http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/17683.htm NYERS: CLARKE'S GAIN, OUR PAIN By ADAM MILLER March 28, 2004 -- A group of New York families of 9/11 victims came out swinging against Richard Clarke yesterday, accusing the former White House anti-terror chief of cashing in on the tragedy with his explosive book. In a scathing open letter, the furious families also ripped Clarke for releasing the controversial tome to coincide with his appearance before the 9/11 commission on Wednesday. "It was very disturbing to learn that Mr. Clarke would be releasing his book immediately before his scheduled public testimony before the 9/11 commission," they said in their emotional "Open Letter to America." "The notion of [Clarke] profiteering from anything associated with 9/11 is particularly offensive to all of us." In "Against All Enemies," Clarke accuses President Bush of not doing enough to thwart the terror strikes on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The fuming families said Clarke's motivations are also political and called the book - which has become an overnight best seller - divisive and mean-spirited. "We find Mr. Clarke's actions all the more offensive especially considering the fact that there was always a high possibility that the 9/11 commission could be used for political gain . . . with the presidential election less than eight months away," they wrote. "Surely, Mr. Clarke knew this. Yet, he decided to risk the actual and perceived impartiality of this important process to maximize book sales," they added. "We believe it inappropriate for [him] to profit from and politicize 9/11 and further divide America by his testimony before the 9/11 commission." Retired FDNY firefighter Jim Boyle, who lent his name to the letter, ripped into Clarke, who served as a counterterrorism adviser to the past four presidents. "Richard Clarke is doing all of this to sell his book," said Boyle, whose Bravest son, Michael Boyle, died in the WTC. "What he's doing isn't right. He's trying to make money off our pain. This was all orchestrated to benefit him," Boyle told The Post. Retired FDNY Capt. John Vigiano Sr. said he's "incensed" with Clarke. "He's all about promoting his book, plain and simple," said Vigiano Sr., whose sons John, a firefighter, and Joseph, a police officer, died in the WTC attacks. "It's all about greed. He shouldn't be doing this. He's showing a lack of loyalty to the president. It's awful." The blistering letter, signed by more than 36 people who lost loved ones in the WTC, came a day after the Senate's top Republican, Bill Frist, accused Clark of an "appalling act of profiteering." Meanwhile, a Newsweek poll released yesterday found that 65 percent of Americans say Clarke's testimony hasn't affected their opinion of the president. Fifty percent of those polled said they believe Clarke is motivated by personal and political reasons. Clarke, who retired early last year after 30 years in government service, has said he provided dire warnings to the Bush White House in the months leading up to 9/11 but that little was done.
Clarke's 15 minutes are ticking down. What upset me about his book and endless TV performances is that he seems more interested in embarrassing Bush and Rice than shedding any light on the issues. His Clintonesque "apology" really ticked me off. He made a big show of saying "we" let you down, then spent all his time blaming everyone but himself. If he feels so contrite, how about donating all the profits from his book to the 9/11 families? Yeah, I'll be hoilding my breath for that. He reminds me of Janet Reno, who "took responsibility" for Waco, then acted like burning a bunch of innocent children to death was just an oversight. When you "take responsibility" for a screwup, you should resign. Otherwise, it's an empty, meaningless jesture.
Yep, whopping 36 family members signed the letter, that's really impressive. How many family members refused to sign it? 5,000, 10,000, more?
Sure, that's about it - obvious confirmation that overwhelming number of victims' family members and friends support Clarke. What does it have to do with liberalism, the fact that your article distorted the picture and I said the truth?
So basically you are saying that the lives of those 36 families who were victims of 9/11 don't count? Is that what you are saying? Please tell me I'm wrong. Please tell me that is not what you just said because I would love to hear you say that to their face.
And furthermore, the fact that any man would try to financially profit from 9/11 makes me sick. Clarke is one of the last true scumbags we have going.
That's what he implied. He showed absolutely no concern for those 36 families just because they don't agree with his political leanings. Very sad.