 |
||||||
|
March 9, 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.
Subj: Create Your Own Bush/Cheney 04 Posters Hey, Love the site, perhaps it would be fun to post the following link to the Bush/Cheney2004 website... It allows you to customize and print your own Bush/Cheney 2004 poster with words of *your* choosing... Like:
Its limited only by your imagination and the 44 character limit. The link is: http://www.georgewbush.com/btl/CustomPoster.aspx?type=color I'm planning on handing a bunch of them that I have created around Portland OR. Thanks for reading, Tom Simonson Subj: Tom Cole needs a lesson on democracy before he helps spread it around the world! Representative Cole should be reminded that we live in a democracy with a two-party system. It's not anti-American to vote against a sitting president! He says he's worried of what the rest of the world will think if we unseat a war-time president. It will make us look weak? To the contrary, I say! It would be a wonderful lesson on democracy (which Republicans are so eager to spread around the globe) to show how any president, wartime or otherwise can be unseated if he goes against the will of the people. It would be a wonderful thing for the world to see that in a democracy, the people's will can win even against military might! My personal opinion, goes a step further: America will be much safer and more respected all over the world when we unseat this particular Mad-Cowboy president. His arrogant, hastily-conceived foreign policy has put the world up in arms against us and we'll be much safer once our hair-trigger leader is relieved of his position of Commander in Chief. Once we go back to rational, unilateral, universally-respected methods of dealing with terror, the whole world will breath a sigh of relief and terror groups will lose a prime tool to motivate and gather recruits. Valerie
Cribbs Subj: Bush at the Emma Booker School 9-11 I do believe it is time to roll out the Pet Goat video to show the world our War President at his finest moment. The moment that defined his presidency. Give the world a look at Bush in action (or actually, Bush's inaction, lack of reaction, lack of any kind of emotion or anything when Andy Card told him we were under attack.) I sent the link to Howard Stern and the New York Times editorial page in a letter protesting the Ads and Salon.com. But if there was an easy way to email the clip so that BuzzFlash readers could spread the word. I think Bush's ads would be quickly pulled. Keep up the great work! Rob Strong Subj: The Bush Harken Insider Trading Collection Here's a pretty good summary of Bush's insider trading while at Harken. A good consolidation of the information available. The first part lays the groundwork. The rest brings it into focus and seems to make it pretty clear that Bush should have done time. http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0210/S00178.htm A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Harpers Mag/ Saudi funds/Reagan administration Dear BuzzFlash, Have you looked at page 81-82 Harper's Magazine, March 2004? I don't know if you have connected your readership to it. Succinct and damning description of the remaining problem of Al Qaeda funding, from US and Saudi sources, and the link to our Afghanistan war of surrogacy. Love you guys. Cassidy Subj: My letter to the editors Below is a letter that I sent out to every major U.S. paper I could think of. Let me know if it pops up in any of you guys papers. Thanks. * * * Let me begin by saying, the use of the 9/11 footage by The Bush administration in its new campaign ads is the most crass, self serving and opportunistic political move that I can remember. The politicizing of the deaths of our fellow Americans should be an outrage to every citizen regardless of party affiliation. The theme of the president’s re-election campaign is “strong and steady leadership.”Let’s examine that claim. A strong and steady leader would not actively try to prevent an inquiry into the events that led up to that horrible day. A strong and steady leader would have demanded that an inquiry be set up immediately following such an event. A strong and steady leader would cooperate to the fullest extent possible with any investigation, not stonewall and hamper its progress at every turn as the current president has done. Mr. Bush has graciously offered a whopping hour from his busy schedule to testify before the 9/11 commission - an hour dictated by his terms and conditions. He spent longer than that at a recent NASCAR event. Which is more important - campaigning or our national security? There are a few questions I would love to hear the president answer about 9/11 such as why did our government ignore warnings from at least 12 different countries including Israel, England, France, Egypt, Italy, Germany, and Russia that an attack on U.S. soil by al-Qaeda was imminent? Why didn’t the Bush administration do something after reading the August 6, 2001, intelligence briefing that plainly stated bin Laden was planning on hijacking American airliners? Was the president too busy vacationing at his Texas ranch to be bothered? A simple warning to the FAA to step up security might have prevented 9/11 from ever happening. Further, why on the day of the attacks, after he knew that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center, did Mr. Bush dilly-dally around in a Florida middle school listening to children read a story about a goat while our nation was under attack? President Bush has used 9/11 to his advantage at every turn, from the invasion of Iraq to the budget deficit. Now he wants to use it again, to get re-elected. On September 11, 2001, we all saw and felt the horror, confusion, and sadness that will live with all of us forever. It is becoming apparent that Mr. Bush and his administration saw something as well... Opportunity. It is a shame that the president’s finest hour was one of America’s worst. If this is his definition of “strong and steady leadership”I have to say “No thanks.” Mike Cumber 9/11 Political Ads Trying to defend the indefensible, the GOP is trotting out Karen Hughes, Rudy Giuliani and scores of others telling us that these ads were "appropriate" because this was the "defining moment" of the Bush Presidency. Using that logic, I would expect to see another round of ads depicting the flag-draped coffins returning to Dover AFB from Iraq and another ad depicting the thousands of young men and women at Walter Reed Hospital who have been maimed for life. This, by far, would do more to define President Bush and that gang of murdering, lying thieves he calls an Administration. That he would make these 9/11 ads and not one of the Media Whores on any cable or network news channels would question the appropriateness of these ads at the same time he has stonewalled the 9/11 Commission agreeing to give them only one hour, not under oath and with only two members asking questions is beyond the pale. Is it any wonder that our "news media" is now referred to as Pravda on the Potomac? A BuzzFlash Reader Dear Buzz, I was just sitting here thinking about all the claims and assertions made by Bush and the neo-cons prior to the invasion of Iraq. And you know what? I can’t think of a single thing they got right.
Seriously, if you can tell me anything these ignorant asses got right, I’d love to hear it. The fact is, those who questioned and/or opposed the invasion of Iraq were right, and these guys were wrong. But as long as the mainstream media ignores or marginalizes criticism of Bush - and the establishment – it’ll be sometime before someone has to apologize those needlessly killed, crippled and traumatized by Bush's war. Mike Kress Subj: Laura Bush comes to Ft. Hood Laura Bush made a surprise appearance at the Annual Women's Conference at Ft. Hood on Friday, attended by around 200 women. The event at Comanche Chapel gave military related women an opportunity to relieve stress and learn new life skills. The first lady told the women they shared a common bond. "I know about having your life turned upside down because the man you love wants to serve his country." Bush said. Bush offered the president's thanks to the women for their volunteer work and the time they spend being role models. It was apparently an attempt to bolster deteriorating morale in military families facing long periods of separation. The thousands of military wives who are extremely unhappy about their husbands being sent to Iraq and Afghanistan two out of every three years are finding their lives increasingly more difficult, and the main reason for the families being separated is being condemned in letters to the local editor. Military personnel thought once the Iraq war was won they would be coming home. The fact that they face extended tours out of the U.S. for the foreseeable future will likely mean many will be leaving the Army. The military know the war against Iraq was an illegal and unjustified war and will surely have that in mind come November. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Frustrated and Frightened We are now witnessing the acts of a desperate administration and Republican Party. Bush's lagging poll numbers, pathetic job figures, and criticism of politicizing the tragedy of 9-11 are making party leaders sweat- and we all know that will lead to classic Republican dirty tricks. But for a while we've been used to good ole' spin and lies. With this administration however its extremely difficult for even the most experienced spinmeisters to twist the truth around for political benefit. So what is the GOP doing? Why, silencing the bearers of said truth of course! No need to worry about the public learning about Bush's record when you use your strong-arm tactics to keep it obscured. We got a preview of the sway the RNC had back when the oh-so-liberal CBS scrapped 'The Reagan's.' But forget that. Now they are using the same tactics to keep moveon.org from airing ads paid for by thousands of small donors. And Clear Channel, also known as the behemoth media conglomerate that helped lead the rallying cry to the Iraq War, has taken Howard Stern off the air for anti-Bush sentiments. This is a serious turn of events. Are the Republicans slowly but surely taking control of the airwaves? Will Democrats ever get their message out when Ed Gillespie threatens to sue anyone who airs a Kerry ad? It frightens me to ponder what awaits us if Bush manages to get reelected- state-run television beamed into every home? A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Bush Bush made cuts in the budget that would help first responders, law-enforcement assistance, cuts in Operation Bioshield and not funds to protect our ports and borders. Does Bush know something we don't know? I suggest that Bush is not funding these important security projects because he duped us. That's one way to look at it. Joyce Fisher Subj: Upcoming Debates Dear Buzz Readers: If given the opportunity (which will never happen), I want Sen. Kerry to ask ONE question of Bush: "Why, after knowing that a plane crashed into the WTC, did you STILL walk into that classroom for a photo op and continue to stay there DOING NOTHING ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY even after a SECOND plane crashed into the towers." The video tells the whole sad story. He bites his lip and tries to appear solemn and pensive. Yet all the while fighter jets should have been scrambled to intercept at least the last two planes, if not the second one. This is not leadership! What the Dems need to do is simply show this video of him sitting in the classroom with a split screen of what was happening in NYC at the same time. No words needed. He was and is ineffectual, if not dangerous. These debates will be deadly. Bush will come out fighting, trying to defend the indefensible. I hope that Sen.Kerry will battle back through the rhetoric and show this man for who he is! Well,...I can dream, can't I? VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE AND VOTE AGAIN!!!!! A Buzz Reader Fw: Quotes from Bush-Gore Campaign 2000 http://www.issues2000.org/ A few quotes from the above mentioned link to quotes - old and new
A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Mike from Raleigh Hey, Y'all...Mike is right. We just must start being meaner...We have to start suggesting to every right wing soul that we know, that George is making all kinds of trips to raise money (today, I saw where a trip to California had netted him 4.1 mill) -- that is all the man does! He went to the Nascar race and screwed a lot of people who likely go to that race every year...and lost their seats this year, because the Big Boss Man was there, and he had to have his protection...and I would imagine that if he didn't, someone might just get nasty (to him, not the poor people at the race who lost their seats). He cannot be left alone for a minute....just like a two year old! I am reminding all my rightwingnut friends and relatives, that if he can give so much of his time to his right wing rich friends(none of whom care how many young folks are dying in Iraq...or in the 911 attacks, so long as they get their precious tax breaks,) then he could give the 911 panel at least two hours, under oath...spread the word!!! Shirley.........St. Louis Subj: Aristide Details Last Moments In Haiti If this is true then things are much worse than we thought. After extensive research, reading through many sources trying to weed out the truth from the lies and dis-information by the US press (even more than normal), listening to radio programs with congressional members who spoke to Aristide regularly up until his ouster, watching the entire 3+ hour congressional hearings .. With that said, this does seem to follow what has already come out. But to hear it (or read it) coming directly from the horses mouth, with the direct involvement of US forces, is just stunning. Since this is such an egregious assault on democracy, before passing final judgment it would be wise (and interesting) to see what the members of the Congressional Black Caucus have to say about it. The CBC has been all over the Haiti issue, if you can catch a replay on C-span of the House International Committee hearing last week, its MUST SEE TV ... Rangel, Waters, and Lee shredded Roger Noriega to pieces, catching him in hypocritical contradictions and lie after lie. Also keep in mind, the very same Bush administration came out immediately in support of a coup against democracy in Venezuela (which failed, and the elected leader was restored to power). When Tim Robbins said freedom and Democracy are in danger and "a cold chill is sweeping the country" ... little did he know that the Bush Regime had plans to export that to the entire hemisphere, Best! Kelley Kramer ----- For quick reading the key snips are here: http://kelleykramer.blogspot.com/... Full source article is here:http://news.pacificnews.org/news/... Send this to the DNC. It seems they give this idiot a pass on everything. We can’t stand another minute of this boob in the White House If we take a lesson from the great propagandist Goebbels we can win. Simply choose 3 subjects and repeat them for 8 months and the people will believe they are true. If you think I’m wrong just look at how Herr Rove manipulated dummy into the presidency. Sam Sainsbury Subj: Bush and 9-11 I can't believe people like Karen Hughes are trying to sell Bush as a great leader on 9-11. Did he not run across the country like a scared child, leaving Hughes to address the nation? Did he not describe the attackers as " some bad folks?" I hope the 9-11 commission is looking into his behavior on that fateful day. It was shocking. Also has everyone forgotten the the RNC sold photos of Bush (running scared) on Air Force One for political gain? Do these people have no shame? Lynn Subj: The commercial I'd make! If Shrub wants to use 9/11 for political ads, then I think it should be fair for the opposition to use it too. Bush flunky Karen Hughes said "some Democrats might not want the American people to remember the great leadership and strength the president ... brought to our country in the aftermath of that." I think someone ought to do a commercial that clearly demonstrates the " great leadership." How about a commercial that points out the deliberately ignored intelligence about terrorists using planes to slam into buildings? How about pointing out that the Clinton administration warned the Bushies about Osama Bin Laden, but partisanship got in the way and they refused to listen? How about pointing out the relationship between the Bushes and the Bin Laden family? And the planes that were allowed to rush the Bin Ladens out of the US after 9/11? How about pointing out that just before 9/11 George Bush took a vacation that was unprecedented in its length. And then end the commercial with the shot of the 2nd jet slamming into the World Trade Center, and then end with the tag line: "George W Bush...Asleep at the Switch!" If I had the skill to make a commercial, that's the one I'd make! That'd show his "great leadership!" TVH Subj: Satire and Racketeering Hello BuzzFlash, Howard Stern is a satirist. He is brilliant at his craft and to think that he doesn't know the rules, is like saying that Sammy Sosa doesn't know the strike zone. Everyone that reads, listens and sees the media these days knows that it is completely controlled by right wing corporations. The FCC is in bed with these right wing megalomaniacs. The whole shameless circus orchestrated by Ed Gillespie and Karl Rove riding on the backs of the whacko Christian fundamentalists . If there were ever a situation that demanded the enforcement of the RICO act this would be it. Business and licensing decisions only favorable to those that promote the right wing agenda. Howard Stern is the canary and when he keels over from the stench we will all be toast. Thanks for your tireless work Rick CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE MARCH 9, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. |
||||||
 |
||||
| DAILY BUZZ | ||||
| INTERVIEWS | ||||
| ANALYSIS | ||||
| MEDIA LINKS | ||||
|
Unless
otherwise noted, all original |
 |
|||
