Jersey Girls Who Emerged After 9/11 Stay Activists
The four stay-at-home moms who lived relatively carefree lives in suburban Monmouth County became some of the most visible faces of the families of the dead and their main cause at the time: pushing the federal government to study the attacks — whether there was intelligence that could have prevented them, and whether the response once they began was adequate.
Hacking the Saudis
Breathlessly, six members of Congress have requested that the FBI investigate the “outrageous” allegations that News Corp might have hacked into the cell phones of 9/11 victims and their families. Lickety split, the Justice Department has done so. First off, does it surprise me that a corporation like News Corp. might try to hack into […]
9/11 Widows Shun Spotlight As 10th Anniversary Approaches
For a long time, the Jersey girls were among the most outspoken people on the attacks. The four banded together and, in the face of official intransigence, campaigned with other victims’ relatives to set up the 9/11 commission. They later pressured it to conduct a credible investigation. Looking back, however, both Breitweiser and Van Auken believe their huge battle to get the commission up and running left too much undone. After fighting so hard to get it set up, they became some of its fiercest critics.
Kristen Breitweiser: Today Is Not a Day of Celebration for Me
When my husband was killed on the morning of 9/11, television stations around the world ran split-screen video. They showed the buildings still burning juxtaposed against young Arabs celebrating in the streets. That disturbing vision left me incredulous; it was forever emblazoned on my psyche. Ten years later, now fully awake in the bright sunlight of the day, when I contemplate the definition of victory for our country when it comes to the death of Osama bin Laden, I can only think about the damage that has been done.
Kristen Breitweiser: The Sad Defeat of Our Constitution
To me, as a lawyer and a 9/11 widow, DOJ’s announcement today acknowledges the sad defeat of our U.S. Constitution when it comes to 9/11. How truly tragic in my eyes. And you would think that a man who was once a constitutional law professor might feel the same way. Yet, not so much for President Barack Obama who has chosen this great day to announce his billion-dollar campaign for re-election. His slogan asking us to “join in” by writing him a check.