Support BuzzFlash Get a copy of click image MORE BuzzFlash INTERVIEWS WORLD MEDIA WATCH P.M. CARPENTER MAUREEN FARRELL BARBARA'S DAILY BUZZ SOUTHERN STYLE CARTOONS THE ANGRY LIBERAL EDITORIALS CONTRIBUTORS MAILBAG PERSPECTIVES ANALYSIS NEWS ALERTS LINK ARCHIVES SEARCH ABOUT FAQ

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 400. 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.

Subj: The Lazy "W" Ranch

Subj: Why does Bush get a "press pass"?

I really want to know how and why this Bush administration gets a pass from the Press. BuzzFlash I support you 100%. Everyday I try to move more people to seek alternative news sources. But, unfortunately it seems that either not enough of us can actually read, or not enough of us actually vote. How else can this continue to be the case? Main stream media hits the voters, and Bush has carte blanche. I think all of us have to stand up and do more to stop it. As an example, excerpts from your Paul Krugman interview:

BuzzFlash: Why don't people hold the Bush Administration more accountable?

KRUGMAN: I waver on that. Sometimes I think that's what people think. Certainly, I think that's the case with a lot of the media. The concept that the president of the United States is flat-out lying about the sustainability of his own economic policy -–that's too high a hill for them to climb. And I guess the general public tends to give him the benefit of the doubt.

But there's a definite tilt in the way these things are covered and perceived. I think the average voter in California is feeling outraged about the state's $38 billion deficit, and then you stop and think for a second. You say, wait a second –- first of all, it's not $38 billion. It turns out that was a two-year number, and this year they've closed the books. And it's only $8 billion for next year. And, anyway, that number should be as abstract and remote from the ordinary residents of California as the national budget deficit is from the ordinary American.

But there's a machine that keeps on beating it out, saying Davis is bad; Davis is irresponsible; the deficit –- he lied to us. And the press picks it up, and, in turn, it makes its way to the public. So you have a situation in which mainstream publications continue to report and hammer on Davis' $38 billion deficit, which isn't even remotely true, while Bush, for the most part, gets a free pass on the $500 billion deficit which is absolutely real.

Question: Talking about perception, why is it, even after the staggering deficits, and three million jobs lost, when you look at the polls, ordinary people perceive Republicans as better at managing the economy and the federal budget than Democrats. Even though we're just starting to understand just how good the Clinton-Gore economic policies were, the false perception still exists the Republicans can handle the economy better.

KRUGMAN: Again, I think it comes back to press coverage. Just this weekend, I was looking at something: There's an enormous scandal right now involving Boeing and a federal contract, which appears to have been overpaid by $4 billion. The Pentagon official who was responsible for the contract has now left and has become a top executive at Boeing. And it's been barely covered in the press –- a couple of stories on inside pages. You compare that with the White House travel office in 1993. There were accusations, later found to be false, that the Clintons had intervened improperly to dismiss a couple of employees in the White House travel office.

That was the subject, in the course of one month, of three front-page stories in the Washington Post. So if people don't understand how badly things are being managed now, and have an unduly negative sense of how things were managed in the Clinton years, well, there in a nutshell is your explanation.

So, really aren't we the ones who keep allowing Bush to keep his press pass? Write your newspapers and ask them about the questions you want answered. Is it a $500 or $750 Billion deficit? Isn't it $87 billion plus the $79 billion already? How did Bush tax cuts save 1.5 million jobs? How many Iraqi’s have been killed? How many US wounded? How can Bush have no comment about the Saudi family airlift on 09/13/01? What about: We found the WMDs (the mobile weapons labs) and we know where the WMDs are? Can you just imagine the headlines if Clinton was in office. How many times a day would we see it if it was Clinton who dropped his dog.

Of course remember 911, but it is more important for our future that you do not let anyone forget things like the 2000 elections, the DUIs, the "I learned in Vietnam", the AWOL, Mission Accomplished, "bring ‘em on", the insults to other nations, all the lies, deceptions, and stacks of misleading data. Our mission is to remove this disgraceful husk and all of his supporters from each and every office we can. Politics is local…start local and push toward regime change at home.

Barry Baker
Bethel, CT

Subj: Another Rumsfeld Lie: Iraq has a "Free Press"

BuzzFlash,

Ignoring well-documented media reports of censorship and repression of freedom of speech in Iraq, Rumsfeld, in response to being heckled by protesters, pushes the lie of a "Free Press" in Iraq.

Guess he hasn't been paying attention to how his military has been bombing Al-Jazeera headquarters, shooting Reuters cameramen, shelling journalists' hotels, censoring Iraqi TV and radio...

My take on the latest Rumsfeld lie, for you to publish if you wish: [LINK]

Thanks,

Mark Huisman

Subj: I Can Imagine This Letter

Dear BuzzFlash,

It's not hard to imagine Bush getting a letter something like this from Osama bin Laden.

A BuzzFlash Reader

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear George,

I can't thank you enough. Thank you for ignoring world opinion and unilaterally attacking, invading and occupying Iraq. Just as we predicted you would do. Not only have you mobilized our terrorist recruiting like never before but you have extended the effects of the initial attack by scaring the crap out of your people and taking away their cherished freedoms without out any additional efforts from me. Excellent! I could not have imagined my 9/11 attack would have succeeded as it has beyond my wildest dreams! You get a lot of credit too by letting most of our planes hit their targets without shooting them down really sealed the plan. It is good of you to be so accommodating. Don't over do it though. The American people might get the idea you are playing right into my hands if you keep this up. But of course you know, the Americans are so easily duped and misled that even when they catch one of your lies, they let you get away with it.

Good luck with the destruction of freedom & democracy on your end and when this is all over, let's get together for a drink and a good laugh.

So thanks again and just remember, stay away from female interns and pretzels. We don't want to ruin a good thing.

Your Enemy ;),

Osama

P.S. If you need another attack on U.S. soil to seal your election just let me know.

Subj: On this September 11

Well, this morning I had a little discussion with my son about September 11, a day he will spend sitting in an assembly and watching some old codger from Ballard raise the flag at his high school. He will get to have patriotism shoved down his throat instead of having to learn how to think for himself (which luckily he has learned on his own...) So I told him that our government has a lot to answer for, especially as far as all those killed on 9/11. It is too clear how the peices point to an orchestrated slaughter of innocent people simply to line the pockets of some of the very rich and very powerful in this country. Below is another article on how Dick Cheney is still being paid by Halliburton who has the contract for "rebuilding Iraq."

Here is how I connect the dots:

1) Bush and Cheney steal election with the help of little bro Jeb in Florida...

2) They allow al quaida operatives to train in the US... in the state of Florida...

3) They allow (or perhaps encourage) the events of 9/11... cameras happen to be on George Jr. when it all comes down, he is sitting in an elementary school - in... Florida!

4) Bombs start dropping in Afghanistan, but it looks like Iraq is the real terrorist threat - oh no! So our troops build up in Iraq, because we're already "over there" - what's the difference between Afghanistan and Iraq anyway???? ('cept lots of oil..)

5) Now that we've bombed Iraq and created an Iraqi terrorist threat in doing so (without finding any weapons of mass destruction in the meanwhile), we decide someone has to be in charge of rebuilding the place...

6) Hey, what a great idea to have a company that the vice president (and president and his daddy via subcontracts) make lots and lots of money from go in and get the job done over the course of years to guarantee the checks keep rolling in...

7) Let's ask congress to approve another 80something BILLION dollars to pay this company to rebuild Iraq so the vice prez, prez and his daddy and the rest of the old greedy evil cronies can get richer still.

8) Be sure to call anyone who questions the motives of our government "unpatriotic" - better yet spy on them and take away all their rights... it's for the benefit of "our security"...

9) It's like taking candy from a baby and the baby is every tax paying human being and dependant of same in the US of A...

Okay, so here's the article...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0%2C2763%2C912515%2C00.html

Bridget Killoran

Subj: Amateurs and Zealots

My letter to "The Washington Post":

* * *

To the Editor:

I am in agreement with 99% of Richard Cohen's editorial, "Amateurs and Zealots" (September 11, 2003). This is the 1% that I find to be 100% inaccurate:

"...George Bush won last time out because Al Gore lost. He won at a time when the world seemed safe, when it was unimaginable that the World Trade Center would become a hole in the ground. He won because he seemed the more genuine man, an aw-shucks guy who we could take a chance on. We took the chance..."

George Bush did NOT win last time. Despite the appearance to some that he "seemed the more genuine man, an aw-shucks guy...", Al Gore won by 500,000 votes. The Supreme Court, in a supremely suspect opinion, chose Bush.

Don't blame the voters for chancing democracy on a "cartoon persona of a dummy". They weren't fooled. They knew best, an election was manipulated, and now the entire nation is paying the price.

E. L. Taylor
Houston, TX

Hi, Buzz:

Yesterday (9/10), "Democracy Now!" had a moving segment. Amy Goodman hosted members of a group called "Peaceful Tomorrows"*, who lost loved ones in the WTC attacks. Adele Welty who lost her son, Tim a firefighter, was one member. In the course of being questioned regarding what her family members, the firefighters her son served with and Tim himself might of thought of her efforts for peace, Mrs. Welty revealed an appalling piece of information.

Before the U.S. invaded Iraq, the FBI sent representatives to meet with New York City firemen. The firemen were told in no uncertain terms that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (including chemical and biological weapons) and that, if he used them, New York would most likely be the first target. The FBI told the firefighters that they would again be the entity most directly affected by this attack, as they would have to answer emergency calls, etc.

This is by far one of the most cynical things the bush junta has done: to play "mind games" with the people who not only had loses comprising more than 10% of WTC deaths but also witnessed a carnage none of them will ever forget. This is also an organization that has seen more than 1000 of its members forced to resign due to the lingering health problems related to 9/11. Imagine telling them that they would once again be on the front line of horror beyond their comprehension. To go into these meetings with information the government KNEW was categorically false only shows the lengths these monsters will go to in order to have things "their way".

We knew that the bushites manipulated the media, but this adds an entirely new dimension to the evil forethought that went in to manipulating a very vulnerable segment of the New York City population.

Liz

Houston

*Peaceful Tomorrows has a new book: "September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows: Turning Our Grief Into Action for Peace."

THE REPUBLICANS DO NOT LIKE CRITICISM OF GEORGE BUSH. HAVE THEY FORGOTTEN WHAT THEY SAID AND DID TO BILL CLINTON. AT LEAST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNEW THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS WORKING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL PEOPLE INSTEAD OF A SELECT FEW.

PRESIDENT CLINTON AND AL GORE WILL HAVE NEVER GONE INTO IRAQ WITHOUT THE ALLIANCE OF OTHER NATIONS. ALL THESE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WOULDN'T BE SPENT TO REBUILD IRAQ EITHER. OUR COUNTRY IS IN SHAMBLES. FOR THAT REASON GEORGE BUSH SHOULD BE IMPEACHED.

Subj: A Simple Reader Question

Okay, answer me this anybody:

"If the Iraq invasion wasn't really about oil, then why isn't Bush willing to share any of the political and administrative power in Iraq?" EVEN with our troops fatigued, dying, and getting their tours extended rather than commuted.

We shared this kind of power in Bosnia and Kosovo (oops, they did not have oil) and the post-war scenario obviously went a lot better.

Seems to me there are only three credible answers all confirming the oil premise.

1) If the U.S. Administration shares administrative and political power with the U.N., other countries will insist on being voting partners in the extraction and export of Iraqi oil, and (horrors) might even insist that we direct revenues back to the Iraqis rather than Halliburton.

2) No-bid, no-competition contracts with Bush-buddies (Halliburton, Bechtel, etc.) would be challenged. Apparently Bush and Co. don't want humanitarian aid, electricity, water, and revenue for Iraqis, and troop support for the U.S., to get in the way of crony profit.

3) Oil men, Cheney and Bush, want to keep oil (not good, clean renewables) as the basis of energy, pegged to the U.S. dollar, and they want it CHEAP as possible to keep gas prices down in an effort to boost reelection chances. They also want to make a statement to other surrounding Mideast nations, not about democracy, but about, "If you mess with us on supplying what resources we want for the prices we want, you can expect the same treatment."

Zeus Yiamouyiannis
Washington, DC

Subj: Neat protest photos!

Dear BuzzFlash,

Thanks for adding the photos; they look great!

This one is my friend, Jean with her "You're no Patriot! Lose the Act!" sign: [LINK]

She and I were right up front when Ashcroft arrived (to the back entrance) and she's the one who caught his motorcade an hour later and got to jeer him again.

I didn't see any of me, and I'd be hard to miss, wearing CODE HOT PINK and carrying a bullhorn. I was right next to that scuffle when the police were putting up more barricades but I missed how it started. Lord knows they were not rough with me, seeing as how I was holding up the barricades for a while leading the "Whose streets? OUR streets!" chant...and moving VERY slowly when told to move. And once they finally got me behind the barrier, I pushed it forward several times. And all they did was rush over and lean against it. So I have no idea what sparked the brief melee.

Robyn

Subj: Trust but Measure

BuzzFlash,

The devastating news that the White House (as reported on your site) had squelched the information of the hazardous heavy metals and carcinogens present in the air and ground of the WTC is an incredible testament to the lengths the Administration will go to further their agenda of "now you see it now you don't three card monty ruse" boggles the mind.

If ever there was an entity that was focused on the complete and total attrition and decimation of our Republic, it is this administration.

Hands down, the arrogance of this hodgepodge of recycled Iran-Contra operatives and disgraced former "analysts" is remarkable. The "stiff upper lip" of the occupant of the White House is only to stop the quivering that would result if the forces of light dominate a Church Commission redux of where everyone stood and everyone gained from the tragedy two years ago today.

Wisely, the figure heads of the Grand Charlatan Party did not show themselves in front of the survivors and next of kin of the 911 victims of the fateful day. Could it be that they, unlike the children of America who will visit the haunted houses of the adjoining Octoberfest, cannot tolerate the Halloween sound of "BOO!" from people who know loss and also losers?

There should be backbone enough of some members of Congress to include a rider on any, again ANY, supplemental funding for Iraq-a-burton bill to clearly state that "that funds will be reserved and, or, matched equal to the reconstruction allocations, that provide total and complete financial, medical and research support for all persons: first responders, support workers, civil servants, citizens and residents within a 40 mile radius of "ground zero". In the event that any, repeat any, representative of the administration challenge this claim of contamination, they should be mandated to wear a gauze bag with 2 oz. of actual Ground Zero dust around their neck until the case is resolved, discharged, dismissed or discredited. Since the current President made an "bullhorn" appearance in Ground Zero, he is at risk, and, since his White House squelched this information, he should volunteer to wear said sample until and when scientists of repute with no link to the Administration, declare there is no danger of contamination from the dust and heavy metals that permeate(d) Ground Zero.

Rod Talley,
San Antonio

Subj: What about Freeh

Buzz:

This is way off any topic of current affairs, but I keep thinking about the fact that Louis Freeh (who loathed the Clinton Administration) was head of the FBI during the Clinton administration and through 2001 until Robert Mueller took it over around Sept. 1, 2001. Why has he (Freeh) never been asked to testify to Congressional hearings? If anyone dropped the ball, he is the guy and why was he replaced?

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

MJG

Subj: This seems a bit rummy...

Buzz,

So, Rumsfeld said recently of the prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay, "Our interest is in not trying them and letting them out. Our interest is in -- during this global war on terror -- keeping them off the streets, and so that's what's taking place.''

My question, Rummy, is this:

If they are guilty, why would they be let out if tried?

Could he be implying that this government knows that it has wrongly imprisoned people and yet is willing to leave them to rot indefinitely rather than admit a mistake? Hmmmm…

~a reader from KS

Subj: Your articles are so good, especially the interview with Paul Krugman

Dear BuzzFlash,

He did say there was no economic policy. Isn't the hidden agenda of this Administration an economic policy to make the public sector go broke, thus justify the transfer of money and power to the corporate sector of the government. Or in other words, to transfer money and power from the public domain to the private domain.

One example our treasury is being looted for the war and reconstruction in Iraq. The corporate sector is benefiting from oil rights and reconstruction contract, weary taxpayers are going broke along with our states, communities and institutions.

Another, GMO's are being subsidized from our treasury at all stages of development from research, production, promotion and all the way to sales. The corporate sector represented by Monsanto is working for a a gag order to prevent labeling to support a monopoly because the majority of taxpayers of the nation and world do not want them. We are paying and the corporation is benefiting.

There obviously is an economic policy, part of a hidden agenda..

Could it possibly be if a Weimar type situation is to be created, the vacuum will be filled by the corporate domain thus replacing a peaceful transfer from the public to the private domain. This is a theft of America. Why are we so apathetic, why is it peaceful?

Thank you for all of your valuable information. Its so relevant that it's scary.

Deana Jewett
Ft Myers, FL.

Subj: Well, if BRITTANY SPEARS says so...

Caught this on MSN/Newsweek's web site, when will this B.S. end?

An Excerpt:

Time for a New Patriotism?
True loyalty to country is about more than saluting. A case for redefining the concept

By Jonathan Alter

NEWSWEEK

Sept. 15 issue —Britney Spears, best known recently for a lip lock with Madonna, is hardly an authority on the political ramifications of September 11. But Spears has a bankable feel for the popular pulse, and her comments last week reflected a good chunk of public opinion on the subject of patriotism: "I think we should just trust the president in every decision he makes," she told CNN, "and we should just support that, and be faithful in what happens."

Oh, fur sure fur sure! Like oh ma gawd!

Is it really plausible that people can be THIS stupid?

http://www.msnbc.com/news/962958.asp

must...vomit...now,

Al Baars
Rubicon, WI

Subj: Sept. 11 victims have been dishonored

BuzzFlash,

Just a little note to congratulate O. Ricardo Pimentel for his article on the Arizona Republic

On this second anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorism attack, it's clear that President Bush has ill-served its victims. 9/12

which takes courage to do in these times in which those of us that question the actions of the so called leaders of our beloved country are tagged as traitors, un-patriotic and anti-American.

There are many questions to be answered by our politicians, regardless of party affiliation, let us never forget that those are supposed to represent us, WE, THE PEOPLE, therefore, they must answer to US.

Hope that the families and friends of the victims of September 11, 2001 will find the boldness of not allowing the politicians to, once again, hijack their tragedy, grief and suffering for their own personal agendas without answering the basic questions to those directly affected by this catastrophe.

Definitely, it was a security failure, but no politician, agency or organization has been reprimanded for it or has accepted its failure. The families and friends of those that died deserve to know, as well, as all taxpayers, if the cost of maintaining them in their positions unaccountable is worthwhile or it is detrimental to all. I hope their demands will help those that were killed finally be able to rest in PEACE. They can be certain of one thing, that the people who dearly and truly love our great country will totally support them in their efforts.

A BuzzFlash Admirer

Subj: NY Daily News - front - Rush & Molloy: B.Lo nuptials off, not B.Lo nuzzling

Buzz,

By using the "WAR ON TERROR" as a backdrop, Ashcroft attacked the Internet looking for terrorists. According to a gossip story in today's NT Daily News [LINK] , the best he's done thus far is jail that 65 year old Emperor of Terror, Tommy Chong, for selling bongs and rolling papers. Chong, of Cheech & Chong fame, will be behind bars in a Federal prison for 9 months. No one knows if possession of matches and/or lighters will garner a longer sentence for other terrorists hiding out across America.

I guess we'll all sleep better knowing our safety has once again been insured by our hero, Johnny "Ban the Bong" Ashcroft.

Jack Ballinger
Brooklyn, NY

=====

(From story near end of column: Tommy Chong, who went to the bank with his "Cheech and Chong" stoner routines and, later, movies, is now going to jail. The 65-year-old comic was sentenced yesterday in Pittsburgh to nine months in federal prison and fined $20,000 for selling bongs and other drug paraphernalia over the Internet...)

Dear BuzzFlash,

Many thanks for your desperately needed work, and vitally important viewpoints.

Regarding your valuable compilation, titled:

9/11: Bush Knew

A collection of compelling articles, which refute, or, at the very least, call into question, the assertions that Bush and his administration had no prior knowledge of events that would lead to the 9-11 tragedy.

I assume that you are already working to actively and widely share the above with the effected 9-11 families, and all involved with the "so-called" independent investigation of 9-11--with an eye toward transforming your work into the much-needed change it implies--indeed, begs for..

No?

Investigation, critical reflection, and publication--no matter how professional, hard-hitting, and widespread, usually result in little value to the public, without subsequent, systematic, and sustained advocacy to transform it all into its indicated policy reforms.

It seems to me you understand that--and, indeed, live it.

Best wishes for your abundant success, at sustained exposure, advocacy, and realization of reforms that are now so critical to the well-being of so many worldwide.

Sincerely,

Tom Foote