|
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.
Subject: The hiring of Michael Savage by MSNBC
Hi Buzz,
The following is a response to me from Alan Winnikoff who is the VP for Corporate Communications for MSNBC. I originally wrote him and others with my concerns about them hiring Michael Savage as a talk show host. Following his email to me is my response to him.
Thanks,
Judith Foster
* * *
Dear Ms. Foster:
Your email regarding Michael Savage has been forward to me.
I want to assure you that your letter has been taken seriously at all levels of GE and NBC.
The addition of Michael Savage to the MSNBC line-up was made with the full awareness of his reputation for controversy and confrontation. We respect the right of those who wish to protest. However, we also strongly defend his new show as a legitimate attempt to expand the marketplace of ideas. By bringing our viewers a wide range of strong, opinionated voices, MSNBC underscores its commitment to insuring that its perspective programming promotes no one single point of view. We encourage debate and we would neither expect, nor want, our audience to agree with everything on our channel.
We do not expect to change your mind, but we appreciate the opportunity to engage you in direct discussion. Thank you for your comments.
Best Regards,
Alan Winnikoff
Vice President, Corporate Communications
MSNBC
201-583-5012 (p)
201-583-5179 (f)
201-463-1371 (cell)
alan.winnikoff@msnbc.comAnd my response is:
Dear Mr. Winnikoff,
Portraying your action of hiring Michael Savage as a "legitimate attempt to expand the marketplace of ideas" is not what you are doing when you give his brand of hatred and bigotry the same status as those who pursue a valid exchange of differing ideas.
It is not about whether I agree or not with his views. I have no quarrel with differing points of view, but I categorically oppose your legitimizing hatemongering, name calling, slander, and vicious and spewing bigotry by hiding behind your stated reasons of bringing your viewers a wide variety of opinions. All I can surmise is that you must want to alienate your worldwide customers in order to win at the ratings game at any cost. You will be appealing to the lowest common denominator and will be in competition with the likes of Jerry Springer.
I will no longer buy the GE brand nor will I be watching NBC or MSNBC.
Thank you for your time.
Judith Foster
Subj: We have met the enemy
It's straight out of "Dr. Strangelove." Perceiving a threat from Osama bin Laden, the White House ordered Stinger missile launchers moved into positions around major cities. There in the shadow of the Washington Monument, a Hummer-mounted missile carrier scanned the sky, poised to shoot down ... what?
Does bin Laden have an air force?
This whole terrorism thing has become terribly silly. At the administration's urging people spent last week scooping up rolls of duct tape and plastic sheeting.
From: http://www.lowcountrynow.com/stories/022103/LOCrose.shtml
Chewgababy
Subject: Saddam thinks protestors agree with his regime?
Dear Buzz,
This is funny as hell! So we better get all shivery and become fraidy-cats and break out into a cold sweat because of something Saddam Hussein thinks! Yeah, right! We must immediately stop protesting Dubya's insanity because Saddam's insanity is so much more evil.
The spin is getting crazier and crazier, which is a sure sign that any minute it might just implode upon itself. Who cares what Hussein does or thinks at this point, except, of course, the ding brained pResident. Hussein has been de-fanged and is desperately grasping at straws which seems to be also happening to the media and to the Moron. They're spinning so hard their heads are going to fly off.
And Smirky got his tongue all tied up again, as usual. He said the peace marchers were a focus group when he should have said we are a focused group. Focused on his arse so we can collectively give it a boot out the White House door.
Judith Foster,
Berkeley
Dear BuzzFlash,
I just read in an article in TomPaine.com that some wealthy Democratic donors are going to fund a liberal radio network to counter Limbaugh, Hannity and all the rest of the scum. They said that they want to hire Al Franken. I pray to God this is true. Al Franken is so smart. He knows politics inside out and on top of that he's hysterical. (more than you can say for Limbaugh and the rest). Anyone who can write a book called "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot", is a genius in my book. I think this is the best news I've heard in a long time. Now all we have to do is get rid of those rigged electronic voting machines and maybe we'll have a shot. Keep up the great work BuzzFlash!
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Frontline
Dear Buzz,
That PBS Frontline piece on "the Bush Doctrine" was an abysmal, one-sided puff piece for the Administration and its craven agenda. I e-mailed Frontline and told them I thought it wasn another media bl**-job for Bush. Very disappointing.
BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Poppy Bush Lied (St. Pete Times)
Dear BuzzFlash,
This past week on the NPR/BBC program "The World" a reporter from the St. Pete Times revealed the Bush 1 administration lied about so-called satellite photos of Iraqi troops massing on the Saudi border.
Reporter Jean Heller (I'm not sure of the spelling) said that her newspaper bought satellite photos from Russian sources and had them professionally scrutinized. (The photos were time and date dated.) They showed no such massing of troops -- not even tire tracks in the sand.
Ms. Heller said she'd lived in Wyoming for a few years and as a reporter had known Dick Cheney when he was WY's sole house representative. So she confronted then Defense Secretary Cheney about her proof. Cheney refused to answer. She said other news agencies heard about the photos but no expose ever materialized because Desert Storm started two days later.
She has had the photos examined again by state-of-the-art experts who say they are more than ever convinced there were no troops. The conclusion? The Bush administration lied and made up evidence.
Why is this story not being shouted from the housetops???
To check out what I have said why not visit the NPR website and click on The World. I'm sure they have the story in their archives.
Thanks,
Lynn
Dear Buzz,
http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=14532
Quote from President Pretzel re anti-war movement: "Some in the world don't view Saddam Hussein as a risk to peace. I respectfully disagree." Well that's fair. Dubya doesn't see himself as a risk to peace but about 90% of the world respectfully disagrees."
Barbara
nyc
Subj: FRONTLINE: War - Behind closed doors
Hi Buzz,
I saw the FRONTLINE last night (The War: Behind closed doors) as I am usually a huge fan of that show. But, I found it very depressing and it just plain old made me wonder aloud!
No mention of oil at all which is, of course, why they have such war lust in the first place. And way too much air time for William Kristol & Richard Perle. As if they need help from PBS to be heard. You can't swing an O'Reilly voodoo doll without hearing them spout their rhetoric all over the place. We need PBS to give them a soapbox to stand on?
Incidentally, my husband saw an interview with the producer on FOX News the other day which he watches ONLY to keep track of the scumbags and for humorous cartoon copy. I thought it was weird at the time that they would promote anything close to being anti-BUSH co. Now we know, if that FRONTLINE program had any teeth at all it would never have gotten the interview on Fox.
I guess the producer felt he had to get some/any information out there and would possibly follow up later as events happen? They sure left it hanging...Or maybe it was what it appeared to be: a pro-war justification program popping up on PBS. Yikes!
I felt like it was primarily focused on humanizing the administration's position with no counter position other than Powell's dovishness. What was the goal? To make Powell look like he was being picked on by the bullies? All the more disgusting after his performance at the UN when they gave him his walking papers.
Thanks Buzz, just had to vent. I'm going to send an annoyed e-mail to PBS/Frontline people.
We couldn't make it without you!
Cheers,
S. Dillon
Vashon,
WA
Subj: I Don't Get It
Dear BuzzFlash,
There's all this evidence that the war in Iraq was planned years ago, there is still no evidence that Hussein is responsible for 9-11, we can't find his weapons of mass destruction, we can't find Bin Laden but we know he's out there, there's terror alerts that are false, the corp media is silent, and Bush wants to go to war for all these claims. I thought people were innocent until proven guilty. Yeah, Hussein is a nut but we knew that already. So why are we going to war because he was a nut 10 years ago? I don't get it.
Harrison
Shepard
Los
Angeles
re: Shooting Gallery
Dear Buzz,
The article about the News Anchor from the St. Louis Post, was so horrendous. He has admitted it, told the judge he did not want a lawyer, he was guilty and deserved to die. It, sadly, is his way of committing suicide..which he admits he had tried before. Now, the child, 7yr. old Drake has no father or mother...because a man with a serious mental problem was allowed to buy a gun 12-15 years ago.
I suppose if Charlton Heston had a mind anymore, he would be proud of this man being able to own a gun. It was so premeditated and these people who think that everyone should own a gun are the same people who are against abortion. How many people think that Drake would have been more traumatized if he had been aborted at 3 months??..I would like to hear. This woman was planning a divorce, apparently was living for years with a mental case, she knew it, everyone knew it, but she still tried! Now the child suffers..and believe me, he knows what is happening now!..When he was a three month fetus...he would not!!!!
Think about it...all you gun lovers and anti-abortionists!!!
Shirley...........St.Louis
Dear BuzzFlash,
If Bush really wants to show this country that he is only concerned about Iraq's weapons, let him push for a bill which would make it a crime to be a war profiteer. Say if a company makes more than 1% profit then we can send the CEO and board members to the death chamber. This of course, will not happen, the only ones who'll die are pur boys.
Michael Hawk
Subj: Operation, Target CBS
Dear Buzz,
Folks, this is a fax that I just sent CBS regarding their no anti war policy at the Grammys by any of the artists. I found this alert on Legitgov.org and clicked on it and it took me to Drudge the original source for this report. May I make a suggestion that all of you put this up on your sites as an action to take by all. Call it, "Operation, Target CBS" or whatever you like?
Mary!
CBS
524 West 57th St.
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (212) 975-2824
Fax: (212) 975-6766To
CBS,
February 22, 2003
It has come to my attention that you have ordered that NO ANTI IRAQ WAR messages by any of the artists at your Grammy Ceremonies be allowed.
According to Drudge one CBS executive stated that microphones would be unplugged should anyone violate your order. That to me is pure censorship, and a violation of an artists first amendment rights as guaranteed under the United States Constitution. To me, the phrase unplug symbolizes fascism. Something we have been facing ever since this regime took power.
I am sure that you would have no problem filming this war on the front lines, so why is it that the other side cannot be heard? You air consistently Mr. Bush's comments on why we should go to war. We who oppose this war, demand that any and all anti war messages at the Grammy Ceremonies be aired by these artists. After all, it is their country too.
Know this, CBS, I will put this letter up on the Internet and suggest to the thousands who read it, that we will not purchase any and all products that have bought ad time during that ceremony. In fact, I will suggest that we do not even tune in.
The choice is yours.
Regards,
Mary MacElveen
Subj: Susan McDougal
Dear BuzzFlash:
I read Susan McDougal's book "The Woman Who Wouldn't Talk", and I recommend her book highly. Everyone should read her book for she stood for the truth not the lies that Ken Starr, Paula Jones, Richard Mellon Scaife and others were putting out about the Clintons. Because of the lies that were put out by Karl Rove, and the Bushes about the Clintons, read "Hunting of the President" by Joe Conason and Gene Lyons, there are people that will never admit to themselves that the Clintons never did the things they were accused of doing -- that it was all trumped up by the right wing conservatives of the Republican parties and paid by Richard Mellon Scaife.
Arlene Rodocay
Helena,
MT
Dear BuzzFlash
(note: Davis is close to Sacramento California)
Davis mayor now says biolab not welcome
By Pamela Martineau -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PST Saturday, February 22, 2003In a major setback for UC Davis' bid for a high-security infectious-diseases laboratory, Davis Mayor Susie Boyd said Friday that she now opposes the $200 million project and will seek City Council approval to notify federal officials that the lab is not welcome.
More: http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/6157908p-7113206c.html
A BuzzFlash Reader
Re: Is the Pope Aiding and Abetting Terrorism?
Dear BuzzFlash,
What can I do except give you a ^5 and a standing ovation for this editorial? Bush & Co. along with the Religious Right have spent enough years hijacking Christianity (and the 'liberal media') for their own twisted purposes and it's about time that people stood up and started pointing it out.
We need to take back Christianity and the media! Keep it up and maybe it will continue to catch on.
S. DeSantis
Subject: The Dem hopefuls need to pass a litmus test
Hi Buzz,
I think there are a few things we can start asking and demanding of all Democratic Presidential hopefuls. Instead of harping on the safe issue of the economy and only speaking up against the Iraqi war after millions take to the streets all over the world, when they know they won't be out on a limb, I'd like to ask some tough guestions and make some hard demands on the Democratic hopefuls. These are issues that I believe Gore would address head on as President which is why I belong to a grassroots movement to try to persuade him to run again. It's time for the spineless bunch to pay up or back off.
I hope many Americans feel the same way I do and will send the message to our representatives and to Al Gore that we will not vote for anyone who doesn't do the following:
1. Promise to appoint an independent commission to launch a full-scale investigation into all possible aspects and causes of 9/11. It will have to be independent because our representatives from both parties can't be trusted, based on their records of the last two years.
2. Promise to reverse the assault on the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, including restoring that pesky little item about representation and the assumption of innocence. He/she must also promise to do away with the "military tribunals" and with rounding up whole sections of the population based on nationality and/or religion for some vague "indefinite" length of time.
3. Promises to keep their God out of the government and legislation and restores our founding fathers' separation of state and religion.
4. Promises to be as forthcoming and open to the people of this land as is possible.
5. Promises to continue brokering and using diplomacy and persuasion to convince Israel and Palestine to work out some peace agreement.
6. And not least of all, promises to apply all the resources available to find Al Qaeda and its leadership through all national and international avenues possible.
7. Reverses all of Bush's gutting, decimating tax cuts for the rich.
8. And then there's all those other issues like reinstating ourselves in the Kyoto Agreement, industrial pollution, cracking down on corporate fraud, etc., etc., ad nauseum
Based on Gore's record I believe he would do all these things and I believe those who know he's the man who should be in the White House can join the grassroots movement to draft him for President in 2004. DraftGore.com
Judith Foster,
DraftGore.com
Subj: Why do Democrats miss so many opportunities!
Dear BuzzFlash,
Sometimes when I read something in BuzzFlash I know that that is the last place I'm going to see it. Or at least, it isn't going to get the kind of attention that should be given to it. I'm talking about two things I saw today: Donald Rumsfeld's membership on a board of a company that supplied two nuclear power plants to North Korea; and the alleged terrorist in Florida who worked for President Bush's reelection and is to be seen in a picture with him. Those are the kinds of things that Democratic leaders should be talking about on Sunday talk shows and for which they should be demanding a public explanation. But don't hold your breath. They don't do that, and consequently this administration gets by with almost anything they want. How can we get Democrats in leadership positions to speak up?
Richard
Humke
Louisville,
KY
Subj: What the Heck is Going on with Donna Brazile?
Dear BuzzFlash,
If Donna Brazile is cozying up to Karl Rove, Bay Buchanan and Grover Norquist, my guess would be that she has succumbed to Rosie O'Donnell disease, that is to say has gone completely bonkers.
On the other hand, she is totally justified to be pissed at the Democratic Party for taking for granted the votes of women and minorities. They want our votes, they want our contributions, but when it comes to supporting our issues, they're as AWOL as Bush during the Vietnam War. It is to be hoped that she will soon realize that spineless little wussies though the Democrats may be, they're not actively evil like republicans, or so naive and/or egomaniacal they help elect actively evil republicans by running as third party candidates.
And, until Bush completes his goal of completely gutting the Bill of Rights, she does have freedom of association. Maybe, like Carville, she will not be contaminated by the ill-advised beliefs of her companions.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Did I Miss Something?
Hello,
"The Bush Cartel Betrayal: Pakistan is More Dangerous in Terms of Harboring Terrorists Than Iraq. An Interview with Seymour Hersh on Bill Moyer's NOW. 2/22"--
You have the link to Bill Moyer's NOW but do you realize what NEWS BOMBS were dropped in the Seymour Hersch interview?
1. The evidence surrounding the 9/11 attack points to "state sponsored terrorism" involving, we now learn from Seymour Hersch, the military and ISI of Pakistan with financial aid from Saudi Arabia. Sen. Bob Graham, fresh from the investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee into 9/11, alluded to this more than a month ago (end of December '02?) on PBS's NewsHour in response to a question by Gwen Ifill. It hit the news cycle with a resounding silence, just as Seymour Hersch's statements about same are echoing in a well of silence.
2. The act by Pakistan's ISI and military in sponsoring al-Qaeda's attack on the United States constituted an act of war by a sovereign state against the United States of America.
3. In response to this act of war, administration officials at the highest level of our government committed treason by concealing the involvement of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia from Congress and the American people and by giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Hersch describes an incident during the Afghan War in which our military essentially created a safe corridor for the evacuation of our enemies, Pakistani military Generals, ISI personnel, and al-Qaeda, from the arena of conflict. Mr. Hersch also thought that some relatives of Osama bin Laden were evacuated at this time. This could have been accomplished only with the knowledge and consent of the Sec. of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. Again, the silence is deafening.
4. Being the sublime opportunists that they are, certain members of the administration used 9/11 to further a cockamamie, 10-year-old Pax Americana plan cooked up by Bush I's Cold War Warriors, chief among them, Paul Wolfowitz and Donald Rumsfeld, which is the basis for the current mad drive for war with Iraq, which they are also lying about.
5. Pakistan supplied the nuclear know-how to North Korea; Hersch thinks they were almost certainly engaging in this little enterprise post 9/11.
The Bush administration knew about North Korea's nukes and Pakistan's involvement in helping N. Korea's nuclear program for at least a year before the "crisis" emerged this past fall, or around the time we were attacked in the fall of 2001.
C Fowles
Dear Buzz,
even that bastion of r-w/gop con-artists and character assassins, the WSJ, rebukes DeLay-GOP fundraising "Honors" scam.... (for now, anyways...)
<< It is not just some recipients who are angry. Lawyers for Dow Jones & Co., owner of the Wall Street Journal, contacted NRCC officials before Christmas to ask them to stop using the Journal masthead, saying they were "misstating a connection between the award and the Wall Street Journal," said Brigitte Trafford, a Dow Jones spokeswoman. Flesch said he received his "Wall Street Journal" ad fax this month. Trafford said Dow Jones lawyers would be back in contact with the NRCC. >>
LJBK
House GOP Fundraisers Put a Price On Honors
By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, February 22, 2003; Page A01
The call starts with flattery: You have been named businessman of the year, or physician of the year, or state chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee's Business Advisory Council.
Then comes the fundraising hook: a request for as much as $500 to help pay for a full-page Wall Street Journal advertisement, then a request for $5,000 to reserve a seat at a banquet thrown in your honor. Can't handle that? How about $1,250 for the no-frills package?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44940-2003Feb21.html
Subj: Why Was Karl Rove Meeting with Muslims in Florida??
Dear BuzzFlash,
I've written about this in detail before -- the Florida Muslim vote is what got Bush in the White House!!!
http://www.metimes.com/2K/issue2000-49/reg/us_muslims_might.htm
Bush courted the Muslim vote by making promises about repealing the " secret evidence act" et al. Talk about irony!!! But Rove was active I'm sure in getting the organized Muslim PAC to swing to Bush (they usually went 50/50). So many strange things went on in Florida. Jeb, anthrax, strangely uncharacteristic voting patterns, African-American disenfranchisement, terrorists learning how to fly 747's....
Ooof!
BC
Subj: Hybrid Cars
NOTE TO BuzzFlash EDITORS:
If you print this, please feel free to edit as you wish. This is essentially a plug for our Prius, but leave out the manufacturer's name if you aren't comfortable with printing what is basically a free advertisement for Toyota. I believe that all the hybrids on the market (based on Consumer Reports) are about the same in reliability and performance; and the real purpose of my letter is not to endorse Toyota specifically, but just to say that we own a hybrid, we love it, and we don't understand why more people are not buying them. Anyway, here's the letter:
I keep seeing articles in the newspaper and features on TV saying that hybrid cars are not selling. We are the proud owners of a Toyota Prius, and could not be happier with it. This is not our "second vehicle;" this is our main car. We drive it around town, we take long trips in it, we drive it in snow (and believe me, it's been driven in a lot of snow this year), and we absolutely love everything about this car. And the higher gas prices get, the more we love it.
I urge everyone thinking about getting a new car to consider a hybrid. We generally are very cautious in purchasing a vehicle; and when we get one, we keep it forever. The other vehicle we presently own is a 1986, and the one we got rid of when we bought the Prius was a 1996, so obviously we are not into buying automobiles simply because they are the latest thing out. We did all the research we could before getting the Prius, but we knew no one else who had one, so we weren't able to to get any first-hand information. Consumer Reports seemed fairly high on them, and those folks are very picky (which is why we always rely on what they say).
Our main concern after doing all the reading was whether it would have enough power. We are not Nascar wannabes, but with all the wild and crazy drivers on the road today, we wanted a car that would not just sputter if we needed to accelerate in a hurry. We test drove one and needed no more convincing -- it pretty much drives just like any other car. And, to answer the question we are most frequently asked, we do not have to plug it in to recharge it. You just fill it up with gas like any other car, except about half as often. I will not attempt to explain (because I do not understand) much about how when you brake or are at a stop, something is being charged which helps power the vehicle and increases your mileage.
My husband can vouch for the fact that the trunk is surprisingly roomy, since I am notorious for packing way too much stuff when we are traveling. And the seats are very comfortable even to the two of us, who are both quite tall. In fact the only unsettling thing about the car is that when you are stopped, you don't hear a motor running, which makes you think the engine has died. But it never has; just have faith and press on the accelerator, and it will go. I will not go into all the gadgets, but for about the first 800 miles, we pretty much did nothing but stare at all the information you can call up on the computer-like screen just below the center of the dash, which was probably not the safest thing to be doing.
If you are like us and occasionally have to use a 4-wheel drive vehicle (like when the snowplows fill up the end of your driveway), you will be glad to know that (according to the salesman who sold us the Prius), Toyota has in the works a hybrid SUV. We were happy to hear that because even though the old 1986 4-wheel drive is still running good now, odds are it won't live forever.
The Prius was priced about the same as a Camry, but you won't (unless your dealer is more generous than ours) get any rebates. There is, however, a $2000 federal income tax deduction for the Prius; and the routine oil changes and servicing for a certain period are free. And there is that excellent gas mileage (usually right around 50 mpg).
So, if you are in the market for a new car, please go test drive one of the hybrids. Your wallet and the environment will be very happy if you decide to buy one. And you might, as we do, take great pleasure in knowing that we are supporting DimSon's war for oil as little as possible.
By the way, if you have access to it, there was an excellent article about hybrids one day this week in, of all places, the official publication of the Arkansas republican party, which still calls itself the Arkansas Democrat even though they haven't liked a Democrat since rabid segregationist Orval Faubus was around. I guess this proves the adage that even an old blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.
Now, in closing, does anyone know anything about solar shingles retrofitted on an existing roof?
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Bookstore Purchases
After reading your link http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/21/national/main541464.shtml I sent an email to Amazon asking if they intend to comply with the new fedregs. I stated that I will not be making any purchases until I hear from them. I would suggest that everyone with an Amazon, B&N, or other book outlet account make them accountable.
Thanks,
Steve Rubick
Crawford,
CO
Subj: Duct Tape, etc.
Hi, Buzz:
RE: It Gets More Outrageous Every Day: Big GOP Contributor Manufactures Duct Tape (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38109-2003Feb20.html)
Of course the major manufacturer of duct tape is a ghp'er! And plastic sheeting is a petroleum product, too, as are the plastic bottles which hold the water they 'suggested' we all buy. Who needs the stock market to rocket when you are a friend of the clown prince? All you need is to be in the *right* business at the *right* time and your profits will soar.
Remember Watergate? Follow the money...
Liz Taylor
Houston,
TX
Subj: A huge US Bombing Massacre of Civilians in Afghanistan, Helmand Province.
Dear Sirs!
Please, circulate as widely and as soon as possible the following news. In Helmand Province, in Afghanistan, last week, the US bombers made a huge bombing against Afghan civilians, with at least 100 deaths. But the local people say, there are HUNDREDS of deaths. The area is circled by US army, and not even the Red Cross can go there. The bombings have lasted at least 3 days.
The name of the village has also been called Waleeja-village, in other news sources.
This news is confirmed by several sources, BBC Pashto Radio News, Balochistan Post , Azzam etc.... News became to come during the end of last week.
Dear Sirs: This is TERRIBLE !!!!
2 weeks ago there were also Civilian massacre , due to US + Norwegian /Danish bombings, in Eastern Afghanistan, near Spin Boldak.
They used also the "Daisy Cutter " thermobaric, forbidden bombs.
With best regards,
Dr. Stig Froberg/Physicist, Finland.
Subj: Perle, to quote him on Meet the Press
"Democracies do not wage aggressive war." Ipso Facto, our coming attack on Iraq proves that we are no longer a democracy.
Karen/ BoerboomWI
Subj: Pray for Peace
Dear BuzzFlash,
I am a Christian and I do not support the war in any way. Neither does my minister who protests in peace marches. I believe this war is based on the bearing of false witness for the purposes of getting oil. Our grief in this country is no reason to kill innocents. If Ari Fleischer says there will be no safe place in Baghdad, then how is it that he can claim Bush will protect the innocents of Iraq during this pre-eminent attack on a nation which happens to also be the second largest oil producer in the world? Many Republicans who say they are Christians fail to cite the following verse in the bible. In fact they are so afraid of this verse of Jesus that I have yet to hear one of them comment on it when I state it. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist him who evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew: 5:38-39 (NASB) Jesus gives us admonitions which are hard to live by. I believe very firmly that God speaks to us through clear events today. He spoke to us in a clear message when Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on the same day that Bush got his war resolution. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matt: 5:9 (NASB). Jimmy Carter was also persecuted for his honesty and integrity. Jesus said "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt: 5:10 (NASB). If I am looking for a model of a moral Christian walk, I look no further than Jimmy Carter.
MEV
Subj: It's Time for the UN to Tell Bush to Put up or Shut up
How many more threats about "irrelevance" is the UN willing to take from our blustery, swaggering cowboy outlaw? How many more ultimatums that "this is their last chance" are UN members willing to abide? It's time for the UN to tell Bush to put up or shut up. Most of the "so called" evidence the White House has seen fit to release has been debunked or proven to be less than accurate. UN inspectors continue to complain that intelligence information coming from the White House is "garbage." And now, our tax dollars are being used to "bribe" nations to support a military attack that a majority of Americans do not support. How much more desperate can this administration get in order to commence their shenanigans in Iraq?
UN members should place the responsibility smack dab on the White House where it belongs and insist that Mr. Bush is the one who will be irrelevant and that this coming week is his last chance to demonstrate to the world politic that the U.S. is justified in using preemptive military intervention in Iraq. If he cannot, then he should sit down and shut up and let the inspections continue forward. Would we as a nation expect less from anyone else? History shows we have not and would not.
Bush is right about one thing...the UN needs to develop a backbone, but not in the sense Bush thinks they should. The UN needs to understand there is strength in numbers, and right now they hold all the trump cards. They need to help Mr. Bush understand that we live in a global community. If he wants to take his bat and ball and go home, so be it. The US is not the glue holding the world together. How ironic would it be if UN members voted to place economic sanctions on the US and Britain if they decide to "go it alone?" Who wins then? Bottom line…Osama Bin Forgotten.
Linda Ward
Pocatello,
Idaho
Subj: Will Dem Governors Boycott Bush
Bush is to address the Governors Conference tonight? tomorrow morning? Democrat Governors threatening to boycott because only two questions will be permitted and they must be submitted beforehand. This is a departure from tradition where there is a free flow of questions and answers between the Governors and the President. This is especially important as nearly all states are facing multi-billion dollar deficits.
The puppet Bush must be kept on a string which his attached to his mouth, and he has probably only memorized the answers to two questions which even if not submitted will be the ones said to be submitted and answered. Press is being excluded. Take that America! Will the Democratic Governor's prove spineless, and not stand up for tradition, freedom of information and freedom of speech?
Karen/WI
Subj: Bush
23 February 2003
Dear BuzzFlash:
I thought when George W. Bush stole the election back in 2000 that he only wanted to do the usual things - you know, cut taxes for the upper 2% of Americans, outlaw abortion, declare war on the environment; the usual, run-of-the-mill corporate lackey republican stuff. So where did this military adventurism come from?
I mean, I watched the campaign closely and I honestly don't recall Bush ever stating that he wanted to bankrupt the country by going around the world attacking anyone he didn't like. I must have missed that speech.
Another secret Bush kept from us was his plan for getting everyone in the world to hate us. Now, it isn't difficult to get our enemies to hate us, but Bush has done the near impossible; he's managed in a few short months to get a majority of the people on the planet to hate us, too. That's a real accomplishment, considering all the post 9/11 goodwill he had to overcome. Remember, Bush's father only threw up on the Japanese Prime Minister; but son George has vision; he pukes on entire nations.
Maybe this all has something to do with Bush's close relationship with Jesus. They both work in mysterious ways. What might come off as a creepy, simple-minded arrogance is actually the Prince of Peace guiding our president in the Lord's important work: arming death squads in Colombia, training terrorists in Georgia, and cutting benefits for the needy here at home. And if you think about it, what could be more Christian than a pre-emptive strike, incorporating as it does most of Jesus' "do unto others" philosophy?
I admit it; I thought George W. Bush was just an ordinary republican. Boy, did I ever misunderestimate him.
Sincerely,
Jeff Tarbell
Swansea,
IL
Subj: Pray for the President
Dear BuzzFlash,
President Bush has said that when he is down on his knees praying every morning, one of the things that he always prays for is wisdom. Wisdom from who, Karl Rove? The Carlyle Group? Dick Cheney and Halliburton?
In the Book of James, Chapter 3, Verses 17 and 18 say: "But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice".
I pray that President Bush will seek wisdom from above, rather than from his usual earthly sources.
RRR
Subj: While everyone else is selling selling war, UK minister of defense: skiing....
Dear BuzzFlash,
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,237457,00.html
Geof Hoon in Chamonix, in the French alps, skiing with his family.
British Major General Patrick Congley, the commander of the Gulf War in 1991, asks: I wonder what message this sends to Saddam Hussein, that while his men prepare to risk their lives, he goes on a ski vacation?".
The Defense Ministry says that he is "in daily contact" with the Defense Ministry, and is going to the Persian Gulf for a 3 day trip on Monday, where he will visit Bahrain, Katar, the United Arab Emirates, and the troops in Kuwait.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: "America on Trial" program in UK last night
Hi!
My husband and I are US citizens living in Scotland (and loving it here -- watching more balanced news, not looking at W "and his ilk" day in, day out!)
Anyway, Channel 4 in the UK had an interesting program on last night (Feb. 22) called "America on Trial". Defending the US position on war with Iraq was none other than Richard Perle. He was joined by several other folks --some of them Brits. There was also a group of St. Louisians -- apparently brought in to participate by Channel 4. I would say the US audience members leaned surprisingly toward an anti-Bush position, and there some of them commented negatively on the amount of religion that's being brought into the debate. Of course, there were several fervent women from St. Louis who just couldn't understand why folks dislike the US so much, when we're only trying to do what's right. It was fun to watch Perle fuming in a hostile environment. Overall, an odd exercise, seeing the US reps just repeating their mantra while the UK antiwar folks tried to engage in a substantive debate. Too bad it's not being broadcast at home.
Anyway, thought you might be interested. The only link I can find is a pre-show announcement on the Channel 4site:
http://www.channel4.com/news/2003/special_reports/america_trial.html
Enjoy!
Mary Ewert
Subj: "Liberal Media"
I think I have to agree with those that claim the media has liberal bias. And here's why I think so...
I have yet to see a dignified picture of George W. Bush. The only shots said "liberal" media ever publish show him squinchy-eyed, mouth contorted into a hideous grimace, arms akimbo, hands flailing. You'd think if the media respected the man, they'd be able to come up with more presentable images. Unless, of course, they just don't exist.
Jackie in NY
Subj: Just asking
Dear BuzzFlash,
I've been wondering about something. When the President gets his annual medical checkup do they include a mental exam?
Linda
Subj: Bush Pre-Civil War Agenda
According to the article, "Liberals Promise 'Largest Grassroots Efforts Ever' to Thwart Bush Tax Cut' in the Conservative News Service, Feb. 13, 2003 by Christine Hall, Bush has plans for our federal government that are frightening.
"Ralph Nes, president of the People for the American Way, says, 'Bush wants to use tax cuts to drain trillions of dollars from the federal treasury over the next two decades." Seems to me, Bush is doing it faster than that over the last few years.
Neas, quoting a colorful quip by Grover Norquist, a key Bush advisor and president of Americans for Tax Reform, 'has summed up the strategy: 'My goal is to cut government in half in 25 years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub'. Bush and his tax consultant want to drain our treasury?
Where exactly is the money to go...into their pockets? It certainly is not going to the state and local governments. It is government money...that they are stealing for their own profit and power. Is this not criminal by any standards...by any party?
"Neas stated, :Bush wants to 'turn back the clock' on the Constitution by 'creating a federal judiciary dominated by right-wing judges who embrace a return to the state's right judicial philosophy." Is that a corrupt and one sided hanging judge?
What exactly is that if they aren't going to give the states and local governments the money to function? You know, states have their own Constitutions and Bill of Rights. If they try to go backwards to pre-Civil War, they will be traitors to their citizens. No way are the citizens going to accept slavery, etc. for the wealthy elite. Not blacks, women, or for that fact poor whites. It is obvious that this group of RWers are living in a "wonderland' of absolute power.
How can any Congress person accept this agenda? It is plain thuggery and treason. Let's pull the plug on these idiots.
J. Stevens
Subj: Relevant Theodore Roosevelt Quote
Quote one of their own.- Please copy this to all your e-mails.
"To announce that there must be NO criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President Right or Wrong, is not only UNPATRIOTIC and SERVILE, but is Morally TREASONABLE to the American Public."
-- Former Republican President, Theodore Roosevelt
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Perle Spills the Beans
http://www.msnbc.com/news/876263.asp?0sl=-10
Here is a key a key exchange between Richard Perle and Dennis Kucinich on Meet the Press while discussing the link between Iraq and al Qaida. Kucinich pointed out that it must be reiterated time and again that there is no connection between the two groups. Perle said that there was no formal connection but there was a non-aggression pact between the two. Then Perle made a monumental admission. He indicated that there were all sorts of warnings leading up to September 11th, and in fact there were other plots to carry out terrorist attacks of which we were aware.
Kucinich immediately picked up on this and asked Perle if the inability to act on the many warnings that weren't acted on was an indictment on Bush. Perle danced around the question and then Russert changed the subject.
Here is the exchange:
REP. KUCINICH: Tim, I have to say this, that I voted on September 12 of 2001 to give the president authority to be able to respond to the attacks on this country. I think this nation has a right to defend itself, but Iraq did not attack this nation and that has to be said over and over. It did not attack this nation. And building a cause for war against Iraq is something the administration has tried to do but frankly it hasn’t done it very effectively.
MR. PERLE: Excuse me, the lesson of September 11 was that you shouldn’t have been voting on September 12 because we should have acted against al-Qaeda before that. We saw the camps. We heard the communications. We knew that they were planning additional acts of terror as they had undertaken previous acts of terror. And we waited. We failed to take action in a timely manner and the congressman is now saying that we have to wait.
REP. KUCINICH: Are you saying that to be critical of President Bush? Is that what you’re saying?
MR. PERLE: I’m critical of the failure to recognize the threat that Osama bin Laden posed before—everything we did after September 11 could have been done before September 11. But if we had proposed doing that, I have no doubt the congressman would say, "There's no evidence. There's no imminent threat."
In a consultant's role, how could Perle have been knowledgeable about national security information that could not even be shared with the Congress? This is further exoneration of Cynthia McKinney, and more proof that Bush did know just as the NY Post headline read.
YT Cai
