BuzzFlash presents Barbara's Daily BuzzFlash Minute
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A collection of insightful ruminations, reflections, and rants on the events of the day (with the exception of the weekend). Come visit each weekday to see what's pushing Barbara's buttons.

October 31, 2005

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The conservative stance on abortion, birth-control and permission issue reminds me of a story once told about my other grandmother---she was a relatively uneducated woman in the formal sense, but very wise in life’s experiences.  She was raised Catholic, though she was Jewish. She came to this country with her family from Austria to escape the prejudices of being Jewish, but after settling in South Carolina they discovered Jews were as persecuted here in the United States as they had been in Austria. Her family decided out of necessity to deny their heritage and to keep their origins secret; they changed the spelling of their surname and joined the Catholic Church.  She, starting from childhood, followed the edicts of the Church and became a devout Catholic.  Because some habits never die, her family chose her husband and arranged a marriage when she was very young.  She and my grandfather had 14 children, she was known to be a “good” Catholic mother.  At some point she had to have a kidney removed due to a tumor and went to the Catholic Hospital in Charleston, S.C. When conferring with the Dr. she conveyed that she was in her mid to late 40’s and had had a baby at age 43, then due largely to the fact she was unfamiliar with anatomy in general, she asked the Catholic Doctor to please remove the thing that made babies as long as he was performing surgery.  He replied, “I’m sorry, I cannot do that without the permission of your husband and your priest.”  She promptly told the Doctor, that neither her husband nor her priest was having those babies, and after 14 she felt she had fulfilled her obligations.  She got her hysterectomy and had her kidney removed!  I might add that my grandfather died some years later leaving an uneducated, middle-aged woman to raise several children still residing at home.  When she went to the Church, the most they finally offered to do to help her, was take the three oldest into the Catholic orphanage. My mother, an aunt and an uncle were raised in the orphanage, with week-end visiting privileges home and my grandmother was left to raise the rest of her children on her own. As difficult as it was, raise them she did, which is a whole other story better left for another time. This story leaves me with the knowledge that it is beyond the pale to believe a husband should have dominion over his wife’s body!  Say NO TO ALITO!  

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In mulling over who may possibly be the next nomination for Supreme Court Judge and considering the opinions voiced by conservative women and others on abortion, I have come to this conclusion, I don’t question conservative women who choose to risk their lives by not having an abortion when their health is in jeopardy; I don’t question those conservative women who insist on having a baby that resulted from incest and/or rape.  It’s their decision and frankly none of my business.  But I most certainly resent those conservative women and anyone else for that matter, who would take my choice away from me and insist I do the same.

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Memo to Patrick Fitzgerald, there is an “island resort” where suspects can be sent in order to get to the truth about compromising the safety and security of America.  It is more commonly known as “Gitmo,” a place that Cheney himself believes to be “living in the tropics and being given everything one could possibly want”!  And I’m sure there’s a whole list of former CIA agents who would volunteer their time and service to “interrogate” these particular suspects.  It’s worthy of consideration, since it’s been said to be the least expensive, surest method for obtaining the truth in a hurry from those who would otherwise want to continue their reign of terror on the United States!

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As I watch, listen, and read all the bobble head pundits recalling previous gaffs by previous administrations, “President Clinton’s Monicagate,” or saying, “This isn’t Watergate,” or “This isn’t Iran-Contra” in an attempt to play down current events---I am struck by thoughts that NO, this time thousands of innocent people and over 2000 American soldiers are DEAD and this time around it’s lies, treason, war, and cover-ups, and there is no comparison!

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Bob Woodward has been fronting for the Bush administration since the get-go!  His puff pieces on this administration are not just a recent development.  His Repuglican “talking points” have been front and center for a very long time. It’s been rather sad to watch a once revered “investigative” reporter join the ranks and become just another hack for an administration gone amok!  Richard Nixon must be rolling in his grave and asking “why, then, me”?

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I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard this exchange about the Libby indictment between trial attorney David Boies and Lou Dobbs! “Boies: I think it’s very hard. I think if there’s a trial, other people are going to get dragged in.  I don’t think there’s going to be a trial.  I’ll wager and I’ll come back when we know, but I’ll wager this never gets to trial because I think if it does get to trial, a lot comes out, and a lot I think that maybe nobody wants to have come out. Dobbs: Why nobody? Boies: Well, I think that any case like this damages—doesn’t damage Libby, it doesn’t just damage the administration, it damages America.  It damages all of us.  And I think we all would like to see it put to bed in some way.  And so I think there would be a lot of support for working out some way so it doesn’t actually go to trial.” I challenge that! Patriotism begins with the truth and the rule of law, anything less is unacceptable! “Patriotic Journalism” has now spilled over into politics and the rule of law.  The law is what sets America apart, the fact that no one is above the law no matter what, who, or the office, that’s what gives our country its stature.  If we the people start accepting whatever criminal acts elected representatives hand out as "patriotic," then we are doomed to dictatorship.  While truth and justice are sometimes hard to accept, it’s still the best method of governance. To cover it up in the name of “Patriotism” is just a green light for criminals to hijack America!

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I came across an article ironically entitled, “Indictment Adds to White House Woes” and found several statements that needed some serious consideration and comment: in speaking of George Bush -- “after winning re-election by a comfortable margin”  -- possibly an oversight in reporting, since the most recent GAO report on voting irregularities is fairly new!  "He's facing some daunting challenges" ... all I can say here is God help us all!  “… a talented and loyal group of fellow Texans and their friends who came into the second term bone-tired and short on fresh ideas.” I didn’t like their ideas when they were fresh!  “The question Fitzgerald was appointed to explore is whether anybody crossed the line and purposely revealed that Wilson's wife was a spy.”  Well, duh, seeing as how the whole world now knows “Valerie Plame” was once a covert CIA operative aka spy, dontcha sorta think someone released classified information?  “Bush is likely to ... make a public display of his work ethic.” You’ve got to be joking, since when is riding a bicycle equivalent to “working”?  “White House officials have said they expect anybody indicted to leave the staff.”  A significant change from, “I’ll take care of anyone involved.”

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