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Something to make You Smile and Cry

2009-04-16T00:53:00Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Unless you've been living in a cave, camping out in the wilderness, or working deep underground for the last 48 hours, you've probably already seen the clip that is linked above. I would have embedded it, but it has become so popular in the past few days, YouTube has disabled the embedding feature... no doubt to drive onsite hits and thus increase advertising rates... but that is just my cynicism.

For those of you who haven't seen this yet, I offer you a brief moment to smile from ear to ear, and thank God for the gifts He gives us all. In this case, it is the gift that was given to one Susan Boyle, who recently appeared on the television show Great Britain's got Talent.

Ms. Boyle is from Scotland, is nearly 48, unemployed, unmarried, and claims to have never been kissed. When she stepped on the stage of the British TV talent show, no one seemed to believe that she would be able to sing with any ability. Snickers flowed throughout the audience when she claimed she would sing a song from Les Miserable. And then the music started...

By the time Ms. Susan Boyle finishes her song, she makes a believer of all who hear her sing it.

So what does Susan Boyle have to do with 9/11 and 9/11 related health care? Nothing really, not on the surface anyway. But if you sit and think about it for a moment, maybe everything.

You see, when I was watching Susan sing, I kept thinking not only about what a wonderful gift she had to give us, but what a wonderful gift I have to give. What a wonderful gift you all have given. What wonderful gifts WE ALL have to give. Susan has always wanted to be a singer, and now, close to her 50's, she has proven she truly is blessed with that talent. I'm 40, always wanted to be a filmmaker, and can only pray that I get your message out with as much talent as she displayed.

As for all of you, none of you need ever prove your gifts to anyone ever again. Your gift was heroism. Your gift was bravery. Your gift was compassion. Your gift was selflessness. I'm struck by the fact, that even having given so much of those gifts to America on 9/11 and the days, weeks, and months afterwards, you are all still giving. The struggles you are now facing for recognition and proper health care are not just for yourselves, but also for those who have lost their voices in this battle. Your efforts are for those that have lost their hope. Your persistence is for those that don't even know they are sick yet. You are all truly a gift that keeps on giving.

The irony of the words sung in Susan's song (the lyrics are posted in the info section on the link I've provided) is that she kept believing in her dream, I'm trying my best to fulfill mine, and you all continue to fight onward in the face of adversity... even in spite of it.

And that is something truly beautiful, and all to rare in this world.

You owe it to yourselves to watch her sing. It is sure to lift the spirits and for all of you but the most stout, probably even bring a tear from its sublime impact.

Tom Chelston joins Three Weeks In September

2009-04-15T00:33:00Z

Tom Chelston is an ordinary guy and like most people was extraordinarily moved by the events on 9/11. Tom is also an accomplished musician, and used his musical talents after 9/11 to express his feelings for our country and those that lost so much on that day.

Tom contacted me the other day, and I'm very pleased to announce that Tom has offered his 9/11 songs to use in the soundtrack for the film. Thank you very much for your generosity Tom, and for your continued support of the 9/11 First Responders and the families of those we lost and are continuing to lose.

For more information about Tom Chelston, his music, and what he has been doing to raise awareness since 9/11, please visit these links.

www.tomsongs.org
http://www.tomsongs.com/911heroes.html
http://www.tomsongs.com/sinceseptember.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idK65x6bTb8

It's good to have you on the project Tom !

-Brian

Thank You Catherine

2009-04-14T22:37:00Z

This is just a quick note to Catherine in VA.

Thank you for becoming the first person to order an item from our Three Weeks in September CafePress store. We really appreciated that a lot. I checked the order status a few minutes ago, and your mugs should be on there way. We thank you for your support, and want you to know that the proceeds we see from that sale will go towards our continuing efforts to get the word out about the issues facing 9/11 First Responders.

Rare 9/11 Ground Zero Video

2009-04-08T04:46:00Z

During the recent Washington DC trip, a number of you expressed an interest in seeing more video from Ground Zero. We of course will feature a great deal of the video in the film, Three Weeks In September, and possibly feature unedited clips as expanded menu items on the DVD. In the meantime, here is the extended footage that some of you may have seen while on the bus to or from Washington.

...

Luke Rudkowski on 9/11 First Responders - Hours before being Arrested for advocating for their Health

2009-04-05T05:36:00Z

On March 28th, while on location in New York City, we had the opportunity to speak with Luke Rudkowski, founder of We Are Change, about his thoughts on 9/11 First Responder health issues. Luke and the other members of We Are Change NY regularly gather at Ground Zero to speak about a number of 9/11 related issues. One of those issues is the health care crisis which now faces tens of thousands of 9/11 First Responders.

There is no question that Luke Rudkowski is a passionate advocate for 9/11 First Responders and his organization has raised tens of thousands of dollars to benefit them. While considered "extreme" by some in his efforts to raise issues about 9/11 related issues, their is no doubt that Rudkowski has had a broad reaching effect through his activism. We Are Change has grown from a single small grassroots organization in New York to one with membership chapters across the United States and many foreign countries. Through their ongoing efforts to educate and inform the public at large, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have learned about the health issues now facing 9/11 First Responders.

The excerpts of our interview above were shot just hours before Luke Rudkowski and two additional members of We Are Change were arrested for attempting to question NYC Mayor Bloomberg about his position on 9/11 First Responder health care and related legislation now pending before the Congress of the United States. Rudkowski is a regular contributing reporter to a number of web based media outlets and had intended to release his interview findings for broadcast on those outlets thereby reaching a potential audience of millions. For his efforts at exercising his First Amendment Rights, Rudkowski and the others were arrested on charges of criminal trespass and impersonating reporters. The cameras and video evidence they had gathered to document their press related efforts were confiscated at the time of their arrest.

You can find out more about Luke's arrest and what lead up to it by tuning into his Live Web cast at http://www.wearechange.org/ on Sunday, April 5th, at 4pm Eastern Time. Among several topics on the show, he plans to discuss the latest developments related to the March 28th arrest.

We will also continue to follow this story and update regularly on new developments.

Until later and with warm regards,

Brian Johnson
Filmmaker

From New York City to Washington D.C.

2009-04-03T14:31:00Z

After flying to Long Island last Friday, March 21st., executive producer Judith Rubinger and I were met by Claire Calladine of 9/11HealthNow.org at the airport, and thus we began what was to become a very productive trip. Claire was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule fighting for 9/11 First Responders to become a gracious tour guide and meeting maker.

First we met with the fine people of Serving Those Who Serve Inc., as they were hosting a healing workshop and conducting some valuable research on 9/11 First Responders. Our many thanks to Dr. Brown, Jose Mestre, Marshall Stackman, Barbara Horn, Nehemiah, and the many others we met there.

As Judith continued her work with the healing workshop, Claire Calladine arranged for me to take my first trip to Ground Zero. I had been to the WTC back in 1994, but am sorry to say I only saw the lower portion of the building then... where one would exit the subway and pass by some shops inside the buildings. This was by far more solemn an occasion, than the one the awestruck, wide eyed, younger man I'd been had experienced. How strange and sad it must be every day for New Yorkers to have this hallowed crater in the middle of their steel and concrete mountains. Although there is little that can be seen from behind the chain link fence and banners surrounding Ground Zero, the implied emptiness of the space that lies beyond those barriers seems to dwarf the message of rebirth promised upon the blue printed vinyl blinders that separate tourist and New Yorker alike from a direct gaze into the pit.

While at Ground Zero, I had the good fortune to meet with Luke Rudkowski, founder of WeAreChange.org , and one of the most fearless people I've ever met. Luke has himself been a key figure in getting the information out about 9/11 First Responders and the health issues they now face. He further proved his dedication to a Samaritan's mission yet again while I was there, when he was arrested for trying to ask NYC Mayor Bloomberg why he was failing to support measures to help the Responders with health care and other relief. Luke continues to inspire and give me courage to get the 9/11 First Responders story out to as many people as I can. Thank you Luke.

Next, I was again in good fortune, as I was able to join John Feal of the Feal Good Foundation, and two bus loads of 9/11 First Responders on a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend hearings before the House Committee on the Judiciary regarding H.R. 847, which is more commonly known as the "James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2009". This too was a first for me, and the proceedings were enlightening to say the least. Many thanks to John Feal, Glen Klein, Vincent Forras, Ann Baumann, and the many other wonderful people I met .

There are many others I met during my short trip to NYC and DC, and wish I could thank you all. More thanks go to Father Mike, Rob P, Scott S, Sander, Lucia and all the rest. Your help, understanding, and kindness is not only helping us to get this film made, you all are the reasons I knew anything at all about the suffering of our brave 9/11 First Responders health problems in the first place.

Until Next Time,
Bless you All - and Keep Up the Good Fight !

Brian Johnson
Filmmaker
Three Works In September

email: Info@threeweeksinseptember.com

Three Weeks In September Blog

2009-04-02T05:02:04Z

Welcome to the Three Weeks In September Blog.

Here you will find production notes from the film, thoughts from 9/11 First Responders, news about legislative efforts, and general updates regarding news related to the recognition that the responders so ricjley deserve. Please check back often for updates to the blog, or to leave a comment regarding entries found within.

Please Note: This Blog is monitored, and while we highly respect the right of individuals to speak freely, we ask that comments made in response to entries maintain respect for the 9/11 First Responders and their ongoing efforts to obtain health care and related support for their selfless acts of courage during the 9/11 Crisis.