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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.

May 3, 2002

Will it take another terrorist attack to prompt an investigation into 9-11? Does it take more innocent American lives lost to conduct an inquiry into why? All we get from the Bush administration, the military, and the newly formed "Homeland (ugh what a phrase) Security" is to expect another attack! I thought the taxpayers of this country were supposed to be funding the best that money can buy. It should include a money-back guarantee for our safety. We deserve to know who, what, where, and when the failure occurred in 9-11, in order to aid the prevention of another attack. Come on people, if we can demand compliance from other nations, we can certainly demand it from our own.

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Sounds like the Saudis are playing both sides from the middle. Sooner or later this strategy fails one or all three! It's impossible to have the best of both worlds. In the end, who do you think the Saudis will support?

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I would say that Dumbya hardly has the qualifications to lecture anyone on the law. His ignorance is surpassed only by his arrogance. America wake up! This man is attempting to move this country closer to totalitarianism with "his" nominations to the Federal Courts. If he gets what he wants, this country will be faced with routine "tribunals." This is the same guy who ridiculed Karla Faye Tucker the night before her execution. It's one thing for justice to run it's course, but quite another when a Governor makes fun of those he's executing.

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Don't think for one minute that Bush and his accumulated group of experienced cohorts will do anything according to the rules. If Congress believes it necessary for the Bush administration to get an OK to invade Iraq, then Congress is only fooling themselves. Need I remind Congress that Bush broke the rules when he assumed the Presidency of the United States. I know all our esteemed elected officials would like to believe that the Bush presidency was legal. It wasn't, and they know it. But, I believe they followed the path of least resistance. Not admitting the whole fiasco was illegal made their job a whole lot easier, they thought. Think about the origins of this presidency when considering anything Bush does. If Congress believes Bush will follow the rules and regulations, then Congress needs to remember election 2000.

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When I see a comparison of Bush and Reagan I think, well at least Reagan was a fair actor. When I see a comparison of Bush and Nixon I think, well at least Nixon had a brain. Bush is Bush no matter how they try to portray him as someone else. He is a privileged frat boy who never had to work for anything a day in his life and the whole world knows it!

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Sounds like the pundits are afraid that Bill Clinton might take on a talk show. He could sure outshine the pundits, the anchors, and the hosts who are passing themselves off as experts, reporters, and journalists. The whole world would tune in to see Bill. Wonder who would have to worry about ratings if Bill's show was the opposite player?? Wonder how mainstream media would skew the ratings? The very idea presents so many pleasant thoughts. Sure hope he goes for it.

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Someone needs to tell Jim Dyke, spokesman for the RNC that, yes, the Democrats had a perfectly good agenda until Bush screwed it up. The economic, domestic, and foreign problems we have today are a direct result of GWBush. He and his administration are a bunch of inept, stumbling, bumbling dolts. They will try to blame it all on someone, anyone else, but the truth is Bush and the GOP are responsible!

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Somehow I knew just about everything Bush said was first uttered by Karen Hughes. You could tell by the words, and that isn't saying much for either of them. Hopefully the next ventriloquist will be slightly more articulate.

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May 2, 2002

Ohhhh, for a talk show starring none other than Bill Clinton! It would be wonderful. The ratings would go sky high -- those who love him would watch because they love him, those who hate him would watch in order to obtain new fodder for the hate mill. It would be interesting and refreshing. What a comparison we could make -- Bill Clinton vs. G.W.'s weekly broadcast, an intelligent approach to the world today vs. a 3rd grade rendition of primer reading.

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If the job that Katherine Harris did in Florida is a reflection of what she can do in Congress, Repugs would be wise to forgettabout her! She cannot be trusted to do the work of the people. Her efforts are self-indulgent. To imply she is running an issues-only campaign is laughable. And I thought Hastert was an honorable man, foolish me. A special counsel in Florida should be investigating her complicity in the stolen election. She certainly wasn't representing the people of Florida.

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Ever notice how the Repugs are out in droves telling us all what a good job they do, how they sing their praises from sea to shinning sea? Reality is that the states and our country are in financial trouble; our foreign policy is being questioned by our friends, as well as the "evildoers"; domestic programs are suffering; our civil rights are being chipped away; the environment is in danger; and we are in danger from terrorists. All these things, thanks to Repugs and the job they are doing!

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"Deep Throat" reminds me of a time when mainstream media was in the business of news. Reporters were trusted to report the truth. Oh how time, ratings, and money changes values in both the media and the reporters!

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In answer to Jebbie's statement, "Bush men always cry -- it's a genetic problem I got from my dad, he cries a lot." The truth is, Bush men whine a lot! Crocodile tears are contrived, when deemed beneficial by the Bushies. Besides, what has he got to cry about? His daughter is in a rehab center, not jail, where the rest of us would find ourselves for drug offenses.

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I have a friend who used medical marijuana many years ago to aid him through horrendous chemotherapy. By using "grass" he was able to maintain daily function and continue working. I am happy to say that he has long been considered cured and is leading a rich full life. Thanks to marijuana he was able to get through an overwhelming time in his journey.

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May 1, 2002

I hope the reticent Democrats will sit up and take notice -- the liberals are just waiting for someone to stand up and verbalize their point of view! Crossfire is a good example of liberals just needing a voice! We need someone with the courage to stand up for this country's Democratic values. Al Gore got more votes from the general populous and that should tell the Democratic side of the aisle how the country really feels! Go for it!

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I don't understand the surprise over Bush's possible involvement in the Venezuelan coup. We all sat and watched while Bush effected a coup right here at home. He doesn't believe in democracy, unless of course it is convenient for Bush, money, and profit. It seems this administration is experienced in coups, just unsuccessful on occasion.

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"reaction formation defense mechanism: in psychoanalysis, a defense mechanism in which somebody condemns something that has an unconscious appeal." That could explain why the macho guys in the NRA are so homophobic! Rings true to me!

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Atta didn't meet with Iraqi agent. No paper trail to 9/11. Hmm, wonder what's happening to the "terrorism" investigation? Up to now, we've been led to believe the terrorists were dopey 12th century guys who live in caves. Now we're being told the evildoers were clever and well-informed. Has the ultimate reality gone from "Dead or Alive" to Dead-end? Keep in mind this administration, who cannot find Osama and the "evildoers," are the same bunch who want to take us on the road to Iraq!

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An excerpt from a Pilot Online article entitled "Norshipco parent's IPO to raise about $l39 million," by Carolyn Sharpiro: "U.S. Marine Repair, owned by privately held Washington investment firm The Carlyle Group, indicated in its filing that it chose to offer its stock to the public now because of expectations that federal defense spending will grow in the next several years." Guess Cynthia wasn't wrong after all!!! Poppy and his friends stand to gain a big profit from the "war on terrorism."

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Oh, for the time when "who was having sex with whom" was the news of the day, when few were worried about jobs, and when prosperity and democracy was a way of life. The trade off for a "moral life" has become constant chaos; fear; eternal war; an environment in danger; former allies now, at best, distant cousins; a decaying domestic front; and democracy shrouded. What exactly has Dumbya been praying for???

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Money reigns supreme in the Bush family. It does indeed make for strange bedfellows. Grandaddy found business with the Nazi's lucrative, Poppy can always turn a buck with Saudi royalty, and now Poppy and Uncle can get it on with the Chinese. All out in the open and all just fine, cause this is the "wrapped in the flag, down home clan of hard working Americans," laughing all the way to the bank!

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April 30, 2002

I am proud to say I am a DASCHLE DEMOCRAT! Senator Daschle promotes a better life for American Families. He works hard for working Americans. Unlike Bush, who pays lip service for votes, Daschle is a man of his word and delivers results to Americans.

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Amazing, the current administration is really good at detaining American citizens -- a priest, a nun, and some teenage protesters -- under the new "terrorism" rule! Are they really worried about terrorists, or are they worried that protesting Bush and his policies could catch on in America? Hey Tom, John, and whoever else is responsible for this lunacy, where is Osama and what are you doing to protect America from the real terrorists?

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The next BIG question for Americans: Do you really want your social security benefits to be managed by the same Wall Street insiders who managed ENRON? Do you really want to contribute your retirement for the benefit of the already very rich? Tell Bush to take his "privatization" scheme and put it where Wall Street don't shine! Remember, "IT'S YOUR MONEY" -- at least until Bush gets his hands on it!

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The old cliché, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you," best describes the Bush approach to the Saudis. The Saudis would be well-advised to know that could include, "until we find a bigger hand"! Look out Venezuela, it may not be over yet. Iraq here we come! It seems nothing will stand in the way of the oil barons and profit!

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Lest ye forget, the Bush clan is in charge. So, it comes as no surprise that the oil barons are manipulating profits. They got away with profit manipulating energy in California via ENRON, why not gouge the whole country whenever and wherever possible? Make that money now, because the American people may not be as amenable to theft again in 2004.

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I was appalled to read the SF Gate article by L.M. Sixel: "Executives Benefit from Works' Demise; 'Dead Peasant' Policies Payout to Bosses When Employees Die." The terminology alone is abhorrent -- "Dead peasant-policies." A worker who devotes his service to a company should never be referred to as a "peasant." For company executives to profit from the death of a worker is even more deplorable, but anything done by an Enron subsidiary is not surprising. Profit is the bottom line for corporations, up to and including the death of an average worker. Sadly, the human condition is no longer a consideration.

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April 29, 2002

The damage being done to the environment will be felt by Mother Earth long after Bush is gone! Unfortunately, repairing the devastation will be impossible. It took several years of sound management and economic policy by the Clinton/Gore administration to overcome Poppy's deficit spending, but the environmental peril by Bush #2 will be permanent.

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The royal Saudi prince sandwiched a visit to the boy, between visits to poppy! Seems #1 is up to his neck in foreign policy and oil profits must be protected. I guess we can't depend on poppy to clean up the mess when he's the one that made the mess! Should have known -- since Dumbya isn't capable of anything more than a vacation.

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Conservative journalists should realize that attempting to compare Bush to Daschle is a no-win comparison. Senator Daschle has everything that Bush lacks -- integrity, honesty, grace, experience, and a brain. Most people can see this. Only the fogged, cloudy egos of the conservatives among us cannot!

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The boy wonder has no "blueprint" for an attack on Iraq! No surprise --that's business as usual for this administration! Plow ahead full steam willy nilly without a feasible plan. If it's chaos and confusion now, wait and see the next phase. They don't know how to successfully conclude anything before beginning anew! Dumbya's inexperience is glowing and the outdated methods of the "experienced" guys will bring us to disaster. So much for being thankful that we have "this administration."

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Al Gore was right -- the oil well is running dry! The current administration is only concerned about profits, while they last. Thanks to mainstream media, a flawed election and the SCOTUS, the last laugh may be on us! Wise men have been telling us that sooner, rather than later, we must find alternative sources for energy. Are the profits for oil barons really worth war and lost lives?

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