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The BuzzFlash Mailbag
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Subj: Use Diplomacy with North Korea
Dear BuzzFlash,
It seems the earlier tact of using diplomacy, aid, and oil, and open trading with North Korea (anyone own a KIA?) was the ONLY way to deal with North Korea.
The basic concept that EVERY nation has human beings in it and EVERY nation should be equally respected, and, if compliant with the rule of international law, invited to the big table.
The Clinton foreign policy was brilliant.
The Bush foreign policy leads to Armageddon.
But of course, that's what Bush wants. His kind believes that if they can precipitate Armageddon, the Rapture will occur, and THEY will be the ONLY ones to go to heaven.
OH BOY!!! Are we in trouble or what?
Cynthia B
Subj: Class Warfare
Hiya Buzz -
I just read the contribution by "John" to the Jan 2nd mailbag. (Glad to have it back, BTW...) He hits the nail on the head.
Indeed, I agree that 'class warfare' is a serious hot button for the Republicans. Interestingly, they utilize it (only as a last resort) in a losing argument with surprising regularity. Guess what? It is an issue. It is THE issue.
Why?
They are the party engaging in class warfare. 100% of the time. The whole of the Republican agenda is assuredly not for the good of the average citizen or the benefit of the whole of our nation. It is wholly to benefit the privileged and the powerful, and to help them in securing more privilege and more power.
The Republican 'economic policy' consists of one thing: tax cuts for the wealthy. It's ingenious. By doing so, they can enrich their benefactors and cripple government services under a mountain of debt while the economy goes to hell in a hand basket. Then the newly enriched wealthy can take advantage of artificially depressed investments and gain a double long term benefit (upon which they won't have to pay taxes either.)
The Republican 'foreign policy' consists of one thing: war. This one is beautiful in its simplicity. Powerful corporations and cronies profit four ways: during the initial speculation, during the buildup, during the execution, and during the cleanup/rebuilding. It is an ingenious method of transferring public money to private benefactors, and it has the added bonus that you can hysterically refer to anyone who points this out as "unpatriotic."
The Republican 'education policy' consists of under-financing schools, requiring testing, and then taking money away from schools that under-perform on the tests to give to private religious groups as "vouchers."
Look at any identifiable area of Republican policy and you will see the same pattern. Veterans affairs -- let 'em rot and don't tell them what their available benefits might be. Agriculture -- as much subsidy to Archer-Daniels-Midland for genetically altered food as possible, but no labels on 'em! Labor -- cut off the benefits of the unemployed (and make sure that no one touches that $80,000.00 cap in social security payroll taxes.) Health -- make sure that the Pharm companies get their patents extended. Commerce -- hold a strongly worded press conference and immediately under fund the SEC. Justice, HHS, HUD... it's all there.
Yes, class warfare. I think that it's time to take the phrase and use it -- daily, by anyone who cares about the future of this nation. It IS class warfare; the common people of this country -- its backbone -- are being attacked, and it's time that we all call it what it is. It is plain to see for everyone -- especially the Republican Party.
What do you say? Wanna see 'em sweat? Use the term "Class Warfare" at every opportunity. When someone asks you why you use the term, you'll have no shortage of examples -- just open a newspaper and start circling items.
G.O.P. -- Greed, Opportunism, and Privilege. We outnumber 'em by several orders of magnitude.
Happy new year, all. Thank you, John.
Randy Kirchhof
Dripping Springs, Tx
Subj: L'etat c'est moi
Buzz:
Here's a letter of appreciation I wrote to Paul Krugman for his NY Times Column appearing on January 3, 2003:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/03/opinion/03KRUG.html
Your column is one of the few lights in a very dark tunnel. I was aghast when I heard Bush say, in a snippet on public radio, in an arrogant voice to a timid reporter:
"You said we're headed to war in Iraq. I don't know why you say that. I'm the person who gets to decide, not you."
I asked my husband, "Now how come we don't hear these quotes on television?" It seems that you are the only one who "reported" that quote in a major media outlet and called it what it is: L'état, c'est moi. (Bet you didn't think you'd have to do heavy lifting as a reporter when you took a job as a columnist, did you?) Very few others, it seems, are willing to use these scary Bush sound bites. I don't understand why. Frankly, the one above seems more intriguing to me than "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." At any rate, it seems to more directly affect my life and the lives of millions of others.
By the way, have you heard his latest quote, from yesterday's "Nature Walk"? The one where he was asked by a reporter "If we go to war...." and he said "Which country?" More breathtaking than the nature in Crawford, eh?
Thanks again for being there.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Here's my note to Clear Channel re: Rhodes
Dear Buzz:
First of all, outstanding interview with Randi!
I don't know what we'd do in Palm Beach County without her because she's the only barrier (on-air voice) between ignorance and arrogance. Sometimes I'm really just stunned at the blank sheep-like mentality in America, including right here at home. (Unlike Randi I don't see the people in the area as sophisticated thinkers - but then she gets out more than me :) Anyway, when she started here she was much less progressive, but she's developed into a talent that not only deserves syndication, she should run for office.
Anyway, here's my email to the top guy at clear channel - hope it helps more than it hurts.
* * *
Mr. Mays:
I am informed you refuse to syndicate Randi Rhodes. One rumor has it that Mr. Limbaugh has threatened to take his show elsewhere if Clear Channel allowed such a syndication. I trust this IS a only rumor as I rather doubt you would allow Mr. Limbaugh to dictate policy to Clear Channel.
With all due respect, I feel many unique and eloquent liberal voices in this country, such as Ms. Rhodes, are being stifled. This is anathema to the principles of "free speech" - and also to the concept of fair debate. Surely we are strong enough as a nation - and ClearChannel is brave enough - to have opposing viewpoints represented? You surely don't intend a message that suggests only the conservative need apply, do you? Or to imply you only want to market to one segment of the populace?
Here's hoping you reconsider - and that you understand Americans need and deserve to hear both sides of any issue.
Respectfully,
Carolyn
Subj: Repuglicans demonstrate fear of John Edwards
Dear BuzzFlash,
On the Jan. 3 CNN Crossfire Bob Novak and Paul Begala began to discuss John Edward's announcement to explore a run for the presidency.
I gained a multitude of information from their discussion. Novak began to put Edwards down immediately with baseless attacks. Wicked Bob was in true form, saying that Edwards had no experience, was a mere senator and a millionaire lawyer and accused Edwards of being part of the problem in the US. He lashed out saying that lawyers are the problem in this country and Edwards was one of them. Novak proceeded to try to level Edwards by insinuating he was an ambulance chaser. We all know that was a lie, but what else can we expect from Novak. He is there to lead the charge against the democratic candidate who the administration most fears.
Next, democrat and republican strategists joined the discussion. Ed Rogers, the republican strategist, picked up where Novak left off in the attack. Both Novak and Rogers tipped their hands when they mustered up a little praise for John Kerry and a few other democrats who have announced their run for the democratic nomination. Then came breaking news that Gephart would be announcing his bid. More praise was mustered up for Gephart by Novak and Rogers. Their phony praise told me that they want anyone but Edwards to run against Bush. It stuck out like a sore thumb. The republicans fear Edwards! They are trying to pick the democratic nominee through propaganda and Edwards scares the hell out of them. Edwards cuts into the republican south. He claims to be for the little guys just as he was when he was an active lawyer. He has begun by projecting sound ideas. He is young and handsome and has little kids just like John Fitzgerald Kennedy, our last president who came from the senate.
Is the Bush Regime scared? You bet! Who would want to run against a candidate mindful of John Kennedy?
~ Cathy
Subj: Question for Clear Channel executives- Randi Rhodes Talk Radio Rules! Why isn't she national?
Dear BuzzFlash,
I've recently had the opportunity to listen to the lively Randi Rhodes via the internet and was wondering why in the world hasn't Randi been put into national circulation? As a balance to Rush's demagoguery at the very least! Randi's voice and message is one that resonates with HUGE number of people in my area and I'm saddened more don't have the opportunity to enjoy her show. Please allow this talented lady to speak to a wider audience.
Jesse Bennett
Dear BuzzFlash,
Greetings, Happy New Year, and thanks for your great web site, I just read the 1/3/03 story about the new visibility of the anti-war groups with billboards, signs, etc. In Louisville, KY, we have a very active Louisville Committee to Stop the War in Iraq (see our new web site, Louisvillepeace.org). One of our projects is making antiwar yard signs from recycled political signs. So far, we've made about 1000 signs with jumbo markers for homes, businesses, and to put along the highways and interstates. The signs have messages like, "Another Family for Peace," "Peace is Patriotic," etc. On each one, we put a rendering of the American flag. We have found this negates some of the bogus feedback that we are not patriotic. You can see the 12/11/02 Courier-Journal article about the yard sign project on our web site.
Another news item this week is the 12/31/02 NYTimes story by Elisabeth Bumiller about Bush's OMB Director Mitchell Daniels and his new amazing estimate that the war will cost $50-60 billion, a considerable and "more politically palatable corrective" to the earlier projection of $100-200 billion. What a miracle--war on the cheap. We all need to know where they got these figures and how they expect anyone to believe them. We also need to know when Congress will consider an appropriation measure on these funds, because Bumiller says on p. A10 (12/31/02) that these war funds are not covered in the massive new military budget. Can you help find out about the plans and time line for this Congressional action? Can you alert your readers to the need for a massive bombardment of opposition against any appropriation of funds for the war. This is our most potent antiwar option--to demand that Congress withhold funds.
Your readers need to be urged to call, write, E-Mail their Representatives and Senators. Please let me know about any plans for a nationwide protest. The Louisville Committee to Stop the War in Iraq is ready and willing to lead the charge!! Thanks.
Sincerely,
Judy
Munro-Leighton
Louisville,
Ky
Re: More accusations of "Class Warfare"
Dear BuzzFlash,
You've probably already picked this one up since the article was on your website. In the Yahoo News article titled "Bush to Unveil Economic-Stimulus Package" the line jumps right off the page. Says W, the man himself - "some would like to turn this into class warfare. That's not how I think". Also, quoting Daniel Mitchell of the Heritage Foundation in the same article - "There is no question that the left will try to drag out the pagan god of class warfare and say this is just a sop to the president's rich friends" There they go again.
Barbara in NYC
Subj: Lazarus on mass layoff notice's demise
Buzz:
Great David Lazarus column today in the SF Chron re: no more mass layoff notices. Much more "editorial" than the Washington Post piece. "Slipped by virtually unnoticed," said Lazarus, except for BuzzFlash, which again was way out in front.
Do you think Lazarus got the tip from y'all?
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/01/03/MN120712.DTL
Happy New Year! -- we hope -- and thanks yet again for all your important work.
Jennifer
Poole
Willits, CA
Subj: Rigged voting machines
Dear BuzzFlash,
Re: Democrats face crunch time for '04
As long as the subject of the rigged touch screen voting machines is not settled, no one the Democrats put up for Pres. will win.
Come on people, get your heads out of the sand and take some action on this.
Barbara
Noble
Key West, Fl.
Quote
of the Day --
"You said we're headed to war in Iraq. I don't know why you say that,
I'm the person who gets to decide, not you".
-- GW Bush talking to reporters on December 31, 2002
Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)
