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February 18, 2004 |
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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. If your letter includes hypertext links, please include the entire URL. 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.
Subj: Questions for George Bush at Daytona Last week the White House official web page hosted Nascar racer Michael Waltrip [http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20040213.html] as the person on their “Ask the White House”feature. I sent him my question: “Are you an Administration official or just a friend of the White house? Why do you think you can answer questions on behalf of the White House? What do you think of Mr. Bush’s arrests for drunken driving and two collisions during his irresponsible youth? “I don’t understand why he didn’t answer my questions. He answered such questions as “What do you think of the President going to Daytona?”and “What do you think of the new tires.”Putting him on the White House page is as good a use of taxpayer’s money as the Barney Cam was at Christmas. I can think of lots of other questions to Ask the White House. Like, “Dan Bartlett, were you really there in the Texas Guard office when they threw away all of those documents as Bill Burkett reports?”or “Scott McClellan, if you can answer at length questions about Nascar, why can’t you answer a simple question posed by that nice lady, Helen Thomas?”or “George Bush, why did you believe the WMD estimates of the fellows in the Office of Special Plans instead of the regular intelligence officers who said that there were no WMDs?”or “Laura Bush, did you actually read The Brother’s Karamazov?” Another question for George crops up from Mike Allen’s piece in the Washington Post this morning about Bush at Daytona [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44551-2004Feb15.html] . “You said, ‘I flew fighters when I was in the Guard, and I like speed.’If you liked the Guard so much, why didn’t you take your medical exam and continue flying? Was the speed that you experienced while driving drunk enough excitement for you so you didn’t need the speed of the fighter jets? Did you have any other experiences with Speed that we don’t know about?” Sigrid Smith since the iraq war started, how much vacation time has bush taken and how many funerals of our dead soldiers did he attend? a BuzzFlash reader The article by John Tredrea about Lt. Seth Dvorin's death in Iraq would make a perfect commercial for the DNC , against the murderous administration we have been forced to live with these last three years. They could show the picture of the family and the statement (her son died for absolutely nothing and she blames George W. Bush personally for her son's death.) His mother's quote in the article is "Seth died for President George W.Bush's personal vendetta" A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Twisted spin by Howard Kurtz... ** The Land of the Free ** Unbelievably I just heard Howard Kurtz say on CNN that the non 'intern story' only reached the mainstream news "when John Kerry issued a denial..." WTF? Is that something akin to blaming the victim? Howard Kurtz is a known rightwing apologist but sometimes even he is over the top for Howard Kurtz Karen Subj: Nascar I am so sick of hearing about bush at the Daytona 500. We wait all winter for the start of race season. Watching the chimp almost spoiled the day. The only salvation was the thought that he would get booed just as Governor Ryan did at the race in Joliet. Of course we would not be able to hear it on TV as we did in person in Joliet. I am a Nascar grandmother..my Nascar children and spouses and my Nascar grandchildren and my Nascar spouse (Guess he's a Nascar grandfather) won't be voting for the chimp. Hope other Nascar fans don't either. Paula Subj: Ralph Nader is considering rerunning - PLEASE HELP TO DISSUADE HIM As you may know Mr. Nader is considering rerunning! He is asking for public opinion towards this end. You can help him to decide against this serious misstep by sending him an email of your opinion to: info@naderexplore04.org Please see this website: http://www.ralphdontrun.net/ The following is a copy of my email to him - please feel free to cut and paste or use your own words. " Dear Mr. Nader. I have a lot of respect for you, but need to plead that you do not run for President in 2004. The Democrats' chances are iffy at best to defeat Mr. Bush. Were you to throw in with our progressives, we would stand a far better chance of defeating Mr. Bush and his administration - which is well on its way towards destroying the America we grew up in. Please do not run - as votes for you will only weaken the Democrats further and put nails on the coffin for a Democratic presidency. Our country needs your help. Please do not allow posterity to record this serious misstep as your legacy to America. Signed: a citizen who is working towards the defeat of Mr. Bush in 2004. TPB" Too, please copy this email to everyone on your email list. We must stop what happened in 2000 from recurring in 2004 and the only way is if we each of us do our part. Thank you for your attention and help. TPB Subj: GWB Why should GWB not be elected President? Well, he stole the 2000 election, and should not be sitting in the White House. Should have been tar and feathered and run out of town! He went AWOL, they lie about it, but the truth is the truth. In charge of our troops, (because of stealing election 2000,) should not have gotten the chance to send them to their deaths in a country we had no right to bomb, and killed innocent people. O.k. now let's see. He lies, steals, and thinks nothing of throwing away human live's. These are the outward signs we can count on to be true. Just the basics! No more, no less! Need we say more???? ABB! Vote DEMOCRAT! A couple of Senior citizens who always read BuzzFlash. Subj: Records I know exactly where the records center in Overland, Mo.....is. That is a suburb of the City of St.Louis...it has been there since I have lived here...forever! The only reason, I can figure for moving them is to alter them...(Bush's service records). But, I am in awe of the fact that someone said (at the records center) that no one can have access to them....I thought there was a "Freedom of Information Act!" Maybe, I am in error...that might not apply to government records....maybe just access to trial information ....past! 'Course, I am always confused about something! More so now, than ever!! Anyone know...about the "Freedom of Information Act??" Maybe I should give them a call....at least I wouldn't have egg on my face if wrong! Shirley....St. Louis Re: Bush Pilot Training Test Scores Sirs: I'm no Bushie -- I'd like to see him choke on his own lying vomit (but not to death, heaven forfend) --and I'm certainly no handwriting expert. But I do believe that if you examine closely the correction made on the "Pilot Aptitude" line, those initials are R.J.I. and not R.J.D. Careful comparison with those initials and the signature below of Ralph J. Ianuzzi, who apparently was just promoted from 1st Lt. to Capt., will confirm that, I think. Sorry, guys, but no cigar. Like BuzzFlash, I've often wondered how well the joker really scored in flight training, so I guess I'm curious about what "25" means? If the "Navigator Aptitude" was 50, he probably did a lot better in his cross-country than his actual flying. And what is "Test Form 66" and where is there a copy of that? Sure a lot of unanswered questions here, aren't there? L.R. Geleynse Subj: Mr. Bush One of your Mail Bag writers came up with a great idea: Where is Mr. Bush's DD Form 214. I and every member of any service that has been discharged from active duty has one, and it is like gold to us. If we lose it, we can write Department of the Army and get a copy real fast. As you probably know, it not only gives you the time and place of last assignments but gives you a reenlistment code denoting whether or not you are eligible for reenlistment. One other form that is not being asked for is the Unit Morning Report that is sent out every day to your headquarters with who is missing, AWOL etc. Rakkasan More bodies, whether US, foreign soldiers, or mercenaries, as in private military companies, are necessary. A bill by Representative Ellen Tauscher, currently under consideration in the House of Representatives, would add 40,000 to the army, 28,700 to the air force and 15,000 to the Marines. This overall increase of 83,700 can be compared with the entire strength of the British army, namely 114,000. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/FB14Aa01.html A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Democrats Need to Finish What Howard Dean Started Dear BuzzFlashers: Now that it looks like the winner of the Democratic Nomination will be anyone except Howard Dean, I say we demand that the Democratic Nominee finish what Howard Dean started. What Howard Dean started was a mobilization of Democrats that hasn't been seen since 1994. Furthermore, this new mobilization of Democrats comes from going back to the core values which distinguished Democrats from Republicans, and therefore, giving voters a clear cut choice. It is my prayer that those who are "moderate" or "centrist" Democrats come back to the core values that made them decide to become Democrats in the first place. The Democratic Party cannot afford any more "Republicans in Sheep's Clothing" especially if the Democrats' mission is to regain Congress as well as the White House. The selling out of the Democratic Party by those who "profess" to be Democrats has gone on long enough! Those of us who are loyal Democrats need to initiate a push to take back the Party as well as the Federal Government. Memo to Shirley in St. Louis - Lady, you are my hero! You talk plain and tell it straight, no chaser! I ask that you help me to spread this message to other BuzzFlash readers who are fed up, mad as hell, and don't plan to take this BS anymore! Again, my name is Leutisha Stills. I am a Loyal BuzzFlash reader, an Angry but Proud Liberal, and I'm not taking the BS anymore! Subj: Bush Was Punished for Missing Duty Bush's discharge (ORS) document, signed by Rufus G. Martin states in the "Reason And Authority For Discharge" field: "Officer is transferred to ARPC (ORS) 3800 York St. Denver, Colorado 80205 effective 2 October 1973" http://users.cis.net/coldfeet/ANG22.gif here's the text explaining what qualifies one for the ORS in Denver:
See document below signed by George W. Bush that indicates if he fails to complete assignments satisfactorily, he will be assigned to the ORS duty listed above (hard to read unless you can enlarge it) http://users.cis.net/coldfeet/doc23.gif Stefan Matvey Subj: Daytona 500 and the National Anthem Maybe I missed something, and I'll admit I don't usually watch anything that has Bush's face/voice attached to it - but am I the only one who noticed that during the National Anthem, our "patriotic" leader failed to place his right hand over his heart? Is he so "patriotic" that he doesn't realize proper etiquette? Or did the media just catch him during those moments when his arm was just too tired to lift. Pat Subj: Alabama Woman Calls Calhoun a DAMN LIAR I know several Guardsmen who served in Bush's unit, all who say they NEVER saw Bush- so I knew that Bill Calhoun was lying about seeing Bush in Alabama. However, the Hardball show tonight PROVES that he is a liar. When pressed as to why Calhoun is the only Guardsman who remembers Bush, Calhoun stated that Bush was a loner. To explain WHY Bush was such a loner, Calhoun made the claim that 'Republicans were not popular down here during the days of George Wallace.' Let me remind Mr. Calhoun of a little history: The very campaign upon which Bush worked here in Alabama- Blount v. Sparkman- was racially charged- and was the beginning of the southern white vote switch to the republican party, the new "Dixie Strategy." The Birmingham News ran a transcript of a doctored radio tape from a radio debate distorting Sparkman's position on busing on November 6, the day before the election, which made it appear Sparkman was in favor of busing black and white children miles across towns to "mix" the public schools. The literature of the campaign echoed the winning conservative Senate race of Ed Gurney in Florida, also dreamed up by Allison and company. Blount's campaign, awash in cash with twice the money of Sparkman's, paid for billboards across the state proclaiming: "A vote for Red Blount is a vote against forced busing . . . against coddling criminals . . . against welfare freeloaders." Furthermore, one of Bush's duties as "campaign coordinator," according to his official title in the newspapers, was to stay in contact by phone with campaign managers in Alabama's 67 counties, and to handle the distribution of all campaign materials, Archibald says. That material included a pamphlet accusing Sparkman of being soft on the race issue. It also included a doctored tape from a radio debate distorting Sparkman's position on busing. Clearly, Bush's ideology was POPULAR in Alabama. For Bill Calhoun to pretend that the reason Bush was not seen by anyone but himself was because of unpopular politics just proves what I already knew based on first-hand accounts- Bill Calhoun is lying. My father was a Vietnam Vet who served his country during that dreadful war, unable to afford a spot in the "Champagne Unit." However, he and I both supported Clinton in spite of his avoidance of the draft. If Bush had been honest about this, he would have been far better off politically. As it is, not only was he irresponsible as a young man, but he is a liar as Commander in Chief. Sincerely, Tamara Knowles Subj: idea how about an intvu with a high ranking official of the afl-cio and have him/her explain to us why so many blue collar folks who should be voting democratic (the nascar dads, for example) favor bush, even though everything he stands for is against them and their economic interest. and, what strategy the dems could use to try to win them back. samuel
goodman Subj: Who pays for the Airforce 1??? Is anybody wondering who pays for all this "flying around" the President is doing? I mean this is beyond the " common sense" campaigning when he goes to NASCAR and flies in circles around the race !!!!!! This guy is on the road everyday with a 747 like it is some kind of Chrysler-mini-van !!!!! Never mind all the support folks that have to go before him to ensure security and all the cars that go with him. Lets take this recent trip ... I am sure a plain had to take his car and all the other SUVs for the secret police, I just saw a couple pictures and it seemed there were at least 10 SUVs!!!! So how much did this trip cost? I remember one time Reagan was criticized for going over a weekend to N. Carolina and it cost the tax payers 7 million dollars!!!! and that was a few years ago. Did President Bush spend a couple hundred million tax-payers dollars to raise 200 million dollars ????????? Is anybody checking into that ? George
S. Watching the news reports about gay marriage, I see a common theme developing among Conservatives, they want a Constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages, because they see judges in Massachusetts ruling in favor of equal protection and realizing that the ban is discrimination because of the equal protection amendment to the federal and most states constitution. Conservatives says that judges can't decide policy, but Conservatives don't mind judges deciding elections. This is blatant hypocrisy and the same arguments they used to deny minorities their rights and steal the Presidency and cover-up this Administration lies and betrayal of our democracy, but I then again we aren't a democracy, we are a 'republic'. Walter Subj: Coulter....is she human? Buzz: I have written about Ms./Mr. Coulter several times. A person this evil/insane must have a significant problem. With that bobbing Adam's apple and continual smirk ( much like Dubya's), I'd like to know if anyone can verify that this person was ever a young girl. Something in this person's background has made her like this. Or is it all about collecting money and grabbing attention. Other right-wingers are often hateful and extreme, but Coulter is VILE. She is probably capable of extreme acts. I would suggest that Democrats and independents should be wary about being alone in her presence. Have any of them considered a law suit? Max Cleland deserves better and it sickens me that Coulter and others feel that they can attack him. Living in Georgia among many such insensitive and ungrateful people ain't easy. Don't forget to pray Buzz readers.....the world is counting on us to unseat Dubya. D. Turner Subj: Info on AFOQT (Bush's pilot test) From raptorpilot.com:
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>>>>>> at the bottom of the web page is the following attribution: Content on this page is originally from: http://www.afrotc.com Alan Miller Subj: it's not about Vietnam -- don't get fooled Why is it that some Republicans and right wing pundits seem to think that the mystery months in Dubya's national guard service is the Democratic attempt to politicize and resurrect the Vietnam War? I say seem because they really know better but are trying to get the general public to miss the real point when they use phrases like "trolling for trash." People in this country and overseas, not only the Democrats and the press, are asking questions relentlessly because the big picture has to do with the difference between image and reality. Mr. Bush was a proponent of the war in Vietnam, but rather than walk the walk, he used his family’s connections and got a cushy stateside assignment in the guard, further eroded by the Alabama mystery. Mr. Kerry served heroically in the military and, after seeing first-hand what was really going on, protested against what he saw as an unconscionable U.S. policy. Then and now, Bush let the sons and daughters of less privileged Americans make the ultimate sacrifice and put their lives on the line while he and his ilk, through manipulation and distortion, profited and stayed protected in the halls of power. There is a limit to how long one can disguise one's true character. That’s what this is all about; it’s not about Vietnam! Tom Herz Subj: AMERICA'S MOST LOYAL ALLY Dear BuzzFlash, In the February 2004 copy of the Polish American Journal a front page article AMERICA'S MOST LOYAL ALLY, Poland may hold the title but is Denied Rights Given to Others. They compare French and German actions in the Iraq war and statements made by Bush and his administration with all the accolades Poland must still get a visas a wait that could be years. When Tom Ridge said that every one would have to be finger printed and photographed when entering the USA 27 countries were exempt Poland was not one of them. Like Britain Poland also has sent troops to Iraq a commando unit called GROM, which means thunder. It helped to secure the port of Umm Qasr also secured nearby oil platforms. The Bush Administration continues to treat the Polish People as the enemy. The article was from a editorial by Alex Storozynski editor in chief of amNew York, he was on the editorial board of the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS. Hope I gave enough information. Tom Przyzycki Contribution of Thought Eleanor Roosevelt said Republicans talk about "things" - - - whereas Democrats talk about "people" - - -- - - -- - -- ----a famous jurist said that Republicans believe in "property rights" - - whereas Democrats believe in "human rights." Mack Bettis Subj: Vets protesting Kerry on Feb 28 in NYC - GOP bs? I think the protest of vets against Kerry in NY on Feb 28 (all of a sudden out of the blue) is organized by Bushies. This is complete timed GOP rabid slime. ClarkyforKerry Subj: Be careful, Vietnam is a ruse by the repubs The democrats need to be wary about all of the focus of the upcoming election on the war on Iraq. Sounds good, but it's a ruse, for sure. When you look at all of the issues, i.e., economy, jobs, world disorder, social disruption, health care crisis, etc., etc.. The Rove machine has decided that the only issue that they can cloud, and ultimately have any footing on is the military service issue. When weighing the voting public, the Rove machine has determined that their best chance of getting back into office is to distract the public attention off of the above stated issues, and take their stand on the war issue. Get ready for an October surprise featuring Osama Bin Laden. Furthermore, most voters can't even remember. IMHO, the dem's must not get sucked in to this debate no matter how juicy it may sound. Yours very truly, Daniel J.
Bader RE: Two articles on the erosion of civil service, as we know it The Pentagon started this last year, and it has run into many snags trying to implement it. Now the push is to do the same thing to the Homeland Security Department. You may recall that when Bush wanted to combine 17,000 government employees one of the stumbling blocks was the employees covered by civil service rules. Well, supposedly, they were assured they wouldn't lose their rights and benefits. Now, it's the old end run. See below:
Isn't it amazing how these items just seem to slip through late on Friday when most people don't read the news? A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: AGAIN, Ralph, Please Don't Run Dear Mr. Nader - We wrote to you on January 26 urging you not to run for president in 2004. As we said there: "Your candidacy tipped the 2000 election to George W Bush. Clearly if you had not run both Florida's and New Hampshire's electoral votes would have gone to Al Gore and he would have won not only the popular vote, as he did, but the electoral vote as well. We urge you to focus your energies to defeating George W Bush, to electing progressive Democrats to congress, and to contesting the Republicans' right-wing agenda. Don't be a spoiler again." This morning we saw the following statement made by you on NPR, February 4, quoted in the Detroit Free Press of February 14: "Running for political office means free-speech exercise; it means exercising the right of petition, the right of assembly. . . . To say 'Do not run' to anybody is to say, 'Do not speak. Do not petition. Do not assemble. Remain silent.' That's just unacceptable, especially coming from people like the editors of The Nation." Stop being so egocentric. It certainly does not contravene your right to free speech to urge you not to run for office. No one is telling you not to speak, petition, or assemble. We hope you will do all those things - but that doesn't mean you should not EXERCISE YOUR BETTER JUDGMENT and decline to run for president this year. Speak, petition and assemble to your heart's content. But do it in a manner which helps defeat Mr. Bush rather than the Democratic candidate! As we said above: "We urge you to focus your energies to defeating George W Bush, to electing progressive Democrats to congress, and to contesting the Republicans' right-wing agenda. Don't be a spoiler again." Doug & Bernie
Fuson Subj: Dr. A.Q. Khan's getting off practically scot-free Dear Editors, Yesterday afternoon WBEZ 91.5 FM (www.wbez.org), a National Public Radio station here in Chicago, aired an interview with Dr. Zia Mian, a nuclear physicist, currently with the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies at Princeton (zia@Princeton.edu) on their 1:00P/2:00P weekday program "Worldview." Dr. Mian reported then not only that the government of Pakistan and General Musharraf do not intend to prosecute Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan for selling nuclear secrets to North Korea, Iran, and Libya, as has been reported by other sources here, but also that Dr. A.Q. Khan will be permitted to keep his apparently substantial profits from these illegal sales, and, furthermore, that George W. Bush and the government of the United States have consented to this course of action, which, as far as I know, has not been reported anywhere else in the local or the national press in the U.S.A.. Dr. Mian expressed his displeasure with these developments on "Worldview," and, in addition, observed that, evidently, the United States and the Bush administration are less concerned about nuclear proliferation than the maintenance of America's alliance with Pakistan in the "war on terrorism [N.B.-H.M.G.]," an observation which I have, also, not heard expressed anywhere else. Dr. Mian seemed to be quite stunned by the failure of the government of Pakistan to bring charges against Dr. A. Q. Khan, and by America's apparently cordial response, given the often repeated public position of the United States regarding such patently criminal behaviour. And, he expressed his dismay with the Pakistani "elite," with the doctors and "even" the lawyers there, along with the preponderance of the Pakistani "middle class," who appear to feel that Dr. Khan, the father of the Pakistani bomb, deserves to walk free with the loot in his pocket. I would think that all Americans, and thinking people everywhere, would be quite concerned with these recent events and decisions. But, it's my distinct impression that the American public, at least, is, at present, barely aware of this still current series of decisions in Pakistan and at the highest level of the United States government. Here's hoping that these decisions can at least be brought to public attention and reviewed, if not set aside. Respectfully, Herbert M. Gillett P.S. Dr. Zia Mian's entire interview should be accessible in a day or two through www.wbez.org. Subj: US/Canadian Border wars Hey Buzz, I was surprised to read in BuzzFlash (my favourite website) that Canadians were such a danger to the US that extra border guards were being assigned to keep Canuck terrorists out. http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20040215/localnews/416971.html The very next day the big local news story was that a grenade had closed the Peace Arch border crossing for an hour. I thought that maybe the US was right, that a maple syruped, Canadian bacon- crazed hoser or a suicide moose had tried to take out the town of Blaine, Washington, even though most Canadians don't carry live grenades. http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=bc_home&articleID=1529963 When I found out what had really happened, I realized that there should be more border guards. On the Canadian side. Patty Coombs Subj: Another Bush lie about his dental records! For starters, don't forget .. George Bush said the reason he was suspended from duty for not taking a physical (and refusing the new drug test) was because he was in Alabama and his family doctor was in Texas. Turns out that was a Bush lie, because regulations require that ONLY a flight surgeon can perform physicals at the base you are stationed. The new Bush lie is that he was not going to be flying in Alabama and 'decided' that a physical 'was not necessary' so he never reported for it. Then after repeated questions that Bush went AWOL from his National Guard 'champaign' unit, the Bush White House produces a dental exam record that 'proves' he was in Alabama. Now, according to a man who served on the same base, retired Master Sgt. James Copeland, says there WAS NO dentist on the base during the period Bush is alleged to have been there. Ohhh what a tangled web we weave ... Shame on you George Bush. According to Sgt Copeland, who was the disbursement accounting supervisor, a full-time position, for Dannelly Air National Guard Base in Montgomery from Oct. 28, 1971, to Oct. 27, 1975, he is puzzled by dental records that Bush produced as evidence of his duties at Dannelly ... "We had no dentist at Dannelly Field," Copeland said. "The only dentists were at Maxwell (Air Force Base)." The veteran National Guard supervisor is further puzzled by this Bush AWOL controversy, saying ... "All Bush would have to do to get proof of his Alabama service is pick up the phone and contact military records," he said. "It seems a little odd that he hasn't done that." Yes, odd indeed. Every Bush lie seems to lead to more lies from Bush. Ironically the Bush Administration is full of people from the Reagan and Nixon era, you would think they have learned by now how to lie properly to your face. Somehow I suspect they will be practicing that on you and the US public again, immediately. Best! Kelley ============ (the important quotes are at the bottom of the article) http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/040216/bush.shtml As of now the original dental record document is posted at the front here: If the story above is true then this can only be a forged Bush document, on first look it appears to have been written by two or more people, this deserves a closer look. Anyone with resources please let me know if you want help finding out. Subj: Sharon Bush and book deal Sharon Bush was in San Francisco over the weekend and seen around town shopping a book deal. Ray Taliaferro mentioned it on his radio show last night also. We can only hope that she does tell all in a book before Nov. She needs to hurry. Karen
Subj: Alibi 'Bill' Calhoun Photo Shows Him Where....???? The ONLY Guardsman who remembers Bush serving at Alabama, Retired Lt. Col. John 'Bill' Calhoun, was all over the newspapers this past weekend -- here's a most interesting photo of him, courtesy of AP -- where is he? I can only say, "Gentlemen, start your engines!" http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/040214/483/dbr20202141559 Regards, BC Re: The Conqueror's Military Record Yo' Buzzman, Good job on keeping the Great White Dope's (lack of) military service in play. As a veteran and a member of the generation that came of age way back then, I am fearful that if the issue of The Wonder Pony's military record stays stuck on the issue of "documents" or "favoritism" it will lose resonance with younger and/or less than historically informed voters. This letter I wrote to The Daily Howler on 6FEB2004 will 'splain. Keep on shootin', yer hittin' the target. * * * Hi Bob, I read the Howler as often as possible. I find it informative AND entertaining and that's always a sure winner. About this Bush National Guard thing: Just read your latest ish and while I'm in agreement and suitably outraged and all that, I'm beginning to feel a little anxiety, a sense of dread as to how this is all playing out. This story is everywhere that progressives/Democrats/Bushwackers want to be and it's ALREADY been spun to the Bush campaigns advantage. Only perhaps not in a way that most folks realize. We forget at our peril that the Rovemeister ain't just your garden variety political operative, he's the preeminent master of agitprop by dis-information Virtually all of the media on this issue relates to Bush's missing time in the National Guard and whether it constitutes AWOL or desertion or poor record keeping or memory loss, etc. That extends to the "torn document" which only has an alleged probative value if it can confirm or disavow the missing time defenses. The average American will have only a brief fascination with this issue, considering it a "mountain out of a molehill" gossip deal if no more documentation is forthcoming. Add to this, the interjection of outrage that we are belittling the honorable service of thousands and thousands of Americans that served in the National Guard in WWII, Korea and right now, in the MidEast. The Bushies have already turned that weapon around, aiming right into our bunker. Moreover, veterans that support the Bushies add credibility by popping up and stating how common it is to not be able to locate one's service records within the mammoth labyrinth that is the repository of public records. No smoking gun - no murder. The issue isn't - or at least, shouldn't be - whether George the Conqueror was AWOL or missed his drills or could of served in the 101st Airborne as a Grunt instead of in the Champagne Airforce as a TopFunGun. That only has any real meaning if Boy Georgie wants to join the VFW or apply for Veterans benefits or something. (And that's what most people will wind up concluding if the present spin on this issue continues.) And that's what Rove and the Posse are hoping for. Neither they nor Bush himself give a shit if the Leftist/Liberal/Commie/Democrats call him a deserter until the cows come home. It's already taking the focus off of recent news about his ballooning budget, his lack of success in Homeland Security and other issues. You'll notice that Gillespie and other operatives are not merely challenging these charges, they are FANNING THE FLAMES to keep it in play! The real spin on this, the one that deserves to get some traction (IMHO) is this: It doesn't matter how long or short a time Bush actually performed in the Texas ANG. What matters is how the character and quality of his service relates to his advertised public persona as a courageous, committed leader of the people. If the issue was framed in that respect, it would resonate with far more Americans, many of whom have had personal experiences with the issue of National Guard Service, not just in Vietnam, but in WWII and perhaps more important, Iraq. George Bush pulled some strings, got into the (at that time) relatively safe National Guard and avoided having to make a choice as to whether to fight in Vietnam. So didn't thousands and thousands of Americans. The difference is that the great majority of those Americans - regardless of the reason that they preferred not to go and get their ass shot off - were grateful for the opportunity given to them and repaid that opportunity by serving with honor and commitment. GEORGE BUSH DID NOT DO THAT. He treated his pole vault to the front of the line as if it were a tribute due him as one of the Elite. Once he had blocked the way for other American boys by cutting into line and sending them back to their draft boards and possibly on to Vietnam and a trip home in a body bag, he spent a few short months playing fighter ace at a cost to the taxpayers of many thousands of dollars and then celebrated his escape from having to put his ass on the line by blowing off the rest of his commitment to America. Back in the day, this was indeed an issue, at least for people without Georgie's connections. Towards the end of the war in Vietnam, many folks (especially the parents of those who went and sometimes died in Vietnam) were getting pretty pissed at seeing the sons of local bigshots driving around in their Mustang convertibles on weekends that they were supposed to be at "Drill". In most communities, discussions and other actions became more frequent as many politicians became fearful that the strings they pulled to get some of these guys into the Guard would become an issue. Threats of booting the miscreants out of the Guard and subjecting them to the draft were made and if it weren't for Nixon's troop withdrawals and the reformation of the draft itself, things could of got ugly. The other issue that should be at play is the one concerning the failure to report for Annual Physical. At or about the time in question, the Armed Forces faced a very real problem with drug use and abuse. Mandatory drug screening became a part of the Annual Physical, not only for pilots but for many other personnel. Now Bob, I don't want you to think any less of me, but: before, during and after my service in the Marine Corps, I spent waaay to much time hanging out in the wrong places with the wrong people. When I hear about someone who refuses to submit to an Annual Physical that includes screening for drugs, when previously he submitted to an Annual Physical that DIDN'T include drug screening.... well, let's just say the I don't think shyness was the issue. George Bush claims that he has the courage and commitment to lead the American people. His Service Record AS IT NOW STANDS shows he doesn't. George Bush pretends to be a "regular guy", willing to admit his shortcomings and face up to his mistakes, just like millions of Americans do every day. His refusal to own up to his Service Record shows he isn't. SF&GH Subj: Mailbag 2/16 (Randy Altis) This is important to me. Randy Altis of California was mountain high for admitting that the war in VietNam was horrid (and he was terrified). My brother was there in 1968, did not come home, but he always wrote his family that all was fine...the same things that I hear from my granddaughter now. They are all tough....and will show the enemy a thing or two...My brother was my best friend, he died of small arms fire...but, to other extended family members, he wrote the truth, how dismal it was and there really was nothing there to be hopeful about! I wish he had gone to Canada...I really do! However, he didn't...was drafted because he was one of the poor kids who had to take the places of Cheney, Bush and Ashcroft. Anyway, I am so glad that you had the courage to admit that...it is much harder sometimes to admit it..fearing a need to act tough, even when the situation is that bad! Do not ever feel bad....we were selling the weapons to North Vietnam that killed our own soldiers...it was a horror...all of it found out later! Sandy, I must check out the Jamie Allman story...I have not watched local news in so long...I really hope it is on some kind of tape, or it is a story he is following! To Mark Crispin Miller, thank you so much for your input on the Clinton fiasco on his war record. That is when this started...and the republicans just may as well get used to it. Mr. Clinton was against the war in VietNam..admittedly, but he got a deferment to go to Oxford, then was in the lottery, and pulled a high number. I don't care how many times you tell republicans that....they do not believe it....but, funny thing, it is okay for Cheney to defer 5 times...and say "he had better things to do in the 60's" Republicans are being a little more silent now...does anyone else notice that?? And, to Kevin Shay on the Margie Schoedinger thing...when I asked someone a month or so ago...they told me to just go to google and type the name in...and I got as much as they had...I have not tried it for a while...and will as soon as I get off, I am curious too, now! It was a mysterious death...supposedly she committed suicide...but so many people involved in this administration have committed suicide...Remember the two from Anderson and Enron...both were to testify the next day. The weird death of the housekeeper for the "Marvin Bush's"...her own car ran her down???? Please!!! We have to check them all out...but I did find the death of Margie Schoedinger reported...I think it was 9-22-04 To anyone out there who is embarrassed by my colorful language sometimes... hey, Buzz lets me do it. I do not use really filthy language...but, Matt Drudge is a "Sack of Shit"...sorry, there I go again!! Love to everyone on this site. Shirley..............St. Louis "NPR : Commentary: Privilege, Not Details, of Bush's Service" <http://www.npr.org/rundowns/segment.php?wfId=1678830> Please post this on your site! Although you don't usually post audio links, your readers will love this! Daniel Schorr quotes Colon Powell from 1995. Powell complains about, what he considers, the biggest democratic disgrace to our nation is how wealth and power allow certain people escape the draft. (Sorry for any misspellings, there is no spell-check on this program.) Just click on the headline or the audio icon to listen to the story. You'll need an audio player to hear it, and you can find the right one for your computer at <http://www.npr.org/audiohelp/audioplayers.html>. If you have any problems, please visit the NPR audio help page <http://www.npr.org/audiohelp/index.html>. Tony Romano Subj: "Stay the course" Dear BuzzFlash, It appears from bush's recent appearances that he is recycling Reagan's campaign theme of "staying the course". All I can say is "What if we are on the wrong course?" D. Hippauf Subj: The True Story of Max Cleland's Vietnam Injuries How is it possible and legal for Ann Coulter to continue receiving air time and book deals from so called reputable organizations as she spits her slanderous unfounded vitriol? How is this legal? Why don't ALL networks and publishers shut her down, no matter from what side of the fence they sit. If I were the most extreme right wing ideologue I would not want her speaking for me. What is wrong with our media? I had read her article and had the same outrage as Christopher Crallé. I also knew the real story but do not have the credentials of Mr. Crallé. Stephen Macbeth Subj: Dentist? Which one? Have you seen this? From The New York Times, 2/16/04: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/16/politics/16LETT.html The White House tried again on Wednesday night with, of all things, 31-year-old dental records, complete with black spots indicating cavities and X's for extracted wisdom teeth. The records of an exam performed at the Dannelly Air National Guard base in Montgomery, dated Jan. 6, 1973, were the first unearthed documents that placed Mr. Bush at an Alabama Guard base. White House officials had clearly decided that, however much of a stretch, they were the best they had. ................................................................................................. From The Decatur Daily, 2/16/04: http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/040216/bush.shtml While Copeland said he thinks claims that Bush was AWOL are baseless, he said one thing puzzles him. " All Bush would have to do to get proof of his Alabama service is pick up the phone and contact military records," he said. "It seems a little odd that he hasn't done that." Copeland also is puzzled by dental records that Bush produced as evidence of his duties at Dannelly. " We had no dentist at Dannelly Field," Copeland said. " The only dentists were at Maxwell (Air Force Base)." ______________________________________________________ A bit strange, eh? Harry Hope draft and cost article http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/FB14Aa01.html "...More bodies, whether US, foreign soldiers, or mercenaries, as in private military companies, are necessary. A bill by Representative Ellen Tauscher, currently under consideration in the House of Representatives, would add 40,000 to the army, 28,700 to the air force and 15,000 to the Marines. This overall increase of 83,700 can be compared with the entire strength of the British army, namely 114,000..." Bill Subj: FEC Chairman How appropriate is it for the Republican-appointed chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Bradley A. Smith, to use his government provided Web space for links to the Cato Institute, the Federalist Society, and something called the Fair Gov't Foundation? That last one's link is broken. I'm not sure I want my tax dollars paying for promoting these organizations. http://www.fec.gov/members/smith/smithlinks.html An Anonymous BuzzFlash Reader. Subj: "But he got an Honorable Discharge." Is an Honorable Discharge "proof" of honorable service? Not necessarily. Convicted D.C. sniper and serial killer John Muhammad served in the Louisiana National Guard from 1978 to 1985. He was twice court-martialed, once for striking an officer, another time for stealing. He was AWOL and spent time in the jail. Muhammad left the National Guard with an honorable discharge. http://www.niagarafallsreporter.com/gallagher152.html John Muhammad. The accused Beltway sniper and Muslim convert was a member of the Army's 84th Engineering Company. Muhammad is suspected of throwing a thermite grenade into a tent housing 16 of his fellow soldiers as they slept before the ground-attack phase of Gulf War I in 1991. Muhammad's superior, Sgt. Kip Berentson, told both Newsweek and The Seattle Times that he immediately suspected Muhammad, who was "trouble from day one." Curiously, Muhammad was admitted to the Army despite being earlier court-martialed for willfully disobeying orders, striking another noncommissioned officer, wrongfully taking property, and being absent without leave while serving in the Louisiana National Guard. Although Muhammad was led away in handcuffs and transferred to another company pending charges for the grenade attack, an indictment never materialized. Muhammad was honorably discharged from the Army in 1994. Eight years later, he was arrested in the 21-day Beltway shooting spree that left 10 dead and three wounded. http://www.townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/mm20030326.shtml A BuzzFlash Reader In yesterday's mailbag a contributor casted some aspersions at Don Imus. I'm no fan of the "I" man, but there is an interesting dynamic taking place in his show of late. The previous format of his radio show was quite predictable. There would be segments of mindless right wing banter between Imus, his sidekick Charles, et al interspersed with call-ins from various media types and politicians. Imus would continuously complain about how horrid George Bush's policies are, but then invariably resign himself to having to vote for Bush any ways because there is just nobody on the left he could see himself supporting. This dynamic has changed of late. Now Imus refers to Bush as "your guy" to his mindless minions, and refers to Kerry as "my guy" during the staff exchanges. Imus says he has known Kerry for many years and genuinely likes him. It may not lead to Imus voting for Kerry, but if this trend continues it does leave one less talk radio show that would have countless hours of free promotion of Bush. Every little bit helps the cause. YT Cai Subj: The Jerk with a Smirk Buzz, Please continue your valuable service to this country by exposing Bush, the Smirking Jerk, for the liar that he is. I like all the articles that drive home the message that Bush is a LIAR! A simple slogan like that with supporting information can be used successfully to get through to the TV watching people of this country. All the thinking people already see through Bush's lies, but the AWOL Bush stories really resonate with many voters who served their country honorably while Bush shirked his service by jumping to the head of the line for National Guard duty, then not even bothering to show up. I am a Howard Dean supporter because he was the first candidate with the backbone to stand up to the Bush cartel but I'll support Kerry or any Democrat to get Bush out of office to start the process of taking our country back. Roger Fitzgerald |
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