That would be the best, greatest statement in the world. The NYC firefighters and police were the photo op darlings of these slime ball republicans who then turned around and slit their throats. Remember this administration lied to these guys about the air at ground Zero, too. I just would like to know if there are plans to shove it to Bush at the convention. I imagine Bloomberg would fire anyone; but then they just all have to stand together in one big protest.

[davsand]

17. Bush using 9/11 in his ads will hurt him a lot with any first responders.

How would YOU feel after the deaths of so many of your brothers and sisters on 9/11 only see it used later in an advertisement for political gain? No wonder the Fire Fighters are motivated. I would be too.

As has been pointed out upthread, this admin has done nothing to help our first responders and everything to hurt them. We sit on here and speculate on LIHOP or MIHOP--and either case means those guys all died in the line of duty fighting a disaster that could have been avoided. I still weep when I remember the tapes of the collapse and think of those guys running INTO it. You know the firefighters think about it too...

Our local fire fighters' union has been just wonderful this year in the primary. I had a great laugh when we were discussing getting yard signs out and the FF local President kinda smiled and said, "We'll do it--there aren't many addresses we can't find."

Pax.

Laura

[Ksec]

18. Firefighters ass supports Kerry?

Sorry. Im in a silly mood and when I first read yer title thats what I thought it said.

I am so happy to hear that these guys are on our side. Go Kerry !