Subj: Just another reflection from the Looking Glass

As I reflect on what has transpired over the last two days, the Bush Administration and the media has once again confirmed that their priorities are not in the interest of most Americans.

As police are dressed in heavy armor preemptively engaging peaceful protesters in Miami, a large number of our troops in Iraq do not have flak jackets or other necessary equipment. While police are using armored vehicles in the streets of Miami, our soldiers continue to be severely wounded and killed while driving un-armored Humvees. While peaceful protesters and the media are shot with rubber bullets in Miami, the guns of our soldiers continue to malfunction and jam.

Two days before the 40th anniversary of the JFK assassination, the media is more interested in the Michael Jackson story than Iraq and Afghanistan; or covering and properly reporting the protests in London and Miami. Other than the history channel, not much news regarding the 40th anniversary of the JFK assassination; and to boot CBS bows down. They will not show the Ronald Reagan documentary.

While the Senate passes the $87 billion package for Iraq, King George gives Prince Jeb $8.5 million of that money for police and security at the FTTA protests in Miami. One must question how much of the money earmarked for Iraq will actually go to directly helping our troops. Halliburton et al will receive a large chunk of that money.

In addition to the continued lies and spin by the Bush Kingdom and the "bought and paid for" media, their priorities are way out of whack. The past two days have been just another example of their incompetence.

Just makes you wanna scream and shout, doesn't it?

Robert Weiss

Subj: My AARP resignation letter

Dear Buzz,

Attached please find my AARP resignation letter. If you decide to post it, be sure to let readers who are AARP members know that they are perfectly welcome to use my letter as a template for their own resignation letter to the organization. I'd also like my letter to shared, emailed, blogged, pasted and plastered anywhere at anytime.

It's high time we started voting not only with our feet, but with our wallets.

Know what? Canada is starting to look better every day...

Best wishes,

Claudia D. Dikinis,

Dear AARP:

Enclosed please find my membership card to AARP. Please cancel my membership immediately.

You have, without my permission, used my membership dues to finance special interest lobbying in support of the Republican Right Wing’s so-called prescription drug plan for Medicare.

You have further misappropriated membership dues for television ads sanctioned by right wing CEO William Novelli, champion of extremist Newt Gingrich and other anti-American politicians and lobbyists, who seek to undermine the will of the members of your organization.

You are in breach of contract with your membership, by having committed fraud, misrepresentation, and breach of your fiduciary duty by using AARP to promote the narrow special interest agenda of Novelli, Gingrich, et al.

I am ashamed and saddened that I ever bothered joining your organization. I have been betrayed by having been used as an instrument for the Republican Right Wing.

I will continue in all ways possible to alert people to the truth of AARP and do my level best to get as many people as possible to resign from your organization.

If money is all you care about, then it looks like the American people are just going to have to take it away from you.

Maybe then you’ll listen.

Sincerely,

Claudia D. Dikinis
Santa Monica, California

Dear BuzzFlash:

Did anyone catch Brian Kilmead's remarks on Fox and Friends this morning? He was discussing the opposition to the Medicare bill and some of the reasons cited for opposition. While doing so, he said that some people were objecting to the bill because it would eliminate the governments ability to negotiate lower drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, but he said they "wouldn't be able to "chew them down." Anyone ever heard of this phrase? I certainly never have. But it sounds extremely similar to another anti-Semitic phrase that I have heard. The first time he said it, it sounded like he started to say "Jew" but then caught himself. He repeated the phrase, clearly enunciating "chew," as if he realized what he had almost stepped into.

Nothing quite like Faux and Friends in the morning.

Peter Yasenchak

Dear BuzzFlash:

How about explaining, to us readers, what we can do to help facilitate the removal of Tom Daschle as Democratic leader?

John S. Modny
Ohio Democrat

Dear BuzzFlash:

Dear Buzz:

Daschle has consistently given support to Bad Republican issues. How much more than the famous HUG he gave to Bush -- wasn't it in support of moving into a country, totally unprovoked, and bombing their lights out and killing thousands of innocents? Also, when Bush and his sidekicks were stealing the election from Gore, calls came from "heads of the Democratic" party for Gore to stop investigating and admit defeat to Bush. Now, in view of his Republican stands, I wouldn't be surprised if Daschle weren't in the group who "helped" steal the election in 2000. With all the major Republican "enabling" Daschle has done, I think it's way past time to ask him to step down and let a Democrat hold the Chair.

Sincerely,
Jean

Dear BuzzFlash:

«Senator,

I strongly urge you to resign your post as Minority Leader.

Your continued support of the present administration's agenda in everything from the war in Iraq to your opposition to filibustering the Medicare Bill has convinced me that you are more interested in appeasing your S. Dakota constituents (who are largely Bush Republicans) than in fulfilling your role as leader of the Democratic body.

While it is a senator's duty to represent his constituents, the conflict posed by your constituency is far too great to allow you to be an effective leader for the Democrats. And we need an effective leader now, more than ever.

Respectfully submitted,
Christine Cutie»

Could (or would) you organize a write-in campaign complete with form letter? If there's a deluge of requests for his resignation, we might have a chance.

Chris Cutie

Buzz:

What can we do about Tom Daschle, the Democrats own Chief Appeaser? "Bi-Partisanship" evidently means abandoning all principles and repeatedly caving into the extreme right, and no issue is worthy of a fight. Many of us are sickened to the point of giving up on the Democratic Party altogether.

Lori

Dear BuzzFlash:

I thought you might be interested in this letter that I just sent to Senator Daschle:

Dear Senator Daschle,

I realize you are elected by voters in South Dakota, however, as Minority Leader, you have a primary responsibility to the Democratic Party and to votes everywhere who depend on the Party to protect their well-being. I keep reading that you have no intention to support a filibuster on the Prescription Drug Bill, and intend to ignore the flagrant flaunting of normal procedures in the House by the Republicans to pass this bill.

How can you be so cavalier about your duty that you would sell out the millions of seniors who depend on Medicare and are desperate for real prescription drug benefits? If the Democratic Party will not support the people on this issue, who will?

Even more damning sir is your lack of concern for the success of the Democratic Presidential Candidate in 2004. This issue could well be the defining issue of the campaign, yet by backing down, you are handing it over to the Republicans. Why should the seniors - who vote in large numbers - support a Party whose leaders care so little for them?

Do you really believe that voting for the lesser of two evils is a sufficient cause to generate a large turnout at the polls? If so, dream on -- but you are only dreaming. Failure to act positively and to demonstrate leadership, is to join the opposition. Please re-consider -- do you truly want your epitaph to read: "A good man, but lacking in the courage to do the right thing, when his country depended upon him"

Carol R. Campbell
Remember, anybody but BUSH in 2004!

Subj: On the Energy bill and Senator Tom "I will do everything I can to solidify our minority status" Daschle.

Dear Buzz,

Here are my thoughts as expressed in a letter posted to his website:

Sen. Daschle,

As a lifelong Democrat, father of 2 young children, and small business owner, I am deeply saddened by your vote on the Energy Bill on 11/22/03.

This is most definitely the worst bill that possible could have been drafted, and yet you supported it. It protects polluters, subsidizes the building of a HOOTERS restaurant, promotes the wrong kind of energy development, and finally, it hands the GOP a large victory going into 2004. What was your motivation?

It appears from my perspective that you are selling out the interest of the country and your party for your own reelection interests. You should be ashamed of yourself and immediately resign your position as minority leader of the Senate. And finally, just to let you know, all the Democrats I talk with think the actions you took yesterday is exactly why our party is in the current position it finds itself.

Sincerely,
Paul Salazar
Austin, TX

On another note, I watched Uncle Tom on "Meet The Press" this AM. He is owned lock, stock and barrel by their sponsor, Archer Daniel Midlands. The only thing he is concerned about is getting his farmers to vote for him again. As far as he is concerned, the rest of us can just go to hell. Why do the democrats not just remove him and install Ted Kennedy, a man with some gumption!

Subj: Pisces in Florida

Whenever a good-looking, powerful senator starts becoming very eager to give Republicans whatever they want, I can't help but think of one thing: blackmail. Do you think somebody has some video of photographs somewhere that make him willing to go along with anything?

Karen Barker

Subj: My AARP resignation letter

Dear Buzz,

Attached please find my AARP resignation letter. If you decide to post it, be sure to let readers who are AARP members know that they are perfectly welcome to use my letter as a template for their own resignation letter to the organization. I'd also like my letter to shared, emailed, blogged, pasted and plastered anywhere at anytime.

It's high time we started voting not only with our feet, but with our wallets.

Know what? Canada is starting to look better every day...

Best wishes,

Claudia D. Dikinis,

Dear AARP:

Enclosed please find my membership card to AARP. Please cancel my membership immediately.

You have, without my permission, used my membership dues to finance special interest lobbying in support of the Republican Right Wing’s so-called prescription drug plan for Medicare.

You have further misappropriated membership dues for television ads sanctioned by right wing CEO William Novelli, champion of extremist Newt Gingrich and other anti-American politicians and lobbyists, who seek to undermine the will of the members of your organization.

You are in breach of contract with your membership, by having committed fraud, misrepresentation, and breach of your fiduciary duty by using AARP to promote the narrow special interest agenda of Novelli, Gingrich, et al.

I am ashamed and saddened that I ever bothered joining your organization. I have been betrayed by having been used as an instrument for the Republican Right Wing.

I will continue in all ways possible to alert people to the truth of AARP and do my level best to get as many people as possible to resign from your organization.

If money is all you care about, then it looks like the American people are just going to have to take it away from you.

Maybe then you’ll listen.

Sincerely,

Claudia D. Dikinis
Santa Monica, California

Dear BuzzFlash:

I certainly hope that Democratic Senators are on your mailing list! I was just saying he needs to resign or be fired on Friday after his latest outrage. Keep up the heat.

Dotty Hopkins

Subj: PLAY HARDBALL OR LOSE!

What the hell is wrong with the Democrats? If they want to win they have to play HARDBALL! STOP WHINING ABOUT THAT GOP AD AND FIGHT BACK! How about running an ad asking bush to tell the American people where he was while Kerry and Clark and thousands of others were getting shot at and dying for their country! How about it Mr. Bush -- where were you for those 18 missing months? Mr. Bush, why won't you release your military records? What are you trying to hide? Point out his blatant lies! PLAY HARD BALL OR LOSE! Jesus Christ -- there are hundreds of things they could hit him with! Show him recently admitting there is no link between Saddam and 9-11 and then show a bunch of the clips where he earlier did try to make people think there was a connection! There are tons of things they could hit him with! MR. BUSH, YOU CHOSE TO OPT OUT OF FIGHTING FOR YOUR COUNTRY WITH YOUR OWN LIFE, BUT YOU ARE MORE THAN WILLING ("BRING 'EM ON") TO SEND OTHERS TO DIE!

Diane Anderson
Miami, FL

Dear Buzz:

I thought you might be interested in a letter I sent to my Senators:

Dear Senator Clinton/Schumer:

I appreciate very much your and the Democratic Party’s ability to maintain the filibuster against the Bush Administration’s disgraceful energy bill as well as their attempts to place obviously unqualified right-wing ideologues on the federal bench. I hope you will do the same with the Medicare bill that was recently pushed through the House in violation of all norms of collegiality and even decency. (I have cancelled my membership in AARP over this issue, by the way).

I hope you realize that these are not ordinary times. Though I am sure there are good and decent people in the Republican Party, it is obvious that they are not the ones running the show. Everything from the theft of the 2000 election to the smearing of political opponents as traitors to the attempts to stymie the commission investigating the attacks of 9/11 to the PATRIOT Act points to an administration that is run by radicals opposed to the very idea of democracy. These are people who worship power and believe that might makes right. They are unutterably cynical and have no regard for truth and, as near as I can tell, no personal honor.

You, as a Senator from New York, are obviously a successful politician and possess many political skills that I do not. It may be that it is tactically advisable not to be too strident or blatant in our party’s resistance to this corrupt and corrupting administration, and I am willing to defer to your judgment on this matter. But you must always keep in the front of your mind what is at stake here. Your job is only partly to defend the interests of New Yorkers and the Democratic Party. As one of your constituents and a lifelong Democrat I am calling you to the duty that you as a Senator owe to the nation.

You and your colleagues must defend democracy and the rule of law against the most serious threat to self-government since the days when the old Confederates were riding high. They too believed that the rules could be broken and ignored when it suited their narrow and short-sided ideas of their self-interest. Trent Lott famously remarked that the principles of Jefferson Davis live on in the modern Republican Party. He’s right. And just as Charles Sumner of Massachusetts and other Senators stood up to those who believed that all men are not created equal, often at great personal risk, so you must do the same now.

In the immediate term, you and your colleagues must defeat the Medicare bill. You need to show that you are on our side and are willing to fight for our interests. Being the Not-Bush won’t be enough to defeat that other party in November, and entirely too much is riding on the outcome.

Sincerely yours,

Glenn Edwards

Subj: What Would Castro Do: Hypocrisy in Miami

What would Castro do? Leaders of the Cuban exile community of Miami clearly out-Castro-ed their former nemesis this week as Dade County tactical squads, under the leadership of elected Cuban-American politicians, brutally suppressed citizens' Constitutional rights -- to free speech, freedom of the press and free assembly -- with an abandon and verve that would have had even Fidel himself open-mouthed. 

The Cuban exile community's holier-than-thou attitude toward human rights in Cuba is now a thing of the past. Under the direction of Cuban exiles and their allies, police in full riot gear tear-gassed, beat and jailed hundreds of peaceful demonstrators. Tactical squads, using unprovoked and savage brutality, threatened and/or jailed several members of the press who were reporting on the event as well as hundreds of non-violent demonstrators including a delegation of soccer moms wearing "Kucinich for President" T-shirts. 

After this demonstration of unprovoked force, any further attempts by the Cuban Exile community to criticize Castro can and will be labeled as hypocrisy of the first degree. Before we "bring democracy" to Cuba, let's first try bringing it to Miami.

Jane Stillwater

Subj: Medicare and the GOPers

Hi Buzz:

The GOP has long hated social programs of any and all kinds. It should be obviously clear that anything touted by the GOP as a fix is designed specifically to destroy. Code words of Privatization or Demonstration Project are better recognized as "DIVIDE AND CONQUER". Once Medicare is privatized it will be followed by a rapid road to death in the Norquist bathtub.

Daschle type Democrats who vote for any GOPer designed plan are nothing more than moles in hiding. They should be not supported in any upcoming election and Daschle in particular needs to be relieved of /dispelled from/the leadership position at which he has long failed.

Best,
Cole

Subj: No Quid Pro Quo?

Dear Buzz:

Quoting from The Hill's article "Blunt Plans 'War Room' for Lobbyists":

The GOP House leadership has reached out to Republican lobbyists to help win support for the bill based on their personal relationships with lawmakers rather than their organization's interests. Sources were clear, however, that leadership had not issued a quid pro quo for their help.

No quid pro quo? Why, then, are the following lobbyists named in the article expending their time (and no doubt their money) promoting the Medicare reform bill to Legislators, other businesses, groups, and individuals?

Gary Andres, Dutko Group

Brian Conklin, Ernst & Young

Behrends Foster, American Association of Health Plans

Carolyn Hicks, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Art Lisson, CIGNA

Dave Mohler, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (Pharma)

Ed Kaleta, Caterpillar, Inc (who is reported to have said that AT&T and General Motors Corp. are encouraging their employees and retirees to support the bill.)

It's time for all of us to act as our own lobbyists and tell out Senators to "Just say no!" to the Medicare reform bill and also tell the above named companies that we're saying no to them as well -- by boycotting them.

Regards,
William Wilgus
The Public Cause Network

Subj: Connecting the Dots on the War Against Iraq

As the war in Iraq deteriorates into chaos and unspeakable danger for our troops, the Bush team becomes more defensive. We must connect the dots between these stories, which have grave implications for the future of our democratic system:

1. The GOP airs a "campaign" ad that boldly asserts, "Some are now attacking the president for attacking the terrorists." This ad urges
viewers to call Congress to "support the President's policy of preemptive defense."

The "attacks" and challenges against Bush's war relate to the lies he told to start the war; the danger of our troops stuck in the quagmire of Iraq; and the extraordinary cost of the war (so far $166,000,000,000 spent or committed), which will be added to Bush's record deficit.

2. The FBI will monitor antiwar protesters. Why not monitor the war mongers instead of war protesters, who exercise 1st Amendment rights by peacefully protesting against an illegal war that has gone completely off course?

3. FTAA Protesters in Miami were brutalized by police this weekend. This story needs immediate attention in the media. Americans need to know that at the last minute millions of dollars were added to the $87.5 Iraq war appropriation for police action against the protests in Miami. Of course, these funds were added to the deficit so we will be paying into the foreseeable future for this weekend's excessive police force to deny the right of free speech. How many Americans know what happened in Miami? How many know about the special federal funds provided to police?

4. Peaceful protesters at the School of the Americas were hassled by Army personnel on Saturday 11/22.

The FBI announcement and the escalation of brutality against anyone who challenges Bush Administration policy clearly violates the American Constitution. At this time, we face the prospect of a costly and humiliating defeat in Iraq, while terrorists proliferate and take
violent action against America's allies and western institutions. Every aspect of Bush's disastrous plan to invade Iraq was predicted by the FBI and CIA before March 19. The Bush people started their war anyway. Now, Americans of good faith and with great fear for the future of this nation draw attention to these crises through peaceful protest. They are monitored, hassled, beaten, and bullied for exercising their rights.

Obviously, the Bush people are on the defensive and refuse to admit that their arrogance and shortsightedness got us into this terrible mess. DO NOT LET THEM OFF THE HOOK.

Thank you
Judy Munro-Leighton

Subj: A Perspective of Traveling Presidents, Then & Now

Sometimes, these occasions need to be put in proper contrast.

1963 -- While Germans anxiously await a profoundly proud moment, Jack Kennedy (former naval officer and PT boat commander) goes to Berlin, stands on a platform (out in the open air, mind you!) and gives a rousing speech before over a hundred thousand who wildly cheer him. As is his usual style, he fearlessly mingles with the crowd and "presses the flesh" to the utmost extent possible. It is remembered in history as a great day for all the world.

JFK challenges us to go to the moon, get involved in public service, and make real contributions to our society. He appeals to the brightest among us, instilling genuine hope and inspiration for the future.

2003 -- While Tony Blair nervously crosses his fingers, G.Dubya (ultimate bravado-spewing fear-mongering chickenhawk) makes a sham photo-op "state visit" to Britain.

Yet this "strong leader" (cough, choke, cough!!?) refuses to even address the House of Commons, let alone a huge public gathering. Instead, he holes up at the Queen's palace, cowardly avoiding a hundred thousand protestors, then audaciously whines about the lack of security even at that fortress!? You see, this "strong leader" (cough, choke, cough!!?) will only venture into carefully selected settings where no one dare utters anything which would penetrate his thin skin. It will be remembered in history as a sad time for all the
world.

GWB demands that we support his opportunistic Iraqi war based on lies and fabricated intelligence data, relying that we'll forget or overlook mere unpleasantries like the administration's criminal secrecy of parts of the 9/11 findings report and the treasonous exposure of CIA operatives to attack those who would dare disagree with their brazen geopolitical aims. Meanwhile, we're dutifully implored not to take note of the ongoing enrichment of the Bush Cartel and its crony subsidiaries.

He appeals to the basest and most ignorant among us, offering genuine fear, subjugation, and further erosion of our civil liberties in the future.

MY, MY .... HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED!!!!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Bucking Donkeys

The most powerful military in the history of the world spends over $170 billion on a phony war to enrich Halliburton and is twarted by little donkeys.

This time next year millions of other dogged donkeys will have accomplished their mission: bucking the Oil Plutocrats out of the People's House.

Suzanne, San Francisco

Dear BuzzFlash:

My personal feelings toward Mr. Tom Daschle are that he should step down if he does not want the job, and switch over to the Republican Party for whom he works. He can't have it both ways and keep walking the fence. Jump one way or the other Tom Boy

Graygoosedown1

Subj: The New Soviet Union

Hey Guys,

If ever the Democrats needed fire-brand fighters as minority leaders in the House and Senate, it is now. Do they not realize that this is not just about Medicare, energy and Court appointees? We are literally fighting for our lives here!

Do they not realize that our country is morphing into a Soviet-style dictatorship right before our eyes? Old Kruchev was ahead of his time. He said they would bury us with a spoon. I am beginning to think he was right! The old Soviet Union is not where it used to be, it is here.

Maybe Tom Daschle knows or strongly suspects where that Anthrax came from. It has clearly scared him half to death. If it were me I would be screaming for someone's head in a basket and I would not stop screaming until this whole rotten administration crumbled under the weight of its own corruption.

Maybe the Dems need to get someone in there who is not scared witless of this bunch of thugs.

Dot

Dear Buzzflash

For many years the plain questions went unasked/unanswered about the Kennedy assassination (like how Oswald could have shot Kennedy in the forehead from behind). Today, the facts are finally coming to light. The truth always comes out, however 40 years is too long to wait. Today, we still grieve and seek answers about the 3000 Americans assassinated on 9/11, and strikingly similar to 1963, the answers aren't coming from our government. Maybe it's because some plain questions just aren't being asked. 

Why is it that in two years since 9/11, not 1 reporter has asked the current president directly to his face: "Mr. President, why did you OK the exodus of Osama bin Laden's entire family out of the United States within two weeks of the destruction of the Twin Towers, without being questioned, and don't you believe that if kept in the United States many of them would have had information vital to the investigation?" Simple question... plain talk. The president likes plain talk. Then, I would ask a follow-up - " has any Bush family oil business, or Haliburton ever had dealings with the Bin Laden oil business?" It's been 2 years and 2 wars since 9/11, and still no one has asked him. Someone give me a press pass. I will ask

David Singelyn

Subj: Daschle

Dear BuzzFlash,

Thank you so much for putting Daschle's feet to the fire. Your editorial today made many valid and urgently needed points.

Keep on fightin',

Wil

Subj: Calling Ted Kennedy

I've just phoned Ted Kennedy's office and thanked him for stepping into the void created by our MIA Minority "Leader" Tom Daschle. I think anyone unhappy with Daschle's leadership should do the same. Our real leaders are guys like Kennedy and Byrd and they should know how much we appreciate them and just how unhappy we are with Daschle's "leadership". It may be the first step to getting a real Democratic leader in the Senate.

E Buccieri

Subj: "It's Doubly Difficult for the Democrats"

I'm in complete agreement with your article about Tom Daschle being an unmitigated disaster as Senate Minority Leader, with two exceptions:

1) I don't agree with you that he's inept. Tactically, he appears to be very adroit in knowing how to use the rules and procedures of the Senate. The problem is a bigger one: he's utterly devoid of courage and principle.

2) Rather than putting forth names like Kennedy, worthy as they are, for who should take over for Daschle, I would recommend someone who's already in the Democratic Senate leadership: fighting Harry Reid of Nevada. Go, Harry, go!

Jon Krampner

Subj: Medicare Bill

Dear Buzz,

Seniors, disabled, and chronically ill Americans don't have to worry about healthcare costs. The stress of being ruled by these greedy Republican bastards is going to kill us off before much longer anyway. On the other hand, we can get mad, get active, and fight like hell to kick them out! Now that would be good for our health!

A Loyal Buzzer