BuzzFlash presents Barbara's Daily BuzzFlash Minute
exclusively on BuzzFlash.com

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.

June 14, 2002

Who needs Osama? The Bush administration is advancing weapons grade plutonium shipments from Rocky Flats in Colorado down to South Carolina. Thus our "Homeland Security" is insecure. The trucks shipping this stuff can be targets. Eight months down the road, after an accident or a terrorist plot and thousands are dead, will the Bush administration again say, "but we didn't know trucks could be used to kill people"? We are more insecure as a nation with these dumbbells running the nation, than ever before in the history of America.

* * *

It strikes my funny bone when I think of the dire warnings Cheney issued to the Democrats about investigating 9-11! I haven't heard similar warnings aimed at the Repugs who also wonder "who knew what when!" The Bushies, in their egocentricity, don't understand that cover up and secrecy doesn't always work, especially when incompetence is running rampant. Sometimes, in the blame game, justice does reign supreme and those responsible for error are exposed. Those who yell the loudest are usually the ones with the most to hide. A childhood lesson for Cheney!

* * *

The Repuglicans are at it again! Sleazy politicians practicing nasty politics. If you can believe it, a man who didn't even have the integrity to object to the Viet Nam war on principal, but instead offered the "lame" excuse of a "bad knee," is accusing a Viet Nam Veteran, decorated for bravery, of "breaking his oath to protect and defend." This ludicrous charge came from sleaze ball Saxby Chambliss, who is running for against Senator Max Cleland, the senior Senator from Georgia. The Repuglicans can't win on principal or policy, so they stoop to nasty, mean, and lying. Americans are fed up with this kind of slime. It's time to tell Saxby NO, we don't want your kind of sleaze representing the State of Georgia. Veterans and Americans will remember who really took the oath to protect and defend, Senator Max Cleland, the man who gave a whole lot more for us and his fellow soldiers than most men can imagine.

* * *

Americans must endure VP Cheney lecturing us on patriotism, Ashcroft telling us that questions aid terrorists, anti-drug ads implying aid to terrorists, and a myriad of accusations from this administration that our actions help terrorists. We now find, from an article by Reuters.co.uk, "Satellite enthusiast taps into Nato pictures." Pictures from manned spy aircraft and drones have been broadcast through a satellite that has been transmitted over the Internet. This, from the men "experienced" in warfare! We are sending top secret info to the enemy. Again, I say we don't need to fear Osama, we have the Bush administration. They truly are a joke. Who is telling the enemy where they can find our forces? Why do we have to find out these intolerable errors from sources outside the U.S., where is the mainstream media in America?

* * *

June 13, 2002

The Office of Homeland Security was a creation by Bush to protect Bush -- American citizens have never been a consideration. He even told us he wanted all these Departments under one head in order to have only one person accountable! He wants to be sure one of his loyalists will be positioned to protect him, his actions, or inaction. He is prone to secrecy and double-dealing, he is determined that only one person will really know the truth. No public revelations, no public accountability, no checks and balances! This is the Bush-run government at work.

* * *

Ironic isn't it, a man who doesn't know much about anything KNEW about such a catastrophic event? It should tell us all something -- this man who doesn't read reports, who needs summary briefs, who can't speak the English language, was aware that a terrorist plot was in the works. Just wonder if, in his arrogance, he thought no one would dare strike out at the United States, or if he needed them to strike out in order to continue his personal agenda against average Americans? Either way, his reign should cease and desist. He should do the honorable thing and RESIGN. But then, he is not an honorable man.

* * *

The Bushies are doing the work for Osama Bin Laden! Our freedoms are being stripped away every day; the press is applauding the work of a dictator; mainstream media hides anything negative about Dumbya; and civil rights and free speech are now unpatriotic. Dumbya and "his" administration are achieving the goals of the terrorists. For terrorism to succeed, who needs Osama when America has Bush?

* * *

Wouldn't you think maniacal raving would be checked off for what it is? Wouldn't you think anyone listening to Bob Barr's ranting would realize this is a lunatic spewing hatred? Wouldn't you think investigations initiated by Bob Barr would be discounted? Taxpayers footed the money bill for all the ridiculous investigations into the Clintons, paying millions to find out President Clinton didn't do anything more than personal. Now taxpayers have had to pay again for Barr's bizarre obsessions, the GAO report says damage was no more than normal wear and tear over a period of eight years. The cost for painting and repair amounted to nine thousand dollars -- the cost for the report amounted to TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND. Time for the men in white suits to retrieve the ranting maniac Barr. He is an embarrassment to the U. S. Congress and to the district he represents.

* * *

When they know they are guilty, notice how Repuglicans don't want an investigation and come up with the most ludicrous excuses as to why an investigation is not necessary! We need to thoroughly investigate 9-11. If we do anything for the victims of 9-11, we should be able to tell their families why -- we owe them answers. This investigation is about the future of our country, about Democracy, and about accountability and responsibility. This isn't trivial sex; this isn't "possible" fraud; this isn't politics as usual. This is about AMERICAN LIVES.

* * *

I am really having a problem with the fact that for seven months a man warned the DOD about broadcasts from manned spy planes and drones, information that was readily available to whoever chooses to watch it. This should be top secret information and if this "experienced" bunch of clowns did nothing to stop the release of it, then I say it's time for someone to be fired. Some heads should roll and this "leak" should be repaired immediately. Mr. Perle, it should have been "encrypted" 7 months ago.

* * *

June 12, 2002

How many times have we heard, "I'm sorry we can't do anything, it was just a threat nothing happened"? Now suddenly, a United States citizen can be detained for years because he MAY have been planning to make a bomb. He is in jail because he MIGHT be dangerous. Think of the consequences of this mind set! YOU MAY BE THINKING OF COMMITTING A CRIME IN THE FUTURE, so that gives the law a reason to put you in jail without benefit of counsel. What third world country are we living in?

* * *

The Senate Intelligence Committee is missing the biggest problem. They say problems start at the top and trickle down -- if that's the case, then my theory is correct and our so called "leader" is not intelligent. The trickle down effect is resulting in chaos and confusion. Dumbya's lack of ability is surpassed only by his lack of intelligence, and everything leading up to and after 9-11 is a reflection of that. When something is screwed up from the very beginning, then all that comes after it will be screwed. When the Supreme Court chose the loser, the nation and the world suffered the consequences.

* * *

Watching Dumbya and "his" administration is like watching a repeating rerun of the Keystone Cops! These guys are a sad bunch indeed. All the hype, all the praise, all the secrecy and cover-up does not change the facts. We are in the middle of a nightmare from which escape is becoming more and more impossible. Democracy is in danger. We need a HERO.

* * *

Bush said during his campaign we would not become the police of the world. Yet, he is not only policing the world, he has also become judge and jury. He turned America into an aggressive pursuer of any who disagree with his policies or politics. When Bush speaks of a free and open society, he really means a free and open society that agrees with him; otherwise, you're "agin us!" What is he doing to the country we love? What is he really doing to our freedoms? This man assumed office and is as close to a modern-day despot as any I've ever heard or read about. Our country is being wrested from the people and given to an idiot!

* * *

June 11, 2002

Bush's intention, when creating the Office of Homeland Security, was to consolidate all the agencies under one head in order to protect him and his deeds from public. His intention was to maintain the secrecy he so dearly needs by having only one person be aware of his actions. He doesn't include Congress, he wants a government he can control without publicity. He is not protecting Americans, he is protecting himself and his ability to bilk Americans!

* * *

I wonder how a military employed by the people of the United States can subvert the Constitution? How can they make rules that are unconstitutional? How can the truth be called "contemptuous"? Lt. Col. Steve Butler should not suffer any reprimand in exercising his First Amendment Right of Free Speech. He should not be punished for speaking the truth. The military is showing they are interested in money, not principal, when they support the Poacher in Chief Bush. To rally around a man who was AWOL during military service is despicable.

* * *

June 10, 2002

Question: What has the FBI been spending their money on? All I've heard lately is how under-funded and ill-equipped they are. So, just wondering if monies have been allocated and used wisely? When was the last time they had an audit? Is an audit called for now? Frankly, while improvement is a necessity, I believe the FBI is being used as a scapegoat for an administration that wants to hide their own inadequacies.

* * *

I wonder how these guys can lie to the American people with a straight face and still expect anyone to believe them? As of May 30, 2002, Tom Ridge publicly stated he would recommend a veto by Bush if Congress established a Cabinet Level Office of Homeland Security! He then goes on television to say it has been in the works for months! What a crock of you know what! They scrambled and created a smoke screen to ward off any negativity when the FBI whistle-blower testified. They created a massive smoke screen knowing it could not or would not meet satisfactory standards for passage. This White House is counting on their cohort Repuglicans to thwart their proposal. What a slimy bunch of back biting cover-ups! It just shows us all what kind of ooze is running our country.

* * *

When thinking back on the Clinton years, I realize it took a man with monumental strength and capability to continue his focus on the job, while those on the right were determined, through whatever means, to defeat him. He continued the efforts of peace in the Middle East, he fought those who reviled human rights and won, he maintained a thriving economy, he showed Americans what a President should be -- a Leader with the American people's interests foremost. In contrast we now have an UN-elected twerp calling the shots, who at best is illiterate and willingly uninformed, whose ability stops at where to vacation next. His interests, as have been all his life, are me-first self indulgence! How sad for America and the rest of the world that Dumbya poaches in the Oval Office.

* * *

Seems this administration can never get it right! If all the kidnap victims in the Philippines had been rescued, I wonder what the story from Rumsfeld would have been? Of course the Americans participated in planning the operation, they just didn't get the desired result. I am deeply sorry for the families who lost loved ones. I am relieved Mrs. Burnham was rescued. It would be nice for America if this administration would tell the truth about their actions once in a while. Secrecy and cover up is the mode of operation for the Bushies.

* * *

Shades of Lemnitzer again! Have those select few in the military finally found an Oval Office poacher who thinks like they do? Could the soldier on leave, practicing re-con at the Florida Power Plant, been sent there? Why was he allowed "no-contest" and rewarded with probation? How can anyone these days get away with planting explosives to do damage? Unless of course, someone higher up has a "plan" to scare the public and rally support for dipping poll numbers. To get caught in the act was not part of the original plan, but then there are some in law enforcement who are not privy to all that's going on! It gives us pause to wonder who we really need to fear! Does terror come from the outside, or from within? Who indeed would be willing to sacrifice a few American lives to continue to reign? Scary huh?

* * *

So, the Hammer otherwise known as DeLay is forming a "grass roots army" called STOMP. Pretty typical of these sleazy, so-called compassionate Repuglicans. I am sick of them and their tactics. They go around spouting religion in churches, then spew hatred and vitriol on those who don't agree with their rotten brand of politics. It's time for big time reform: get rid of them, get rid of the hatred and below-the-belt antics they so readily employ. Send them all back to wherever they came from with a good swift kick in the butt! Vote Democratic!