BuzzFlash
presents Barbara's Daily BuzzFlash Minute
exclusively on BuzzFlash.com
A collection of insightful ruminations, reflections, and rants on the events of the day (with the exception of the weekend). We'll collect a week's worth here and then archive them. Come visit each weekday to see what's pushing Barbara's buttons.
July 2, 2004
One's transgressions always come back to bite one in one's pious ass. and I can only hope that the boyish, self-righteous Ralph Reed finally met his kick in the rear! One thing the bible got really right: money is truly the root of all evil!
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"But some business leaders say that religious expression, pursued within limits, makes for happier employees and higher profits." Herein lies the problem with mixing faith, politics, and the work place: "religious expression, pursued within limits, makes for . . . higher profits"! How long before the limits will require a specific expression with restraints, and exactly how high do the profits have to be? People in this country better wake up. I want to be able to freely express my religious affiliation in the Church of my choice, and it has nothing to do with profits!
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If tax cuts favoring only the wealthiest in America, ignoring terrorist threats that resulted in the horrific attacks on 9-11, not capturing Osama bin Laden, a preemptive war in Iraq, aiding and abetting terrorists world wide, alienating our staunchest allies, and "Mission Not Accomplished" is the Bush version of changing the tone in Washington, then please, dear God, help us to return to the days when a blue dress was the only threat to our well being!
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The Repuglican argument that it's more cost effective to privatize than to use government service hardly holds water when you read about this recent discovery of new Halliburton waste: "DeYoung produced documents detailing alleged waste even on routine services: $50,000 a month for soda, at $45 a case; $1 million a month to clean clothes — or $100 for each 15-pound bag of laundry. That money could have been used to take care of soldiers." No wonder Dickie told Sen. Leahy to "F--K off" -- he didn't want to lose all that profit!
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July 1, 2004
It seems Bush's war is having trouble with recruits at both ends: Iraqi security forces are unready and deserting, while a whole lot of American soldiers are not reenlisting after having been to Iraq. That's what happens to a volunteer army when they are marched off to fight an unnecessary war. Here at home, look for the "Draft," because it's the only thing that will save Bush's ass. He doesn't know the word DIPLOMACY, so he'll have to continue sending our young men and women to fight his battles for oil!
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Ironic, isn't it? Fundamentalists in this country would fight tooth and nail against a group of people who have done them no harm (the gay community), but would condone and support the violent actions of the man responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people (preemptive war in Iraq). It reminds me of the inane fervor of Salem and burning witches at the stake, all in the name of God. For every step forward, it seems society takes 10 steps backward.
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What is it about Repuglicans that gives the impression that they all have bad breath? Of late, whenever I see a member of the far right wing opining on any given subject, I think , "Boy, am I glad this is on television and I don't have to personally, face to face, listen to this diatribe and literally experience the odor."
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"But Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that asked for the GAO report, said the report showed major problems. So while we've handed over political sovereignty, we haven't handed over practical capacity - that is, the ability for the Iraqis themselves to provide security, defend their borders, defeat the insurgency, deliver basic services, run a government and set the foundation for economic progress," Biden said in a written statement. "Until Iraqis can do all of that, it will be impossible for us to responsibly disengage from Iraq." Again, it's MISSION UNACCOMPLISHED for the Bush administration!
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June 30, 2004
Somehow, I get the feeling that 15 months from now we'll all be wondering why, again, anyone was stupid enough to believe the line of bull about Iraq that we received from the Bush administration. After the lies about Weapons of Mass Destruction, connections between Saddam and Al Qaeda, the "imminent threat," mushroom clouds, flowers and songs, coalition of the "willing," and all the rest of the rhetoric used to wage a preemptive war, how can anyone believe anything said by this bunch of scam artists and thieves? Yes, indeed, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me! How many times does the American public have to be fooled before we recognize the lies?
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The GOP's code of ethics is driven by "the end justifies the means" and that means anything they can do to maintain power. Morality, honesty, and integrity are only questioned when and if a Democrat is involved! The Repuglican party is looking more and more like the Drug Cartels in South America: steal whenever you can, ignore the law, ignore an ethical and moral code, and just get rid of the competition in whatever way necessary in order to stay on top and reap the profits!
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In numerous accounts of those who attended "Fahrenheit 9-11," there has been mention of a "security guard" in attendance! While some believe it was for the safety of moviegoers, it is my opinion that the guards were actually there to intimidate or scare those who came to see the movie. I thought it strange that a very large, very muscular man with a shirt that had "ENFORCEMENT" written in very large letters opened the doors at the theater I attended. I actually thought at the time it was done to scare the more timid among us into turning around and going back home. Thankfully, there weren't any timid folks in the crowd I saw. Perhaps, they also believed he was there to protect us!
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Look out America! Are Americans going to allow George Bush and his gang to ignore terrorist threats again? Prior to September 11, this rogue administration needed a reason to invade Iraq. Today, they need a reason to stay in office! The more it looks as though the American people are giving him the proverbial pink slip, the more we are warned about inevitable horrific terrorist attacks. Has it boiled down to declaring Martial Law as the only way Bush can maintain the office of the presidency? Will more innocent Americans have to die in order for him to maintain his reign of terror on America?
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June 29, 2004
The Supreme Court's decision that, "even during the war on terror, the government must adhere to the rule of law", is a prime example of taking umbrage with the Bush administration when he dares to tread on territory belonging to someone else! So many in this country are either unaware or do not care, unless and/or until they themselves are directly affected. And if you think for a moment it couldn't happen to you, ask a few of the cab drivers, the unemployed, and folks of Middle eastern descent who've never broken a law, but have been imprisoned just because George Bush said so. Ask them if it can happen!
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Apparently the "cooler" and the "beer" lobbyists were taking a nap when the government issued their pre-July 4th warning about beer coolers and inner tubes. Do you suppose everyone will be reporting wayward coolers and empty beer cans?
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It's ironic that Dick Cheney chose the mild-mannered gentleman Senator Leahy to exercise his attempt to be "macho." Typical of the classless "chicken hawk" class, Cheney chose the least combative adversary to assert his verbal "feel good" vulgar prowess. It's just another example of the bullying weak-kneed, cowardly, yellow bellied, spineless, "pick an enemy who doesn't fight back" GOP!
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June 28, 2004
Fahrenheit 9/11 is a must see movie! It was wonderful. I went to an 11:30 A.M. showing and the theater was packed (usually there are only 2 or 3 others so early in the morning). A diverse group of people -- old, young, and in between; black, white, yellow, and brown -- comprised the audience. The applause at the end was wild. The film made me laugh and it made me cry, but most of all it made me more determined to see Bush booted back to Texas!
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After hearing Bush's SOTU speech in 2003 in which he stated, "All told, more than 3,000 suspected terrorists have been arrested in many countries. And many others have met a different fate. Let's put it this way, they are no longer a problem for the United States and our friends and allies," only a fool would believe he didn't order torture and abuse. Only a fool would believe him incapable of evil!
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Zell Miller is an embarrassment to his party, to southern gentlemen in general and to himself. He was elected to the Senate by Democrats who believed he would carry out the duties of his office as prescribed by Democratic ideals. Instead he has traded morality and integrity for an unscrupulous desire to get his feigned good ole boy persona into the public domain. He has abandoned the ethics of a true southerner and become a turncoat, sucking up to those who would use and abuse him and then throw his phony baloney aside. Whatever he's gotten out of betraying those who voted for him, in the end it will not benefit him. As a born and bred southerner, I send him a good ole southern message: "May he rot in that proverbial hot place he deserves!"
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It finally dawned on me! George Bush thought that the little voice in his ear was God telling him what to do and say. He is too arrogant to realize it is none other than Karl Rove.