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Barbara's Daily BuzzFlash Minute

WELCOME to the latest addition to BuzzFlash: Barbara's Daily BuzzFlash Minute, a collection of insightful ruminations, reflections, and rants on the events of the day (with the exception of the weekend). A regular contributor to our Mailbag, we've elevated Barbara to her own BuzzFlash page. We'll collect a week's worth here and then archive them. Come visit each weekday to see what's pushing Barbara's buttons. And now (drum roll, please), we bring you Barbara . . .

March 8, 2002

Ever notice how the "tone" changes when the Repuglicans attempt to explain their own misdeeds? "Youthful indiscretion," came out of Henry Hyde when describing his 5-year affair with a woman when he was 40; Bob Livingston's resignation from the House came right out of Jimmy Swaggart's book on how to really do confession; and Newt Gingrich didn't do any talking, he just divorced wife #2 in order to make indiscretion #3 his wife #3. So much for family values and the new "get married" proposals from the self-righteous right! Yes indeedy, they know how to change the tone. They go from carping, mean spirited scandal mongers to apologetic, "gee we made a little mistake," kinds of guys.

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Somehow, when Bush brags about liberating the people of Afghanistan, I wonder: he must have known in May 2001 that the conditions suffered by the people of Afghanistan were intolerable, he must have known the Taliban regime was tyrannical and committing the most heinous crimes against its people, he must have known they were stockpiling opium for future sale, he must have known there were terrorists in training and operating out of Afghanistan, and he must have known America was at some risk from these terrorists. If he didn't, he should have, as the leader of our country. If he did -- and it is my belief he did -- WHY DID WE SEND OVER FORTY MILLION DOLLARS TO THE TALIBAN? To strut and claim liberation six months later is somewhat incongruous, and presumptuous to say the least.

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An excerpt from a Roll Call article on Robert Ray: In a speech given at a GOP fund raiser in Monmouth County, Ray said, "If President Bush can restore honor and dignity to the Oval Office, then we can have - and deserve - principled, ethical and trustworthy leadership for New Jersey in the United States Senate." HE HASN'T, YOU WON'T, NUFF SAID.

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For a man who demands loyalty as an ultimate requirement from those around him, Bush certainly doesn't practice what he preaches! While I can't find any endearing qualities in Kenny Boy, I do see him as a prime example of "drop you like a hot potato" where Bush is concerned. Kenny Boy was there for Bush, gave him an airplane to jaunt around in, donated lots, and I mean lots, of money to the Bush cause, saw to it that the Fl. recount was well funded, sent letters and cards, hosted fund raisers, opened his heart and wallet to the boy, provided advice and counsel, and was, for all intents and purposes, a good friend. What did boy Bush do for his friend -- "Ken who, he supported Anne Richards in 1994." Just the right kind of loyalty one would expect from Dumbya, a man who claims to be honest, trustworthy, and full of integrity. Now, of course, we don't know what Dumbya did for his good friend Ken in private, but we sure know how he repaid that good and loyal friend in public don't we!!

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March 7, 2002

It was just confirmed, Dumbya has no shame! Caught his "speech" on a 10-point plan to protect investors. Words like "open," "honest," and "integrity" were bandied around as though he knew their meaning. The icing on the cake is "I propose that executives must report any buying or selling of stock within 2 days." This from the man who didn't report selling Harken stock for 8 months. This from a man who's administration knew that Enron was collapsing and kept silent. I cannot believe the audacity! I cannot believe he actually has the nerve to "read" a speech like this when he himself has done some of the things he's proposing to be unlawful. It's amazing to me that he has the nerve to use the words open, honest, and integrity -- he and his administration are the most secretive, closed, questionable bunch to ever come down the pike. There are a few phrases I can think of to throw in here, but I would like to express myself without expletives.

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I have never really met a "compassionate conservative," but I do believe Americans are truly a compassionate people, not an empty phrase trumped up for campaign "brownie points." We do care about those less fortunate than we are and we need to get back to showing the world we are concerned. Our compassion needs to shine, not our arrogance, and if our "leaders" (I say that with tongue in cheek) cannot accurately portray what kind of people we are then we must do it. Empty words without action always exposes what it is "window dressing," and it is not a substitute for substance and reality.

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The Bushies are underestimating the country's new found patriotism for ignorance. America en masse has awakened and questions will abound. It's the American way to ask questions. We are not a silent people, herded like sheep, we want to know how, why, what, when, where, and so????? To think that Americans will accept whatever is thrown or said to them is a gross miscalculation of the intelligence and curiosity that is inherent in the majority of our citizenship. After all, the majority of the people voted for Al Gore, so don't underestimate us! We want the information, we want the sunshine, we want to know how our government works, why they work, and we want to be sure our government is still working for us!!! We will find a way to arrive at the truth, we will demand our Representatives and Senators ask the questions, we are demanding the sun shine on meetings that affect our well being, we are demanding the truth from the military, we are standing tall and we are the Patriotic Americans our fore-fathers envisioned. To think anything less is bull!

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Hilarious isn't it, the Repuglicans who have tried to ride the Clinton trumped up scandals for political reasons?! Robert Ray should take a few hints from the likes of Gingrich, Livingston, Hyde, and a few others who found themselves on the wrong side of their self-righteous morality. They just don't get it -- the forward thinking (or should I say those that have the intelligence to think) public found his, President Clinton's, ability to do his job and benefit America in general, by far, surpassed any of his indiscretions. My words to the rabid right and the Repuglican party -- GET OVER IT already!!!!!!!!!!

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Hearing lots of stuff about the terrorists using the internet for communication! Really am worried it's a precursor for censoring, as it's the only place we have for news, both foreign and domestic, and the only place we see anything negative on the Bushies! They (the Bushies) have managed to stuff it and spin it any way they want thus far, with the internet being the only place for the truth.

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March 6, 2002

Question - Why are all the financial analysts on Wall Street touting and promoting Bush's plan for privatization of Social Security? Simple answer - MONEY! Just think of all that government money they can get their hands on and then think of all that money they can make by handling government money. Sounds like the analysis of ENRON to me, with the "working guy" losing in the long run. Then just think: there will be no one to blame but the worker himself for opting to invest in the stock.

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OoooooWaaaa, you are seeing a silent scream! Just caught a news conference -- post meeting -- with the illustrious Dumbya and President Mubarak of Egypt. In typical "kingly" fashion Dumbya so graciously allowed four questions of the reporters present. Two for "his royal self" and two for President Mubarak. Bush stumbled and mumbled through no answers again. These questions were serious questions regarding the Middle-East conflict and possible solutions. They deserved more than the answers given by Bush. When is America going to recognize this man is not up to the job?

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March 5, 2002

I am aware of the perception of Americans in other countries. I have had family who worked for over 20 years outside this country. My father worked in Africa for a time, so I'm also aware that the news in other countries does not match the "news" that Americans receive. I do believe that under the Clinton administration the negative perception was beginning, and I reiterate beginning, to disappear. Clinton seemed to convey to others we were a caring nation and we were compassionate, that is evidenced by the warm welcomes I have seen on live television of his visits overseas and the continued warm welcomes today. Of course, I am also aware of the foreign perception of the American public demeaning and impeaching this man for what was considered by most people in other countries as a dalliance with nothing to do with his ability to govern. I am upset that the baby steps in changing the perception of Americans has been stomped out by arrogance and "misspeaks," lack of knowledge and serious rudeness in protocol by the current administration.

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I've read Neil Bush is now interested in promoting education, and school vouchers for poor children. I certainly hope he doesn't do for education what he did for the Savings and Loans. I wondered why GW was so interested in education--I've learned that one needs to look for the ulterior personal income motive whenever any of the Bush family becomes interested in service for mankind. Jeb is turning Fl. into a deficit spending state with his cock-a-mamey ideas, GW is turning poor Americans into the financiers for the rich, and now Neil wants a little of the "money" action. So much for compassion and lots for conservatism.

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QUESTION: How does Dumbya keep his thumb on the "pulse of the war" and campaign for Repuglicans in the upcoming election? How does he direct the "war on terrorism" and maintain domestic policy? Is he capable of leading America in all the different directions our country is now headed? Can he make the decisions required of a president under current conditions? I don't think so! He can't even answer appropriately, questions regarding any or all of the above concerns. All I keep hearing is "we're gonna smoke 'em out, the evil-doers." We Americans now have an eternal war, with questionable direction, domestic policies that are undermining the quality of American life, and deficits that go back to a time when Americans were not "better off." Shadow governments that exclude one party in congress, secrecy in what the government is doing, isolating America, endless vacations, the vice president in secured locations, and informing the people with red, blue, and green alerts when nuclear bombs could be present, is not the answer to our well being or success in anything. Sounds like we are all in a "scare 'em all to death and elect GW campaign."

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I find it alarming that this administration is stumping a war against Iraq, when we haven't accomplished the goals set for Afghanistan; we haven't seriously intervened in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict; and we are sending troops to the Philippines, the Republic of Georgia, and Yemen. Terrorism is a threat to all the world, it is not something to be taken lightly, but does this administration believe America alone will be able to eradicate terrorists? I keep hearing the military is prepared to go forward with whatever the commander in chief asks us to do--but I wonder do we have enough troops to send all over the world? Will the draft be reinstituted to provide the military with the manpower, will weapons become the major export of the U.S.? How many casualties will we suffer? Does it seem like we are becoming involved everywhere without a strategy? Somehow Tom Daschle's questions are more important than ever. Are Americans allowing a never-ending war on a global basis, with our sons and daughters risking their lives, without question? I should hope not. I would like to know the plan, the goals, the strategies, and when will it all end. Osama "dead or alive" is still out there and the Taliban and Al Qaeda seem to have gained strength in just a few short months.

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March 4, 2002

"Kravitz, though, scoffed at the notion that Khatami was legitimately elected, comparing him to the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who seized power in a 1979 Islamic revolution before declaring Iran a theocracy.He [Khatami] is democratically elected? ----------Kravitz asked. That's not what I consider free elections. We don't even have an embassy there". This my friends is an excerpt from the Florida Times Union, Metro Jacksonville.com. Mr. Kravitz is a Repuglican representative in the state of Florida. Somehow I find his words somewhat ironic, the U.S. 2000 election was questionably legitimate thanks to the GOP in Florida. So I scoff at the notion that Bush was legitimately elected in America. The above comparison might well be made right here in America. Could this be called an "axis of illegitimate elections"?

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I wonder how many Americans would be critical if America has more casualties and no questions have been asked? Checks and balances and co-equal parts of government are what has kept this country great. For one segment of government to operate alone and without question is not the democracy we have been so proud of for over 200 years. I would prefer Tom Daschle ask relevant questions today, rather than have to apologize at a later date for not questioning those things that are essential to the success of America's "war on terrorism." For a member of congress who has never seen the ravages of war to critique a member of congress who served his country admirably during war time is reprehensible. I repeat "How dare Trent Lott criticize Tom Daschle"! Tom Daschle is doing his job as Majority leader of the Senate and a darned good job at that!

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The boy in the school yard who weighs 50 lbs. more than the others, yells the loudest and hits the hardest can be a bully. Sooner or later the other boys in the schoolyard figure out that even though he is the biggest and baddest, when they join together they don't have to tolerate the actions of the bully, they can overcome all of his bravado. Even John Wayne didn't tolerate bullies. We would be wise to understand that one cannot stand alone, wage war and win forever. Diplomacy, understanding, dialogue, negotiation, and compassion have proven historically to be a better approach.

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To believe that the Office of Strategic Influence has been "tabled" is to believe in fairy tales. Not for one minute do I believe they have decided not to go forth with "sometimes false information." The only reason to deny the existence of this office is the adverse publicity and negative public reaction. In the future it will be exercised by a more covert agency and the original premise will prevail. Just remember who is in charge. We have "shadow governments," whose very existence is not divulged to Democratic congressional leaders, we have military bans on the press, we have a JD that is allowed to detain whomsoever they choose by labeling these people "potential" terrorists, we have a Vice-President refusing to release to Congress such benign information as names of people who were consulted re: energy policy for the U.S., we have a president who turned over his papers while governor to his father's library, thus refusing public access to those papers, we have a president who seemingly doesn't have a past history, we have an administration who wants to rule without restraint. The last I heard this was a tyrannical form of government, certainly not the democracy Americans have been so proud of and put forth as an example to the rest of the world.

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Every time I see something in the press about Katherine Harris, or worse yet the press stating that it was wonderful, we didn't have tanks in the streets or the military during election 2000, I can't help but think, there should have been tanks in the streets and everyone who voted for Gore should have turned out en masse to protest! We sat and watched the Repuglican party overthrow the will of the people and take over the government of the United States. The more I see of Bush and the gang I believe we are watching a despot ruling in a country that was once a democracy. All I can think of every time Bush goes out to the invitation only photo-ops spouting democracy and freedom loving people is gag me with a spoon. The fix was in and they got away with it and I will NEVER GET OVER IT!

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