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November 20, 2003 |
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Important Note: Because we can't always determine your intentions, we need to ask a favor of you when you send us email. If you DO NOT WANT YOUR EMAIL PUBLISHED in the Mailbag or in the Contributors section, please write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the Subject line or at the top of your email. That way we'll know it's just a comment to BuzzFlash. Additionally, if you submit a mailbag item and DO NOT WANT YOUR NAME associated with your submission, sign your email, "A BuzzFlash Reader." If you send email unsigned, we will post your name with your submission, or, if that's not available, your email name (not the full address, just what's on the left side of the email address). Please try and keep your word count under 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: Ashcroft's claims about the Patriot Act and libraries Dear BuzzFlash,Librarians have been at the forefront in voicing opposition to the Patriot Act. A while back, our illustrious A.G. said that librarians were being "hysterical" about the Patriot Act. He is also on record as saying that said act has never been used to collect information about library patrons. You might be interested in the following link: http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/gslis/research/finalresults.pdf It shows the results of a survey done by the Library Research Center at the University of Illinois library school. It indicates that many libraries have been contacted and that some are reluctant to answer questions about it. Perhaps in a strictly technical sense, the Patriot Act has not been specifically invoked, but the FBI and others are certainly poking around. Also, here is a link to an excellent column in this morning's Las Vegas Review-Journal by Steve Sebelius, one of our local columnists: And finally, an article about a homeowners' association's bank demanding personal information from volunteer board members, citing the Patriot Act. The board refused: Keep up the good work, Timothy Skeers Subj: Conspiracies Dear BuzzFlash Maureen Farrell's article [http://www.BuzzFlash.com/farrell/03/11/far03002.html] spoke about the JFK-9/11 thread that runs through our official history. It reminded me of what I heard on TV a few days ago: the number one criminal charge advanced in the United States is "Conspiracy to..." commit murder, fraud, theft, smuggling, concealment, etc. etc. Conspiracies are happening all the time. But we're supposed to believe that people who've devoted their life to getting ever-more power and wealth would never stoop to such a thing to increase their position! Hilarious. Anyone know any "Coincidence Theorists" I can sell my Death Valley Ski Resort to? Jim P Subj: Seniors Stabbed in the Back by AARP Hi Buzz! I hope BuzzFlash will set up a site to be posted on the Buzz Flash Main Page letting Seniors who are members of AARP sound off about AARP not representing their views. I am a member of AARP and I am in a state of shock at how AARP has stabbed all of the AARP members in the back by pretending that AARP represents all of the Seniors in the USA by AARP throwing their support behind the proposed RIP-OFF Prescription Coverage Plan the EVIL Republicans have come up with which will cost seniors even more money and will help destroy Medicare and Social Security both. That rip-off proposed Prescription Plan is going to cause millions of seniors to die because they cannot afford the cost of the plan and the cost of the medicines. Face It-------Bush and his WAR PROFITEERING cronies stole the money for the Prescription Coverage Plan----and lots of the weenie, back-bone-less Democrats in Washington helped them do it. Plus, Bush and his cronies are trying to completely destroy both Medicare and Social Security. Poor Old people of the USA will be dying in the streets when this happens. Is it going to take a REVOLUTION to get rid of Bush and his EVIL, War Profiteering Republican cronies?????? God knows the USA desperately needs another Roosevelt, Kennedy or LBJ at this moment in history. They are the three Decent Democrats who fought for programs for the ordinary working man and woman in the USA----and saw to it those programs were passed. AARP is apparently owned by the Republican Party just like the "Harry and Louise commercials" were owned by the Republican Party----- and lots of DUMB people in the USA let those Harry and Louise commercials on TV scare them and persuade them to vote against their own best interests. Our country desperately needs a one payer National Health Care & Prescription Plan and coverage for ALL citizens of the USA to be Administered through the Government, with no insurance company middle men ripping off our country to the tune of billions of dollars every year like they are now doing. National Healthcare and Prescription Care should be administered by the Government along with Social Security and Medicare and should cover all citizens of the USA. I am praying for a MIRACLE-----a Decent REAL Democrat who has a back bone to become President of the USA in 2004-----who has not already sold out to the Insurance Industry and the Pharmaceutical Industry. We have to make sure that a law is passed REAL SOON that ALL of the electronic voting machines have to have a PAPER TRAIL in order to win back the Presidency----- because the companies that own the electronic voting machines are all EVIL Republicans. CAH-----A REAL TEXAN Who is a PROUD REAL DEMOCRAT Subj: Please link the outrageous LA Times editorial on the 9/11commission's deal. Dear Buzz, Have you seen the outrageous editorial in the Los Angeles Times on the 9/11 commission's deal? What boot lickers! They failed to mention that the White House will censor the any presidential daily briefs it allows the two commissioners to peak at. RA in LA * * *
Subj: AARP Members Revolt Please get the word out, that AARP members are revolting in large numbers and canceling their memberships because of the endorsement of the GOP led Rx Drug Bill for Medicare! Thanks, Marrell Subj: A U.S. General Speeds the Shift in an Iraqi City SNIP...
Chewgababy African Leaders Still Treating Clinton As President NAIROBI, KENYA—Kenyan President Emilio Mwai Kibaki said Monday that his country continues to enjoy excellent diplomatic relations with former U.S. President Bill Clinton. "I have always enjoyed working with Mr. Clinton, and the recent international Agricultural Development Conference was no exception," Kibaki said. "And I know that [Democratic Republic of the Congo President] Joseph Kabila enjoyed meeting with him to secure an American commitment for humanitarian aid, as well." Kibaki said that none of the leaders have anything in particular against President Bush, but added that all the same, they'd rather stick with Clinton. Sent to: John Walcott <jwalcott@krwashington.com>; Robert Rankin <rrankin@krwashington.com>: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 Biased Reporting by Knight Ridder Political Editor Robert Rankin Dear Mister Walcott, In the October 14th San Jose Mercury News there appeared a purported 'news' story titled "Kucinich Officially in Presidential Race", ostensibly written by a Knight Ridder reporter by the name of Carl Chancellor. In the middle of this article was the line, "Kucinich barely registers in most opinion polls and he holds no realistic chance of winning the party's presidential nomination". Several Kucinich supporters, myself included, found this line to be totally inappropriate for the body of a 'news' article. Research revealed that this opinion stated as 'fact' was not even written by Mister Chancellor, but rather by the Knight Ridder Washington Bureau Political Editor, one Robert Rankin. I spoke to Mister Rankin on the phone several days after October 14th and suggested that his *opinions* regarding the candidacy of Dennis J. Kucinich belong on the Editorial Page, not in the body of a 'news' story. Mister Rankin snapped at me that this was not just his opinion, but the opinion of *every* political pundit, and that this makes it a 'fact'. Mister Walcott, i hope you can appreciate the problem with this assertion and the serious issues it raises regarding Mister Rankin's ability to do his job. If Mister Rankin decides the Earth is flat and he finds several "flat Earth" pundits to agree with him, that doesn't mean the Earth is flat. The same applies to Congressman Kucinich's chances of winning the Democratic Presidential nomination, Mister Rankin's opinions are not fact -- as much as he'd like to think they are -- and should not be reported as such. As an ardent Kucinich supporter and member of a Citizen Media Watch Group, i'd like to hear from you as to how you intend to see that this situation is rectified. I have three suggestions: one, i think that Mister Rankin should be reprimanded for this egregious breach of the public trust; two, i would hope that you will advise Mister Rankin to refrain from inserting his opinions into news articles in the future; and three, to compensate for the damage this remark has had on the Kucinich campaign, i would like to see Knight Ridder lift the media blackout on the campaign of Congressman Kucinich and do a fair and balanced story about this extraordinary man and his vision for this country and the world. I await your reply. In Peace, Dennis Mitrzyk Subj: Who will have benefited from Bush's war with Iraq? America out of Iraq by June, who will have benefited? In his farewell to the Nation speech, January 17, 1961, President (and General) Dwight D. Eisenhower warned America against what he called the military-industrial complex with these words: "In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist". That was 1961; now move forward to the present. According to a report by the CIA station chief in Iraq, the Iraqi Governing Council (the puppet government installed by the Bush administration) has virtually no popular support. At the same time, Bush has set a June, 2004 date to end the American occupation of Iraq (he knows he can't have American soldiers dying too close to the election). Also, because of Iraqi resistance, political military forces have been approved to protect the puppet government. Hmmm, let's see. After June, a non-elected, non-democratic government maintaining power by political military force will control Iraq. Well what do you know? That will be exactly the same as under Saddam Hussein! So why did America invade Iraq? What difference will it have made? The difference will be that over four hundred Americans and many allied Soldiers have died (as of 11/19/2003 when this was written, many more will die by June), thousands of Iraq's, mostly innocent civilians have died (as of 11/19/2003 when this was written, many more will die by June), and Baghdad and other cities in Iraq have been destroyed. And all this paid (to the military) by American taxpayers to the tune of the largest deficit in America's history. And of course, the American taxpayers will pay (industries that contributed to Bush) for the rebuilding of Iraq. The results of Bush’s war: Iraq will not be a democracy, America will have its largest deficit ever and many thousands of American soldiers and innocent people will have died. While it seems the war will have been a gross, deadly and costly mistake, for Bush and his employer, the military-industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned America against, it will have been a small and acceptable price to pay considering their objectives will have been accomplished, they will control Iraqi oil and they will have made and continue to make billions of dollars in profits. John Andersen Subj: AARP and Medicare Dear BuzzFlash, I have an 80-year-old family member on Medicaid and a medicaid supplementary insurance. She pays around $50.00 a month for her medicaid insurance and another $52.00 per month on her supplementary insurance. She recently underwent an outpatient surgical procedure that was billed at $900.00. Medicaid paid $90.00 and her supplementary insurance paid nothing. She pays $15.00/month for her prescription benefit. As far as we can see, so far, her benefits will not improve, her monthly payments will increase, and her prescription benefit will now cost her $35.00/month. I am personally not insured, but I have Blue Cross for my son, which routinely said no to every claim that has been submitted over the past two years. Now here's the rub...Private Insurance has no requirement to cover anybody, has the right to set premiums wherever they please, and refuse to cover whatever they deem unnecessary. They can simply skim off the top, all the relatively healthy seniors, and leave all the rest to be covered by what..? a non-existent Medicaid/Medicare. And now AARP is set to run $7 Million worth of advertising to sway their reluctant members.... Here is my question... Everybody else is still reading the bill and interpreting the mammoth dialogue and AARP already has their advertising campaign ready for air time.. Day before yesterday AARP said that they had NOT determined whether they would back the bill or not, yet today they have the advertising campaign ready for airtime and the budget in place to run these ads over the next THREE DAYS...! And now you tell me that the head of AARP wrote the preface for Gingrich's book...and I'm a kook if I see a conspiracy here..???? Whew...where does it stop...or does it....Pray for a change next November... Geoff H. Austin, TX. Subj: Iraq/911 connection I was listening to Sean Hannity (another one of the Bush willing propagandists) talking about the same thing on his NY radio show yesterday (11/18) (I rarely, if ever, listen to him but I just happened to have the radio tuned to his station). I couldn't believe what I was hearing! I, too, thought this was over and done with. I guess they know that the majority of the people won't remember that he said there was no connection. Diane Subject: Bloody Bush's British Evasion During Bush's entire speech to the Brits he never once mentioned the ever elusive weapons of mass destruction which were his and Blair's springboard for jumping into Iraq. He did though deride the United Nations for not having the whether-with-all to uphold their very own resolutions, pointing out that the UN faced irrelevance by not acting on their very own demands. If I remember correctly, the UN was taking action. A team of inspectors were given a free hand in visiting any location of their choosing (or ours). They were dismantling rockets that barely exceeded the distance limits imposed on Iraq. They were securing access to scientists. But unfortunately, their timetable didn't fit into Cheney's weather restrictions as to when the war had to move forward. On resolution 1441, if Saddam Hussein did not have any WMD's then wasn't the entire basis for the resolution a ruse? Today Bush alluded to Saddam's choice of not proving the unprovable by showing what happened to the weapons that he no longer possessed. Of course you'd have to forget that every time it looked like an impasse based on cooperation was going to be reached Bush, Rice, and Powell marched out and said it was regime change and not adhering the UN resolution as the only event that would avoid war. There obviously was a grander scheme all along. Cheney now crows that the unfriendly factions out there no longer view us as being weak. Again I disrespectfully disagree with our anti-social usurper in veep, now the rest of the world only thinks that we weak but also feel that we are reckless fools. YT Cai Subj: Novelli Why are we just finding out NOW about Novelli's ties to the GOP? I am sure that the AARP constituency is going to be shocked to find out that their ADVOCACY group policy is run by the most least trusted enemies to to our seniors, the GOP! I am shocked and I will tell all of those without access to a computer about this terrible health plan as the news media will filter out the bad, while praising Bush. Any plan put forward by the GOP will surely be a BAD plan for America's seniors. The old folks are just another group that they need to fool into thinking this is a great deal for them, while in reality it will line the pockets of the drug companies and other Bush supporters. Shameful. Denise Steinberg One of the prime reasons you probably see a bunch of conservatives on the board of AARP has been to turn that organization into a neocon mouth organ. During the 80's AARP lead the fight to keep Medicare from being sent down the tubes by Ronald (the god) Reagan. Older Americans vote and the neocons want that voting block in their corner for the gutting of Social Security. Only problem is that the elderly is the group that also reads. Michael Subj: AARP Phone Line AARP is recording all calls pro and con about the medicare prescription plan. If you call, there is a wait, but you can hold until your call is answered. The person on the other end will try to explain why AARP went to bed with the GOP. You can contact AARP at:
Sincerely, Daniel Subj: Stories from Texas You might have read recently that "Proposition 12" passed by a small margin in Texas, capping the amount of damages a patient injured by medical malpractice could recover against their negligent doctor. This was presented by State Rep. Joe Nixon (R) who was lobbied intensively by the insurance companies in Texas. One of the big promises of course was that when malpractice suits were no longer "out of control" the price of malpractice insurance would drop, meaning lower prices to everyone. Of course, that hasn't happened. Conservatives. Conning you, Serving themselves. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2233204 Another good story -- Texas A&M's "Young Conservatives" group is having a bake sale to protest the appointment of a new VP at the school to oversee diversity. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2233146 Get the word out guys! Rickey from Texas Subj: Thanks again BuzzFlash, Thanks again for putting FOX's General (Smackdown) Clark video up there. I can't believe FOX was so wussy that they took it down. I know that this is why my husband and I gave $4000 to Clark. He is not afraid to say those things about Bush. That video made it all worth it, every dollar. I have been waiting for sooo long for someone to smack FOX around. Martisa Subj: AARP Dear Buzz, Thanks for the heads up regarding AARP. I became a member in February of '03. I did not realize at the time that AARP stood for American Assn. for Republican Patsys. I cancelled my membership immediately. (and it felt sooo good!) When I get the credit posted to my Visa I'm going for a BuzzFlash premium. FELLOW SENIORS!!! CANCEL YOUR A.A.R.P. MEMBERSHIP AS SOON AS YOU CAN! DO NOT PAY THIS SELLOUT C.E.O. NOVELLI FOR HIS ATTEMPT TO DELIVER YOU INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO WOULD BETRAY YOU. Meanwhile, please keep running your warning to seniors so that the message will spread. Buzz, I owe you one. Michael
J. Fowler Subj: AARP Folks, "Will AARP Membership Revolt Against Republican-Friendly CEO?" I just joined last night, so I could make trouble. What I found, when I looked at their message boards, and when I called, was that what the unions call rank and file membership seems to be *going* ballistic over this, and we are NOT HAPPY. Btw, when I called, it told me that the *first* option was if you were calling concerning the bill, and then said "wait time is under one minute". About twenty minutes later, I got to start my argument.... Mark Subj: Over 400 special interests to push GW's Medicare bill. GW gangsters setting up the largest ever special interest group to railroad GW's prescriptions bill through Congress. http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=174-11172003 Representative government dumped on its ear. Mike Subj: AARP Message Boards Depending on your level of cynicism, the AARP message boards have been inaccessible all day either because of an avalanche of outraged seniors, or because they're accidentally-on-purpose "broken". Keith Purtell Your right to vote http://www.blackboxvoting.com/ Subj: AARP and Mr. Novelli A long time ago I gave up on AARP –because, it appeared to me, it was more of an insurance-selling operation than a seniors protection/advocacy operation. With Mr. Novelli’s latest move- working with the Republicans for the dismantlement of Medicare, it is quite obvious where his energies are going. AARP has a vast insurance program: Auto & Homeowners Insurance, Health Care Options (supplemental health insurance plans for retirees, including Medicare supplement insurance and hospital indemnity insurance) Life Insurance, Mobile Home Insurance, and Long-term Care Insurance.* Gee, I wonder if Mr. Novelli just might be more of an insurance salesman than an advocate protecting the interests of senior citizens. What do you think? Grace Cooper *….information on AARP insurance offerings obtained on the internet through a “Google”search of “AARP insurance”. Dear Buzz, This day has been so full of news, my head spun...almost worse than the possessed kid in The Exorcist!!! First, the Michael Jackson thing...which dominated the news all day long, which no one knows , nor will they ever, if it is true or untrue!!!...Unless, we hear the goods, I will not believe those two Keystone cops..who had the press conference. They had the press in stitches!!......Excuse me?? Is this a funny story? If Jackson did it, there is a victim...if he did not...he is the victim....and the Keystone cops are having a laugh fest with the press? This country has gone So bellyup!!! Dr. Dean got the news about the discovery of his brothers remains in Laos...whom they had been trying to find since 1974. They are quite sure they have the proof this time...and he is preparing to go to Hawaii to try to positively identify the remains, they have found some clothing and a bracelet the kid was wearing. I felt sorry for Howard Dean...it was a mixed feeling...sad, but at last a closure for he and his mother and two brothers. Then, the reporter who fooled everyone in the Queens palace, with a job for two months, who would be preparing things for Our president...apparently, the brits are as dumb as we!!! You talk about an Ooooppps!!!! You know, sounds like someone George would like!!! And lastly...just an observance from my point of view, but when it means a vote, maybe Gephardt and Kerry should listen. If they do not quit picking on Dean, they are cutting their own throats..I cannot believe these two are so afraid of Dean's double digit lead that they have to bring up thoughts he had 6 years ago! Hey, people change their minds. And, more importantly, Dean will be the first to say, that anyone on that stage would be better than George Bush, and whomever gets the nod, he will throw his full support behind them. And, he has never bashed those two. Never. It is beginning to get on my nerves!!!!! I am writing to Gephardt and Kerry...right now..!! I am down to five, now...I will not vote for Lieberman, or Sharpton...so if Gephardt and Kerry don't put a sock in it...they are out, too!!! Shirley.............St. Louis Subj: Breaking the Back of the AARP. . . BuzzFlash, Years ago, I was told that the AARP was the worst organization for Seniors because it never really did anything for them. Well, now I know why. Pity, but there are many other organizations out there who do care for our senior citizens and to have the head of the AARP to support this bill is the same as stabbing every member of this organization in the heart. But, the members can do something. . .they can hit this organization in the back pocket. . .the billfold. . .the purse. . .to support Republicans is enough to quit any organization, in my opinion. :) I hope this breaks the back of this useless organization. In my opinion, Bush would rather people just die in some dark corner somewhere. . .it makes things so much easier for our government. People need to remember that this administration represents death, destruction, and tyranny. . .the DDT's. :) Thanks BuzzFlash, Shirley Smith Subj: Good Job BuzzFlash Dear BuzzFlash I really enjoy your website, and I must say that I also enjoy the letters sent by your supporters. I am truly impressed by the way they write, which indicate that they are intelligent, educated folk. No wonder they can all see through all the shenanigans of this corrupt Bush administration, and are not easily fooled by what they say and do. I must also say that I have found BuzzFlash to be right on the money always, and I am informed of what is happening in this country politically long before the rest of the nation does. Good Luck. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: More Bushspeak The unelected fraud today said: "It is not enough to meet the dangers of the world with resolutions; we must meet those dangers with resolve." [The Independent] Um, is there a nuance I'm missing here? My hunch is he doesn't have a clue what he's saying. Check it out: From dictionary.com:
And from thesaurus.com:
In other words, "It is not enough to meet the dangers of the world with determination; we must meet those dangers with determination." God, how I'd love for some intrepid reporter to follow up to ask him what the hell that was supposed to mean. After all, a guy can dream. Especially when dreams seem to be about all that's left with this administration in power. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Limbaugh vs. Stewart OK, according to this, Limbaugh has allegedly withdrawn hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and he's under investigation for money laundering. Martha Stewart is on the hook because it's al ledged she made about $45000 in profit because of insider trading. Now where's the justice in all of this? Not that I care all that much about Ms. Stewart, but don't you think hundreds of thousands of dollars by an admitted drugster would be more serious than what Martha is accused of doing? Where's the outrage? Mick Subj: Rush If Rush is up for money laundering related to his drug related activities, would he not then be up for RICO as well? Also, should the money be traced since the Republicans have made a very strong point that drug money was being used to support Arab terrorist groups? Does this mean that Rush could be an enemy combatant? It seems one of your correspondents could answer this for all of us who are wondering. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Come Again? Let's see if I've got this straight. Clinton has an affair with his secretary and hurts his wife's feelings. He is utterly grilled on international TV and almost impeached. On the other hand, Bush Jr lies about the reasons for starting two wars and is responsible for costing hundreds of young US lives, more than 10000 foreign civilian lives, billions of dollars and achieves none of the objectives for going to either war. For this he gets to visit the Queen. Go Figure. Chris Subj: Look Here http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2233868 Did you run the article on how the Christian Right in a couple of websites and on a radio show asserted that Judge Kent caused 9/11? He was the judge who banned a local (Texas) high school coach and football team from leading mandatory sectarian prayer at games. Some of the more conservative folks have decided his actions are what caused 9/11. I hope I just missed your posting of this. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Man Found Innocent in Counterterror Case SNIP....
Chewgababy According to Bush Policy, Limbaugh is an Enemy to the State, he's funding terrorism by being a drug user. Celeste Subj: Medicare Reform Gives Tax Breaks to Savers Again, another tax break for the wealthy - how many people do you know that have an extra $2500/year to sock away - I sure don't. [Reuters] Cynthia Subj: Media Diversion from Bush Negative Press in London Is it my imagination or what....Every time Bush starts to get negative press and TV coverage at home or abroad, a competing news story breaks at just the right time to grab the headlines and sound bites. The media frenzie over Jackson's current kiddie porn is overshadowing Bush's welcome from the British citizens who are marching in the streets and kept away from the center of activities. Who cares about Jackson? We have a criminal who led the take over of our democracy, who led a sneak attack against a nation without cause, who lied to the world as to the reason for the attack, and who is now trying to justify the killing of American and British soldiers in Iraq. Shame on the media who refuse to ask what, where, when, and how of basic journalism. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Bush's Speech In a speech exhibiting the President's characteristic simple-mindedness combined with contempt for the intelligence of his audience, Mr. Bush condescended to deliver a high school history report to the British public, followed by the latest cycle of his revision of recent history about Iraq. There is so much that might be commented upon, but I limit myself to these 3 sentences: "In Iraq, year after year, the dictator was given the chance to account for his weapons programs and end the nightmare for his people. Now the resolutions he defied have been enforced. And who will say that Iraq was better off when Saddam Hussein was strutting and killing, or that the world was safer when he held power?" This is revisionist history coupled with bad logic: Every indication now is that Saddam did exactly what he said he did with his banned weapons --- he destroyed them. He was complying with UN inspectors right up until the US forced them out. So which UN resolutions, precisely, did the war "enforce"? And let us suppose for the sake of argument that no one will say the world would be better off with Saddam still in power. What's the point? That an invasion of a sovereign nation is permitted, is lawful and morally justified whenever there is a consensus that the world would be better off without its leader? If, as polls suggest, a majority of the world's citizens think Bush has made the world a more dangerous place, is an invasion of the US now legally and morally justifiable? Obviously it is not, and neither was an invasion of Iraq justified for the same simple-minded reason. Albert Clark, NY Subj: When it comes to Gay Marriage, Conservatives want to turn The Constitution on it's head. I have seen and heard many quotes in news stories like this for the past couple of days...
When it comes to Gay Marriage, Conservatives want to turn The Constitution on it's head. These right wing efforts are Constitutional Tyranny. I have noticed an odd aspect of the Constitutional amendments conservatives advocate when they don't get their way with social issues in court. The amendments they try to add, are actually bans designed to restrict rights of individuals' choices (as long as they are not harming others). I am no Constitutional expert, but all amendments I can think of, allow freedoms and rights for individuals and/or groups. All amendments to the United States Constitution are there to protect people from government and religious persecution and to include persons who have not been explicitly mentioned or traditionally considered in the original document. With proposals like Flag Burning Bans, and now, Same-Sex Marriage Bans are just that, BANS, on freedoms and rights of individuals and specific groups. So, these types of proposals have no place in the US Constitution as amendments. Another thing I find curious about the conservatives' is they often assert our country's Constitution, was Divinely inspired and really shouldn't be tinkered with as time goes by. And then they imply God just wasn't thinking when He forgot to instruct the Founding Fathers to mention the Institution of Marriage is only to be one man and one woman and people shouldn't be burning American flags. So, in these cases, its okay to change The Constitution. The Constitution gives us rights, it doesn't take them away. And that provides a great argument as to why there may need to be an amendment allowing same-sex marriages if gay people are continually denied the same rights as any one who isn't gay. Tony Romano Subj: How the GOP plans to shut down Soros, et al This is taken straight from the Note, b/c without their explanations, the articles linked do not make it crystal clear what is going on. The links below should work.
A BuzzFlash Reader Dear BuzzFlash, Here is a copy of a letter to the editor I sent to the Shreveport Times (Shreveport, La.) if you would care to use it. * * *
Subj: Interpretation of Bush-speak. I heard a little bit of one of Bushes speeches in London and I don't know how many times he lied, but he did at least twice in the clip I heard. He said he was aware that the US and Briton disagreed on the timing of the attack. If he would get close enough to the protesters he would find out that most Brits disagreed on attacking Iraq at anytime. Then he said that he respected international organization, like the UN, but they needed resolve and not resolutions. Interpretation: You can write resolutions till you are blue in the face, but the US will ignore them, unless we need you. Example: We ignored paying our dues because they wouldn't allow us to write our own views limiting or abolishing a women's right to choose, however, the day after 9/11 we managed to come up with the back dues with no strings attached. Interpretation: Resolve means "shock and awe", when the US wants it and where they want it. There needs to be no resolve about the conditions or manner of the occupation or the nation building that Bush promised not to do in the campaign. We resolve to let the UN takeover when we have mucked it up and the liberated start attacking the liberators. Further we promise to install any ex-patriot of the liberated country who has the most ties to the Bush administration or the Carlyle Group. Parliament should send the Carlyle Group or the Bush family the bill for his visit. It is a good thing Dubya isn't Pinocchio because if he were he could sneeze in the White House and the Queen could wipe his nose in Buckingham Palace. Blair does everything, but wipe Dubya's butt for him after he kisses it. Karen Webb, Moore, Ok Subj: AARP I wrote to them and canceled my membership. I informed them that with friends like them, seniors don't need enemies. Joseph Subj: Dear BuzzFlash, For the love of god, someone save us. I can only pray that the polls recently are wrong, and that in fact, more people think like I do - that we have suffered mightily under the foot of this idiot-man who calls himself our president - or more accurately, his cronies. What can we do? It doesn't seem like the american people get the message; so far the best news in the last 2 weeks has been that AARP is losing people for their idiotic decision, and that Bush's "1st Amendment Zones" mean jack in England. God bless the UK, as they appear smarter than the people of this country lately. Of course, I have my own theory. I think his approval ratings are a crock and that Fox is so far up his behind that they can see out his mouth. Of course, I'd be right, but that's hardly the point.... - Jaimas Subj: The treasonous AARP I am one of the hundreds of thousands of AARP members who called them today - and when the young man on the other end of the line started to defend the decision to back step 1 of dismantling Medicare & then Social Security I told him to cancel my membership and send the refund as soon as possible. I let him know that I'll be using the refund to renew my ACLU membership - a group that understands what fighting for the little guy means....... And I have to acknowledge BuzzFlash for providing me with the 800 number (via a letter from another fan of your great site). Thank you - thank you - thank you for making it easy to take action. An avid reader, Beautiful Barb Subj: Medicare and it's Republican supporters Buzz, Republican congressman John Linder of Georgia is already running ads tauting his success in drafting a medicare bill! I have already canceled my AARP membership and I have gotten my sister ( who just received her membership renewal forms ) to do the same. I would rather have NO Medicare bill than to have THIS bill. And isn't this CONVENIENT?? The British people (our allies) are demonstrating to the world their distrust of GeeDubya Bush. But instead of our media focusing on this, we are inundated with "news" of Michael Jackson!! This pResident is not only shielded from the people who oppose his policies, but U.S. voters are kept in the dark about the hatred that this man evokes at home and abroad. Dee Turner Subj: Apology Campaign Credit for this has to go to Daryl Handlin of Wichita, Kansas. Please feel free to cut and paste the apology below (or write your own) and send it to the foreign press, Muslims living in the U.S., friends who live abroad,...The possibilities are endless. On behalf of the United States of America I would like to extend an apology for the ignorance, arrogance, and failure of our President George Bush. My sincerest apologies go out to those of you who have lost their job, savings, or faith in America, and especially to those who have lost loved ones as a result of Bush's reckless policies and extremist views. Please know that not all or even a majority of Americans share these views, and we look forward to a future where we can once again coalesce and spread peace, prosperity, and good will among all people regardless of ethnic, religious, and geographic origin. Loretta
Gillespie Subj: 2005 Draft Perhaps one of the very best ways to bring about changes in this country would be to have a draft and let average citizens see what is going on and what our country spends it's money on. Perhaps this will get the people of this country more involved in the policies as addressed by our leaders. Just a thought. Keep up the good Buzz word, Jim Lawson Subj: 'Mainstream' Media Refuses to Cover AARP member revolt! Dear BuzzFlash -- Today I have been trying, with some success, to monitor the major media outlets (including NPR and The News Hour) today to see what, if any, coverage they would give to the major story that the AARP's membership -- at a ratio of, I estimate, Umpteen Gijillion : 1 -- are revolting against its GOP-front leadership and appear ready to march on Novelli's office like so many torch-bearing townsfolk in the climax of a Frankenstein movie. Not surprisingly, this story is being buried, shunted, ignored . . . And why not? I mean, the revolt of many, if not most, of the rank-and-file of a 35 million-strong seniors organization against its Board of Directors, in the wake of said Board arguably betraying its members and its fiduciary duty to champion the rights and welfare of those members is, admittedly, nothing compared to the announcement that M. Jackson's been charged with child molestation (gee, we couldn't see that coming, could we?). Richard
Newton A GOVERNMENT SAFELY TRAPPED IN BUBBLES [International Herald Tribune] What war?
A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Showing their True Colors There is quite an interesting choice of words used here in this latest AARP press release from its President, apparently drafted in answer to the developing rebellion of its membership. One could characterize it as a possible "freudian slip." To wit:
Wow this could have been written by Newt baby himself or Bill Frist or Fox News as it is a quite transparent attempt to somehow paint the gathering firestorm of principled opposition to the Republican Medicare Trojan Horse Gift Basket to the pharmaceutical and hospital industries as being part of, GASP, the dreaded "prevailing liberal view." Nice adaptation of the Republican talking points there Mr. Parkel. Whose your writer, Rush Limbaugh? The plain fact of the matter is that Democrats see this plan for what it is, a sham preelection sop to large corporations dressed in the guise of helping the needy and less fortunate. In properly opposing this legislative excrescence the Democrats are standing up for the very people Mr. Parkel's organization has apparently abandoned in its haste to jump into bed with the Republican Party. Judging by the anger exhibited by the AARP membership it would look as if they, and indeed most seniors are also part of the "prevailing liberal view" which Mr. Parkel derides. This "prevailing liberal view" quite simply is a deep and fundamental belief that ALL senior citizens deserve guaranteed affordable assistance for all of their prescription needs, that any prescription plan should provide them with this assistance in the simplest to utilize and easiest to deliver manner possible; that any prescription plan should not force them to pay large sums of out of pocket expenses, and that any prescription plan should contain iron clad legal strictures to insure that neither they nor the taxpayer will be bankrupted by the rapacious pursuit of profits by the pharmaceutical and hospital industries. For the sake of the health and well being of our nation's elderly and the future survival of the Medicare program, it is imperative that this prevailing view become the law of the land and not the Gingrichian Trojan Horse which Mr. Parkel has endorsed. Dan DeLisio Subj: The Moron and the Monarch What a spectacle. What a pair. There's DimSon, the world's most ignorant and inept head of state, being welcomed by Queen Elizabeth, the world's richest but dowdiest welfare queen. Two people who have never done a real day's work in their privileged lives will presumably be discussing the unreasonable expectations of those dreadful commoners to simply be able to support their families and not die in a war to further enrich Bush's buddies. Then, I guess, Laura and Lizzy will exchange fashion tips. The person happiest about the visit has got to be Prince Charles, who temporarily will no longer be the biggest dufus in Great Britain. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Modern Dr. Seuss Books
and that perinneal favorite
Mike Curtis If Al Quaida bombed Turkey today what the hell did Bush accomplish? More terror?
A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: The Medicare Thing Just in case the Democrats forgot: The seniors they might be shafting were the Viet Nam war protesters of not-so-long-ago. Democrat or Republican, if seniors see the gunships coming their way, there is a very big chance they just might dig out their beads, fly their freak flags, and start another revolution. They have the money, they have the numbers, they have the will, they even have political savvy--earned the hard way. LucyD Subj: AARP Thank you for speaking out on this issue. It is over issues such as this that the Democratic Party either grows and is successful or withers and dies. Parties have withered and died before i.e., the Whigs, and this will be the last time I will vote for the Democratic candidate regardless of who he or she may be. It's easy for some liberal pundits, I think of Eric Alterman, to blame Ralph. If the Democratic Party had the balls to stand up for the common man as it has so often in the past there would be no need to think of third parties. It is better to stand on a progressive platform and lose than to win as Republican lite. Heresy? No, significant change will only come about when the Democratic Party stands for something year in and year out and stops spitting out bilge such as "the era of big government is over." Government should be as big as the needs of the people require, period! Michael Aussem Subj: Back to the Future? Re: Sydney Blumenthal's speech to planned parenthood.
If I remember history correctly, this has already been done before. About 500 years ago, in medieval Europe, they called it The Inquisition. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: AARP HUNG UP ON ME! FYI Here is what I posted on the AARP discussion site. Thom Prentice, Austin * * * AARP HUNG UP ON ME! I am an AARP MEMBER. After 12:04 minutes of holding ("due to unusually heavy traffic") "Sheryl", who answers apparently the only telephone at AARP's Washington HQ, was not briefed on anything regarding the Medicare Firestorm that arsonists Novelli and the Baard have started. I asked her for a list of names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses etc. of all the officers and directors as well as Novelli and the top management of AARP. That information was "not available" I was told by "Sheryl". NOT AVAILABLE???!!! What is this? Has AARP turned into the Bush Administration where even this ordinary CONTACT INFO is "SECRET"???!!! I told her this AARP stonewalling was NIXONIAN and NOT APPROPRIATE for AARP. I asked to speak to a superior who could get me that information and after another 10:00 of holding, a voice came on the line telling me to punch "83 plus the extension number of the person you want to contact" and then AARP hung up on me. AARP hung up on me. THAT SAYS IT ALL ABOUT ITS SUPPORT OF THIS SELLOUT OF MEDICARE AND SOPCIAL SECURITY!!! HERE IS THE MANTRA: AARP HUNG UP ON ME! AARP HUNG UP ON ME! AARP HUNG UP ON ME! AARP HUNG UP ON ME! AARP HUNG UP ON ME! The info I requested is NOT AVAILABLE on the AARP Website, and MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED to have this information. Novelli should be FIRED and the current AARP president should RESIGN for the horrible, Stalinist sell-out of Medicare and Social Security. And HOW DARE THEM EVEN HIRE a NEWT GINGRICH SYCOPHANT as CEO of this GRASS ROOTS ORGANIZATION??? Not only has the corrupt, corporate Stalinist right taken over all branches of government, they are stealthily taking over even our very own organizations!!! This shall not stand! Thom Prentice Subj: AARP Refunds I know people are canceling memberships in AARP to protest their collusion with republicans, but they should also demand refunds. My husband and I are getting back $25. Might as well hit them in the wallet, too, and maybe donate the refunds to democrats. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: THE VILLAGE IDIOT GOES TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE Dear BuzzFlash Bush is in total denial. Today at the press conference in London he was asked why he was hated so much in the world, and his answer was he did not think he was!!! Don't you think it is time this disconnected man took his head out from where the sun does not shine, read a few newspapers, and got in touch with the rest of the world? Wherever he goes the audience has always been supporters/invitees only, and his speeches have been always been to a receptive crowd, any dissenters are not allowed and kept far away (as per Karl Rove's instructions?), so I guess it keeps this miserable failure totally delusional. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Medicare Legislation AARP: Your decision, not only to support the Medicare Bill, but actively and publicly to promote its immediate passage, is not acceptable. I know that many of your members feel likewise. You asked none of us for OUR opinions. You put your own corporate profits above the real needs of your membership. Please consider this my immediate resignation from AARP. You have betrayed me and millions like me - The very people the AARP was formed to represent. Shame on you. Most people with Medicare will not receive any net drug benefit under the legislation. Many of the poorest seniors will be shut out of their Medicare drug benefits by bureaucratic obstacles. Nearly six million people with Medicare face increases of 30 percent in Medicare premiums under the “demonstration”move to privatization. Millions of retirees face losing existing benefits. The table is set to continue the dismantling of Medicare’s reliable benefit package in the very near future. Drug prices are currently skyrocketing at a rate three times that of inflation, yet the new plan does nothing to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices, a tactic used with success by the U.S. Veterans Administration. A study conducted by the Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports magazine) finds that many seniors will actually be paying more out-of-pocket for their prescriptions in 2007 than they are today without prescription drug coverage. The deal covers 75 percent of drug costs between $276 and $2,201 -- after beneficiaries pay a mandatory $275 deductible and a monthly premium that can range from $35-$175. Drug costs over $5,044 are almost complete covered, but costs between $2,200 and the $5,044 threshold aren't covered at all. With prescription prices constantly on the rise (and, thanks to this bill, will stay that way), more and more seniors will find themselves in this uncovered window. A study by the Boston University School of Health estimates that 61.1 percent of Medicare money that will be spent to buy prescription drugs will be added directly to the profits for drug companies. David Rubinson Subj: Terry McAuliffe Did you catch DNC chief Terry McAuliffe on Capitol Report last night? HE IS PATHETIC! I hope Howard Dean's first act as president is to fire him. He was asked again and again by the anchors why AARP suddenly came out in favor of the GOP Medicare bill, and all he could say was "Well, some seniors think some bill is better than no bill, and we think they are misinformed, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, etc." Not one word about AARP CEO being a Newt Gingrich groupie or the outrage of the AARP members. We don't have a chance with jellyfish leadership like this! A total purge of current democratic leaders is needed ASAP, including Tom Daschle who plans to vote for the GOP energy bill! Howard Dean is our only hope! Mike Subj: AARP, AARP... wagging the dog Amen to your AAAP coverage and editorial. Hit its name in Google and all that popup are GD'ed insurance ads. Then try one of their sites using Netscape with cookie notification turned on and it's worse than a porn site to leave. (not that I ever visited any.) In any case, it will be surprising if Daschle and other spineless senate Dems provide any serious opposition to the latest Dumbya@winger scheme, they haven't much for the last 3 years. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: down with AARP; up with a competitor How about encouraging the establishment of a competitor organization for AARP? It looks like a long, difficult problem to get the Republicans out. Don Karasek Subj: WMD Question If someone could find this out it would be great. Since the $87 billion Iraq war package passed congress, which included the $600 million for continuing the Iraq Survey Group looking for WMD in Iraq, has David Kay and his group gone back to Iraq now and are they looking again? Colin Subj: I dropped my AARP membership! Dear BuzzFlash, I am another X AAPR member and you know why! Thank you for your work! And save America from Bush and his vandals! Thanks Sincerely, Cynthia Subj: Now, they plan a propaganda TV channel from Iraq! What won't Repugs stoop to in order to brainwash the American people? The following editorial in today's Killeen Daily Herald made me wonder what they will come up with next. * * *
Subj: Conspiracy Theory Okay, okay, I know what this sounds like, BUT I just can't help but find it a little odd that on a day when massive anti-Bush protests would most likely have dominated the news, suddenly several British buildings (shape up and stay true, you ungrateful sods!) in Turkey (what do you mean you Turks won't supply more troops to Iraq?) get bombed by terrorists (stay afraid and let me run roughshod over the world in the name of security already!). I know, I'm stretching it, but... he sat there and calmly read to school children after the planes flew into the towers on 9-11... A frightened (and admittedly paranoid) BuzzFlash Reader Subj: What They Hate If I hear George Bush say one more time, "They hate freedom," I am likely to tear every last hair out of my head! We will never be able to address and defuse terrorism with that kind of simplistic thinking!!! An aggravated BuzzFlash Reader |
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