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Subj: CNN Misinformation
Dear BuzzFlash,
Friday's "Quick Vote" online survey had extremely inaccurate information in the survey question. The question was: "Does the discovery of chemical warheads strengthen the case for war against Iraq?". (http://www.cnn.com)
I have already emailed them asking them to immediately correct the error. This, obviously, states that chemical weapons were found and, again obviously, empty warheads capable of carrying chemical weapons do not qualify as chemical weapons.
Is Ari writing these questions for them?
Tim
Subj: Big Brother Article on CBS
BuzzFlash,
I sent this letter to CBS, after reading their article on "BIG BROTHER". I really believe that they and all their cohorts in the media are directly responsible for all that is happening in America today. THEY are the ones who brought down the Clinton policies and sought to impeach him for ratings. They are the ones who put the little son in the white house, a dictator I will NEVER call "President", because he is NOT.
I share with you my letter to CBS: "Open letter to CBS NEWS" was pasted on THEIR copy too!
Open letter to CBS News:
re: Big Brother story at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/01/15/national/main536711.shtml
It seems to me that you guys in the media PUT these people in power in the first place and now you write about them. Is it that the news track was getting a little boring and you needed to bump up your program interest?
This is the best story since you went after President Clinton and crucified him!
You guys are really something. And you wonder why the American People are turning you off!
BuzzFlash Reader
Dear BuzzFlash
With all the double-taxing talk going on (W is trying to save us all from it), I never hear any of them whine over the fact that seniors have to pay tax on their Social Security checks. We pay that as a tax all of our working life, with the promise that we will get it back in our retirement years. Yet when we get it (or I should say if we get it), we must pay taxes on it. That's the biggest double tax scam going (my accountant even said that and I do believe he's a republican!). They sob relentlessly over the multi-millionaires whose heirs will have to pay taxes on their inheritances, and that poor investor class who has to pay taxes on their stock dividends. But the senior citizen who is not a millionaire and has to subsist on a less than adequate social security check? No problem with taxes there, uh? I have never ever heard a single outcry from anyone in our government about this. Probably because they can't imagine actually having to live on a social security check. And was there anything about raising the minimum wage in this BOLD package? I don't think so. That's what's so BOLD about it. They're treating a huge portion the population in this country as if they don't exist.
Barbara in NYC
Subj: Jeb Has a Christian TV Station Named After Him
Dear BuzzFlash,
I decided to call all the television stations in my area to see if they were going to cover the protests on January 18th. I am aware of a "Christian" station called channel 59 and decided to call them, too. This station, The Trinity Broadcasting Network, in Jacksonville Florida is called of all things:
WJEB ! ! !
I almost fell over when I saw that awful man's name! It's been called that for a while seeing how my old phone book expired in July of 2000. (Ya know, the selection year.)
Just thought I'd let you know of a blatant "in your face" trashing of church and state.
Thanks and keep up the good work,
A BuzzFlash Reader
Dear BuzzFlash,
"Impeach Federal Judge John Bates"
Shout it loud. Shout it until he is gone.
Every progressive proud liberal website should post this in 48 point font. Get the idea out that there is recourse to the criminal acts of the partisan appointees of the Bush administration. At the very least make them aware that we are watching and ready to stir up the opposition.
You know Judge Bates, the hack that worked for Ken Starr, and had no problem making sure that any and all documents of a Democratic administration were available to the Starr inquisition, but who religiously insures that this openness does not apply to Republicans.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/03/01/17_constitution.html
It's time to get aggressive and go after this criminal; to openly describe him as such, and to put all of the rest of Bush's hit men on notice that they cannot violate the Constitution without being called on it.
Jim Stewart
Chicago,
IL
Subj: Now We Know What GWB and Clarence Thomas have in common!
Dear BuzzFlash,
George W. Bush and Clarence Thomas are affirmative action admissions at Yale.
Bill and Hillary Clinton and many other Democratic leaders got on in their own smarts.
Has George Bush looked at his new plan from this point of view?
Jane O. Gutierrez
Subj: Don't approve Chertoff for Appeals Court
Dear BuzzFlash,
Here is a man who was heavily involved in the hunt for Clinton's scalp. Since he has been working for Ashcroft, he has been the point man on justifying the unconstitutional means to be used against citizens of this country. His statements are there for all to view. He should be questioned on them , and hoist on his own petard, since clearly a US Justice of the Court of Appeals should not hold views contrary to those in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Further, as the news story below relates,
"In a college commencement address in New Jersey last year, Chertoff said the United States had ample evidence that a devastating terrorist attack on U.S. soil was likely long before Sept. 11, 2001."
He should be closely questioned on this as he is part of an administration that failed to prevent the attack, and may have even let it happen.
You let Olson and Ashcroft through. Don't do it with this apologist for the unconstitutional acts of this administration. Someone who would so destroy our liberties deserves to be in jail , not on the bench. It is also time for you Senators to start paying back the GOP for what they tried to do to Clinton. Hell, for what they did. They tried to use Clinton to destroy our democracy.
Robert E. Reynolds, Orange Park , Fl
Bush to Pick Chertoff for Appeals Court
By LAURENCE ARNOLD Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush will nominate the government's chief criminal prosecutor, Michael Chertoff, to a federal appeals court that handles cases for New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands, a lawmaker says.
http://news.findlaw.com/ap/a/w/1151/1-17-2003/20030117074503_55.html
Subj: Re-election Ruminations
Dear BuzzFlash,
Back in the 1992 presidential campaign, then-incumbent George H. W. Bush did an interview with Barbara Walters. Asked what he was willing to do in order to win re-election, he said, "Whatever it takes." Emphatically NOT the right answer, as though the game is everything, and principles are merely means to an end. Over the following weeks, he proceeded to demonstrate that he really meant it:
At a time when we were trying to reap a "peace dividend" by scaling down the military, we had a base on the closing list demolished by a hurricane. "We will rebuild Homestead," said he.
Having touted his expertise in Sino-American relations, he went to the factory to announce an unprecedented deal to sell fighter jets to Taiwan (no doubt this comes under 'expending political capital' with the hard-liners, as GWB would put it).
Last and slimiest was the sham tax cut, where GHWB reduced everyone's withholding taxes by executive order without changing the underlying tax rates. The increase in take-home pay was immediate, but the bills (with interest, but no penalties because so many thousands of people got burned) didn't come due until April, five months after the election. By that time he was voted out, but the sour taste lingered.
Flash forward to 2003. One can argue, fairly convincingly, that George W. Bush is running his entire administration as a re-election campaign. What is he NOT willing to sacrifice in the interest of FOUR MORE YEARS?
The surplus and the rest of the economy, to boot? World peace and stability? America the Beautiful? (How much did he get from the snowmobile lobby, for cryin' out loud?) How 'bout, say, the Bill of Rights? The hopes and aspirations of millions of members of minority groups? Worldwide respect for America, our policies and our process? Our sometime role as "honest broker" in the Middle East and other disputes?
I guess it boils down to this: In all of these facets of our national life, do you feel more SECURE than you did two short years ago, when GWB was inaugurated? Truly, terrorist attacks aside, what has he done to enhance National Security, at least for the bottom 99% of our pyramid? Precious little, IMHO.
pierresc
Subj: Spelling Lesson
Dear BuzzFlash,
Did you know you can spell bin Ladens first name Osama or Usama? I prefer Usama because it fits better in the acronym SUV... Support Usama Vehicle... every time you fill that tank you help purchase another ten Ak-47's for the muhajadeen!!
Paul
Once again BuzzFlash is months ahead of the major media. You mean the major media is JUST NOW covering protests?
mev
Subj: Right Back to 1861
Dear BuzzFlash,
This article makes clear what we have known all along, namely that Bush Administration has made it clear they plan to "govern from the hard right" and appoint a neo-Confederate Judge to the Supreme Court to placate their neo-Confederate base. Democrats must stand together and oppose such an individual and must pressure moderate Republicans like Chaffee and Snowe and Specter to oppose this person whomever it is.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10596-2003Jan18.html
However, it is also imperative that we, at present, vigorously oppose this man, Michael Chertoff, whom Bush has just nominated to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&
u=/ap/20030117/ap_on_go_pr_wh/chertoff_nomination_1
Mr. Chertoff is a principal architect and chief Justice Department enforcer of the USA Patriot Act and also served as the Senate Republican chief investigator into the Whitewater fiasco. The very notion that Mr. Chertoff will be able to rule fairly and impartially on cases involving the preservation of constitutional liberties is laughable in the extreme. The Patriot Act is the single most dangerous piece of legislation to the Bill of Rights to have been passed by Congress in the 20th Century, perhaps ever. To allow someone who was responsible for authoring a virtual legislative repeal of the Bill of Rights to sit as a Federal Judge would be as absurd as allowing Enron to write energy legislation. Oops I forgot, we already did that, to disastrous results. Lets not repeat the same mistake and allow Mr. Chertoff to finish the job of repealing the Constitution which he has already so zealously embarked upon.
Dan DeLisio
Subj: Academic Merit vs Affirmative Action
Dear BuzzFlash,
Just a quick head-scratcher about the importance of " Academic Merit" and "Affirmative Action" -- and the G.I. Bill.
Seems to me, if there was ever an example of PREFERENCE being assigned over any notion of academic merit, it was when the G.I. Bill enabled thousands of vets to attend college.
This was a wonderful thing (in my opinion), but it flies in the face of claims that ONLY academic merit should be considered on admissions to colleges.
Republicans like George W. Bush, of course, are entitled to their opinions on the matter, but I wonder why the G.I. Bill has not been excoriated by them, specifically, as being an example of the kind of preference that America needs to eliminate? Where is the consistency?
A simple, "The G.I. Bill was a WRONGHEADED approach to favoritism" from the White House would go a long way towards restoring consistency to the Republican's message.
Mary Harrison
Subj: 600 - 800 People at INDIANAPOLIS Antiwar Rally Saturday
Dear Buzz,
There were approximately 600 to 800 people that gathered in Indianapolis Saturday to protest a war in Iraq. Speakers included Congresswoman Julia Carson and former Congressman Andy Jacobs, Jr. People stood in temperatures in the mid-teens for two hours to protest and to hear veterans, priests, rabbis, Muslim clerics, senior citizens, students and other Americans raise their voices in opposition to a war in Iraq. It is likely that the mainstream media will not report on the true magnitude of the protests around the globe or within the United States, but I thought BuzzFlash should be informed. Thank you for your good work!
Regards,
Vince White
Subj: Letter from New Zealand - Protests!
Dear BuzzFlash,
Yesterday I attended one of the largest rally's I have seen for some time. Thousands of anti-war protesters out on the streets, doing their bit to send a clear message to the White House that their real motives for war are transparent and reprehensible.
The most heartening aspect of the rally was the amount of support received from American people. American tourists lining up around tents to sign anti-war petitions. American's from our local communities offering their time and assistance with plans for further meetings and marches. It was fantastic!
One lovely American lady approached me and said, "We had so much goodwill extended to us after 9/11 and George Bush is just washing it all away." Well hey, what could I say?!!
Congratulations to all those marchers across the globe who got of their bums to prove they have the courage of their convictions.
D.M.Reid (NZ)
Subj: war rally in Algoma WI
Dear Buzz,
Just wanted to let you know that people all over the country were rallying for peace today. My husband and I went to two rallies this morning, one in Sturgeon Bay, WI and one in Algoma, WI. The one in Sturgeon bay drew between 75-100 people and the one in Algoma (shown below) maybe only 20 or so - but it is a good start! We got many honks, thumbs up, peace signs and claps from passers by and only a very few folks using "other" symbols against us. These were the first peace rallies in these towns.
Here is a bad picture of the one in Algoma - Lake Michigan is behind us in the picture.
PEACE ON EARTH!Deb Skup
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Subj: "Warheads" a Calculated Misnomer
With the White House frothing at the mouth to attack Iraq, the discovery of twelve so-called "chemical warheads" couldn't have come at a more opportune time.
Unfortunately, the press releases omit three critical details, in the interest of stirring up fear-induced support for the war campaign.
1. The munitions are empty casings, which means they might or might not be used with a chemical payload. They could as easily been called "explosive rockets".
2. Less than 1 meter in length, these would more accurately be described as "rocket canisters". They have a maximum range of twenty kilometers. Not even Cuba could threaten the US with these.
3. The label, which isn't shown or mentioned in the news, just happens to say, "Made in the USA"....
Three small omissions that make a WORLD of difference. Spread the word....
Eric Smith
Subj: Iraq: Rumsfeld Says Regime Change Alone Not Enough
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says Saddam Hussein's departure as president of Iraq would not necessarily avert an attack by U.S.-led forces. Rumsfeld told reporters yesterday at the Pentagon that what is important is not who leads Iraq but how the country is led. He said any successor would have to meet the same UN demands that Hussein is being required to follow. "If somebody takes over that country, whether because Saddam Hussein leaves or because he's displaced by somebody in that country -- or 'somebodies,' plural -- the same principles that we've indicated would pertain," Rumsfeld said.
http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2003/01/16012003165143.asp
Chewgababy
Re: Condi Rice Supports an Affirmative Action System for Dumb White Males
Dear BuzzFlash,
You are going to get sued by Jiffy Lube workers everywhere, comparing them to the President-select. I have always wondered how minorities become Republicans. I suppose in some sense the party distinctions have become so fuzzy as both parties prime directive seems to be keeping their "phoney-baloney jobs" (thank you, Mel Brooks). I suppose an African-American Republican is enough of a rarity to be more visible, while an African-American Democrat is almost the expected. Maybe this is what drives people like Condi Rice to the GHP. Sadly, they don't seem to have influenced their chosen party in any progressive way. Short term personal gain has replaced any long-term vision of what is truly best for the country and the world. It is pathetic how quickly the pols committed to the long-term promises of "globalization", but few of them seem to ask of themselves what the better courses of action would be to leave the world a safer, saner, happier place for their grandchildren and their childrens' grandchildren. Long term to them is the next quarter's earnings or the next election returns. As citizens we need to expect and demand more. We must elect leaders who will put people first, ahead of profits and personal gain. This Administration represents the darkest elements of politics. We must reject those elements. We must continue to dissent on nearly everything the Bush Cartel is trying to do. We need to tell Democrats in Washington we expect vigorous dissent from them. That would be a true Patriot(ic) act. Where are the elected Democrats with the political and moral courage of Robert Kennedy or Paul Wellstone?
Gary Schepper
Subj: IMPEACHING BUSH--ITS A REALITY!
"Demonstrators hoped the protests and more ahead would win over an American public unsettled by the prospect of an Iraq war yet supportive of Bush's leadership. Some dared hope their activism would give his administration pause. " --AP
Dear Buzz,
Look at how the Associated Press "speaks" for over 300,000 demonstrators by inserting its own interpretation of why the American people are protesting!
I don't think that with a turnout of over 300,000 in Washington D.C. alone and thousands in San Francisco and around the world, that it is necessary for us to "win over" the American public! Also from listening to the speeches and reading the protest signs, it does not appear that the "American public" is supportive of Bush's leadership!
Associated Press also is misrepresenting the facts when it said "some dared hope their activism would give his administration pause". When Ramsey Clark announced that we should impeach Bush the huge crowed went wild with cheers! The loudest cheers of the day were in support of impeaching Bush!
It was definitely more than "some" and certainly much more than "hope"!
This is reality! We are going to DO IT!
You'll see Mr. Bush!
Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)
IMPEACH BUSH! AND CHENEY TOO!
Subj: My letter to the NY Times
THOUSANDS RALLY IN D.C. AGAINST THE WAR?
What an insidious little article. Almost as if it galled you to have to write about the antiwar protests at all. You go out of your way not to mention how many people there were. "Police said 30,000 marched through the streets, part of a much larger crowd..." How large was this, "much larger crowd?" You won't say, will you? You went through the whole piece trying to pretend that this event didn't really happen. I've been to protests. If the police said 30,000 marched through the streets, I know that means there were at least 60,000. And what about this, "much larger crowd?" If it was "much larger" than the 60,000 that marched through the streets that means there had to have been close to 200,000 people at this march. Yet, this is not mentioned in your article, anywhere. You worked very hard to keep this information from the public. Mr. Rove must be very proud of you.
John Moody
Studio
City, CA
Subj: Anti-War March in Lawrence, KS
Dear BuzzFlash,
We're back from the anti-war march and rally in Lawrence, KS - four of us from all over the country who couldn't make it to DC this time so gathered here in this town of about 100,000. The temperature was 28 degrees when we left home - warmer than we'd expected, but still pretty darned cold.
We met with the Greens and I think a few anarchists at a local park, then marched about seven blocks to the courthouse to meet up with a couple of other groups. Organizers of the march counted between 600 - 700 there. The largest group we'd had here so far was 300, and that was in nice weather. People were really feeling that this was almost a last chance to protest before the war officially starts. I talked to several people who were considerably older than I am, and I'm no spring chicken. Many hadn't ever protested before until Bush's war talk started sounding so serious.
After the march we spent a period of time standing around freezing our toes, holding our signs so passersby could see them. I'd say the majority of the cars passing by honked and gave us a "thumbs up." We got very little in the way of negative response. We did have a counter protest: one guy across the street with a flag and a sign.
Although the city has weekly peace vigils, we'd never had any problems before with the police. This time, though, they seemed to have a different set of instructions. The photographer from the university paper, taking photos as part of his job, stepped out in the street to get a wider shot (between two parked cars, not in traffic) and was promptly arrested. Police threatened to confiscate the megaphone from the leader of the Peace and Justice Coalition. He's an older man, about 65, who's a professor at the university. In other words, not someone who looks threatening. He was able to talk them out of taking it by promising to leave it in his car and not use it.
Toward the end of the vigil, there was a short speech. Some weeks there are several speeches, but it was quite cold today. That may have limited the number of speeches. One of the group called some of the local people who are in DC today, and we were told there were supposedly 500,000 there in DC. We'll wait to see what the official numbers are. Certainly NOT what the media tells us, I'm sure.
Thanks to the three people who drove here from several hours away to join the local march. Next time, we'll hope to be back in DC.
Now, I'm eagerly waiting to hear reports from people who protested in DC and also around the country.
Margie
Subj: Protests
Dear BuzzFlash,
You've been a beacon for me for the past two years because I no longer trust the news media. Now, I really don't know if you'll publish this letter but I hope you will because there are others I'm sure who I feel like I do about the protests on TV this weekend.
The way they were handled only helps Bush in the long run. There should have been no other agendas from this conglomeration. Especially, it is hard to portray yourselves as peace activists when you covertly sponsor hatred. I'm speaking of the undercurrent of anti-semitism and anti-Israeli sentiment that permeated the protest sponsored by A.N.S.W.E.R.
We have serious problems in this country that are troubling thousands of Americans based solely on what is happening to this country and to our freedoms. The rally as it happened will only serve to undermine the concerns and anger of people like me and strengthen the fear of the right wing and cause them to further demonize those of us who do not support Bush or his policies but who are not extremists but ordinary Americans.
Whatever the policies of the past, Bush is the President now. It is HIS responsibility to make sure Americans have a decent and free way of life. Protesters who follow their own agenda only shield Bush from growing up and taking responsibility for the mess he has gotten us into internationally and domestically and obscure the questions that are so important to this nation.
How did this man and his minions manage to fix two elections without even the courts questioning it?
How is it that 9-11 was ALLOWED to happen and became so beneficial to Bush and his sagging ratings?
Why can't the U.S. catch the anthrax killer or Osama Bin Laden (remember him)?
How long and by whom was this invasion of Iraq planned?
What really happened to Gov. Carnahan's and Sen. Wellstone's planes?
What really happened to the Enron whistle blower who was found dead, labeled a suicide and never really investigated as far as we can see?
I AM PATRIOTIC. I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND AM GRATEFUL THAT I WAS ABLE TO RAISE MY CHILDREN IN FREEDOM AND SAFETY. It is for that reason that I want the above questions answered. What happened yesterday only muddied the waters. At this point, this should be about the Bush administration, how to control them and ensure that they will not destroy this country as we know it, how to help the helpless in this country in a responsible way, how to ensure free and honest elections, and lastly how to regain our voice when it is our children who are being put in harm's way and our standing which is being threatened in the world community and, finally, it is by not allowing ourselves to be blackmailed or threatened by the extremists on either side.
SOS
Subj: War protest reporting
Dear BuzzFlash,
The phrase "tens of thousands" seems to be the official choice of our news agencies in their reporting of the many gatherings of war protesters world wide. I have yet to read or see a piece about any of the events that didn't include this vague headcount estimate.
The most ridiculous use of the term was in the screen crawler on CNN today (Sunday) that said "tens of thousands" participated WORLDWIDE just as their talking head was saying "tens of thousands" took part in Washington, DC.
I'm no expert in making estimates of crowd scenes, but the footage of the DC peace marchers along seemed more like "hundreds of thousands."
Although, we should be heartened by the fact that the news media is actually acknowledging the effort in the first place.
FJ Calandra
Rochester
Subj: Fox News
I was surfing the news on Sunday around mid-day for some mention of the peace protests and happened to run across five talking heads on Fox. I remember Bill Kristol and some woman named Cece was on it. Anyway, I don't remember the name of the guy (he was the Trent Lott-looking, fixed hair, pompous ass on the left), but this jerkoff was commenting on the day's (weekends?) news and said, "I don't even know what that means, 'No blood for oil.'" And then he chuckled like the protests were all a big joke and they switched to "Cece" for her comments.
I was so flabbergasted at the incredible gall, ignorance, and insensitivity of this over-quaffed idiot, that I turned off the TV.
How do we stop this insanity?
Joey Martin
Chicago
Subj: Portland Peace Protest
I participated in my first peace march at Portland, OR yesterday. I'm a late bloomer at the age of 62 and I recommend it for everyone! Estimates were 20,000 plus and all ages from 90+ to infants + a number of canine supporters were represented. There were signs of support in office windows, people watching with support signs on the sidewalk, people watching from trees and statues. The only dour face that I saw was on a man with a sign saying "Bomb Iraq". I guess he was dour because he felt lonely.
I also stand on a street corner at our local county seat (there are usually 12 or us) every Friday for 30 minutes with signs that say "Honk for Peace" and other protest signs. For this, you'll probably need a permit.
For those of you who haven't taken action, it can be as simple as a bumper sticker, writing letters to the editor, getting involved in peace activities - anything to make your voice seen and heard.
The news can no longer ignore us - as demonstrated by headlines and on the major networks. Get active - it's good for your health!
Cynthia
Putt
Cloverdale,
OR
Re: A BuzzFlash Reader Has an Idea on How to Stop the Iraq Attack Right Quick
Dear BuzzFlash,
Great idea! One term that I hear a lot and that bears some thought is 'God-fearing Christians' - it makes their God sound like a vindictive, mean-spirited right-wing fanatic. Of course, the term fits those to whom it refers. They probably should fear God, because they certainly aren't showing love toward Him, their fellow human beings, or the other creatures on this earth! For myself, I prefer to believe in a loving and tolerant God who is probably appalled at the hatred and violence committed in His name - whatever that name happens to be.
Jeri Hammond
Davenport,
Florida
Re: The Grand Hypocrisy Party Exploits the Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King
Dear BuzzFlash,
Thank you for sharing the memo about the Republican party's commitment to "empowering all Americans". I've just learned that this memo has now been modified to read: empowering all Americans, unless they are black, poor, live in Florida, and want to vote.
Neb
Subj: Great Commentary by Linda Ward
Buzz,
Thanks for the piece on "how to end the war right quick."
Here's a sign I saw a Vietnam War infantry veteran carry during the public gathering of 500,000 citizens in Washington yesterday:
"Bush: Send the Twins"
...... Add that to Linda Ward's comments.
Paul Sullivan
Veterans
for Common Sense
Re: A BuzzFlash Reader Has an Idea on How to Stop the Iraq Attack Right Quick
I sympathize with Linda's plan, but I don't know that I go along with sending children and grandchildren "over there." There's a good chance they WILL follow in their parents' Scroogish ways, but wouldn't it be more fair just to draft the Chickenhawks themselves? I mean, we don't want to stoop to their level ! ;-p
Yours for peace,
Jan Shearer
Subj: Smackdown
Dear BuzzFlash,
Colin Powell smacks Dumbya down publicly by rejecting his stand on affirmative action. I applaud the Secretary of State for being intellectually honest, since he himself directly benefited by affirmative action during his military career. President Jimmy Carter instructed Army Secretary Togo West specifically to promote qualified African American officers who had been held back because of institutional racism in the military. Colin Powell was one of those officers who was promoted. There was nothing at all wrong with President Carter moving in that manner to rectify a grievous injustice. The University of Michigan program also aims to rectify injustice against people of color and other groups which have suffered, and continued to suffer, societal discrimination and economic disadvantage. Thus the program, which is not a quota, is a worthy effort to help the disadvantaged succeed. A truly color blind, and more economically equitable society in which such programs are unnecessary were Doctor King's goals, and ones which I wholeheartedly embrace, but the hidden racist beliefs of prominent white Republican political leaders which have bubbled forth to the surface on recent occasion are powerful evidence that we have not yet achieved those goals, so such efforts as that of the University of Michigan remain absolutely necessary.
http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2003/01/19/affirmative_action/index.html
Dan DeLisio
Subj: Protestors
Dear Buzz,
I live in Montana, and with it's population of less than a million people, that does not mean that the map of our state should be left blank of protests. Saturday I participated in a peace demonstration in a small town, where a gathering of 42 (grown by two-thirds from last week) of us of all ages stood in the cold during the noon hour at the main intersection with protest signs against war with Iraq. We had ample 'honks for peace.' Also the neighboring small town was holding a protest at 4:00 in the afternoon. Such small protests must happen all across the country. I would suppose the numbers of protestors are vastly more that the media reports. We're small, but add enough of us rural few across the nation and I suspect the number of protestors against War with Iraq would be substantial.
Then toward the end of our demonstration a man came along in a wheel chair with one leg missing below the knee. He happened to stop in front of where I was standing and he hit his stump and in deep anger said, "This is what war is."
He had lost his leg in Vietnam.
A BuzzFlash Reader
r
Subj: Tossing a pebble
Dear BuzzFlash,
For the last several weeks I have been printing out some of the shorter editorials, essays and news items from BuzzFlash and other sites (items that fit on one page are perfect) and then leaving them behind at places I frequent. Fold one in half, leave it in the bank among the deposit tickets; slip another into a magazine at the doctor's office; a few more left behind in grocery carts. I never litter or put them under windshields or in mailboxes, where it could be construed as soliciting. I always make a point of typing the web address of the article source on the bottom of the page. I figure if someone should find the article interesting and want to find out more, they'll know where to head to on the internet.
Because I live in a rural, somewhat conservative area, BuzzFlash and sites like it are my life-line. It's so heartening to know that I'm NOT alone in my outrage, and no I'm NOT imagining things when I think my country is turning into an Orwellian nightmare. I meet so many people who think they ar e well informed because they "watch the news" ... I'm hoping that maybe these little scraps of information spread about will help others who think they are alone discover they are not, and lead them to want to find out more. Then use their knowledge to act for CHANGE!
Maybe a few other BuzzFlash readers would care to join me in "guerilla pamphleting"! Toss a pebble in a pond and you will make some waves!
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Confed Flags
Hi Buzz,
There seems to be a lot of flack from Repug states about that confed flag.
Maybe Buzz can fill me in--did the stars and bars exist in all those states before the attempt to split from the Union?
In any case, in 1864 in the Appomattox Courthouse the Civil War ended, the confederate flag came down and slavery ended. In the year 2000 that was 136 years ago.
In the election of 2000, while the GOPhers where busy stealing the election from the winner Al Gore they were saying "...we win, thanks to the Subpreme Court, get over it".
While in this year 2003, I am still not going to "get over" that election theft, it is way past time for those states to get over that war and the flag celebrating slavery. The statute of limitations has run--"get over it", 139 years is long enough. Take the confed flag down in all the states. Proudly fly the American flag, the Stars and Stripes and what it stands for -- equality and justice for all.
Of course, we are going to have to fight to have those restored.
Bets
Cole...
Subj: San Francisco Protest
Hi Buzz,
I went to the anti-war protest in San Francisco on Saturday, and in the midst of all the bad news that's been coming nonstop since the Bu$hes came back into power, it was great to gather with hundreds of thousands of others who see past the bomb-Iraq propaganda and deceit. It's one thing to sit here at our keyboards and scrawl messages to each other on boards and threads and mailbags--it's quite another to see it demonstrated en masse.
Here's a gallery of pics I took while wandering around in the march:
http://www.chateaubizarre.com/ballroom/articles.php?intId=22
Lilah Wild
Subj: It's time to play...
DREAM TICKET!
Gore+Anybody But Lieberman
How stupid are the Democrats? Stupid enough to take a pass on their best hope. Gore won last time. With a decent running mate, he'll win this time. The other candidates MIGHT beat Bush, but Gore has already done it, even with boat-anchor Lieberman on the ticket
Kerry-McCain
This is another improbable, but definitely unbeatable one. I like Max Cleland for Sec. Of Defense.
Graham-Edwards
Graham will carry Florida. This puts the GOP in an immediate ditch. A second southern boy will cause DC teeth-grinding audible in California. Edwards pairs up well with the older, highly-respected but just a tad boring senator from Fla. Both candidates have beaten the hard right and neither has lost a race. Graham should not be underestimated in the primary hunt. He is an awesome person-to-person campaigner.
Graham-Clinton
Hillary is another good match for Bob Graham. Your liberals might have a problem with Graham who, all kidding aside, is kind of a cracker. But who the hell could vote against a ticket with the more liberal Clinton on the ticket? And what better way to let the Big Dog out?
Kerry-Clark
This one goes right into the teeth of Bush's strength. Gen. Clark might help in his home state of Arkansas, but he should help with fearful, security-minded Americans everywhere. This ticket could redefine the parties. If you beat Bush on defense issues him.
Lieberman+Jesus Christ comes down from the Cross
With Jesus or a reincarnated FDR as his running mate, Lieberman MIGHT beat Bush. But I doubt it.
Questions for the others:
Gephardt
Dude, why aren't you speaker?
Dean
Doc, I worked night and day for George McGovern in '72. My testicles still hurt.
Lieberman
Joe, you add an important dimension to the U.S. Senate. Stay there.
Hart
You're another brainy guy. But you're fish food for cable news.
Biden
Your ego is not just bigger than Delaware, it's bigger than Texas. What in HELL makes you think you should be president? A gift for plagiarism?
Dodd
Senator, there is one useful thing you could do for us. Beat Lieberman in Conn.
Sharpton
Your ego is bigger than the Eurasian land mass. You have no qualifications. Huge numbers of people hate you. You will lose every primary. Otherwise, go for it, pal.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Dear BuzzFlash,
Friday, Jan 17 was such a strange and powerful day for me. I've read the news on the internet since 9/11 and have felt like a partisan putting together a wireless hidden in separate pieces in my closet. I read about anti-war rallies of up to a half-million in Europe ignored by the media. But on Friday, I saw a newsman discuss the protests planned for the weekend. Early the next day, someone was INTERVIEWING A PROTESTOR ON TV!!!!!!!! The demonstration in October went almost ignored, and yet here I was, watching this on tv. I think it's because it reached some kind of critical mass, and couldn't be stopped. Thank you for being here.
Maggie Fortune
Niagara
Falls, NY
Subj: Special Ops
Hello
Just a thought people should keep in mind.. When they do finally find something in Iraq later this month like they have 'promised,' can we believe what they find at all?
Haven't we had special forces in Iraq for a loooong time? Isn't it possible some patriotic special forces team might accidentally leave some incriminating evidence to be found later when a smoking gun was needed?
Don't cops do that all the time?
Just something to ponder when the evidence turns up...
jk
Dear BuzzFlash,
We're often told to thank our congresspersons when they stand tall and vote against the Bush administration's draconian measures, but how many of us do that? I sent a letter to one of my senators who voted against the war with Iraq thanking him for it. Recently, I received a letter from him thanking me for my letter. He said that it is very rare for his office to receive a letter that is to simply express gratitude, and it reminded him of why he wanted to represent the people of our state. I'm sure that our liberal members of Congress often feel very alone, especially when they vote against overwhelming odds. Much has been written about our Democratic members of Congress being dispirited, giving in to Daschle's arm twisting to vote in support of Bush, etc. Perhaps if we expressed gratitude every time they took a liberal stand, it might help strengthen them to keep on voting liberal, even against the odds. They really do need to know we support them! Sending an email or letter takes very little of our time and might make a great deal of difference in the long run.
R. M. Johnson
Re: The Psychotic Hawks of the Bush Administration are a Threat to World Peace
Hi Buzz,
I think these things in power have no concern for Iraq to love us and no concern of terrorists. They are very concerned with enrichment of the few. Korea, at this time, does not have anything they want.
Best
Cole
