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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.
Dear BuzzFlash,
Your headline in your news directory "MESSAGE TO RALPH NADER STOP HELPING BUSH WIN" 3/4 is outrageous, demagogic, stupid, and misrepresents your AP story and its headline. Generally I love BuzzFlash and appreciate all your antiwar reporting, but whoever wrote this "MESSAGE" to Nader should be fired.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: GOP goes after PBS
Dear Buzz,
A-FRIKEN-MAZING!!!! The GAO is warned to keep their hands off Cheney, but they are ordered to attack public television!!! Anyone see the hypocrisy in that????
A group of congressmen are seeking an investigation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's funding programs. ....
The request was signed by Tauzin; Ralph Regula, R-Ohio, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Service & Education; Richard Burr, R-N.C., vice chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee; and Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Dear Buzz,
Heard such a good line the other night on The Daily Show. Eric Idle, of Monty Python, said if we want a regime change in Iraq, we should just send in the Supreme Court!
Barbara
NYC
Subj: The SUV Solution
Dear Buzz,
Now here's an interesting idea... why don't we just drop our excess SUVs on them? We'd save a fortune on smart bombs (the SUVs are only $30-40,000 apiece), rid ourselves of a bunch of gas guzzling parking lot hogs, invigorate the auto industry, and get on the road to fuel economy. A Suburban falling from 30,000 feet can do a lot of damage on the ground, not to mention to the Suburban. If it's being used to go to 7-11 and back we could even leave the driver inside, and he'd get a close-up look at the true cost of his excess, albeit briefly.
- Joe Weihe
Subj: Disney/KABC Radio
Dear BuzzFlash,
KABC (a Disney owned station out of Los Angeles) broadcasts a constant stream of administration supporting pro-war talk-radio verbiage from 9am through 7pm. It may even continue after this time of day. O'Reilly, Hannity and Elder take no prisoners in their continuous tirades. Since LA may have even voted for Gore in the 2000 election you would think that some balance and fair play would be provided by a company that caters to our youth. Why doesn't BuzzFlash consider organizing a boycott of Disney parks and products until they respond with a more "fair and balanced" approach? If we can't make the mouse scamper, we may make him squeal.
J Diogenes
Subj: Bush and UN
Dear BuzzFalsh,
I feel that Bin Ladin has achieved his objective: get Hussein out of Iraq with Bush's help. 10 years from now he will walk in and take over the country. We all have to thank Bush for opening the country for Bin Ladin.
With the UN - we have a lot of hate against us - why wouldn't the rest of the world take the UN over to Brussels, and start a new organization without the US?
With all this going on I think that countries are going to charge extra to export to the USA - this will be referred to as the compensation the US must pay for jeopardizing other nations.
Ron Aschmotat
Fond
du Lac, Wisconsin
Subj: Why Are Republicans Guarding Saddam and Building Him Palaces?
Hey, have you noticed this?
Last week, Dan Rather interviewed Saddam at his “Republican”palace. Saddam is also protected by his elite "Republican" guards.
Maybe if Republicans weren't so busy building Saddam palaces and guarding him, we wouldn't have to invade Iraq. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that these same Republicans have gone as far as to supply Iraq with the raw materials to make weapons of mass destruction. Seems to me that these Republicans have an awful lot to answer for to their un-American activities.
I’m going to get to the bottom of this traitorous conspiracy as soon as I get done boycotting French's Mustard and turkey sandwiches...
Mark Salditch
Dallas,
TX
Subj: Contact Info for Reps Who Boycotted Prayer
For those who want to get in contact with the two reps who boycotted the Muslim prayer in Washington state. Maybe people can let them know that what they did wasn't patriotic, simply ignorant.
Lois McMahan
http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/members/d26_2.htm
Olympia Office:
PO Box 40600
423 John L. O'Brien Bldg.
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7802
mcmahan_lo@leg.wa.govCary Condotta
http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/members/d12_1.htm
Olympia Office:
P.O. Box 40600
414 John L. O'Brien Bldg.
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7954
condotta_ca@leg.wa.gov
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Iraq Construction
Hello BuzzFlash,
If the "coalition of the willing" is made up of a bunch of countries who were bought off or coerced into support - who does Bush think is going to help pay for the reconstruction of Iraq? The same countries he has just bribed with our Social Security future? Make no mistake, it's our Social Security future they are spending right now. I hope people realize what they are giving up in order to support bush's war.
Linda
it's hard for me to give the republicans any credibilty when they they say anyone against the war is unpatriotic after what they did to max cleland! and the democrats allowed it! i no longer have any respect for them either!!!!!!!
karen massey in south carolina
Subj: Baltimore Protestors Arrested
Dear BuzzFlash Readers,
Maria Alwine's letter in today's Mailbag regarding the detainment of the eight peaceful war protesters prompted me to call the Towson Precinct 6 in Baltimore, MD.
Marie describes that she and her fellow anti-war activists were shackled to a metal bench for over 14 hours, overnight, with no food or water, and harassed over the loud speaker by an officer chanting "no blood for oil" and making bombing noises. Gee....Baltimore's Finest at work. Do you feel safer in their hands?
I called Baltimore from California, and I let the officer on the phone know that I was calling in response to reading about his precinct on the Internet. He was surprised and a bit taken off guard...good!
I think that the personal phone contact let's these local law officials know that their tactics, supported by their outrageous and unconstitutional actions against these peaceful protesters, are completely unacceptable. It may make them pause before trampling on the rights of their local citizens again.
Call them and let them know that they are being watched!! Let them know that people all over this country support the Constitution, and we insist that local law enforcement everywhere not be allowed to trample our rights.
Call Towson
Precinct 6:
410.887.2361
Chief
Terrance Sheridan
Call Media
Relations (she told me she "knew nothing about it")
410.887.2210
And thanks Buzz, for all you do to promote and sustain the Truth...you're the best!!
elaine in Petaluma
Subj: Lawyer Arrested for Wearing a 'Peace' T-Shirt
There is no longer freedom of speech in America. You can go ahead and count the First Amendment as officially 'Void'.
A man was stopped in a public mall and told to remove his t-shirt, when he refuse he was handcuffed and taken away to jail.
The T-shirt had the words 'Give peace a chance' written on it.
This is truly amazing.
So now in the United States of America it is illegal to wear a 'peace' t-shirt and you can literally be taken away to jail, and possibly be sentenced to a year in prison.
There have been comparisons of the Bush Regime to 1930's Nazi Germany, changing many US laws and voiding large portions of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, in effect, to establish a fascist police state. Today that is no longer speculation, it is HAPPENING NOW!
I encourage everyone to speak up now.. while you still can, because now that US authorities are arresting US citizens for having the word 'peace' displayed on your shirt.. that is worse than the new policy of censoring what can be said on US television.. we are very close to a TOTAL loss of freedom.
After two years of Bush in office, you have a choice, and it must be made NOW .. it can ONLY be made right now...
... speak up NOW or forever lose your rights!!
Since I dont have an email for the local police department or the mall, I would suggest we start at the top... Call, fax, write or email your congressman and both your Senators. Demand that the USA Patriot Act be repealed and DEMAND that your FULL Constitutional rights be completely restored.
(Reminder- If you are one of the millions of Americans that have lost your job from the Bush Regimes economic policies, you can even call congress toll free at 1-800-839-5276)
Best,
Kelley Kramer
===================
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20030304_651.html
Lawyer Arrested for Wearing a 'Peace' T-Shirt
March 4
- NEW YORK (Reuters) - A lawyer was arrested late Monday and charged with trespassing at a public mall in the state of New York after refusing to take off a T-shirt advocating peace that he had just purchased at the mall.
According to the criminal complaint filed on Monday, Stephen Downs was wearing a T-shirt bearing the words "Give Peace A Chance" that he had just purchased from a vendor inside the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, New York, near Albany.
"I was in the food court with my son when I was confronted by two security guards and ordered to either take off the T-shirt or leave the mall," said Downs.
When Downs refused the security officers' orders, police from the town of Guilderland were called and he was arrested and taken away in handcuffs, charged with trespassing "in that he knowingly enter(ed) or remain(ed) unlawfully upon premises," the complaint read.
Downs said police tried to convince him he was wrong in his actions by refusing to remove the T-shirt because the mall "was like a private house and that I was acting poorly.
"I told them the analogy was not good and I was then hauled off to night court where I was arraigned after pleading not guilty and released on my own recognizance," Downs told Reuters in a telephone interview.
Downs is the director of the Albany Office of the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigates complaints of misconduct against judges and can admonish, censure or remove judges found to have engaged in misconduct.
Calls to the Guilderland police and district attorney, Anthony Cardona and to officials at the mall were not returned for comment.
Downs is due back in court for a hearing on March 17.
He could face up to a year in prison if convicted.
Subj: Warhead found in Alaska
Dear Buzz,
Any idea WHY the Korean Times is the only place this story can be found?
I find it amazing that nobody else is reporting this. This is HUGE news. . .no CBS, ABC, NBC. . .nothing. Just the Korean Times.
Very, very troubling.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Letters to Editor
I found the following letters to the editor of the Dallas newspaper interesting. We need many more like these to awaken the country to the danger being presented by this administration. To me, it is quite evident that this country intends to attack Iraq with, or without the backing of the UN Security Council. People all over this country will wake up too late, I'm afraid. Only by making our voices heard throughout the land will this administration and Congress get the message. The USA is NOT a nation of war mongers, and should not attempt to change the world by force of arms. That is exactly what the NAZI Germany did, along with the Japanese Empire, and what the Soviet Union attempted in destroying democracy and forcing communism on the world. This country didn't defeat Iraq during the Gulf War, and that was the time to do it, if at all, certainly not without UN support.
What Bush Means
As a 55-year old Texan who's seen far too much of George W. Bush over the past eight years, I can tell you this for certain. When Ronald Reagan said he wanted to "get big government off your back," what he meant was, "I want to shift much of our fiscal burden from the federal level to state and local governments. Then I will have more billions for tax cuts for the wealthy, and for windfall profits for munitions makers."
When Mr. Bush now says he wants to shift the management of Medicaid to the states, he's saying, "Let's just kill those pesky social programs. None of my close friends need them anyway."
Mike Beuershausen, Kingsland
The Suez Adventure
Your Wednesday editorial, "French Fried -- Relations with staunch ally will survive this tiff," was very timely. Unfortunately, many Americans have very short memories when it comes to France.
Perhaps they should be reminded of the events of 1956 when France went off on an adventure with Britain, which has a remarkable parallel with today's events. My family and I were in Damascus when all of it happened. France and the United Kingdom went into Suez in an effort to bring down Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser. It failed.
Nasser became the acclaimed leader of the Arab world. Antony Eden was forced to resign and it ultimately cost him his life. France lost its French Union, the Fourth Republic collapsed and the French Army revolted in Algeria, bringing that nation close to civil war. The strength of Charles De Gaulle saved it.
I can understand France not wanting to embark on another like adventure with the U.S. and the U.K. making the identical mistakes of Mr. Eden.
Edward W. Samuell Jr., Dallas
Subj: NY Times - U.S. Budget Deficit Rising Fast
Dear BuzzFlash,
The funny thing is that we managed to get ourselves a Republican governor right here in Alabama by the name of Bob Riley following a close and disputed election. Mr. Riley was a big Bush backer as a representative in Washington and parroted the Republican line that we would grow the economy and increase revenues by cutting taxes. Yet on the state level, that very same Bob Riley is calling for an overhaul of the tax code and the raising of taxes to deal with the state's fiscal woes. If he were going to be consistent, shouldn't he be telling us that the way to deal with the state shortfall is to cut taxes and dig an even deeper hole? Or is Riley just a hypocrite willing to support what he knows is an insane fiscal policy to further an ideological national political agenda who knows is his heart of hearts that the policy can not and will not work? His actions and rhetoric here in Alabama seem to say that's exactly the case.
Alan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 5, 2003
U.S. Budget Deficit Rising Fast
By EDMUND L. ANDREWS
WASHINGTON, March 4 —The federal deficit is growing much more quickly than expected, even before Congress takes up President Bush's tax-cutting proposals and without factoring in the costs of a war in Iraq, Congressional analysts have concluded.
Analysts for the Republican-controlled House Budget Committee have raised their estimates of this year's budget shortfall by about $30 billion, some 15 percent beyond the forecast that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office issued only five weeks ago.
Subj: An Idea
Dear BuzzFlash,
I have an idea for building American opposition to the Iraq attack: If you and other media sources could get the word out to the American public that the war will cost each of us thousands and thousands of dollars, perhaps more Americans will realize that the war is not in their best interests.
Just a thought.
Keep up the great work.
Steve Rhoads
Subj: "Oral" Hatch
Dear BuzzFlash,
Regarding your nickname for the good Senator from Utah, I think you have the wrong end of the body.
Carol
Kirkland
WA
Subj: Senator Robert Byrd
Hi Buzz:
Just wanted to let you know Senator Byrd will be Larry King's only guest on Thursday night. Maybe you can give a heads up to all, as in my opinion, Senator Byrd has been the only democrat in the Senate with any real courage. Sure Ted Kennedy came out today, as some others are, but doesn't the saying "Too little too late" apply here? 300,000 troups on the ground and now they have serious questions...
Marlene
Subj: WWWWAYYYY OVER THE EDGE
Holy God the Gestapo is out in force. This is approaching the point of mass insanity or the coming of the fourth reich. It is high time I think that I upgraded my wardrobe to include a stylish fashionable peace jacket to be worn on my next trip to the local mall which will be followed by a trip to the Pennsylvania or US Supreme Court if I am treated in the same manner as this gentleman.
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/reuters20030304_651.html
Dan DeLisio
Subj: Hey Norm! What Would Wellstone Do?
Hello:
I am writing to thank you for reprinting Norm Coleman's shameful letter to a constituent regarding his plans to vote for the Miguel Estrada nomination.
You are right, I think to say in your BuzzFlash editorial that Minnesotans should be ashamed to have elected Norm Coleman to fill Paul Wellstone's senate seat. I want you to know, however, that the last election has inspired many of us in Wellstone's state to mobilize and try to work, outside of the DFL party, to curb the rise of the right wing that our state is currently experiencing. Members of a group I belong to, "Minnesota Citizen," for example, has as one of its goals to create visibility between elections about progressive issues that concern all residents of the state.
In his acceptance speech after his election, Norm Coleman promised to meet those of us who voted for his opponent "more than half way." We plan to hold him accountable to that statement. The Wellstones' absence is felt deeply here, but many of us are hoping to put our sadness to productive use. A statement that has been cropping up in bumper stickers around is " WWWD? -- What Would Wellstone Do?" At our "Minnesota Citizen" meeting this coming Saturday, I'll be handing out buttons that say just that -- " Hey Norm! What Would Wellstone Do?" We also plan to organize letter-writing campaigns to Norm quoting his "more than half way" statement and asking him to think of the legacy of the man whose seat he is filling whenever he votes.
I will be happy to send BuzzFlash some of our "WWWD?" buttons when they are done being made this week. In the meantime, I thought "WWWD" might make a good "BuzzFlash" headline for a day!
Thanks for all your work.
Javier Morillo-Alicea
Saint Paul,
Minnesota
Subj: Can we start a "1776 Club" for BuzzFlash?
Buzz:
I looked over your page today and was fascinated by all the different news sources you collaborate daily. I also noted that you're offering premiums to keep BuzzFlash in business. I know that it is difficult to do this on your own. While looking at the BuzzFlash premiums, I came up with an idea.
A lot of folks find it difficult to come up with $25, $50, or $100 in a lump, BUT what if we create a "1776" club asking 1,776 readers to contribute $10 a month to keep BuzzFlash going? If we could get to that level, Buzz would be on solid financial footing and Buzz would be free to move to the next step--producing a daily audio or video digest on the web. Pat Robertson may have begged for 700 people to support him, but I KNOW there are many more than that who would be willing to stand and back Buzz in our darkest hours!
Buzz, I just sent you $10 and I'd be proud to be the first to join the "1776" Club. I KNOW there are others concerned about the preservation of our beloved Constitution and Bill of Rights who WILL join me! C'mon folks, join me in the 1776 Club to keep Buzz Buzzin'!
JOE BACON
Los
Angeles
Subj: Optimism
Colin Powell is being constantly quoted as "optimistic". This "optimism" is that he will get enough votes in the UN to go to war. Isn't this a strange kind of "optimism"?
Quilp
Buzz,
I contribute to Buzz and read Buzz every day, and am generally extremely impressed with the caliber of analysis and comment provided by Buzz readers. So, I read the wide range of views regarding the democrat candidate for '04. I disagree with the way in which the various candidates are described, criticized and evaluated. My only measure for '04 is who has the best chance of beating Bush. Why does anything else matter?
Discussions about anything else (who does or doesn't back the war, who did or didn't stand up in '00 to challenge the results, who is or isn't tantalizing us with claims that the US knew more prior to 9/11 and didn't act to stop it....) only divides us as democrats and drag us back to '00 when naderites claimed there was no difference between republicans and democrats. I have to believe republicans reading buzz are delighted to see such discussions.
There are enormous differences between democrats and republicans. Take two self-described moderates for example - Senator Lincoln Chaffee, Republican of Rhode Island and Senator John Breax, Democrat of Louisiana. Given that choice, who would you rather have as president?
There would be an enormous difference between any of the democratic candidates and bush - any of them. Does anyone seriously dispute that Joe Lieberman would be an enormous improvement over Bush?
I don't know who that candidate is - Graham is most appealing because of his Florida roots, and ability to win Florida and elsewhere in the south, but it is too early to tell. In my view, the only ones with a chance are Graham, Kerry or Edwards. The rest of the pack has no chance and should be encouraged to drop out now. Does anyone agree with me? Does anyone disagree with me?
May I suggest we have a healthy discussion about who can best beat Bush, and then fall in line, lock step behind that candidate and support them to victory. If that chosen person is not "your preferred guy" or "my preferred guy" why does that matter? Doesn't it matter far more than a democrat win?
KM
Boston
Subj: Fw: Random Car Searches At DSM Airport
Dear BuzzFlash,
I sent the following email to my local newspaper after the TSA ordered random car searches at the nation's airports. However the next day, Thursday February 27, the TSA resended the order and obviously the Des Moines Register's copy editor in charge of letters considered my missive no longer timely.
I, however, disagree. And so I offer it to you.
* * *
In a small, seemingly insignificant below-the-fold item on page 2B of the Wednesday February 26, 2003 edition The Des Moines Register reported an expansion of random car searches ordered by the Transportation Security Administration at the Des Moines International Airport.
So why should anybody care?
This measure is, after all, to protect us from attacks by roving bands of wily terrorists bent on destruction and mayhem. Or is it?
Who will this increased vigilance ensnare? The harried housewife, on her way to pick up a husband returning from a business trip, who, after grocery shopping, transporting children and so on, forgets leaving a container of liquid laundry detergent and a can of gasoline for the lawn mower in the car trunk? Perhaps a sportsman, staying a too late in the field, rushing to greet an adult child, spouse and grandchildren, has his shotgun and shells under a blanket in the back of his SUV with no brace of birds to show for his efforts?
Why is it assumed that a terrorist will brazenly waltz through the front gate of an airport? And it must be kept in mind that the September 11, 2001 terrorists hijacked those airliners with nothing more than box-cutters.
At stake is not security, though how can we say our country is secure with a deteriorating economy, but an issue of control and freedom of access. Random searches of automobiles at the nation’s airports will not catch a single terrorist. This is another symptom of the erosion of our shared, common daily freedoms that we all take for granted.
Since September 11, 2001 it we are becoming a nation of frightened Esaus willingly trading our of liberty for the thin gruel of security, in so doing we too shall surely lose our common birthrights.
Bob Jewett
Re: Mexico Faces "Discipline" If They Don't Give Bush What He Wants. 3/5
I'm surprised this interview wasn't given more publicity on such a wide-ranging interview, where Bush apparently had to speak extemporaneously. Any ideas where I can find the full-text? There must be a few nuggets in there.
Thanks
Warren Opheim
Dear BuzzFlash,
You make the statement in your headline "Bush is a Divider, not a Uniter". Nothing could be further from the truth! Bush is certainly a "Uniter" -- he's managed to unite the entire world against the US!
Sincerely,
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Alike
Dear BuzzFlash,
While there is a determination among this administration and friends for Americans to look alike, think alike, talk and act alike there are millions of us who believe in the flag of freedom that BuzzFlash and others tireless and courageously continually hold, and we are grateful for that.
I have a message to George Bush as one "praying person to another." I assume you are telling the truth George, when you say you pray for guidance. You certainly invoke the image of God at every opportunity and are clear about your prayer breakfasts and you DO say you pray for guidance. So do I George so I know how important guidance from a Supreme Being can be in a person's life.
I am curious about something however, maybe it's just a difference of opinion as to what constitutes "guidance," but when I ask for guidance and I receive road block after road block I kind of figure I must be on the wrong path and need to consider changing my course of action. Of course there have been times in my life when I didn't like the guidance I received and continued going my own way, I've found those to be big huge mistakes - mistakes for which I paid dearly. You might think about that George.
I've wondered if you have thought about the messages you seem to be receiving. If you are getting a little internal "scratch" that maybe just maybe you are wrong, pay attention. Nearly everyone I know, including myself all lament later how wrong they were not to pay attention to what were obviously warning signs.
I admit George to not being overly enthusiastic about you, actually not enthusiastic at all - but I do believe that God loves you as He does everyone. And I do believe God wants what is best for all His children. God or someone seemingly is trying to keep you out of harms way, along with the several hundred thousand troops and innocent Iraqi's, who are His children. You know something George, history is littered with horrible tales of those who did not listen. Just a thought, just a suggestion.
Sally A. McDonald
