Defending Cynthia McKinney

LETTER TO THE EDITORS OF THE ATLANTIC JOURNAL AND CONSTITUTION

April 16, 2002

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I was deeply disappointed to read your editorial regarding Congresswoman
McKinney's efforts to hold government accountable for performance.

On September 11, America experienced a horrible failure of our national
security and intelligence infrastructure. Despite our investing
approximately $350 billion a year in what is supposed to be the world's
finest military and intelligence capacity, over 3,000 people died as the
world watched helpless to do a thing. An hour after the first act of war,
the Pentagon could not protect its own headquarters. Shortly thereafter, we
were asked to underwrite a $48 billion increase in the Pentagon's budget, on
the theory that more money would make us safe.

Congresswoman McKinney has asked that we investigate whether the reports by
numerous mainstream press that we had been warned are true and why they
failed to help protect us. She has also asked why there is $2.3 trillion
missing at the Pentagon as confirmed by Secretary Rumsfeld in Congressional
Testimony before the Armed Services Committee of which Congresswoman
McKinney is a member.

Your readers, Georgia taxpayers, based on 1999 IRS Individual taxes for the
state of Georgia, pay $5,324 every year for ever man, woman and child. Of
that amount, based on the President's budget before the 9-11 increases,
$4,595, or approximately 85% went to the eleven agencies who based on
Senator Thompson's report "Government on the Brink" and Congressman Horn's
annual report card could not produce reliable financial systems or financial
audits, as required. Of those eleven agencies, two (Department of Defense
and HUD) are missing over $3.3 trillion between fiscal 1998-2000.

By calling for traditional standards of transparency and accountability in
government, Congresswoman McKinney is trying to make sure that the citizens
of Georgia do not have to pay even more while they get even less. She merits
your respect and consideration.

Sincerely Yours,

Catherine Austin Fitts, President Solari
Former Assistant Secretary of
Housing, First Bush Administration, Former Managing Director & Member of the
Board, Dillon Read & Co. Inc.

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Thoughts On Our War Against Terrorism
http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/03.29G.McKinney.War.htm
Bush Must Answer September 11th Questions
http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/opinion/0402/0415equal.html

'We Believe Cynthia' Campaign
http://www.indybay.org/news/2002/04/123533.php