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Daily BuzzFlash Minute
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Barbara's Daily BuzzFlash Minute
WELCOME to 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.
April 5, 2002
The theft of a presidency gave America the Bush League -- when we should have rightfully had the Major League player Mr. Al Gore!
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You can dress him up, you can parade him around, you can give him all the advantages money can buy, you can buy him an education, you can buy his safety in time of war, you can pay his way out of jail, you can even buy him the office, but you cannot make him the MAN it takes to be The President of the United States. Sorry #41, he doesn't make the grade and we must all suffer the consequences of your biggest mistake, #43!
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Did Hansen's search of FBI files, for dirt on Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, really go undetected or were Hansen's efforts assisting those trying to dig up dirt on the Clinton's??? Obviously, there wasn't any dirt or the FBI would still be conducting an investigation!!!!
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Where is Osama? Where is the person guilty of sending anthrax? What is being done for "Homeland" security? Exactly how much is actually being spent on security? How much of the billions going to the military is being spent on the war against terrorism? Why is it necessary for so much secrecy? What is the "shadow" government doing and why? Where is Dick Cheney again? Why did you wait so long to act in the Middle East? What would we find out about the events leading to 9-11 and why do you NOT want it investigated? It seems that Bush is attempting to cover up his present actions in the same way he covered up his past! It makes me wonder why???
How can we trust the Bush administration to do anything??? Thus far, all he's done is give flag-wrapping speeches. He's made a mess of America domestically, he's shown the world what he thinks of diplomacy, he's allowed the Middle East to arrive at the brink of World War III -- he hasn't been an example of leadership at all. He speaks of leadership yet he doesn't act like a leader.
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Why doesn't the White House just say it like it is -- they don't want President Carter to travel to Cuba because it could harm Jebbie's chances in the governor's race and Dumbya's chances of getting the Florida Cuban exile vote in 2004. The fact that Carter's visit may prove beneficial to the Cuban people is inconsequential -- protecting the vote for the Bush brothers trumps everything else. They must be afraid that a man with the intelligence, respect, and stature of President Carter will outshine the Bush league!
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April 4, 2002
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson is beholden to that black gold, oil. She supports the oil industry because, in essence, they "support" her. Anything to increase profits, the bottom line, and anything to promote the Texas oil agenda. While I have no quarrel with the citizens of Texas, I must comment that I certainly don't want Alaska to become as barren as Texas. I don't want the endangered species to be replaced by armadillos. I would like to see the natural habitat preserved, to see earth protected. A scorched earth cannot be returned for a newer model or traded in for a rain forest. When one is unselfish enough to consider the future for our children and what will be left for them to inhabit, then one should consider conservation. After all, we are supposed to be the people who put the needs of our children above all else. How about a little plot of earth that will sustain life?
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Hooray for Oprah! Indeed, she was, and is, being used! That's the way the Bushies operate -- they use and abuse. Just ask some of the guys in Congress why they became bipartisan! Just ask the White House press corps, and those who have been "noted." Why do you think Jeffords became an Independent? Ask David Brock why he wrote "Blinded by the Right." Ask Bill Clinton about the stories coming out of the Bush White House, including Air Force One and the gifts he supposedly took when he left office. Ask the average taxpayer why they are get the equivalent of a soft drink a day in tax relief. I'm glad someone finally stood up and told the truth! Maybe, someday, the public will see these people for what they are -- Users and Abusers.
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Why does the White House think that leaving out one or two requested items exonerates them from kowtowing to the energy industry?! It's like a kid saying he didn't get anything from Santa because he didn't get one toy -- even though he got ninety-nine others! This administration is pro-corporation, pro-energy, and pro-personal pocketbook profits. It's that simple, and to attempt to deny that fact is to say that pigs fly! They are the government of and for big business and big business profits. It's time Americans recognize that this administration does everything for personal gain. The environment doesn't matter, the people don't matter -- nothing comes before the almighty dollar. They throw tidbits to appease the people and lull them into believing they care! "Leave no dollar behind" is a more apt description of what this administration would like to accomplish!
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Are any of you out there beginning to feel like the greatest country in the world is fast becoming the greatest third world country ever known? Our leaders are sitting in office as the result of a coup; they have declared undefined war; they are caging "detainees" (some innocent civilians may be among those jailed, but who knows?); secrecy reigns supreme regarding everything in and out of the oval office; free speech has been compromised by "noting"; the press (although represented as free enterprise) is being run by a "secured" office somewhere within the confines of the big white house; the military is doing God knows what, in God knows where; robots from 41's administration are delegates in charge of everything; "mini me" is running the show; chaos is the order of the day; the public is not being informed; "trust me 'cause I know best" is the slogan from the delegation; and preparation for nuclear proliferation is underway. Is this a banana republic or what?
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Don't look for the full release of the "Reagan papers." There are too many former Reagan-era staffers involved in this administration to allow full disclosure on past deeds! Secrecy and cover-up reigns supreme with this White House! They certainly don't want any skeletons out of the closet! Above all, they don't want to be "Borked" legitimately! It's laughable how transparent this administration really becomes with the information they conceal!
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It will take more than clichés to win the war on terrorism! No matter how many times Bush repeats "just and noble" or "mom and apple pie" it won't replace a carefully considered intelligent policy! Phrases do not solve problems! Frankly it's disgusting to watch Bush attempt to garner support with "tried and true" rhetoric while people are dying. He vacations in Texas and we are told he's involved! Vacationing from what? The only thing he seems to be doing is repeating the same things we've been hearing for months while the world is in a mess. It will take someone who knows what they are doing to change the chaos we are now facing!
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April 3, 2002
Mr. Feeney, a Repuglican Florida legislator, seems to be having trouble with the rules! Another good example of the Repuglican party believing the rules are for everyone, but them! These guys just don't get it, do they? They make rules, then they get caught conducting personal business while the taxpayers pay! Just goes to show you the conservatives believe in personal absolution and cover up!! Hope Florida has the courage to cite him for the unethical behavior!
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Perhaps four out of five Americans believe the tax cut will benefit someone else, because it does. The way I see it, the richest people in this country, as well as corporations, are the ones who benefit the most! When lower income Americans figure out they are paying for the benefits of the rich and the corporations, it won't sit well! Of course, Bush has planned for the inevitable -- he made sure the full ramifications won't be felt until he's out of office, cashing in. If you look into past history, that has been his method of operation in the past -- check out the baseball team and stadium in Texas; check out Harken; check out Arbusto!
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If one watches any mainstream media television channel or reads any mainstream newspaper today and observes the reporting it is a testimonial that the book "Into the Buzzsaw" rings of truth! To see and hear all the "reporters" get in line to sing the same story, with the same bias, is deplorable. The only saving grace for us all is the internet and Web sites of the caliber of BUZZFLASH, we know there is still a source for the truth! Each and everyday I say thank you, otherwise "propaganda" is all we could expect. The current climate from mainstream media is plugged in to the "Office of Disinformation."
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Arianna Huffington may have something here -- Jeb Bush's daughter was arrested for drug related offenses. Florida and the nation have given him the privacy he asked for, and I understand his daughter is in rehab. Hopefully it will help her. I do believe though, before Bush's right hand Supreme Court Chief Justice Rehnquist hands down a ruling that effects American citizens, he should check with the Bush family to see if they may be caught up in his form of justice! If poor families who have not committed crimes are not afforded the right to maintain their homes in public housing, then Jeb Bush should not be allowed to remain in the public's house in Tallahassee. I know that there are those who sit on the bench at the Supreme Court who favor Bush and all he and the family represent, but last I knew the law is the law and it should include everyone. Looks like they have been caught in their own noose this time! But then the Bushes are arrogant enough to believe the law is for everyone except them, as we've so often seen before.
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Bush plays the "role" of aggressor very well, he just doesn't know what to do if someone fights back! In plain spoken words, Bush is not a diplomat! He seems to believe that when he speaks, everyone should bow! Funny how most people in this world don't bow! For most of his life he has been protected from the negative. His father made sure no real harm came to the boy: a partial stint in the National Guard during Vietnam; no "real" punishment for those boyish pranks (arrest and release for DUI); a presidency surrounded by dad's friends. He never really had to take responsibility for his actions because Dad was always there to cover for him. Today we see a child in a man's body, unable to handle any situation that requires intelligent thinking or careful consideration. He only knows how to impersonate "John Wayne's movie characters." How sad for us and the rest of the world -- we have a child playing games, when what we really need is a leader.
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April 2, 2002
Bush would like to eliminate the Constitution, the Congress, and the will of the American people in his drive for revenge! He would like to reign supreme and plunder forward to wage war for personal reasons. We will all agree his rise to power was questionable and he does not have a mandate to conduct business as though he were crowned king. We will all agree he lacks the knowledge and the experience required to effectively manage the office. Somewhere, somehow, someone must "brief" him on the necessity of involving Congress in the decision making process. He needs to be made aware that he cannot decree and assume it will happen. His actions will cause reactions and their are human beings caught in the middle. Someone needs to advise him that this world was not made to be "of the Bushes, by the Bushes, for the Bushes," no matter how much he thinks it so! Someone needs to tell him he is not the supreme being and that America is still a democracy.
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By the time the Bush cheerleaders realize what he has done to this country, it will be to late! Just ask some of the more intelligent and fair minded people in the state of Texas. Bush started with surpluses in Texas and they are now in deficits. The rich in Texas are richer while the rest of the populous is wondering where the next meal is coming from. He arrived in Washington with surpluses and in less time than the blink of an eye we are into deficits. When the public realizes they are being used to advance the profits and increase the personal wealth of the very rich, including the Bush family, it will be to late. It is necessary to speak out and let everyone know that this is not acceptable. We need debate and intelligent decisions to return our country to the people. Frankly, if those in Congress won't do it, then we the people must. We must stand up for the principals our country has stood for these many years. We must be patriotic and demand that democracy, and democracy only, reigns supreme.
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Caught the new "Crossfire" on CNN last night. Begala and Carville were great! We should let CNN know we are happy with the new version. CNN needs to hear from all the liberals so they will know the world is not entirely right wing biased. Certainly hope these guys continue to tell it like it is!!!!
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April 1, 2002
In answer to Bush becoming more involved in the Middle East crisis: While I believe there are some in this administration who may be able to effectively negotiate a peace process, I would suggest to the world at large to please not send Bush. This is a crisis that takes someone more articulate and certainly someone with a broader knowledge and more experience than that possessed by the boy wonder. His "John Wayne" impersonation is not a guarantee for success.
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Priorities govern objectivity! Is the oil pipeline more important than the "war on drugs"? Who stands to profit? Who pockets the profits? When we discover the answers to these questions, we see how righteous the "right" really is. Then we see what reigns Supreme -- money, money, and more money! Everything must be done to protect the Afghanistan pipeline! A wink and a nod in the other direction while the poppy fields proliferate. Poppy fields may or may not be objectionable -- interesting priorities and timing! When is it convenient to fight a "war on drugs"? When is it necessary to protect the profits from an oil pipeline in Afghanistan? It's all so transparent -- money is the driving force behind this administration and they will do anything to protect the profits from black gold.
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So typical of the conservatives, to have Anne Coulter as a poster girl. She spews hate and scandal with the best of the best! Her remarks have exposed her for what she is, a woman in need of guys in little white coats! To present her as a qualified expert brings one to question, "Qualified in what?" In my opinion, she is a woman filled with hate, scandal mongering, mean spirited rhetoric, and is absolutely wrong. Since she cannot even hope to come close to the stature of Halle Berry, she found the need to attack and defame. Not sure about the right-wing nuts, but I definitely would not want Ms. Coulter as an example of what represents my beliefs and values.
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I sincerely hope all those who supported Bushies' Election 2000 right-wing coup will now take a look at what they aided and abetted! Domestically we are in a mess, and the foreign policy practiced by these outworn, outdated "chicken hawks" has brought the world to the brink of World War III. I hope they know they contributed to today's state of affairs. Bush is inept and cannot handle the job he was given! He does not have the stature or the intelligence to lead.
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To shift the attention from Bush's ineptness in handling the Middle East crisis, the mainstream media will focus on taking us all back to "the war on terrorism." They will do anything to return Bush to what they believe is positive for his "ratings." Sorry to say, but it will take more than a repetition of the past 6 months to cover the fact that the boy and this administration have handled this problem with disastrous results. Because of "ego," they handled a simmering disaster with the wrong "hands off" approach. Senseless tragedy, loss of life, and a crisis involving the whole world, all because of ego -- poor qualities for leadership! The thought that Bush was "the best man" for the job rings hollow!
