NYERS: CLARKE'S GAIN, OUR PAIN
By ADAM MILLER
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NY POST
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.
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