Support BuzzFlash Get a copy of click image MORE BuzzFlash INTERVIEWS WORLD MEDIA WATCH P.M. CARPENTER MAUREEN FARRELL BARBARA'S DAILY BUZZ SOUTHERN STYLE CARTOONS THE ANGRY LIBERAL EDITORIALS CONTRIBUTORS MAILBAG PERSPECTIVES ANALYSIS NEWS ALERTS LINK ARCHIVES SEARCH ABOUT FAQ

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.

The BuzzFlash Mailbag will return on January 5, 2003. Have a Safe and Festive New Year's Eve and a Happy New Year!

Subj: Bush's Poem

Roses are red, violets are blue, oh my lump in the bed, how I've missed you.
Roses are redder, bluer am I, seeing you kissed by that charming French guy.
The dogs and the cat they miss you too, Barney's still mad you dropped him, he ate your shoe.
The distance my dear has been such a barrier, next time you want an adventure, just land on a carrier.

Actually, I'd prefer to think that GWB did not write this tripe. I already question his intellect and this juvenile rendering makes me question his maturity as well.

Nitpicking: Wasn't it GWB who dropped Barney? This suggests Laura wrote the poem herself. Of course, she's not the brightest light in the harbor either.

Bush Legacy: More Californians died from mudslides as a result of the Bush Administration's failure to help clear diseased and dead trees as requested by Governor Gray Davis and the wild fires that followed.

Nobody Could Have Predicted: That if you test one cow out of every 1700 or so (1/10 of 1%), you may endanger the food supply.

Nobody Could Have Predicted: That if you consistently lie, as the EPA did regarding air quality around ground-zero, people will be less inclined to believe you when you say eating beef poses no danger.

Nobody Could Have Predicted: That a cow that is too sick to stand or walk on its own might be unsafe to eat.

Turk

Subj: CNN.com - Iraqi dies in attack on U.S. convoy - Dec. 30, 2003

Please note the paragraph about halfway through where the Iraqi provisional gov't rep says Saddam's trial won't be public. Go figure.

Allawi was quoted by the Arabic papers saying, "Saddam Hussein's trial would not be public since he could name countries and persons whom he gave money."

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/12/30/sprj.irq.main/

Dan

Subj: Did you see this on CNN?

"FBI urges police to watch for people carrying almanacs"

Stop the madness!! You can find this archived on the CNN website. I saw it twice on CNN yesterday. I'm putting an almanac in the back window of my car right now! What's next, dictionaries? They hold a lot of dangerous words. Next it will be history books. We live in scary times. Thanks for your good work.

Peggy Hotes
Bellevue, WA

[BuzzFlash Note: Here's why the FBI made that statement. :)]

Subj: Our National Space CADet

There once was a cad who was crowned by a chad,
and his poppy's wee panel of nazis.

Do you have any idea of how difficult it is to rhyme "nazi"?

I must complement you for your use of the word, "cad" to describe the man who represents the cartel of corporateer billionaires.

I looked it up in my dictionary and there was a picture of him in a flight suit next to the entry:

cad\' kad, -aad a person without gentlemanly instincts : one that deliberately and callously violates the accepted code of decent responsible behavior...especially in relations with women.

Well, I think that Valerie Plame was served much worse than Monica Whatsername.

Nice job!

Fireman Michael

Subj: Poetic Lie-cense

Pay close attention to what Laura Bush says in prefacing the poem:

"President Bush is a great leader and husband - but I bet you didn't know, he is also quite the poet. Upon returning home last night from my long trip, I found a lovely poem waiting for me. Normally, I wouldn't share something so personal, but since we're celebrating great writers, I can't resist."

The construction is so careful, so deliberate that Laura must be in on the deception. which makes her as cynical and manipulative as her hubby. Note that she actually does *not* say Dubya wrote the poem. She makes two unconnected statements, that George is "quite the poet" and that she "found" a poem. Placed side by side, the statements are designed to convince the listener that the President is responsible for the doggerel, but nowhere does she actually say that George wrote it.

When you think about it, this is *exactly* the same rhetorical trick the Administration used to conflate Saddam with 9/11. Just stick 'em both in the same speech over and over, and after a few months, most people will believe that Hussein himself piloted the jets into the World Trade Center by remote control.

There truly is no bottom to the shameless falsity of these people, even when the subject is trivial. Wasn't it supposed to be Gore who was the compulsive liar? Stick to the script, Bushes!

Cole Odell

Subj: Bush to quit fundraising

OK, this is in the latest edition of US News:

"The Fat-Cat Hustle

President Bush has spent an amazing amount of this fall raising money for his re-election campaign and now we know why he's been such a devoted pitchman. Insiders say he doesn't like fundraising and wanted it done as fast as possible. In fact, once he gets the goal of $170 million, he doesn't plan to raise another dime. Instead, he wants to shift to the campaign trail beginning in spring and meet with regular folk--not talk up fat cats."

Does anyone believe this? Do they have an editor at that magazine that checks for this stuff?

More at: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/031222/whispers/22whisplead.htm

Roma

Subj: big, BIG lies

So, he didn't write the poem, but the story really panders to Laura, why make such a big deal out of it??

Anyway, news coming out of former Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Serbia, is that the cancer rate in area that NATO bombed with depleted uranium is 4 times the normal rate and rising.... NATO says that there is no scientific evidence that depleted uranium causes cancer, but the man who headed the investigation wrote an email to the BBC saying that there HAD been evidence, but the investigation was not able to finish.

Besides it takes 4 year + for the cancers to become evident, so in Iraq they won't know for four years, and neither will the soldiers.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: about Fitzgerald- the guy appointed to investigate CIA agent's name leak

"So much of what people are angry about doesn't concern the Patriot Act or doesn't involve it," said Patrick Fitzgerald, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

"Sometimes you hear the expression 'If a tree falls in the wood and no one hears it ...'; with the Patriot Act, a tree hasn't fallen but lots of people hear it loudly," he said.

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20031021-104435-4924r.htm

------------

This is the guy Ashcroft assigned to cover the CIA leak. Appointed by Bush. Big Friggen' Difference.

He happens to LOVE the patriot act.

Peace.

Ty Evind

Subj: The Monitors are at it again!!

Dear Buzz:

Anybody see the USDA news conference today (Dec 30) on CNN? Ann Veneman was just about to answer questions from the audience about mad cow in the US when CNN anchor Miles O'Brien abruptly cut the news footage and put up video of some cows on the screen and proceeded to "sum up" what she had just said. He ends by saying, "We'll continue to MONITOR the conference and get back to you if there's any information you need to know."

Information about mad cow on a "need to know" basis!!!! Wow.

This seems to be a pattern on CNN now--cutting off question and answer sessions, promising to "let us know" what was said, only of course IF they consider it newsworthy. They call it "monitoring" but it sure sounds like censoring to me. I guess we all know what constitutes "important" news to CNN (can you say MICHAEL JACKSON one hundred times?).

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: The real vote

Please write your local Secretary of State and demand a paper trail and demand that the ballots are hand counted at the precinct level -- then let the computers do the adding but make sure the precinct totals are visible throughout the entire process. There is plenty of time to get this organized by the 2004 elections and it should be something that everyone who considers himself a loyal American would want. Trying to make voting more complicated is part of the ruse promoted by those who stand to profit greatly by these touchscreen machines and the party that stands to gain the most by this subterfuge. The machines are fine as long as they print a paper ballot that is counted at the precinct -- not just a receipt, which is meaningless as the internal count can be, and has been changed in the past. Most precincts have between 500-1000 voters, far less than the average student body elections in our high schools. Go to blackboxvoting.org and get the facts. Write those letters to your government officials and demand an honest election this time.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Don't Trickle On Me

The Bush administration is destroying and looting our democracy and handing over the wealth and power of our nation to their richest friends and campaign contributors. The Bush team use misinformation to deceive the public. George Bush says “No child left behind”and then cuts funding for educational programs like Head Start, Title One and teacher training. He uses friendly sounding names or “greenwashing”to introduce programs that eliminate health, safety and environmental safeguards that are poisoning our air and water. For example the “Clear Skies Initiative”and “Healthy Forests Initiative”relax clean air standards and increase logging. He said “by far the vast majority of my tax cuts go to the bottom end of the spectrum”This was just an outright lie. The wealthiest one percent get an average of almost $100,000 each, over the next four years.

Karl Rove, is Bush's top political strategist, master of negative campaign tactics and Republican dirty tricks. In the 2000 primary election the Bush team used a vicious scheme called “push polling,”to defeat John McCain in South Carolina. They pretended to conduct an independent opinion poll and asked voters: "If you knew that John McCain fathered a black child out of wedlock, would you be more or less likely to vote for him?" Karl Rove's mentor was Lee Atwater, who was political strategist for Strom Thurman and George Bush Sr.

Don't be fooled by the distortions in the mainstream news media. There is no liberal bias in the media but there is a conservative one. Most of out media outlets are owned by a small number of large corporations which benefit from spreading a conservative agenda and suppressing the truth. GE, which is one of the largest US defense contractors owns NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. Rupert Murdoch owns FOX which is a 24/7 infomercial for the Republican party. At the very least, news organizations in the US have become exceedingly lazy about diligent reporting. In spite of this, the majority of people working in the media are registered Democrats because they are better informed than the general public. Inform yourself because the news media will not. Read one of the books below and reclaim your democracy in November.

- The Best Democracy Money Can Buy by Greg Palast

- Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them by Al Franken

- Blinded by the Right: The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative by David Brock

- Bushwhacked : Life in George W. Bush's America by Molly Ivins

- Pigs at the Trough : Corporate Greed Political Corruption by Arianna Huffington

- The Great Unraveling: Losing Our Way in the New Century by Paul Krugman

- The Lies of George W. Bush: Mastering the Politics of Deception by David Corn

- Big Lies: The Right-Wing Propaganda Machine by Joe Conason

- Thieves in High Places: They've Stolen Our Country... by Jim Hightower

Todd Smyth
Alexandria, VA

[BuzzFlash Note, er, Plug: Many of those books are available from BuzzFlash.]

Subj: How about hollow legs?

Buzzy Baby -- Honest to god -- I thought they meant the almanac might be hollowed out with a bomb inside a la James Bond. Not that some idiot would be lugging it around town for referencing bad boy tarrerist stuff. What comic book is this taken from? Our leg is being pulled, and I don't mean leg.

Liz W

Fwd: Halliburton's ad in Friday's USA Today

In Friday, Dec 26th issue of USA Today's Money section (very appropriate) there was a 3/4 page ad from Halliburton. The text is as follows:

___________________

Halliburton: The Truth About Our Work in Iraq

The political silly season has begun, and it's going to get worse.

A lot of false statements have been made about Halliburton, and I am writing this letter to relay the truth about the company, its employees and our work rebuilding Iraq. I also want you to know about the dedicated Halliburton/KBR employees who, daily, make our troops more comfortable by bringing shelter, food, supplies, clean uniforms, and mail from home to our troops in Iraq.

Halliburton has been unfairly targeted by those who disagree with the war and the reconstruction efforts. Just last week you heard untrue reports that the Company over-billed the taxpayers for fuel. Here are the facts:

Halliburton delivered fuels to Iraq at the best value, best prices and best terms. Most of the fuel came from Turkey. One third came from Kuwait.

Halliburton did not choose to import fuels from Kuwait; we were tasked to do so. In fact, we recommended that the government source fuels from Turkey. That suggestion save the taxpayers $164 million.

Kuwaiti fuels are more expensive to transport because products travel farther and through a war zone. Several of our drivers have been killed and more than 60 vehicles have been destroyed or damaged. It is a difficult and dangerous job.

Halliburton followed all government-approved procedures in the contracting process.

Our employees deserve praise for their extraordinary restoration work in Iraq and their efforts to bring normalcy for the troops. That means building cafeterias, water lines, roads, and lavatories where there are none. Let me quote a Commander:

"A special note of thanks goes to the great Brown and Root team for always being there for the military, 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Thank you for your attention to this. We may be communicating with you in the future as 2004 unfolds. Please know this:

Halliburton is proud to serve our troops.

(signature)
Dave Lesar
Chairman, President and
Chief Exectuive Officer
(notice the spelling of Executive - kept as was shown in USA Today)

___________________

I'm sure many of you have your own thoughts after reading this. I have my own, and it would take up another page. Needless to say, I don't believe they are giving us the full story. The 164 million dollar savings out of a multi-billion dollar contract doesn't hold much weight. Supplying our troops is not as good as written here, and the Commander writing his words of thanks is probably looking for a career following the military - Oddly, there was no name provided to verify the quote.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: writing "in support" of George W.

Hey Guys!

Thanks for the link to Dubya's site inviting folks to write letters of support for local newspapers:

http://www.georgewbush.com/GetActive/WriteNewspapers.aspx?aid=102

I had fun with it, composing and sending the following under the subject heading "President bush on the right course":

In point of fact, the president is a little too far to the right. I would place him just to the left of Mussolini, who felt that true fascism comprised collusion between government and corporations, and was more properly called "corporatism". I think we can all agree that this collusion also defines the philosophy of our "CEO-in-chief", as Karl Rove liked to style him before the Enron/WorldCom/What have you-corporate scandals came to dominate a couple news cycles, and even Bush supporters laughed when the president claimed corporate criminals would be caught and prosecuted.

This claim is more tragic than ludicrous, however, as is shown by the lengths to which this president will go to protect his corporate base; for it was just as the public was getting a grasp on Vice-president Cheney's record over-seeing Halliburton, and even the president's tenure directing Harken Oil (which boasts a strong circumstantial case for insider-trading) that Bush began his now infamous saber-rattling over the (implied) imminent threat Iraq under Saddam Hussein represented.

If as I suggest President bush is just to the left of Mussolini, this can only be because this is his first term, and, God help us, should he win or be awarded another term of office, we may expect the other shoe to drop on his course to the right of Mussolini.

Sincerely,

Cory Hinman

I wanted to write you also to thank you for the work you've been doing with BuzzFlash, which includes keeping me sane and hopeful. I wanted to express my appreciation having felt my last couple of letters had just been busting your chops over your Nader stance. I appreciate and respect that you absolutely did not have to print any criticism leveled against you.

Of course, you may have figured my protestations on Nader's behalf just show what a chump I am...

Sincerely,

Cory Hinman
Ann Arbor,MI

Subj: Ephedra Soundbite

You know my life is so much more relaxed once I crossed over and realized that everything out of the Bush administration is 1) political, 2) a soundbite and 3) less than the truth. Take for instance the Ephedra Ban announcement. Big press conference and just as big headlines from the mullet press. But with everything Bush, it ain't over until it is over.

What is not reported is that the ban regulation has not been written, it will be written in the next few weeks (?) and will go into effect 60 days after it is entered in the Federal Registry. If that doesn't sound familiar than you are not a true Bushologist. After the inauguration in 2001, Bush killed all new regulations that had not hit the registry. One of those regulations was Clinton regulation on meat inspections for listeria. Then in March 2001 guess what? Big press conference by the USDA saying that most of Clinton's initial regulation on listeria would be adopted by the USDA. Once again, big headlines and plenty of press. But of course the press failed to mention that the regulation was still being written, it would be out in a few weeks and would take effect 60 days after it was entered in the federal registry.

Fast forward to 2002 and a major listeria outbreak that leads to numerous deaths and a recall of millions of pounds of beef. And of course the Clinton regulation on listeria was still being written by the Bush USDA and had never came close to seeing the federal registry. Wanna bet when we will see an Ephedra ban in the US?

Paul Maciekowich
Houston, Texas

Subj: President Mad Cow

Dear BuzzFlash,

In reference to Mad Cow disease being discovered in the USA:

Ann Veneman, USDA, tells us not to worry and to go on eating beef. Why, even the mad cow himself [GW Bush] tells us not to worry and that he will continue to eat beef. Question the media needs to ask these two mad cows: If the beef is so safe, why is it being recalled in 8 states and Guam. Oh, just a precaution huh?!!! That bunch of bunk is as ridiculous as the Ford Motor Company telling us that there is one faulty Ford out there... but the problem in the car is not dangerous... and not to worry Ford owners... we are going to recall 10,000 Fords just for the heck of it... that is... if we can locate them all!!!!!

Big hint America: Isn't this the same administration that told us there was no danger to the air quality at Ground Zero, NY City? Aren't these the same mad cows who told us Saddam had weapons of mass destruction? Wasn't it President Mad Cow who told America that he was a uniter, not a divider... and that the US shouldn't be a nation builder? I don't have the time to list all the lies of President Mad Cow. Besides, I believe BuzzFlash has the many lies posted and verified. So need I go on? I think not. So, why should we believe an official of this administration on Mad Cow disease? Quite simply, we shouldn't. We all know better.

~ Cathy

Subj: Where was he?

I am in agreement with several mail-baggers who have brought up the question regarding whether or not Bush was in Iraq for Thanksgiving.

If Bush did not fly in Air Force 1, what did he use? Let's see. The windows were covered, the press was handpicked, the soldiers looked half with it. For some reason I keep thinking of an old movie, Capricorn One, where the astronauts were brought down to a sound stage to fake a landing on Mars when their ship is found to be defective.

So much lying does lead to a lot of people wondering about what this administration will come up with next.

Why does recusing oneself make me think that the 'recuser' is part of the event being investigated? Maybe Ashcroft knows something. Ohhhhh, a lot of people probably do, but won't speak up.

Stephanie

Subj: Is the beef safe?

Today the Center for Science in the Public Interest (a totally independent non-profit consumer advocacy group) disclosed that studies on beef have shown spinal cord material gets into the food supply 35% of the time during an "Advanced Meat Recovery Method" (AMR) which uses a machine to get into the smallest nooks and crannies of the cows backbones. This is meat packaged and sold to US....... not for feed product. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association said that the technique was not used at that processing facility. But there were over 80 other cows slated to be brought in to the US that were eating the same feed in Canada as the infected one found last week. They are trying to track them now, but it is possible that they have already been consumed.

The NBC Evening News with Tom Brokaw didn't feel this was newsworthy.

The Government's team at the press conferences has been saying that there is nearly zero chance of BSE in the food supply. That is not true.

I quit eating beef when clinical studies showed that the hormones and other chemicals wind up in the fat. I am three pounds under the AMA's recommended weight for my height.

Happy New Year!

D. Burbeck
Omaha, Ne

[BuzzFlash Note: A few years ago, famed French mime Marcel Marceau was in Chicago to give a class. When asked how he stayed so healthy and limber, he replied, "Three things: vegetables, vegetables, and vegetables."]

Dear Sir,

I've just read a remarkable letter from Elaine of Petaluma entitled "New Year's Revolutions". What a remarkable lady. At 75 I've fallen in love all over again! Her remarks touch the heart and give rise to great hope for the future of this magnificent country which at present is in the throes of neo-fascism.

Her sentiments should appeal to all reasonable people with some compassion for their brothers and sisters. Follow her dictate and we will defeat the dreaded Bush. Thank you and God Bless Elaine of Petaluma.

A. Leslie Palmer, Mill Valley Ca.

Subj: Where's the beef(cake)?

Dear BF -

Just curious: did you take down the lovely pic of Wes Clark toweling off because you had a sudden attack of misguided "good taste", or because someone asked you to, or....?

This is a serious matter! You may be aware that in ancient Ireland, kingship was not hereditary. Kings were chosen for various qualities -- battle leadership was one, along with others like generosity and hospitality. One important prerequisite was good looks and freedom from physical flaws. If a king became physically imperfect (injured in battle, blemished skin, etc.) he had to abdicate, though he might be re-chosen by his people if his condition improved. It is speculated that this arose from very old notions about the king being the current husband of the goddess of the land -- and the conviction that she would show her displeasure with an unattractive spouse with bad weather, poor harvests, plagues, etc.

Remember when W. developed those huge boils on his face right after the Supreme Court decided against the Fla. recount? Talk about a presage. He's not treating the Goddess any too well, either.

We've got to get a smart, deep-thinking, generous, brave, experienced, good-hearted, *unified* person in the Big Chair - - and it's hard not to feel that fitness and natural beauty are good signs. Call me atavistic.

Yours,

Mary Ellen Sandahl

Subj: Ann Coulter, etc.

As far as Ann Coulter having Mad Cow Disease, I would suggest that if its not Mad Cow its certainly some kind of brain wasting disease or perhaps "hoof in mouth". After listening to her laugh though, I lean toward some disease relating to horses.

For those who think the Democrats have no chance to win the presidency in 2004, all I can say is a lot can happen between now and then. If the economy looks rosy and the war in Iraq is under control it will be very difficult if not impossible. However I have a deep abiding faith in the ability of George Bush to screw things up, he always has.

Jack Anderson
Chatham, MA

Subj: WMDS...etc.

Dear BuzzFlash,

I will start this letter to Buzz, by thanking you very much for the list about 21 ways to know if you are a republican...or something to that effect. I printed it out because I wanted to be able to refer to it. It made me think of the old "You might be a redneck...if" series...this is truly great...thank you!!

I was just watching Democracy Now...with Amy Goodman..one of the new channels we get now..and I always watch it. Scott Ritter was on discussing the trouble the Brits seem to be up against with the WMD non-info...I have not read enough of it yet, to be able to discuss it.

But, in finishing...and it will be a miracle of proportions, if I can finish a letter to BuzzFlash with three paragraphs...but, last night I was channel surfing..and it was bad...but I ran across Dan Rather interviewing Toby Keith, the country singer..one of the infamous Dixie Chick bashers...and one of the famous "Hats" of Nashville. A "hat" is one of the male singers never, ever seen without their hats...some of them not realizing..that that could very well be why they are losing their hair...lol.

Anyway...I curiously watched just to see if Rather would bring up the snit between he and the Chicks....and he did!! Well, Toby surprised me....he said simply, that George Bush had the country in the palm of his hands after Afghanistan...but, if there were No WMDS found in Iraq....he would likely be in trouble in the next election!!

Surprised me more than maybe anything this year...Nashville, the lily white, southern christian town...so unlike Memphis it is not even in the same state!

It was interesting to also find that of all the country music concerts of the year 2003....the Chicks were the money makers...at 62 million.....Toby was next at 41 mil and the others went down from there...isn't that amazing, that these girls who were made to cry on Diane Sawyers show....went on to make the most money of anyone in the concert field? No surprise to me...but, I was wondering if Diane could redo her interview with the Chimp..and force him to tell her what he was going to do if he never, ever found WMDS.."Hell y'all, he could care less....what difference does it make, if they had them or not.." That, to me is the statement of the year of 2003, that I will never, ever forget!!!!!!!

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

Subj: Mailbag 12/30/03

I have wanted to write BuzzFlash for a long time now, but have not because I've felt too ignorant of our political system and the laws governing it! I have not aligned myself with any of the political parties in the past and have mostly went on a “gut”feeling! I knew something was terribly amiss in 2000, when the fascists took power, and felt very alone in my misgivings. Then comes Sept 11 and my initial thought, at the very time it was happening, was that this tragic event is the work of our own government! My sense of history and my very good memory have seldom failed me! I have thought for a very long time now that plans have been drawn up for another, deadlier, attack on the US by the Cheney/Bush regime. I fear that before elections can be held for 2004 that “Martial Law” will be declared!

I write now because I agree wholeheartedly with the reader below and have now found that there are others who are like minded!

Dear Buzz,

It appears as though most of us are looking to the next election with a great deal of hope and optimism; this is a good thing. I can hardly wait, which is why I wish that our "representatives" would impeach the misbegotten little troll and his pet monkey. Unfortunately, a spine and a concept of ethics are requisite for that path. Apparently the Republicans do not mind that their party has been hijacked by a particularly mean-spirited criminal element.

After all, it's not as though anybody has been caught boffing a consenting adult intern in the ovoid orifice while being a Democrat.

I think that it is important to remember that we are definitely dealing with true criminals. They have used their power to further enrich themselves at the expense of the citizens of the USA. They have stolen resources from a sovereign nation, killing American soldiers and thousands of civilians. It appears as though they allowed an attack on our country that killed thousands of civilians in an effort to frighten Americans into letting them have their way. If there were evidence to the contrary, why would they hide it?

I believe that it is important to recognize that there may be no election.

There is a sizeable number of very wealthy people who stand to be investigated if there is a return to a representative government. The thought of a Justice Department that actually ensures that the letter of the law is served, instead of spying on citizens is enough to give the present billionaire cartel nightmares. People at the highest level of our government have been making criminal activity the norm, rather than the exception.

If Diebold cannot "deliver the vote" to Bush as promised, something else will happen.

Suddenly, they will "find" WMD's in Iraq!

Or else there will be an attack on the USA again. It will happen right before the election, and Dumbya will be "forced" to declare martial law and cancel the elections--for our own safety.

Yes, I know that I sound paranoid.

But you can bet that none of these criminals want to take any chances with the grief that a free election would cause them.

Plan B could include massive work stoppages, and a boycott of the economy, i.e. just stop buying crap from corporations. You can even stop buying crap now! Buy from small independent businesses when you must buy.They actually need your business, and will treat you like a human being. Get your books from BuzzFlash. Get your music and films from the indies. And switch off the bloody idiot box; the addiction to that torpor tube is the least talked-about addiction ever.

That's all I can think of for now.

Yes, I know that I'm paranoid,after all-- it's not as though anybody would steal an election, right?

Michael J. Fowler Firefighter/Paramedic retired; and not planning to disappear suddenly without a trace.

And also: nerdeaux in Idyho

Michael J. Fowler Firefighter/Paramedic you are not paranoid in the least. You are prophetic! Thank you for being here Buzz and enlightening people like me!

Long live Democracy!

Dennis F. Landfather SR.
Norfolk, VA.

Hi, Buzz.

I'd like to point out, that every news anchor and every news writer worries about the beef industry. About the damage, that mad cow discovery could have inflicted on the industry. About the losses sustained by the industry.

I want to know what damage the mad cow meat could have done to the average beef eater. Or multitude of average beef eaters. How come nobody worries about the possibly sick and dying consumer base? Without consumers, there would be no need for industry. Industry was established to serve the consumer base. Why doesn't anybody worry about the consumers and what the consumption of contaminated food can do to them?

The USDA says that the food supply is safe. How would they know? They always are surprised by the bad news when the consumers start getting sick and dying. The meat quality control is voluntary, and the recalls of contaminated food are also voluntary. Isn't a fox guarding the hen house here? Why isn't the federal government taking over the voluntary food testing and makes the tests very strict and mandatory? Are they all bought by agribusiness?

Another thing: in the face of the new “terra”wave sweeping the country, I am beginning to suspect that the mad cow was a fib from the start; especially the part of its Canadian origin. As the result of li'l Tommy Ridge use of crayons, we have orange alert. The Homeland Security frowns on “terrists”carrying almanacs…I can't believe all this BS. And now we have the Mad Cow.

Funny. Every time I hear “mad cow”, I see Barbara Bush. I just can't figure it out, why.

Buzz, you are the irreplaceable, one and only true source of information in this twisted weird world of Faux News. Please keep it up; you are doing tremendous service to all of us who have brains. Thanks and have very prosperous and safe New Year.

Regards,

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: New Year's Resolution

I'm making it a new years resolution to be more patriotic this year by doing whatever I have to do to get Bush out of the White House and restore freedom and democracy to America.

It's been almost 4 long years since Bush stole the election. Since then we went from the biggest surplus in the history of the world to the biggest deficit in the history of the world. Peace and prosperity turned into war and poverty. Liberty and Freedom gave way to Homeland Security and the government spying on everything we do. We not send our sons to die in a war in Iraq that has turned out to be a fraud. Freedom and Patriotism are merely marketing slogans and America is shunned in the world community.

America used to be a great nation. We can restore it to the way it used to be. We can go back to the days where the president is elected by the people and not appointed by the supreme court. I want all of you to make it a new year's resolution to rebuild our nation and make America a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Marc Perkel
San Francisco, CA. USA

Subj: Throw Novak in the slammer

Now that a Special Prosecutor has been named to determine who leaked the name of CIA agent, Valerie Plame, I suggest that on the first day of the investigation call Robert Novak as your first interviewee. Ask him who leaked the name and when he refuses to answer -- throw him in the slammer just like Susan McDougal.

G.G.

Subj: Novak's Idiotic Piece

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/12/12/column.novak.opinion.urban/

This is one of the worst examples of journalism I have ever seen. Is this guy on the White House payroll?

Dennis "BuzzFlash Fan" Smith

Buzz,

"Halliburton to Lose Iraq Oil Project," Associated Press

Why does this seem fishy? Of course, they're only losing a small part of their contract. Perhaps that's the angle: make it look like Halliburton is being kicked out, but they're really only being slapped on the hand and can continue to rape the taxpayers in other ways.

Joey Martin, Chicago

Subj: The Letter from Peggy

Hi BuzzFlash!

Gandhi said something similar to what you told Peggy when she wrote to you about the feelings of hopelessness:

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS."

Connie

Subj: To a New Year

Everybody:

Happy New Year to each and everyone of you...may we all survive 2004!!!!!

Mary in Indiana

Subj: Ashcroft Channels Mitchell

So John Ashcroft, after months of inactivity, finally comes to the decision that it's necessary for him to recuse himself from the investigation into the White House betrayal of an American Intelligence Officer. Well, that's just swell. Clearly Ashcroft has taken the lesson of Watergate felon John Mitchell to heart; when acting as a partisan Attorney General, don't be too quick to turn over the reins of an investigation until you're sure you've crippled its' ability to succeed.

Oh Well, at least he's saved George Bush's* pen hand from the excruciating pain of cramping- freeing Bush* from the necessity of writing all those impending pardons.

The American People, Valerie Plame and the CIA will simply have to find justice elsewhere- at the voting booth.

Skip Van Hook

Buzz,

Now That the Shredding is Done Special Counsel Is Named to Head Inquiry on C.I.A. Leak

Jim

* * *

Eric Lichtblau, The New York Times, December 31, 2003

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 - Attorney General John Ashcroft disqualified himself on Tuesday from any involvement in the investigation into whether Bush administration officials illegally disclosed the identity of an undercover C.I.A. officer. At the same time, the Justice Department brought in a special counsel to lead the politically charged case.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/31/politics/31LEAK.html?hp

Subj: Very misleading headline

New Jobless Claims Lowest of Bush Tenure
By JEANNINE AVERSA, Associated Press Writer

Not until you get to end of article does it say:

"Wednesday's report also showed that the number of unemployed people collecting jobless benefits for more than a week rose by 81,000 to 3.3 million for the week ending Dec. 20, the most recent period for which that information is available. This suggests that jobs are still hard to find for some workers."

Nate

Hi Buzzers,

I've been reading the letters, like Judith Foster's, expressing concern about election "prospects" and Bush's cavalier behavior. Those same fears have been on my mind for a very long time. These people are not going to give up their power, at least without some sort of revolution on our part. None of the Democratic candidates ever address this but why should that be a surprise - no one talks about the stolen election or any of those issues. No one talks about anything (except us). It's as if they're all pretending there's nothing wrong and we're just going to have a jolly old election where someone will win the most votes and take office. How can anyone think that? The dem candidates campaign their hearts out, but do they ever ask themselves what's the point, or are they in complete denial? It's not just the electronic voting machines - it's much bigger than that.

I agree with all of the points that Michael Fowler (mailbag 12/30) made and believe me, he sounds no more paranoid than I feel. It's perfectly believable to me that there may not be an election. They are criminals and the Democratic party and its candidates and leadership had better start coming to terms with that. The scenarios roll around in my head of what they will do to install themselves in office forever and I'm very scared.

Now when I think about that "Mission Accomplished" banner, I realize it could very well have meant something else. Mission Accomplished - we got our war. Mission Accomplished - we've completely taken over all branches of government. Mission Accomplished - Americans are scared and we've got them in the palm of our hand. Mission Accomplished - Americans are stupid and have no idea what we're doing. Mission Accomplished - we've pushed through our extreme right-wing agenda. I could go on forever.

On another note, when I went out to lunch today, I was chased down the street by hordes of men carrying almanacs so I had to go back to work. It's dangerous out there!

Thanks for all the info and education, BuzzFlash. And thanks for staying around during the holidays - most sites take a vacation.

Happy New Year to you and yours.

Barbara in NYC

Subj: Re: WMDS...etc.

Buzz,

Thanks also, for printing the article on Chris Matthews show with Peggy Noonan..She has always been one of the Clinton haters...and will never, ever admit to the Bush administration doing anything or saying anything wrong!

I could not believe how many times Chris asked her about Bush going into Iraq..and the reasons...trying to get her to tell him how she felt about that...and in that entire conversation....she never said a thing...not one thing of any importance!

She resorted at the end to calling him "Christopher" and basically saying the exact same thing that Bush had said.."What difference does it make...we have freed the Iraqi people...we have made the world safer to live in..blah..blah...blah.."

Excuse me....but, the reason given and will always be the reason clear thinking democrats go back to..is "They have weapons of mass destruction....they could hit the west coast in 45 minutes...the British say that they have tried to buy or, have bought Uranium from Niger..blah, blah...blah!" Colin Powell testified to the UN..that one little tiny vial of Anthrax (this size) holding it up for all to see, could, if used, kill "billions"...my quotes!

And, Republicans tell us, the democrats, to get over it?? We will never...and the only thing we have to fear is......if he is there even another year....can any good democrat ever, ever clean up the mess?????

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

Subj: Mad Cows and "Downer" George

The outbreak of Mad Cow Disease on a farm in Washington State poses a challenge to the Bush Administration and the way it typically conducts business. On the one hand they have approached the dilemma in an entirely predictable manner, treating it as though it was strictly a political issue. They've applied the standard litany of fabrications and obfuscations that they trot in response to virtually every problem. It hasn't worked.

Second, they have tried to paper-over the gravity of public health risk by assuring the public that "downer" cows will no longer make their way into the food chain. How they hope to accomplish this on a moments notice (and without a massive mobilization of meat inspectors) is anyone's guess but, one thing is certain, the Bush credibility gap could prove to be quite costly in the interim.

Having seen how the administration routinely bludgeons the truth to advance its foreign and domestic policy agendas, who, in their right mind, is going to believe that they'll suddenly reverse direction and implement a strict regulatory regimen. It simply won't happen.

What will happen, and what always happens in the Bush Administration when they are put to the task, is they'll develop a diversionary strategy to pacify the public. In this case, it's likely that they'll call for sweeping changes in the law to rebuild public confidence. However, as the legislation moves through the Republican dominated Congress, either the resources for funding the necessary programs will evaporate or there will be no clear method for implementation. In other words, they will conjure up a useful smokescreen to hide the fact that nothing has changed at all. And that, of course, is precisely the intention. Just think of it as Bush 101, the fundamentals of hoodwinking a gullible public.

The very notion of regulating big business is anathema to the ideologically driven Bush Administration. As they see it, their primary function is to deliver the nation's persecuted corporations to the Elysian Fields beyond the grasp of government oversight. It's doubtful that anyone is foolish enough to suppose that George Bush has suddenly revisited his core beliefs and been transformed into Ralph Nader, "Public Advocate."

As a result, the American meat industry can expect to take the pummeling it so richly deserves. There will be no real help from Washington. (After all, it is the meat industry that sends its legions of lobbyists to Capitol Hill every year to avoid even the stench of regulation.) This is one time when the administration's boatload of deceptions will not work in its favor. No public relations campaign will alter world's aversion to tainted meat.

It should prove interesting, though, to see the Cattleman-in-chief dispatching his salesman-cum-diplomats to the four corners of the earth trying to hawk their rancid animal flesh. How fitting that the same president who was able to con the nation into putting thousands of innocent Iraqis to the sword, would be "hoist by his own petard" by a stumbling bovine in Mabton. Now that's justice!

Mike Whitney