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The
BuzzFlash Mailbag
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March
7,
2003
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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.
Buzz, Interesting your link to the story of the Thatcher governments's support of Saddam Hussein with the building of the chemical weapons plant. But Mr Channon, in line with Mrs Thatcher's policy of propping up the dictator, said: "A ban would do our other trade prospects in Iraq no good". http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,908426,00.html Of course Thatcher has a history of support for such despots.....from the archive - October 22, 1998 Thatcher demands release of 'war friend' Pinochet http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9810/22/pinochet.01/ Colin Swales Subj: Let Brown Help! The CNN talking head interviewing some military consultant today asked about the differences between the weapons the US will use against Iraq this time compared to Bush I's war. She asked him to explain the way the older "laser-guided" smart bombs worked vs. the current "UPS - guided" missiles. She meant, of course, to say "GPS" but who knows? Maybe they really do plan on having the Shock ‘n’Awe® firepower delivered to Baghdad by fleets of brown trucks driven by conscripted drivers who will ask Saddam to "sign for" the bombs before hurling them into the palace vestibules. FJC, Rochester, NY Dear BuzzFlash, Congratulations to you for getting that t-shirt story out there. It was actually in the New York Times today! And on the ABC News website! The mainstream media! Unbelievable. I had called Hillary Clinton's office yesterday and spoke with a woman on the phone. She hadn't heard about it and took down all the information from me. But I guess she heard about it by now. I really didn't think the media would cover this and that was what was so upsetting to me. But lots of people (especially you guys) made lots of noise and the story got out there. Three cheers for those people who went to the mall to demonstrate. I know that in small towns like that, it takes more courage to do those types of things so those people should be commended. I was thinking this morning that maybe this should become a regular weapon for the anti-war movement. Every time this happens at a mall, etc. we should stage demonstrations right on site. People who live in and around that particular area could converge - you don't need 100,000 people, 1,000 would do. We could close down a mall for a day. There's a real money loser. Look at the effect it had with just 150 protestors. I kind of like the idea. Anyone else? Barbara Re: News Alert: Republicans Can't Stop Estrada Filibuster So Bill Frist now wants to rely on public pressure to force a vote on Estrada when millions of Americans marching against the war is considered a focus group? These hypocrites are beyond belief. BuzzFlash Reader, Victoria Minetta, Hollywood CA Click Here: Check out "CNN.com - Vatican to Bush: Iraq war would be 'disaster' - Mar. 6, 2003" Buzz, Have you ever noticed that every picture that Bush takes shaking hands with dignitaries, he is always facing the camera, rather than looking at that person? Everything is a big photo-op opportunity for Shrub. We know how phony and insincere he is. These moments just reinforce it. Gigi Subj: Tit for Tat For all those psycho aggressive war minded cooks out there that are requesting torture is OK, they are selling our troops DOWN THE RIVER amongst all their patriotic talk. If its okay to torture prisoners then you are wishing the same upon our troops and the enemy can also avoid the geneva convention rules. Ed Peltz A radioactive device was stolen from Halliburton; co stock rose: http://money.cnn.com/2003/03/06/news/companies/halliburton.reut/index.htm A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: I wish Bush's low numbers were encouraging The problem is that we suspect now that such a "narrow" victory would no longer be enough to overcome the voting "dirty tricks" the Republicans are on the brink of institutionalizing, all the way from a stacked Supreme Court to a proprietary (privatized) electronic voting system that cannot be audited by voters for legal as well as technical reasons. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Honor and Dignity Dear BuzzFlash, CNN report that two prisoners were tortured to death while in US custody. That's what is known as bringing honor, integrity, and decency back to the White House. Quilp Subj: Comment on the FBI Terror Alert Story Dear Buzz, I think I know why the Administration lowered the terror alert a notch the other week: Because they want to RAISE it again to keep everyone freaked out and kowtowed with the nebulous Iraq/terror/catchall link when the war starts. They couldn't have raised it as it stood because they would have had to have hit the highest RED level. If they don't raise it back up as bombing starts I'll be astonished. It's all about control and the manipulation of fears of terror and Hussein being psychologically fused to justify the impending invasion. Dave Dorsett Dear BuzzFlash, I find it simply staggering that the FBI has not been allowed to interview Zacarias Moussaoui. According to agent Rowley's letter to FBI Director Mueller, only DOJ prosecutors have had access to him. This is unbelievable! Where is the media on this? Would any reasonable person think this is right? Also, the agent's letter states quite clearly that French intelligence had indeed linked Moussaoui to terrorism prior to 9/11. So it begs the question yet again, why did FBI "supervisory personnel" suppress urgent requests for a FISA warrant? It's almost like they wanted an attack to occur. You think? BuzzFlash Reader Pentagon disinformation clears way for unlimited collateral damage:
A BuzzFlash Reader Dear BuzzFlash: Great headline: "Latest Poll: Bush Would Lose to Democrat (AGAIN) if Election Were Held Today" Whenever anyone uses the word "reelected," they should be corrected. Bush was never elected. If he wins (heaven forbid) in 2004, he will win for the first time. If he loses, he will be the first president since John Quincy Adams to have lost both the popular and electoral votes (considering the 25 Florida electoral votes for Bush votes were illegitimate). At least the 1824 election dispute (Adams vs. Jackson) was ultimately decided in the house of representatives as prescribed by the U.S. Constitution, and not in the Supreme Court in a completely extra-constitutional ruling. Thankfully the Reuters report you link to (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=564&ncid=564&e=2&u=/nm/200 30306/ts_nm/politics_bush_dc_2) avoided using "reelection" in the headline, but did use it in one sentence: "Bush is expected to run for reelection in November 2004." It then mentions that Bush lost the popular vote, but won "the decisive electoral vote" with no mention of the Florida controversy or vote recount halt. Well, hopefully Reuters' mention of Bush losing the popular vote will remind people that he probably would have lost in Florida as well, if the Supreme Court hadn't intervened. Whenever anyone refers to the president running for reelection, remind them that Al Gore decided not to run for reelection. Keep up the great work. -Hallie Dear BuzzFlash, I hope the lawyer files an enormous suit in "t-shirt gate"! What a bunch of goofballs! This is such a free country, when are we all going to admit that nothing is free anymore in this country!? I am super proud that the democrats are not, at least, letting the repugs pull the wool over their eyes in the Estrada case.... at least not yet! Has anyone except me noticed on all the pundit/talk shows, everyone is quoting President Clinton (like Tucker Carlson,etc.)? They are quoting him word for word like he was someone that they had respected and liked while he was president! Carlson and other republican screwballs, are taking his words and using them in arguments against their counterparts. When something comes up about Hussein, they will start their litany with reading something that Mr. Clinton said, in 1997..and then when asked, will say "That is what President Clinton said in 1997"! (their argument) Now, if you all remember, everything Clinton brought up back then was answered with a possum grin from Trent Lott (who finally got his comeuppance), and an answer "Oh, he is just trying to Wag The Dog, wants to get our minds off Monica!" I swear I have never been so p*****off at a bunch of hypocrites in my life! And the stupid democrats have never, ever said what they should to these hypocrites. "Since when did you start thinking of Bill Clinton as a human, much less a brilliant human!? They constantly let them get away with it.."When did Clinton become so great"????? (in their eyes, of course)? Now, even though they quote him verbatim, they are still not above criticizing him for taking a show on point/counterpoint (60 minutes, I think) that will pay him roughly 100 thousand a word! It is amazing..he just keeps making the money and being chased by the media, because they are getting so sick of seeing the other side, even most republicans! Can anyone imagine being in a position of being so in debt after coming out of the toughest thing he has ever gone through in his life, and with his head still up, making the money they are giving him for speeches?? I never doubted that he could, but it is just getting these lousy republicans shorts in a knot! They all know that their wonderful Chimpo, cannot put two words together without a teleprompter...or a paper in front of him! IF it embarrasses me, it has to embarrass them! Their wonderful guy! I am embarrassed for the country to be represented by someone like this! And, I think Khalid sheik Muhammed likely did die in 2002, that is the way it was reported in at least two foreign papers I have read on line...and, that begs to question, did they do it in 2002 to fool us or, are they doing it now to fool us? I am so confused by the time Ari gets through his version of a press conference that I do not know where I am! Keep on Buzzin....you are my source! Shirley...........St. Louis Subj: President's Speech Tonight Dear Buzz, Bush made a statement tonight I find rather frightening. He said "my government" thinks we should invade Iraq. Does he have another government in the works. What happened to the one he is supposed to represent? But, then again, he wasn't voted into office, but appointed. Maybe that is where he gets his authority (not from the Constitution). Beginning to think he thinks of himself (characteristic of his father, too) as King Shrub. - Pat Dear BuzzFlash, I watched the whole 45 minutes worth. OUR "supposed president" referred to "my government" in talking with us, the American people. Give me a break! He can't see protests and expressions of free speech as input for OUR democracy. He sees it as though he were the dictator of the U.S. and the protests as expressions against "his government". If he wants the American people on his side, much less the U.N., he needs to be inclusive rather than exclusive, in his language if not in his thoughts. And the tearing up when he spoke about people praying for him... How arrogant. He doesn't get it that people are praying for him as President and not him as George Bush, a man who lives in Crawford, Texas. He hasn't yet realized that he is not our CEO with his own soldiers. He says he prays for guidance for himself. Well, George, The Lord speaks in many ways. Might it even be through the "protesters" that you've "seen before"? By his answer to the question, George just equates all protesters and he doesn't pay attention to their message. If we are a democracy, isn't there some small chance that the Lord might speak to "your government" through the people? If George Bush, the President, is so confident and believes that his mission in Iraq is "just" and he has a direct pipeline to God, why doesn't he pray directly for each of the points of his mission? And praying for peace would be okay along with that prayer. Placing words in juxtaposition in speech does not mean that they are logically related. It comes out as the same gobbledygook we've been hearing for months being used to justify this war. By the way Mr. Bush, "just" and "justified" are not the same thing. And as to the question about the cost of the war, saying it would be a "supplemental" isn't an answer. Why must he insult our intelligence? At least some of us did not get left behind mathematically speaking. In all fairness, he called the press conference and allowed the questions, so he should get to answer the ones he wants. Let's just not call it a news conference and let's not call them answers to the questions asked. The only news in the whole 45 minutes is that he plans to call for a vote in the U.N. by the Security Council anyway. And I would guess from the expression on his face when he came out with that, that it was George Bush shooting from the hip and his "handlers" were probably turning green when he started acting like a cowboy and it popped out of his mouth. He didn't look down at his notes for that statement. George Bush sure comes across as a loose cannon. Keep up the good work, BuzzFlash. Margaret Waid, Ph.D. Subj: Letters:Saddam...."a gentle soul"? It's embarrassing to see this pathetic excuse for a president stand before the public and beg for war...for the destruction of Iraq! He appears to have been sedated.... surely he has not been drugged....or has he???? I am taping this "show" before the media cleans it up! Questions: Is it possible that reporters submitted their questions for review before this news-conference? (For some reason it seems as if some of these questions were "planted". We all know that Bush can't think and talk all by his lonesome.) Did I actually hear him state that he wishes Saddam Hussein would become a "gentle soul"?! Why do we worry that each word out of this man's mouth will shame us in the eyes of the world? And what nation (other then the US ) is really attempting to "impose it's will on the world"? I cringe and pray for our nation. Dee Turner Buzz, After listening all night to unsupported so-called facts, perhaps someone could inform our pResident that the 4 airliners that were used in a terrorist attack on 9/11 did not come from overseas in Iraq or anywhere else .... They all took off from U.S. Airports. RK/Seattle Subj: Bush's Press Conference Dear Buzz, I watched Bush's press conference. Bush convinced me that WE are going to war with Iraq and nothing is going to stop US. WE will disarm Saddam AND perform a regime change at the same time. (A bullet to the head for Saddam or a military tribunal, then a bullet to the head.) Either one works for US. WE will free the Iraq people. WE will establish a democracy in Iraq. (I hope it works out better than the one in Afghanistan.) Good puppy pundits such as O'Reilly and Limpbaugh boast that it will be over in a matter of days, if not hours. For the sake of OUR troops, I certainly hope so. Time will tell. Bush insists that no matter what the rest of the world has to say, WE are going to be the policemen (and women) of the world. WE will determine what type of leadership is appropriate for other nations. WE will say what types of weapons are legal and allowable. (By OUR terms). According to O'Reilly, who must be a close personal advisor of the president, Bombastic Bill said on his program tonight that WE will take out anyone else that gets out of line. (Gary Hart predicts that WE may have a very busy century coming up ahead of US.) Bush continues to insist that his vendetta war is not about oil or profiting off the suffering of the Iraqi people. WE all know that the plan to use Iraqi oil to pay for the invasion has been discussed in the administration and on the airwaves by the Minister of Propaganda, Limpbaugh, and his clones, like O'Reilly, Hannity and the rest. I say, fine, take the goddamned oil to pay for OUR invasion. But, I would like to challenge the president to stand up for the American people, against major powers that support him. Within ONE week of the seizure of the Iraqi oil fields, Bush should DEMAND that the price of gas be reduced by at least half. The oil companies are gouging the American people in time of war and that is simply disgusting. Not to mention, Anti-American. They should be penalized for that. Besides, there will be plenty of cheap oil flowing in, very soon. WE are going to have a very long involvement in Iraq. Plus, WE will be busy in other parts of the world, dealing with other upstart countries who think they should have the right to have the same kind of weapons that WE have. To paraphrase Trent Lott, I can easily support the troops without supporting the president. OUR troops have no choice but to follow their orders. Nick Wride Subj: The Scripted Press Conference Dear BuzzFlash, I was watching Chicken George's "press conference" tonight and was struck by a couple of things. First, rather than call on a member of the press in the fashion in which most press conferences are held, Bush simply went down a prepared list of names as a method of selecting questioners. Amazingly, at one point Bush even stated, "This is scripted" as he looked for the next name on his list. My girlfriend quite clearly heard the same thing, and we both remarked on it. The marshmallow-soft questions asked added to the feeling that the thing was not on the up-and-up. Interestingly, when I went to the transcript of the "press conference" at CNN, the "This is scripted" line seemed to be conspicuously absent. Surely our media wouldn't whitewash the thing, would they? Just asking in case any of you saw the same thing. The CNN transcript can be found at http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/03/06/bush.speech.transcript/index.html A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: The Chimp Speaks Dear BuzzFlash, I just caught Bush's fairy tale...I mean press conference. Who woulda thought somebody could stand in front of the American Sheeple, and take so much time to say so little? The reporters are like timid little children. They're afraid to ask any question that might make the chimp mad. Clinton had impeachment proceedings started against him because he lied about Monica. After the Dim Son's "oil-war" is over, and there are no WMD, no chemical, or bio-weapons found, besides the ones he'll plant, Bush should be drummed out of office, and imprisoned. It's one thing to lie about sex, and another to kill our soldiers to line the pockets of the ya-hoos in the White House. No one lost their life when Bill asked them to define "is". And speaking of the White House, I've heard it referred to as the "people's" house. As a "people", and since he wasn't elected by us but "anointed" by the Supremes, I want him out of there. Only an elected president has the right to live there. Sam, in NC Subj: DID HE KNOW? DID BUSH KNOW THE QUESTIONS BEFORE HE GOT THEM? I NOTICED HE IS READING THE ANSWERS. JESUS CAN'T HE DO ANYTHING WITHOUT A SCRIPT? OTHER WORLD LEADERS MUST BE LAUGHING THEIR ASSES OFF! SHORTY IN MEMPHIS TN Subj: America the Predator BuzzFlash -- Tonight, like millions and millions in our Nation and around the World, I watched George W. Bush tell us how we need to invade Iraq in order to 1) save its people; 2) disarm Saddam; 3) prevent further terrorism; 4) stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction....etc...etc...etc. The same old tired justifications without any proof. But forget all the so-called justifications and get down to the heart of the matter: what the President of the United States was telling the planet Earth was that if America deems that a nation's government is not to our liking, we will destroy you. Think about that in terms of our country's history. America, with the help of the right wing conservatives, has just changed to basic fiber of this Nation. We have never attacked another sovereign nation without provocation...NEVER. We have become, under this Administration, "America the Predator." Listen to our allies -- the French, the Germans, the Japanese, the Italians. What are we up to and why? Yes, we may despise Saddam and his regime; we may seek out the true terrorists who demolished the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon but to make the leap that we must now place our young soldiers in harm's way because we "suspect" Saddam has weapons of mass destruction is absurd. Have we, the American people, lost all sense? We contained the Soviet Union for more than 55 years; we confronted Stalin -- surely a butcher by anyone's standards -- and Khrushchev, and Brezhnev and Andropov and even Castro...but we never had to invade another sovereign nation. We stood at the brink of nuclear destruction many times but we always used the most severe diplomacy to end a crises. But not now; not with the Bush Administration. Now, it is easier to declare that we will use "whatever means necessary" to disarm Saddam. What are we thinking? Under the Bush Administration, America is becoming a "Predator." If we don't like the way your government is acting -- we will come in a change it. As I watched this appointed President tonight I was reminded of a schoolboy taking an exam in order to pass to the next grade. He shuffled, he hedged -- it was as if he had read the Cliff Notes but not the real Shakespeare play. He hedged, he waffled, he lied. And the White House press corps just went along with it. Have they forgotten their mandate to be the "Fourth Estate?" And after Iraq, what next for this Administration? Iran, Syria, Jordan...???? And we sit idly by, asking no questions because we are afraid...just like 1933..America the Predator...the Fourth Reich....What next...martial law when the Bush Administration realizes it can't win in '04? These people scare me. And lest anyone suspect my motivations, I was 17 when I volunteered for the Air Force in 1963 -- the same one GWB alleges he was in -- and did two tours in 'Nam. I have seen war close up not from a fighter at 35,000 feet over Texas. Despite the fact that we "lost" the Vietnam war...when the body bags start coming home...who will the Bushies blame...Clinton again? I took the same oath Bush took but I served out my term and volunteered for more. He didn't. I am reminded that to end the Vietnam conflict, we sent Henry Kissinger to Paris to talk with the North Vietnamese. If Bush really wanted "Peace", he would send Colin Powell to Baghdad to talk with Saddam...but he won't. Because once again he won't be on the front line...he won't hear the bullets buzzing around him. He won't have to die...what a disgrace...America the Predator... Tony Mac Subj: "Coalition Of The Willing" To Bev and all other who despise the phrase "coalition of the willing", might I suggest another phrase for the war-hungry governments: The Bush League Of Nations. Tonight on the news report of New Orleans Fox affiliate WVUE, one feature started something like this, "Celebrities have been protesting the impending war on Iraq, now ordinary citizens want to respond". Cut to some woman who states (once again paraphrasing), "They live in their make-believe world so much, they've lost touch with reality". And they wonder why nobody trusts tv news anymore. The only reason I watch this broadcast was for the weather report. Dennis McCann Subj: Fear Factor I've been following a line of thinking lately which has really scared the bejesus out of me. What if one of the reasons Bushco are attacking Iraq is because they KNOW it will increase the odds of a chemical retaliation or terrorist attack? Were there to be another major attack on American soil, we could effectively kiss our democracy good bye. Bush would be granted even more emergency powers and people will be chanting and stepping, burning books before you know it. You may say "this guy is delusional" or paranoid. I hope that's all it comes to. History dictates otherwise. The ancient Greeks and the ancient Romans both gave up their democracies for protection from threatening outside force. The Germans post WWI did the same. Before you know it, we could be calling Bush Caesar. I for one am much more scared of this then I am any terrorist. The worst they can do to me is take my life. The worst they can do to my country is destroy it from within by sowing the seeds of fear and allowing the fascists and the power hungry to seize control and reshape our beautiful democracy as they see fit. A BuzzFlash Reader when john kerry is president he should have lots of press conferences. real ones. the kind where you do not have a list of reporters and their questions so you can refer to the script for the answers. i don't know how the republicans can not be humiliated in front of the world by this moron! if clinton had dared do a press conference like that the media would have crucified him! but he doesn't need people to write out the answers for him! kj Subj: Notes on last night's speech Dear BuzzFlash, re your reader's commentary on Bush's press conference. Yes, to everything she said. I thought at one point he even made a joke about "sticking" to the script, and I also wondered at his slow, halting speech and at no Helen Thomas. Here are some further points... Remember his misspeak? That other nations would *follow* Saddam? He corrected it right away, but it had the double-meaning of other nations would be targeted by us, after Iraq! Also, he said we couldn't second guess his "intentions" when he meant to say "motivations." Finally, remember that faith rambling? About Americans he'll never meet all praying for him? The subtext of that is "unlike those Godless furriners" ---which was fully exposed in that Alabama "down home" article BuzzFlash linked a few days back. (BTW, the author of that article plans a follow-up on all the responses he got to the piece.) Here's the excerpt on Bush's full thoughts on "faith" --- "I feel the comfort and the power of knowing that literally millions of Americans I'm never going to meet ... say my name to the Almighty every day and ask him to help me, he said. My friend, Jiang Zemin in China, has about a billion and a half folks, and I don't think he can say that. And my friend, Vladimir Putin, I like him, but he can't say that." --- I was highly disappointed no one asked about the Saudi connection to terror. Robyn Miller Subj: Bush's Press Conference Dear Buzz, I watched Bush's press conference with great interest being only the second time his handlers let him talk to the press on his own, although did you notice how he kept looking down at the podium while he was being asked and periodically while he was answering questions? A cynic might suggest that the entire event was scripted, the questions submitted in advance and the answers written in advance, even though this is not the way the Bush Administration works. Oh, wait a minute, this IS how the Bush Administration works, isn't that exactly what happened at the Governor's Association meeting? Anyway, I was very disappointed but certainly not surprised to learn absolutely nothing from the President's remarks. I'm still trying to figure out exactly why there was even a press conference in the first place because everything he said has been said before publicly by him or someone in his administration. I took great offense when he spoke of, and I quote "my government," I yelled at the TV as if he could hear: "My government?! Don't you mean OUR government?!!" Alas, no, I'm sure that he meant "my government." He kept saying "if we go to war," which I believe may be the reason for the press conference, to try and convince America that he hasn't made the decision that he actually made long, long ago. I certainly wasn't buying that or his crocodile tears for peace, war is his Viagra. Is he really this transparent to everyone or just everyone that's paying attention? I guess it wasn't all bad though, there was one really good laugh I got out of the speech; he was answering a question about war protesters and actually said (I wrote it down immediately so I wouldn't forget the exact wording): "I've seen all kinds of protests since I've been the president." I replied out loud: "I'll bet you have!!!" Troy Torstrick Subj: Iraqi Uniforms In regard to those sneaky Iraqi's: It makes me nauseous whenever I read the latest "intelligence" on those crafty Iraqi's. For example the story about giant tunnels that ring Baghdad. And so the story goes, the Iraqi's would use these tunnels to release poison gas and/or biological weapons. I have yet to hear of anybody questioning how the Iraqis could hide these giant tunnels (which would be the first place half-brains would look for illegal weapons) from the US or the inspectors. The companies that built them would have the plans on file. I also love the graphics of palaces that have huge complexes under them (great for hiding all kinds of things). But the inspectors can't "find" any of these things. We KNOW they are there, we could use various acoustic and radiological equipment that would find these pesky tunnels and such, but alas we are outwitted once again by the "experts at deception" and can find nothing. And now we have the Iraqi uniform scandal. Iraqis will dress in US and British battle dress. But there is more: we know just what those scoundrels will do with these uniforms; go and kill their own people so it looks like WE DID IT. So, when you see the footage of the US/British guy going agro on a village, remember it is going to be AN IRAQI guy that did. I'll go ahead and write the next Headline for them: Iraqis buying incubators for Fake Baby Bounce. Cdench Subj: Rumsfeld BBC Interview David Dimbleby interviewed Rummy on the BBC the other day. There were comments on the Forum from Americans, so I guess it was show somewhere in the US. I saw it on the BBC in Luxembourg. Here is the transcript link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2819931.stm
I like the part where Rummy admits he was shaking hands with Saddam while his country was an official terrorist state. That was probably why Shultz sent a private citizen in the first place, since it would not be legal for a government official to go. No admission on what material was provided, though. Rummy denied having anything in his luggage. LOL. You are doing a great job. Keep it up. Regards, Glenn MacLean Subj: my letter to mall manager who arrested peace t shirt wearer 1 Crossgates
Mall Road Phone: (518) 869-9565 Dear Crossgates Mall Manager (Jim Morrissey or current manager): I am surprised that you would ask someone to remove a shirt in the freezing cold of Albany. You must not realize that peace t shirts were worn in the seventies and they are going to come back and they are sold in your mall. During the summer, I may be coming to your mall in a shirt with a peace sign. Several of my friends will do the same. If you want disruption, we'll give it to you like you've never seen. My sister lives close by Albany and I haven't seen her for a while, so it is time for a visit, I believe. On January 20, 2001, our president, George Walker Bush, put his hand on George Washington's bible and swore to uphold the Constitution, along with its Bill of Rights and First Amendment. I am sure he was telling the truth when he did that, so that means people have freedom of expression under the Bill of Rights. Many people don't know about the Bill of Rights, but I do and I can dress as I please. This is not a dictatorship. Otherwise, our soldiers shed their blood in vain for there is no freedom to fight for in a dictatorship. I think you should publicly apologize for attempting to violate the rights of an American citizen. How unpatriotic! A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Scripted, Huh? Did anybody catch that comment made by Resident Bush last night when a reporter tried to ask a question and the commander and thief said sorry this is a scripted event? Is he that blatant or just stupid? Diedrick Rucker Subj: Mr. Bush's Track Record Dear BuzzFlash, One of the latest reasons Mr. Bush has given for the impending war with Iraq is to "democratize" the region, make the people happy and free and once again prosperous. But Mr. Bush now has a track record against which we can measure his idealistic rhetoric. Has any reporter or investigator gathered together numbers on whether or not people are better off in Afghanistan? So far I've heard that the heroin trade is up and that infant mortality is also up. Is this correct? Are there any other ways to measure Bush success or failure on this front? If so, please post it. If not, consider this a plea for someone to find and report this information, and gather it together in one place so that we may see the whole picture. I believe that reporters have an obligation to show whether Bush's rhetoric matches reality. And the Afghan people have the right to say "You've shown us the bombs. Now show us the money." Thanks, A Loyal BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Bush said More than he Thought he Said Dear BuzzFlash, Watching Bush's dismal talk, followed by orchestrated questions from the press was a total waste of time. Noting that he did not take a question from Helen Thomas, Dean of the White House Press Corp, said a lot. Bush did not say it's my way or the highway. Nor did he say confrontation would not be tolerated from Thomas, but his dismissiveness of Helen said both. It was as apparent as a flashing neon sign. Bush goofed when he interrupted a reporter for stepping out of turn, mentioning something like (I'll get to you. This is scripted.) That was the only truth in his talk. Everything else was scripted rhetoric that has been recited over and over by Bush in the past. I'm certain Thomas pre-submitted her question in writing and it was read by Bush's handlers. No doubt, it was a legitimate question that deserved a legitimate answer. The Bushittes hate legitimate questions. They hate reporters who don't tow the line. As Bush repeatedly recited that Hussein was a threat to the US, not one (tow the line) reporter asked when, where, or how. I couldn't help but get the feeling that I was watching a Zombie Convention, featuring a Zombie speaker and Zombie reporters. There is just one word that describes Bush's appearance Thursday night and that word is... Pitiful! ~ Cathy Subj: bush's conference Dear Buzz, After reading this portion of BuzzFlasher Gigi's review of bush and his conference, ("This was a comment to John King by Bush before he called on him. This was the weirdest press conference I have ever seen. Bush looked like he had been sedated, to begin with. They must have him on Prozac because they're afraid he's losing control. Either that or he's hitting the booze again and he was drunk") I felt a wave of relief! I didn't even watch the darn thing, but had the misfortune of seeing a clip where he is touting the US success with the war on terrorism. I even turned to my friend and said "what in the world is wrong with him? He's moving like he's an animatronic figure at disneyland!" Glad I'm not the only one who noticed something was off. ~marycarlyn Dear Buzz, Hey, was it just me? I was watching the Bush press conference and it seemed that he had 5X8 cards that had peoples names and it seemed he was looking at the cards when he was giving his response. ALMOST like the thing was being orchestrated. Sonny Scott subj: A Medicated Bush Dear Buzz, The highly promoted Bush press conference showcased a medicated so called world leader. I counted at least 11 times Bush brought up 9/11/01 during the scripted question and answer session designed to show his kinder, gentler side and to remind people that this war is all about revenge. It is clear to me that he had prepared answers with questions submitted in advance to his speech writers. Helen Thomas was ignored like a cub reporter. Anyone who thinks last night's performance was a showcase for democracy is under the influence of the same drugs they were passing out at the White House. Keep in mind, this is the same brand of "democracy" scheduled to be installed in Iraq and throughout the brave new world of the Rove-Bush junta. Patriotic Americans need to start considering impeachment as the only solution to the problems in the world caused by this reckless cowboy. Bob Gaiek Subj: Press conference stacked w/ vociferous journalists banned to back of room Dear BuzzFlash, On Democracy Now this morning Russell Mokhiber said that he, Mike Allen w/ WP, and Helen Thomas were all banned to the back of the room. This is the first time ever at any presidential "press conference" that Helen Thomas did not lead off the questions or close. Of course, vacuous boy wouldn't know how to answer her questions such as "how can you live with the fact that your bombs will kill innocent Iraqi women children and men?" He had a script, he went by a list, no spontaneous questions, no follow up. Where were questions about billions of dollars of blackmail money being paid to countries to support US in Iraq war, where's the billions coming from and how come you have bottomless pit money for this war and haven't given cities $ promised for homeland security which will be sorely needed with surely the increased threat if we go to war, and what about our need for money in our own infrastructure, where's the evidence for the weapon making you just told us about tonight when the inspectors say there's no evidence and if there is why don't you give the evidence to them, what about the US bugging of the homes and offices of US Security Council members to determine how they will vote, etc ad nauseum? And where was the answers to the questions about how you account for so much adversity to our actions for war, to Americans, and the idea that you are dangerous? Jackie Newberry Subj: Now, this is unpatriotic Dear BuzzFlash,
James Bartow Subj: Scripted George? Dear BuzzFlash, Of course the "press conference" was scripted. How could W have possibly held some of the questions in his head? The questions were asked in advance; called for in order, and W bounced off Rovian answers which were both on cards/pages and teleprompter. (Turned over while the shot was on the reporter asking the question.) That's why when some reporters added to or changed their questions the answers were more than the usual/usual (sic) non-sequiturs. That was the reason for the mandated sequence. (You can't change teleprompters in the middle of the broadcast.) Medicated or not it was a true puppet show. And, yes, got us no further than we had been. Broken record idiocy again. Time for impeachment. (I really loved it when he assured us he knows what totalitarianism is!) Peter H.
Schoffstall Re: Scripted Press Conferences and the Lapdog Media - A BuzzFlash News Analysis How about Mr. Bush saying, "I think the threat is real, and so do a lot of other people in MY government"? Freudian slip, Mr. President? Joanne B. Subj: Tom DeLay wants YOU! Dear BuzzFlash, I got a call from a Republican group today, who left a message that they were calling from Congressman Tom Delay and that I'd been selected for a "National Leadership Award." I called the 1-800-650-8375 number that was left and was told this group was working on "getting the economy moving again" and I'd been selected as an "Honorary Chairman." When I asked if that "honor" required a monetary donation, I was told that yes, they were asking for $ if we wanted our names included in a WSJ ad. Maybe your readers would like the opportunity to call this 800 number and ...commend... Tom Delay for this...tactic. Robyn Miller Subj: All points bulletin for Tony Blair on MTV video file! Dear BuzzFlash, All the accounts I've heard said that the "kids" who asked Tony Blair questions were about 100 times more challenging and intelligent than anything the loser White House Press corps has done for 30 months. Therefore, it's imperative that someone, somewhere store a linkable copy of the video file so that we can all e-mail it to the White House Correspondence association, and embarrass the hell out of those pathetic cowards. Who's with me?!? FRREEEEEEEEDDOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!! --Hesiod re: press conference and lapdog media Dear BuzzFlash, At least BuzzFlash is calling it like it is regarding last night's fully staged news conference. What a joke that was. I actually felt sorry for Shrub as he stumbled his way through questions that he just couldn't answer. The big question of course like Tom Shales of the Washington Post pointed out..."Was GeeDubya medicated?????" After seeing the news conference debacle we have to say, "No wonder they don't let him do these more often". Lan Roberts Subj: North Korean Spy stole nuclear material for blackmail? Dear Buzz, I just got off the Pentagon City Metro station and overheard two Air Force Officers discuss Nuclear Material possibly being stolen by a North Korea spy as part of potential blackmail/bargaining tool with the new S. Korean president Roh. I went to Google and this was the only related news article I could find. Ira Callier http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=040000&biid=2003030725058
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