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August 28, 2003 |
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Subj: Re: The Weekly Standard vs. BuzzFlash.com and Sidney Blumenthal Dear BuzzFlash, "A while back the Wall Street Journal called BuzzFlash "the shrillest and most dimwitted political site on the web." We are regular targets of invective from the right wing shills (who are cousins to the kind of journalists who staffed Pravda under Soviet rule). So we weren't surprised when the Rupert Murdoch Neo-Con rag, The Weekly Standard, accused BuzzFlash and Sidney Blumenthal of slander."How can I get them to write something negative about me? Thanks for any advice. Best, Steve Young Subj: For Reasons Of National Security BuzzFlash, After promising us "open and honest" government during campaign 2000, the Bush administration has descended into the most deceitful and dishonest government in living memory. From Cheney's stonewalling the details and names of his energy policy, the sealing of Presidential papers, the 9/11 Commission report, to just about every other embarrassing revelation they don't want you to know about, the White House offers that less than believable justification, that it's for reasons of national security. But even more remarkable just this week, was claiming it was for reasons of national security that the White House ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to lie to New Yorkers by assuring them their air quality was safe after 9/11 when clearly they knew it wasn't. This deceitful bunch even lies to us about our air for gawd's sake. Now, if the White House had claimed they sent Bush home on vacation for 35 days even though he's got two active wars going for reasons of national security, well, one could certainly buy into that. After all, the less time he's on the job, the less harm he can do. by W. O. Coach Subj: NY Times Coverage of Dean's Sleepless Summer Tour Buzz: Here's a copy of the letter sent to the Editor of the NY Times concerning the hapless article about Dean's Tour last week. The "media" need to be taken out to the woodshed!!! MJG Ref: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/27/politics/campaigns/27DEAN.html * * * To the Editor: It appears as if Jodi Wilgoren has taken the bait of the RNC and DLC hook, line and sinker! Both organizations are out to characterize Dr. Dean and his campaign as leftist and liberal. If you check his record, this characterization cannot be further from the truth. This article is the softest piece of journalism I have ever seen. The only factual paragraph addresses the Zogby polling numbers indicating Dr. Dean with a commanding lead in New Hampshire. To call a legitimate and growing grassroots campaign "gimmicky" is an affront to the democratic process. Where is the evidence of her characterization of those attending Dean's Sleepless Summer rallies as "Birkenstock liberals," "aging flower children and tongue studded next generation?" Did the author do a head count to reach the conclusion that "there were few union members, African-Americans, or immigrants?" The author states that the "loudest ovations always followed Dr. Dean's antiwar riff" but neglects to say that is was only the Iraq war that Dean opposed. Dean clearly states his support for use of military force when appropriate. When one of the staffers says Dean is "not running a campaign, he's running a movement" the author's response is "it is unclear what the movement is for." Clearly, the author is living in a bubble, unaware that there just might be a majority of citizens in this country who are unhappy with the current administration AND the status quo in the Democratic Party. Dr. Dean is a professional and a very successful politician who has his tenure as Governor of Vermont for 11 years to support his record. I suggest the press wake up and start paying attention. This is no fringe group. There are over 50 million citizens in this country who do not vote. They may just start lining up at the polling stations next year. Subj: Fair and Balanced Dear BuzzFlash: "Fox: Fair and Balanced" has been ruined as a slogan by the irrational, perhaps treasonous, ruling in favor of Al Franken. They need a new one. How about:
Just a thought. Jim P Subj: And you thought Reaganomics was bad? Buzz, Much to the utter horror of the right-wing Reaganites who bought into the Voodoo of supply-side, Bill Clinton, through shrewd politics, skillful decisions and a healthy measure of good luck, managed to undo pretty much all of the damage done to our economy during the Unholy Experiment of the 1980s. This time, it seems that the Bush Administration is bent on making certain this will not happen again. The mess they're creating by their serial tax-cuts-for-the-rich is turning out to be so devastating it's going to be impossible for any future president of any party to make it right. FJC Subj: A Patently Biased New York Times "Article" about Howard Dean Hi all, I LOVE YOUR SITE! I've contributed $$$ once and will most definitely contribute again. Just wanted to alert you to this article in the New York Times Online's "Campaigns" section today. The writer is Jodi Wilgoren. [LINK] This person describes Dean supporters as "Birkenstock-wearing liberals", "aging flower children" and "tongue-studded Gen Xers", refers to the candidate as "Dr. Dean" to obscure his stellar performance as the two-term governor of Vermont, and states that there is uncertainty as to what he stands for, while in the same sentence listing Dean's position on every major issue! The Times should not be allowed to publish such rhetoric unless it is in the Op-Ed section. Don't let them get away with it! Best regards and many air kisses, Laura Nathanson (a devoted reader) Subj: Troops in Iraq Hey, I have been thinking about this and unfortunately it's probably in The Cartel's best interest to keep as many troops in Iraq for as long as they can. I suspect if too many started to rotate out at this point, they might not have too many good things to say about their experiences and it may not look too good for the administration. Anyway, just thought I would pass that thought along. Thanks and keep it up. John Subj: the governator has no clothes Well well, I wonder what FAUX news would do if it were a Democrat, instead of Arnold S., who was parading around nude like that. mari Subj: Breaking into the TV factory BuzzFlash, No democrat can win an election unless we expose television news. It's the prop that holds up the Bush administration. The party line runs from the corporate headquarters to Washington to the TV set. In fact, the Bush administration has no notion of government other than feedlines to the TV media. Let's boycott (the only real tool we have) FOX news (the most flagrant enemy). If thousands of democrats turn off the commercial intellectuals, maybe we can shake loose some time on the tube. Down with FOX.
Irv Hulteen, SF Subj: Lies, treason, etc. Today I entered my local Barnes & Noble in St. Augustine Florida and found right in front a big display of Ann Coulter's "Treason" books--which surprised me--because I had heard from Ann that mainstream bookstores would not carry her books-the stores being part of the "liberal establishment" and all--and that is why she depended on bulk sales to Scaife to make it to the best-seller list. Anyway--there Ann Coulter's books were--stacked up in front although they didn't seem to be hot sellers. I went to the back of the store where there is a little out of the way section entitled "Current Events" and there found more Ann Coulter "Treason" books plus--eureka!--three--count'em 3--copies of Joe Conason's book "The Right-Wing Propaganda Machine and How It Distorts the Truth BIG LIES" I picked up two of the three copies of Joe's book--bought one and put the other in front of Ann Coulter's front-of-the-store display where the big red capital letters "LIES" made a nice sort of poetic justice display against Coulter's "Treason." Barbara Rochelle Subj: jesus, what was up with that? JESUS, WHAT WAS UP WITH THAT? I WAS JUST WATCHING THAT HARDBALL SHOW AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT JOHN HINKLEY. SOME GUY ON THERE NAMED JOE DEGENEVA WAS OBSESSED WITH SAYING OVER AND OVER AND OOOOVERRR THAT HINKLEY TRIED TO NULLIFY AN ELECTION WITH A BULLET. HE LOOKS TO BE IN HIS LATE FIFTIES OR EARLY SIXTIES. WAS HE IN A CAVE SOMEWHERE WHEN THAT HAPPENED? HINKLEY HAD NO INTEREST IN POLITICS AT ALL, HE WAS TRYING TO IMPRESS JODIE FOSTER. IS THAT JOE GUY TRYING TO REWRITE HISTORY OR WHAT? SS Subj: Bush and the legion I am appalled that Bush, the yellow coward that he is, would be allowed to address the American legion. He is cutting benefits to our soldiers. reducing the danger pay to our men in Iraq. and he has the gall to stand before men and women who did not hide from serving their country.The leaders of the Legion are too busy sucking up to this yellow-bellied coward to ask him in front of the vets to explain why he can give tax cuts to the rich, but cut the benefits of the military. He should have been booed of the stage. Francis Subj: MAILBAG . . . WHEN, OH WHEN, IS SOMEONE GOING TO STAND UP TO BUSH AND HIS LITTLE POSSE, AND TELL THEM WHERE TO GET OFF??? NEVER...EVER...I WOULD GUESS...WHEN HE WAS IN ST. LOUIS, THEY HERDED ALL THE PROTESTORS (AND THERE WERE A LOT) INTO A PEN IN FRONT OF A HOTEL 2-3 BLOCKS AWAY...IT WAS HORRIFIC. MY DENTIST TODAY, ONE OF THE SIX BUSH HATERS THAT I KNOW, SAID THAT GOING HOME LAST NIGHT WAS A BEAR! JUST THINK, ALL OF YOU GUYS, WHILE WE ARE WINDING DOWN OUR LONG HARD DAY OF WORK....HE IS BEING PROTECTED LIKE THE KING...IN A LONG LINE OF EXPENSIVE SUV'S ....LIMOS...OR WHATEVER...WE PAYING... AND DELIVERED TO AIR FORCE ONE...AFTER LYING TO ANOTHER BUNCH OF FOLKS...TELLING THEM THAT WE WOULD NEVER HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT BEING ATTACKED IN ST. LOUIS! SORT OF LIKE, NO NORTH VIETNAMESE EVER ATTACKED TEXAS WHEN HE WAS "SUPPOSED " TO BE PROTECTING THE SKIES! IF THIS NEW VOTING MACHINE THING GOES THROUGH.....WE ARE GOING TO BE IN DEEPER DOO DOO..THAN IN 2000... WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING! SHIRLEY...........ST. LOUIS Subj: Great quotes "Finally, a candidate who can explain the Bush administration's positions on civil liberties in the original German." - Bill Maher, on Schwarzenegger running for Governor. ------ President Bush is supporting Arnold but a lot of Republicans are not, because he is actually quite liberal. Karl Rove said if his father hadn't been a Nazi, he wouldn't have any credibility with conservatives at all." -Bill Maher ------ President Bush is on a 35-day vacation, and before he left he had his annual physical and it turns out his cholesterol now is lower than his approval rating." -David Letterman ------ "Yesterday, Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would run for governor of California. The announcement was good news for Florida residents who now live in the second flakiest state in the country." - Conan O'Brien ------ They're saying Arnold will get 95% of the vote. At least according to his brother, Jeb Schwarzenegger." -Craig Kilborn ------ "Well, we're all excited because President Bush has started his 35-day vacation. He's down there in Crawford, Texas and on the first day of his vacation he went fishing. He didn't find any fish but he believes they're there and that his intelligence is accurate." -David Letterman -------- The White House released a videotape of President Bush meeting with his cabinet and today Iraqi officials say they believe the tape is authentic." -Jay Leno --------------- "The United States is putting together a Constitution now for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It's served us well for 200 years, and we don't appear to be using it anymore, so what the hell?" -Jay Leno ----------- "The White House says that the vacation in Texas will give President Bush the chance to unwind. My question is, when does the guy wind?" -David Letterman -------- "(President Bush) used his press conference to come out very strongly against gay marriage. And then he said on a personal note, he apologized if he had done anything to lead Tony Blair on." -Bill Maher ----------- President Bush's economic team is now on their 'Jobs and Growth' bus tour all across America. I think the only job they created so far is for the guy driving the bus." -Jay Leno ------ President Bush has refused to declassify portions of the congressional 9/11 reports about the Saudis, because he says it will help the enemy: Not Al Qaeda, the Democrats." -Jay Leno Subj: Was this common in the Clinton administration Buzz, I don't remember reading during the Clinton administration about extreme security measures when he traveled. The press has taken to reporting on Bush that Clinton did the same thing. I have no way of checking that out. It does seem that Bush has carried security to extreme lengths. One wonders if he spends so much time away from the White House at Crawford, Camp David, and traveling our of fear of an attack. Is there any way you could use your contacts in the Clinton administration to find out whether they went to these extremes? After all Clinton was not shy about plunging into crowds something Bush would not dare to do. bob
Robert Reynolds Subj: CNN SPINS Schwarzenegger Buzz, Here's how CNN began its coverage of the Arnold interview: "Sounding more like a Democrat than a Republican, the GOP candidate said" ... and then proceeded to describe Arnold's position opposing what has been mislabeled "partial birth" abortion, opposing gay marriage, opposing abortion without parental consent, supporting school vouchers, etc. Except for supporting the Brady Bill, a non-issue, Arnold didn't sound like any Democrat I know. Why is CNN redefining Democrats? [LINK] Rosamond Subj: Bushspeak I finally figured it out! BUSH ADMINISTRATION CODE KEY:
Kathy Subj: It's all true Dear BuzzFlash, I am a baby boomer who got lucky. I was unhealthy at the time of the Viet Nam War. Sick enough that the army didn't want me. (4F) I feel guilty to this day. I lost a lot of friends in the neighborhood, we were kids together, and I still miss them. When I went to the monument in Washington DC, I touched their names and was overwhelmed with grief. War ain't right, never. And when we get a leader who misleads us into a War that's going to kill more of our kids, because some chickenshit smart guys got a bug up their ass and think this is a chess game? Well, it's not. My dear friends at BuzzFlash, thank you for the truth. Sincerely, Manny Mitikas Dear BuzzFlash, You are really doing a great job countering the MEAN GREEN GOP MACHINE!!!! I'm an old boomer and I've never seen such subtleties of propaganda being used these days. God, the flag, Pledge, currency -- you name it. It comes in mail and e-mails flashing before your eyes. This reader commentary by Bob Gaiek was SUPER!!! Thanks so much. Nancy Subj: Link - "Fastow transcript still denied release" - Mary Flood, Houston Chronicle
Did not see this on your site. Describes the lockout of the press in Fastow's 2nd and third hearings. First was in July. Keep up the good work! DMD Subj: All the Shah's Men Reader Review I agree with this review--the book should be required reading for all Americans, followed by a national discussion. What the CIA did has lead DIRECTLY to where we are today. We overthrew a popular democratic government and installed the shah. Eventually he was overthrown, primarily because Jimmy Carter cut off the secret funds being paid to pseudo-leaders there, who revolted and formed an extreme anti-American government. The radicals took hostages, the media jumped in with its "day 444 of America held hostage" crap, and Carter fell. The Republicans installed Saddam in Iraq and armed him to the teeth so that he could invade Iran as punishment. When Saddam stopped taking American orders, or more correctly, misunderstood those orders, we invaded Iraq, twice, to try to undo the damage. This sort of thing has happened over and over again. Our country's foreign policy since at least World War II has been an immoral disgrace and we are responsible for it. Jonathan Inskeep Subj: Tax Savings BuzzFlash, In all the right-wing talk about cutting back government spending, no one has mentioned the easy 6 Billion per year that could be saved by eliminating "Star Wars". It's funny that these people claim "you can't solve social problems by throwing money at them", yet they can violate the laws of physics by throwing money at star wars. The PNAC actual advocates throwing money at multiple redundant defense programs just because there is a slim possibility that one will succeed. Yet money for prenatal care for the poor was the first thing to be cut by Reagan and the Bush's. They should explain there magic way of providing prenatal care without money. Then this approach could be applied to defense spending. The deficit would disappear in a (buzz) flash. http://slate.msn.com/id/2073642/ Larry, Subj: King George on Armed Forces Radio Dear Buzzy, I thought your readers might like to read the words of Mad King George in a recent interview with Paul Waltrip of the news center of Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (AFRTS).
Typical Bush I would say. He may sometimes say the right thing, but often the truth is exactly the opposite of what comes out of his mouth and of course his mangle-speak has already been well-documented. Could he be referring to the oath he took for the Texas Air National Guard per chance? Enjoy! Thom Burns Subj: Homeland Security Dear BuzzFlash, Please note that last week, just prior to GWB's scheduled visit to Camp Sherman Oregon, five fires broke out in the vicinity. The forest service, by it's own admission was "tied up" with the Bush visit and the fires, which started on 1 pm Tuesday, blew up. By Thursday afternoon they had consumed approximately 14k acres; it wasn't until Thursday afternoon that the fire bombers were allowed access to the airspace over the Booth and Bear Butte fires because our intrepid Commander was viewing the fires. His appearance was cancelled and the bombers were allowed to fight the fires late Thursday afternoon. The cause of these fires is most certainly arson and the motive is....initiating a healthy forest by burning it down; creating timber jobs with "salvage logging???? Photo op??? Someone, maybe Mr. Palast, should inquire about this tragic incident. As I write the fires have consumed 40k acres, the residents of Camp Sherman are still refugees, and the cost to fight them is nearly 4 million dollars (and the economic devastation to the communities of Camp Sherman and Sisters has yet to be quantified). The whole thing stinks. Don Lange Subj: Why has GeeDubya Not Attended Soldiers' Funerals? Is he hiding? Again? Hello BuzzFlash, I just read on "TakeBackTheMedia.com" that George W. Bush has not attended ONE SINGLE SOLITARY FUNERAL of ANY of our DEAD soldiers! NOT ONE FUNERAL !!! Remember when the Right Wingers were having fits claiming that Hillary Clinton did not attend funeral services for any 9-11 victims, when in actuality she HAD attended those to which she was invited and for those whom she knew? Isn't GeeDubya the one who said, in an interview with Barbara Walters on ABC, December 13, 2002: "There's only one person who is responsible for making that decision, and that's me. And there's only one person who hugs the mothers and the widows, the wives and the kids on the death of their loved ones. Others hug, but having committed the troops, I've got an additional responsibility to hug, and that's me, and I know what it's like." He knows what it's LIKE?? This guy doesn't know Jack Squat!! He knows what it's like to go on month-long vacations . . . to golf . . . to clear brush . . . to have barbeques . . . to hug campaign donors . . . he has plenty of time for these activities. But NO TIME to attend the funeral of ANY soldier - funerals for which, by the way, he is DIRECTLY and SOLELY responsible?!? Either GeeDubya lies about being a compassionate conservative, he is completely without compassion, he is completely oblivious to what is going on around him, or he knows he will not be at all welcome to any funeral service and is keeping his distance. Or all of the above. He hides from service in Vietnam in the Champagne Brigade, he hides when the U.S. Military institutes drug testing in the early '70's, he hides from SEC investigations over his business and trading practices, he hides his drunk driving arrest, he hides behind the Supreme Court while votes are tossed aside, he hides Reagan's presidential records, he hides while over 3,000 people in this country are killed on September 11, he hides information about warnings of terrorist attacks from the September 11 investigation, he hides intelligence that refutes the reasons for invading Iraq, and now he hides from families of soldiers who have died at his hand as a direct result of his actions. Some leadership qualities he's got, aren't they? And 45% in this country would STILL vote for the guy. Absolutely amazing. Regards, John Powell Subj: Weekly Std / 9/11 Buzz, Brilliant editorial on The Weekly Standard and Blumenthal! Re: Bush and 9/11, if memory serves me well, warnings of an imminent attack within the U.S. even made it into the mainstream media in the summer of 2001. If so, the loyal opposition should seize upon those somehow and ask the Bushies to point to one thing --- just ONE thing ---that the Administration did to try and prevent 9/11. Other than, of course, warning the Attorney General off commercial flights and suppressing an investigation into a 9/11 suspect in custody. And then there's Condi Rice admitting that they were "concerned" about " traditional hijackings". By the way, why does this woman still have a job? Or Bush for that matter? BuzzFlash Reader Subj: A Modest Proposal Dear BuzzFlash, Bush and crew talk enough about other despots "gassing their own people," but what about their record? They asbestosed their own people! I propose that New Yorkers test and pinpoint the most contaminated building, and reserve that one to host the Republican convention next year. Robyn Miller BuzzFlash, If the WSJ and Weekly Standard are critical of your web-site, you must be doing something right!! Keep up the good work! BuzzFlash Reader Subj: to the united nations and media HOW DOES BUSH APPROACH THIS?
sharon swift memphis tn Subj: Pre-Sept. 11th clue Hey, BuzzFlash- Just in case you might like to use some information from the mainstream media to help prove your point about the Bush administration's disaster, our pre-Sept. 11 policy, check this out: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/07/26/national/main303601.shtml It's no secret the administration, the FBI, and the CIA were spooked about something less than two months before 9/11. The book "Forbidden Truth" [by Brisard and Dasquié] released last year, provides some of the details that most likely led to this no-commercial-flight arrangement for the Attorney General. Keep on fighting the good fight! MarkV Subj: Arnold is Gross The more I read about Arnold S. the more grossed out I get. I can't believe he is such a sleaze! mev Subj: Mr. Incompetence BuzzFlash, Isn't it so obvious that the Bush administration has turned this huge mess in Iraq into a convenient "continuing war on terrorism"? If Bush had not attacked this country unnecessarily, there would be no terrorists targeting our troops in the first place? Also NONE of the reasons this administration gave for urgently attacking Iraq has panned out, and if killing thousands of innocent civilians was worth getting rid of one evil man, then I am afraid millions will die all over the world because there are many evil men ruling many countries. Words like Osama Bin Laden, WMD's, nuclear weapons, mushroom clouds etc., once heard in the rhetoric coming from the white house is hardly heard now, and conveniently forgotten. I wish that George Bush would face the tough questions that Tony Blair is now going through, after all Bush and his cohorts are the ones that started this bloody war in the first place. He is afraid to face the unscripted questions of the media, so the nation will never have the opportunity to hear him explain the many unanswered questions that they deserve to hear. Paul Bremmer is now asking for billions more in dollars for rebuilding Iraq. The Bush administration must have been pretty naive not to realize that this would be costly to our already failing economy. The fact that they hoodwinked this nation into supporting this war with statement like "Iraq will pay for their own rebuilding with their oil" is laughable now, but it is not so funny, as we the taxpayers are the big losers now. THIS INCOMPETENT NITWIT IN THE WHITE HOUSE HAS SYSTEMETICALLY MESSED UP THIS COUNTRY ECONOMICALLY, ENVIRONMENTALLY, AND IN EVERY OTHER WAY, and I often wonder if those 5 supreme court judges who selected this failure to lead our country, sleeps well at night, knowing now what a disaster their selection has been. A Buzzflash Reader Subj: A sort of Drudge Report for the left? Buzz, I seem to remember these yahoos thought Matt Drudge was the second coming when he was busy making up shit about Bill and Hillary Clinton. Now they use "Drudge Report" as a slur. What a surprise. This is just another illustration of the difference between the right and the left. The right has absolutely no sense of irony, while we on the left have such a well developed sense of irony it sometimes renders us unable to do anything but point and laugh. Or cry. Lynne Keeley Subj: Bush The
whole PR publicity stunt by George Bush on the USS Lincoln infuriated me
(and made me ill) at the time, and now I think it is hilarious. Now that
it is football season, it reminds me of a goose stepping, showboating punt
returner on the five yard line just before he fumbles it out of the endzone
for a touchback for the other team... Dear BuzzFlash, Forty years ago, as I watched Martin Luther King speak from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to 200,000 people of all races, I was struck by his ability to paint a hopeful and healing vision of America's future, even though Civil Rights workers were still being murdered in the Deep South. Today, Progressives need to offer another positive vision of the Nation's future and not merely carp at the soullessness of the Neo-Conservative path we are being dragged down. We offer for your consideration, a modest beginning. http://www.bearflag.org/log/archives/00000101.htm Jonathan |
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