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Subj: Who is April?
Does anyone at BuzzFlash or do any Buzz readers know who the hell "April" is? Hers was the most worthless and pointless question of the entire news conference and demonstrates how scripted the event was. Who is April and for what news service does she work?
Bush: April, did you have a question, or did I call upon you cold?
Q: No, I have a question.
A: OK, I'm sure you do have a question.
Q. As the nation is at odds over war, with many organizations like the Congressional Black Caucus pushing for continued diplomacy through the U.N., how is your faith guiding you? And what should you tell America or what should America do collectively as you instructed before 9/11? Should it pray? Because you're saying let's continue the war on terror.
A. I appreciate that question a lot.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: C-Span in now censoring questions to their Guests.
Dear Buzz,
Today at 9:30 Eastern time I was able to get my call answered on the line that disagrees with the president. The number was 202-585-3881.
The phone Censor asked what my question was for the guest, "Bryan Whitman," Pentagon spokesman for the press.
Mr. Whitman was talking about the fine reporters that would be based with the troops.
This is the first time a C-Span Censor asked what my question was going to be.
I was going to ask Bryan Whitman two brief questions.
1. What he thought about the presidential press conference and the fact that the president called reporters from a prepared script. Did the pentagon have a prepared list of reporters who would be involved in the press pool so no tough reporters might get in?
2. Was the Pentagon involved with NSA on Bugging the phones and faxes of UN security council members that was reported all over Europe on 3/2/03.
Click. The Censor Hung up on me, the caller.
It would not of pissed me off for the fact True nuts get on the air with outright lies and facts.
Thank you for your time. Did I ask something worthy of being hung up on by a C-Span Censor?
Pete/ Lakeland FL
PS: The Censor could dump my call because who in the hell could I tell. Well I can report it to BuzzFlash!
Subj: Torture is in the Eyes of the Beholder
Dear BuzzFlash,
Interesting that a small mention on c-span was all I heard on this but two months before they arrested Sheik what's his name, they raided a house where he'd been recently and, because they were a wee bit late getting there, took his two sons instead, aged 9 and 7. They are now being held captive in The United states and I just can't help think that it's about the same as torturing children in front of their parents to extract information as the administration has recently accused Saddam of doing. Whaddayathink?
Daniel Rueffert
Subj: Old, OLD Europe
Dear BuzzFlash:
Interesting; while 'old' Europe is against bush, old, old, OLD Europe are his most ardent supporters. England and Spain are nostalgic for their old empires.
Guy Hallman
McAllen,
TX
Subj: America's War on Terrorism
Mon March 10
Dear CNN,
So, Richard Perle, a main mover and shaker for this looming war in Iraq has called New Yorker writer Sy Hersh a "terrorist," has he, when talking to Wolf Blitzer last night (CNN'S "Late Edition" Sunday, March 9)
And why is that? Well, because it turns out that Perle, as chairman of the Pentagon advisory group the Defense Policy Board has been accused by Hersh of standing to gain financially, from the war for which he is cheerleading. Hersh reports that other board members were shocked to find Perle's other role as a managing partner in the venture capital company called Trieme, whose main business, it turns out, is investment in companies that provide "goods and services of value to homeland security and defense."
Hmmm. It turns out that Mr. Perle also has some responsibility of his own for increasing "terrorism" in the world--in July 2000, months BEFORE that strange "selection" that put Mr. Bush into office, Mr. Perle, one of then Governor George Bush's "foreign policy advisers" was identified as sending "a clear message" to then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak that he should "walk away" from the negotiations the Clinton administration was still working so hard to achieve (UK Guardian, 7/13/2000, based on article in New York Post online.) The unmitigated suffering that has occurred in the Middle East in the last two years, terrifying to both sides, and to the world, speaks for itself.
Sort of makes you wonder about just what the Bush administration's meaning of the word "terrorism" is, when writers like Hersh can be called a "terrorist" simply for writing some of the uncomfortable truth.
Sincerely, and sadly,
Linda Cecsarini
Chicago
area
Re: Richard Pearle Accuses New Yorker Magazine Writer Sy Hersh of Being a Terrorist
Dear BuzzFlash,
Obviously Perle knew Hersh had the goods on him and he was trying to smear Sy before he could the drop this bomb.
How on earth can Perle remain in government service after this revelation? The man should be buggy whipped for trying to pull a fast one like this.
Blood for oil isn't enough; now it's blood for stock shares.
Skip Van Hook
Dear Buzz,
Richard Perle is just like another famous Republican by the name of Joe McCarthy. He says "If you don't agree with me, you are a (substitute Terrorist for Communist). " I hope Howard Dean can save us from this mess we are in.
Jerry Snierson
Subj: Flashback to 1994
Back in 1994 when the Republicans took the House, now-disgraced Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich actually got 300 House members to sign his foolish Contract With America. Number 1 on Newt’s list was the "Fiscal Responsibility Act."
Back then, a deficit of $185 Billion was considered unacceptable to these Republicans and they wanted a Balance Budget amendment to the Constitution to prevent never ending deficits they claimed were all the fault of irresponsible Democrats. The deficit will reach $2.7 trillion over the next decade under Republican control of all three branches of government without factoring in the cost of war in Iraq or it’s rebuilding. Of course Bush promised to rebuild Afghanistan too but there is no money allocated for Afghanistan in the budget Bush submitted to Congress (the House did put in a few hundred million for Afghanistan after receiving Bush’s budget). Now these same Republicans now say that deficit spending is nothing to worry about. Drop in the bucket they say. Less than 1% of GDP.
Remember that Social Security "lockbox" from back in 2000 election? Well, it’s been squandered by Republicans too. The Balanced budget amendment was just plain dumb but I’m just wondering how the Republicans can justify this 180 degree turn around? Is it hypocrisy or just plain lying? Would some Republican please explain to me why deficits were the biggest problem in America in 1994 but don’t matter now…
Mark Salditch
The Fiscal Responsibility Act
Highlights:
The bill contains two budgetary reforms: a constitutional balanced budget amendment and a permanent line-item veto.
Supporters of a balanced budget amendment argue that Congress has shown itself both unwilling and incapable of balancing the federal budget. A constitutional amendment is necessary to force lawmakers to do what, on their own, they cannot: get a handle on out-of-control spending. Opponents of the idea argue it will transfer budget decision-making to the courts, will result in massive cuts in Social Security and usurp Congress' constitutional authority to control government purse strings.
Proponents of the line-item veto maintain that given our current deficit situation, the president should have the authority to single out unnecessary and wasteful spending provisions in bills passed by Congress. Many critics assert, however, that the line-item veto will give too much power to the executive branch to control federal spending -- a responsibility clearly given to the legislative branch in the U.S. Constitution.
From:
http://www.house.gov/house/Contract/fiscrespd.txt http://www.house.gov/house/Contract/CONTRACT.html
Buzz,
Ari Fleischer's wife has my deepest and heartfelt sympathy!!! Can you imagine the torture of having to listen to that endless drone of lies and mumbo jumbo that come out of this man's mouth for the rest of your life?
Gigi
Subj: Not to sure about your dry drunk
Dear BuzzFlash,
My husband is a retired Traffic homicide detective and worked for years on a DUI task force. He was court certified in what is called Horizontal Gaze. It's what your eyeballs do when you drink too much. The whole time Bush was talking he kept saying, something isn't right and he said too bad they won't provide a close up so he could watch his eyes.
Did you notice how they didn't get really close?
Keep Buzzing,
Gale Hogsten
Summerville
SC
Subj: Orrin Hatch on Filibusters
Orrin Hatch was just on CSPAN whining about the filibuster of Miguel Estrada.
He accused the Democrats of "setting a glass ceiling" for Hispanics, telling them if they don't "join their party," their career will be stopped dead in it's tracks.
How racist can you get? Isn't THIS playing the race card.
Also, he secured the love of organized labor by reminding the nation that HE PERSONALLY was responsible for a filibuster in the 70's that ended labor law reform and set the balance towards management, thereby saving the nation from SOCIALISM!!!!!
He calls a Democratic filibuster reprehensible, but Republican filibusters are good for the country.
Is this guy nuts or what?
BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Project for a New American Century
Dear BuzzFlash,
This group - Project for a New American Century - began well before 9-11. Look at the players. I pasted just one paragraph from their statement of purpose - do the words look familiar - "MORAL CLARITY" - the same phrase the president repeats incessantly. " Look at the names listed below. So when Bush and his administration say this is all about protecting us since 9-11 - IT IS ONE BIG FAT LIE!!!! 9-11 was just an excuse. If you do not believe it take a look at their website - link is below. This just gets curiouser and curiouser. I hope you take the time to read this and check out the website.
Jerilyn Rubin
"Such a Reaganite policy of military strength and moral clarity may not be fashionable today. But it is necessary if the United States is to build on the successes of this past century and to ensure our security and our greatness in the next. Elliott Abrams Gary Bauer William J. Bennett Jeb Bush
Dick Cheney Eliot A. Cohen Midge Decter Paula Dobriansky Steve Forbes
Aaron Friedberg Francis Fukuyama Frank Gaffney Fred C. Ikle
Donald Kagan Zalmay Khalilzad I. Lewis Libby Norman Podhoretz
Dan Quayle Peter W. Rodman Stephen P. Rosen Henry S. Rowen
Donald Rumsfeld Vin Weber George Weigel Paul Wolfowitz
Subj: Simple Solution
Dear BuzzFlash
I had a brainstorm today (inspired by the buzz-link to 13 Questions). I thought of a simple solution to the Iraq WMD problem. Let's just buy them back! I really think this would work - here's how. First, we ask the UN Security Council for an un-edited version of the Iraqi weapons report (we need this because the Bush administration got hold of the 12,000 page report and struck out the names of all the US companies that sold or gave Saddam WMDs over the past 25 years). Second, we go down the list, inventory everything and find out which countries sold/gave what. Now, the multi-lateral approach would be to have each country pay for whatever they sold. The buy-back price would have to be worked out and the stuff Saddam got for free would only carry a slight incentive fee. Also, we would have to figure on buying whatever has been manufactured.
Even if we have to go it alone, and it cost say $50 to $100 Billion (I'll bet it's closer to $25 Billion), it's way cheaper than the $300 Billion it will likely cost to bomb the hell out of Iraq and then pay to rebuild it. I'm sure we can figure out how to call this a tax cut. And, here is the other kicker in this, we do the buy-back like the oil for food program only Iraq has to use the funds for infrastructure projects like water/sewage facilities, schools, hospitals, roads etc. (maybe the VPs' and Poppie's companies can still score big in the contracts here).
One might say: Why should the taxpayer foot the bill and not the arms manufacturers? I say it's a "Catch 22 " - either way we pay. Besides, the WMD makers carry huge mega-sway at this White House. If Saddam balks, we can always threaten to send in the smirking war monkeys (SWMs). Of course, to do this we would need a president who has our SWMs on a leash instead of the other way round .....
Tom Orvosh
Peace
Dale, RI
Subj: My letter to CBS.com
What a crock to say that protests "heat up" on "both" sides.
You had to work hard to live up to that misleading headline, didn't you? I was in D.C.
Fewer than a dozen "pro-war" hecklers, all with bullhorns (gee, I guess the astro-turf organizers knew there was no groundswell of people to support them, therefore they needed artificial amplification) versus THOUSANDS of Code Pink marchers.
Why did you skip reporting those numbers?
Complicit with the chicken hawk administration? Or simply too cowardly to report the truth?
Robyn Miller
Quincy
MA
Subj: Is Perle's Comment about Hersh Personal?
03-09-03
A friend of mine just sent me an e-mail that made me do a google search. I came back with a rather interesting item:
http://www.fpp.co.uk/online/03/02/Perle_risk.html
IN 1970 the Federal Bureau of Investigation caught Richard Perle passing US secrets to Israel. According to Seymour Hersh's The Price of Power (1983) pg 322:
In mid-October 1970, [Henry] Kissinger testified, when a second wiretap was authorized for Helmut Sonnenfeldt, who was Kissinger's closest friend on the NSC [National Security Council] staff, his role was even more tangential.... Richard N. Perle, a foreign policy aide to Senator Jackson, was overheard discussing classified information that had been supplied to him by someone on the National Security Council Staff..... Kissinger - perhaps seeking to ward off a Nixon explosion - handed him (Haldeman) the FBI wiretap on the Israeli embassy and requested that the FBI be assigned to determine which NSC staff member was in contact with Richard Perle... Kissinger had to know that Hoover and Haldeman would suspect Sonnenfeldt, whoi was known from previous wiretaps to have close ties to the Israelis as well as Perle.
So that's what this may be all about. Hersh blew the whistle on Perle's passing of classified information to the Israelis thirty years ago. Isn't passing classified information on to a foreign government a crime? Hmmmm.
http://hnn.us/articles/900.html#12260201
Norma
Hi Buzz,
I just thought of something kind of funny that we BuzzFlash-ers might do.
Could the BuzzFlash Staff get someone to print up a bunch of those iron-on thing-a-ma-jiggs to iron on to tee-shirts that you could sell to us that say:
I am a PROUD BuzzFlash-er-----on the first line of type
(that we could wear under a rain coat when we go to participate in Protests so we could throw open our coats & show the world what we stand for.
On the second line and so forth PRINT:
IMPEACH Resident Bush and his band of not so merry men (Cheney, Ashcroft, Rumsfeld, etc.)
and
IMPEACH the FIVE Supreme Court In-Justices---- and list their names.
I think HUMOR sometimes gets messages across in a funny and eye-catching way that might just catch on.
Just a thought.
It might be a good way to make some money for BuzzFlash.
Everyone of us "BuzzFlash-ers" could buy our own plain white or colored tee shirts to iron the transfers on to.
There might even be a way to download the tee shirt transfers from your Web Site onto some kind of special plastic transfer paper in order to speed up the process before special protests that are happening in the USA and elsewhere.
I honestly think the USA needs to IMPEACH all of them.
CAH----A PROUD "REAL" DEMOCRAT from TEXAS
Subj: Bush is no "Centrist"
Click Here: Yahoo! News - Bart: Are journalists missing in action?
Notice, the most common word describing the new Bush presidency was "centrist." Well, if George W. Bush is a centrist, then Attila the Hun was a dangerous lefty.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: The Media
There seems to be a running thought in most all of the letters that asks why the media is not doing its job. The writers express surprise and wonder why. Has everyone missed the fact the major media outlets, that being TV, Radio and newsprint have all been slowly consumed over the years by the very corporate giants that are in the bush camp? The long term planning and full scope of the right wing/corporate takeover of our Country is frightening indeed. BTW the same goes for the thoughts being shared regarding the 2004 election (I can't wait till 2004) what makes everyone think there will be a fair election? They have already done this much damage. I have no reason to think they will not keep pushing and a government elected by the people is NOT on their agenda!! The very moment I first herd that Dimwit was going to run, I knew he was going to be the President. I think the same holds true for 2004. I wish it weren't so and I pray a miracle happens!
Phil Rowland
South
Pasadena CA.
Subj: There's an Undercurrent
Hi BuzzFlash!
There's an unspoken undercurrent in the current state of affairs. I don't think many have voiced it, I suspect some don't even recognize it, but it's there.
If Al Gore were the President (like he should have been) none of this would be happening.
People the world over know Bush was not elected. They know he is not well traveled. He's not a history buff. He has very little foreign policy experience & even less diplomatic training. He is exactly the opposite of Al Gore. Al Gore would not have brought us to this point, not financially nor militarily.
I wonder how Justice O'Connor & Justice Kennedy sleep these days? Their burden must be overwhelming - imagine the deaths of all those innocent Iraqi people on their hands? They are after all, ultimately responsible for this because they allowed themselves to become political pawns rather than carry out their impartial duties. Funny, Bush hasn't asked us to pray for them. I do anyway - I figure they need all the help they can get.
Meanwhile, America thinks it can just sweep the theft of the Presidency under the carpet without any consequences. I continue to wonder how long it will take until we, as a nation, deal with the theft? We need to confront it. Otherwise it's always going to be in the background, bubbling away, festering, rotting. I know I am not alone. I know there are millions of people who will never "get over it". Just as there are millions of people who know that if Al Gore was the President we would not be on the brink of war, we would not be 6 or 7 trillion dollars in debt, our allies would still be our allies. We might even be actively working towards stopping global warming.
Linda
Subj: Advice to Democrats
Dear BuzzFlash,
The Bush Administration is capitalizing on the ignorance of the general public. So much of what they present on Iraq is unfounded speculation that gets unchallenged in the mainstream media. The Democrats need to publicly expose these invalid assertions as the U.N. Inspectors do. Most of the public just hears the Administration's view, that Iraq is not cooperating, inspections won't work, and the U.N. is irrelevant. But the facts are just the opposite, and that point needs to be vigorously supported and made clear to the American People. With a better informed public, I think there would be much greater support for the inspection process and the Democratic Party. It has to happen now, time is running out.
Scott Mckeon, Devore, Ca.
Subj: a Prayer for Peace from a Greek Orthodox Christian prayer book
Dear Buzz,
This is from page 82 of "My Orthodox Prayer Book" I am praying this daily. ISBN 0-86687-056-3
Prayer for Peace
Almighty God and Creator, You are the Father of all people on the earth.
Guide, I pray, all the nations and their leaders in the ways of justice and peace.
Protect us from the evils of injustice, prejudice, exploitation, conflict and war
Help us to put away mistrust, bitterness and hatred.
Teach us to cease the storing and using of implements of war.
Lead us to find justice, peace and freedom.
Unite us in the making and sharing of tools of peace against ignorance, poverty, disease and oppression.
Grant that we may grow in harmony and friendship as brothers and sisters created in Your image, to Your honor and praise. Amen.
Martisa Leoustakos Vignali
Subj: I Support Our Troops
Dear BuzzFlash:
I agreed whole heartedly with the essay written by one writer last week that told us that the best thing we could do for our troops is to prevent this war from happening. I am a veteran of the US Army and live in Pueblo, Colorado. There was a small rally in nearby Colorado Springs yesterday (home of Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy, NORAD, Space Command and Peterson Air Force Base) where about 150 people rallied in support of our troops. As I read about this I realized how I could have easily joined that rally, though the crowd would not have appreciated my placard. It would have read something like "Save our troops, end the war in Iraq".
I support our troops overseas. 3 of my colleagues (2 dentists and 1 psychiatrist) have recently been activated, two are in the middle east. I worry most about my friend who was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. In my e-mails to him I do not spout anti-war or anti-Bush rhetoric. That is probably what he doesn't want to hear as he prepares to place his life on the line.
I worry for the safety and the health of my friends. I wonder how they will feel someday as they look back at their participation in the slaughter of innocent people. I pray that there is some way to prevent this war from happening. I feel the Bush administration is unpatriotic and uncaring as they plan to risk the lives of my friends, our troops, and innocent Iraqi civilians for spiritual, economic and political gains for a select privileged few. Thank you BuzzFlash for your more balanced coverage of the world news. I enjoy hearing what reporters outside the U.S. are saying and reading the opinions of your enlightened readers.
Matthew
Goodwin
Pueblo,
Colorado
Re: Today's editorial "Bombing Us Into Armageddon"
Tuesday March 11
Dear Buzz,
I just had to write to thank you for your words today. Every part of what you wrote resonates in me with a great Amen. I do believe that this is a spiritual struggle, not just between "principalities" and "powers," though as I see things, it is also at that level. But it is between, as you have pointed out, the Web of Lies and the Truth.
The Truth was stolen from us the day the Supreme Court proclaimed Bush the President, and cheerled by the media ever since. Every act of truth telling, or setting the record straight, is an act of patriotism, builds the movement, makes us all stronger.
Thank you for taking on this whole set of issues, and for the sacred work that you do.
Linda Cecsarini
Markham,
IL
Subj: "Support the Troops"
Dear Mr. Blitzer,
I read the following item - submitted by one of your viewers - on a media watchdog website:
"...I was just watching (9:43 am pst) CNN's Wolf Blitzer. He had a short segment on showing pictures of protests this weekend. He led into it saying that there were protests around the country yesterday, not only "anti-war" protests, but also ones to "support the troops", saying.. by implication, that people who protest sending the troops to war do not also "support the troops"...."
I am surprised and disappointed that you would draw such a shamefully false dichotomy between pro- and anti-war protestors. To put it as simply as possible, I -- and the millions of other protestors in the US and around the world -- do indeed support our troops. What we oppose is a power-hungry and unelected administration launching an unprovoked, unnecessary war against another country for dishonest and immoral purposes.
You should be ashamed of yourself for being a mouthpiece and using CNN for pro-war propaganda. Then again, I'm quite familiar with this sort of rhetorical trickery dating back to the Vietnam War. The Republican Party did not hesitate to proclaim 'we support our troops & want to see them back home' during a Clinton-initiated military mission they opposed back in the 90's; evidently you are unable to make this distinction. I hope you will choose your words with more care and honesty in the future.
-JS
Subj: Bombing His Way To Armageddon
Buzz
Thank you for the excellent editorial on Bush's messianic mission to bring on Armageddon. You've articulated a concept that is by nature overwhelming and, to normal people like us, incomprehensible.
What makes me so incredibly angry is that Bush's tactics are a religion unto itself, in that it preys on people's vulnerabilities and self-doubts in order to gather converts. I've known "born again" Christians, like Bush, who grabbed onto religion to lift them out of a tragedy or the bottom of a bottle or from drug addiction, physical or sexual abuse, etc. Some people, like Bush, who use religion as a crutch rather than a means for becoming closer to their God never throw that crutch away once they've been lifted up. They've been saved from the brink, like Bush, and that's all they know. No need to question the source of deliverance; in fact, blind allegiance is the payment owed to the savior, and if you stray, look out. You may be struck down again.
Since Bush has had first-hand experience with this phenomenon, and is himself an unquestioning blind zealot, he knows the mind set very well, and exploits it shamelessly. In fact, it is excruciating to listen to his first-grade Sunday school discussion about his "faith." It's as sincere, clear and deep as a mud puddle. His actions do not match his words of "faith" and "prayer." But apparently millions of Americans believe every word he says and would die defending Bush's "beliefs." I don't buy it for a second.
Bush's minions include not only his administration, but most of the mainstream media, and a host of right-wing fundamentalist religious fanatics who don't have to think, question or wonder at the blatant hypocrisy and immorality of Bush's war (it doesn't help that first-class hypocrites like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, etc. are mouthpieces). Bush is here to save them; he'll do the thinking for them. They no longer have to think!! What a relief! Their blind allegiance is guaranteed, and, just like their religion gives their spiritual life meaning for them, Bush's one-syllable war rhetoric gives their everyday life meaning. Blind religious fervor, blind patriotic fervor, blind war fervor...it's all the same. Bush knows this, and actually, it's the only way he knows how to be, because he doesn't have to think, either. He can't think, he can't feel, and he can't reason. He only acts, and he is dragging the entire planet down in his mindless, soulless pursuit of Armageddon.
Someone told me once that if you have doubts about what you are about to do, just imagine that Jesus is sitting in front of you, and you are telling Him the story. Imagine what His answer or reaction would be, and it will help you then act accordingly, if you choose.
Imagine George Bush talking to Jesus. Imagine George Bush listening to Jesus.
No. Neither can I.
elaine in Petaluma
Subj: Just wondering . . .
Doesn't it seem a bit ironic, if not downright hypocritical, that all of the pro-gun activists are the ones who are screaming bloody murder (pardon the pun) for the immediate disarmament of Iraq? Just wondering ...
A Patriot
Opposed to War
Lafayette,
LA
Subj: 2025
To be opened Jan. 2025
Open letter to my children and grandchildren.
Let me first apologize for the tremendous debt and danger my generation has left for you.
It's not that we intended for you to have this, we were like most parents and only wished only for best for our offspring. Instead we have left you with a debt burden and a dangerous world that no one should have the right to saddled with.
We let a greedy bunch of zealots and profiteers raid our national treasure for the benefit of the super wealthy. They have wasted our youth in the battles to take control of natural resources that belong to others instead finding peaceful alternatives.
They told us they would leave no child behind all the while they were cutting funding for education. They said they were fighting a war for freedom while they were taking ours.
I am truly sorry that we did not protest enough, raise our voices enough or vote enough. Some of us tried, but the liars had louder voices, more money and won over the easily led with "trust us we know what's good for you" and "God is on our side".
Let's hope that things are looking up for you now, that the world is now getting to be a better place for you raise my great great grandchildren and that they will live in world of love and peace. I hope that your power brokers are more concerned with the health of all, the wealth of all, the health of the planet and look back to this time as a dark hole that America and the world will never be in again.
Father and Grandfather
Paul Hartmann
Glenville,
WV
Subj: Freedom fires (fries)
Dear Buzz,
I just saw where the GOP ordered the House Cafeteria to replace the term "French Fries" with "Freedom Fries." I will not even comment on the cost of this change, but I will comment on its origins. It seemed remarkably familiar to me, and a quick internet check discovered why -- Liberty cabbage. Back in World War I, while the U.S. was off fighting a valiant war, the home front was, to put it mildly, a dark, dark place. George Creel headed up something called the Committee for Public Information. The CPI was, by most accounts, the first modern propaganda machine. It was so successful that the German Nazi propaganda borrowed liberally from Creel's methods. Without going into a long dissertation, Creel demonized two basic groups: Germans and anyone opposing the war. Anti-German sentiment was so rabid that sauerkraut was renamed "Liberty Cabbage." People of German heritage were beaten in the streets. Schools stopped teaching the German language (in fact, my high school some 75 years later still did not teach German). To say the least, the propaganda worked.
And now we have "Freedom Fries," which begs the question, isn't that just a bit too convenient. The term started being used just a few weeks ago, but spread rapidly. Why? How did it propagate? I do not want to sound conspiratorial, but the whole concept sounds canned, and is reminiscent of the shoe throwing scene in Wag the Dog. A set up. I think so. Combine that with the very real threats that Dubbya made concerning reprisals against Mexicans, and the entire scenario brings up horrible, horrible images of what the future might hold.
Michael Farlow
Subj: Down the memory hole . . .
Dear BuzzFlash,
The sad performance of the Washington press corps in last week's presidential press conference has been widely discussed. The assembled "reporters" queued up obediently to lob softball questions and listened dutifully as the President repeated the same talking points in answer to every question.
Apparently, however, the journalists failed to take note of what little information was offered.
March 7, 2003:
QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. President.
As you said, the Security Council faces a vote next week on a resolution implicitly authorizing an attack on Iraq. Will you call for a vote on that resolution, even if you aren't sure you have the votes?
BUSH: Well, first, I don't think —it basically says that he is in defiance of 1441. That's what the resolution says.
And it's hard to believe anybody saying he isn't in defiance of 1441 because 1441 said he must disarm.
And yes, we'll call for a vote.
QUESTION: No matter what?
No matter what the whip count is, we're calling for the vote. We want to see people stand up and say what their opinion is about Saddam Hussein and the utility of the United Nations Security Council.
And so, you bet. It's time for people to show their cards, let the world know where they stand when it comes to Saddam.
March 11, 2003:
Forgotten by Capitol Hill Blue:
http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_1910.shtml
Forgotten by the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/10/international/10DIPL.html
Forgotten by the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7971-2003Mar10.html
Forgotten by AP:
Joe
Quaker-in-a-Basement
Denver
Subj: French Fries - What Republicans Do With Power
Dear Buzz,
A good friend of mine has suggested a better name for Republican French Fries –"Dic-Taters"
Jan Mallis
Subj: Bush gets Gored
Dear BuzzFlash,
When Al Gore lost the presidential campaign while subsequently winning the popular vote, you didn't see him try to move into the White House on Inauguration Day. Of course he wouldn't, because that would be insane. So now the tables have turned, and as Bush might win the popular vote of the security council, he will surely lose his campaign for UN backing in an Iraqi war. But he *is* going to do that insane thing that Gore was much too coherent to do. He is going to fight anyway, and without the backing of the rest of the world community. This man is the worst loser ever. He acts like a five year old. If he were in a youth soccer league, he would have surely gotten yellow carded a couple of times by now. This man is going to single-handedly destroy what little respect there is left in the world for us, just as Mr. Gore would have degraded the respect for the Democrats if he had pulled up in his U-haul. If I could say anything to President Bush it would be this: don't ever play the lottery, you might actually have to lose.
Gordon Tebo
Subj: Freedom Fries. This is just sick.
Dear BuzzFlash,
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/070/wash/French_fries_get_new_name_in_H:.sht ml
This is just about the most stupid thing I have ever witnessed. If we are so anti-French now, when will we send back the Statue of Liberty? You know, the one the French people gave to America to show their undying friendship?
Linda
Subj: Per HARDBALL: MSNBC's "HOTTEST NEW SHOW!"
Dear Buzz,
This little tidbit appeared in the daily Hardball Briefing, compliments of resident right-wingnut Dominic Bellone:
And of course...
Don't forget to tune into MSNBC's hottest new show!
The Savage Nation, 5 pm et on Saturday
http://www.msnbc.com/news/savagenation_front.asp
With advertisers pissed off, and regular NBC viewers letting the Rockefeller Plaza know what they think about their new "Branding" ploy, is this the message Chris Matthews really wants to be associated with? Well, it goes out every day under his show's banner, so I guess so!
Can't wait
for the latest Hardball line-up:
Convicted
Felon G. Gordon Liddy
Serial
Plagiarist Mike Barnicle
Domestic
Abuser John Lund
Racist/Bigot
Jerry Falwell and Homophobic/Mysogynistic/Zenophobic Mike Savage - ALL
ON ONE SHOW!!
(You know it's coming.....)
Gross me out,
Robin Murray
Subj: Rumsfeld's Rantings
Dear BuzzFlash,
This is the scenario: US comes driving in with tanks, etc. all the Iraqis come toward them waiving white flags.... the US ignores them and goes to the Palace and calls: Saddam, you in there? With a megaphone? Come up with your hands up or we shoot! Cries from the palace, don't shoot, don't shoot, we're coming out! Saddam and his wives come out, the cameras get it at all angles, Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney land in a chopper, the crowd cheers, throws garlands. They are crowned Emperors of the World.
Halliburton comes in and gets the oil... but then.... what happens to those who got the big multi million dollar rebuilding contracts? Well, they'll figure it all out.... these guys are on some kind of new powerful dope, man.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Bush Can't Stand Losing
Dear Buzz,
I guess if you can't win, you just try to remake the rules.
Like if you can't get Saddam; rewrite international law; or break it.
If you can't get your right wing crony into the judiciary, change the law.
http://www.wpmi.com/Global/story.asp?S=1173669
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: He may be a Poodle, but . . .
Dear Buzz,
Can you even picture America's leader being "grilled and heckled" on national TV by nineteen antiwar people? I can't even picture it. My brain just can't make the leap. I think I'm going to send this around to members of our own so-called free press (who should really be called the "free pass.")
Anyways,
the article is entitled, "Revolt in the ranks," and was published
March 12 in Australia: "As his strategists worked with their US
counterparts on a watered-down resolution to force a war on Iraq, Mr
Blair was confronted on national TV by a survivor of the Bali bombing...
Ms Luke and 19 other women –all chosen for their anti-war views
and many of them either survivors of or widowed by the September 11
and Bali attacks –slow-clapped Mr Blair before grilling and heckling
him for an hour on the program. The host even asked Mr Blair how it
felt to be called US President George W. Bush's poodle." (!!!)
http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,6114199%255E2,00.html
Mary
NYC
PS: Oh yes everyone, please remember that although the peace demonstrations are getting bigger the polls are now saying that the number of people in our country supporting a unilateral war in Iraq is RISING!! I think the polls are lying but if they're not, you know who's to blame: our "free pass" working overtime to fan the flames. One way you can help is WRITE to the shameless creeps. I do all the time - and these past two weeks alone I have twice impacted how the Associated Press and Reuters were reporting on the Al Samoud issue. So it really works. We have to stay up close and personal with the media. We have to be as outraged when they lie to us as we would be at a friend. We have to PRESS them. You can get many contact numbers and email addresses from Congress.org's 'media guide.' The link is on the main page.
Subj: Just wondering . . .
Has anyone thought that GWB could be the antichrist?
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: More Supreme Court Hijinks
Dear BuzzFlash,
I never see reference to this issue in our Mail Bag, but it is one we must be aware of and express our objection to - that is the attempt by resident shrub to implant an ideologue named Manual Estrada among the right wingers on what used to be the revered highest court of the land. I know the effort in the Senate right now is to get him elected to the 12th Circuit, but once he is ensconced there, one of the current robe-wearers at the high court will, or should, retire, leaving the space for an appointment of Estrada from the W.House. That will mean big trouble for us and our Bill or Rights. It is going on now in the Senate, and sandwiched today with the so-called partial birth abortion nonsense. On CNN I think it was, a couple of days ago, I learned that Estrada did not seek the post on the 12th Circuit, but that he was sought out by the shrub cartel as the choice candidate, and was given two orders for his Advice and Consent Hearings: "Keep your mouth shut" and "Don't tell them a thing". So that was how the hearings went. He did not know, he could not forecast, he has never studied Roe v. Wade, nor has he any opinion on its ruling. He has no academic writings, and all the memos and interoffice notes he has written over his years of service (He prepared Ted Olson's briefs for the defense in the Gore v. Bush recount case). He said he was willing to allow the examiners to see all his memos, etc., but that the White House will not allow their release.
Contacts of encouragement from BuzzFlash readers to the Senators (Mainly Dems) who forced a cloture vote (and won it) and who must keep on digging their heels in if we are not to have our once-free lives circumscribed by a well-backed Ashcroft.
A Rider: When will some people, in white coats, in Washington, pluck up enough courage to gently steal upon the main man of the cartel, and offer him a popsicle as they fold the restrainer about him - I hope it will be soon, and Rove, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Ashcroft to follow in short order. We do not have much time.
Veronica
RE: CBS Reports Blair May Back Out of War at This Time
Brad
Things are getting really tough on the Dim Son. First Turkey and now perhaps Great Britain are opting out of the Iraq war. Democracies are a bitch when you can't control the propaganda feed to the citizens.
Chuck
Subj: Bush's New Rule on Filibustering
Dear Buzz,
I think I heard this right, but I have not seen it in writing. Bush wanted Bill Frist to introduce a new rule in the senate that barred filibustering court nominees, as an attempt to get past the current situation with Miguel Estrada. This new rule would apply to ALL future administrations as well (yea, right). Who does this guy think he is? He thinks he can make up new rules as he goes along? He swore to uphold the constitution of the United States of America... It is just unbelievable. There is no hope.
MG
Subj: typo ? OR which one doesn't belong?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030306-8.html
i'm not sure i can make anything substantive of this but i couldn't let it go by without sharing it. i noticed in "President George Bush Discusses Iraq in National Press Conference" March 6, 2003 at http://www.whitehouse.gov that resident bush had a verbal typo or freudian slip...
is: " I swore to protect and defend the Constitution; that's what **I swore** to do."
should be: " I swore to protect and defend the Constitution; that's what **I'm going** to do."
in light of the actual context it really is a striking incongruity...
THE PRESIDENT: My job is to protect America, and that is exactly **what I'm going to do**. People can ascribe all kinds of intentions. I swore to protect and defend the Constitution; that's **what I swore to do**. I put my hand on the Bible and took that oath, and that's exactly **what I am going to do**.
Subj: Bush said "Crusade" twice . . .
... but the White House press corps covered it up.
The second time was at Elmendorf AFB (Anchorage, Alaska) in February 2002. Bush was en route to Japan, Sth Korea and China on an official visit, and stopped over in Alaska. There, in a speech before hundreds of assembled guests (and reporters and cameras) he said: "I want to tell you something, we've got no better friends than Canada. They stand with us in this incredibly important crusade to defend freedom, this campaign to do what is right for our children and our grandchildren."
Transcript and video at the White House website: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/02/20020216-1.html
Harry Coney
London
Subj: Iraqi Government Wages?
First off Buzz I love your site and as soon as we get a few bucks ahead we will send ya some. I have a question for you. I heard this week on "Radio Left" that King George has promised the 200,000 Iraqi government workers to pay their wages after the take over so they won't loose any pay? If this is true how come this isn't spread all over the damn television shows, radio, and newspapers, Democrats would absolutely shit their pants like I did. I'm so damn mad at this little bastard I could kick his momma's ass. Please someone at your organization reply to me, because if most people don't know that, I'll paint it on the damn freeway overpasses, or at least put it in an editorial in my local paper. Hey all joking aside, I'm very serious about wanting the public to know if this is the truth. KING GEORGE II CAN PAY FOR 20,000 IRAQI TEACHERS BUT HE CAN'T PAY OURS? How much is he paying Saddam, for cooperating with his scam? I keep wondering why Saddam isn't pissing down both legs worried about eating a missile sandwich, hmmm maybe he knows his future is planned by the Bush monkeys???
Thanks for listening to a hard working Democrat from N.E. Oklahoma for a few.
Jim Potts
Miami,
OK
Subj: Britain and Rumsfeld
Poor Rumsfeld. He has to "work-around" Britain dropping out. He has to " work-around" Turkey not allowing the US to use its air space. He can " work-around" the fact that no other country is willing to use troops. He has to "work-around" the fact that they can not get their resolution passed in the UN. He has to "work-around" the fact that the entire world and a majority of the Americans are against the Bush war.
They are use to "working-around" things. They can work around not winning the election. They can work around long-standing international treaties. They can work around our constitution. They can work around judicial processes. They can even work around answering to a boss that is parodied around the world. These guys are the masters of the work-around.
Rumsfeld should write a book entitled "The Work-Around."
Linda Deak
American
Abroad
Wassenaar,
the Netherlands
Subj: Drone
Dear BuzzFlash,
This is supposedly the dangerous drone that can kill us all
The remotely piloted aircraft that the United States has warned could spread chemical weapons appears to be made of balsa wood and duct tape, with two small propellers attached to what look like the engines of a weed whacker.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/24/iraq/main541815.shtml
A BuzzFlash reader
Subj: Global Candlelight Vigil for Peace: Sunday, March 16 -- 7:00 PM
Will it matter?.........I don't know
Will it be make a difference?.........I don't know
Is it worth a try?......... I think that anything and everything is worth a try at this point!
Patricia
