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The BuzzFlash Mailbag
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Subj: Judge John Bates, Lackey for George W. Bush
Dear BuzzFlash,
Judge John Bates, who was appointed by Bush in Dec., 2001, is certainly earning his keep. He was appointed by Bush to be a yes man and he has not disappointed him. He dismissed the suit Judicial Watch brought against Dick Cheney to disclose whom he met with to form OUR energy policy. So Cheney is now allowed to keep his secrets from the American people about his meetings with Ken Lay, the Taliban and other oil-related interests. Cheney's meetings shut out all environmental groups. Only the oil and energy corporate bigwigs were heard, so Cheney could grant their wish list.
Now comes another outrage from Judge Bates. Bates has dismissed a lawsuit by 32 lawmakers who wanted to stop Bush's withdrawal from the ABM Treaty. The plaintiffs contended the withdrawal was unconstitutional because Bush had not sought the approval of Congress. So our Imperial President is allowed to tear up international treaties, as he sees fit, and answer to no one. It seems the Constitution has been torn up, too, by George Bush.
Gigi
Dear BuzzFlash,
Regarding 'Paris suspect ...', a follow-up:
French
police arrest WITNESS in airport arms find
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L31385519
Regarding 'FBI Seeks Five Men of "Arab Ancestry." Disgusting Stereotyping':
I can guarantee you that five names listed and the pictures provided are those of Pakistanis, and are NOT of "Arab Ancestry." I know because I am from Pakistan. Ask any Pakistani and he will recognize the names as faces as being from Pakistan. My point is that what type of "expertise" do these experts at FBI have that they can not tell the difference? Are they really that incompetent or is the slip-up intentional??????
Regards,
Ehsan
Subj: Where's The Outrage?
Dear BuzzFlash,
During the holidays I drove from Chicago to Richmond VA, on the various northern turnpikes, through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. I drove through Washington D.C. south to Richmond then back through Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and then north to Chicago. There and back I drove approx. 1700 miles. During this torture marathon, I saw NOT ONE SINGLE ANTI-BUSH BUMPER STICKER! Where is our Democratic outrage? I hate to repeat myself, but as I have said in the past, we must bring our dissent and outrage into the public arena where others can see it. BuzzFlash and other websites are excellent, however they are not visible to those who do not seek them out. Shake Americans out of their apathetic stupor. Show your strong Democratic principles. Say what you feel. Slap on those stickers!
A BuzzFlash devotee
Subj: bush political hack, judge john bates, enables FURTHER bush-cheney-gop corruption...
Dear BuzzFlash,
why doesn't the US press/media write more about mr. bates' casual dismissal of years of judicial precedent and established law? because the US press and media as are corrupt and banal as the bush-cheney-bates-scalia-rhenquist administration they write about.
Politics
- AP
Court Rejects Lawmakers' ABM Challenge
Mon Dec 30, 6:21 PM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=536&ncid
=536&e=11&u=/ap/20021230/ap_on_go_co/abm_treaty_lawsuit
WASHINGTON - A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by 32 lawmakers who wanted to stop President Bush (news - web sites)'s withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
The plaintiffs had contended the withdrawal, which took effect in June, was unconstitutional because President Bush had not sought Congress' approval.
Subj: "Piece-fully"
Buzz,
I'm venting, I can't help it. You can toss this -- BUT -- can you believe this? Bush says that Iraq could "cripple our economy." God, don't you think we deserve ear plugs? The whole nation deserves a ration of free ear plugs. What is wrong with this man? This is in the same article where he says he is going to try to resolve the N Korea and the Iraq crisis 'peacefully.' Does he mean "piece-fully?" as he carves up countries already on life-support - and dishes little pieces of their organs out to the gang that came along to help him?
But, I'm getting to the thing that galls me most, even beyond his lies: his logic, his syntax!
'Asked about the potential cost of a war against Iraq, Bush countered: "An attack from Saddam Hussein or a surrogate of Saddam Hussein would cripple our economy." "Our economy is strong, it's resilient, we've got to continue to make it strong and resilient," Bush said. But he added: "This economy cannot afford to stand an attack."'
He just strings the lies like beads on a necklace. Then he tosses them in our face. I just wonder how the reporters can stand there, after they've heard something like that and not dump a cup of coffee on his head, or something. He was posing in a coffee shop. Probably to have his remote controllers out of sight. I bet they have the guy wired up. Make sure he doesn't talk too much or they give him a jolt. Sometimes he gets a few sentences out in front of them, which accounts for the above.
But someone should tell him that if the economy can survive the statements he makes - it could survive ANYTHING Saddam Hussein dished up. (What, like economic sanctions - or something?!?)
And another thing, too! You know, you always hear about how Castro would make 3 hour speeches... CAN YOU IMAGINE GEORGE BUSH MAKING A 3 HOUR SPEECH? What would that be like? He doesn't have 3 hours worth of thoughts in his brain. It's a scary thought.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!
All we can do is -- BE STRONG -- AND go to the peace rally in Washington on Jan 18!!! (See unitedforpeace.org or internationalanswer.org for details and buses.) This is the one we have to be at. Imagine a million of us! That might be enough to knock Karl Rove's socks off! (and into George Bush's mouth????!)
Here's the url: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2
&u=/nm/20021231/pl_nm/bush_dc&e=2&ncid=584 (It's already
on your website.)
Peace, y'all! We'll NEVER surrender!
Mary Kim
Dear BuzzFlash,
Great conclusion to Jim Hightower's article:"Realize our Democratic Destiny", and a great way to start to 2003...
"our Democratic Destiny" is a talking-point even Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity TOGETHER can't ridicule...
LJBK
<< This is Jim Hightower saying... We can't look to Washington and Wall Street to realize our democratic destiny. As always in America's history, we have to look within ourselves. Make a resolution today to find one or two of these rebellions in your community... and join in. That's the way to make your new year truly a happy one. >>
"MAKING
THE NEW YEAR HAPPY"
http://www.jimhightower.com/air/read.asp?id=10997
Subj: Class Warfare
Dear BuzzFlash,
I have repeatedly noticed that any time the topic of class warfare is mentioned in the presence of a Republican functionary, that it is handled like a red hot potato. It is so consistent that it is obvious that it is a subject that the party has been briefed on. That means it is an issue they fear.
Any stories, any headlines, any editorials that bring this issue to the forefront will be of great aggravation to the GOP.
Americans need to be educated on the percentages of wealth control in our society, it should become the foremost issue in their minds,..... once class warfare becomes that number 1 issue, it is difficult to get the genie back in the bottle.
An article showing what a near ideal society like Sweden has accomplished, detailing such things as
- free cradle to grave medical
- free national child care
- free education through the doctoral level
- almost 100% literacy
- all workers are immediately put in state paid training programs in event of layoff, with substantial living allowance, there is virtually no unemployment
This should educate the public there is another path that does work and works well for the common people.
John
Subj: Global War and Plantation Earth
Dear BuzzFlash,
There can only be three reasons for the behavior of the present administration. One, they are all stupid; two, they are all crazy; and three, they know exactly what they are doing. Obviously they are neither crazy nor stupid because they have prospered this long without being committed to an asylum or being forced to dig a ditch or pick up garbage to make a living. That leaves an agenda.
At first, I thought that out of revenge Bush would try to undo all that President Clinton had done, then I thought that every move was geared to pay back his big contributors. Now I think that there are some in Washington who have a vision for the entire planet. A large corporation running the world overseen by people so powerful and rich that they are virtually untouchable and above the laws of man. A technological plantation so to speak.
This administration seems bent on antagonizing every dangerous country on earth. No one in Washington appears to have ever heard of the word "diplomacy". We can't fight a war on every front - that would make cannon fodder out of our troops who also happen to be our children, husbands, boyfriends, wives, or girlfriends, and it would destroy what is left of the non-defense and non-oil economy. This administration has a big, belligerent mouth and it's going to get us into trouble. We need someone to speak up before we have a global mess on our hands but politicians are hopeless cowards and opportunists. So, we need to force the media to stop feeding us bush-produced pabulum and be the journalists they are supposed to be. And, finally, we need a commission to uncover exactly why 9-11 happened. No rubber-stamp garbage like they’ve got now. This all started with 9-11, it has been the impetus to get this massive war machine rolling. We need to know how our security and the administration had not a clue that this was coming but yet, by the next day they knew not only the identities of the hijackers but their entire resumes. We need to know why interceptor planes were scrambled from air bases not in the immediate vicinity of the hijacked planes, but from bases hundreds of miles away. There is so much we need to know. But we have to have an honest and courageous media in order to do that. And the only way to make them report honestly is by making our voices heard loud and clear - to them and above all to their advertisers. One person can’t make a dent but 10,000 can. So let them hear from you every time they try to whitewash this regime, each and every time. The world depends on it.
sos
Dear BuzzFlash,
It was a pleasure to watch Al Gore last night on HARDBALL. Matthews was subdued (compared to usual), and Gore was right on the mark with everything he said. The audience loved him.
Obviously, I am one of the majority who think that Al was screwed out of a job in 2000 ~ I'd LOVE to see the tide turn.
Vicki Stein
Subj: An Open Letter to Daschle: Don't Run
Dear Senator Daschle:
I am writing you as a lifelong registered Democrat who never, ever fails to vote.
And I am writing to ask you, in the interest of the Democratic party, not to run for President in 2004.
Frankly, I would vote for any Democrat but you in the primaries. If you somehow secured our party's nominee, I would then be forced to "throw away" my vote on a third party candidate.
Why? Because in the first two years of Bush's presidency, your leadership was lackluster when it was not craven. You have capitulated and cozied up to Bush one time too many.
Your sluggish and complacent response to Trent Lott's remarks were the last straw. Astonishingly, you managed missed a once-a-year opportunity simultaneously to do both the right thing and the politically expedient thing. (We're all used to you choosing the latter.)
Yet your "Senate collegiality" and fear of rocking the Republican boat held you back. And so conservative commentators and liberals got way out in front of you on a win-win issue.
Let me say it again: Though I am a loyal Democrat, if you by some bizarre stroke of luck, you were to become the Democratic nominee for President, that would be the end of my loyalty to the party. I won't vote for you.
Sincerely,
Sam
Pratt
Hudson,
NY
Subj: Was Bush at the Strom Thurmond Party?
Dear BuzzFlash,
A while back you sent a link to a picture showing Bush (as in George II), Trent Lott, and Strom Thurmond at a celebration of Thurmond's 100th birthday party:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/021223/170/2x49p.html
The caption to the picture clearly implies that this is the same birthday celebration where Lott made his now infamous remarks declaring his nostalgia for segregation:
Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-SC) waves at his 100th birthday party hosted by President George W. Bush at the White House December 6, 2002. From the left are Bush, Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS), Thurmond's daughter Julie Thurmond Whitmer, and Thurmond's wife Nancy. Lott chose to give up his position as Senate majority leader following comments he made at the party.
So let me get this straight: Bush sat through Lott's indefensible remarks and didn't say anything? Maybe he was applauding politely as Lott expressed his nostalgia for the good ol' days of segregation? (Could there be video footage of this?) He nursed his alleged "outrage" for a week before actually getting around to condemning Lott's words? And finally, this "Confederacy Fest" was actually held at the White House?
Check me on this: if true, shouldn't Bush's initial non-reaction to Lott's statements be a major story in and of itself??
Can you enlighten me as to what the deal is here? Is this really true??
Thanks and keep up the good work,
Kevin
Kraft
Menlo
Park, CA
Sent to Bartcop:
Subj: Clinton Redux
Bart.
A week or so ago a local guy wrote a Guest Opinion to our Bucks County Courier Times bashing Clinton, and of course blaming him for everything from world hunger to burnt toast. The following was my reply:
A recent Guest Opinion rant about Bill Clinton, almost two years after he left office, brings to mind the old lesson in futility cliche, "beating a dead horse."
With all that's going on in this country today; the return of federal deficits, high unemployment, floundering stock market, corporate scandals, the threat of terrorism, and a President obsessed with secrecy, who was going to bring honor and integrity back to the White House and is now hiring convicted perjurers of Iran/Contra fame, John Poindexter and Elliot Abrams, not to mention a noted American who isn't free to travel the world because of active subpoenas in foreign countries, Henry Kissinger, one has to wonder why the writer felt the need to spend time railing about a long gone Bill Clinton.
The writer starts his last paragraph with the following: "I could go on and on and highlight dozens of other instances of ethical and legal Clinton White House scruples, but I won't." Well, I thank God for little favors, and the restrictions by the Courier on the length of Letters and Guest Opinions. He seems to want to subject the reading public to his version of the Chinese water torture with this belated, time worn, anti-Clinton tirade. This latest in the rants against anything Clinton activates my imagination to the following scenario:
The scene takes place in the year Stardate 5345.6. I see the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise and the following conversation taking place:
Spock: "Jim, the Klingons are attacking."
Kirk: "Yes, Clinton sold them Earth's defense plans."
Spock: "But Jim, Clinton hasn't been around for over 3 thousand years."
Kirk: "Spock, don't bother me with details, we must find a way to overcome the newly designed Photon Torpedoes that Hillary Clinton stole and sold to the evil Klingon Empire, her relatives, no doubt."
Spock: 'I agree Jim, the Health Care Plan she designed was just a ploy to get inside the government so she could do her espionage."
Kirk: "Don't forget Gore, he invented the internet so the Clintons could e-mail all of their dirty work to the Klingons, Hillary's relatives, no doubt."
Spock: "Well, Jim, if it weren't for the 21st century's leading historian and political scientist, Rush Limbaugh, and all of the good Americans today that continue to write letters to the Editor informing us, we never would have known how evil the Clinton's were."
Kirk: "Spock, yes. Now, Scotty, full power, we need warp nine!"
Scotty: "I can nah help ya lad, Tipper Gore just stole the dilithium crystals!"
JohnW
Bensalem,
PA
Subj: Here They Go Again!
Dear BuzzFlash,
I Just had my 1st very interesting political discussion of the new year with a co-worker - a textbook example of how the right wing operates.
According to 'Carl' (whose values run somewhat to the conservative side while still opened-minded & progressive on numerous issues even though he listens to right-winger commentators), US Senator Pat Murray had said in a speech that Osama Bin Laden was a good guy - and the NY Times had not reported the speech. Isn't this proof, asked Carl, that the liberal Times practices a double standard, that they deliberately suppressed a damning speech by a Democrat while giving endless coverage to Trent Lott's gaffe?
I did a quick Google & found a Seattle Post Intelligencer editorial criticizing Murray for asking a high school class "why is this man so popular around the world? Why are people so supportive of him in many countries that are riddled with poverty?
"He's been out in these countries for decades, building schools, building roads, building infrastructure, building day care facilities, building health care facilities, and the people are extremely grateful, " Murray told them.
Not quite the same thing as saying "Osama is good," is it? Yet this is the kind of crapola the right dishes out 24/7 - a one-two punch of trying to silence honest debate about the roots of terrorism while attacking the objectivity of a news outlet that doesn't parrot their propaganda.
You know that this is the right-wing lie of the day, faxed out to all the cable news & radio mouthpieces, accepted as common knowledge without ever being true. After relaying the actual content of Murray's speech, 'Carl' admitted that she had been unfairly characterized; I let him know in no uncertain terms that this was another example of the right's Big Lie technique, their Standard Operating Procedure. If an alternative liberal radio network or commentators get on the air, letting every Carl know they're being lied to will be job #1; until then it's up to us.
-Joe
Buzz,
Thought you might like to see my letter to the editor in the New York Times today.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/01/opinion/L01DRAF.html
To the Editor:
Representative Charles B. Rangel feels that bringing back the draft would make war a shared sacrifice, as not just the poor and minorities would be called upon ("Bring Back the Draft," Op-Ed, Dec. 31). But he forgets that those with influence and means manage to get deferments or choice assignments.
It would still be the poor and minorities shedding their blood.
CYNTHIA PUTT
Cloverdale, Ore., Dec. 31, 2002
Did I just hear that moron bush say "OUR ECONOMY IS PRETTY DARN STRONG"?
What country does he think he is in?
Diane A.
Subj: Daddy Bush ever present behind the scenes
This is a tremendous story I'm not sure you guys have been following -- The connection between the nomination of John Snow as treasury secretary and the CSX-Carlyle deal. You did link to the article about that deal (http://www.aar.org/Index.asp?IACID=1139), but didn't point out that Snow is the outgoing CEO of CSX or the questionable timing of this deal and his nomination.
Joe
Conason touches on it here:
http://www.salon.com/politics/conason/2002/12/18/bush/print.html
Truthout
has also pointed out the connection in an editorial note here:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/12.20D.carlyle.csx.htm
Please keep an eye on this.
A BuzzFlash Reader
