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October 23, 2003 |
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Subj: The Rumsfeld Memo BuzzFlash:Can you please stop touting the Rumsfeld memo at face value and look at is as the propaganda it is? This was not a leaked memo. It is written to imply failure and point fingers at a vaporous "system" that is holding back the righteous war of retribution upon the terrorists by creating fast attack units. By touting this propaganda as evidence of the failure for the Bush Administration to take down terrorism is short sighted and you might dislocate your shoulder trying to pat yourself on your collective backs. There is just enough "now" action in the memo to fully titillate opponents to view this letter as a voyeuristic win. Americans, and just humans in general, love to read private memo's and email that vindicate their positions, and I'm afraid you've been sucked into that exact psychological warfare that is occurring. Of course, Rumsfeld is showing that when attacked by his own people, he will retaliate in just this way. Be prepared for more "leaked" memo's. Jay in Idaho Subj: The Last Line in USA Today I loved the last line in the USA today article about the Rumsfeld memo. And it was just a line thrown in to fill out the paragraph with something that sounded like a fact.
Ashcroft's actual job, again? Oversee the prosecution of criminal cases for which the United States government has jurisdiction. Nothing about "capturing" or "killing" anyone at all in there, is there? I intend to contact my Senators and Representative from Oregon and object to this intrusion of the Attorney General into defense and foreign policy matters. Thanks to BuzzFlash for bringing this article to my attention. Duane Kilian Subj: Rush was Right? Rush was High You might be interested in the arguments embedded below...it's what I sent to the Clear Channel chairman you referenced:
Subj: No Child Left Behind...From Iraq??? Hi BuzzFlash... Apparently, the national Do Not Call doesn't apply to the U.S. Military. Last night, our 17-year-old daughter received a call from an Army recruiter. We have no idea how the Army got the name and number of our still-underage child, as we signed a form specifically preventing her school from furnishing her information to the armed forces (as required by the "No Child Left Behind" act). Our daughter told the recruiter in no uncertain terms that she has no interest in joining the Army. But like any good telemarketer, he refused to take "no" for an answer. And since the caller was representing the U.S. Military, not Sprint or Verizon or MCI, our daughter didn't feel comfortable hanging up on him. Instead, she answered his questions regarding her height and weight and age and future plans. Then the recruiter tried to set up a time to COME TO OUR HOME to meet with our daughter, despite her continued protests that she was not going to join the Army. When she wouldn't commit to a time, he insisted he would simply "stop by" to "drop off some literature" some time this week. Now our daughter is afraid to come home, and we don't blame her. If a couple of men in full uniform show up at our door, who knows what they might be able to pressure a 17-year-old into committing to -- especially if her parents aren't home at the time? We realize that thanks to recent revelations and allegations, our military may have some trouble attracting new recruits. But does that give them the right to track down, call and hard-sell our children? We hate to imagine what our leaders will do next. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Article Limbaugh/Sentences and Its Mention of Boycott The article Rush Limbaugh vs. Oxycontin Sentences of nerdeaux from "idyho" made the Google news search (for Rush Limbaugh). Regarding his idea to boycott Limbaugh's sponsors, there is an organized effort under way, and you can find out more about it at: http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/2003/10/433.php Please remember to remove Red Lobster from the list. I got the following reply from them, which shows that the boycott does work:
Clayton Subj: CIA operative Plame I don't see any news coverage of the leak to Novak who outed a CIA operative. Has the WH already pushed that under the rug? Why can't some stories stay in the headlines? Just because we are silent doesn't mean that we have forgotten. Jeff Morgan Re: Rush Limbaugh's Oxycontin Problem: We've heard about how Rush ordered enough Oxycontin to "kill an elephant." But Rush didn't die and he is no longer as large as an elephant. Thus, isn't it time we had some concern not for "Rush the Abuser" but concern for "Rush the DEALER?" A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Rush Limbaugh vs. Oxycontin Sentences I've slogged through the Florida drug statutes, and here's what I've found: OxyContin (oxycodone) can be either a Schedule II or Schedule III Controlled Substance, depending on the dosage and concentration (Swihart v Florida, 1999 Fla.Sup.Ct. Case No. 94,677). Purchasing a Schedule II drug is a 2nd degree felony, with a fine of up to $10,000 and a maximum sentence of 15 years, while purchasing a Schedule III drug is a 3rd degree felony, punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to 5 years in jail. Possession of any controlled substance is a 3rd degree felony; acquiring a controlled substance through fraud or misrepresentation (like, say, getting your maid to go out and get you prescription drugs that you don't have a prescription for) is also a 3rd degree felony ($5,000 fine and 5 years maximum). It should be noted that the sentences are applicable to each instance of the felony. Every time someone buys a drug illegally, they are committing a crime; so "thousands of pills" over many years... Rush could theoretically be put away for the rest of his natural life. The applicable statutes are 893.03 (definitions of Controlled Substances and Schedules), 893.13 (definitions of what felony classes each crime falls into) and 775.082 (sentencing). Florida statutes can be found at http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/ I have no idea what the average sentence is in the real world, as opposed to what is legislated. I'll leave that to someone else to research. Lisa Cech Subj: Demonstration in DC, Oct. 25 Hi BuzzFlash, Can you run a headline story about the massive demonstration in DC this Saturday, Oct. 25? With the news on the CNN and MSNBC websites today about Rumsfeld's memo admitting problems in Iraq; the increased attacks against Americans--now 20-25 per day; the story that Israel will defy the UN resolution against the Wall; the news about Lt.General Boykin's anti-Islamic comments; etc., etc., it is a good time to publicize the demonstration and encourage anyone within range to go to DC this Saturday. We heard last week that more than 135 cities will send buses--including Louisville Ky--and we hope the crowd is massive and loud. No doubt there are people unaware of this event and others who have not yet decided to go. Please help spread the word. See you in DC. Judy Munro-Leighton Subj: Voting Machines and Fraudulent elections. BuzzFlash: Having read the article from the UK, "All the president's votes" I'm actually terrified! Amazingly, we're in real danger of having the election stolen by virtue of the Diebold touch-screen voting machines and the Company links to the Republican Party. Are any of the Democratic candidates aware of this? What can we do about it? The citizens of Georgia have already been dis-enfranchised! Larry Subj: Location of Shrub's "ranch" Thanks, H. Russell, for pointing out the photo-op nature of Shrub's piece of desert. I wonder if some Texas reader knows the boundary between Crawford and Waco well enough to say whether Shrub isn't actually in west Waco, which surely his handlers would have finessed into Crawford to avoid the obvious jokes? A BuzzFlash Reader far from Texas Subj: Being on the Same Page Having 9-10 candidates for President means that those running must point out the differences between themselves and their opponents. But I also think it is important for them to find common ground as to what is wrong with Bush and to articulate that message to the American public. Why can't they take a unified position on certain issues that they can agree upon, such as the need for an independent counsel, the non-existence of WMDs based upon the Kay report, and the scandal of the non-bid contracts to Cheney's Halliburton, and repeat the message daily so that these issues get on the daily news. The goal is to beat Bush, and I think they should all agree that in order for anyone of them to do it, they must speak out against Bush on these important issues rather than just attack one another. Steve McGarett from Hawaii. Subj: Muslim-Americans are per se "a danger to our nation"? Not only is the religious right defending General "My God is bigger than your God" Boykin in today's release, but they seem to be suggesting that Muslim-Americans are per se a "danger to our nation" and that the US government should per se suspect Muslim-Americans of being fifth columnists for Al-Qaeda. Note the phrasing they use in the third sentence - they don't say the Muslim-American chaplains who are proven spies are a danger, they say that Muslim chaplains are per se a danger to our nation simply because they're Muslim. Someone needs to force Bush to repudiate these folks, now. JOHN
[BuzzFlash Note: It's stuff like this that makes us want the Family Research Council to shut up and crawl back under their rock.] Subj: Rummy's Job Application As other readers have noted, the leaked Rumsfeld "memo" seems a curious piece of work. I think his "do we need a new organization?" reveals its purpose. Bush has already created the largest federal bureaucracy in history, why not another --- a "Dept.of Homeland Defense" with you-know-who in charge? A Dept. that "seamlessly focuses the capabilities of several departments and agencies" (just like the Dept. of Homeland Security) and is capable of making those missing "truly bold moves" in the war on terrorism. I think this leaked "memo" is Rummy's description of his dream job. Albert Clark, NY Subj: Mailbag: Oxycontin Sentences Buzz, Thanks! - I felt that others might find it interesting, too. I thought it rather "odd" that law enforcement didn't see fit to obtain any hard evidence (pills) needed to press charges, even though they knew about his activities for several months in advance of the story breaking. Their statement was "We wanted to go after the suppliers, not the users" - HAH!!! They already knew who Rush's supplier was - his housekeeper! And, her supplier, too - although there is some controversy about this, Louis and Gloria Beshara were arrested in May. They had plenty of time to raid Rush's home or office, or to catch him red-handed during one of the illegal exchanges (to obtain the necessary evidence). When did their policy change?? Ask the 1.2 million already in prison for drug-related crimes about that!! They ALWAYS round up the whole bunch, hoping that one will rat on the other (in exchange for a lesser sentence), or to make a "tighter" case, and to make even larger headlines, in "Winning the War on Drugs". Why haven't we heard one word about Rush's "criminal activity" from Dubya, Ashcroft, "Drug Czar" Walters (Office of National Drug Policy), FBI Director Mueller, the new DEA Administrator Karen Tandy, Florida's Attorney General Charlie Crist, State Attorney Barry Krischer, nor Palm Beach County Sheriff Edward Bieluch? Some of us are just created a bit more "equal" than others, I suppose. nerdeaux in Idyho re: the rush drug sentence comparison discussion Regarding the comparison of average oxycontin possession charges vs. what Rush is likely to get, just look back at two crack cocaine cases for comparison: Washington, DC mayor Marion Barry received six months in jail for his first offense, which was a complete setup by the police. Governor Bush's daughter (President Bush's niece) was given 10 days when she was caught with crack while in rehabilitation! Gimme a break. Jim Subj: trying hard to fool all of the people all of the time Dear BuzzFlash: Did you catch the NPR interview with Deborah Amos this morning (10.22) on how it's become more difficult to report on what's happening in Iraq, especially if the information isn't favorable to the US effort? Reporters can no longer simply walk in to hospitals, talk to Iraqi officials, talk to soldiers-- they have to get special permission from coalition forces. It is impossible to get an official number of soldiers who are wounded unless the wounding occurs when soldiers are also killed. Amos mentioned an absurd remark by Don Evans urging journalists to report on "what they *really* are seeing." Like they've been holding out on us. Things are especially difficult for television reporters when they get to the scene of an attack-- they have had been held in detention or had their tapes taken away. (Betcha Dubya hid his reports cards from mom and dad....) Surely the journalists must be apoplectic with rage? Or am I naive to think so? You can listen here: http://www.npr.org/rundowns/segment.php?wfId=1474631 Shannon in Lexington ps Bob Edward's introduction referred to an article in this week's Newsweek about the deterioration of relations between the press and the Bush administration. I imagine you folks will post it soon. Subj: Rush Spin "Prescription pain killers" vs "illegal pharmaceutical drugs" I think it is hilarious how the soft pedaling on Rush Limbaugh's drug addiction is presented by the mainstream media when they refer to his fix as " prescription pain killers". It's almost like his little helpers are OK because they were prescribed once by a nice doctor and are manufactured by a corporate giant drug company. In reality they are " illegal pharmaceutical drugs" and most people go to jail for purchasing illegally that quantity of drugs. Does anyone know the Vegas Line odds on jail or no jail for Ditto Oxycontin brain Limbaugh? Black Dog in Idaho Hi Buzz,
My breakfast almost came up when I read this one. As if I'm not depressed enough. It's going to be all Arnold all the time. They sure cleared everything else off the front page, but it will come back to haunt them. Anyway, I wrote the following letter to the NY Times, which I'm sure they won't print. But boy, do I need to vent. Keep on keeping us informed (no matter how painful it is to read sometimes).
Barbara in NYC P.S. Thanks to all of you in California who tried so hard not to let this happen. Subj: The FCC Vote The Wash. Post has done it again. I found this note on page E2 of the 10/22 business section:
Why wasn't this on the front page or at least in the main section? Do we think he got orders from George Bush, Tom Delay or Karl Rove (or all three)? Harold Martin Subj: Rush If you want irony, check the sentence Tommy Chong is serving for selling bongs and wait to see what Rush gets for megaOxycontin abuse. Every reader needs to email Ashcroft to keep a close eye on the Rush case because he wants standard sentences for the same or similar crime. Want to bet Ashcroft won't touch Rush? A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Gene Lyons Buzz, Gene Lyons is correct when he says that the Democrats don't have a hope of winning in 2004 if they don't immediately develop a Rapid Response apparatus to counter the flood of election lies that is about to be unleashed. That will be the make it or break it move. Can we get some type of massive email/publicity campaign going? Which group do we target to do this? How do we contact them? With a list of well-informed regulars (a couple of Senators and members of Congress for each topic) who can immediately be called to be on camera with a response it would correct a lot of right wing propaganda before it takes hold. I saw excerpts from Cheney's speech before the Heritage foundation and it was followed by.........nothing. The errors went unchallenged. The media doesn't feel it's their role and won't say anything, but they might welcome an official source who makes a public statement immediately. Let's get this thing going before it's too late. It should be a standing shadow government thing that already exists. Bob McDonald Tom Delay is another example of people that should be thrown out of office, and not placed in any leadership position. Seeing him gives me a bad taste in my mouth. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: "U.S. Officials say 9/11 Mastermind Killed Pearl" BuzzFlash is right to denounce the shameful bit of CNN "repeating": " U.S. Officials say 9/11 Mastermind Killed Pearl" (CNN 10/20/03) It would be a triumph for the administration to be instrumental in bringing the murderer of Daniel Pearl to justice. But if you can't actually capture the killer, you can always say the killer is someone you've already captured. A compliant press will obediently relate that you "declined" to offer a shred of proof that what you claim is true. They will ask no questions when you say that while you are, of course, "convinced" that he is the killer, you will nevertheless not be prosecuting "anytime real soon." There doesn't seem to me to be a significant difference between this CNN "report" and a report of, say, a UFO sighting --- except, perhaps, that in the case of the latter at least one witness is available to give corroborative testimony. Albert Clark, NY Subj: Colorful Money I realize this doesn't have a lot to do with the regular theme of BuzzFlash but it does follow the inane waste of money that this administration considers allowable. Someone in this poor excuse for a government has seen fit to expend 33 million more dollars that we don’t have to promote our new $20 dollar bills. Does the govt. really think that the general public can't figure out what to do with money? Do they really think we are that stupid (don't answer that). Having been out of work for longer than I care to think about thanks in no small measure to Gee Dubya and his crew, if someone would like to give me a couple of stacks of this new currency, I'd be more than happy to show them I know what to do with it. Like paying off some of the debt I now find myself in!! Holy Shit, how stupid are these people anyway? John Subj: Anne Coulter ( or is it Arnie Coulter) I wrote BuzzFlash last year to ask if anyone else noticed the "manly" look of Ann Coulter. Apparently cartoonist Aaron Magruder has also noticed. In a current cartoon he asks if Coulter is a man. Previously I asked if anyone knew about her childhood....or from whence did this wench originate? It's not just the Adam's apple. It's her whole appearance. There's something unseemly ( Stepford husbandly ?) about the woman. I really think it's more than the fact that she/he is totally evil. The lies fall from her/his lips too easily. The smirk is too natural. Could she/he be Dumbya's evil fraternal twin?.....Well...Halloween IS next week (smile). And as BuzzFlash writers and readers often say: I'M JUST ASKING! Dee Turner Subj: Just send them home!
Nate Subj: Barbara Bush I am just more than a little sick of Barbara Bush's beautiful mind! Why indeed, should she bother with body bags coming into Dover or Walter Reed Army Hospital... or in fact, why should she worry about the conditions at Ft. Stewart In Georgia....she has never had to worry about anything like that...her chickenhawk sons have never, nor will they ever have to concern their little pea sized brains with fighting a war...they, sons and father just make them! They love to see their constituents fight, just so they do not have to, nor their worthless children! Those of us, who have lost a relative in the war In VietNam...where the chickenhawk rightwingnuts evaded, any way they could, it makes us detest them more, if that is possible. And, then Chickenhawk George W., and his little war in Iraq (no reason) just wanna be a Big Man!!! Well, my 19 year old granddaughter is there...and even if she is alive and well at this moment.....I am sure they suffer for home, and good food, and plenty of water...and comfort when they sleep. Even they do not have it like the poor soldiers in Ft. Stewart, Ga. Can any of us, imagine Not being in war and having to live in those conditions!? Getting up on your crutches, walking the the outside latrine, to go to the bathroom??? It is actually third world!!!! Well, Barbara and your beautiful mind, and your oil rich relatives and your Carlyle executive hubby..will have to pay somewhere down the line....it will come, dear...and I hope when it does, your mind stays beautiful, because, it is not now! Does anyone have an e-mail address for this depraved woman??? Shirley...............St. Louis Subj: Books I went into my local Barnes and Noble today...first time in a long time...and was pleased to note that of the four non-fiction bestsellers on the front...there were "Bushwhacked"...."Lies and the lying liars who tell them" and "Dude, where is my country" ..I didn't even have to ask...and I looked at all...so I could make sure that someone knew. There was a good supply, too, so they must be selling. The NYT still has Franken above O'reilly...Whooooooooopppppppppeeeeeeeeee!!!!! Shirley..............St.Louis Subj: Treasury Secretary: Economy Is Improving The secretary contended that without the latest round of tax cuts "the unemployment rate would have been nearly 1 percent higher" and "as many as 1.5 million fewer Americans would be working." In September, the nation's unemployment held steady at 6.1 percent as the economy added jobs. http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Business/ap20031022_1131.html In classic Bush cartel fashion, the lies have now changed from "The Bush tax cut will create jobs" to "The Bush tax cuts have prevented more jobs lost". These people are shameless liars. Geoff Subj: War Profiteers - Halliburton Saw this at the BBC's website tonight...
How unpatriotic can you get? David Baal Subj: Black Commentator's Janice Rogers Brown cartoon rocks senate
The cartoon: [LINK] A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: electoral strategy - Lyons interview Great interview. But here's a detail that may prove crucial... You said: "...if the Democratic candidate wins every state that Gore won, all the Democrats have to do is just pick off one more, whether it's Arkansas or West Virginia, and the Democrats take the White House." That's not exactly true. After the 2000 Census, some "red states" actually gained a few more electoral votes while some of Gore's blue states lost a few. The net result is, if Bush won the same states he won in 2000, he'd have 7 MORE electoral votes than he had before. So winning New Hampshire's 4 votes, or Arkansas' 6 votes, or West Virginia's 5 votes - it won't matter - the Dems will still be short of the 270 needed. The Dems will need to pick up TWO new states, or a biggie like Ohio or Florida, which incidentally is now worth 27 votes, not 25. A complete chart of gains & losses is available at: http://www.northernnevadafordean.com/electoral_shift.htm Keep up the great work! Dave Jahns Note to Peggy Noonan: "War Hero" George W. Bush was an AWOL for the last year of his service. The Boston Globe reported the story on 5/23/2000 (since removed from the site, but I have the cached version, so it CAN be obtained). Also, www.awolbush.com goes into detail. Bush REFUSES to release his military records (unlike Kerry, Gore, Clark and actual non-AWOL people who have served). I have had news people tell me that since it was so long ago, it doesn't matter, but IT DOES, as our soldiers are STILL BEING KILLED EACH DAY, even though Bush declared "Mission Accomplished" on May 1 in San Diego. If indeed he WAS AWOL (as evidence seems to point to), we have AN AWOL COWARD sending our soldiers to their deaths, and Dick Cheney with 5 draft deferments, John Ashcroft, Rush Limbaugh ALL draft-dodgers (if judged by standards of Clinton). REAL MEN aren't AWOL COWARDS, sending our fine young men to their deaths, after lying about WMD's. Sincerely, Arn Gunnutes P.S. Your quote: "He reminded us through his leadership that our principles are worth fighting for, and dying for." Sure, HE might have been derelict of duty, but it's no problem to send SOMEONE ELSE to die. P.S. In case you missed it the first time, Bush was an AWOL COWARD. A reply I sent to a DNC email: I believe that George W. Bush is an evil man, that he should be impeached by the Congress on grounds of treason against America. I further believe that he and his entire administration are guilty of war crimes for their illegal invasion of the sovereign nation of Iraq and that they should be indicted, tried and convicted by the International Court for their crimes against the Iraqi people. I believe that George W. Bush is not the legitimate President and that the decision by the Supreme Court in Bush Vrs. Gore was unconstitutional and therefore illegal. I seriously believe that if Bush is allowed to steal the 2004 Presidential Election it will mean the end to every value that makes America America. Given all the above concerns I still CAN NOT support the Democratic National Committee or the Democratic Party because I believe both have deserted the American people. However, I can and will support both General Wesley Clark and Dr. Howard Dean in their bids for the Presidency but I will support them directly through their campaigns NOT through the Democratic National Committee or the Democratic Party. Cary Dilloway Subj: Is It Just Me? Dear BuzzFlash, When I read about Bush's response to heckling during his speech to the Australian Parliament and other times he's been heckled, he likes to respond with his disingenuous smile saying, "I love free speech". It appears to me that he is mocking one of our most precious rights. To make light of people's heart felt concerns over life and death issues with that kind of response is sickening to me. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Babs bush: diss my kid and you're dead/Larry King Live Dear Buzz, Things that make you go hmmmmmm...
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