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Subj: Jerry Springer for Senate? Give Us a Break!
Dear BuzzFlash,
Why? What have we done to deserve this? Has every Democrat in Ohio done something horrible in a past life? As if Ohio weren't already the bastion of Repuglicanism and Reborn Right-Wing Christian Freaks! The best thing Jerry could do for us is run as a Repug.
--Erin R.
Lawrence
Akron,
Ohio
Subj: A Couple of Notes
Dear Folks--
A few comments on current affairs:
1. There's no possibility that we mean to establish democracy in Iraq or anywhere else in the Middle East. Supporting a reactionary oligarchy may be expensive, but a democratic government would raise oil prices a lot to support the development of the countries in question. After all, most of these countries have oil, sand and people -- and not much more. 1a. And as Manuel Hinds pointed out in a 1982 World Bank report, the rich countries are absolutely dependent on the corruption of government officials to get the resources (both human and material) they need from poorer countries. You will not remember the howls (because they weren't reported in the US press) when Cuba's Minister of the Economy, Carlos Lage, said that Cuba would not accept just any old project proposed by global capitalism, since some of them would pollute every river for 40 miles. Corruption enables US-financed transnationals to exploit -- and cheaply, I might add -- the resources of other people's countries.
2. Turkey is demanding its money up front because we stiffed them last time. The first Iraq war cost them $50 billion, and the international donors never came through with the payback. Our FICO score in Turkey is low, so it's to their credit as a responsible government that they demand the money in advance.
3. The UN will almost certainly go along with the war in the end. Aside from our checkbook diplomacy (and we can only hope that all countries demand their payment up front -- see above), there's little point in opposing something that the US is going to do no matter what. Unless your government suffers from a surfeit of dignity or principle, you might as well go along to get along.
Alison Brennan
Subj: The Scoop on Duct Tape
BuzzFlash --
This was part of a a letter sent by a reader to The New Mexican (2/23/03):
"I wonder what evidence Tom Ridge has to suggest using duct tape and plastic sheets to protect us from biological and chemical attack. In order to find out I emailed the experts -- 3M Company, the manufacturer of duct tape and plastic film. The customer relations department advised that the tape and plastic were only designed to protect against water condensation and that no testing has ever been conducted to see if the plastic and tape would protect a home from weapons of mass destruction.
Thus 3M would not advise that these products be used for this purpose."
A BuzzFlash Reader
Quote of the Day
"Records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a 1994 Senate Banking Committee investigation show that during Reagan's presidency, the United States sold Iraq anthrax, bubonic plague, and botulinum toxin, all supposedly for medical research. Over congressional opposition, Reagan sold Iraq twin-engine Bell "Huey" helicopters, which appear to have been used in his chemical attacks on the Kurds. The Bush administration's current outrage at Saddam's crimes is bogus. If people like Rumsfeld, Cheney, Powell, and Richard Armitage (all of whom held prominent government positions in the '80s) really cared about the Iraqi people, they wouldn't have helped Saddam brutalize them in the '80s. And, since the US doesn't care about the Iraqi people, our real motivation for war must lay elsewhere--either in a thirst for world domination, or oil, or both."
--Peter Beinart, Crass Act, tnr.com
Chewgababy
Subj: A Bush Lie!
Dear BuzzFlash,
George W. Bush continues to maintain that he has not made up his mind yet about going to war with Iraq.
However, Undersecretary of State John R. Bolton, seems to have a different view when he is quoted in the Washington Post:
"In meetings yesterday with senior officials in Moscow, Undersecretary of State John R. Bolton told the Russian government that "we're going ahead," whether the council agrees or not, a senior administration official said. "The council's unity is at stake here.""
There we have absolute proof that King George has lied to the faces of the American People. This is not a lie about a blow job, it is a lie about real danger to tens of thousands of American men and women in uniform, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians.
If lying to the American people about consensual sex is an impeachable offence, what is the punishment for lying to the American people about war and the lives of their sons and daughters in uniform.
If George W. Bush is telling the truth, then who makes the decisions in the White House about war?
Impeach George W. Bush, and the horse he road in on.
M. Frank Darbe
Dear BuzzFlash,
Since our military might appears destined to start wars rather than defend our borders, I think we should petition Congress to rename the Department of Defense to the War Department as it was prior to our helping to form the "irrelevant" United Nations.
D. Allen
Zimmerman
Indianapolis,
IN
Subj: Assassinations
Hi Buzz,
The old saying -- that one should choose their enemies well, because you tend to become like them -- Seems to be quite true -- assassinations as an official state policy, Patriot Act, reporting on neighbors, loss of legal rights, War (just because Bush/Rove wants), destruction of our Constitution and the U.N., oh! the list goes on.
An evil, unelected administration which is bent on ruining the U.S. economy and the security of the world hides presidential papers, redacts documents, meets in private to draft policy and that list goes on.
The unelected Regime looks at the millions who are demonstrating for a peaceful solution and casually sluffs us off. The voice of the People of this country and the world does not touch them. It is the Bushistas Uber Alles.
Are we becoming Stalinist Russia?
Is Guantanamo a first stop in the new Gulag?
Impeach the tyrants --!!!!!
Best
Cole...
Subj: E-mail to Senator Orrin Hatch concerning the nomination of Miguel Estrada
Hello again, BuzzFlash,
I have forwarded to you an e-mail I sent to Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah concerning the nomination of Miguel Estrada. I have finally grown weary of Mr. Hatch's phony and hypocritical outrage over the opposition to Estrada's judicial nomination, and I decided to try to do something about it.
If you or any other faithful readers would also like to voice your opposition, here is the site:
http://www.senate.gov/~hatch/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact
Every little bit helps . . .
2-25-03
Mr. Hatch,
A response from you is not requested, nor is it expected, but I am compelled to share with you my observation that you need to be more intellectually honest.
Every time you express outrage over the Democratic opposition to Miguel Estrada, you fail to mention Mr. Estrada's association with Ted Olsen and the heavily Right Wing Arkansas Project, as well as his association with the Federalist Society.
Mr. Estrada's far Right Wing associations are the reason he is being opposed. It is not because he is Hispanic, and you know it.
Conversely, if it was the case that Mr. Estrada was a follower of several extreme Left Wing organizations, surely you would be as outraged over the anticipated Republican opposition to his nomination.
Or would you?
For someone who acts as though you have profound integrity and morality, you are being quite dishonest.
Please spare us all the insult of attempting to pass yourself off as someone of virtue when you spin the opposition of Estrada the way you do.
Even those of us who are politically opposed to what you stand for deserve better.
Sincerely,
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: The President's Mental Health
Dear BuzzFlash,
Ever since he mentioned getting Saddam because he tried to "Murder my Daddy" with his Dr. Phil moment, I've begun to wonder if the man who is leading this country is really STABLE.
He talks about assassinations, writes about world leaders he hates in books, throws petulant tantrum after tantrum, lies daily and about things a ten year old could find out the truth about..... I think he has REALLY lost it.
He looks and talks like the Church lady on Saturday Night Live and acts like that classic western idiot cowboy bully son who is trying to prove to his empire building old Dad he has some balls and can take over Papa's job in the future. Of course the son brings the Dad's empire down.
It would all be funny, if he wasn't the supposed leader of the free world. and we weren't stuck with him for the next couple of years.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Bush War
Dear Buzz,
Sorry if I am too blunt here, but I have a question. All over the place people are discussing whether or not we should get Saddam out of power. But no one in the republican camp is asking whether it is worth the price we might have to pay for that pleasure. The price might be a nuke on our territory, nuclear war between India and Pakistan, another Korean war with nukes on both sides this time, all out war between Israel and the neighbors they can't get along with, or a 50 year occupation of the middle East by our troops and perhaps a reinstituting of the draft. Not to mention Billions poured into that area. No one has said "yes, we have considered that and it is worth it." The republican 'thinkers' I have heard, especially Bush, are just too simplistic for my taste.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Dear Buzzers:
I saw Janeane Garofalo on Hangnail and Colmes tonight. She was on tape debating the morning moron from Fox and Fiends. She totally exposed this host for what he is--anything but balanced. I was eating it up!
But when the clip was over, there was the host as Hannity's guest. The two basically fondled each other in excitement, stating how the jerkyboy had wiped the floor with her. I was like, huh? She just blew you out of the water!! Of course they knew this, too. You can tell when a liberal hits a nerve because the righties go so far overboard to spin the story and belittle their target.
So I just want to applaud Janeane for her courage. Thank God someone is saying what we all wish we could. Hang tough J.-- and thank you!
Oh, and just an observation: Has anyone found it suspicious that Rumbo and this secretive administration are training journalists to cover the soldiers in battle? Could they be setting them up as potential scapegoats? After all, right-wingers still claim the press sabotaged the war in Vietnam.
See what happens to the brain when you can't trust your government?!
Chris
IL
Re: Must Read and See: Ari Gets Laughed Out of WH Briefing Room
Dear BuzzFlash,
Thanks to ever alert Buzz & its readers! One of the funniest and most worthwhile things I have ever seen!
A couple of noteworthy points: First: that briefing was not over, poor Ari canned it when the laughter wouldn't subside. Second: the laughter (and apparently derisive comments) went on long after Ari got out of Dodge.
A true highlight!
Liz
Subj: Stop the Media Whores!
Hi BuzzFlash,
This morning, around 9:00-9:30 a.m. I had CNN CH28 on expecting some form of news -- went in the kitchen to get a cup of coffee and when I got back to the living room ... there was RUMSFELD blathering on and on about Iraq, so I changed the channel to MSNBC CH22 and he was also there, then I switched to Fox CH50 and there he was again!
What the hell is going on? This is the United States NOT some Communist country where the dictators put themselves on T.V. perpetually through the entire day!
I wanted you to know about this; for sure, something has to be done to stop the media from letting themselves get exploited like this. There was NO news this a.m., just RUMSFELD who looks and sounds like he has just crawled out of a crypt somewhere -- all the time!
Thanks!
Barb Mauz
Subj: Ari
Thank you for that bit of levity. I had even stopped looking at C-Span until I read your e-mail. I think that humor may drive the beasts from the castle. Keep up the good work.
Bruce Broderick
Re: Must Read and See: Ari Gets Laughed Out of WH Briefing Room
Dear BuzzFlash,
On Monday I absent mindedly listened to our so-called President's speech to the Governors, who are in D.C. for their winter conference.
At the end of the speech, the shrub clearly stated, "let's wait for the press to leave before we have questions." And sure enough the screen blacked out, and the question and answer session was not covered.
Talk about secrecy!
The Old Hag
Subj: The direct mathematical relationship between Cruise missiles and Time Polls
Dear Buzz,
In a recent Time poll a PROFOUNDLY AMBIVALENT 54% of the American people lukewarmly supported a war with Iraq but only after UN authorization had been given. Despite this ambivalence, Time nevertheless felt compelled to remind people in the article that "approval would surge the moment the first cruise missiles were launched." (http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101030303/nmood.html)
I see. That must be the new shock and awe principle of polling which holds that the commencement of a rain of death and destruction on civilians will always bump up the poll numbers. I wonder what the ratio is, 10,000 dead for every one point jump in the polls?
Dan DeLisio
Subj: Organize and protest the media
Dear BuzzFlash,
It is High time we stop wasting our time out the middle of the street protesting. It is time to stage major protest at the major media outlets. Spread the word and lets take down these morons at the source, the horses mouth!
Spread the word!
A BuzzFlash Reader
Re: Must Read and See: Ari Gets Laughed Out of WH Briefing Room
Dear Buzz,
Is it me, or does somebody really say, "Laughed off the stage!" faintly at the end of that CSPAN clip?
Wes Slaughter
Subj: Bill Nelson is a traitor. . .
Dear BuzzFlash,
I just confirmed with Senator Nelson's office that he is "choosing to vote with the Republicans" on the Estrada nomination.
This makes Senator Nelson a traitor - both with regard to the Estrada nomination AND the war on the people of Iraq. In January 2003, I hand-delivered letters to all Democratic Senators in Congress explaining why I left the Democratic party after 28 years. I happened to run into Senator Nelson in the hall and handed him the letter personally. His comment to me when I said I was now a former Democrat? "Good." When I asked incredulously, "it's GOOD that I'm a FORMER Democrat?!" he kept right on walking.
And, so will I. Right past any Democrat who betrays the party they pretend to represent.
Carolyn Gray
Subj: article stating race may not have played a role in GA governor's race
Hi Buzz,
I'm sending this only as a matter of interest due to the controversy surrounding the voting machines in Georgia as well as the confederate flag flap. I will also email this to Bev Harris/talion, since she has sent me regular updates on the voting machine issue. I have also forwarded her updates to an individual in the Democratic party in Ga, so someone has her updates. I have had no response from that person.
Unfortunately, things in this country are in such a state I don't know who to believe. www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/5260542.htm
It also goes without saying that the controversy Ms Harris cites about the voting machines is getting zero play in Atlanta media.
Carol Brown
Marietta,
GA
Subj: Lawsuit Against President Bush Update
Dear BuzzFlash,
Tuesday the First Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to an expedited hearing of the legal challenge to Bush's authority to invade Iraq absent a Congressional declaration of war. The Court turned down the government's request for more time. The hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday March 4 at 9 a.m. in Boston.
Laurie Manis,
plaintiff
Rock
Island, IL
Subj: Does Bush Suffer from Seizures?
Dear Buzz,
I just noticed there is something on Bush's face today. Looks like a scab or abrasion. I wonder if he has some kind of seizures they don't want to admit to? Seems like he is accident prone and falls on his face a lot. Just wondered if anybody else had noticed this?
Terry Kerr
Subj: Foaming at the Mouth
Dear BuzzFlash,
This NY Times article seals it for me. DeLay is foaming at the mouth over Dean's speech to the Democrats. Evidently, Dean is the candidate republicans fear the most. Surely, the RUSC (Republican Underhanded Strategy Committee) planned into the wee small hours of the morning on Dean dilemma. It appears that their strategy consensus was to send out the foaming-mouth rabid dog (Tom DeLay) to publicly snarl and attack Dean for daring to ask questions most Americans are asking. Republicans will have none of that... send out the attack dog! Hopefully, Dean has his dog repellant handy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/26/politics/26DELA.html
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Time To Support One Of Your Own . . .
Dear BuzzFlash,
I have just learned of the White House campaign to discredit and, possibly, to destroy Helen Thomas for daring to voice her opinion. After giving a speech recently, Thomas remarked to another journalist that George W. Bush is the worst president this country has ever had. This is a truth that is self-evident, and one that every journalist with half sense knows (except for those who work for FOX News) but is afraid to say aloud. White House press secretary Ari Fleischer let the media know early in this administration that access could be denied to reporters who didn't "watch what they say...watch what they do." Since that time, it seems that all but Helen Thomas and her courageous Internet counterparts have become nothing but echo chambers for White House talking points--never questioning the lies that gush like bilge from every corner of this administration--refusing to cover anything that would embarrass Bush--all baying like wolves for war with no regard for the humanitarian aspect or the morality of preemptively invading another nation. Our mainstream media are journalists no longer--they are "jingoists." It is time for those who respect and admire Helen Thomas to publicly declare their support for her right to free speech. Thomas is a journalistic icon, known for her reporting skills as well as for her total honesty and integrity. She has made a long line of presidents uncomfortable as she demanded a bit of honesty and integrity from them as well. And they all love her for it. Not one has ever denied her the right to do her job. Her career is spotless; nothing but high points. Helen Thomas deserves the support of her peers. She has the support--and the love--of mainstream America, and we will not stand by while she is vilified. You cannot lower your eyes and remain silent while the Bush administration unleashes the Dittohead Dogs on Helen Thomas. You must issue a statement supporting her. You must, or we will be able to draw no other conclusion but that you have also been intimidated by this fascist regime. This cowering--this enabling--must stop. It has to stop. Here. With Helen. Please stand up for what you know is right, and speak out for what is guaranteed under what little is left of our Constitution. Freedom of speech.
Thank you,
SHEILA SAMPLES
Cache, OK
Subj: Vicious Campaign Against Helen Thomas & how to support her
PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG. LET'S HELP VETERAN REPORTER HELEN THOMAS
Subj: [Al-Gore-2004-Community]
Vicious Campaign Against Helen Thomas
Date: 2/24/2003 4:03:01 AM Eastern Standard Time
DUBYA'S ENEMIES LIST Nixonian Attack On Dean Of White House Press Corps
Organized Official Republican Party Smear Campaign Against Helen Thomas
Bush Assault To Intimidate Media
White House Correspondents' Association Silent
Not since Richard M. Nixon made a little list -- an enemies list -- of those in the press and in politics who disagreed with his policies has a U.S. President launched a public personal attack on a specific American journalist.
Now, the ever-reliable Hotline reports, George W. Bush has mobilized the Republican National Committee to beat up the outspoken truth-teller, venerated senior White House correspondent, and "First Lady of the press," Helen Thomas, because she has DARED to criticize his public policies.
Helen Thomas: Press heroine, Dubya smear target
Helen Thomas has had the courage to say what many are thinking, that Bush is "the worst president in all of American history." For exercising her First Amendment freedom, the entire Republican Party smear machine has now been deployed against the brave and distinguished journalist.
The RNC has sent out a full-scale call to the hardline partisans in its email data base to destroy Ms. Thomas in response to her criticism of their "president." By singling her out, the Republicans seek nothing less than to intimidate the entire press corps:
PRESS PASS:
GOP Asks Activists To Take On Helen Thomas
In response to Helen Thomas' recent column naming Pres. Bush "the worst President in all of American history," the RNC is asking supporters to "Call Her Out." They provide the following information online:
"Helen Thomas -- Hearst News Service
Title: Columnist
Department: Headquarters
E-mail: [e-mail address]
Phone: [phone number]
Fax: [fax number]
Address: [address]"
(RNC e-mail, 2/20).
Where are the editorials in the New York Times and in the Washington Post?
Where are the press freedom groups and journalists' defense organizations?
Where are Daniel Schorr, Mary McGrory, and all of the other surviving targets of Nixon's "enemies list"?
Above all, where is the board of the White House Correspondents' Association, now that their courageous colleague -- who has covered every president since John F. Kennedy, and always commanded the utmost respect -- has been targeted in Dubya's Nixonian campaign to smother all criticism?
Email the Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press (rcfp@rcfp.org) and Bob Deans (bobdeans@coxnews.com), President of the White House Correspondents Association, to demand public statements defending Helen Thomas's freedom of expression and denouncing George W. Bush for attempting to suppress it.
Email Helen Thomas (helent@hearstdc.com) to express your full support against George W. Bush's and the RNC's outrageous smear campaign against her.
Subj: Scott Ritter being Stalked by the Bushites!
Dear BuzzFlash,
Has anyone seen the news story about Scott Ritter, the former UN chief weapons inspector who's been blowing the whistle on the manufactured "evidence" the Bushites have been spewing? I read it in my home state's newspaper, the Albany Times Union. Ritter was arrested in June 2001 and charged with a Class B misdemeanor for allegedly trying to set up a sexual rendezvous with a person whom he thought was a 16 year old young woman but who was really an undercover Colonie, NY cop. The case was adjourned in expectation of being dismissed, meaning the charges would be dropped and the records sealed if he does not break the law for a six month period. But last week, a request by FEDERAL PROSECUTORS in the Albany , NY office got the case documents UNSEALED with the intent of pursuing prosecution. The feds are trying to muzzle Ritter. Ritter believes it's an intentional effort to "neutralize" his whistle-blowing influence. The names of the federal prosecutors are: William Pericak and Thomas Spina Jr., in Albany, NY. Let's look further into this! A Class B misdemeanor is hardly significant in the annals of crime, but it may be good enough to destroy Ritter's reputation and credibility.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Is The Fix Already In?
Dear BuzzFlash,
I followed a link from your site to the Chicago Tribune to read the article, "Greenspan's Fed future in Doubt". I found the third paragraph most 'chilling', for it seemed to be saying that the result of the 2004 election has already been determined. The paragraph is as follows, " Few people cross a president and the political party running Congress and still survive. To many veteran observers of the central bank, Greenspan's blunt assessment meant he either will retire as Fed chief next year or will be replaced by Bush, though perhaps not until after the 2004 election." It is the last statement, that Greenspan might "be replaced by Bush, though perhaps not until after the 2004 election.", that unnerved me. There has been a great many stories of late, about how the electronic voting machines are being 'programmed', by companies owned by prominent Republicans. It is probably , just a normal, comment of probability made by a journalist, but the connotations , at least in today's world, I find truly terrifying.
Sincerely, Marcia
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0302240161feb24,1,5916511.story
Subj: MSNBC'S coverage of Cubbie's Freedom Fries
Dear BuzzFlash, On Tuesday I was home from work, and against my better judgement I watched MSNBC propaganda for several hours. During the hours between approx. 9am and 1:00 pm, MSNBC aired coverage from Cubbie's restaurant in Beaufort NC "Home of the Freedom Fries" at least three times. The reporter interviewed the owner, and the camera panned the huge banner with the "Freedom Fries" in red and white. Big approving smiles by the reporter. Can anything get dumber than this? Childish actions by senseless people make news three times in one day, yet at the beginning of the protest movement ..well we all know that story. It wouldn't surprise me if one day soon the Statue of Liberty was wrapped up and shipped back to France (she was a gift sent from France to the "old" United States in friendship), her message has now been rendered obsolete by Bush Inc. anyway.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Ari's Address
Dear Buzz,
I watched this press briefing live from www.whitehouse.gov. Near the end of the broadcast, the connection went black. I re-established a connection, but it was no longer streaming. I missed that last question -- I guess someone didn't think it was an "acceptable" question.
Ken Evans
