|
Important Note: Because we can't always determine your intentions, we need to ask a favor of you when you send us email. If you DO NOT WANT YOUR EMAIL PUBLISHED in the Mailbag or in the Contributors section, please write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the Subject line or at the top of your email. That way we'll know it's just a comment to BuzzFlash. Additionally, if you submit a mailbag item and DO NOT WANT YOUR NAME associated with your submission, sign your email, "A BuzzFlash Reader." If you send email unsigned, we will post your name with your submission, or, if that's not available, your email name (not the full address, just what's on the left side of the email address). Please try and keep your word count under 500. We can only post a small percentage of what is sent to us. The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. Thanks again for your email and your patience.
Subj: Deja Vu
Dear BuzzFlash,
GWB's baffling hurry to invade Iraq reminds me of another situation where "time ran out." When time ran out on democracy itself, it was "too late" to count the votes in Florida. How can anybody trust these people after that?
Let's all do our part to make history to repeat itself again, with a one-term Bush presidency.
Katie
Subj: The Cost of Bush's Financial Priorities
Dear BuzzFlash,
So, basically, instead of reinvesting the 1.3T surplus back into the business of running the government and funding programs like, ohIdunno, NASA-who've-been-begging-for-years, or somethin', Bush gave a big tax cut to his friends, and now seven of our best and brightest are DEAD. And the media are now reporting that the chocolate ration -- whoops, NASA's budget -- have been INCREASED to cover safety costs under Bootsie's tenure?
In the immortal words of Bullwinkle J Moose, I think I shall now be sick.
A reader who still believes in the space program despite everything...
(NB -- "Bootsie": Caligula means "little boots". I'm running out of non-profane things to call him... :) )
Subj: Guernica, the Picasso Painting, a Hot News Item
Dear BuzzFlash,
First, there was a news item last week about Mrs Royal W. Shrub canceling a poetry event on the grounds that it might turn subversive. Then, the first link below, there was a column drawing parallels between the Nazi bombing of Guernica and the Administration's proposed policy of "shock and awe." Then, the second link below, there is a news item regarding Picasso's "Guernica," being covered over because of the heightened irony of NEGROPONTE talking war in front of it. Guernica (the event) will be peanuts compared to Baghdad. Wingnuts are always saying that gun control will turn into taking away individual armaments, which they equate with totalitarianism. Actually, the first thing Fascists suppress are the arts: Poetry/the arts are the canaries in the mineshaft.
**********QUOTE*******
http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=15027
On April 26, 1937, 25 Nazi bombers dropped 100,000 pounds of bombs and incendiaries on the peaceful Basque village. Seventy percent of the town was destroyed and 1,500 people, a third of the population, were killed. ....
But destroying Baghdad will not uncover hidden chemical, biological or nuclear weapons (if, in fact, any exist). Destroying Baghdad will not capture, topple or kill Saddam Hussein. Shock and Awe's expressed goal is simple: in the words of Harlan Ullman, to destroy the Iraqi people "physically, emotionally and psychologically."
Ironically, this was also the goal of the Nazi strategists who destroyed Guernica. The town had no strategic value as a military target, but, like Baghdad, it was a cultural and religious center. Guernica was devastated to terrorize the population and break the spirit of the Basque resistance. ....
http://www.artdaily.com/news.asp?not=11&idn=2&fnot=2/2/2003
A diplomat stated that it would not be an appropriate background if the ambassador of the United States at the U.N. John Negroponte, or Powell, talk about war surrounded with women, children and animals shouting with horror and showing the suffering of the bombings.
**************UNQUOTE**********
John Garza
Dear Friends:
For days we are subjected to the reports about the accident over Texas. From the vapor trail to the debris to the interviews of the family members of the astronauts, whose names have become household words, the commentators rehash everything several times.The President talks to the nation, special church services are held. Go back a few weeks: a helicopter had an accident over Afghanistan. The crew members were killed. Their names are not well known. The President did not mention them. The newspapers had the news on the third page. Go forward a few weeks: Men are killed in Iraq. Their names will be known to the military registrars and the immediate families only. They are mentioned in the press under "statistics".
To me, the death of the 7 astronauts is as sad as the death of the helicopter pilots and the soldiers in Iraq. And to God, all these humans are his children, whom he welcomes into his kingdom. To Him, it makes no difference what they did on earth.
Gustav A. Pohlig
Dear BuzzFlash,
Here is what I sent to Helen Thomas as an expression of support, which Linda Ann of AZ urged us to do, as Ms. Thomas is apparently under attack from other directions. I hope that others followed suit.
----- Original Message -----
To: helent@hearstdc.com
Sent:
2/3/2003 5:42:09 PM
Subject:
My gratitude
Dear
Ms. Thomas,
I am one of the many people who hold you in much esteem, admiring you for your quick mind and boldness of expression. Please never stop sharing your thoughts on current affairs and the world of politics with those of us who hunger for such honesty and forthrightness in this day when such qualities seem rare. I was delighted to see you when you spoke at Nebraska Wesleyan University a few years ago.
Mary Schroeder
Subj: Where is Bin Laden?
Who is bin Laden? Unfortunately, many of us know him but it seems Bush and company has forgotten who this is. I haven't heard a word about the so-called "Muslim" for weeks and nothing substantial for months.
Meanwhile, whatever happened to our commitment to help rebuild Afghanistan after bombing the land and at least 3000 of its people, including families at a wedding and others eating dinner in their homes? And how did our government console the families who lost loved ones? We have now cut off at least $200 million in promised humanitarian aid. This struggling nation hardly makes the news now.
As the Bush Administration focuses an astounding amount of time, effort, and taxpayer dollars ostensibly on disarming an ill equipped Hussein, our own Department of Defense continues churning out biological weapons for a future roster of conflicts. Regrettably, most citizens do not realize that the Pentagon recently developed a new strain of the polio virus. The New York Times and Washington Post reported this in July 2002 but I haven't seen a word about it since.
Another underreported issue that may be of some interest for the world's citizens is the fact that the Bush Administration abandoned planned international efforts to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention against germ warfare (see Washington Post, 9/02). If Bush is so very concerned with eliminating weapons of mass destruction then why has he rejected international efforts to do just this?
It seems to me that Bush and company concerns itself, to the detriment of us all, more with weapons of mass distraction than destruction. It's sad to say but it's beginning to look like Bush's sole objective from the start--remember, when he was judicially appointed to office--has been to sabotage our nation from the inside. His tactics have worked wonderfully so far. His people have masterfully assimilated their PR scheme into the larger system of manufactured entertainment called prime time news. And many Americans have bought into the sound bytes of corporate-funded prime time pundits.
As the American public is preoccupied with the exciting developments of our "Showdown with Saddam," the FTAA agreement--the largest and most threatening form of comprehensive privatization ever proposed--is being negotiated with absolutely no public input. Also, FCC Chairman Michael Powell, son of Colin, is eager to privatize all radio and television airwaves and drilling plans for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are being slid into budget proposals under the cover of darkness. In the meantime, approximately 50 million Americans lack health insurance, Social Security is in jeopardy, and nearly a quarter of American children are underfed each day.
Meanwhile, what is really happening with North Korea, why is Bush allowing Saudi Arabia to, most likely, (see Boston Globe, Nov.26 2002--"US backs Saudis despite Al Qaeda link") fund Al Qaeda, and where is bin Laden? The time is now for us to join together to disarm Bush of his weapons of mass distraction.
Kyle M. Hall
Subj: It's Already Happening
Dear BuzzFlash,
Did you see Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) on MSNBC (The Abrams Report, Feb 3) blaming the Columbia disaster on Pres. Clinton and the "previous administration"? Although Mr. Abrams began what I thought would be a thoughtful retort, he kowtowed to Sensenbrenner's chest thumping.
Mr. Sensenbrenner's remarks were repulsive, and an embarrassment to the great state of Wisconsin.
Jeff Last
Green
Bay, WI
Subj: Who Would Jesus Bomb?
Dear BuzzFlash,
Have you considered selling sweatshirts with this logo so that we can start a fund for Iraqi wounded and Iraqi refugees? This is one of the saddest times in my 52 years on this earth. Conservatives have convinced a majority of Christians in this country that Conservatism is synonymous with Christianity, and to be a good Christian conservative you just have to hate people associated with abortions and homosexuality. Plus you still must hate President Clinton for his sins, and you must discredit him without mercy. The truth is this: There are many conservative and liberal people in this country and many of each also claim to be Christians. The problem is this. The Christians who want to follow Jesus are few and far between. Thus the common thread -- we are sinners in need of mercy. So the message to President Bush as a fellow Christian is simple -- HAVE MERCY! Recognize your own sins and deal with them with you know who, then minister to Saddam Hussein with the love of God rather than with the wrath of American hatred and fear. That is my prayer.
Rick Raab, Reelsville, Indiana
Subj: Columbia
Dear BuzzFlash,
While America and the World pay fitting tributes to seven brave and talented men and women who died on board the Columbia, we should be hanging our head in shame over the shoddy way they had to die. Old equipment, a shuttle that had been taped together for over 20 years, safety warnings gone unheeded, experts in their field begging for someone to pay attention to the enormous safety risks were fired. NASA is fond of saying they are a family, and they sent their "family" out with nothing to back them but fingers crossed that they would come back. They didn't come back. The head of that family is a Dick Cheney friend. Budget cuts, there is a more important use for the money. Maybe the money spent on a couple of bombs to kill innocent Iraqi's might have saved the lives of seven brave people. The money sure hasn't been spent on find Osama and his band of terrorists.
America, in two of the longest years of my life has turned dirty and dingy. Our hospitals, our schools, our roads, our people, we have all become just a little shoddy, run down, held together by cheap tape and yet we don't seem sickened yet. Almost half of us can't afford health care, our states are crumbling and with them our school systems, police and fire systems, water and food systems, soon even our clean air will be gone. Our infrastructures are not just crumbling they are being blown apart by the man who would be king. But there is money for war and more war, and the Columbia plunged to its death.
Aids has become an international crisis, but there is no money for drugs, or sex education, or any help not from America, not even in America. Anyone been to visit a nursing home lately, have you seen what is happening to the people who built the foundation to give us our prosperity? Let me tell you, there is overcrowding, under staffing, people being abused when no one is looking and the Bush administration is planning to gut what help they do have from Medicare and Medicaid, and the Columbia plunged to its death.
The federal deficit is growing by over 400 billion dollars a year, that's just the deficit. Millions are right now being spent to "buy" a country's loyalty to the "Bush Bomb Iraq War." We are paying countries OUR money to support a war that we don't support ourselves. Billions are going to be spent on this war, trillions on Bush's Never Ending Wars, murdering men, women and children who have never hurt us or even wished us harm. And the Columbia plunged to its death.
We should memorize every name of every person on the Columbia because they represented what is good and right about America, they represent intelligence, bravery, hope, caring, sacrifice -- qualities that the men who have taken over this country and dare to call themselves our leaders, can never even dream of being.
The remains of these seven brave souls are scattered over Texas, that seems to be where a lot of our hopes and dreams are scattered and dying. I wondered if anyone noticed that there were Americans, a woman from India, and man from Israel who crashed in "Palestine" Texas. I wondered on Saturday if the lights were on in Crawford.
Sally McDonald
Subj: How Long . . .
. . . before the media would lay the shuttle disaster at Clinton White House??? I would say another 96 hours, it will start with Rush and or Freepers and then FOX and then ABC and last it will be CNN. All with generous help from the RNC spin command station.
Let us start inoculation before they start the torture.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Blame the Risk Takers
Dear BuzzFlash,
It was noteworthy that the opening of Bush's remarks on the afternoon of the shuttle disaster made a point that the astronauts who perished knew of the risks involved with their endeavor. During Crossfire's news alert segment Bob Novak mentioned the $500 million increase for NASA in Bush's budget, but failed to mention that it was for space nukes and not for the shuttle program which was actually having more safety funding cuts. Novak later started the mail segment with a letter also saying that the astronauts knew of the risks. Sounds like the conservatives are quite concerned that Bush might get part of the blame so they are in damage control mode by misleading on the funding issue and actually laying blame at the feet of the victims.
Obviously there is a certain amount of risk with space travel, but was the risk of this particular mission really known to these poor souls? Maybe those unsuspecting Japanese school kids were also to blame for boating in an area of a nuclear sub being test driven by some of Bush's underwater cowboy contributors? Or those passengers that died on 9/11 should have picked up on John Ashcroft's cue and avoided commercial flights? Possibly the Pentagon victims should have followed Bush by getting out of town for the entire month before that fateful day?
Take note of the hints. Isn't Dick (squatter) Cheney building a bunker behind Lieberman's (Gore's old) residence? Washington beware!
YT Cai
Subj: Jurors say they were duped
Jurors who found a medical-marijuana grower guilty say they were duped because the judge wouldn't let them know the facts of the case, which they are now just finding out. Meanwhile, the defendant could get 85 years:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/02/03/state1955EST0139.DTL
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Bob Gaiek
Dear BuzzFlash,
Being a fellow Georgian, I was pleased to read the expressions from Bob Gaiek in one of your BuzzFlash commentaries. The economy is indeed "doing a number" on many of us. However I will certainly follow Bob's lead and continue to support BuzzFlash.
On a new local Atlanta talk-radio show (WAOK), I listened as a caller made the following analogy: Bush and Cheney are like characters from The Wizard of Oz.....one of them has no heart and the other has no brains. Of course we know which is which, but actually both of them are heartless and cruel to send innocent youngsters off to war to satisfy their corporate lust for oil and power.
Continue the good work BuzzFlash!
Dee Turner
Atlanta
Hey Buzz:...I see that several readers sent letters regarding helen thomas, one a link to send her an encouraging email. Great idea. I have sent her two emails in the last month for that very reason and to thank her and hope she continues to speak out. Thought I'd send along my emails to her and her reply.
I do believe she doesn't know how many are grateful to her her on the internet about her courage and excellence in her distinguished career. Anyway I do hope some of you will let her know that not all of her emails are going to be bad ones or hate email...thanks. suzanne in Ca.
----- Original Message -----
From: Helen
Thomas
Sent:
Monday, February 03, 2003 4:58 AM
To:
Suzanne Myers
Subject:
Re: becoming internet hero
your kind words heartened me, thanks-helen thomas
----- Original Message -----
From: Suzanne
Myers
To:
Helen Thomas
Sent:
Monday, February 03, 2003 2:36 AM
Subject:
becoming internet hero
Hello again Ms. Thomas: I recently read an article of yours which you stated how angry you are about bush's mad rush to war or that he seems to 'want' war...anyway you ended this interview stating you hated to read your emails as no one seems to agree with you.
Please do not think that, as you have become a true hero on the internet and many, many sites that people like myself read daily have your articles. Your words on these sites give us hope that there are a few...a scandalous few..in the press, who are speaking out. Believe me when I tell you that your words are being read by many thousands on the internet.
Just wanted to let you know that we appreciate you more than I can eloquently say here. As you said, it is patriotic to dissent(and also wasn't that teddy roosevelt)..if not for dissent there would be no USA.
Very sincerely, suzanne myers
----- Original Message -----
From: Helen
Thomas
Sent:
Thursday, January 23, 2003 8:12 AM
To:
Suzanne Myers
Subject:
Re: keep up the good reporting/questions
kind words, thanks-helen thomas
----- Original Message -----
From: Suzanne
Myers
To:
helent@hearstdc.com
Sent: Monday,
January 13, 2003 11:58 AM
Subject:
keep up the good reporting/questions
Hello Ms. Thomas: I greatly enjoy reading your columns and hope you will continue to be one reporter who is not glossing over the bush administration.
Your questioning of Ari at the White House briefing last week on pertaining to the bombing of the Iraqi people has made you quite a hero on the internet. Finally someone who kept up the tough follow up questions-and received no answer.
For every person who sits down and sends an e-mail to someone like yourself there are literally hundreds who just don't seem to get around to doing this....so consider my email as indicative of receiving several hundred or more emails in this vein.
Pleas keep asking questions and trying to get some answers from this administration. We need you. Thank you.
A fan of your writing and distinguished career. Suzanne Myers
Subj: Don Imus Shut Down
Dear BuzzFlash,
Early last Wednesday morning, Jan. 29th. I tuned into Don Imus on MSNBC. I am not a fan of Imus, and only listen occasionally when I can't sleep, and nothing else is on.
Imus started the program on a rant about what an idiot Bu$h is, and chiding him over his "feel the love" BS line.
Imus's producer was wincing as Don ranted on. Suddenly, an MSNBC anchor was on highlighting the news of the day, after the short highlights, it was announced that there was a problem with the camera's in Imus's studio, and instead of airing the Imus broadcast, a replay of Bush's state of the union speech would be aired instead.
I don't believe for a second that there was a problem with the camera's in Imus's studio. I believe MSNBC deliberately cut off what was going to be a critical program on Bush's many inadequacies.
I haven't had a chance to tune into Imus since the 29th, but wonder if any BuzzFlash readers have heard anything from Imus, or anybody else about his show being cut off.
Sincerely,
J.P.R. Jenkins
Subj: Selling War
Dear Buzz,
So Bush&Co have threatened Russia and France with loss of rights to oil unless they come aboard. They have gone to the small fledgling members of the EU to open the fat US wallet and bribe for their support.
Blair can not lead his troops to fall in behind Bush with ten percent of the population behind him. And the Czech Republic had to have how many thousand police to hold back the protestors when Bush was there? And Italy had 450,000 anti-war protestors march in Florence. Spain's population is not pro-war. So we have the "leaders" and the newspapers insisting to the democracies that we must have war. This is not a good situation at all. It seriously stinks.
Linda Deak
Re: NYC refusing peace march...police can't contain it
Dear BuzzFlash,
Yeah, these people who champion peace are real scary. They say there is some danger in war and violence.
The anti-peace protesters, on the other hand, have full media coverage, access to the millions of billions of dollars of taxes from people who would like to march down an avenue for peace, money that could build new schools and fill the bellies of hungry children and provide healthcare to all. The anti-peace protesters promote their beliefs in the chambers of governments. The have unfettered access to nuclear weapons and other weaponry; they suppress the speech and freedom of others, put them in prisons without contact with families or legal cause or representation. The moneyed and powered few anti-peace activists make life and death decisions for the many peace marchers.
But under no circumstances, grant a march permit for peace advocates, people who are the employers of the anti-peace protesters, for they cannot be contained.
PEACE MOVEMENT
NYC INDEPENDENT MEDIA - The NYC authorities are refusing march permits for Feb. 15. Under no circumstances, they say, will there be a march bigger than 10,000 people. Why? Because the police cannot contain it. The following are excerpts of notes from Co-chair Leslie Cagan of the United For Peace and Justice Coalition:
"The NYC Police Dept. informed our lawyers today that they will NOT issue a parade permit for the demonstration. On the call today we all agreed to challenge this decision in court. . .
"The police said they would grant us permission to have a rally, but for safety and security reasons they will not give us the permit to march.
they just said on the news that the white house is now admitting to that memo warning bush of the dangers at nasa. however, the white house says BUSH NEVER SAW THE MEMO! WHY? this is a pattern for gw bush! he didn't read that memo on his desk about the terrorism, he was not told one of the largest companies in this country was going down, never mind all the devastation it caused. over and over this president refuses to accept responsibility for anything! maybe he didn't read it, THAT IS ONE OF THE DANGERS OF HAVING A PRESIDENT WHO IS ALL SHOW ....... AND DELEGATES ALL THE HARD STUFF! WHILE PRETENDING OTHERWISE!
DIANE ANDERSON
MIAMI
Subj: CNN Cafferty and Zahn..2 Republicans
Dear BuzzFlash,
We knew what a rightwing whore Paula Zahn is. Today she pined for poor Bush who has the job of giving sympathy to the families of the Challenger. Say what....he loves this.....more attention to his "compassion"!!!
And Cafferty.... a few minutes ago he introduced the news that President Clinton was going to address a rock concert about the problem of global warming in these words. "Slick Willie sans sax". Where is this unadulterated Clinton-bashing allowed on a news show. It is outrageous smarmy bashing and could have come direct from the RNC...or worse Annethrax Coulter. Is there nothing rational Americans can do to remove this disgusting fool from the TV screen.
Marty
Subj: W, God's Emissary
George Walker Bush is responsible for the greatest religious revival of our times. All over the world people are donning the signs of Fundamental Islam. I feel safer already.
darrell robert denisi
Hey Buzz,
Rebecca Knight's piece [State of the Union:Disarray] was excellent as usual. There is a great link within her article that should be a stand alone for you. It is a phrase by phrase deconstruction of Bush's SOTU speech by the Institute for Public Accuracy. Here's the link:
As always, you are the best site there is. You are my homepage and my link to REALITY. You give me hope each day that we aren't alone or crazy.
Thanks,
Leslie Anderson
