The BuzzFlash Mailbag
February 28, 2003
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The BuzzFlash Mailbag

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Subj: The US Credit Card

Dear BuzzFlash,

It is certainly unclear where Bush is going on an Iraqi war.

When this all began, Bush's claim was that the US had to

1.) remove that evil Saddam Hussein. Then Bush added that the US had to

2.) bring democracy to Iraq. Now he has added that the US has to

3.) reform the Mideast.

Reform the Mideast? Would that be the same Mideast that has been fighting for centuries, all the way back to Biblical times? Oh, I forgot. Bush walks with God. All the other Mideast mediators through time were not so graced. But Bush is going to take care of it all with one giant sweep. The war alone will cost in the billions. Add on rebuilding Iraq and binging democracy to it and the bill surges forward to scary proportions. Add on all that is involved in reforming the entire Mideast and the US ends up bankrupt.

Lord knows how many intentions Bush will add before it all comes to a head. Each time he adds a new intention, I hear cash register cha-ching debits entered on the nation's credit card. All of Bush's intentions added on to a war on Iraq may very well end up costing taxpayers trillions! Taxpayers, Trillions? Yep, that means you, me, and our grandchildren will be paying off (just the interest) on the nation's credit card for many years to come.

We wouldn't give an untrustworthy teenager our credit card. Should we give an untrustworthy president our nation's credit card?

~ Cathy


Dear Buzz,

"U.S. Lowers Terror Alert Level to Yellow"

That terrorist alert will go right back up to orange as we get closer to the demonstrations on March 15th (and also as we get closer to attacking Iraq). Any bets? (above link)

Barbara
NYC


Subj: Hooking for Votes

Dear Buzz:

Another post-analogy of the ari fleischer laugh-athon press briefing:

After the female reporter pressed ari on the "buying votes" at the U.N. and listed needy countries such as Ethiopia and Mexico on the receiving end of the bribe, ari protested. With words to the effect: Do you realize what you are saying--that these countries are buyable?

The image that flashed through my mind was the United States as a "John" out trolling for willing hookers.

Yes, this country has sunk that low.

Liz Taylor
Houston, TX


WOW! DID YOU SEE BUCHANAN'S CLOSING AT 4PM ON MSNBC? I COULDN'T BELIEVE THIS WAS COMING FROM A CONSERVATIVE! BUZZFLASH SHOULD PRINT IT! HE BASICALLY TOLD BUSH TO STOP BEING A PUPPET FOR THOSE PULLING HIS STRINGS!

KATIE JOHNSON
TAMPA FL


Subj: Echoing a mailbag writer's sentiment

Dear BuzzFlash,

I agree with the person who wrote in the mailbag that we should protest the media. They are the ones who attacked Al Gore and viciously hated him. They jeered at him off camera before the debates. You would have thought they would have tried to hide it. They are the ones who made such a big deal over Whitewater, which turned out to be nothing but a Republican abuse of taxpayer money and a feeding frenzy for the right wing. The media is to blame for the problems Americans are suffering now. The media "journalists" are the ones who give Bush, Bush's father, and Reagan a free ride to lie as much as they want. Bush has a nasty past and continues to lie to us in the present but the media holds him unaccountable and continues to lie about his ratings. The media are to blame. They are the biased ones. There are no moderate or liberal journalists who get any air time. The media whores say they are for a woman's right to choose and for gay rights, but that is just pretense to try to look "liberal", because, in fact, they refuse to report the truth of many workers' lost health care coverage and decimated pensions and ruined lives. They refuse to report the accuracy of unemployment figures (15% in Santa Clara, CA, where great technological minds once worked during the Clinton years). They are the ones who are racist and make unfair biased remarks about Arabs, French, and anyone who isn't Bush's best little pal right now. We should be marching in front of FAUX, CBS, ABC, and NBC. They are a right wing lying disgrace and a sorry excuse for journalism and an insult to the American mind.

Mev


Re: Canadian MP Comment

Dear BuzzFlash,

I feel bad about the comment by our Canadian MP because she didn't make it clear she was talking about Bush and his Mafia-style gang of thugs. Canadians don't dislike the American public, but many do dislike what Bush is doing. I guess she made the same mistake Bush did during his campaign in 2000 when he called a reporter an "asshole". Both of them forgot about hot mikes!

One other comment, I am surprised that CNN didn't have a headline like this "BREAKING NEWS"

The President promises that GREED and WAR is good for the world!

But then again, to paraphrase CNN "The most trusted cable news network, trusted by the Bush Administration"

Bev


Re: Support for Bush's re-election falls below 50 percent

Dear BuzzFlash,

Wasn't that an ingenious plan for the world that President Bush presented to the American Enterprise Institute? First, we build Iraq-Disney and then all the other Middle Eastern countries see how much fun the Iraqis are having and they become democracies and then the Palestinians and the Israelis kiss and make up and dance off into the sunset. Uh oh, W.'s drinking again.

A BuzzFlash Reader


Dear BuzzFlash,

Congratulations on getting so many people to your site, I email your stuff to all of my friends, I tell people about you and I love you so much. You're the best place to get the "real" news and these days you can't get enough. Thanks for doing such a good job, and lets hope you just keep growing and growing.

Cheryl Betz


Subj: Support Donahue

Dear BuzzFlash,

I cannot fully express my dismay over the recent cancellation of Donahue. It is disturbing the same pretext of "low ratings" was used to justify MSNBC's decision, and yet as you reported rightly, internal memos at NBC indicate their fear of providing a liberal outpost for the silent majority. It is so blatantly apparent that this rings of corporate media censorship, and equal to this it is no coincidence that this same pretext was used by ABC to prematurely cancel Bill Maher's "Politically Incorrect."

I hope with your ability to network and access such a widespread audience, that you can initiate some type of campaign to support Donahue and demonstrate to NBC that his place on prime time television has merit. More importantly, to not simply surrender to being silenced. I do not believe the ratings they posted and I do not think it is a stretch to suggest that Donahue's ratings are purposely manipulated and downplayed. Even if by chance they are over 500,000 viewers, that is a strong solid base of people that pay for their satellite and cable bills as opposed to watching free network television. And further still, within a six month period of time that is 1/3 of the self-laudatory Bill O'Reilly who claims a 1.5 viewers. We need a venue to hold up moral and humanitarian issues with goals of global peace.

Thank you for your attention regarding this matter.

A BuzzFlash Reader


Sent to the Boston Globe:

Subj: Bush Speech Article

At Tufts, elder Bush defends US Iraq policy
Article Link

In your article you write:

"Down the street from the gymnasium, two dozen police in riot gear prevented a rally of more than 100 protesters from getting any closer to the speech."

Later on in the day I see on Boston.com:

Bush hold out hope for peaceful resolution as hundreds protest
Article Link

"About 300 people voiced opposition to the possibility of another war with Iraq near the auditorium where Bush was appearing."

A 300% discrepancy? I guess it's more of that "fuzzy math" that follows Bushies everywhere.

Byron York


Subj: Re-election???

Dear BuzzFlash,

"Support for Bush's re-election falls below 50 percent"???

You can only get re-elected if you're elected the first time. Bush was not; he was unconstitutionally selected by a partisan and criminal Supreme Court. Don't forget that.

George


Subj: "Don't Blame ME, I voted for McGovern"

Hello again, BuzzFlash,

On February 26, BuzzFlash.Com Established A New One-Day Record: 73,273 Visitor Sessions

Congrats to BuzzFlash on setting a new record !!

End of 2003?!?? I predict 100,000 visitors by August, 2003. That ought to be the time that the "Bush Bubble" bursts, and people realize that mindlessly voting for "anything other than Clinton" has cost this country dearly.

The cost will be measured fiscally, morally, and in the lost lives of our loved ones overseas.

At that point, the rest of the people in this country can then look to loyal BuzzFlash readers with envy, as not ONE of us voted for the current occupant of the White House.

We can proudly proclaim that we were ahead of the curve.

Remember those bumper stickers in the early '70's that Massachusetts voters put on their cars that proclaimed "Don't Blame ME, I voted for McGovern"!??!?

We saw it coming, as the voters of Massachusetts saw it in '72. Only THIS time, the whole country saw it coming.

Here's to restoring my faith in the American voting public.

Regards,

John Powell
Yet ANOTHER loyal BuzzFlash reader
Middletown, CT


Dear BuzzFlash,

Charles Reese is a crazy conservative from Florida. However he is against Bush’s war with Iraq.

I think you might want to post this Op-ed piece on Iraq.

http://reese.king-online.com/Reese_20030224/index.php

Here are 2 paragraphs from this piece

I do know that the only leader threatening the world with nuclear weapons and pre-emptive attack is George W. Bush. It gives me no pleasure to point that out. But it is not the role of an American citizen to be a sheep. It has become apparent that those of us who supported Bush made a mistake. I'm beginning to believe that a philanderer and a liar is less dangerous than an upright but ignorant man who thinks God has appointed him to rule the world.

The best way to support our troops is to try to prevent the Bush administration from sacrificing their lives for the hidden agenda of the crazy neoconservatives in his administration. Young Americans should not die because a bunch of chicken hawks have a cockamamie idea that they can bring liberal democracy to the Middle East by making war. That's like trying to sell pork barbecue in Mecca. What the president is intent on doing is committing a crime against humanity. If he goes through with it, he'll have to change his ritualistic "God bless America" to "God forgive us."

Bob Carpenter
Killeen, TX


Subj: Michael Savage calls for the arrest of anti-war protest leaders!

Hi Buzz,

Alert!

Michael Savage calls for the arrest of anti-war protest leaders, citing the Sedition Act!

'The Sedition Act - Time to Act.
Time to Arrest the Leaders of the Anti-War Movement'
http://www.paulreveresociety.com/

And this guy was just hired by MSNBC! Every BuzzFlash reader should contact MSNBC and express outrage at it's hiring of this right wingnut fruitcake hatemonger. The right to peaceably assemble and redress of grievances is a constitutional right, and anyone who tries to deny others that right is actively undermining the U.S. Constitution and is himself violating the very law he tries to cite. Let's put the pressure on MSNBC and give this guy the boot, just like is being done to Dimbaugh.

A BuzzFlash Reader


Subj: Turkey

Dear BuzzFlash,

I doubt Turkey has the votes in Parliament to approve any Bush package and for that reason they are playing for time, avoiding embarrassing Mr. Bush and incurring his now-famous thirst for retribution. They are a fragile democracy and 84% of its citizenry oppose America's attacking Iraq. I think they are very afraid and at the mercy of many outside elements beyond their control.

How sad and how ironic that Bush should now purport (rationalization no. fourteen) to occupy the Gulf in order to "create an inspiring Democratic model" ... but crushing another in order to accomplish it. Who is Bush kidding?

Rosamond


Dear BuzzFlash,

Great Begala Quote

"Helen Thomas is a legend. She's known and covered every president since JFK. In a candid moment, Ms. Thomas spoke a powerful truth. "George W. Bush is the worst president in all of American history." Given how Mr. Bush has squandered the surplus, trashed the economy and is now hurdling toward a war that is unpopular, unjust, unwise and unwarranted, I think I see Helen's point. Now, the GOP has moved into smear mode. The RNC is urging it's faithful to, "call her out," which apparently means harassing Helen by e-mail, and phone, and fax. I guess nothing makes a Republican feel better than beating up on an 82-year-old woman." --Paul Begala, Crossfire, 02/24/03

From: http://www.bartcop.com/

Chewgababy


Subj: Cancel Newspaper Subscriptions

Dear BuzzFlash,

The reader who aptly called for the canceling of paper is subscriptions is dead on. Ad rates are totally based on that subscription base. They would have the tables completely turned on them. Readers could still get their news on the net and rejoin later if the wingnut press figures out what a level playing field is.

Lets all have a cancel out date for a few key identified papers i.e. Washington Post for starters. We need a central source to coordinate.

Barry Trebel


Subj: Missile Misinformation

Dear BuzzFlash,

This is my first time writing, even though I have been visiting your website for some time and recommend it to all my friends, most of whom are not cheap like me -- and have joined. I will soon.

The reason I'm writing to you today is I wonder if you've noticed all the games going on with the banned missiles? I've researched it and no one's disputing the information that the Iraqis have volunteered in their reports -- that on some tests, the missiles exceed their allowable range by up to 34 kilometers which translates into about 15 or 16 miles. The Iraqis say that when they're weighted down, the missiles will fly within range. The inspectors say they have to destroy them, regardless. But the point is, NO ONE is claiming they fly further than 15 or so miles beyond their allowable range. -Except by insinuation, such as when stories report that the missiles exceed their range but don't describe by how much (or little). Any casual reader would believe these things were flying way way beyond their range.

The reason this all matters is that it actually looks like the Bush crew are going to list this as the reason for putting their "shock and awe" plans into effect. The warmongering networks' stories leave out the 15 mile part. I have called the AP and written to Reuters, I am sure to no effect.

I have no words to describe my feelings about this if our country attacks another because they have missiles that go 15 miles further than they should.

Are the American people going to back this? What is this going to look like to history?

Here are some links:

Creates false impression http://www.msnbc.com/news/842500.asp?0cv=CA01&cp1=1
Great CBS story "Inspectors says US gives garbage tips" gives truth about range but fudges the fact that the missile information came from the Iraqis' own report on the matter: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/01/18/iraq/main537096.shtml

Sage Nagel


Subj: Try and No Spin THIS

Mr. O'Reilly,

Let's see if you have the brass ones to host Mr. Daniel Ruth, a columnist from the Tampa Tribune, on your . . . ahem . . . "no spin zone" show.

Read THIS (if you have the intestinal fortitude) and decide.

Nothing Is `Free' About Bill O'Reilly's Froth Factor
http://tampatrib.com/News/columns/MGAIQ6QVMCD.html

My guess is you'll chicken out.

It's easy to browbeat those those who cannot defend themselves. It's another to invite someone on your show who will slap you silly.

Your "no spin zone" clearly ends when someone will expose you for the phony you truly are.

Are you going to have Mr. Daniel Ruth on your pathetic excuse for a media outlet?

Or would you rather beat to death another Jesse Jackson story because you cannot think of anything of substance to debate?

You have my e-mail address . . . . can't wait for your "pithy" comments.

Laughingly yours,

John Powell
Proud Liberal American Patriot who Opposes Right Wing Lemmings and Loves this Country of MINE more than ANYONE
Middletown, CT


Subj: Cameroon and Guinea being Blackmailed by Dubya?

You might want to listen to the tail end of the White House Briefing today(2/27). The final question starting at 36:43 regarded the ties of American aid to Cameroon and Guinea with their vote on the security council. Ari seems to imply (he certainly doesn't deny) that the Administration is attempting to extort votes for aid from them. Politics as usual? Somehow, this seems to go beyond that.

Dan Moynihan


Subj: Donahue, MSNBC and BuzzFlash

Dear BuzzFlash,

Here is the email that I sent after learning that Donahue was dropped by MSNBC. Sending it did not make me feel the least bit empowered, but it was a good feeling simply to express myself. What does make me feel empowered is being a follower, contributor and supporter of you, BuzzFlash. Keep on going on!!!

(To MSNBC)

I was a viewer of the Donahue show which was just dropped by MSNBC. You have lost me as a viewer, as that was the only show I regularly watched on the network, often staying tuned for the show that followed, Chris Matthews. I am a senior citizen, and prefer less biased news/discussion than is apparently the choice of MSNBC management. I will join the many US citizens who are preferring to get news from the web at sights such as Guardian and BBC. Except for CSPAN and the weather channel, I am abandoning television news.

From a business standpoint, I believe that US media conglomerates are foolish not to recognize groups other than the young as consumers.

Mary Schroeder


Subj: The Next Big Event: Shrub's Sinking Popularity

Dear BuzzFlash,

The last time El Chimpo's popularity was this low, 3,000 Americans died and the country took a fast spin down the road to totalitarianism. What's next on the horizon?

Bill Dougan


Subj: Letters: Debating Saddam

Dear BuzzFlash,

Three quarters of the respondents to a recent poll indicated that Bush would win in a debate over Saddam Hussein. Get real people! Have we as Americans lost our collective minds? Bush can't even TALK!!! And forget about "thinking" for himself. This is the same Bush who was quoted as saying:"This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating" ....and "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test"! The Resident in Chief of the USA made these statements. This is the same man who asked the Brazilian president if there were blacks in Brazil!!!!

All Americans need to re-read Orwell's "1984". Bush and company have become masters of "doublespeak" and the masses are buying this idiocy all the way to the unemployment line....all the way to an unjust war....all the way to the duct tape lines at the hardware store. Let's keep praying!

The Bush quotes above were taken from my copies of "Bushisms" which I received from BuzzFlash. Keep up the good work BuzzFlash. If it were not for this site and others like it, I wouldn't have a clue as to what is really going on in the world.

Dee Turner
Atlanta


Subj: Support for BuzzFlash from NYC

Hey Buzz,

Just wanted to thank you for the valuable information, and wanted to let you know for the past couple months I have been writing (on florescent green stickers):

DON'T TRUST THE NETWORKS
www.BushWatch.com
www.BuzzFlash.com

I've been placing these 2"X4" stickers on subway platforms, inside subway cars, on telephone booths, and anywhere else where they will be seen by many people.

A little free advertising for ya.
(It's the least I can do)

Keep making me proud!

Peace.

Ron Matthews
Manhattan, NY


Subj: I appreciate you guys

Dear BuzzFlash,

Your site has been a lifesaver. I was going nuts listening to mainstream news on TV and radio. I don't much believe what I read in the papers any more. There has been a strange Orwellian feeling lately that I never noticed as much before. Your site has provided an excellent source of world news and views. I'm addicted! I'm telling all my like-minded friends about you. Keep up the good work, I'll try to chip in.

Matt Goodwin
Pueblo, Colorado


Subj: Pope as Shield

Dear BuzzFlash,

Here is an Email I sent out today to Pope John Paul II, the council of Catholic Bishops, and the U.S. Church Council. I'll let you know if I get any response.

Rob Moitoza
Seattle, WA

* * *

Dear Sirs:

If church leaders are serious about stopping the war in Iraq, you have the power to do so. Right now there are approximately 200 courageous individuals who have gone to Iraq to act as human shields. I am suggesting that you join them. How about assembling a group of all the world's top religious leaders to act as human shields? I suggest getting Pope John Paul II to lead the way. He is in the twilight of his years. Surely, this could be the greatest legacy he could leave the planet. I'm sure Jesus or Gandhi would not have hesitated for a moment to make such a move.

I can't imagine even a man as fanatical as George Bush dropping a bomb on the pope! If that wouldn't stop a war, I don't know what would.

Of course, it would take a great deal of faith. Are you up to the challenge?

Rob Moitoza
U.S. Navy Veteran and activist
Seattle, WA


Dear BuzzFlash,

Concentration Camps in Okanagon County?

http://www.kxly.com/common/getStory.asp?id=26857

"Okanogan County Commissioner Dave Schulz says he's convinced his county is a designated home for a 'concentration camp' in case of civil unrest.

"Schulz says he has copies of documents, although he hasn't been able to confirm the rumor.

Federal officials say they have no idea where the commissioner got the notion of civilian detention camps.

"A Federal Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman says it sounds like an urban legend and a Pentagon spokesman says he's not aware of any planned camps in Okanogan County or elsewhere. Rumors of planned U.S. detention facilities appear on dozens of Web sites. Schulz says he thinks the plan has been written in the event of a national emergency where martial law is necessary, and hopes it never becomes necessary."

-----

Buzz, one has to put this stuff in context. Okanogan County is the largest county in the State of Washington in land-mass (5,281 square miles), while having one of the smallest populations (about 35,000). That's about six and a half people per square mile. Very rural, with some incredibly remote, mountainous, forested areas. It also borders Canada. And harbors quite a few wing-nuts and militia-types. And, as noted, quite a few half-people. There's lots of time and so little to do. Conditions ripe for fantasies.

In Montana, Idaho, Washington and elsewhere, government employees at all levels were (are) cast as members of a "New World Order" working to take over the United States. About 8-10 years ago, the big fear in Okanogan County wasn't concentration camps, it was black helicopters and invading international UN forces coming down from Canada. Yes, Okanogan County was to be THE major point of invasion in all of the United States. Imagine that. The UN chose Okanogan County as a way in. In 1994, militia members in central Washington state alerted their members and headed north for battle, saying an imminent invasion was under way. For evidence, they cited helicopters and armed men spotted in the area. The sheriff was called out to investigate a landing of Internationalist Armies that were gathering along the Similikameen River, which flows from Canada. It turned out to be a field-training operation of the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the Border Patrol....

Er, hmmmmmm, well, dang, NOW this doesn't sound so far-fetched anymore....Get me that tin-foil hat!

-A BuzzFlash Reader


Subj: To Irma Re:Scabs and Scratches

Dear Buzz,

About those scabs and scratches fellow buzzer Irma inquired about, they are probably boil scabs. As we all know, these boils have a nasty habit of appearing when the pResident is involved in election stealing, or having a hissy fit about not getting his way, or when he's lying (which is 99.9% of the time).

~Antonia


Subj: Tom "The Hammer" Delay is an ABJECT COWARD!!!

Hello once again, BuzzFlash Readers,

Check THIS out !!

I am SURE you will get a charge out of what I experienced after reading the column "Sunshine Patriot - Tom Delay and the Party of Appeasement" by William Saletan:

http://slate.msn.com/id/2079324/

I was so inspired by this column that called out Tom "The Hammer" Delay as the phony Right Wing Lemming Hypocrite that he is, that I decided to forward this to Delay for his review and comment (a magnanimous gesture on my part, I know !!).

So . . . I did what any TRUE American Citizen would do in a time of war . . . . I did a Dogpile search and went to "The Hammer's" website to e-mail this link to him for his review and comment. I figured, well, of COURSE he's the House majority leader, who SURELY has the interests of ALL Americans at heart, he may want to be aware of what some of those in the Liberal Media are saying about him (Hey, it's the Patriotic thing to do !). So I go to his website:

http://tomdelay.house.gov/texasLinks.htm

and I click onto the "Contacting Tom Delay" link (imagine the suspense . . . my hands were shaking . . . after all, he IS "The Hammer") . . . and . . . can you BELIEVE it?? On his website I read the following . . . .

"Because of the tremendous volume of mail we receive each day, unfortunately, we cannot accept e-mail which comes from outside the 22nd District of Texas. I trust you will understand. If you prefer to send me regular mail, also known as "snail mail," please do so."

Excuse ME ?!?!?? What a let-down!!! Tom "The Hammer" Delay WILL NOT accept e-mail correspondence from OUTSIDE his district ?!?!?? Hey, I got sumthin' to say, and HE wants to be insulated and instructs me to send it via SNAIL MAIL !?!??

Must be nice . . . . to be the House Majority leader, and he doesn't want to hear from anyone OUTSIDE of his district ?!?? What . . . . I don't own an Oil Company in the vicinity of Houston, so I cannot communicate with one of our National Leaders in a time of Crisis !?!?!!

Let me get this straight . . . . here's one of our country's most prominent Americans . . . a BONIFIED American Hero (well, at least he WOULD have been, of course, had all the Blacks and the Hispanics not taken up all the positions in the Military during Vietnam) . . . someone who is to Pesticides what Charlton Heston is to the Second Amendment . . . . a guy they call "The Hammer" . . . . and he won't accept an urgent e-mail correspondence from a concerned citizen ?!?

Imagine my chagrin at not being able to reach out to one of our truly genuine American Patriots.

Upon regaining my composure, I reached the sole conclusion that the hammer is of the "Ball Peen" variety . . . 4 ounce, no doubt.

If any of you Loyal BuzzFlash Readers happen to reside in the 22nd District in Texas, would you be so kind as to forward this correspondence to the Honorable Mr. Exterminator for his edification? And please don't forget to inform him that his response is welcome . . . . via "Snail Mail," of course.

In advance, I am deeply indebted.

Warmest Regards,

John Powell
A Fervently Loyal BuzzFlash Reader
Middletown, CT


Subj: Without Firing a Shot

Dear Buzz,

For years we have heard the buzzing bees on the right tout the virtues of Ronald Reagan who brought down the great Soviet Union without firing a shot. Whether one believes the wisdom of this analysis or not, why do conservatives today rabidly foment war against Iraq? If a much mightier adversary can change peacefully almost overnight, surely Iraq can be steered onto the highway to the land of globalized democracy if handled with intelligence and care.

Yours,

JB


Subj: Donahue had to go

Last night's Donahue re-run clearly revealed why the network was frightened into getting rid of him. The guest was Dennis Miller, the comedian who must have guzzled pitcherfuls of Bush's Kool-Aid and has been making the rounds with his rah-rah smash-Iraq act. Unlike when Miller appeared on late-night variety-talk shows, Donahue used logic and eloquence to demolish Miller's stance on the war issue. The cable networks have a vested interest in seeing that we have this war and that it comes out with a happy ending, and it was obvious Donahue was constantly going off-message, no more so than in his debate with Miller.

Miller's conclusion that "your opinion is right for you; mine is right for me" was the best he could come up with and was delivered with all the sincerity of used car salesman. Miller actually subscribes to the notion that the US should detonate a nuclear bomb in some uninhabited place just to put a scare into any terrorists who may be thinking of attacking us on our soil. When Donahue asked if he was comfortable with Bush raining lethal missiles upon Iraqi civilians we have no beef with, the best he could do was say he never said we should target innocents, as if our smart bombs have the intelligence to discriminate.

This particular show got it right. The best thing a liberal talk show can do is to seriously question ditto-heads and show how their arguments fall apart when they are forced to get into the details.

Miller explained how he "turned" when he heard someone of lefty persuasion compared John Ashcroft to Hitler. He admitted under questioning he knew very little about Ashcroft other than he rejected a recount in the 2000 MO Senate race he lost to a dead man. The possibility he knew he'd just lose again must never have occurred to Miller.

All-in-all, it's now easy to see why Donahue had to go. He was all too eager to prove to us that the Emperor was buck-naked at a time his network was busy showing him draped in ermine.

Frank Calandra


Re: One U.S. Diplomat Stands Up Against the Madness of King George

I was not aware of the phrase used in the diplomat's letter and perhaps I'm not alone. Below is the meaning if you want to post it somewhere on your website today.

Definition of: oderint dum metuant

oderint dum metuant: "Let them hate so long as they fear." (A favorite saying of Caligula.)

A BuzzFlash Reader


Subj: If it isn't about oil why threaten the French?

Dear BuzzFlash,

Charles Krauthammer suggests threatening the French with no oil contracts in a post-war Iraq. If this is not about oil why bring it up?

Greg Bester
Waterloo, Ontario

A Costly Charade At the U.N.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14219-2003Feb27.html


Subj: Rummy and Wolf-o-witz

Dear BuzzFlash,

The article in today's (2/28) New York Times regarding Paul Wolf-o-witz's testimony before the House Budget Committee is incredibly scary, even for this maniac. Notable in his comments was his response to pressure from many committee members to be more forthcoming regarding the White House estimates of the Iraq war and subsequent "peace keeping" efforts. He said they would be filled in eventually. He was quoted as saying "There would be an appropriate moment," ... "We're not in a position to do that right now."

Of course, given what his boss, Rummy, said. When asked if he would release the estimate ranges to allow for a useful public debate he responded "I've already decided that. It is not useful." I guess we know why Paul is not in a position to tell We the People how our money is to be spent.

Dave Collins
Johnson City, TX


Subj: Sacrifice?

Dear BuzzFlash,

Often, we hear that Bush has not asked Americans to sacrifice in connection with his war talk.

What a ridiculous statement! Bush doesn't have to ask us to sacrifice. He has put sacrifice into action without us realizing it and without our approval. If the folks who ask about Bush not asking us to sacrifice take a look at real sacrifice for him to get his war on, they would realize he is forcing sacrifice on Americans.

Because of Bush's war threats, unemployment is rising. Many are out of work. Ask the unemployed about forced sacrifice. Because of Bush's war threats, the stock market keeps falling. Ask some small investors about forced sacrifice. They will tell you that what they bought for $10,000 under Clinton is now worth $3000 under Bush. That is sacrifice in black and white. Query some corporations that show low or no profits because they scared to produce due to an impending war. Ask what forced sacrifice means to small business people who closed up shop due to the Bush economy. And hopefully, we will not have to ask parents about the ultimate and forced sacrifice of their sons and daughters in Bush's war on Iraq and elsewhere.

Forced sacrifice, indeed! In order for Bush to get his war on, the American way of life has been truly sacrificed in multiple and negative ways. Some Americans think that sacrifice is something like sugar rationing. Those Americans need to become cognizant of the real sacrifices Bush has already forced upon them.

~ Cathy

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