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a. He was saving to buy three gallons of gas from Halliburton.

b. He was planning a trip to Las Vegas with Bill Bennett.

c. He was using Rush Limbaugh's maid as a go-between.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Re: Sky News fined over fake report

"A British media watchdog said today it had fined satellite station Sky News $117,674 over a faked report during the war with Iraq."

"Sky News is part of BSkyB"

Now, correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News also own BSkyB? Just asking.

A BuzzFlash Reader

BuzzFlash,

The pretense by Kean that the Commission is doing something is a ruse. There's nothing new in Kean's comments. Everyone who's followed the aftermath of 9/11 knows that the FBI, CIA, NSC and DoD had foreknowledge of potential hijackings. So what's new in Kean's comments to CBS? All he says in effect is "We're going to give you a report on how these agencies failed," something that everyone who's been paying attention already knows. What does it mean that Kean is coming out with this rubbish at this time? In effect: "Take the heat off my Commission"!

Bad news!

Paul

Subj: Rush Limbaugh, The Neanderthal Ape

I click onto Rush's link ........I have never been so appalled in my life.......somehow this has to be shown to the whole country.......more people voted for Al Gore than they did Bush.....this man cannot be allowed to get away with this and BuzzFlash can nail him but don't copy this high paid puppet.

Every decent columnist in this nation should get this link and a copy of what he has on it......no stone should be left unturned.......this simply has to stop.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear Buzz,

Reading your interview with Arlie Hochschild, I thought it was right on. That' s exactly the result of the brainwashing that has been coming from the right for years. Rush Limbaugh has been working it for years. I remember a show in 1992 where he was convincing poor people that they were really rich and would be ripped off by Clinton as president. One call came in from a guy that KNEW that Clinton was targeting him for higher taxes. Rush made the mistake of asking him what he did for a living. Turned out he was a truck driver usually earning 13,000 a year but he had been laid off for over a year and they had been living and supporting two children on his wife's pay as a waitress which brought in 10,000 a year. The interesting thing was that this guy was hysterical about Clinton's plan to raise taxes on the richest 1 or 2 percent. He was convinced that HIS taxes would go up drastically and Rush agreed with him.

Another show had a guy calling in and saying his family had raised children quite nicely on 16,000 a year back in the 50's. I think if you will look you will find that 16,000 in those days was a pretty good living. I remember people back in the 60's earning 30,000 or so as living as well as those earning 100,000 today. Sixteen thousand was way beyond what my dad brought home and we did okay.

All I can say is that rush and his crowd have done a good job of brainwashing many listeners into believing that poor is rich and if they lose money under Bush, it really doesn't matter, they are still rich and fabulous wealth is just around the corner for them.

A BuzzFlash reader

Subj: CNN.com - Clark Bush lacks will to find bin Laden - Dec. 17, 2003

This is my boy... but this is exactly the wrong way to be right now... and has been.

I mean, it's a great political stab to say like, "...but you haven't found X..., so you suck..."... but it's a setup. What do you say after they have found/captured/killed X (or even worse, mere DNA evidence)?

In short, my boy is falling headlong into Rove's trap, just like Dean...

He's losing sight of the original message, which was "...what is the rush to depose Hussein since he has nothing to do with 9/11 and poses no imminent threat?!?!?"

"$84+ BILLION and 500 American lives and counting for what?!?!?!?" and keep repeating it because it is true and will remain true...

Oh well. Guess I should have run Clark's campaign.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/12/17/elec04.prez.clark.bush/index.html

JJ

Subj: Saddam Story:

Have we pulled the beige truth from the "color" BushCo likes to provide with their photo ops. Remember the British Airways "color" concerning the turkey prop, the Jessica Lynch "color" and the Flight 93 "color". Something tells me they have not abandoned "color" for the very bland "truth". I am sure there is a great rainbow in this Saddam capture story.

PJOnes
Texas

Subj: Who is Calling Who a Coward?

Wish the Washington Press Corp. would remind the American People of some of President Bushs' finest hours. Just hours after the attacks on the World Trade Center, W made up a story that there was an attack on the air force one, then he fled to Nebraska and yes hid in a hole in the ground. Don't think Mr. AWOL from the Air National Guard, should be calling anyone else a coward.

Cindy Mann
Wichita, Kansas

Dear Buzz,

You guys posted a story today about a reporter being barred from Jeb Bush's press conference because he had used bad language. This seems to be a trend in the Bush (Florida) administration, a new way to dispense with those they don't like or to get them to submit to their supreme command. Read this one:

DCF chief tells workers to stop speaking to lawmaker, Palm Beach Post

Patricia

Subj: This, that, and the Other Thing

Dear Buzz,

Thomas Kean's candor regarding the 9/11 set-up could not have come at a better time. Does anybody know how to e-mail this guy? I would like to offer my thanks and support.

So Saddam was caught. Over 300 of my brother/sister firefighters were killed by a Saudi named Osama bin Ladin, who is a deadly enemy of Saddam. He is also a member of a family of Bush's business partners. Am I supposed to jump for joy now?

How long will it take the mainstream propaganda cartel to shunt this Kean bit of news to the back pages? I suppose somebody will catch Martha Stewart raping Michael Jackson any minute now...

How long does anybody think that Thomas Kean will last, now that he has fallen out of lockstep with the RNC? Could this help certain Democrats and Republicans to find their missing spines?

Does anybody remember a guy by the name of Archibald Cox? He was the original investigator into the Nixon Administration's little adventure in fascism; he was sacked the minute he got too close to the truth. this is why Nixon is the original Cox-Sacker. Is there any doubt that Dumbya is a potential coxsacker?

It might be advisable for Mr. Kean to hire a private, well-guarded plane for his travels lest he feel the wrath of Dumbya's Keaner-weiner.

And what about this Krauthammered guy diagnosing Howard Dean via his psychologist credentials? Isn't that a serious breech of something called ethics? Is there an agency to whom a concerned citizen might report this breech of ethics?

You know, although I am retired now I still remember a lot of my paramedic training. If I remember correctly.....it's been a long time...something about psychologists who diagnose via the media people that they have never examined ....I think that it might have been something about an addiction to kiddie porn and sexually molesting puppies....but it would be wrong to make a field diagnosis of somebody via the media, so never mind.

Here's hoping that you still have a job for this season, and have a Restive Festivus.

Michael J Fowler Firefighter/Paramedic retired
Mesa AZ

Subj: Quick Obs.

Just had to make the observation on Scott’s McClellan’s press conference today. It ended with hysterical laughter by many of the reporters. Funny I seem to do that with all of his press conferences. SURE hope the Daily Show catches it. It was greatness.

Larry P

Buzz,

Did they find the WMD in Saddam's mouth?

just asking.......

Subj: The Beard

Hi BuzzFlash,

One of your readers commented upon SH beard. I too thought right away, that his beard must have grown very fast to get as full as Ben Laden's. Hmmm!!! (I too believe Ben Laden is caught and has a twin spider hole somewhere close.) Can someone tell me where they had the potty in that god forsaken hidey hole? I also do not believe a thing these Bushes and crew say, anytime, anywhere! This whole charade is a show put on by those money and power hungry war mongers, and we're their captive audience. Since Pres. Clinton's election, they learned to play some of us to perfection, because some Americans really believe the repug's staged production. Election 2004 we WILL pull the curtain on Bush and Company.

Thanks BuzzFlash for being here, to bring sanity to this insanity, we are daily subjected to.

Your Reader and supporter.

Re: It's Time to Go for Broke - BuzzFlash Guest Commentary

In Becky Burgwin's "It's time to go for broke" (http://www.BuzzFlash.com/contributors/03/12/con03376.html), she lists characteristics that she attributes to Dean's candidacy, and tells us we should "go for broke".

I agree on "going for broke" in the sense of "let's not nominate Lieberman", but I fail to see how the list of Dean's assets substantially differentiates Dean's candidacy from Clark's. I support Clark and see in him a number of important improvements over Dean.

A couple of the advantages are:

* With Clark, the emphasis is on "this": "I was never for _this_ war." This makes it harder to throw up a strawman argument that Clark would not act to defend this nation. Only those who would bother having an argument over who is or is not "anti-war" can fail to see that Clark doesn't fit either designation: he's simply a man who chooses more wisely than Bush when and where to have a war, and how to wage it. If Clark had been president during 9/11, most likely we would have gone more massively into Afghanistan and would be keeping an eye on Iraq but not invading it.

* It is almost impossible to cut off or talk over Wesley K. Clark. Watch him sometime; he takes command and finishes what he wants to say, at a pace that he prefers. This is someone who has a skill in taking charge that I don't find Dean displaying. Dean taps into anger, and I've got as much anger as the next liberal Democrat, but Clark taps into a sense of perseverance and accomplishment in the face of adversity. I want that.

Barry Schwartz

Subj: Greens Showing Sense

Obviously, Al Gore would be president today if the Supremes had not anointed the Shrub. Just as obviously, Gore would be president, regardless of the Court's desire to subvert democracy, had Nader not siphoned off votes in closely fought states. I know that Nader has said that he doesn't feel responsible for putting the White House in the hands of the least environmentally friendly man to have ever lived there, but, then, I don't care for taking responsibility for my own transgressions. As an adult, though, despite my desires, I DO take responsibility. Unless the Greens follow the course laid out by at least one of their chapters (Today's PM BuzzFlash), they will be helping to keep the White House in the hands of those who SHOULD be their worst enemy.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Golden Globe Nominations

Hi Gang.

Would it not be of the ironic sort that Judy Davis and James Brolin actually win for their respective nominations for their roles of Nancy and Ronald Reagan in "The Reagans?"

I'm sure right-wing media leeches such as Limbaugh, O'Reilly, and Hannity have noted the nominations and will launch the typical, "This is just another example of Hollywood's liberal bias and another attempt by the left in general to discredit, smear, and humiliate President Reagan, the greatest president in American history."

Here's the link to the nominations:

http://www.hfpa.org/nominations2004.html

Cindy and Jerry

Subj: Question

I was fascinated by your interview with Arlie Hochschild and also with her analysis of the blue collar voting block.

My question: Do you have evidence that any of the Democratic candidates read, respond, comment or in any way digest your site and realize that this is AMERICA giving input????? Is it possible that any one of them read this important piece?

In other words, is anybody getting it????

Hopeful,

Ms. Marty Tomasino

Subj: Update on Arnold

Buzz,

You have this story today:

Schwarzenegger's Plan Targets Disabled; proposing a sweeping reduction in funds for the poor 12/18

But the LA Times now has these stories:

Governor Drops Cuts for Disabled -- In a startling reversal, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose proposed budget cuts in services for the developmentally disabled had caused a statewide outcry, agreed Wednesday to abandon the plan. Carl Ingram in the Los Angeles Times -- 12/18/03

Governor Couldn't Say Humbug to the Handicapped -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was headed out his door to light the Capitol Christmas tree last week when Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson stopped him cold. Was it true that a toddler with cerebral palsy was going to help him flip the switch at the ceremony? Wesson asked. That's right, Schwarzenegger replied. "Well, this may be the last extracurricular activity that kid does under your budget cuts." George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times -- 12/18/03

PWM

Subj: Limbaugh

Hey, listen,

I am really offended by your comparison of Limbaugh to two apes. Apes are honorable, honest and loyal creatures. They are not known for libel, exaggeration or lies. Please find something more despicable to compare him to. If you can.

mimi boothby

Subj: Saddam Capture Could Boost Holiday Sales

Yep, that is a real headline, and that ran in a real US news article.

According to the byline its by the Associated Press, a mainstay of the US print media.

This came out when the media was drooling all over George Bush, and remember at the same time when the news broke they were saying that the stock market was going to shoot up a 1,000 or more points on Monday (btw, it dropped about 20 pts).

But good grief! So Saddam being moved from one hole to another hole is going to increase holiday Christmas sales??!

Wow!

Is this not one of the best examples of how the US media fawns all over George Bush and the Republicans?

They just work themselves up into a tizzy, the news was just bubbling.. with *cough* complete and total bullsh*t.

Funny that things got busy for me and its been a whole entire three days before I sent this out, and now I click on the link ... and it's a different story .. Go figure!

Lucky for me and you, I copy entire articles now instead of just a link and title.

This may seem trivial, and I send out a lot of stuff, so you can go ahead and chalk it up to my 'off day' post. But actually the trivial stuff can sometimes be the most revealing. And this may be one of them.

Its been all of what? .. Three days? Look back at this 'ancient' history and its so much easier to see how 'full of it' the US media is.

Read the original article below and then click on the same link, seems they agree, because they have changed the article entirely.

I guess George Carlin was right, bullsh*t really does have a shelf life.. And this week the Bush fan media was so ridiculous the shelf life was less than 72 hours.

Cut that down to 48 hours and we can win.

Cut it down to 24 hours and even Joe Sixpack will figure out he is reading Pravda.

Then we win BIG!

Best,

Kelley

===========

Saddam Capture Could Boost Holiday Sales

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO
AP Business Writer

With 11 days until Christmas, shoppers crowded the nation's malls and stores over the weekend, their spirits buoyed by news of Saddam Hussein's capture. But it was unclear whether stores met their sales goals.

Shoppers were out in force on Saturday, according to industry observers, though business dropped on Sunday for many stores, hampered by the second major snowstorm in the Northeast in a little more than a week.

Still, several experts said the news of Hussein's capture, revealed early Sunday, couldn't be a better holiday gift for merchants during the season's last, critical stretch.

"Ultimately, in the long run, this is going to put people in better spirits, and we are definitely excited that this has come during the holiday season," Ellen Tolley, a spokeswoman at the Washington-based National Retail Federation, said Sunday. "This is a piece of news that we were not expecting."

C. Britt Beemer, chairman of America's Research Group, in Charleston, S.C., believes Hussein's capture will result in improved consumer confidence that will translate "into bigger sales."

However, that remains to be seen.

Shoppers like Colleen Briggs, braving swirling snow while shopping Sunday at New York's Rockefeller Center, said they were pleased with the news, but it wouldn't make them open their wallets more.

"I'm glad they got him, but it's not going to make me spend more," Briggs said. The Tampa, Fla., resident, said she'll spend about $2,000 - the same amount as last year.

After the heavy snow Dec. 5-6 - which chilled business at many brick and mortar stores, but fueled online buying - executives were counting even more on a spending surge this past weekend to reverse lackluster sales. Last year, the second Saturday before Christmas was the third busiest day of the season.

Despite an economy on the rebound, consumers continue to be frugal, and seem to be waiting even later to do their holiday shopping than last year. While recent economic data have been cheery, analysts say consumers are still leery of a sluggish job market that remains a big factor for holiday spending.

"I held onto my job when everyone else was losing theirs and I feel like it's all coming back," said Jayne Huddleston, who was at the Galleria Mall in Dallas on Saturday, buying toys and sweaters for her young children. "I feel like our jobs are a bit more stable and neither one of us has been laid off. And if you can have your job, that's good."

Still, she plans to spend about $500 this holiday season, about the same as last year.

Martha Vadney, from Albany, N.Y., who was shopping at Bloomingdale's in Manhattan on Saturday, said she doesn't feel any more confident than a year ago. While she believes her husband's job is secure, the couple still hasn't recouped their stock market losses.

Karen MacDonald, a spokeswoman at Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Taubman Centers, which owns or manages 31 shopping centers in 13 states, said that sales were up mid to single digits at stores on Saturday from a year ago, but business was slow on Sunday because of snowy conditions.

Beemer said traffic and sales were healthy at a spot-check of 11 malls nationwide on Saturday.

NRF's Tolley said the Sunday snow shouldn't affect the overall weekend's business for retailers.

Major retailers, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Target Corp. are expected to report their weekly results, including from this past weekend, on Monday.

Meanwhile, online sales have remained a bright spot this holiday season. Online sales, which exclude travel and auctions, were up 31 percent to $2.16 billion for the week ended Friday, according to comScore Networks Inc.

Matthew Muterspaugh, who was shopping at the CambridgeSide Galleria in Cambridge, Mass., said he bought more of his gifts online this holiday season than in the past, partly because he found better deals. He was picking up a few items on Saturday, including ski socks and a ballerina ornament.

Lois Denney, who was shopping at the Oakwood Shopping Center in New Orleans on Friday, also spent more online than in the past.

"We shopped online for the first time last year, and it worked out great," Denney said. "The best part is there's no wrapping."

---

Subj: There will never be a trial

Buzz --

Given the way the Bush people have usurped our rights under the Patriot Act, manipulated the courts, hidden the truth about terrorists, Saddam, bin Laden, the Carlyle Group, Halliburton profiteering, WMD's, imminent threats, the Florida "election", responsibility for 911...here's a prediction I can make without fear of contradiction...Saddam Hussein will NEVER come to trial...he will have a heart attack or a stroke or die under a Humvee...but he will never come to trial...This Administration...and the Bush family and friends...cannot afford to have aired in public the duplicity going back to Reagan and Bush 41 and the cooperation of Rumsfeld, Cheney et al in propping this murderer up for so many years...It may be an irate Iraqi who does him in some cold, dark night in his prison cell...but HE WILL NEVER COME TO TRIAL...I'll give you a second prediction...after Hussein has his "heart attack," they will mysteriously find bin Laden...just before the '04 elections...take it to the bank...better still give it to the Bush campaign...they'll reward you for your help...

Tony Mac

Subj: Vieth vs. Jubelirer

Dear BuzzFlash:

As a Pennsylvanian and as a practicing lawyer, I have been carefully watching the movement of a Pennsylvania Supreme Court case, Vieth vs. Jubelirer, as it has passed through the court system. Now, it is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. While my hopes are not high for a good outcome with this far-right wing court, I can say that a positive outcome would truly be a wonderful thing. All of the gerrymandering that is going on in states that are controlled by the Republicans is technically a blatant violation of the Constitution's one-man, one vote doctrine. In Vieth, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court made it very clear that gerrymandering violates the Constitution. It undoubtedly would be a blockbuster ruling if the Supreme court were to come down on the correct side of this issue. That is why I think it is prudent to keep talking about this case and to keep it in the public eye. Perhaps there is still enough embarrassment on that court over Bush v. Gore to be able to squeeze out a good "guilt" decision.

Donald Russo

Subj: Trial of Saddam

No, somehow, I do not think they will wait until next year for that trial...it is to iffy, he can say something embarrassing to this bunch.

He may meet with some kind of an accident...very likely!!

Just think about how many people negatively connected to Bush had died of gunshot wounds to the head.. 'by their own hands, of course'!..There was J.H. Hatfield, author of "Fortunate Son," then, the blabber from Enron and Anderson, both, died of gunshot wounds to the head..separate deaths, during the big story of Enron!!!

Then of course, unproven, but, Marjorie Shoedinger...the woman who accused him of rape...she also died of a gunshot wound, self-inflicted to the head!! That one happened on Sept. 22, 2003.

No, in order to get the best coverage and the "See there?" attitude from his worshipful followers...he has to produce Bin Ladin...that's the ticket!

I have always jokingly said that he had him on a desert island, he and Saddam, counting the money this government paid them for this prize winning play...and I think that will happen. It did this time...just when his numbers plunged! But, the trouble is, they never rise as much as the worshipers think they will... they will get wise...even if they will not admit it, and they will never, rightwingers just cannot admit being wrong!!!

Shirley................St.Louis

Subj: Important information for Dean supporters (Clark is NOT running as V.P.)

http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2003/12/15/clark/index_np.html

Moreover, Clark's wife said she is not for the V.P. idea at all.

Wishing is wishing, and we all wish for a winning ticket, but it is very important that people know CLARK is NOT running as V.P. If they want Clark, they need to vote for Clark. The only reason I am writing this is so people have FULL information before voting. Wishing does not beat Bush.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Why Rummy went to Iraq 19+ years ago

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13558-2003Dec18.html

Donald H. Rumsfeld went to Baghdad in March 1984 with instructions to deliver a private message about weapons of mass destruction: that the United States' public criticism of Iraq for using chemical weapons would not derail Washington's attempts to forge a better relationship, according to newly declassified documents.

Mika

Subj: This Week In American History...

Let's all not forget that 20 years ago on Dec.20, 1983 Donald Rumsfeld cordially visited with American ally Saddam Hussein. Earlier in the same year, the US and the world found out that Iraq had been using chemical weapons against Iran. I wonder if Rummy will visit his ole comrade in prison. Anyway, you should post this link tomorrow on this anniversary we would all love to forget (but shouldn't):

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB82/

Matt Taylor
Reno, NV

Subj: One of the top 10 worst spammers in the world = Conservative nut.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Dec-14-Sun-2003/news/22615610.html

My favorite quote from the article:

"If there was any justice in the world, his nuts would be crushed in a vise," says Roosevelt, Calif., software engineer Ron Guilmette, the operator of the anti-spam Web site Monkeys.com."

OUCH!

--Hesiod

Subj: The Children Throw Rocks

I have a son serving with the army in Iraq, he has been there for 10 month's and hopefully will be home in Feb. At that time his brother, recently graduated from boot camp will be well on his way to replacing him, as will others.

I spoke with my son this morning, when I asked him about the situation over there he told me they routinely go on patrols through what they call "kiddie town," a small village near their compound. The children come out as they go by and wave, beg, or throw rocks at them. This struck me as so very symbolic of our situation in Iraq. These are people, the same as you or I, who are divided and confused.

Why are we there and what is our purpose? Is it the weapons of mass destruction? Clearly we were sold a false bill of goods on the immediate nature of that threat. Are we the great benevolent liberators of an oppressed country ? If that is why we are there , you should all enlist your children and grandchildren in the Army because we will be busy for a long time to come. Why Iraq and why now, draw your own conclusions, but the fact that the children throw rocks should be foremost in our thoughts.

A BuzzFlash Reader
Indiana

++A Bush in the Hand

When asked recently about the changing rationale for the Iraq war from being about Weapons of Mass Destruction to being about a WMD program, in response Bush asked "What's the difference?" So to recap, the leader of the free world doesn't even know the difference between a bird in the hand and two in the bush (no pun intended).

A concerned Buzzflash reader