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 23, 2004
How can anyone expect this president, with his numbed down brain, to grasp the gravity of a terrorist threat? For God's sake, he can't eat pretzels and watch TV at the same time, can't do anything beyond sitting for 7 minutes and reading fairy tales to children when this country is under attack, can't utter an intelligent sentence spontaneously, and during a time of crisis he is incapable of anything more than vacationing! It is beyond me how anyone can think Bush could ascertain the gravity of anything.
* * *
Could it be the analysis of intelligence info was the problem? We already have a Council that coordinates the intelligence: the National Security Council's job has been the one that was supposed to coordinate the intelligence from all the agencies to inform the president and keep him updated so he could arrive at an informed conclusion! According to the web site:
National Security Council's Function: The National Security Council is the President's principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and cabinet officials. Since its inception under President Truman, the function of the Council has been to advise and assist the President on national security and foreign policies. The Council also serves as the President's principal arm for coordinating these policies among various government agencies. The National Security Council is chaired by the President.
* * *
Hmm, we need an "Intelligence Czar," one person to coordinate all the intelligence agencies in the U.S., a cabinet level position appointed by the President? How convenient would this have been for Bush and Cheney to have one person who's allegiance was to the president! No more independent agencies, no more objectivity, no more loyalty to the American people first! While there are those who believe this must be done immediately, a lot can be said for consideration and open honest debate prior to jumping head first into a willy nilly band-aide act of reform. How many YES men does one administration need?
* * *
The Dems would be wise to remember the Repuglicans believe the only defense is a good offense! And, believe me, this Repuglican leadership is the most offensive we've ever been subjected too in America!
* * *
July 22, 2004
The ultimate flip-flop: when at first you don't succeed at war, try peace! "No one wants to be the war president. I want to be the peace president," so says George Bush. Try telling that to the over 900 dead American soldiers and their families!
* * *
It's a sad day indeed for America when members of one party (Repugs) knowingly smear the name and reputation of a dedicated patriot (Sandy Berger) in an effort to gain nothing more than political advantage. The Repugs were out in force blathering their snide remarks and surly innuendo only because they are aware that George Bush is rapidly losing his facade of compassionate conservative.
* * *
The irony of it all is that the so-called conservatives are all about money! Whenever you see or hear about an issue involving the Repuglican party, you can bet your bippy somewhere in the background is some billionaire piously watching over his bank account! How long before that "other" half of America wakes up to the fact that the Bush administration only represents MONEY and, believe me, God didn't tell him to do that!
* * *
I can't help but wonder, if Halliburton is paying truck drivers 80-K a year in Iraq, then how much is the taxpayer paying Halliburton to provide those truck drivers? I happen to know that some "employment agencies" are paid more than double what the agency pays the worker. Don't you think Iraq would be a good place for a corporation to outsource jobs? How about hiring some of those unemployed Iraqis? Don't you think they could find cheaper labor right there in Iraq? It would certainly cut down on the cost to the American taxpayer, provide jobs for the Iraqis, and it would be safer.
* * *
July 21, 2004
It seems to me if there are "protest zones," then there must also be "support zones," and they should be in the same proximity. If this country feels it's in the interest of public safety to herd people like cattle in order for them to freely express their opinion, then, no matter the opinion, they should be relegated equally to "zones" for that expression! Try putting some of those die hard Bush supporters behind a fence a mile away, and then you'll see an end to this stupidity.
* * *
It's nice to know that being an American first, on occasion, overcomes one's particular political ideology. It's also nice to know the Mayor of Charleston, West Virginia recognizes that the right to express one's opinion freely belongs to all Americans. It's just too bad Charlestonians didn't recognize it at the time of the event. All across America people should start to realize that oppression of a few is just the beginning of fascism and it can reach your community if you allow it.
* * *
When I wrote yesterday's minute regarding Embryonic Stem Cell Research, there were more years than I care to count of voices ringing in my head that had agonizingly told me, after they had been told someone they loved dearly was terminal, "I would do anything, anything, if there was something we could do to find a cure." The emotion is overwhelming, the agony real, and the hopelessness dehumanizing. I just hope, someday, no one will ever have to endure the horror and the terror that accompanies such a prognosis. Embryonic Stem Cell Research can bring us closer to realizing that hope.
* * *
I wonder if George Bush realizes that whatever happens in this preemptive war he waged in Iraq is and should be attributed to him? I wonder if he really thinks that torturing children is acceptable? I wonder if he believes it's all OK because "God" told him to do it?
July 20, 2004
Since George loves Iraq so much as to have invaded it because God told him to, and since he would much rather be a dictator because it's a "helluva lot easier," then I would suggest in my prayers, "Please dear God, tell him to go to Iraq, tell him it's time for him to attain his most fervent desire and reap the rewards of his most pious prayer." Allow me to return to that den of sexual iniquity, that place where abundance reigned, where equality was the goal, the poor were considered, jobs were available, my children could hope for a better life, justice prevailed, and honesty and truth were important. Give me back my Liberal America!
* * *
Will Bush's war in Iraq eventually claim more innocent lives than the "madman" Hussein? Will liberation cost more in lives than oppression? Uhhh, just who is the "Butcher of Baghdad"? Exactly what kind of freedom has been attained if people are afraid to stay in their houses or leave because, in so doing, they will be blown to smithereens? For over a year now we've been told that things are getting better in Iraq, but the death toll climbs, the injured and maimed are numbering higher, and the chaos continues unabated! Innocent men, women, and -- for God's sake -- children are dying, as well as American troops, humanitarian aide workers, and civilian contract employees. Yet, Bush continues to say, "We were right to go into Iraq."
* * *
The sad thing about opposing embryonic stem cell research is losing the quality and quantity of life that would result from this research. To those in opposition, BEWARE, because disease is out there waiting to strike and it will. Disease is neither discriminatory nor selective, it will come to Democrat and Repuglican alike, it does not care if you are Liberal or Conservative, it treats everyone equally, without bigotry or disdain. You may be the next host, and you may wish that somewhere, somehow, some Doctor has a cure. When it's your life or someone you love, party affiliation and ideology are forgotten -- health and well being are all that matters.
* * *
July 19, 2004
If the events of 9-11, the reality of Osama still being at large, and the fiasco in Iraq are examples of Cheney's "depth and breadth and experience and competence," then God help America!
* * *
Tax-cuts for everyone, No Child Left Behind, Prescription drug coverage for seniors, Clear Skies initiative, we didn't know the terrorists would use planes as missiles, evildoers, detainees do not qualify for the Geneva Convention guidelines, Iraq is a grave threat, we know Saddam has Weapon's of Mass Destruction, the smoking gun could be a mushroom cloud, diplomatic avenues will be exhausted, War is a last resort, we will be greeted with flowers and song, we are liberators not occupiers, God told me to strike, we don't torture, and on and on. If you didn't think the Bush administration was into propaganda, read the list and weep.
* * *
ONLY IN BUSH'S AMERICA! Somehow the statement, "When the Amish were 'found not to be a serious threat to national security,' they were allowed inside the office area of Lapp Electric and waited about 30 minutes for the president to appear," just doesn't go along with, "Bush reportedly told the group, 'I trust God speaks through me. Without that, I couldn't do my job.'" I guess it's really, "I trust God only if the Secret Service checks it out first!"
* * *
For those who believe the forked tongue, right-wing rhetoric that there won't be a draft, wake up and smell the flowers in the real world. This administration has only just begun to fight and they don't have enough soldiers to march in the existing war, much less the countries they plan to invade when they seize the White House again! If you have a child of military age, look out, because the draft is coming and the only thing you can do to stop it is vote in November to boot Bush back to Texas, where he can do no further harm!