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February 2, 2004 |
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Subj: Chafee's Choice of a Social Group Buzz,You write:
I've been asking the same question for quite a while. I, for one, would welcome him with open arms. -- Barry Schwartz Subj: Message to "Centrist" Democrats & Thanks to Howard Dean Dear BuzzFlashers: If any of you read Robert Reich's New York Times Op-Ed piece, he details exactly why those Democrats who feel that it is necessary to move right of center to get the Republicans to cooperate, why that concept has failed, and will continue to fail. How can a voter be expected to choose between Democrat and Republican if he or she cannot tell the difference between a Democrat and a Republican? Howard Dean gave the Democrats back their focus and for that, all of us owe him a debt of gratitude. Mr. Reich's Op-Ed piece specifically instructs Democrats as to the strategies they will need to employ if they are going to regain power in Congress and the White House. Sleeping with The Enemy - which is what the Centrist and Conservative Democrats like GOP-lite Joe Lieberman has done, cost Democrats all branches of Government and facilitated the Republicans' quest for a one party Government which is the twin sister of fascism. In fact, Mr. Reich points out Lieberman's and Clinton's moving the Democratic Party to center set the Democrats up for their decimation beginning in 1994. The Republicans are not interested in compromise, and tend to cry "foul" when Democrats employ the same tactics that Republicans wilfully impose on those who can't defend themselves. They have not appeared to want to meet Democrats halfway on anything - why should they, when these "centrist" Democrats have moved so far right, they are damn near members of the Republican Party (Zell Miller, this means YOU!). The Democratic Leadership Council is a running joke and constantly feels the "pimphand" of the Republican Party. While I am not holding out hope that our party will regain the White House, I am optimistic that the complexion of Congress is going to change, merely because decent, hard working, loyal and truly patriotic Americans are going to send a message to Congressional representatives, especially the centrists: "Represent my interests or you can look for another Job in 2005!" Howard Dean has been a credit to the Democratic Party, despite whatever the outcome of his winning the nomination for President. Frankly, I think Howard Dean would be too good for us as President. Imagine: -a balanced budget with a surplus; -good foreign relations on global scale; -accountability -legislation that would give Americans a chance at a quality life, quality public education and affordable housing; -community reinvestment -developing and stabilized economy. All the things we enjoyed when a Democrat occupied the White House... I'm a Dean supporter, but I will support whoever wins the nomination. However, whoever wins the nomination must be willing to finish what Howard Dean started, if Dean doesn't win the nomination, and that is a willingness to be held accountable for the promises he makes and being equally willing to take on George Bush and not allow him a free pass on any issue during debates. The Democratic nominee must be willing to fight and not back down - he must continue to remind us why we should vote for him and not allow Bush to disenfranchise American citizens again. He must continue to fuel our righteous indignation and yes, a healthy anger at the way our country has become a flat-out whore to the corporate interests that has resulted in the loss of freedoms, civil rights and liberties and an economic cesspool. I have lost that sense of apathy...thanks to Democrats beginning to re-embrace the core values and concerns that made them join the Democratic Party in the first place. My name is Leutisha Stills. I am Loyal BuzzFlash reader and an Angry but Proud Liberal. Subj: U.S. Military is 'sure'...sure it is! Dear BuzzFlash, How stupid do they think we are? I mean honestly, how stupid do they think we are? 'U.S. Military Sure of Catching Bin Laden' There're only a couple of reasons that the military would be making such grand pronouncements of certainties that are by no means certain, especially after the missing WMD fiasco and the pronouncements that preceded it. Either the person who OKed this statement is a total and complete moron, or the spokesman made the statement without clearing it with brass, or they already have OBL under lock and key, or at least 24 hour surveillance and are ready to bring him in at a moment's notice. How else in hell could they be "sure" of anything? Aside from these explanations, they're about as "sure" of catching him within a year or a couple of months as the administration was sure that SH had stockpiles of WMDs and drones that could deliver them to our shores. Madam Secretary Albright might have been closer to the truth than she realized. Joe Subj: Rush On Thursday afternoon, a lady called Rush to complain about Bush. She stated that she is a Republican and cannot vote for Bush this election because she is so disgusted with him. She said that she would vote for a Libertarian. Rush, for once was a little speechless for a second. He then said to her, seriously, "if that's the way you feel, then vote for Nader." And he did not say it mockingly. Isn't this the man who spouts principles. It was just priceless. Mary Ann Subj: Gut Instincts Hi there Buzz: One positive thing about living under the rule of the Bush Cartel: it's taught me to trust my instincts. My gut said there were no WMD; but I thought, come on, surely they're not just making it up?? Then my gut said the whole Jessica Lynch thing was phony -- and there was more to 9-11 than meets the eye -- and that the media would destroy Dean -- turns out my gut is pretty smart... Now, I'm getting nervous. It's been pretty quiet in Washington since the widely ridiculed Mars Base speech and the the SOTU (which had been deliberately planned to coincide with the Iowa Caucuses to "change the subject" back to the Bush Program). What... more than a week goes by and no new initiatives -- no new tax cuts -- no invasions or captures? What's up?? A week of getting pelted by David Kay's revelations and hardly a peep out of them? What are they planning? My gut says it's something big. I didn't used to be paranoid. I didn't have to be! A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Define Bush Dear BuzzFlash: As you stated in response to the New York times editorial about Democrats in "flyover" country worrying about John Kerry being "too liberal", or, worrying about him being labeled as "a Massachusetts liberal", I think it's high time for Democrats like Evan Bayh and the other hand-wringers in the party to stop all their nervous nellie fretting about how Herr Doktor Karl Rove is going to "define" the Democratic candidate as being a "liberal". Stop fighting the last war, is all I have to say to these nervous nellies. Bill Clinton refused to let the Republicans define him in 1992, and he pre-empted the same type of attack that had previously been launched against Dukakis. In other words, Clinton fought back, he fought early, he fought fast and he fought hard. Another piece of advice to the nervous nellies, for what it's worth: Stop worrying about being called names by bullies. Right now, we have a lot of people in the Democratic party who seem to be afraid to go out there and mix it up in a good fight. Bush has given us so much to run on in the three years that he has been in office that we should be simply chaffing at the bit for an opportunity to go out there and go after him on his record. Instead, some are doing that same old effete worry dance, rolling their eyes, and wistfully dreaming about how it is going to hurt when they get scraped up and roughed up by the brown shirt bully boys of the right. Frankly, I don't think John Kerry is going to back down on his record,not one single bit. He's proud of it, as he should be. RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie was out there today, already spouting off about all of the weapons programs that Kerry supposedly voted against in the 1980's. Is that all that these guys have? They want to re-fight the Cold War, when at the same time their President has sustained a net job loss of three million jobs? Geez, this stuff is laughable, and it should be shot down so fast that the Republicans simply don't know what hit them. If the Republicans want to revisit the 1980's to go after Kerry, then can we talk about Ronald Reagan's unwavering support of Saddam Hussein, Manuel Noriega, Ferdinand Marcos and a few murderous South American dictators? Can we talk about Iran-contra or the October Surprise of October, 1980? Obviously, it would be silly to bring this stuff up, as salacious as it may be, but my point is this -- why would this stuff be any sillier than Ed Gillespie talking about what weapons programs John Kerry didn't vote for in 1986? One final point. When is someone going to have the cajones to stand up and say: "You know what? I am a liberal. So what -- what are you going to do about it, huh? If liberals gave us Social Security, Medicare, student loans, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Civil Rights, Womens' Rights, reproductive choice, regulation of Enron-like business greed and corruption and a system of progressive taxation that makes the super-rich pay their fair share of taxes, then I say we need more liberals in this country! Donald P. Russo, Bethlehem, Pa. Subj: The buzz on My candidate: "ABB" Buzz: I wrote to the BuzzFlash gang a few months ago to indicate that I am supporting "ABB"....anybody but Bush...and other letters and articles that I have seen makes me realize that many others are following suit. I heard a fellow on local radio say that he would vote for the devil in hell before casting a vote for Dubya. I'm also hearing quite a few Atlantans now saying that they are supporting Sen. John Edwards. What's important is that the "buzz" is rapidly growing with the belief that Bush CAN Be Beaten!! Of course this may change when Osama is taken from his spider hole or as the media continues to focus on Weapons of Mass Distraction: Michael Jackson, James Brown, Kobe Bryant (Does the name Willie Horton ring a bell?). D. Turner P.S. Have Bush strategists forgotten how Lee Atwater pleaded for forgiveness before he died of brain cancer? They should be afraid....very afraid. Subj: Saddam Reports When Saddam was being forced to conform to the U.N. sanctions he turned over hundreds of pages of documents describing his weapons programs. Do you still have the article that reported that our government refused to release the whole report for security reasons. That report would seem to be extremely relevant at this time. What was in the report that our government did not want the world to know? Thanks, A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Fax to Russian Embassy Howdy Buzz, I just sent this fax to Russian Embassy. 202-298-5735 Dear Mr. Ushakov, I am writing as a citizen of the world to urge President Putin to stop plans and halt all activity to conduct the planned Russian nuclear war exercise. In my opinion, this exercise is not only unnecessary, but exceedingly dangerous at this point in our world history. We all share this planet and we must all treat each other with respect if we are to survive. Please do not emulate the horrible mistakes of my own President Bush by rattling sabers and threatening other nations with displays of superpower weaponry. These actions lead only to misery, not happiness or well-being. I believe that it is unbecoming of your great nation and contrary to your nation's status as a true world leader to engage in such fruitless and perilous activity. In addition, I believe that the chances of tragic mistakes and accidents, both nuclear and non-nuclear, are ever present in this type of exercise, especially when you are operating equipment and systems that were built decades ago. It is time for people of all nations to work together to abandon these weapons of insanity once and for all, and enter into a time of peace on earth. I pray that you will find the courage within yourself to join us in our quest for this peace. Sincerely, Jim Peters Subj: Truth in media department In case you guys haven't noticed this one yet, Columbia Journalism Review is sponsoring a most excellent ongoing media critique during the 2004 campaign season at <http://www.campaigndesk.org> Their daily commentaries provide some of the most observant and interesting reporting on the media's coverage that I've seen. I think your readers might enjoy seeing some BuzzFlash links to the campaign desk site. Richard
Fish Subj: Do they really have bin Laden? Hi Buzz, Poking around on freerepublic.com, to see what folks on the other side of the fence are talking about, I came across this exchange:
Well, we can only hope Freeper 2 is right. You can read for yourself here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1068652/posts Shannon in Lexington Subj: Bush Sidesteps Call for Outside Probe on Iraq WMD
Not to "over-parse" here, but Bush seems to be saying he wants the American people to "know" something. Whether what it is that he wants them to know is fact or fiction, he leaves up to the reader. Also Bush doesn't promise to share the facts. And Bush doesn't want an investigation into the facts. Gosh. Bush's words seem to be at odds with his actions. Rosamond Subj: Kerry being Attacked Dear Buzz: The minute John Kerry won N.H. the right wing and mainstream media started attacking him. I am with you somehow he must attack back. We the people must help him. Jon Subj: Republicans Against Bush A Republican political operative I know (a friend, believe it or not) told me that angry Democrats do more damage than angry Republicans because a Democrat will cast a protest vote whereas the angry Republicans will just stay home. In other words, the most they usually do is cost their party one vote and not two. I wonder what my friend will make of this:
Rosamond Subj: Learn from History! Read the words of Franklin Roosevelt and consider how far we have come from those days of the New Deal. We need a president who thinks and speaks as clearly as this. Sigrid Smith * * *
Subj: Depleted Uranium As I was following links on the net, I found pictures of American Soldiers training firing tank rounds, including Depleted Uranium shells. It occurred to me that these poor guys are inside a metal and shielded Shell ( their Tank ) which would contain any and all radioactive elements, resulting in their breathing all the radioactive dust particles and emanations from the shells themselves. There is little, if any, ventilation in these vehicles, and to top it off, the loader was handling the shells without gloves or protective gear of any kind. The '91 Gulf War resulted in thousands of afflicted soldiers who brought back a multitude of ailments designated as " Gulf War Syndrome ". What an absolute crock of Sh*t...These ailments reflect genetic and cellular damage as a result of contact with radioactive substances at a level consistent with long-term exposure. There is evidence that the genetic damage was passed onto their children which were conceived upon return. ( Has anyone at the CDC investigated the children of these veterans?) They simply covered up the problem and blamed it on the soldiers themselves, or the Iraqi's: even though there was never any evidence that The Iraqi army used any Chemical Weapons against the Americans. Now, there are other "mysterious" ailments showing up with the recent Gulf invasion... If anyone wants to give the Army or DOD the benefit of doubt, please refer to the countless web pages discussing the effects of Agent Orange...( Can you say Dioxin ), a problem which was denied by the DOD for over 25 years. Can someone please enlighten me as to why the Spraying of Dioxin over vast areas of the Vietnam Peninsula is not considered the use of Chemical Weapons? Certainly the stated use was to de-foliate the jungle, but the effects of Dioxin on Humans and animals is and was well known at that time. Geoff in Austin. Subj: Letter to Charlie Norwood -- I am really getting pissed! Part of letter to my Congressman, Charlie Norwood You are up for re-election. I am determined that you will have to justify the steady stream of poor decisions you have made as you have cast your votes in the 108th Congress. Why don't you just put on a mask, get a gun, come rob me, shoot or maim my kids, pour some toxins on my yard, tap my phone, get my neighbors to spy on me, kidnap me, and throw me out of the moving car in front of the HMO on our way to Guantanamo? Sincerely, Amanda Lang Subj: Israeli Coffins Isn't it ironic that we got to see on TV the three Israeli coffins being brought home, but we can't see our American soldiers' coffins coming home? We also get to see our soldiers returning to their families from their tours which makes a warm and fuzzy picture and is supposed to make us feel better about this so-called war. It's too bad that we don't get to see both sides. Carolyn Hey Buzz, Congratulations!!! All of your hard work is paying off. I will always keep pointing people in your direction. Times, they are a-changin' a bit. Last night I was listening to Aaron Brown on CNN reporting with total disgust in his voice about Rep. Tauzin's little "conflict of interest". I also noticed that on so many stations, one of the big stories was the outsourcing of American jobs. In addition, the fact that ABC felt the need to correct their reporting on the "Dean Scream" shows things are slowly changing in the mainstream. You wouldn't have heard this kind of reporting at all a year ago. It really struck me how BuzzFlash and the great columnists that you feature, whom I can't even begin to list, along with all the other sites out there, are so responsible for this very slow but positive change in news reporting. There's still a long, long way to go, and I realize there's an election and they will be in attack mode, but I think this time it'll be a little harder because of the likes of you and organizations like MoveOn. You've both been the most successful in reaching people and exposing the lies. The independent media is becoming so loud and strong that it's becoming harder and harder for the media whores to ignore some of the BushCo atrocities, although they're still trying. BuzzFlash is at the top of the list because you have the widest array of news coverage and your relentlessness is inspiring. And the fact that you keep growing is such a hopeful sign. So go ahead and bask in your glory - you deserve it. I'm really glad that I'll have you and the mailbag to keep me informed, sane and oftentimes laughing to get me through this election year, hopefully with the results we're working towards. Another donation is forthcoming! Barbara in NYC Subj: tape from the first airplane in hijacking Is it just me, or does it seem like the people on the ground with American Airlines, questioned that hostess much too long....all she should ever have had to say is "we are being hijacked" and help should have been dispatched that instant!! Something about it all, saddens me. !!! Shirley..........St. Louis Subj: Tom DeLay Dear BuzzFlash, I just sent this to Tom DeLay, one of the biggest threats to democracy in our time. Dear Mr. Delay, I just watched Bill Moyers' excellent piece on media consolidation, and I have just one question for you. What is it about our democracy that you find so repugnant? Over a million people wrote letters and sent Emails to the FCC objecting to the proposed FCC changes. Congress then voted with the people on the issue. Then, you and your greedy corporate friends went behind the backs of congress and the American people and wrote your own rules. And now, after numerous objections from fellow congressmen, you won't even allow the issue to come up for a vote? What kind of a man are you, sir? Meanwhile, American soldiers continue to die defending what they believe is a democratic system... only to have their voices taken away by guys like YOU! How do you sleep at night? You call yourself a Christian, but believe me, sir, if there's a Hell below you will be the first to go! You have sold America out to the highest bidder, and that is unforgivable! You seem to have forgotten that this is a ³government of, by and for the people". Either that or you simply have great disdain for the concept. Either way, "we, the people" will do all we can to regain our country from greedy wolves like you. If you don't believe in democracy, Mr. DeLay, I have just one thing to say to you..."America...love it or leave it!" You do not deserve to live here. Rob Moitoza Hi, I was thinking as I read the comments about John Kerry and Botox (What thinking person really cares?) but then, I thought he said in his speech last week that he had lost both his parents in the last few years. Going through trials such as these very much affect our daily looks and could easily explain why he is looking better as he learns to handle the grief. Too bad you can't shame the typical repug uncaring, speak without thinking, digging to the bottom of the barrel for the best dirt, Karl Rove followers with that explanation. Who has an old dictionary? I have looked on the internet and in the new Microsoft dictionary for synonyms for liberal and conservative. When I was young the two words had meaning. The new meanings refer only to political thinking and not very accurately at that. My old World Book Dictionary that I unfortunately gave up in a move, used the synonym giving for liberal and stingy for conservative. Wouldn't that make you proud to be a conservative? It does say something about how far their influence has penetrated. It is wonderful to see the truth in action as the shrubs try to answer for their lies. It may take awhile but the truth always comes out and you at BuzzFlash are a large factor in waking up the masses. Thank You, Suellen Subj: CBS Boycott Dear BuzzFlash, How can I join a one-minute boycott of CBS when I've been boycotting all the media whores since 2001? If it weren't for your site, I'd have no idea what lies they were spinning. Should the mainstream media ever decide to stop propping up this corrupt administration, I'll hear it first on BuzzFlash and then tune in to CBS. Speaking of boycotts, I've decided to do some "starving the beast" myself; I'm not buying anything that I or my family don't absolutely need until after the next election. I've come to the conclusion that only a collapsing economy will wake this country wake up to Bush's failing rob-the-middle-class to-feed-the-ultra-rich economics. Now, with jobs being lost faster than ever, it's beginning to look like the whole thing's going to unravel with or without my help. Sad it had to come to this. RA in LA Subj: Scott Ritter Why is no one writing about Scott Ritter? That he was right all along about Saddam? He was demonized by the "right" incessantly: called Jane Fonda without an exercise video and every kind of traitor imaginable. Why isn't there a movement to start the "independent investigation of intelligence failures" on Iraq with Ritter's testimony? Where's the public apology? Charlie
DeLuca Subj: Devilish idea propels Iraqi theme park WTF...our tax dollars at work....this is ridiculous
Chewgababy Subj: Bush Fiddles While Iraq Burns Dear BuzzFlash Bush's famous comments that Iraq is a safer place because Saddam Hussein is gone would be funny if it was not a serious matter. Suicide bombers, civilians being killed, our troops being killed almost on a daily basis, our helicopters being shot down, and the pictures that you see of vehicles being burned, all show that George Bush is delusional, and desperate. The other nonsensical comment he makes is that the Iraqi's are better off now than they were under Saddam - I would disagree with that too, I don't think the Iraqi people wanted Bush to attack their country causing havoc, death and destruction, and open their borders to terrorists, who were kept away all they years. It would be interesting to interview a few Iraqi's and get their opinion. I think it is time George Bush and his bunch of liars apologized to the families of our troops who were killed or injured in this war of choice. It is time they did the right thing for a change. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: McGovern Interview There is a parallel that can be drawn from the presidential campaigns of the past and now. Anti-war issues and the economy dominated both debates. I remember how McGovern was ridiculed for being weak against communism because he took a stand against a war we couldn't win and should not have entered in the first place, just like Dean and Kucinich have done regarding the Iraq war. How history repeats itself. Now Dean is being attacked as a far left radical who can't beat Bush. It seems to me that any kind of criticism against our foreign policies abroad leaves one vulnerable to attack and by promoting candidates who have a war record like Kerry or Clark leaves me to wonder whether there is any real choice for the American people other than Bush lite. At least George McGovern did go on to win the nomination for the Democratic Party. Has the shift towards conservatism become irreversible? Leona Semizian Subj: Osama and PR Dear BuzzFlash - There ya go again! Seems like damned near everything this administration has done (well, for public consumption anyway) has morphed from being 'real news' into yet another p.r. stunt engineered to make dubya an attractive candidate for re-election. From staged press conferences to Jessica Lynch; from jetting (too far away for a chopper!) out to an aircraft carrier for his victory in Iraq declaration to his ever so courageous Thanksgiving visit with (they were pre-selected?!) troops in Baghdad; from the capture of Hussein to the any-minute-now capture of Osama ( and no doubt the anthrax killer too if that's what it takes). There must be a hundred or a thousand more examples of the manufacturing of events and/or skewing reality in order for the shrub to appear "presidential". You might find it simply astonishing (I never cease to be amazed!) that most of my right leaning friends and acquaintances have no knowledge of the facts that have come to light surrounding these events. I wonder if there's a handy, printable "pocket guide" available - sort of a catalogue of fantasy vs. reality moments - that I could refer to in moments of need? If so, could you put a link to it on your site? My mission is to inform and convert each and every one of my shrub-loving friends; to make the facts known, or at least available, to as many w-admiring acquaintances as I can keep on speaking terms with me; and to convince any other dumb bunny, uninformed, unthinking, fairly-well-to-do (but not nearly wealthy enough to weather, let alone actually benefit from four more years) and born again Christian bush-backing soul I can, that being a truly patriotic citizen entails an honest effort to filter facts from fiction and a frank assessment of each candidate's true character and history, prior to casting a vote in the most crucial election in the history of the world. Preaching to the choir is well and good but I'm determined to recruit a whole bunch of new singers cause I am One very frightened, Democrat Mom Subj: IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY FOR 9-11 - Attack Was Preventable! White House Withholding the 9/11 Panel's Own Notes. Impeach Bush and Cheney for High Crimes and Misdemeanors Against the Nation. There Are at Least 50 Probable Grounds for Impeachment, Including Failure to Protect America. "9/11 Chair: Attack Was Preventable" FIRE THE LIARS Brian I lived in Austin during the Bush years there, and Tom Delay had an interesting nick name back then. He was known as "Hot Tub Tom", and had quite a rep as a party hardy dude. I never was at any coke parties or hot tub extravaganzas with him, that I know of, because he hardly ever hung out w/ the punk rock set. His reputation was all over town, though. Blackie Subj: Fall Guy So, then fix is in. George Tenet of the CIA will be made the fall guy for Bush's "Disaster in Iraq". Then, on top of that, constant references will be made to George Tenet having been a Bill Clinton appointee, with the clear implication being that the CIA's so-called "bad intelligence" is all Clinton's fault. This is all, as we know, a major crock of hooey. Intelligence reports are written in a highly nuanced fashion. It's sort of like reading an X-ray. They are footnoted, and contain numerous qualifications and caveats. They have to, of course, because they are based on a great deal of information reported from sources in the field. Bush-Cheney, et al, took these raw intelligence reports and tore out excerpts that they wanted to use, while ignoring all the other cross-checks and warnings contained in the documents themselves. Colin Powell should be ashamed of himself, because he, unlike all of these other characters, knew exactly how to read these intelligence reports, and he knew exactly what could or could not be extracted or extrapolated from them. Hence, his initial reservations about the invasion. Who got to him and "turned" him is a judgment that will have to be left to history. As for Condoleeza Rice, her culpability is simply beyond the pale; it shocks the conscience. What I find hard to believe (although I am not surprised by these things any more) is how the media are being sucked into the Bush apologia. They are asking the exact questions that Bush wants them to ask; i.e., how could the CIA have screwed up this badly"? This is a complete and total joke, and it makes a mockery of the principles of honesty and accountability. It is like blaming a cancer surgeon's malpractice on an X-Ray technician. How long will the media continue covering for this man? As long, I suppose, as the major media outlets continue to be controlled by Rupert Murdoch and a small group of zillionaires. Finally, on a somewhat-related subject, Osama Bin Laden: I think there is only one way for the Democrats to perhaps inoculate themselves against a Bin Laden "October Surprise" capture---keep saying repeatedly, right now, that it's surely going to happen. Donald P. Russo, Bethlehem, Pa. I am a Canadian reader who has been reading articles on BuzzFlash daily for a few months now, and after reading one more article today about how Americans want to import cheap Canadian drugs, I have had it! I can't believe you have politicians running on platforms like how they are going to provide access to our drugs to their constituents. Only in America, I guess, can you run for political office on the basis of promising access to other countries benefits without paying for them! The same country that slams duties on our softwood lumber because you think it is unfairly subsidized, wants to import our drugs? With no surcharge to make them competitive for American drugs? Our drug prices are set by arrangements made by our government, same as yours. It's not our fault you have Bush running things (probably not your fault either) However, my personal income taxes are part of what subsidizes the cost of the medications I buy. Americans still have the lowest personal income tax rates of any of the G7 countries. I make a little over $30K a year, and I pay 22%federal taxes, 13.7% provincial taxes, and on purchases I pay 7.5% provincial sales tax, and 7% goods and services tax. Near as I can tell, in the States I would pay about 15% federal, in my nearest state, Washington, I would pay 0 state taxes. Here I am considered middle income, in your country I would be taxed as low income, and eligible for tax credits as well! So MY hard earned dollars go to MY government, to help support MY benefits - NOT YOURS! An angry BuzzFlash Reader Sent to: priestd@washpost.com; pincusw@washpost.com; allenm@washpost.com; milbankd@washpost.com: Subj: Story on CIA Intelligence Failings Ms. Priest: How can you write a whole story on the CIA's alleged failings in the Iraq intelligence matter and the alleged lack of political pressure to change the agency's findings without even referencing the recent Carnegie Endowment report or even talking to any of the analyst's themselves, or people like Greg Thielmann? All you and the Post are doing when you put out one-sided garbage like this is to adopt the White House line and as a result, you become part of the problem. This story was worthless, but I'm sure Karl Rove and the president are quite thrilled with your "work" here. Steve Soto Subj: George Bush's Economic Program From a BuzzFlash Reader: I think it's time we called George Bush's economic program what it really is: The "No Millionaire Left Behind Act" Subj: Voter Registration Hi, Love the site. One of the keys to beating bush is to register voters. you might want to consider featuring a prominent link to sites for voter registration. here's one that i ran across this morning: https://www.workingforchange.com/vote/index.cfm?ms=PJV001 I'm feeling better about this election every day, but we're going to have bust our asses to beat his corporate dollars. Best Regards, Brad Duchaine Subj: Out of the loop, or just plain loopy. I think I am seeing an old Reagan/Bush pattern beginning to emerge here. There will be no WMD found in Iraq. Most of us were pretty sure of that before the war began. From the time Channel 4, London, reported that "evidence" was actually the paper of a graduate student and was written in 1991, many of us were suspicious. Why wasn't George W Bush suspicious? Yes, David Kay is now saying that he does not believe there ever was any WMD. He is also saying that the CIA owes Bush an apology. The President didn't know. Can we spell, "plausible deniability?" Those of us who paid attention through the Iran/Contra whitewash will remember that Rebug. turn of phrase. The United States of America is now the most roundly despised nation on Earth and the man who made this so with his insane foreign policy, fascist domestic policy, his strutting, smirking and truly despicable "humor" (never thought we would get the trifecta), not to mention his "moral certainty" about bombing hell out of another nation and killing innocent people, should receive an apology? That is going to be the official line? How many more times will Tenet fall on his sword for the Idiot Emperor? If We, The People, do not demand Impeachment hearings for Bush and Cheney now and demand it in such a way that says to the country, "There will be no business as usual until all questions we have about this administration's conduct are answered under oath and publicly", then we will get what we deserve. Dot Subj: Bush Vs Intelligence on WMD Buzz, There is at least one question not being asked of the Bush Administration as they try to blame the intelligence community for the lack of WMD in Iraq. The UN inspectors were in Iraq for months before the invasion. I know that Bush doesn't seem to be aware that they were there as he keeps stating that Saddam wouldn't allow them in and that precipitated the war.But I have it on good authority that the inspectors were there and couldn't find any WMD despite all the tips we passed on to them. Did anyone in this administration consider that the UN inspectors were not incompetent and that there ,in fact, was nothing to find? Did they consider any option other than Saddam was just too good at hiding the weapons he said he didn't have. Did anyone ask the intelligence community to explain why nothing was being found? This would seem to have been the time to accept the reality of what is as opposed to the fiction of what you think you should or could be. Regardless of what the intelligence was, and we know from what has been released how nuanced and qualified it was. An administration that wasn't so arrogant and convinced of its delusions would have certainly continued the inspections instead of starting an illegal and costly war. So, the question George, Dick, Condi and Rummy should be asked is " Why, when the UN inspectors were proving our intelligence wrong, did you persist in your assumptions that WMD were in Iraq?". Bob Dare Subj: Bush is not psychotic, but he does have a serious problem Buzz, With Bush claiming to have done more for human rights than any legitimate president, and repeatedly denying that Saddam allowed inspections, some have questioned his sanity. I am no expert, but from what I can see Bush is not insane in the ordinary sense. Ironically, if I am right, Bush and Saddam are both "not insane" in the same fashion: they are both malignantly narcissistic. Here's a nice informal rundown of personality traits associated with such a person (http://www.narcissisticabuse.com/characteristics.html): CHARACTERISTICS of the NARCISSIST and others with Personality Disorders I began this and as others sent me more, I added them to make this a collaborative list. Thank you all. 1. Self-centered. His needs are paramount. 2. No remorse for mistakes or misdeeds. 3 Unreliable, undependable. 4. Does not care about the consequences of his actions. 5. Projects his faults on to others. High blaming behavior; never his fault. 6. Little if any conscience. 7. Insensitive to needs and feelings of others. 8. Has a good front (persona) to impress and exploit others. 9. Low stress tolerance. Easy to anger and rage. 10. People are to be manipulated for his needs. 11. Rationalizes easily. Twists conversation to his gain at other's expense. If trapped, keeps talking, changes the subject or gets angry. 12. Pathological lying. 13. Tremendous need to control situations, conversations, others. 14. No real values. Mostly situational. 15. Often perceived as caring and understanding and uses this to manipulate. 16. Angry, mercurial, moods. 17. Uses sex to control 18. Does not share ideas, feelings, emotions. 19. Conversation controller. Must have the first and last word. 20. Is very slow to forgive others. Hangs onto resentment. 21. Secret life. Hides money, friends, activities. 22. Likes annoying others. Likes to create chaos and disrupt for no reason. [Remember how Bush treated the Queen of England, both during his father's legitimate presidency and in the recent state visit?] 23. Moody - switches from nice guy to anger without much provocation. 24. Repeatedly fails to honor financial obligations. 25. Seldom expresses appreciation. 26. Grandiose. Convinced he knows more than others and is correct in all he does. 27. Lacks ability to see how he comes across to others. Defensive when confronted with his behavior. Never his fault. 28. Can get emotional, tearful. This is about show or frustration rather than sorrow. 29. He breaks woman's spirits to keep them dependent. 30. Needs threats, intimidations to keep others close to him. 31. Sabotages partner. Wants her to be happy only through him and to have few or no outside interests and acquaintances. 32. Highly contradictory. 33. Convincing. Must convince people to side with him. 34. Hides his real self. Always "on". 35. Kind only if he's getting from you what he wants. 36. He has to be right. He has to win. He has to look good. 37. He announces, not discusses. He tells, not asks. 38. Does not discuss openly, has a hidden agenda. 39. Controls money of others but spends freely on himself. 40. Unilateral condition of, "I'm OK and justified so I don't need to hear your position or ideas". 41. Always feels misunderstood. 42. You feel miserable with this person. He drains you. 43. Does not listen because he does not care. 44. His feelings are discussed, not the partners. 45. Is not interested in problem-solving.. 46. Very good at reading people, so he can manipulate them. The official clinical criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder can be read at http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/narcissisticpd.htm There's lots of information available from or pointed to by http://groups.msn.com/NARCISSISTICPERSONALITYDISORDER -- Barry Schwartz Subj: 9-11 Commission I've emailed the 911 Commission and asked they PLEASE issue subpoenas to fight the stonewalling by the White House. Maybe your other readers will do the same. A Reader Sent to: Letters@enquirer.com: January 31, 2004 The Cincinnati Enquirer To Whom It May Concern: Now I know that unemployment is not affecting that many people, only about two million - apparently, not enough to put the following article on the front page. The article was put on the "Opinions" page. And the article is not an opinion. The article follows: Exhausted jobless need aid The pernicious joblessness bedeviling the nation is spawning a new category of Americans dubbed "exhaustees" : the hundreds of thousands of hard-core unemployed who have run through state and federal unemployment aid. According to the latest estimates, close to two million Americans, futilely hunting for work while scrambling for economic sustenance, will join the ranks of exhaustees in the next six months. They represent a record flood of unemployed individuals with expired benefits - the highest in 30 years - who are plainly desperate for help. President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress are doing nothing to help these people. Washington showed no qualms last month in allowing the expiration of the emergency federal program that had offered an extra 13 weeks of help to those who exhausted state benefits. Historically, such help has been continued in periods of continuing job shortages. A year ago, the aid was extended an extra year by Republican leaders. But now, the GOP's election-year talk is of a recovery rooted in in the tax cuts weighted for affluent America. Tending to the exhaustees clearly mars that message. The emergency program cries out for immediate renewal. It costs $1 billion a month, money that is available from the federal unemployment fund. Without action, the exhaustee toll will mount. -- The New York Times My Opinion/Question: At what point in an elected official's thought-process does money, celebrity-ism, and lobbyists' gratuities, at what point is this more important than helping those who so desperately need an extension of their unemployment? At what point does an elected official rise to the level of thinking that the extension of unemployment benefits is not important? And why did the elected official run for a government position, if not to help his fellow constituent? Why does a person receive unemployment benefits? Isn't it because they lost their job. No one wants to lose their job. I don't believe anyone even wants to be on unemployment. They have to - to buy food and pay bills. Why do we work to begin with - isn't it to get a paycheck to buy food and pay bills? Remember in 1991/92, when Senior Bush said that he didn't want to renew/extend unemployment benefits: why, you say. He said, then the unemployed would not go out and look for a job. I remember this like yesterday because my husband was on unemployment. He had recently left a job after 34 years in a manufacturing job; a company that left the United States to manufacture overseas. I stood there, staring at the TV. Did I really hear this, coming from the President of the United States? Yes. We, the people, elect politicians with the intention of their elected-ability to help us. Then, when we need that help, we don't receive it. The intention of elections is for the elected to help the people: We the people of the United States. My prayer is that come the Election of 2004, the people, not the Supreme Court, the people, will dutifully elect a new president. I am excited. I pray everyone else is excited, too. In the meantime, lets get those unemployment payments extended. Dolores
M. Dryden Subj: You don't have to be Karnak the Magnificent to see the future The White House will be Shocked! Shocked! that Slitherin' Dick Cheney had connections to Halliburton; Cheney forced to resign July 27th, which just happens to be in the middle of the Democratic Convention. Rudy Giuliani tapped to be Republican VP - Wednesday, September 8th at the Republican Convention in New York City, with flashy, exploitive to-do at Ground Zero on September 11th. And a new October Surprise: Osama Bin Laden Captured - Wednesday, October 20th or Wednesday, October 27th. This is a harder one...the news cycle has been disturbingly short of late (unless the story is Howard Dean's demeanor, of course...they'll beat that dead horse for years). I'm leaning toward the 27th, and I'm going with a Wednesday, which gives the sycophantic media some time to ramp up for big "special coverage" on Thursday night, which traditionally has the largest TV viewing audience. I'm not the only one seeing this coming, right? And if I can figure this out, don't you think the Democrats better start setting the stage for this in the public's mind really soon? Like, really really soon? If they don't take control of this scenario right now, the Democrats deserve to lose. Unfortunately, if the Democrats lose in November, our country will pay the price. Lynne Keeley 'Security' of Diebold Voting Machines is a Farce
So reports the Baltimore Sun. entire article -- A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: 9-11 Commission This letter was sent to the Los Angeles Times, but was not printed. I thought you would be interested in it with this addendum from your site. Border agent discusses red flags that should have gone off on Mohammed Atta: But the most staggering sentence is near the finish of the article:
Whose unspoken rule, when did it happen, and why? Janet Subj: Impeachment Imminent Dear Buzz, Nowadays what do you here the President saying about the war in Iraq? I just heard him again in a press conference say that we went in because Saddam was a serious threat, a growing threat. What happened to the WMD reason? The lie him and his administration told America and the World/UN? Watch this to remind you, just incase you have amnesia like the Bush Administration now has >> http://snipurl.com/46pe And I also listened to a FOX news correspondent say how the DEMS are calling for an independent investigation into the WMD lie. Is Senator John McCain a Democrat? According to FOX he is. That is not Fair and Balanced to me! Link to McCain's call for probe into intel errors >> http://snipurl.com/46pn “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”(Edmund Burke) A TRUE Patriot Act.......VOTE 2004 Rod Subj: Link about McCain Oh how liberal sites love to get John McCain into the mix. I listened to the hearing, McCain insisted upon putting words into the mouth of Dr. David (shill) Kay to the effect that the war was justified anyway. There is not a war McCain doesn't like. It is about time this bloody hawk be outed for what he is, a neocon shill. One naturally empathizes with Mr. McCain because of how he suffered, but enough is enough. Michael please post short video clip of diane sawyer's mea culpa. it has footage of how the crowd was so loud, it drowned out dean's voice. dean yelling will be read misconstrued if it's presented without the context of the deafening roar of the crowd included. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/news/012904_nw_dean_scream_abcnews.html linda Subj: Send the Children of Politicians to the Front Lines From the Cato Institute = a "turning?"
Chewgababy Subj: Another Crooked Grin Re: your USA Today article "McCain calls for commission (WMD)" . A couple of nights ago on PBS's News Hour with Lehrer, he and Carl Levin, D- Michigan spoke. McC THREE times prefaced his answers with a Clinton failure to address the problem. Each time he said this he smiled a peculiar Cheney type grin, only from both sides of his mouth. It was as if he were sending a signal that, yes, he had made the anti-opposition claim/lie. Levin kept returning to the fact that McC endorsed a commission. Stuck to the facts. Only today, Levin, on NPR, was reported as saying it's o.k. to have the results come out AFTER the election. What kind of crap is THAT? Might as well wait for the CROOKED COURT to decide when we get the news, like the maybe never Valerie CIA or the 9-11 so called investigations. I noted a week or two ago that I get the feeling that McC may be positioning himself in case Bush is a dropout for whatever reason. Crazy things can happen. Bush sounded quavery today defending his stance to not investigate, even tho, of course, he "really would like to know". McC is playing both sides. How can he go along with this after what they did to him in the last Republican election primary? Liz W. |
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