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 28, 2002

America's founding fathers had a reason to believe the country should maintain a separation of church and state. We can see why, when we read that Barbara Bush called Billy Graham so he could settle a debate between herself and her son: Dumbya didn't think Jews could go to heaven because "they didn't believe in Jesus." Can you see the implications? When an individual decides who is going to heaven and who isn't, that person has assumed the position of a higher power. With assumption comes all we've seen since Dumbya stole the election. He sees himself as the better man for all of America. Thanks, but no thanks. I believe we need to return America to the people and let us vote and decide what's best for the country. We can also decide how best to practice or not practice our religion.

* * *

Actions speak louder than words. Whenever Bush utters the words, "I want to work with Congress," we all know he wants something. He is what is known as a "fair weather" friend. We know that wherever possible, Bush eliminates Congressional oversight. Until he needed "Homeland Security" as a cover for his covert operations he said, "Tom Ridge did not have to testify before Congress, it would compromise the work of Homeland Security." Now "he wants to work with Congress"! It's a bunch of bull. He is creating an extensive agency to cover his own mistakes and to protect himself from future revelations. If you really want to know how Bush operates and what he intends for the country, look at how he started -- he stole an election, he lied to the American people, he trashed a thriving economy, his inaction led to violence in America, and, through it all, he has managed to pad the bank accounts of family and friends.

* * *

When Bush stole the presidency and bungled everything he touched, I thought, give him enough rope and he'll hang himself. Little did I realize that, in the process, we'd all be hung with him. He has been the worst disaster this country has ever seen. I liken him to an erupting volcano, uncontrollable molten lava wasting everything in its path. It cannot be regained, rehabilitated, or restored. He is ruining everything America has ever stood for, and it's only taken him 18 months. I wonder if there will be anything left in 2004?

* * *

The Supreme Court, in its infinite right-wing Repuglican partisanship, has again bungled that which would serve the people! In stating, "they must protect the people's right to practice their religion," they were right. My contention is that we taxpayers don't have to pay them to practice said religion. Vouchers will only help as a stipend to attend private schools, while those who cannot afford to pay the difference will be left in schools that need repair and everything else necessary for a first-rate education. I guess, though, the Bush administration needs the vote in the upcoming elections, so they will take from the poor to give to the more affluent. I suppose, too, that since the Catholic Church has had to pay out so much money in suits to settle the wayward priests' child abuse cases, they need the government money to provide parochial education.

June 27, 2002

President Clinton was ahead on the war on terrorism. His initiatives on combating terrorism were muzzled by a Repuglican-controlled Congress. Sooner or later the American public is going to wake up to the fact that the Repugs were more interested in making Clinton and the Dems look bad than in America's well-being. The Repugs are interested in scandal and fluff, not substance. They use scandal and fluff as cover to rob the taxpayer of essential benefits.

* * *

America, we've been given an opportunity unlike any we've had before. We've been allowed a glimpse into our future. The Bush administration bullied their way into the powerful playing field of national and international politics, espousing their corporate experience. They told us the best model for running the government was their "corporate" model. Mr. Bush even went so far as to describe his frequent vacations as a necessity, that corporation CEO's did not have to "micro-manage." He loaded "his" administration with former CEOs and upper corporate managers. We now see -- with Enron, Anderson, and WorldCom -- where this CEO aka Dumbya is taking the country. We are headed into oblivion and his legacy will be the 2nd Great Depression.

* * *

June 26, 2002

When chemical and biological warfare was feared, Israel ordered "gas masks" for their whole population. I guess the White House and the Capitol are the only Americans who matter in our country. Weren't we told during the "anthrax" attacks that gas masks wouldn't work? It just shows us where the "care and compassion" really lies with this administration.

* * *

In his latest dissent, Antonin Scalia has revealed himself: HE IS PLAYING GAMES. Never before has a justice on the Supreme Court been so candid about his behavior, and what he considers serious. Which game was he playing when he took the will of the people and trashed it? We all know that when Scalia plays games he cheats, he supported the "loser" in the biggest national election of this country. He, in fact, assumed a position, along with the other infamous 5, that was as against Democracy as any we've ever seen. Talk about personal opinion pay backs, that was the biggest one we've ever seen in the United States. Thanks to Scalia and his cohorts demeaning the Court, respect will be a long time in coming.

* * *

Just wondering if, as an average citizen, I could rent a PO Box on a Caribbean Island somewhere, stay in my home in the U.S., and be exempt from income tax? Could I tell the government that it's too expensive to pay taxes, but I certainly enjoy the benefits of America and intend to continue to reap those benefits? Do you think I could get away with it? Do you think the Repugs would support my not leaving this country? Do you think they would approve, because, after all, I'm still spending my money here and keeping commerce going? I don't think so either, so tell me why do they think it's okay for corporations to do it?

* * *

What can you expect from a guy who was given Poppy's charge card and sailed through life without a care? Sure it was all right to spend a bundle and play, because Pop was there to pay the bills. Now folks, it's us who will foot the bill for Dumbya's games. I guess he figures it's time to give back a little to Poppy. This model of CEO governance stinks. All you have to do is look at Enron to see Dumbya's VISION for America. Those at the top will prosper while the rest are left penniless.

* * *

June 25, 2002

If the Catholic Church intends to survive, then it must take definitive action against those clerics who break the law. They are no more above the law than are the laity. Where are all the self-righteous voices? When anyone takes advantage of innocents to quell perverted desires then they should be punished. I cannot understand how this is controversial. If anyone else had abused a child, they would be facing a jail sentence. If anyone else had been complicit in abusing a child, they also would be facing prison. The trappings of a collar and the "religious" do not absolve guilt. Practice what you preach is in order for the cardinals, bishops, and the priests in the Catholic Church. Forgiveness is a virtue, penance is a must, so lock them up!

* * *

It's a sure bet this administration is busy coming up with ways to silence truth and information! Why do you think they've been stripping civil rights and civil liberties? The intention is to take American's right of Freedom of Speech. There cannot be dissent if they want to maintain power. Believe me, they will do anything to maintain their control. We have not seen an incursion on civil rights like we're seeing right now, and we can expect more in the future!

* * *

So Bush wants to "usher in the responsibility era." Ha! It's one thing to talk about responsibility and quite another to practice it. Dumbya's covering up the facts after 9-11 reveals his ability to be responsible! He conveniently forgot that planes could be used as missiles, he didn't read a report on his desk, he had so much info to sift through, how could anyone expect him to decipher it, he needed a vacation after working so hard to cut taxes? There isn't a responsible bone in this man's body, so forget about it. A poster boy for irresponsibility would be a more apt description. The basic personality doesn't change and this boy hasn't ever taken responsibility for anything.

* * *

A suggestion to Democrats in Florida -- closely monitor the vote counting. It seems that those who count the votes, in counties that have Repuglican officials, have a problem with adding. Hopefully, there is a mechanism that will alleviate the problem.

* * *

Now that the economy is in focus and the picture is not pretty, what color alert do you think will pop up to prop up? If the Bushies have been counting on apathetic Americans, then they've picked the wrong downfall. The one thing that wakes up America is an empty pocketbook. Guess who will be caught in the crossfire -- the man who said we can give a tax-cut to the rich, the man who said we can take money away from average citizens to give it to the affluent, the man who knows less about anything than anyone, the man who hit the "trifecta." This is the man who practices Enronomics, this is the man who, in his stupidity, has taken this country from it's most prosperous period back to the times of his father!

* * *

June 24, 2002

When I read about Bush I pardoning Orlando Bosch, or that the Saudi's are funding terrorists, or that the Bin Laden's may still have financial ties to Osama, I realize that terrorism is truly in the eye of the beholder. I wonder how the Bush II administration has the audacity to support the current ad campaign in the war against drugs. My grandmother used to say, "actions speak louder than words" and I believe that to be a truth that the Bushies have overlooked.

* * *

It's pointless to hope for an end to the war on terrorism. Dumbya must continue his war in order to maintain his office and thus his power. People of America, beware, the "alerts," the intelligence "leaks," and all things to scare you will continue for a long time. The "war" is also good cover for promoting the Repuglican agenda -- the one that gives to the rich and robs from the poor. The Clinton years of peace and prosperity are over and, if Dumbya has his way, we won't see the light of day for a long time to come.

* * *

Preemptive strikes are deemed necessary in order to protect us from those nations who would use weapons of mass destruction against us. To seek a change of regime to protect our way of life is a must. We cannot allow a man who means to do us harm to stay in power. We must strike first, when it has been proven that a nation is intent on destroying us! If this were a letter, could it be signed "Saddam"? This is rhetoric from the Bush administration regarding Saddam Hussein. Offensive action against a nation, rather than defensive, gives all nations the same right to survival? Does this kind of posturing put others in a defensive mode? Who's at risk when the leaders are dancing the dance of war? Even a rat will come out fighting when he's backed into a corner.