Subj: CNN Press Conference

At this writing on CNN:

A press member asked Gen. Mark Kimmet if two soldiers' throats were cut and the General said it was army policy not to describe wounds.

Since freakin' when?

The reporter (off-camera, a female) pressed on, saying all she wanted to know was whether he could confirm if they were shot or stabbed and the Gen said he wasn't going to get "ghoulish" and didn't want the press "getting ghoulish" either.

The reporter, to her credit, snorted in disgust.

Then Bremer's aide said Iraq was "a dangerous place" and that reporters should "take note of that."

Intimidation?

Rosamond

Subj: This is insane!

Jesus God, Christ all mighty! Have the Bush people simply gone mad? How in the hell can you call two American soldiers laying in the street with their throats cut a win for us? Do these people even know what they are saying? Do they hear themselves? This is insane!

Shorty
Memphis

Subj: I Vow to Hit The Remote at the Mention of Michael Jackson

The media flacking the Michael Jackson story is a travesty. You know they hope to make him the new O.J. Realize it is much less expensive than covering the real news. And it diverts attention from the disaster in Iraq, the environmental raping of our country, and the assaulting of our constitution.

Would someone please start up a website that thousands of us could join like the NRA Blacklist?

"I vow to hit the remote at the very mention of Michael Jackson."

G.G.

Subj: Donkeys of Mass Destruction

Dear BuzzFlash,

Check out the seventh graf of this story [LINK]: "Another military source confirmed that two other donkey-powered missile carts were found wandering in the vicinity of the Italian Embassy, in a nearby neighborhood. Neither of those donkeys had fired its deadly load."

That's right: "Neither of those donkeys had fired its deadly load." Obvious bestiality joke aside, do I even have to point out that it is highly unlikely that a donkey would be able to fire much of anything? Or perhaps we've finally found those elusive WMDs: donkeys! We need to institute donkey profiling immediately, lest these rocket-toting donkeys threaten Our Way of Life.

I haven't put much stock in UPI's reporting since it was bought by the Moonies, but the presumption that a donkey would have either the capability or the motivation to fire a rocket represents a new low in journalism. I can only hope that this sentence was meant to be comical or was grammatically incorrect. Or is this simply another example of the lamentable state of American journalism?

Anyway, thanks, and I love your site.

Nancy L. Stair
NYC

Subj: Quit AARP

November 22, 2003

AARP
601 E STREET, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20049

Please remove me from membership and take me off all mailing lists for the following reasons:

1. The Medicare reform bill you are endorsing will put 6 million Americans into managed care against their choice.

2. Any reasonable person can see the cost savings are yet another guise to deplete scarce Medicare resources and gut the program.

3. No coverage in the $2,200 to $5,044 costs range.

4. This Medicare reform is another piece based on the Bush ideology, which is grounded on the basic Bush principal "Turn it over to
business". We see how this ideology is working with the environment and the economy, what makes you think doing this to Medicare will be an improvement. Clearly your endorsement says, "We can't beat 'em so we might as well suck up and join 'em." I want no part of this!

5. 3 million folks stand to lose their current prescription coverage.

6. It gives the wealthy a 6.8 billion-dollar tax break. This on top of what they already have. We can't afford to keep giving this welfare to the wealthy.

7. Big paybacks are to be given to the drug manufacturers and HMO's who contributed big bucks to Bush.

8. It's such a good deal, that Congress voted them out of having to participate it.

Your attempt to sell your endorsement with the current barrage of TV ads serves only to add to my disdain of your sell out.

Since I can't burn my card, I'll do the next best thing.

Disgusted,
Christopher R. Johnson

[Here I pasted my cutup AARP card]

Subj: Shame on you, Laura Bush

America's First Lady continues the shameful tradition of cultivated ignorance, established by her mother-in-law, Barbara Bush, who did not see much use in "wasting" her beautiful brain on such things as deaths of innocent people. Laura Bush, who seems aware of reality, chooses to deny it for the sake of appearances (of support and loyalty to her psychopathic husband). I wonder what kind of psychological damage these women undergo to be able to maintain the illusion of clear conscience.

"I don't think the protests are near as large as everyone was predicting before we got there,'' Mrs. Bush said. "We've seen plenty of American flags, we've seen plenty of people who were waving to us -- many, many more people, in fact, than we've seen protesters.'' [LINK]

Advice for Mrs. Bush: ask your Secret Service how they arranged "plenty of people waving to us" those American flags and what they did with the huge crowds of protesters. That is, if you are really interested in finding out (which, something tells me, you are not). Shame on you, Mrs. Bush.

A Buzz Reader

Subj: Stop Bush Overtime Cuts

Dear Friend:

President Bush is threatening to veto legislation to protect overtime pay. Unless Congress acts, more than 8 million people will lose their overtime pay as soon as January. The AFL-CIO has a page where you can send a fax to your Senators and Representative on overtime pay for free. You don't even have to be a union member. Please click on the link below to help protect overtime pay. [LINK]

After you take action, please spread the word.

Thanks --
George

Subj: AARP endorsement of the Medicare bill

I wrote to the AARP and told them I was disgusted with their being another mouthpiece for the Republicans and I will not renew my subscription with them, when it comes due. They e-mailed me a reply that said, in essence, "We're getting too many e-mails to answer each one..." A non-reply, if I ever saw one. 

So, yes, I WILL let my AARP membership lapse, and instead I will find out how to join the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM). Please let the folks who read your website know there is an alternative to AARP for representation of senior citizens in Washington. Thank you for your time.

Rose Downing (a diehard Democrat, and proud of it)

Subj: Ann Coulter

Dear Buzz,

I read Ann Coulter's article "The Party of Ideas" [LINK] posted at your site where she made fun of the family losses of the Democrats and stated that Jewish susceptibility to "pandering" is what helped them survive for so many years. It made me sick.

There is only one word to describe this woman: evil.

Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)

Subj: Daschle must go.

Dear Buzz,

I have been a member of various county Democratic Central Committees since 1976 here in the state of Iowa. I have always supported Democratic and Progressive Candidates.

When Daschle refused to help Senators Kerry and Kennedy with a filibuster, it is time for Daschle to go. The next mailing from the National Democratic Committee will be returned in their envelope postage due. These Democratic senators must get rid of Daschle.

I have known and worked with Tom Harkin for thirty years -- since Tom was a Congressman first elected with 50.2% of the vote. I am going to Tom's house tomorrow to tell him we need to fire Daschle. If Tom is not there, his wife Ruth and the kids know me and who I am.

Plus, as a County Chairman of one of the largest Democratic Parties in the state of Iowa, at our caucus in January I am introducing a resolution at the Precinct level to fire Daschle. I will carry it to the state convention.

Daschle must go. Democrats must fight back.

Keith Nichols

Subj: Does Laura take Xanax?
[ed. note: the following is from The Independent (UK)]

The meeting was, she said, "very strange" and "bizarre." But the tense and somber atmosphere was lightened by her son. "Beck was very much the ice-breaker. He lifted the spirit in the room. He was running around and looking out for helicopters and snipers up on the roof. He gave everyone something else to focus on. I don't think the President was expecting to see any children there. It's the true reality of the situation, isn't it?"

Subj: Did you forget?

U.S. General Says Bin Laden 'Out of the Picture'
Fri Nov 21, 9:23 AM ET

Um, excuse me ... Whatever happened to Osama bin Laden is responsible for the deaths of 3000 Americans. Remember when Bush stood before the cameras right after 9-11 and said ''In Texas we have an old tradition as we say on our posters, we will get him dead or alive!" 

Well, not only do we not have him dead or alive, now Bush is trying to convince us he is not important anymore. I feel like I'm living in the twilight zone! The Democrats should use that tape in their commercials!

Kay J.

Subj: It didn't take Schwarzenegger long - as predicted

I saved this article of 10/3/03 to see how this would work out: [LINK]

Now read this recent article: [LINK]

Natalie Roth
San Mateo, CA

Dear BuzzFlash:

I watched the first blow in the death of Medicare last night, all night. But the implication of this is what is so devastating. The seniors are a very active, powerful voting group, most of whom are vehemently opposed to this bill. By illegally holding the House hostage for three hours until they could threaten weak opponents into changing their vote, these devils on the right showed their utter lack of concern and contempt for a powerful voting block. They’re not afraid because they know they are going to win the 2004 elections no matter how people vote. Getting rid of Bush is no longer enough. Getting rid of all these right wing “compassionate conservatives” has to happen and it will be next to impossible. 

Now we have to not only get the White House back but the whole Congress as well. For too long, the Republicans and the media have perpetrated the big lie. Democrats bust budgets every time, big spenders, soft on the military, against the military, anti-business, slaves to special interests ... The people believed them and look at us now.

Not only will poorer seniors be set adrift without a raft, but their children will feel they are saddled with the extra burden of taking care of them. There’s nothing wrong with families taking care of each other but it is yours and my grandchildren who will suffer. Will our kids pay for medical care for their parents or education for their children which is daily getting out of reach for normal, middle class families? Without an enlightened and educated younger generation this country will become just like other Third World countries with two classes, the haves and the have nots. 

And this is just what these bastards want. Like Eisenhower warned, we are in the grip of the military industrial complex. Our “representatives” no longer listen, we have a Senate leader who is more interested in his own reelection than in representing his party’s principles and the principles of this country. My biggest fear is that this will have to play out like other situations in history. The people will have to suffer for so long and so hard that they will finally revolt and there will be chaos. It may sound silly, but look at what we have lost already. After watching that disgusting fiasco last night, I just don’t know what we can do about it.

SOS

Subj: Now we have a stepford wife idiot, too???

It is hard to believe that Laura Bush saw no one protesting...when all of us saw it plainly...did she see the film of the Trafalgar Sq. scene?

Jeez...do we have to have an Idiot in Chief and an Idiot First Lady, too???

I have relatives like that....the ones who do not ever see what I see! It is one amazing thing!!!!!!!!!!

Shirley......St.Louis

Subj: Frist is a disgrace

Buzz-

I recently had a look at Bill Frist's website [LINK]. I was stunned to see the wording of a "poll" at the top right of the page. Talk about being brazenly Orwellian! The way the "poll" is worded guarantees that no one who disagrees with Frist has the opportunity to be acknowledged. I guess Frist believes that anyone who doesn't agree with him doesn't deserve to be counted. The current question of this revolving "poll" is: "Which highly qualified nominees to the federal bench are being filibustered by Senate Democrats?" The options include the individual names of the nominees and "all of the above." If a constituent doesn't believe that any or all of the nominees are not "highly qualified," well, tough.

After looking at the results of that "poll" I looked at previous "polls," and realized that it apparently took Frist's staff a few tries to get the Orwellian thing down. Look at the "healthy forests" question. Even though the wording clearly indicated the "right" answer, the result wasn't what I suspect Frist's staff was looking for. By the time they got to "justice for judges," they used the Constitution as a hammer to encourage the "right" answer. That wound up with a 50-50 result. I guess they finally figured that if they were going to get the answers they wanted, they had to take out any opportunity to disagree at all.

I don't look at a lot of senators' websites, so I don't know how common this practice is; but that it is a practice utilized by one of the most powerful men in the country is a chilling sign of where this country is headed. I'm hoping that if you mention this disgraceful practice on your website, it might shine the light on Frist and what he really thinks of democracy.

Thanks, and keep up the good work!

nwcorgifan

Subj: AARP

If you want to know more about the way AARP represents its members in an impartial way, look at the picture on page A9 of today's Washington Post (11/22) over the heading "House Set to Vote on Drug Bill" and see the smiling countenance of William Novelli, Head of AARP, with Tom Delay (R-Tx), Rep. Phil Gingery (R-Ga) & Max Baucus (D-Mt). I cancelled my membership in AARP this week.

Harold Martin

Subj: Blindsided and Bamboozled by AARP

Shortly before my 50th birthday, a friend who had recently reached that milestone mentioned that AARP would soon send a membership package in anticipation of my big event. She'd received one as had many people she knew.

Sure as shootin', about 2 weeks before I turned 50, the uninvited package arrived. At the time, I thought nothing of it -- I even joined, thinking I would enjoy some benefits as a consolation for growing "old." It didn't even occur to me to question how the AARP happened to be in possession of of my personal information ... name, address and even birthdate.

Fast-forward to the realization that the AARP has, to the astonishment of all, revealed itself to be a ruthless, unscrupulous and self-serving tool of the Republicans.

Suddenly, I'm not liking this one little bit. Here's an organization which has signed onto the radical right-wing agenda and that has, apparently, amassed not only the trust but the personal information of millions of unsuspecting Americans.

This just can't be good.

JAK in NYC

Here's a Big PS: Ironically, even as I am writing this e-mail using aol.com, there is a little window within the mail-composing window that is incessantly flashing a mini advertisement for (and I couldn't make this up if I tried) an AARP Visa card.

Subj: Commentary

More than two years after al Qaeda attacked the United States, al Qaeda is still functioning across the globe, still bombing innocent people, still growing with new recruits -- and still a worldwide menace. What a colossal failure of this administration and what an encouraging example for other terrorists. In more honest times, any President that after two years had still failed to track down and bring to justice the group that had actually attacked the U.S. would be impeached by now.

Chris Cauble

Subj: Daschle & Colmes

Dear BuzzFlash:

Are Tom Daschle & Allen Colmes *actually* the same person? I've never seen them in a photograph together and they (the "two" of them) seem to behave in the same, weak-knee, grovel-before-the-Right-wingnuts, pink-tutu manner.

Just asking.

Regards --
Richard Newton

Subj: House Democrats voting for Medicare bill

Here's a list of the turncoat democrats voting for the passage of the Medicare reform bill (source: [LINK]) This list needs to be highly publicized. Democrats in their districts need to let them hear loud and clear that the responsibility for the eventual dismantling of Medicare as we know it rests squarely on their shoulders.

If there was any bill we needed FULL support of ALL Democrats, this was it. These 16 representatives chose instead to betray their senior constituents, assist George Bush in his re-election campaign, and add their support to the right wing agenda.

If only THREE of these members could have been convinced to vote with their party, this bill could have been defeated. WHERE WAS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERSHIP?

Rodney Alexander, LA
Rick Boucher, VA
Allen Boyd, FL
Brad Carson, OK
Robert (Bud) Cramer, AL
Lincoln Davis, TN
Calvin Dooley, CA
Ralph Hall, TX
Christopher John, LA
Jim Marshall, GA
Jim Matheson, UT
Collin Peterson, MN
Earl Pomeroy, ND
David Scott, GA
Charles Stenholm, TX
David Wu, OR

Mark

Subj: It's like the rest of the world doesn't exist for Americans...

Halooo? Did you see that the Georgians have seized the Parliament after what they call a "rigged election"??? In Europe, there is no other news, but for you it's not even worth a mention.

This is more about democracy than Iraq and the rest of the bullshit.

Editerette13

Subj: Laura Bush, Tommy Franks, Patriot II, GOP ads

Dear BuzzFlash,

A grab-bag of today's news seems to warrant some kind of comment that will perhaps help to hold all three items together.

1) "We've seen plenty of people who were waving to us, many, many more people, in fact, than we've seen protesting." There are three possibilities: 1) total naiveté, highly doubtful, Laura is not dense 2) delusional, God has wiped those protestors off the face of the earth 3) as Caesar's wife I command them not to be. My guess is the last.

2) Gen. Tommy Franks predicted today that if there is another 9/11-like terrorist strike in the US, we will see a "military government." That's serious, folks.

3) Patriot Act II just passed through the House-Senate Conference committee. If you are (still allowed to be) an American citizen, it is not too late to contact your senators and representatives - even among Republicans there are still true patriots who understand that constitutional government is at stake here.

4) The Republicans have started running TV ads in New Hampshire and Iowa that say: "Some people are attacking the president for attacking terrorists."

And how do these four items rhyme? They tell us that we are a long way from the bottom of the rabbit hole, Alice.

John Woods
San Diego

Subj: Michael Jackson

We'll get back to Bush's trip to England, but first this breaking news!

Michael Jackson arrested!

What exquisite timing! And what do you want to bet the trial begins mid October and runs right through the 2004 Election, assuming we even have one...

Don in New Hampshire

Subj: Reenact the coffins

BuzzFlash has often reported on the administration rules against the filming of the flag-draped coffins arriving at U.S. military bases, the lack of Presidential attendance at funerals, the cordoning of media at Arlington National Cemetery, and other acts to prevent the images portraying the true costs of this unnecessary war from reaching voters.

To offset this unbalanced portrayal, those who oppose this war and seek to remove this President from office should invest in the production and distribution of filmed reenactments of these events. The footage would be clearly labeled "reenactment", which would have the dual effect of presenting the true costs of this conflict and underscoring this administration's ban on media access to the actual events.

Brian Hamon
Round Rock, TX

Subj: Senate leadership

Buzz,

Although I agree with you that Tom Daschle should step down as Minority leader, I disagree with your suggestion that Ted Kennedy should replace him.

It's time we stood behind a man who has consistently stood against the madness of this administration, and has, as of yet, not developed an easily lampooned image. A man of integrity and intelligence that will fight for the people of America in a fearless and focused fashion.

I nominate Dick Durbin of Illinois.

I have sent dozens of e-mails to the DLC suggesting this change of leadership, but the DLC is loathe to make changes for the same reasons that the Bush administration refuses to fire Donald Rumsfeld. It would look as if they had made a mistake. We all know that politicians are perfect and no mistake is ever made at the higher levels. Ha-ha-ha ... hack.. ERrg.. Ummph (excuse me, my coffee went down the wrong tube when I laughed deliriously).

DICK DURBIN FOR MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE!!

Sincerely,
Mark Thompson
Duvall, WA

Subj: The "No Draft"

Dear BuzzFlash:

I wonder how many of us who watch Washington Journal really pay attention to the snippets read from the various newspapers by the hosts. One of the articles touched on this morning (11/22/03) pertained to the level of troops needed in the Middle East, and the concern of sustainability of same through at least 2006.

It doesn't -- or shouldn't -- take a Rhodes Scholar to figure out that this Administration will do anything to make sure the draft will be reinstated, all the while insisting it won't be. Just look at the spate of all-nighters where Congress has crammed through bills that benefit this Administration.

I am not dumb enough to think this Administration will overtly push for the draft, due to the up-coming election year. But you can bet your bottom dollar it will get through.

Are the parents in this country willing to bet the lives of our sons/daughters, sisters/brothers, nieces/nephews, or grandchildren, that this bunch isn't covertly pushing for cannon fodder for their Project for a New American Century?

If any children/relatives of Congressmen serve at all, it would only be "volunteer" type, such as hospital/nursing home services. Count on it.

The rest of the young people in this country; minorities, low-income, etc., WILL be on the front lines. Count on it.

Respectfully,
A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Those Republicans and their lies

Dear Buzz:

I got this idea from Paul Begala (Crossfire) .... In response to the idiotic ad the Republicans are now running on TV, the Democrats should have a simple ad asking the Republicans to name ONE DEMOCRAT who has criticized the (p)resident for attacking terrorists. THAT ALONE WOULD PROVE THAT THE AD IS FULL OF EXAGGERATIONS AND LIES. They can also warn the nation that more of these lies are going to flood the media. The Dems don't have to work hard with their ads, all they have to do is play back speeches made by Bush and his administration before and after their stories kept changing. Those infamous lies during the SOTU speech alone would be enough.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Timid Tom Should Go!

Here Here, I couldn't agree more. There isn't any loyal opposition -- just more of the same ideas, dried, warmed over and whinier. We need him and Terry M. to step to the side.

Why not get some poll numbers to help convince them both?

Jamillew

Subj: Turnabout Fair Play in Illinois

Partially in reaction to the nasty and divisive redistricting gambit in Texas, there is a movement underfoot in Illinois to do the same thing here.

Currently, the state sends 10 Democrats and 9 Republicans to DC. The redistricting move being proposed by state Sen. Emil Jones would make the representation reflect the overwhelming Democratic majority in Illinois.

Of course, now that it's the GOP's turn in the barrel, everyone is whining that this "vengeful" plan is a bad idea. Where were they when Democrats were getting stomped?

It probably is an overly aggressive plan, but I would like to see them succeed in knocking off some GOP reps, just for the satisfaction of knowing that the National GOP leadership would blame Tom DeLay for it---which he richly deserves. He started it!

Joanne G Murphy

Subj: Waterloo

Has it occurred to anyone yet that the Republicans are so brazen in their last-minute assaults on over-time, Medicare, and energy policy, because they know the game is over? They will never have this kind of power again. They don't really expect to be re-elected, so they are not trying to please an electoral majority. They are simply going to take everything they can get and head for the Cancun Banks.

Eldon Leuning

Who Did What

I personally would like to know who the Congresspeople are that backstabbed their senior constituents. If all of us gray haired folks know, maybe we can make sure the back stabbers are looking for new employment come election day. Republican or Democrat, it makes no difference who did it, they did.

Graygoosedown1

Subj: "Bring 'em On" Part 2

What's the message this is going to send to terrorists -- "attacks dismissed by a U.S. general as 'militarily insignificant'"?

"Hey you terrorists -- you call these little donkey cart bombs significant? Is that the best you've got? BRING 'EM ON, we're ready for you!"

This occupation is really getting out of hand. Go ahead, General, keep it up. You just might get a "significant" bombing if you keep prodding.

US Citizen, Alarmed at the Idiots in Charge

Subj: "Attacks in Iraq Insignificant"

I'm sure the loved ones of this dead soldier don't think his life was "insignificant":

The arrogance of this administration boggles the mind.

Can't take anymore bad news ... signing off for a while.

Natalie

Subj: "Poison Pill" Medicare bill

Dear Buzz:

I read an article the other day about a disabled young man in his thirties who had his state drug benefit cut off. Not being able to afford his anti-seizure medication, he had a seizure that left him in a vegetative state until the government decided he had been kept alive for too long and ordered the medical staff to pull the plug.

Is this the plan that our "Compassionate Conservative" Congress has in store for all of us? Are we to sit idly by and watch our elderly parents euthanized by an ideologically driven Congress? It really makes you wonder, "What's next?"

We are watching our pension funds disappear, our 401Ks are flatlining, and any real savings we have are returning dividends in the 4% range while the same bank is taking in interest as high as 31%.

The cost of medical care is bankrupting thousands of us and it is not just the elderly who are being savaged. It is also affecting the guilt-ridden children who will pay any price to comfort their aging parents, even to their own financial detriment. So this is an intergenerational crime. The grandparents get sick, the parents help pay the cost, and the grandchildren have to make due with a "no child left behind" high school education that sets in motion the next generation of struggle.

This information is from the House Roll call vote on the "Poison Pill" Medicare bill on 11-21-03. It doesn't matter what age you are now, sometime in the future this legislation will impact your life. We can do better, but not with the current class of clowns we have in Congress. The Representatives listed below should be considered Enemies of America and voted out of office next November. Print this list and take it into the voting booth with you.

Kevin

Voting "yes" to screw you were 16 Democrats, 204 Republicans and no independents. They are:

ALABAMA Cramer, Aderholt, Bachus, Bonner, Everett, Rogers

ALASKA Young

ARIZONA Franks, Hayworth, Kolbe

CALIFORNIA Bono, Calvert, Cox, Cunningham, Doolittle, Dreier, Gallegly, Herger, Hunter, Issa, Lewis, McKeon, Gary Miller, Nunes, Ose, Pombo, Radanovich, Rohrabacher, Royce, Thomas

CONNECTICUT Johnson, Shays, Simmons

DELAWARE Castle

FLORIDA Boyd, Bilirakis, Brown-Waite, Crenshaw, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart, Foley, Goss, Harris, Keller, Mica, Putnam, Ros-Lehtinen, Shaw, Stearns, Weldon, Young

GEORGIA Marshall, Scott, Burns, Collins, Deal, Gingrey, Isakson, Kingston, Linder

IDAHO Otter, Simpson

ILLINOIS Biggert, Crane, Hastert, Hyde,Johnson, Kirk, LaHood, Manzullo, Shimkus, Weller

INDIANA Buyer, Chocola, Souder

IOWA King, Latham, Leach, Nussle

KANSAS Tiahrt

KENTUCKY Fletcher, Lewis, Northup, Rogers, Whitfield

LOUISIANA Alexander, John, Baker, McCrery, Tauzin, Vitter

MARYLAND Bartlett, Gilchrest