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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 15, 2002

Sounds like Havana has come to Tallahassee! The legislature in Florida is trying to block the citizens of Florida the SUNSHINE on government. I thought the only place they could get away with that was in Cuba! Guess I was wrong. From the sound of it, with those guys running the government, you won't be able to travel to Florida for a vacation in the future!

* * *

Since he's running around the country, touting a raise for the military -- to all our military personnel -- in his proposed budget, my question to Bush would be: how much money is going to fund those raises, and how much money is going to your friends and your fathers friends by way of the military for defense contracts, and how much will they profit from those budget proposals? What's the ratio? It's one thing to promise and follow through on those promises, but bottom line is, how much do they amount to, is it substantial or is it a gratuity to cover where the really big money is going?

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Someone needs to tell Trent Lott, not everyone works in the same underhanded way that he and his cohorts in the Congress operate. Strange, isn't it, how he's out there hollering "pay-back, and it should stop"? Realize what that statement really says -- evidently he and the rest of the GOP did exactly what they have been accused of doing, otherwise why would they consider Pickering's rejection PAYBACK!!!!! Of course, since they have blocked judicial nominations for political and partisan reasons, they are incapable of understanding that the rejection of Pickering was for legitimate reasons regarding his history on the bench. When the GOP has had only partisan reasons for action, they cannot understand logical and sane reasoning for governance. In every attempt they make to blame the Democrats, they only reflect the mean-spirited partisan kind of politics they practice! It also amazes me that the Democrats follow the dictates of the Constitution, while the Repuglicans try to interpret and rewrite the Constitution to fit their brand of politics. Remember the phrases, "government of the people, by the people, and FOR the people," and "all men are created equal"? Seems the right-wing believe they were the ONLY people. "Stupid White Men!"

* * *

Recently, on more than one occasion, I've heard Bush say, "We won't leave one American behind." It's usually used in a speech describing military action. I must say, that is a noble phrase and it would be difficult to raise any objection. My curiosity, though, is aroused, because shortly after these speeches, the Pentagon releases a statement regarding the pilot who "may" still be alive in Iraq. Now, this could be the truth, and the pilot may be alive. I certainly hope for his family and friends this is the truth. But don't you think it a little strange that after 10 years we are only hearing of this now? There were inspectors there for years and nothing regarding this pilot was ever mentioned. Suddenly intelligence has it that he "may" be alive. His status has been changed from KIA to MIA -- an unprecedented move on the part of the military! I would say again, I hope for the sake of his family, himself, and his friends this is true. I hope it is not a ploy to substantiate and gain further domestic support for an invasion of Iraq. How cruel that would be for them.

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An excerpt from Bob Barr's solicitation: "I'm Bob Barr, an unwavering, unflinching conservative who seeks God's guidance, trusts the Constitution and has high hopes that one man who fights hard and stays true to his convictions WILL make a difference. My loud, clear and outspoken conservative views . . ." Another man (not the implied angel with wings), and I reiterate man, who seeks to absolve his diatribe by invoking "God's guidance" and insinuating he has been ordained to carry on loudly, conservatively, and outspokenly, no matter what drivel he speaks, in an attempt to get attention. This, my dear friends, is an example of the Representative right-wing in the political arena. All this self righteous rhetoric to get MONEY! It truly says it all.

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Excerpt from Yahoo! News - Oddly Enough Reuters, "You have a responsibility as a champ to make the right choices, and to set a clear example for others," Bush told the athletes. This would have been a good example to follow, but Bush had to mention the word "champ," so that left him out! Too bad he can't practice what he preaches. But, he also mentions responsibility, a word he never learned the meaning of.

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March 14, 2002

I don't know what it's going to take to wake up the Democrats in Congress! Bush has established a "shadow government," which doesn't include them and they weren't invited to join; Bush has decided he can take off willy-nilly and expand WAR anywhere he wants to take it; Bush has refused to turn over names of those consulted on energy; Bush has opted to renege on long-standing treaties that have guaranteed security to the U.S.; Bush is planning to use nuclear weapons as though they were standard military issue; Bush has embarrassed our country with less than diplomatic appeal; Bush has trampled the civil rights in our country; Bush is canceling regulations that monitor the very air we have to breathe; Bush has negated any regulation on the water we drink; Bush has taken the stance that he is above any oversight or checks and balances; Bush is tromping rough shod over our country; and Bush stole a presidential election. For God's sake, where are our voices? The people certainly are not being represented in Congress, by the press, mainstream media, or the Constitution. When are the people going to be heard? If things keep going the way they are now, there will be few people left to be heard. UNDERSTAND guys, this child playing man sitting in the White House, singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and reading "The Lonely Caterpillar," is not capable of eating pretzels, much less running our country. It's time to stand up and be counted, speak your heart, and stop the madness.

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Never thought I'd see the day, but here it is -- HOORAY FOR JUDICIAL WATCH! I just hope they really mean it and I don't care if it's for publicity -- someone needs to expose the GOP for what they are! We need an investigation (a real investigation) into the likes, and sleazy policy dealings, of Robert Ray! He needs to be exposed for breaking those almighty laws he so self-righteously vowed to uphold. He has become a scandal monger for personal gain just like the rest of his cohorts and someone, anyone, needs to check it out!!!

* * *

When we know that gross manipulations of the voting system were committed in the state of Florida, probably criminal acts, why are we not doing something about it? Why have people who broke the law not been arrested, or taken to task by the law? Why could the Supreme Court rule on an equal rights tenet when half a million more people voted for Al Gore? What happened to the equal rights of the majority? What happened to the equal rights of those purged from the voter rolls, who shouldn't have been? What happened to those whose voting rights had been restored, but were refused that right in Florida? This is illegal in the state of Florida, but no one has done anything about this illegality? Why was Bush allowed, and abetted in some cases, to assume an office, the highest office in our land? Why, when we are watching a nation that once stood tall and could dictate policy, resort to aggression? Are we all so afraid that we have lowered our ideals to "anything goes?" I find it ironic that the GOP, who so loudly and so vehemently spewed rhetoric about "the letter of the law," are so willing to sponsor and support lawbreaking at it's ultimate! Again, though, that's the Repuglican way.

* * *

Folks, I am ashamed to say I live in the same state that harbors Bob Barr. He is, without a doubt, one of the most despicable humans on earth. He comes out with the most outlandish diatribe imaginable, but I'm on to him. It finally occurred to me that he must do this to gain attention, otherwise no one on this earth would know he's alive. His personal attacks on any and all liberals are really to draw some attention, any attention, to himself. Tell me, would you turn and look if you passed him on the street? I didn't think so - in fact their are a few who would run fast in the other direction. My mother always said beauty comes from within, if you are beautiful inside that will shine through and you are beautiful outside. I guess that means if you're ugly inside, then you're ugly outside.

* * *

I just wonder if the "black" support for Pickering in his home town is born from the fear of crosses being burned in their front yards? Can't blame them for that -- but "black" support nation wide is against Pickering, because he considered "cross burning" a drunken prank, which we all know is not a prank, but a warning of more and horrendous things to come! Anyone in America who knows this is wrong should stand up and support the Democrats in saying Pickering should not be approved for the courts. Cross burning is against the law, it is not a prank and should not be treated as a prank. Try putting the shoe on the other foot -- how would you feel if some drunken prankster came burning crosses in your front yard? It tells of things done horrendously to a people because of their color and that should never be tolerated in this country again!

* * *

An excerpt from an article by Robert Kuttner from the Boston Globe:

"Every reckless scheme will have to be challenged with the only means we have: democratic opposition. Right after Sept. 11, there was no place for a popular movement against the Afghan War. But there must now be one against the administration's ill-considered sequels."

"Otherwise, the daily risk will only increase, not just because of Them but because of Us."

This says it better than I could hope for! Let's hope that more and more people begin to recognize the folly in the misplaced, ill-conceived ideas that the Bushies have come up with. This is not an original concept, it's been tried before, as so many of the Bush policies. We are in the process of killing ourselves. Nuclear weapons, waging war in dozens of unknown places, building arms while abandoning infrastructure, and aggression, only serves implosion--just ask the Russians.

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Has any thought been given to the rhetoric about Iraq -- how we aren't going to allow them to do this, that, or the other?! Has any thought been given that this rhetoric is coming from "the boy wonder." Or is it "the wondering boy?" This is the same boy who said, "bin Laden Dead or Alive." Are we going to plow pell-mell ahead into Iraq when the goals in Afghanistan have not been met? Will we be in an eternal war, with unattainable goals? Remember, these are the same guys, and a son of the father, who won a war, and DIDN'T, some years back. Is this some male testosterone thing that needs closure? I've heard several reasons why we need to contain Iraq (though I thought they were already contained), some sensible and some not so logical. Before we begin another war don't you think it would be of benefit to finish the one we are fighting now? Seems convenient for the goals of this administration, but illogical to use a blanket cover to wage war in many different places all at the same time for illusive reasons, fighting an illusive enemy. Of course, if WAR is your "biness," then maybe that would make sense. Yes siree bobtail, more war, more money, and that then becomes success, never mind "Dead or Alive." Sad, though, that the youth of our nation must bear the brunt of these wars. But, that has always been the Repuglican way: send someone else to do the dirty work while they collect the benefit.

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March 13, 2002

It never ceases to amaze me, how all those who complain about "Big Government," and the perils this supposedly represents, are the first in line to criticize governmental errors. They are the first in line to want budgets and workers downsized, but they sure don't want to relinquish any of the benefits derived from governmental oversight. These are the same people who complain about the public school system not producing educated students, yet they want to decrease the education budget and, God forbid, a teacher who expects to be paid for his or her work. They want education from a system that has no governmental checks and balances. The attitude is bury it, ignore it and maybe it will go away. They don't want to provide buildings, books, or any necessary educational supplies. These are the same people who want to be sure the food they eat is inspected and edible, while not wanting to provide the inspectors; they want the air we breathe to be pure and unpolluted, but not regulated; they want the water we drink to be pure and unadulterated, but we can leave the arsenic in it; they want perfection, but they sure don't want to pay for it. They are the first to holler and gripe, but the last to cough up the money necessary to support the service. Kinda like those who go to church, put a dime in the collection plate, and want a fine sermon, because they donated.

* * *

Mitch McConnell is a prime example of the "fox guarding the hen house," or maybe a "wolf in sheep's clothing." He is a conservative who likes the almighty dollar and that's the truth of it. He cannot be trusted to "fix" anything that would jeopardize the flow of money into his coffers. I am so sick and tired of these "God Bless America, so we can rob her blind" people I could scream.

* * *

The conservative pundits and journalists seem so stuck on the non-story of Ken Lay sleeping in the Clinton Lincoln bedroom that one begins to suspect a freudian desire that they themselves would have liked a sleep-over in the Lincoln bedroom with Ken Lay. That is a sub-conscious desire for that which they are so fixated on. It's hilarious. My mind could really go wild with this one, but I better stop it here.

* * *

Now we have a color-coded alert system, and boy am I relieved. All I have to do is see if we are red, green, blue, orange, yellow, magenta, chartreuse, ecru, tan, teal, pink, or azure, maybe indigo, and I'll know our government is on top of the alerts. Somehow I thought we could expect a little more for the amount of money being spent on "Homeland" (still have trouble typing that since it's so close to motherland) security. Give me a break, it's going to take more than colors and it will probably take a different administration for me to feel safer, and feel as though they know what they are doing to ensure our security in this world today. Colors don't do anything to give the guy in the White House a brain, to give the chicken hawks some degree of strategy, or to give this bunch a crash (no pun intended) course in diplomacy.

* * *

Jack the carper, on "American Morning," is trashing the INS over letters approving Mohammed Atta and his cohort for visas, and that the letters arrived this past weekend. He is displaying how incensed he is over the matter. Has he not given any thought to how this may be possible. This agency has more work than their force can handle due to "cut backs" in their budgets and downsizing in their numbers. If we, as a nation, are going to expect exemplar services, then we will have to fund them -- they need the people necessary, the equipment necessary, the training necessary and the support necessary to do a job well. I've heard him carp on "big government" so often, it's amazing that he now expects government to function without flaws. But, then that's the conservative way. Great expectations without funds.

* * *

I know I seem to be harping on the nuclear news, but I am of the opinion the conservatives among us have an uninformed vision of the outcome of nuclear weapons. I believe they think the U.S. will just fire off a bunch of "nukes" and we will "win." I am afraid they don't have a clue as to the devastation that will be felt by the whole world from the use of "weapons of mass destruction." We are condemning, on the one hand, the use of weapons of mass destruction and planning how to use them and promoting their use, on the other. Another good example of Bush doublespeak: say one thing cause it sounds good, then do another. It sounds like the conservative vision of the AIDS virus in the beginning -- and they found out, after the fact, how wrong they were. If, in the event we unleash the destruction, we will find we are destroying us.

* * *

March 12, 2002

Last year, in an article I read from a BuzzFlash link, Bush and his administration were promoting the use of "small nukes." It seems they now feel they have the support to go for the big bombs. It's obvious that this administration, in total ignorance, is determined to blast us all into oblivion. Don't you think it's somewhat arrogant for them to believe that they will be part of the "rapture." Folks, I have a lot of faith, but not so much as to believe we will come out of a nuclear war unscathed.

As a PS, some years ago I worked in a hospital located two miles from a nuclear power plant. Of course, they were abiding by the letter of the law and had a "disaster plan" in case there was an "accident" at the plant. The PLAN, in the event of an "accident," was we would all gather outside the hospital and hose down the victims. Yes, people, that was the plan -- we would hose you down! Now, as I said, it was a few years ago and hopefully there have been some improvements. But, I haven't heard of any deterrents to combat radiation poisoning.

* * *

The right-wing pundits and subversives, also known as conservative journalists, are promoting "nuclear" in not-so-subtle ways. One is proposing "nuke Mecca," while another is promoting the GOP senate "go nuclear" with the nomination of an unacceptable judge for an appellate court. The subtlety is to begin to make nuclear an acceptable term to the American public. But nuclear will never be an acceptable term, no matter how it's used. Nuclear means devastation, mass destruction, and obliteration of the world in which we now live. They may think it cute and a cheeky way to accomplish a goal, but it really reveals the madness possessed obsession of those on the right who believe they are omnipotent. They have now gone over the top with their ideals and non-values. In my opinion it is despicable, repugnant, and unworthy, it is crossing a line that is not retractable.

* * *

An excerpt from the Washington Post, by Peter Slevin, "If Libya settles," a Capitol Hill aide said, "a Bush-Cheney White House friendly to energy and oil services interests will soon push to restart U.S. trade with Libya." "There's a lot of pressure out there," the aide said. "The oil companies want to go back in, big-time." When the bottom-line becomes money in the pockets of oil, guess what principle wins! It's OK that you have been a terrorist in the past, as long as you are giving us a few tidbits now, and just think of all the money we can make on all that oil now! Sad state of affairs isn't it, that money and profit overrides principle? I can't help but remember Lockerbie and wonder how this change in policy could even be considered.

* * *

My God, America, in just a little over a year we have gone from peace, prosperity, well being, and the big news was a sex scandal, to Americans' votes don't count, high unemployment, "legitimate" stealing (Enron CEO's), polluted air, polluted water, limited-to-no civil rights, less service from our government, limited-to-no truth in reporting, WAR, and a proposal to use NUCLEAR WEAPONS. The repugnant Repuglicans must be residing in the White House! Oh yes they are, and determining our future. I propose, if our future resembles anything like the last 14 months, we are truly headed down the road to hell.

* * *

Without BuzzFlash and related web-sites, the Internet and the availability of the foreign press, we in America would not know the truth in news. Certainly the Pentagon has told "their" version and, until confronted with the truer version, have not owned up to what is the truth. Even then, they continue to imply that what you've been told by their representatives is the "real" truth. Mainstream media continues to present Bush in the best possible light, and even that, given it's Bush, doesn't always shine. We then get a barrage of "how presidential" he's become, which of course is hogwash -- he's still the same bumbler he's always been. If you were to look objectively from birth to now, it's a picture of non-success. He has been "given" everything he's possessed, including the theft of the presidency. The corporations in this country have been presenting the news on the economy, has it ever occurred to anyone that they are telling you what they want you to hear and not necessarily the truth, and that those reporters who are relating these stories are being paid by those same corporations? Just think, the pundits and reporters depend on their checks from these corporations. Values, principles,and truth have escaped. Those who have resigned in protest are given the smear job in order to discredit their reasons for leaving. They are given the title of "disgruntled." I, for one, am grateful for the Internet and I hope that any effort to censor or shut it down will be met with an overwhelming response to maintain our only source today for the truth.

* * *

I think what was overwhelmingly devastating regarding the "leak" on using nuclear weapons was they didn't deny it! They rapidly set about "clarification, explanation, and spin," but they didn't deny it. Just think about the consequences for you, your children, and the rest of humanity that inhabits this one earth. It's the only planet we have now to exist on and this administration is talking about contingency plans to use nuclear weapons. It is so unbelievable I cannot get over it.

* * *

We are now hearing that the "use of nuclear weapons" is for the protection of the American people. Strange isn't it that this is the first administration -- since we learned of the devastation of the atom bomb -- that has threatened the use of nuclear weapons. Have we not advanced as a society? Have we not learned that nuclear war would devastate the earth? How would an environment uninhabitable be protective? Those "shelters" so popular in the 50's cannot protect you forever, the devastation of nuclear weapons lasts almost as long as forever. Radiation is still part of the landscape at the test sites in the western part of our country. Inciting other countries to develop these weapons is reprehensible and intolerable. Mainstream media is trying to spin this as not being as important to other countries as it is to a "selected" few in the U.S. -- I rather imagine that those in other countries are so dumbfounded they haven't had time to respond. Only madness would prompt this policy and it is not something to banter around.

* * *

March 11, 2002

Ironic isn't it, how inconsequential bin Laden has become since he got away? No longer "dead or alive," now we're told, "his capture isn't necessary, we've got him on the run." How things change when success seems out of reach. Sorry guys, capturing bin Laden is important because he's still out there!

* * *

Sooner or later mainstream media will be made aware that they themselves are responsible for all the low ratings! I've heard all kinds of hypothesis on "real news vs. entertainment," coming from every direction of the political spectrum. The truth is that "real news" has been spinning and presenting the news as told by the White House. The American public, of all ages, are not all so stupid to believe everything that is being spun! No matter how they try to air brush Bush, we can still see and hear. He is not up to the job, he isn't qualified, and his policies benefit only those who are trying to image him. At least the so-called "entertainment" comedians are revealing the images of Bush that are so blatant they cannot be ignored. The public appreciates the Truth and they will search it out wherever it is found.

* * *

I am of the opinion the Bush administration, rather than use polls, float maniacal policy "leaks" to gauge public reaction. If the response is marginal, they then blunder and plunder ahead. If domestic public opinion is saner and more intellectual in scope the Bushies start backtracking, rationalizing and clarifying. Of course, this approach does not advance our country or its policies in the eyes of the world and it threatens our values as a peaceful nation. Aggressive rhetoric, nuclear weapons threats, and isolationist policy does not promote well being for us or the world.

* * *

We may be the biggest and the baddest. While that may play well to the more inane, PROVOCATION in order to maintain fear and increase poll numbers is leading us down a dangerous road to disaster! NUCLEAR WEAPONS, for God's sake -- didn't we learn something from Hiroshima and Nagasaki? To provoke allies and enemies is flirting with disaster! What happened to "I looked into his eyes and saw his soul"? Last I heard Russia was an ally. I cannot in my wildest imagination believe that the Bushies would put the country in the kind of jeopardy this sort of contingency planning creates. Have they lost their minds? No amount of spin, double speak, or explanation will exonerate these kinds of threats.

* * *

The investigation of Enron will become a whitewashed effort to protect the White House. Even those in Congress who are diligent and determined, I believe, will meet with stone walling from every level. It seems that just about everyone in the Bush administration has been involved in some way with Enron and they will never admit guilt or complicity for themselves or the Bushies! For those of you who would like some evidence, just look at the reasoning those in this administration who have had involvement are using: "I wasn't that involved; I only worked for a short time; I didn't participate in any dealings involving Enron since taking my post; I worked for them legitimately at a grass roots level," yadda, yadda, yadda and so on! To not be a political scandal it sure has included a whole bunch of politicians.

* * *

Anyone notice how fast Global Crossings faded into the landscape? The GOP seemed to really want to "nail" the Democrats with this one, in retaliation for Enron, I suppose. Then guess what they found -- one of their own, "the father," involved with Global Crossings. Seems those Repugs have their fingers into everything these days. It sure became a no story pretty fast, can't cast a bad light on dad.

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