http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/083109dnmetholiday.3c603f8.html

By WENDY HUNDLEY / The Dallas Morning News
whundley@dallasnews.com

A new state law makes Sept. 11 a holiday for firefighters. But some don't know about it and might not be able to skip work that day anyway.

"I'm not aware of one," Ernest Gurule, a spokesman for Dallas Fire-Rescue, said of the statewide holiday commemorating firefighters' sacrifices during the 2001 terrorist attacks.

"I had no idea it had been voted on," said Chris Sweet, treasurer and past president of the Lewisville Firefighters Association.

While the new law hasn't received much publicity, "it's something I wanted to do to honor firefighters," said Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, who authored the law that takes effect Sept. 1.

In the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, 343 New York firefighters and paramedics were killed. A total of 60 New York and Port Authority police officers also died.

On our way to an investigation!

Dear activists, colleagues and friends,

We are beyond thrilled to announce that as a result of your efforts on The REAL Rudy: Radios, Councilman Eric Gioia has committed to "do everything in my power to get answers, to get the truth. There needs to be accountability."

Never say never! We worked, we investigated, we fought, and now we're well on our way to an investigation. Councilman Gioia was so taken with the video and all of our signatures (20,000!) that he sat down and explained to us what is going to happen next:

Watch the video: http://therealrudy.org/radios?utm_source=rgemail

With the councilman's support, we can hold Giuliani accountable for his failure to equip firefighters with radios that could have saved lives on 9/11, and get answers to these questions:

This is a response to Lucus, David Slesinger and others call to hone our strategy and points of pressure, so that we can win.

I have a powerful feeling that the ideas which have been presented here represent the potential trimtab for the 9-11 Justice movement. Buckminster's Fuller's use of the concept of the trimtab needed to help turn the rudder on a masive ship, such as Earth, is related to the ideas of accupressure/puncture. Find the spots with the most bang for the buck.

FIREFIGHTERS RIP INTO RUDY

By MAGGIE HABERMAN
New York Post

March 9, 2007 -- The national firefighters union has drafted a blistering letter accusing White House hopeful Rudy Giuliani, whose candidacy is fueled by his 9/11 performance, of "disrespect" to FDNY members after the attacks.

The letter, drafted last week by the International Association of Fire Fighters but never released, lashes Giuliani for issues that include limiting the number of firefighters who could search for human remains at Ground Zero, and urges firefighters to say "hell no" to his candidacy.

The missive was written while the IAFF was debating inviting Giuliani to a presidential candidates' forum next week, which it eventually decided to do.

But Giuliani won't be attending because of "schedule conflicts," his aides said.

Team Giuliani countered with a statement from former firefighter Tim Brown, saying the former mayor is "honored by the support of so many first responders from across the country."

The flap came as rival Sen. John McCain hit Giuliani's turf last night, showcasing his moneyed New York-area supporters at a Town Hall-style fundraiser in Times Square.