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.

October 15, 2004

It was inevitable that when Americans were able to see Kerry and Bush side by side in the debates, the people would know there is no comparison. It was like seeing a little league player standing next to a professional! Rather than Kerry's record of 20 years in the Senate being a detriment, it became the Bush record of destroying everything good in America in the 4 years he's been poaching the Oval Office. Contrary to popular mainstream media opinion that the debates managed to salvage Kerry's campaign, I believe it gave the American people the opportunity to confront reality, Bush does not have what it takes to do the job!

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Only in the Bush/Cheney world would those who are doing the actual fighting for the right to speak freely are ordered to button their lip! And you wondered how fascism gets its hold on a whole nation of freedom loving people? When grunts are threatened because they want to get the truth out to the American people, we know we are on the slippery slope that ends in hell. Intimidation has become the order of the day and George Bush is the one who issues the orders, don't tell me he cares about our troops!

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I find it ironic that the Repuglicans keep referring to Mary Cheney as a "child." This woman is managing her father's campaign, she is the Director of Vice Presidential Operations. She is front and center in an ongoing competition. Frankly, I don't find anything about Ms. Cheney to be "cheap or tawdry." Her mother is the one who has been using this kind of language about statements that were made in support of her daughter! Lynne Cheney would do well to offer her daughter support in kind, rather than cheapening Mary's existence with references to tawdry.

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How in God's name can anyone believe that George Bush is bringing "freedom and democracy" to Iraq when you read such as this: "The attack was the first time bombers had gotten inside the 4-square-mile compound -- surrounded by concrete walls, razor wire, sandbag bunkers and guard posts -- and was the deadliest attack within the area since the U.S. occupation began in May 2003. The U.S.-guarded enclave -- home to about 10,000 Iraqis, government officials, foreign diplomats and military personnel -- spreads along the banks of the Tigris River in the heart of the capital." George's democracy seems to be limited to 4-square-miles, and that ain't my idea of freedom. 

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We have got to get behind John Kerry and win the election come November 2! It's time the Repuglicans find out that moral values really do count, that what we teach our children does matter, it's time we show them that winning isn't the only answer, IT'S HOW YOU WIN THAT COUNTS! It's time we let them know their methods are no longer acceptable to the American people, that stealing, lying, cheating, and bullying will no longer be tolerated! It's time to put trust and honor back into the fabric of American values!

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Duval County, Jacksonville, Florida plays a major part in the Repuglican political machine. African-American voters would do well to make sure their votes are cast and counted. Having lived in Duval County some years ago, as soon as I heard 27,000 votes had not been counted in Election 2000, I said those votes would be found to have come from areas with a predominantly African-American population, and they were! The political machines in the south will do whatever is necessary to put their guy in office up to and including disenfranchising whomsoever they believe will vote for the opposition.

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Excuse me Ms. Matalin (who looks as though she's been taking make-up tips from Katherine Harris). It is ironic that you have the nerve to tell anyone what they can or cannot say! Your boss is the Dick that publicly outed his daughter, which ultimately made her fair game for discussion. Unlike the Cheneys, seeking pity and absolution for having a gay daughter, John Kerry and John Edwards spoke out in support of Mary Cheney. Neither John Kerry nor John Edwards referenced the words tawdry and cheap in the statements they made in support of Miss Cheney, nooo it was Lynne Cheney, her mother, who decided bad, bad, bad, and cheap and tawdry was appropriate terminology when discussing her daughter.

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October 14, 2004

The final presidential debate reminded me of Mayberry, with George Bush playing the part of Barney Fife. He managed a smiley smirk through it all, but I must say I'm not sure if a smiley smirk was better than a scowling smirk. The scowling smirk seemed a more genuine reflection of his true identity.

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No camera back shots last night--but after the debate when the families mingled on stage, one quick shot showed Bush's back with the same bulge. Again the bulge wasn't really necessary because the errs, ahhs, pauses, looking down and blank stares indicated the man has a bug in his ear, he cannot answer questions without being prompted.

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After noting Bush's Bulge, it is understandable why this clause was part of the debate agreement---

(vi)-the camera located at the rear of the stage shall be used only to take shots of the moderator. (pg.17) I guess they didn't want the whole world to see Bush's BULGE, because this clause would be applicable---(c)-No props, notes, charts, diagrams, or other writings, or other tangible things may be brought into the debate by any candidate. (pg. 4)

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It's amazing what reasonable men can accomplish when men are reasonable. John Kerry's approach to everything is so much wiser than that of the bully called Bush. My grandmother used to say you can draw more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. I guess George's grandmother neglected to inform him what has become so obvious in his pre-emptive war with Iraq, that a bully never wins in the long run.

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So much for Bush being brave and bold--he won't even appear before a gathering of 25,000 AARP senior citizens, because he's afraid of being booed! He's sending Laura instead! Do you really want a guy who hides behind his wife's skirts as the president of the United States? Do you think a guy who's afraid to go before a group of seniors is capable of protecting America from terrorists?

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"BLITZER: And you write these questions yourself and you're not allowed to share them with anyone. Is that right? SCHIEFFER: That is exactly right. I haven't even told my wife what the final questions are going to be." UMMM, Mr. Schieffer, we aren't concerned whether or not you've shared your questions with your wife. The question is have you shared them with your old baseball, golf buddy, George?

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From last night's Aaron Brown's the fawning of the president--"BROWN: ...when you watch him (Bush) on the stump, how much more comfortable he looks than he looks in the debates. KING: It is remarkable how much better and more comfortable he is as a campaigner than he is in the debates." For God's sake how ridiculous can you get??? Of course he's more comfortable on the stump campaigning--he only appears in front of loyally supportive, oath signing, audiences.

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October 13, 2004

To all those Bush supporters who profess to be so patriotic that they believe everything they are told by the military generals--better listen up to the numbers of retired Generals now in a position to no longer be afraid of losing their jobs and their retirement benefits, they are all telling you Bush is Wrong, they are telling you George Bush doesn't know what he's doing. Most of these guys supported Bush the first time around, but because of his bumbling they've changed their allegiance, this is a flip-flop that will save your life.

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It doesn't take the bulge in Bush's shirt to tell you he's got a bug in his ear---all you have to do is watch one of his performances when he answers questions posed by reporters. He mumbles and mutters, pauses with errs and ahhs, he glances down as though listening, he even prompts the prompter, then he rapidly repeats what he's been told to say and ends with a smile on his face, much the same as any child who finally gets it out after laboring with an answer. The bulge only substantiates one of the obvious flaws in this moron who calls himself the president.

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If you're wondering who looks, acts, and is more Presidential, who has the brains to be President, who is capable of doing the job, and who is the best man to be President---John Kerry wins hands down. If you're wondering how to get out of the mess in Iraq, how to win the war on terrorism, how to restore our standing in the world---John Kerry is the answer. If you're wondering who will really work hard to do the job, then again it's John Kerry. John Kerry will not ignore warnings that "Osama bin Laden is determined to attack inside the United States," he will not insist that we have enough troops on the ground to do the job when the generals are saying we need more troops, he will not take us into war without a plan for peace, he will not be fooled by advisors who have a separate agenda, and he will not insist on having only "yes men" around him. John Kerry has a proven record of many missions accomplished, he can lead, he is bold, and he is certainly braver than a man who does run and hide at the drop of a hat. 

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When you see you can't win the presidential election legally, then you do whatever is necessary to triumph in the end, up to and including breaking the law. More of "the end justifies the means" way of doing business for the Repuglican party. Seems the Repugs are out and about doing their civic duty, registering voters, then allegedly throwing Democrat registrations in the garbage. Voters Outreach was funded by the Repuglican National Committee, and former employees are telling us that supervisors of Voters Outreach just tossed the Democrat registrations in the garbage. These voters will find they are not registered on election day, they will not be allowed to vote.

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Bob Schieffer has attended baseball games and also played golf with George Bush! And if you believe in objectivity between baseball and golf buddies then you are as naive as Catholics who believe that priests can do no wrong!!! From the DAILY HOWLER--"Bob and W. went to ball games together, played golf, attended spring training. 'He's a great guy—that doesn't mean I agree with him,' says Schieffer, adding that the situation became “a little awkward” when Bush ran for the White House but that he's never gotten favorable treatment. But Bush has gotten favorable treatment from Schieffer, during Campaign 2000 and later."

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October 12, 2004

Contrary to popular conservative belief -- Bush's war in Iraq has not done a thing to protect Israel. George Bush has only managed to destabilize the entire Middle-East with his bumbling incompetence. The world is not safer because he chose to take out Saddam. He's given the terrorists the opportunity to replace caves with cities. No one is safer. 

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While mainstream media may just now be catching up on the anger boiling just below the surface of the delinquent called Bush, it's obvious there are those in this administration who are well aware that he has a problem. Why on earth would all of his appearances have been before invitation only audiences, why would protestors be relegated to protest zones, why only scripted press conferences, why else would he have been kept in a protected shell? The inner circle has known from the get go GEORGE BUSH HAS A PROBLEM CONTROLLING HIS TEMPER and the American people ain't seen nothin yet! He's quite capable of exploding at any given moment.

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My heart goes out to Christopher Reeve's family. He was a tower of strength and conviction in the quest for embryonic stem cell research. He was a wise visionary who saw the potential that research and development offered for currently incurable diseases. By bravely exposing his own infirmity and vulnerability he conveyed the need for that research. He gave hope to the hopeless, and guidance to the ignorant, his spirit and determination is an example of a true hero. Mr. Reeve you did your best and we will not forget, we will miss you and will work to see your hopes become reality for all of mankind.

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In reading the article, "Get me rewrite. Now. Bullets are Flying," by Dexter Filkins for The New York Times, posted on the Schwartzreport website, I am struck by the fact that mainstream media have failed the American people and failed their fellow journalists! Having accepted the conditions of "embedded" positions offered up by the Bush administration during the invasion of Iraq, no one in the world trusts Western journalists anymore. The coverage, save for a few, has been nothing more than a symphony of pro-Bush reporting. Mainstream media has neglected to tell us the truth and reporters in Iraq are suffering due to this neglect. It is a reminder that a free press no longer exists in the United States and ultimately the reporters brave enough to try and get the truth out are paying for the lack of honesty by those who sit in air-conditioned offices and in front of cameras basking in having created an illusion rather than relaying the facts.

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Bush's blame game -- anyone but me -- for the fiasco called Iraq! First it was the CIA's fault (remember "faulty intelligence"?), now it's the generals' fault: "BUSH: I remember sitting in the White House looking at those generals, saying, 'Do you have what you need in this war? Do you have what it takes?' I remember going down to the basement of the White House the day we committed our troops as last resort, looking at Tommy Franks and the generals on the ground, asking them, 'Do we have the right plan with the right troop level?' And they looked me in the eye and said, 'Yes, sir, Mr. President.' Of course, I listen to our generals. That's what a president does. A president sets the strategy and relies upon good military people to execute that strategy." Bush seems to have forgotten that General Shinseki told him several hundred thousand troops would be needed, and he didn't listen to him!

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Keep in mind when Bush and the Repuglicans continue to tell us there will be no draft, that these are the same guys who told us they had no warnings of a terrorist attack before 9-11, and they could make America safe and secure, that Iraq had WMD's and Saddam had ties to Al Qaeda, that American troops would be welcomed with flowers and song and there were enough troops on the ground, that the war would be paid for with funds generated from Iraqi oil sales, that we are making progress in Iraq, and that Bush served honorably in the National Guard. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me! YOU WON'T FOOL ME AGAIN, GEORGE, YOU'RE OUTTA HERE!

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October 11, 2004

Frankly, it's George Bush who doesn't understand the terrorist threat or how to make America safer! This lack of understanding began with ignoring the threats of terrorist attacks that resulted in 9-11, and then proceeding pell mell into a war with Iraq leaving Afghanistan unfinished. Iraq was not an imminent threat, Iraq did not possess WMD's, yet Bush took us to war, without a plan for peace. He did nothing pre-war to plan for the stabilization. He has managed to open a whole new front for terrorism to thrive and grow because of his ignorance regarding the complexities of terrorism. 

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I would have to say to the not-so-Swiftboatvets and the wives of the POW's from long ago in Vietnam, John Kerry had the balls to come home from combat duty in Vietnam and tell America the truth. His testimony went to bringing an end to an unnecessary war that was also fought based on lies and innuendo. He was instrumental in bringing the war-torn vets as well as the POW's home sooner than would have happened without his intervention. He helped end that era of man's inhumanity to man. And if we are wise enough to elect him to the presidency, I know he will bring an end to another unnecessary war, an end to needless death and dying, and he will bring our troops home while maintaining a peaceful free Iraq with the help of our allies and the Iraqi people, because he has the intellect, the experience and the capability to do the job! 

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I believe George Bush and his administration are counting on a public that grows weary of so much deceit and corruption that we lose interest, because we can't muddle our way through the reams of information coming out to prove we've been scammed. After all, sorting out the lies that have been told to justify a pre-emptive war that was pre-emptively planned is a very complex issue. National Guard files that were purged to make sure there was nothing embarrassing to be found has never to my knowledge been done before, and those who did it are out and about lying about the whole clandestine endeavor. Monies scammed from American taxpayers to give to personal business interests and making it look like a gift to the taxpayers are all things that honest people find hard to understand. Had mainstream media been doing their job and presenting a true picture of George W. Bush's history, then none of what's happening would be a surprise, and perhaps the Supreme Court would not have been able to get away with taking the choice of the voters in a democracy away from us!

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One thing HARD to understand is a man who vacations more than he works talking about HARD WORK! Kinda makes one feel all creepy inside, when the man who can't eat a pretzel and watch TV at the same time starts telling the rest of us about what a HARD job he has, one has to wonder, uhh, what planet is he coming from that he thinks we will believe the bull he utters? But we must remember this is the cheerleader who couldn't run the ball or play the game, so the best he could offer was talking about it!

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Some people in America take umbrage with those of us who are critical of Bush's intelligence, and they attempt to explain this anomaly away in a variety of doublespeaks. The one thing that has not been mentioned, though, is that prolonged drug and alcohol abuse damages brain cells that cannot be redeemed. Given that George admittedly sowed wild oats and refuses to discuss his youth -- till forty years -- it is reasonable to assume that his problems with the English language, and lack of interest in anything outside his inner circle, are a direct result of those indiscretions he has deemed not open for discussion.

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Thank God some of the wiser-than-Bush leadership in our government were FLIP-FLOPPERS. Otherwise, slavery would still be legal and women couldn't vote, which are just a couple of relevant changes made in the law by former U.S. government flip-floppers. In a sane world it's called being open to change and working for a better America. If those who have come before had had the same mind-set as George Bush, we'd still be sending tea-tax to Great Britain. Downright bull-headed stubborn in times of crisis is not something to be proud of and certainly does not exemplify a wise leader.

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The argument made by the Repuglicans to justify invading Iraq, that the whole world believed Saddam Hussein a threat and that he possessed WMD's, just won't fly! While the rest of the world may have believed it, Bush was the one who made the decision to wage war with Iraq. The rule of law requires evidence that substantiates proof beyond a reasonable doubt before you kill other human beings. A pre-emptive invasion of another country cannot be justified with such a juvenile excuse as, golly gee whiz, I thought so and so did everybody else!

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