 |
||||||
|
March 5, 2004 |
||||||
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.
Subject: Ad-Nauseum Unless Chris Mathews was a schoolgirl in another lifetime it's hard to understand why he gets so giddy every time Gorge Bush busts a move. To help usher in the television advertisements that the White House will begin airing in 17 states today, it was hard to keep track of the number of times that Mathews used the word "brilliant" in describing what he called a nostalgic throwback to some old GE ads. Actually they were an arcane use of simple-minded images that have little basis in reality. One ad has Bush as the champion of small businesses because he knows how to provide jobs for those looking for work, not unlike those who seek jobs who aren't looking for work. Unless the plan includes tax cuts and wars, it is difficult to know what that plan is because absolutely no details were provided and his job creation record was ignored. Two of the ads showed Laura Bush which I found curious because I never once saw her out there supporting a single Bush policy. Also, didn't the right chastise Howard Dean for hauling out his wife as a prop during the waning hours of the Iowa Caucus? Plenty of flags and even a reference to 9/11 made me wonder how many flag draped coffins and dead innocents have to perish before Bush's shameless misuse of these images starts turning people off. My personal favorite is Bush's campaign slogan "Steady leadership during changing times". Again, the ad totally ignores where in hell he is leading us. Well, maybe hell it is. YT Cai Subj: Cheney/Bush Unsteady leadership, it is time for a change!!! We all fear what might come if cheney/bush are (re)- elected. But knowing that they are the most untrustworthy admin that we have ever known and will do almost anything to improve the wealth of their friends and co-conspirators, should we be afraid of what might occur when they lose again? Paula Subj: Administration Proposes Same-Sex-School Option Today's NY Times tells us that the Bush "Administration Proposes Same-Sex-School Option" (at: <http://nytimes.com/2004/03/04/education/04EDUC.html>) "Separate, but Equal" was deemed wrong in the Civil Rights era. However, with Civil Unions, the Bush admin. deems "Separate, but Equal" fine for gay couples. Now, on education for males and females, the Bush admin. feels "Separate, but Equal" is fine. Someone should ask Bush, at a public news conference, "Does this mean you are telling teenage lesbians you're going to place them in rooms filled only with other young girls? Aren't you afraid they'll catch Lesbianism? I'd just love to watch his eyes burst as he tries to justify giving gays access to classrooms full of same sex kids waiting to be, according to many in Bush's base, "infected" by homosexuality. Jack Ballinger Subj: Ads The chimp is airing ads using 911 as a back-drop. Why can't the Democrats use that also...I can visualize it now; video of the planes hitting the towers and the aftermath, while a narrator speaks of why this had to happen with the warnings we received and asking who was president when this happened... I think it'd be great. Tom in West Virginia Subj: Bush's "Outsourcing" Buzz, Just saw this on CNN.com: "My opponent says he approves of bold action in the world, but only if other countries don't object," Bush said. "America must never outsource America's national security decisions to leaders of other countries." Seems to me that Bush should avoid words like "outsource" in any context. That's a word that sends chills down the spines of millions of manufacturing workers. God, we have to make sure that this idiot is displaced in November! I just sent money to the Kerry for President campaign. I wish it could've been more, but I'm NOT better off than I was four years ago, so I sent as much as I could. First time I've ever contributed, but I believe that Bush's policies and actions are so ill-advised and wrong for this country that I will do all I can to help elect a new president. Thanks for all you do, everyday, for democracy. Vicki Stein Subj: Bush's Media Blitz And they're off! It's only 8:30 CST this morning and already I've heard the Bush Administration's campaign catch phrase 4 TIMES!!! I've heard the phrase in the ad twice and twice more from administration spokespersons who were questioned by NPR about the ads. They've spent 4.5 million dollars on this ad campaign already, managing to offend and appall 911 families and the NY firefighters union to boot. This is the way propaganda works folks...they plan to hammer the phrase "Steady leadership in a time of change" into our psyches...we will not be able to escape this string of words. There's an academic term for it, it's called a 'meme' and it's very effective for advertising and brainwashing. Here, here's a full definition:
Don't fall for it people...don't be the sheep that they take for granted. Now that we're aware of the game plan, let's play AND keep score. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: An Open Letter to Mr. Greenspan Hi, Here's a novel idea. Remove the cap on the social security tax. Let those who have gained the financial rewards of the American dream start to pay their fair share. The average ( families) americans earn far less than the almost $90.000. cap. and as a results pay the fica tax on all their earnings. Why are the wealthy exempt from paying their fair share of the fica tax Mr. Greenspan? It ain't like the wealthy will go hungry in their old age or have to make the choice of food or medicine!" Social Security" is a social program, lets get social with it and not exclude anyone ! Skip Roth Why do you give the wealthy of America a free ride Mr. Greenspan? Subj: idea for anti-Bush Constitutional amendment Let's have an amendment that says: A President who gained his Presidency ONLY through the action of the Supreme Court may not seek a second term, thus ensuring that the free expression of the will of the People is not impeded a second time. Furthermore, the Supreme Court is prohibited from meddling with presidential elections. Peg Subj: Furor Over Bush's 9/11 ad From nydailynews.com (through BuzzFlash):
Perhaps the Democrats should run ads showing Bush sitting in his office with the Hart-Rudman Commission Report on Terrorism collecting dust and cobwebs on the shelf. Or perhaps ads showing Cheney wining and dining the Taliban in 1998 (from ABC Nightline). Or perhaps ads showing Bush shelving Clinton's plans to attack Al Qaeda. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: A Little Good News I was very pleased to hear that at least for the time being we who can't afford cable aren't going to be assaulted with Bush ads. They plan to hit cable news and mainly sport channels because they have given up on women and are targeting sports fans and people who would rather watch sports to take their minds off of their un-employment and their children dying in Bush's war. Get ready for sanctimony at half-time and pictures of 9/11 and toppling Saddam statues at time-outs. Karen Webb. Subj: here's a REALLY BIG repuke Lie!!!! don't know if you've seen this... Universal Coverage? http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001870042_iraqdig03.html "Even if you don't have health insurance," said Thompson, who toured medical facilities in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad and Tikrit on Saturday and Sunday, "you are still taken care of in America. That certainly could be defined as universal coverage. Every American's health care is far superior to what the health care is in Iraq." Jamie Subj: Fighting Words Dear Buzz: Yesterday I was in the car with my husband, listening to NPR, when we heard excerpts from Bush's new ads and descriptions saying the ads contain visuals of the World Trade Center rubble. My husband got so angry he slammed his fist against the steering wheel. With true anguish in his voice he said something I want to share with all the world: "When will George Bush realize that 9-11 was not about HIM!" When, indeed. Sincerely, A Loyal BuzzFlash Reader Subj: why did Aristide have to resign before boarding plane in face of terrorist violence? A few more links for the curious (posted over at CalPundit thread on Haiti from Tuesday)... Assuming the Right To Intervene Jeffrey Sachs Again In Thursday's LA Times Another From The Jamaican Observer Also, why did we insist that Aristide sign a resignation before spiriting him away? Clearly, this was a policy decision. Therefore, the policy should be explained, defended, and championed, rather than ignored. Further, to effect political change by threat of violence is terrorism, is it not? So, if we told Aristide that many people would die if he didn't resign, since the rebels would start indiscriminately killing, doesn't this make the rebels terrorists, and, us complicit if we are furthering their agenda, or even delivering their ultimatums? Why did he resign before getting on a plane with no press present? There was no rampaging army going through the countryside. We could have controlled the situation enough for Aristide to make a public statement, and not be ferreted away to Africa in the middle of the night. These questions need to be answered. That would be very easy to do if our leadership and government acknowledged what was obviously a policy and defended it. Jimm Subj: Poem Guess Who He landed
on a carrier dressed like Snoopy Jim Subj: Dick Morris Quote...unbelievable I was reading this piece in The Hill by Dick Morris and came across this incredibly insane quote
ya gotta love it! Larry in Chicago Subj: A letter to the DNC Mr. McAuliffe, When a submitted entry in a contest to MoveOn referred to Bush and Hitler, Ed Gillespie was on national TV about it. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) is reported <Original Link> as saying, before a meeting of Canadian County Republicans, that "a vote against the re-election of President Bush is like supporting Adolph Hitler during World War Two." Can we expect to see *YOU* on national TV, calling them on it? And if not, why not? mark roth [BuzzFlash Note: The link on KTOK-AM's web site no longer retrieves the story. However, you can find it here on BuzzFlash.] Subj: Fw: Bush and (gay) marriage If Bush is so devoted to the sanctity of marriage, why isn't he proposing a constitutional amendment banning divorce? ( It should've come in time to prevent Neil and Sharon Bush's divorce, especially when Sharon was pleading with Babs to intervene on the behalf of the mother of her grandchildren.) Here are some examples of how some conservatives of note have respected the institution of marriage. *Ronald Reagan - divorced the mother of two of his children to marry Nancy Reagan who bore him a daughter 7 months after the marriage. *Bob Dole - divorced the mother of his child, who had nursed him through the long recovery from his war wounds. *Newt Gingrich - divorced his wife who was dying of cancer, then divorced his mistress-turned-2nd wife *Dick Armey - House Majority Leader - divorced *Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas - divorced *Gov. John Engler of Michigan -divorced *Gov. Pete Wilson of California -divorced *George Will -divorced *Sen. Lauch Faircloth - divorced *Rush Limbaugh - Rush and his current wife Marta have six marriages and four divorces between them. *Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia - Barr, not yet 50 years old, has been married three times. Barr had the audacity to author and push the "Defense of Marriage Act." The current joke making the rounds on Capitol Hill is "Bob Barr...WHICH marriage are you defending?!?") *Sen. Alfonse D'Amato of New York -divorced *Sen. John Warner of Virginia - once married to Liz Taylor. *Gov. George Allen of Virginia -divorced *Henry Kissinger -divorced *Rep. Helen Chenoweth of Idaho - divorced *Rep. John Kasich of Ohio - divorced *Rep. Susan Molinari of New York - Republican National Convention Keynote Speaker - divorced * Bob Livingston - former speaker of the house whose extramarital affairs, once revealed, prompted his resignation *Henry Hyde - whose "youthful indiscretions" caused the divorce of his mistress A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: SENT TO THE PRESIDENT AND SENATOR ALLARD As a mother of a fireman I'm outraged that you would have the nerve to use them after you promised them more money for training and better equipment. You not only lied to them but you lied to all the American people about Iraq. Forty-Three soldiers from Fort Carson have died and you don't even have the guts to face their families. What do plan to do when the police and firemen show up in New York to protest your nomination in August? I will be sending this message to every person I know to let them know how you treat the average American. As a mother of a fireman I'm outraged that you would have the nerve to use them after you promised them more money for training and better equipment. You not only lied to them but you lied to all the American people about Iraq. Forty-Three soldiers from Fort Carson have died and you don't even have the guts to face their families. What do plan to do when the police and firemen show up in New York to protest your nomination in August? I will be sending this message to every person I know to let them know how you treat the average American. Jane RISING GASOLINE PRICES Another Full-court Press Ah, the headlines blare rising gasoline prices; and reading down, the administration claims that it is not contributing to the shortage in wholesale supplies by continuing to add to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Well, hang on to your wallets. It is a specious argument that buying up available petroleum does not lead to higher prices. The dual wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in and of themselves create a drain on the world supply and a rise in prices; that inherent fact is left unsaid. And at a time when the wholesale price is artificially high, it is not economically imprudent to spend extra U.S. dollars to stock up the SPR? Why are we spending additional monies to buy oil at unreasonably high prices at a time when Congress is trimming $16 billion from discretionary spending programs; namely, Medicaid, police protection, low income housing, etc.? It's another red herring, and it's maddening that this administration treats us like fools time after time after time. Just last week from coast to coast various media talked up the notion that the Saudis' supply will run out within 20 years, and when the Oil Minister from Saudi Arabia stated empathically that there was no basis for that concern, his comments were found in only one newspaper while the danger S.A. fields would be depleted continued to be run nationwide for several more days. Ahem. Now today MSNBC reported in extra-large typeface that gasoline prices will reach new highs, and the body of the article states how terribly concerned the administration is. Right. The prices have been escalating for over a year now, and this is the first that the administration has taken notice? Right. Congress has been struggling for the past couple of years for passage of a new Energy Bill, going all the way back to Cheney's little tete-a-tete with industry leaders in his infamous "secret" committee, which in turn led the the case now before the Supreme Court. Are your duck feathers starting to ruffle yet? That, and after all the outcry over the sorry state of the electrical grid following the major blackout of a year or so ago, the fact is that no steps have been taken to upgrade it. No, that upgrade is tied up in the massive energy bill. Of course, it would have been expedient to break out the grid upgrade into a separate bill for the sake of expediency and pent up need after decades of neglect, but that wouldn't suit the administration's agenda. At last count the committee has now trimmed that same Energy Bill have approximately $20 billion, and there's still massive amounts of pork in it; me thinks a whole lot more could be trimmed... Also, by the way, tucked away in this pending Energy Bill is another not so subtle attempt to authorize drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve. Not content to have the issue voted down twice in the past, the administration wants to go for Round Three. (Living in Florida, I can tell you "brother Jeb" is doing the same thing by fighting on several fronts against issues that the voters approved in referendums two years ago: smaller class size and high-speed rail service. No steps have been taken to institute those new policies regardless that Florida's voters authorized them with 70 percent majority votes. Yep, stubbornness is definitely a family trait.) Of course, the "HMFIC" believes there's lots to be said for lining the pockets of his corporate oil-and-gas campaign contributors in an election year by failing to rein in gasoline prices, and perhaps, to his way of thinking, the strain on the electorate's pocket will compel it to lean on members of the House and Senate to get his Energy Bill passed so that his buddies can get a double-dip. Sharon Andrews Subj: Pallone on Scalia and Cheney Rep. Frank Pallone, New Jersey, gave a 30 minute speech on Anton Scalia and Dick Cheney and the energy task force today on the floor. It outlines the details of how the case has unfolded and requests Scalia to recuse himself and the task force records and members be made public. The transcripts are good stuff. It followed some Republican that went on and on and on about how bad Saddam was. Lp Subj: can you explain? some reporter hollered and asked rich boy coward bush about that commercial showing photo's from 9-11. bush responded saying he had not seen the commercial. um, excuse me, at the front of that commercial bush is saying he approved it. so what is the deal, he just goes around approving things he is told to approve without having a clue? hmmmmmm kay in tampa Karen Hughes gave an interview this morning on the Today Show with Katie Couric. I cannot believe that the Bush Administration for the last 3 ½ years continue to claim that they inherited a recession. How can anyone with a straight face tell such a blatant outright lie. Not only that, she made it seem like that if George Bush was not kept in office for the next term, that America would suffer. Give me a break, we did just fine before he stole the election of 2000. I think we would survive. Anita from St. Louis Subj: 911 I am just about so pissed off that the Jerk in the White House is going to get away with what HE wants....to testify only 1 hour and not under oath? Who in the hell does he think he is? I remember well, and I don't know what I knew at the time...it was just a feeling that this 911 thing was planned, and carried out by this administration....and now, does anyone doubt that? I am reading Paul O'Neill's book now, and he says that in the first cabinet meeting, Bush (with his audacity) told the cabinet that he wanted them to get him into Iraq! And, as the project for the New American Century plainly states....the only way the American people would sit still for another war (like Viet Nam, or the first Iraq) is if there was a "Pearl Harbor like" incident? Does anyone out there wonder anymore? Why were we all so spineless? I am beginning to think that even my rightwingnut relatives are wondering...afraid to admit it to themselves! I wrote about this at the time....but it was phoo-phooed !!! Not even George Bush would do something that evil...!!! Well, since he will not tell what he knows....and we know that not one of the terrorists were on the list of passengers....and we know that Norad did not scramble jets after more than 30 minutes (the limit is 10 minutes)...hey, guys, someone was told to "Stand down"....Is there any doubt anymore!? My worst regret is that people like Joe Lieberman were so spineless (and he was not the only one) that the most important thing to him was bashing Bill Clinton for his bad behavior. I wonder who's behavior was worse...perhaps the man who murdered in cold blood, and for his own profit, almost 3000 americans....or the man who had a tryst in the white house? Jim P. Nothing about George Bush surprises me...and has not for a long time. Not to mention the alleged rape, with two other friends, of Margie Schoedinger (she just in late 2003 committed suicide...a bullet to the head!) Like so many of the people associated with this evil man! Wellstone was not convenient....he would have put a stop to all this nonsense....I really think there were many democrats (shame on them who just had been shamed so many times) that would not stand up the this evil empire! And, yes, liar that he is, he told all of us that the Iraqi people would pay for their own reconstruction.....and we have so far paid ...what? 287 billion?? I think after this man is gone...and maybe that was the plan all along....this country will be in such a mess...that he should be brought up on war crimes...and whomever is elected (hopefully) will be a democrat...and they will have an investigation into all this! I am so disturbed today about the things coming out about this man and his minions it makes me sick! And my greatest fear is....that he will get away with it. When every branch of government if controlled by his party....and the Supreme Court....we sort of live in a helpless world...it is frightening!! I have even read in our local paper, that the food that Halliburton overcharged the taxpayers for the military meals...they would never have paid it back, had someone not brought it up...in fact, the military who was interviewed about that particular thing, said that the food was so bad, most of them ditched it and went to the Subway on the border of Kuwait and Iraq...now, the ones who could not do that had to eat the slop that Halliburton was sending. I want to throw up when I even hear the name "Halliburton." They are truly a disgusting bunch. Shirley...........St.Louis Subj: BUSH/CHENEY ATTEND FUND RAISERS BUT NO TIME FOR 9/11 INQUIRY
Dear BuzzFlash, I am totally disgusted with the attitudes of Bush and Cheney. They have plenty of time to go to fund raisers, and yet they seem to have absolutely no time to be questioned by the 9/11 commission. They seem to have, very grudgingly, agreed to an hour of questioning and that too, by only 2 members of the commission. WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY HIDING AND WHY ARE THEY SO RELUCTANT AND AFRAID? This is one of the most dishonest administrations in my lifetime. I think that it is crucial that the present administration take all the time needed and answer all questions asked by the panel. In fact they should volunteer to do so, and not be pulled in kicking and screaming. SHAME ON THEM. I must add that I am extremely happy that Pres. Clinton and V.P. Gore have agreed to unconditionally talk to the commission. A BuzzFlash Reader Interview with "the george" Q: Mr.
Bush, why do you................ Q: Yes,
...but what..................... Q: So,
you don't...................... Q: Now,
when you say right......................... Q: Exactly,
what are you.................... Q: Thank you, Mr. Resident.....................you're fired. PaulaQ Subj: OK, OK, so Nader didn't defeat Al Gore Al Gore actually WON the 2000 election. If it hadn't been for the faithful Bush family retainers waltzing in and stealing the election, Al would be sitting in the White House right now, and GW would be...oh, hell, who knows where he'd be. THAT BEING SAID, I think we're all mature enough to realize it would have been much harder for the Bushies to steal the election if all those Nader votes would have gone into the Gore column. Do not make the mistake of thinking GW and his cronies will leave the White House willingly. We must deliver Bush a crushing defeat, and I'm not even sure that will be enough to pry him out of office. But it's all we've got. I don't care if Nader is the second coming of Christ. Every vote for him will help hand the election to Bush. Your vote must go to John Kerry, and if that means sacrificing your "there's no difference between the Democrats and the Republicans" principles to defeat Bush, then so be it. Righteous losing is not an alternative to another four years of what George Bush will do to this country. In fact, it's tantamount to suicide. Lynne Keeley Subject: Bush's add campaign Hi Buzz, This is my letter to the New York Times editors in response to their article "Bush Ad Campaign Ready to Start Expensive Effort" By JIM RUTENBERG
re: Anything you say can and will be used against you Dear BuzzFlash: The Bush ads trying to make political points off 9/11 are truly horrible. It's an outrage that Bush and Cheney who did NOTHING to beef up security, despite warnings that planes were going to be hijacked, are now pointed to this abject failure, with 3000 dead, as a reason to elect them in 2004. Nevertheless, the ads provide a golden opportunity for Kerry's people. Since Bush was first to invoke 9/11, Kerry is now free to do so as well. We can all imagine the impact of just one such television ad, showing Bush sitting reading to children for fifteen minutes after being told the second tower was hit. It's time to finally show the American people what our president was doing that day--the same thing he did in the months before the attacks--absolutely NOTHING. The only people who were heroes that day are firemen and police who died trying to help. Withholding such hard-hitting truths is not an option for Kerry. If he really wants to win, he's going to have to take each and every Rove commercial, turn it around, and fire back. Kerry's team has to keep them off balance and on the DEFENSIVE. The response at the Kerry headquarters to these ads should be "Anything you say can and will be used against you." And if Bush wants to hold up his tax cuts for the ultra wealthy, fine. Kerry can fire back with Bush's "Birth Tax," the massive deficit that he is running that we and our children will be stuck with. Birth Tax. Birth Tax. Repeated over and over. If Kerry fails to take full advantage of the truth, he will be going into battle without bullets. And I'm pretty sure he knows that's a sure way to get killed. And let's all remember this: We Will Win. Bush's record is so awful, it will destroy him. RA in LA Subj: Nader: Chief Justice? Dear BuzzFlash, I think we should start an appeal to appoint Nader Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or U.S. Attorney General. The poll obviously shows he has no chance to EVER be President, so he could help his legacy and his supporters in either of these roles in the federal government. His supporters are stubborn suicide voters who will destroy our democracy and his accomplishments just to make a point. Nader has done much for this country and our people, but now he is helping to bring chaos and war to the entire planet. I think this is the best solution for our democracy, if he is appointed in either of the positions in Government above, if he still really wants to save our democracy, reform the electoral college and protect our civil rights. I support Nader's ideals but not the candidate in this election. Peace to all, Walter We should make our own ad. We need to get a copy of the video where Bush says, "Lucky me, I hit the trifecta." Play it in front of the WTC as people hurl themselves out of windows, put it on a loop... "Lucky Me...Lucky Me...Lucky Me..." A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: MoveOn.org = Hitler Dear Buzz, Now that a GOP Congressman has claimed that a vote against Bush is a vote for Hitler, I was wondering if you knew what happened to all that sanctimonious outrage from the right wingers that got their panties all in a bunch over the ads that were submitted to MoveOn.org comparing Bush to Hitler. If they weren't a bunch of shameless hypocrites, you'd think they'd denounce this guy as publicly as they did (unfairly) MoveOn.org.. Hmmmm..... A Concerned Citizen Subj: Bush is a Coward ..."9/11 was the defining moment of these times," campaign manager Ken Mehlman told reporters. "Because of that day, America is at war and still is." If John Kerry wants to win this race he has to start fighting right now. He should go on the offensive immediately. The best place to start is to call Bush what he is....a coward. Bush hides behind the corporate media. When a reporter has the audacity to ask him a real question, he can't muster the courage to answer truthfully. Bush didn't volunteer for active duty in Vietnam. Yet he has no problem sending other men into harm's way. This is known as vicarious heroism. Bush finds it courageous to taunt the enemy from the sidelines knowing he is far removed from the battle. Bush constantly get others to lie and cover for him instead of having the courage to face the music. Bush's heroism and brilliant leadership in the face of adversity are media creations. Sadly, we've reached the point in America where real heroes are ridiculed and fake heroes are lauded. John Kerry has a chance to do something about it. For the sake of the country, I hope he gets started right away. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Question about Bush ads Why is it okay for Bush to portray a flag-draped casket at Ground Zero in his campaign commercials but not okay for Americans to view flag-draped transfer tubes arriving at Dover? Jaymee
Keller Subj: Response to statements by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) Rep. Tom
Cole Dear Mr. Cole, President Bush has opined that terrorists "hate our freedoms." Curiously, we've never heard our nation's enemies declare anything of the kind. What we have heard, over and over, are statements along the lines of, "We don't hate the American people, only it's government." The al Quaeda terrorists, unfortunately, "justify" their crimes by holding American citizens complicit in the injustices for which it blames our government. In your recent remarks to the Canadian County Republicans you asserted that "If George Bush loses the election, Osama bin Laden wins the election." Apparently, you also posed a rhetorical question considering what Hitler might have thought, had Franklin Roosevelt been voted out of office in 1944. If I may be so bold, I will take the liberty to replace your strained analogy with a direct formulation of your implied question: What will Osama bin Laden think if George Bush loses the election? I have always believed that even the most dishonest question merits an honest answer, so in that spirit, please bear with me while I string together a few thoughts on the subject. What will Osama think? - That the American people are no longer willing to turn a blind eye to the misconduct of their government, and their private corporations abroad? - That the American People are becoming wise to the deceptions foisted on them by their leadership? - That the American People have realized that, by simultaneously flaunting their Constitution and spurning the principles it enshrines, they, and their government, earn only the world's contempt? - That the American People are beginning to realize that the price of their comfort and prosperity is, all too often, the needless, sustained misery of other peoples in the world? - That the American People have realized that it has permitted a "Ruling Class" to exist that dispenses or withholds its favors in service to its own interests, rather than for the sake of constitutional and humanitarian principles? - That the American People have determined to separate themselves from this leadership that has betrayed their trust? Mr. Cole, statements such as yours are deeply offensive to those of us who cherish the principles of liberty. Do you really believe that citizens who seek the lawful removal of the president, who they deem to be unworthy of his office, are nothing more than traitors to the institutions they wish to defend? What sad irony that I must conclude the President is apparently correct in his warning. There are, indeed, people who hate our freedoms. Sincerely, Hal Mothershed "There's nothing wrong with the equipment," says the electronic voting machine representative in Orange County California. Why is it that the difficulties voting are isolated to Orange County, Riverside County, and San Diego County, California, all three the MOST RIGHT WING REPUBLICAN STRONGHOLDS IN THE STATE. Notice too that there is where the big fires burned after these three counties shoved Governor Gray Davis out of office and installed governor snatch your ass. This is a travesty. And it is a clear look into the crooked goings on in these three counties. I wouldn't live there if I was given a truckload of money and a free house, a lifetime job, and eternal youth. The people who live in these areas are just awful. They actually believe they are superior to all other humans on the planet. Look forward to more lies and ballot problems here in the fall election. We need to get the Carter Center over to these three counties, and elsewhere, to ensure a fair election. America has been turned into a banana republic. link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-machine... Steve Subj: Bush Makes Me Sick Why is it that people can get so pissed off about Janet Jackson showcasing her tit but everyone is silent about exploiting and showcasing the death and destruction of 9/11 in George Bush's campaign ads? It's time people stopped being pissed off about a tit and started getting pissed off about a boob. What's more is that people actually think it's ok that one of his campaign ads shows a victim being carried off under a flag. "What the hell is this!?" I exclaimed to myself in shear shock and fury. People don't think this is acceptable do they? Surely they cannot I assured myself, but it was just blind hope. I have yet to hear anything that comes close to the fury and uproar brought on by Janet Jackson. Why hasn't the FCC and Concerned Parents of America stepped in about this. Why is he allowed to exploit this tragedy. Tit bad, exploiting tragedies good? I for one am completely disgusted, and nearly threw up when I first saw this. I just thought I should vent my anger to someone who might support it. Bush's administration has done some things that royally pissed me off but I think this is the first one that actually sent me into dry heaves. Bush's administration makes me sick. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Dubya's Disgusting 9/11 Ads Buzz, McClellan claimed "It is vital to our future that we learn what September 11th taught us" - true, it taught us that this cabal willingly or negligently let 9/11 happen! This is the biggest failure of an administration to protect our country - and they're using it to get votes! Talk about Orwellian illogic! The shame of this tragedy occurring on their watch required them to resign in disgrace, not shamefully use the deaths of 3,000 innocent people to emotionally extort votes out of people. If this were samurai times with its set of ethical requirements, these creeps would all be lined up, on their knees with swords pointing toward their guts. T Quigly Subj: US Kidnapped Aristide Buzz, A March 4th BuzzReader noted Powell claimed Aristide "was not kidnapped. "We did not force him on to the aeroplane. He went on to the aeroplane willingly, and that's the truth." The Reader then commented, "Probably true, but by the time he reached the airplane, he had accepted defeat." DemocracyNow.org has covered events in Haiti for weeks. According to eyewitnesses, Aristide had Not "accepted defeat." Some say he was handcuffed when he was marched onto the plane. For in-depth, factual and accurate reporting on the US coup in Haiti, tune into Amy Goodman and Democracy Now, and listen to archived programs from the past few weeks. Note: as soon as Powell or any of this cabal says something stupid like "and that's the truth," well, that simply doesn't pass the laugh test. T Quigly I tried to click on the article from Oklahoma and it was blank as usual. I'm sorry to say I'm from OKC and there must be a conspiracy to keep Oklahomans in the dark about what is going on. It is very typical for our news to be a blank. Have you seen the local paper or TV broadcast here? Thank God for BuzzFlash. I wouldn't be informed at all. Johnie Subj: Seizing the USA Now I know how they are going to do it. Kerry will win the election, but right before inauguration day, Bush & Co will orchestrate "9/11, The Sequel", declare martial law and refuse to cede the White House. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Fighting Back How anybody could vote for our simpering fool of a pResident is beyond me. But we all know how easily people can be swayed. My thought is this: We all know that Bin Laden will show up before the election in November. So why aren't the Democrats running ads NOW stating that Bush took his eyes off the Bin Laden prize by taking us into the Iraq war. Point out all the reasons Bush has taken us into the Iraq war and point out how all of those reasons have turned out to be false including the false connection to Bin Laden. Point out that during this time Bin Laden has been free to continue to terrorize the United States and the world. Then finally state that the decision to go to Iraq doesn't sound like leadership, it sounds like politics. We need to take the wind out of Bush's sails on the Bin Laden issue before he has a chance to use it. Cheryl
Lynn Subj: Of interest Pentagon gets 'added value' for their low pay of military personnel: soldiers will make the switch to private contractors as soon as they are able (it's not like there are any jobs for them when they get out anyway . . .)--and who owns these companies, who invests in them, how much is the Pentagon paying for the contract? It's as if they're treating the human resources aspect of the military as just another social program to be starved, so they can say "you see, government is inefficient, it's better when it's run privately." Not to mention the Pinochet angle, and the unaccountability of private corporations. . . Anyway, this is just so outrageous and sickening in so many ways, I thought you'd like to know: http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1162442,00.html Tracey Subj: Gutsy Congress Woman Three cheers for Corrine Brown [D] Fla. Congress woman, for telling it like it is: In the 3/3/04 congressional hearing on the removal of Aristide from Haiti, Ms. Brown stated that Caribbean nations were blocked by the Bush administration from sending help to quell the rebel insurgent advances. When asked which Caribbean nations were rebuffed, Brown retorted by saying that she would not release the names of those countries. Her reasoning for not releasing the names was protective. She said, we all know if you do not walk lockstep with this administration, THEY WILL TAKE YOU OUT! What a gutsy woman!!! Below is a link to c-span and I don't know how long it will be available. When the page opens look for "Latest Video" then select House Hearing on Haiti Situation http://www.c-span.org/homepage.asp?Cat=C... ~ Cathy Subj: Mailbag .. Rosamond ... Lois Hurley Rosamond, it never ceases to amaze me how they add! It is amazing....that we never get the right numbers. I would not be surprised to find that we have twice the number of deaths in Iraq than they are telling us. I do hope that someone with the ability to count , will keep a closer eye on things. Lois Hurley...hang in there. I know it is hard, but hopefully the regime change in Nov. 04, will help!. Things have gone from bad to worse since the Bush Adm.took the reins, .illegally...and I for one will never,ever forget!! Republicans , I think , are getting the drift. Do not tell us to "Just get over it" I think by now, they know we never will. I am very concerned about the rich of this country, who give Billions to Bush,though. It is hard to fight money.....but, he is already getting bashed, at least on the stations I have watched, for his misleading , lying, political ads. The folks affected by 911, are getting mean...and I hope they stay that way! Shirley.............St.Louis Subj: ? we would like to know how bush can stone wall the 9-11 commission, tell them he will give them one hour and only then if he is not under oath.....then use 9-11 images in a political campaign. sixty of us in fl Subj: Bush wants to outsource major federal government function! This is from the Federal Employees News Digest today, 3/1/04. Research this out. It sounds like the worst of all possible worlds –outsourcing a major federal government function, and making securing a patent more expensive for small businesses. Sue Pastin * * *
Juan Williams: Bush/Rove Shill Extraordinaire On today's (03.03.04) Morning Edition, Juan Williams again shamefully shilled for his god, George W. Bush. Asked by Bob Edwards about how contentious the upcoming Presidential campaign would be, Williams answered by giving a litany of ways Bush would attack Kerry, and did it in such a way that it was obvious he was just presenting Rove's attacking-points as "news." Juan Williams, the Mouth of Sauron: "Well, Bob, Bush is going to accuse Kerry of waffling, that's going to be used a lot, and how Saddam would still be in power today if Kerry were President and how liberal Kerry is, look for that to come up a lot, Bob . . ." Of course, I waited in vain to hear Williams say, "And, for his part, Kerry will bring up how Bush is feckless and totally devoid of any ideals except for pandering to the oil and pharmaceutical industries and how about 3 million jobs have evaporated on Bush's watch and how over 550 young American soldiers have been killed and thousands more maimed in an optional war that was based on a lie . . . , you know, that kind of thing, Bob." Yup, I waited. But, of course, Williams had no such "other side of the coin" to offer NPR listeners. Shilling for Bush must be Williams' drug. He just can't help himself. Richard R. Newton Subj: Vote Counting Perhaps a grassroots exit-polling system at every polling place would be the way to illuminate any tampering with the numbers. Otherwise, with no paper trail and no pubic scrutiny of the vote counting, which was mandated by the constitution, it will be stolen, thereby giving the impression of public approval of what this regime is doing. Their confidence in their ability to steal two in a row could be the reason they don't feel the need to heed public opinion, or world opinion. Their actions reveal that they have no shame nor feel a need to limit their greed. As it stands now, they know they can get away with it. Of course if it looks like their plan might be foiled their back-up plan will be to create another "crisis", declare a national emergency and call off the election, but that will only unveil their attempted fraud. I highly recommend reading Votescam:The Stealing of America. Published in '92 after 20 years of investigative research, it is more relevant than ever. a BuzzFlash reader Subj: Now We Know The Answer Last years' travesty of a Medicare bill outraged many AARP members when they realized that even though the bill was a giant ripoff, the AARP was giving its official endorsement to the measure, despite outrage on the part of its senior membership. Many were mystified as to how the AARP could be so tone deaf to the needs and wishes of its own membership. Wasn't this suicide? Well, uh.....not exactly! Today it seems, the AARP has rolled out a brand new ad campaign based on a "service: related directly to the Medicare bill: " Call Now and sign up for.....AARP Pharmacy Services!" Yet another cheesy profit scheme by the AARP, obviously conceived in cahoots with its buddies in the pharmaceutical industry and Congress. The ad instructs seniors that through the AARP "you might pay nothing under Medicare Plan B!" I cannot believe they were allowed to launch this blatant profiteering scheme on the backs of seniors. There oughta be an investigation, no? Joanne G
Murphy Subj: google cache of the missing press gaggle transcript Today's Newsday story says: That subpoena also sought a complete transcript of a July 12 press "gaggle," or informal briefing, by then-White House press secretary Ari Fleischer while at the National Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Here's a link to google cache copy of the transcript: http://216.239.53.104/search?q=cache:J... (the same link, but shorter: http://tinyurl.com/3dmtv) The White House probably deleted it as part of their revisionist tactics to redefine their reasons for attacking Iraq. It contains all the old lies that nobody no longer buys. For example:
LIE, not even David Kay buys this lie
LIE
LIE, LIE, LIE. We went to war because Bush lied to Congress, the American People, and the rest of the world. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Gary Bauer, We know what he really is!!! The article "Gary Bauer wants to back Bush in leading a divisive culture war" is laughable. In the article Bauer is quoted as saying: "I do think the reason the election was so close in 2000 was a shortfall of conservative Christian voters," Bauer said. "But I don't think there will be a shortfall this time. Because this move to legalize gay marriage will galvanize them. It will be a major dividing line between Bush and (U.S. Sen. John) Kerry," the Democrats' putative nominee. Every time I read one of these Gary Bauer tirades directed at gays I am reminded that Mr. Bauer has a strange name irony that I don't imagine many people have noticed. If you remove the letters r-u-e from Gary Bauer you have the words Gay Bar. According to Mr. Webster the word "rue" means "sorrow or remorse". So if you remove the sorrow and remorse from Gary Bauer he becomes a Gay Bar. Once again I have to say Thank you God for the many miraculous ways you have of making your will and your presence known in our lives. Alleluia!!!! Carolyn
Ball |
||||||
 |
||||
| DAILY BUZZ | ||||
| INTERVIEWS | ||||
| ANALYSIS | ||||
| MEDIA LINKS | ||||
|
Unless
otherwise noted, all original |
 |
|||
