 |
||||||
|
March 18, 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: The Vengeful Administration - The Bush Cartel Dear BuzzFlash Readers: Whoever coined the phrase "Bush Cartel" coined an accurate description of what has been masquerading as a Presidential Administration for the last three years. Now that Spain is pulling out of the "Coalition of the Willing" what do you want to bet that the Bush gang is going to extract revenge against them for pulling their troops out of Iraq, in light of the elections in Spain that swept Bush's lapdog out of office? Consider the following when someone, or some country went against the gang" - France & Germany: Didn't support America going to war with Iraq. Revenge: Donald Rumsfeld's insults ("Old Europe") and silly members of Congress introducing equally silly legislation to change the Hill Dining Room menu from French Fries to "Freedom Fries". Other silly Americans began to boycott anything French or German because France and Germany disagreed with the pre-emptive strike concept of war. - North Korea, Iran, Syria - Are now known as the "Axis of Evil". I guess Saudi Arabia gets a free pass, despite all evidence that indicates their hands in 9/11. - Ambassador Joe Wilson - Disputed Administration Claims of Iraq trying to buy Yellowcake Uranium. Revenge: His wife is outed as an undercover CIA agent by Karl Rove (with Robert Novak as an accomplice), thereby endangering her life, Wilson's life and the lives of those she worked with. - Paul O'Neill - Participated in the writing of a book that exposed Bush's plans to go after Iraq from Day 1 of the Administration. Was fired after disagreeing with Bush in public regarding the economy (he was the Treasury secretary after all). Revenge: His brother got threatened with either bodily or business harm by the gang, as evidenced by O'Neill's trying to distance himself from the book he cooperated with the author in writing. - Dr. Howard Dean - Front-runner candidate for the Democratic Nomination for President who challenged Bush on everything. Revenge: Total annihilation by the Rupert Murdoch media and was labeled as unstable by not only the Bush gang, but other Democratic hopefuls(who, by their own participation in the massacre of Dr. Dean, is reaping theirs by being handed fast exits from the race less than two weeks later {Gephardt and Lieberman}). I'm sure there are other examples of the vengeance this Administration extracts against anyone that dares to challenge them on the facts, the issues, the unmitigated proof that when you Google the name "George W. Bush" the hit you get is entitled "Miserable Failure". And it further underscores the importance of handing this rogue President his pink slip and one-way ticket back to the cow-chip he calls a ranch in Crawford, Texas come November 2, 2004. Besides, since they profess to be Christians, then I'm asking this question: "Why does your Administration insist on extracting vengeance, when the Bible clearly states that " 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay' " said the Lord...? Leutisha - Loyal Buzz Flash Reader, Christian and Proud Liberal ( Yes, it is possible to be a Christian and Liberal, despite what the Hard Right would have you to believe) Subj: mailbag 3-16-2004, Subj: Re: The General who helped Governor Bush scrub his records issues a classic non-denial denial Hi buzz,
directing to the Pentagon? fine - so using the "freedom of information" simply means to tell the Pentagon "here, that's me, i don't believe in Mr. Bush?" doesn't that mean "here, that's me, i'm a terrorist"? how long will people use such a "freedom of information"? Isn't that a great strategy to silence people? "You don't agree with our gov, Sir? What's your name? What's your job and where do you live?" Bevier PS: thanks, buzz, for the good job Subj: Something funny is going on! Dear Buzz, Just a head's up. There is something unfolding in the Waziristan province of Pakistan. It sounds like a local rebellion. In stories appearing yesterday, 3/16, the US story contained a very pregnant paragraph about the Paki military being unable to retrieve the bodies of the "foreign and Taliban" insurgents killed in the now well known attack that claimed from 24 to 32 lives, depending on who you read. Buzz, the article went on to say that "local tensions" in the area prevented this recovery. It doesn't take Ernie Pyle to know that this phrase is translated to mean, "The locals are shooting back!" Why is this relevant? "Operation Mountain Freedom" in Afghanistan is jointly being conducted with Pakistan, as a "Hammer and Anvil" approach squash the Taliban and al Qaeda forces in the Afghan eastern mountains. This requires the Pakistanis to enter the volatile and rugged Waziristan mountain tribal areas. Cooperation from the local tribesmen is essential to capturing Osama, al Zawahiri, and Omar. However, It now becomes known that Musharraf is working under the gun to prevent Pakistan from suffering under US imposed sanctions over the Khan affair. This has led Mushy into a desperate situation, which has led to the arrest of some local elders in Waziristan, and now a massacre, and the local tribesmen shooting back. In the end, this means that Waziristan is not cooperating. "Operation Mountain Freedom" is well on the way to becoming " Operation Mountain Fiasco." For without effective Paki support the hammer and anvil approach won't work. I think analysis will show that we tried to force Musharraf to help, and blackmailed him with threats of severe sanctions. This has led Musharraf to rash actions in an area where bin Laden is considered a mythic RELIGIOUS figure. A figure on par with the notorious Faqir of Ipi who bedeviled the British in Waziristan's Khiasora Valley from about 1936, until independence. A history of the area is vital to understanding the full extent of the gamble that Musharraf has been forced to undertake, by Incurious George, and his grisly gang of Fantasylanders. Buzz, it is hard for me to have much sympathy for General Musharraf, but in this case I pity the General. Musharraf has been blackmailed into an extremely difficult job, in a dangerous and forbidding landscape given to religious fervor, and great hostility towards outsiders. In a word, as it seems the locals have started shooting back, and this means Waziristan is going up in smoke. What will happen? I think it is a safe bet that we will not capture Osama this year, nor Omar. The Pakis will have a local civil war on their hands and no cooperation from the tribesmen, and that means the US mission into Eastern Afghanistan has just become infinitely more difficult, and potentially much more dangerous, as we will likely have still more people shooting at us. Pity our soldiers left in the mountain fastness. Remember them. But, never forget the fool who sent them into this mess, and how that fool tried to blackmail our closest ally in the region, and ended up with even greater hostility than before he started out with this new offensive! For sources, I would advise following the foreign press as the American press seems to be untrustworthy and incapable of giving accurate assessment of the situation. Sources include Friday Times, Dawn, Times of India, Iranian sources, and probably British sources too. It is very hard for me to say this about American sources but too many lives are at risk from Bush blundering around and forcing Musharraf to get into a preventable disaster in his own country to allow partisanship to dictate the news content. Sincerely, Steve from Syracuse Subj: John Kerry To the Editorial Staff at BuzzFlash: I avidly read all your headline stories and take time during the week to visit your web site and read the latest news. Unfortunately, Washington state is being heavily inundated with Bush ads. I disagree with your assessment that they are portraying Kerry as a liar. In the ads I've heard, they're doing the same thing they did to Bill Clinton. They are saying he's wishy washy on the issues, flip flopping on one vote after another. You're right that now is the time for John Kerry to define his candidacy- I would hit Bush hard on his running as the War President. That's because he's a dismal failure at every issue that's important to thinking Americans- the Economy, jobs (or the lack of them), the environment, tax cuts, his credibility; etc. But then, if I were Kerry I would hit him about the war in Iraq. As Dr. Phil says: How's that working out for you?!?! When I was vacationing in California last Christmas, I met two British women who went on about how Europe is afraid of Bush and his policies. In Ireland they constantly told us they thought he was a "warmonger" and a "moron" and there were anti Bush posters everywhere in Dublin. Kerry should stress the loss of status we have suffered in the world under his administration, and how he squandered all the sympathy the US engendered after 9/11. Kerry should ask: are you better off now than you were 4 years ago and more important: do you feel safer? Judith Shelby Re "Kerry Pushed on Claim as Reporter Corrects Quote," March 16: I find it truly ironic that the Bush administration is demanding that Sen. John Kerry reveal the names of foreign leaders who Kerry has said privately endorse his candidacy. Is this the same Bush administration that has fought all the way to the Supreme Court not to reveal the names of who attended its energy policy meetings? Patrick
Mallon Subj: Prelude to Impeachment This report was posted by Congressman Henry Waxman yesterday. It can be downloaded and the data base searched. It documents 237 misleading statements concerning Iraq which were made by the Fascists themselves -- Bush, Cheney, Rummie, Powell, and Rice. Looks like all he has to do is attach the Bill of Impeachment and drop it in the hopper. http://www.house.gov/reform/min/features/iraq_on_the_record/ Jim Kubiak Subj: Dan Sullivan's Contribution Hi, Buzz!! Dan Sullivan's question about the integrity of the electoral process is certainly scary. Alas, the idea that Goober might try to put off the election is not so farfetched that we can rule it out altogether. We're dealing with Bush, Cheney and Rove, after all. But, as I have pointed out on this page more than once, the Republicans like to call themselves the Party of Lincoln. It might be a good idea to remind them - should the subject come up - that when it was suggested to Lincoln in 1864 that the election should be put off on account of the war, Lincoln refused. He said that if we can allow a election to be postponed because of rebellion, then the Rebels have already won. It is significant also that for a long time during 1864, Lincoln was pretty sure he'd be defeated. To paraphrase a saying heard during VietNam: What if they cancelled an election, and everybody came anyway? Jane Hawes Subj: What is In, What is Out In an apparent rebuke of foreign policy, the cafeteria in the senate has renamed Spanish Rice to Freedom Rice, and their Spanish Omelet to a Freedom Omelet. Around the White House Spanish Moss has already been replaced by Freedom Moss, and the local Washington D.C. drug store has restocked its shelves with Freedom Fly. To head off these measures, Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands has decided to leave his troops in Iraq. Bush responded by allowing the Prime Minister to buy his own lunch, Dutch Treat. Bush also mentioned that he would like to take some time and discover the Nether-regions when the opportunity presented itself. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Boil it DOWN!-Hypocrite nomination 1) Through misdirected focus on "the black dress" (sad, but ironic symbolism) to GET Clinton, NO political will on the part of politicians OR American public to GET Osama when the "getting was good" - after he "bombed" the World Trade the first time. It was commendable that Clinton did what he did to remove him, given the political climate. Joke, unapologetic and I am SURE unbiased, Lisa Myers of NBC, revels in NBC 'exclusive' shots of Osama in the "fall of 2000" when Clinton "didn't get him when he (Clinton) had the chance". Ok, Lisa, DO YOU REMEMBER fall 2000? You, you republican, can't have it BOTH ways! Or, can you? You are portrayed as a journalist, when in fact, you should be on Faux where you belong. 2) My first reaction on the very day of 9/11, the president didn't do his job! Maybe, not personally him, but someone in the administration, DIDN'T DO THEIR JOB to allow us to be attacked and in the best of Harry Truman, the buck stops at the top, or so we thought when one assumed the top took responsibility - ANY - no so this one. 3) 3/2004 - Attacks like the one in Spain, should be laid directly at the feet of the "frat/one" since he lied about: *9/11-what he knew and when he knew it *he and his administration lie and lied about going to war w/Iraq - he, himself, said so - i.e. no attempts at uranium, no connections w/Al Quada, etc. *lastly and most importantly, he chose to divert attention to Saddam from the REAL target, Osama and Al Quada - that is why Spain no longer supports us (hates our guts). Therefore, I lay missing Osama the first time, 9/11, the immoral war, the aftermath at the feet of the fratone and his party. Wake up before it is too damn late! Mary Anne Mills p.s. I nominate Lisa Myers as Hypocrite of the Month! Subj: Two New Probes Bush Will Have to Deal With. Hi Gang! Although we all know the probes will go nowhere, I certainly feel like I've been to the proctologist enough since GW Shrubya has been in office. First, a probe into the stated cost of the new Medicare program and the threatened firing of anyone who revealed the actual cost. http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/03/17/medicare.investigation/index.html Second, a CIA probe into the leaked to the media footage supposedly of Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. The CIA is fairly certain the video is classified. http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/03/17/predator.video/index.html Of course, the White House will come out of both of these incidents squeaky clean with no one there claiming any sort of responsibility what-so-ever. Of course, we'll all be visiting the proctologist once again. Jerry Peurala Subj: Colin Powell Did anyone else see the article in the Palm Beach Post this am where Powell is quoted as saying,"I don't do politics." I was drinking my morning java and almost choked! Pisces [BuzzFlash Note: The quote is also here.] Subj: Pentagon officials believe they had been unable to locate BinLaden because . . . Dear BuzzFlash: A little humor that is making it around the Internet: Pentagon officials believe they had been unable to locate Bin Laden because he had found a place to hide out where: (1) it is easy to get in if you have the money; (2) no one will recognize or remember you; (3) no one will realize that you have disappeared; (4) no one keeps any records of your comings and goings; and (5) you have no obligations or responsibilities. Pentagon analysts are still puzzled as to how Bin Laden found out about Bush's Texas Air National Guard unit in the first place. RA in LA Subj: HANNITY and colmes Dear Buzz, Last night (3/16) I was surfing the news channels and while everyone else was on a commercial break I reluctantly flipped over to HANNITY & colmes. The little squinty-eyed momma's boy, Sean, was interviewing a Faux news contributor (Ross?) regarding the bombings in Spain and resulting rout of the Popular (Right wing whacko) Party. He asked a question that nearly made my hair stand on end. To paraphrase; "Do you think that if America is attacked shortly before the November elections, that we should begin talking about suspended them (the elections)?" Is there anyone gullible enough (besides the Faux News choir) to believe that Sean simply threw that line out off the top of his head? Bullchips! He was obviously market-testing this trial balloon to gauge whether there would be any negative outcry. To me, it smells of Rovian/Norquistian talking points. The proof will be if other wing-nut talking heads also begin to weave it into their daily spew. The Rethugs will, without question, do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to hold onto power. So stay ever vigilant fellow 'Flashers...know thine enemy. Buzzfan in Tenn. P.S. It is not as of yet in their transcript archives, But give it a read when (and if) it appears. Subj: Elliot for HEAD G-Guy...... Don’t ya think that Eliot Spitzer would be a MUCH better Attorney General than John Ashcroft? Think about it. If you are a corporate crook you might not but otherwise there is NO contest. That’s pretty high on the list of why Kerry would be better than Bush also. Larry Parker Subj: Your Editorial on Define or be defined You nailed it about the Bush Admin.. I prefer to call them: "The Bizarro Administration" ; the truth is always the opposite of what they say... Get Out The Bushes!! Helena Subj: State run Arab Media - Made in the USA Excuse me, but why does the only footage of the Iraq bombing come from the State run propaganda machine that is financed by our tax dollars and is a tools of the Bush administration. The tape definitely shows a woman that is anticipating a bombing minutes before a bomb is ever heard. SHe even knows to look over the correct shoulder...BUSHCO is the terra'st PJOnes Mailbag 3/17/04 One only has to read through one of these mailbags, to realize how very frightening it is to have every branch of the government run by one crooked administration and party. I wish someone would pass a law....if we at least had a democratic president, he could veto some of this shit (scuse me!)....today I watched the damned silliest thing I have ever witnessed on c-span....the congressional one! They were voting on an amendment of some kind, to put into the record, that...and I am not kidding...."The world is a safer place without Saddam"...Elcie Hastings was throwing an absolute fit....he demanded a count...even I could hear that the Nays were much louder than the yeas. Well he got a count...that one, then he got an electronic count.....and the yeas won by 3 votes. That is even with the one independent voting Nay!(I guess they think that shows Kerry...huh?") Is this going to get the presidency for Bush??? With this world absolutely falling apart...people dying by the dozens in Iraq, for naught, and this country going straight to hell....they want it in writing that the world is a safer place without Saddam??? Okay, if someone can tell me what the grizzled.. old, critter did....hey, I need a reason!!! And, I sure as hell cannot think of one now, and not one republican I know....and that is almost everyone....can tell me!!!! I have a 20 year old granddaughter in the middle of Baghdad..on my way to the dentist when the bombing happened....you just hold your breath! Shirley St..Louis..(if I may borrow a phrase from Patricia) I am pissed off, too! Subj: Cancelled Elections? RE: contributors piece concerning cancelled elections I've been saying for quite awhile that the plan put forth by Colson prior to the 1972 GOP convention, Operation Gemstone, was possibly going to be implemented by these crooks come September. I envision them having some agents provocateurs causing chaos and possibly injuries among the GOP delegates at which time Dubya will be spirited out of the hall and conveniently flown by helicopter to the site of 911. Once there, he will go in front of the previously assembled press to announce the signing of an Executive Order suspending the elections and the Constitution. Washington, DC is already under increased security in preparation for the coming attack, as Tom Ridge and Bob Mueller have said. The thing they haven't told anyone is that they expect the attackers to be us, after they've carried out their little plan. Make no mistake about it, these people had their genesis during one of the more criminal administrations in this country's history. Do you think Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, et al., didn't hear talk of Gemstone when they were in Washington all those years ago? We've entered uncharted territory here and, as a friend of mine says, it's time to tear up the map. How do you think Rush will spin the martial law aspect of this nightmare? Matt To Rita: You can't get published either, eh. I wish I knew the answer or your question. I've been trying for months to get a letter to the editor published. I send dozens each and every week and had only one published, and it was very generic. I pick newspapers all over the country -- avid reader -- and respond in particular to editorials that make outrageous claims. Obviously, media consolidation was a carefully orchestrated overthrow of our independent news sources that would deviate from the party line. Certain areas of the country -- Dallas, in particular -- are strongly neocon territory, and without fail I find pro-Bush stories published that have been picked from major dailies. Google will be the death of free speech and our republic. Sharon Andrews Subj: BAGHDAD STILL KEEPS BURNING - WE NEED TO FIRE BUSH/CHENEY
Dear BuzzFlash Bush and Cheney must be mighty proud of their handiwork in Iraq. Today's bomb blast was terrible, and as usual innocent people paid with their lives or have been horribly injured. The Bush/Cheney administration made a bad situation worse by invading Iraq. Now the people of Iraq have to contend with 1000 pound bomb blasts as they go about their lives. Is this the freedom that the warmongers Bush and Cheney, together with Rumsfeld, Powell and Rice promised? I think this whole misleading bunch should be congratulated for bringing terrorism into the lives of the already suffering Iraqi people. What they have done is inexcusable. I would dearly like to ask them how Iraq become a much more dangerous place, after the capture of Saddam Hussein. Didn't they say that our troops would be received with flowers as liberators? Didn't they say this was a short war? Didn't they say that Iraq will be able to finance their rebuilding with their own money from oil? Didn't they say that they knew where the WMD's were? What's taking them so long to find it? Even their own guy David Kay says they should own up and admit they were wrong. What a bunch of liars. As for these smear attacks on Senator Kerry, we should just expect this from this crooked lot, who seem to have no decency in what they do. It is almost funny to see Bush and Cheney act holier- than -thou and pound their chests in indignation and attack Sen. Kerry for saying that leaders want him to beat Bush. Bush really needs to learn to speak english properly, because he used the word "accusation" when referring to what Sen. Kerry said. It is a shame that he does not know that what J. Kerry said was a statement and not an accusation. With so much of dishonesty from this white house, it is to be fully expected that this horrible bunch of crooks will try to smear John Kerry to get attention away from their horrible mistakes and lies. I hope John Kerry will stand up to them and fight fire with fire, because the Bush administration will clearly say and do anything to get elected and continue their reign of terror. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Fox Fair and Balanced? Where I work there is a TV in each break room and I am forced to watch Fox news any time I go in there. I have noticed a lot of Bush ads playing but have never seen a Kerry ad. Does Kerry not advertise on Fox or is Bush getting breaks from this station? Something to think about. A BuzzFlash Reader and Supporter. Subj: Bushwhore Blitzer I just sent an email to CNN to express my disgust with them for allowing that Bushwhore Blitzer to call the Bush regime's preemptive, unilateral invasion and occupation of Iraq a "liberation" -- that's right, that is what he just said a few minutes ago. He expressed wonder that there weren't celebrations in the streets of Iraq, on the one year anniversary of the "liberation"! Joann Olbrich Subj: An Open Letter to Mr. Nader After reading the article I reference below I simply had to address Mr. Nader directly. I sent this email through his web site. I am also sending it to BuzzFlash in hopes other people might write thoughtful emails to Mr. Nader. Please do the country, the environment and all the causes you have championed over the years a huge favor. In the end drop out and turn your people to the Democratic nominee. Can you imagine a lame duck Bush presidency. I can and it scares the hell out of me. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/8207298.htm It isn't your time Mr. Nader. The time now is to take back our country from the corporate thieves you have fought all your life. You are a hero of mine. I am a baby boomer who has who has no illusions about the future of Social Security (logically a thing of the past), our retirement funds being stolen from us, and the environment being destroyed along with our rights. Would another four years of the Bush regime help Americans to recover all we have lost? You and I both know the answer to this question. The Freepers know NOT what is in store for them. We do, don't we, if this regime continues in power. This isn't going to be a free and fair election. I think we are intelligent enough to realize that right out front. This machine behind Bush will steal the election again from the American people. They are putting they machines in the voting booth (owned by Bush backers and Republican legislators), their governors in place, and their ads are already bashing who they see as the Democratic nominee. I have voted in the past for Republicans when I have felt them to be the best choice. This is no longer a partisan issue. You know this Mr. Nader. Thank you for all you have done for our rights, our safety, our environment. Now one last thing give us a chance to take back our country. Marjie in CA Subj: Keep Sending Those Letters Message to Rita, the military spouse who wrote to BuzzFlash saying that she can't seem to get her letters published in her local paper: Don't give up!! I send letters to the editor about the hypocrisy of the Bush administration on a consistent basis. Some of them are published and most of them are not. I consider it a victory for the good guys when I am published. I once became frustrated and called to speak with the letters editor. At that time she told me that they receive tons of letters and I'm sure that the same is true where you live. KEEP AT IT!! It's important that we let the media know that we are out here and that we refuse to "get over it". D. Turner [BuzzFlash Note: Also, read your paper's "Letters to the Editor" submission policy (many have them). An unnoticed word-count limit or some formatting issue that can keep an otherwise excellent letter from getting printed.] Subj: GWB said bring it on, Iraq people are cannon fodder, 3/17 killings I was perplexed by GWB'S "bring it on" statement months ago. It sounded like Iraq people were going to have to take the brunt of the violence from terrorists (after all their suffering)and that American Forces could be proud of that....the terrorists war was now there,we moved it , instead of in the USA. Iraq people are cannon fodder .. Well Americans can bet we are cannon fodder too , unless you are a player;Carlyle Group,Saudi Royal squash partner, Be-gillionaire...TAXPAYERS that actually Pay For Everything are considered cannon fodder .... we are the real power but we have no voice in this ,out of touch ,lobbyist influenced kangaroo court of multi sums. We have been ill served by our Governments and like the Spanish People I hope we SHAFT the government that does not protect us ,and lies to us ,and thinks we should take the wounds and deaths for their failures.When are the people going to demand what is their absolute due. Kathy Slifer Subj: One Year Anniversary in Iraq Since when is it "to be expected" that on the one year anniversary of the "liberation" of a country more bombings than ever will likely occur? How the hell have things gotten so freggin screwed up that the American people think this sounds right? Melanie Killinger-Vowell, Boulder, Colorado. Subj: The New American Tea Party Buzz, This is the letter that goes out today. ============================================ Wednesday, March 17, 2004 George W.
Bush Mr. President, How are you, this fine St. Patrick's day? I don't know how the White House mailroom works but I'm sure it's efficient so I'll assume that you got your first teabag by the time you get this letter. I'll try not to take up too much of your time as you do have an awful lot on your plate right now, what with the fund-raisers and the war-mongering and the auctioning of our commons and all. But you are the guest of honor at the New American Tea Party and I want you to know how honored I am that you could participate. This Tea Party looks to becoming a Big Thing and we need to plan for it. (I know how big you are on plans.) I've heard that you have your own troubles with some contractors' services and billing practices, not to mention getting provisions, equipment and gear to our National Guardsmen in Iraq and I certainly don't want to add to your load. Tell you what? You send those boys the gear they need to stay alive (Congress did give you the money some time ago, didn't they?) and some decent food (no turkey), and I'll handle the tea allocations for the party. I'll be the Tea Czarina. I don't want you to worry a minute about supplies for this party, although I do expect lots of people to attend. Since it's a bring-your-own-tea affair, there will be plenty of teabags to go around. One thing that I've been asked to mention - would you please try not encouraging your family, friends and campaign contributors to help themselves and hog them all. I mean, how much tea can a single person drink in a lifetime? Didn't these people learn 'sharing' in Kindergarten? I plan to continue to send you my only-slightly-used teabag every day. We all deserve a good cup, don't we? Now, I can appreciate that it's probably a little, oh, I don't know, icky? to have to re-use a teabag. As a proud second-generation Irish-American, I, more than most, can appreciate the glory and the healing that is a really good, fresh, strong cup of tea. So I, more than most, can recognize your sacrifice of that enjoyment by using this quasi-new (only-used-once) teabag. But in this time of war, we all have our sacrifices to make, don't we? The people teeter on the hairy edge of economic disaster, our children get blown up in the desert, the country loses more global status and respect every day of your term, and you drink only-used-once tea at the National Tea Party. Equivalent sacrifice, right? I knew you'd understand. What's that, sir? Why, yes, the tea's a little weak but that's to be expected. We've done tests and it's almost as good. Sir, you didn't think I'd use that teabag more than once, did you? Oh, Mr. President, I know I'm a sometimes-Liberal, sometimes-Conservative, and all times-Independent, one of the great unwashed, being therefore un-beloved by God and deserving of all abuse that my betters might inflict on me, but I do have my limits and my standards. You can trust me. I only used it once. Really. Ask my mother. And Mr. President, you forgot the scones. And on St. Paddy's Day, too. Most Sincerely, Barbara
A. Rittiman
Subj: Rumsfeld's pants on fire? Moveon.org suggested people write their local papers now that it's the 1st anniversary of our Iraq invasion. Here's a letter I just sent to the NY Daily News; let's see if it runs... Subject: Rumsfeld's pants on fire? Let's see, last week John Kerry was met with howls of right-wing outrage when he called the Republicans "the most crooked, lying group I've ever seen" Then, as if itching to prove him right, Rumsfeld goes on TV Sunday to lie through his teeth that the administration's repeated warnings last year about an imminent Iraqi threat never happened. Too bad for Rummy the interviewers had his 'imminent' quotes from last year right on hand. Go John, go!! -Joe Subj: Strange things I have heard and read so many unusual deaths connected to this administration. It gives me nightmares....now, this poor Athan Gibb, Sr? So many people with things that could tie this Bush Bunch up...are dying...too many! I suppose if we did not have this place to come to for information, we would never know anything. They are changing a little on television. Stupid Dennis miller...had Eric Alterman on his show tonight...and the man is just like I knew he would be...he would not back down!!! Dennis didn't know what the hell to do..he could not shut him up...and Eric stuck to his guns.. I love people who do not sell out!. Many times now, I think back to the Clinton days and wonder how Carville and others...especially Clinton...could take the lies...so many! And, many who knew all of it was a lie....could not buy time on any network. I am glad I get my news now, from Jim Lehrer..no place else! And, if I haven't said it lately.....God Bless BuzzFlash...I had no idea when I first found you...how intelligent, and informative you would be...Thank you so much!!! Shirley.............St.Louis Rep Delahunt, Mass, "This claim by the President and Vice-President is a sham and a disgrace." Rep Meek, FL "How can this administration not mention the dead? How can they pass a resolution honoring the troops that does not mention the dead? ...We need accountability..." Jim P Subj: Names and Locations Hi Gang! I've been noticing something as of late in the Mailbag. We've all started signing our contributions with our names and locations. So bold are we. The many. The disgusted. The BuzzFlashers. Jerry Peurala Subj: Foreign Leader for Bush So there is a foreign leader that would like to see Bush win the election in November. In an article in Reuters (Reuters 3/17/2004) European Al Queda leader stated that they would like to see Bush win because of the way he doesn't think things through, he just acts with useless force and wrecklesss abandon. In a statement released by the Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades to an Arabic language newspaper a spokesman for the group said it will be impossible to find an American leader "more foolish than you (Bush), who deals with matters by force rather than wisdom". So there it is folks, a leader in this world that would vote for Bush if he could. Thank goodness most of the REAL leaders see these qualities in Bush also. Jim Subj: Charging Saddam Hussein Richard Stencil has brought up a subject no one in the administration or the media has discussed or debated. Saddam Hussein is now a US prisoner. Who will try him & for what crime against the US? The crimes we charged him with before we invaded Iraq have not been proven. We have invaded a foreign country, deposed the leader and are now holding him prisoner. The Iraqi people have reasons to try him for crimes against humanity, but what charges can the US bring? Harold Martin Subj: Foreign leaders "influencing" our elections I sent an e-mail to C-SPAN this morning regarding a discussion they had on Washington Journal this morning. The discussion was disgusting and disturbing based on the way the discussion was framed: "Should foreign leaders influence our elections?" Framing questions this way about the issues of the day is a favorite right-wing tactic. It was disappointing to see C-SPAN stoop to such lows. Here's the email I sent to them: Dear C-SPAN, I am a long time viewer of C-SPAN and consider it one of the most important channels on TV. Open and free political discussion is vital to our nation, especially in these times of divisiveness, and C-SPAN has been nothing short of a life preserver in these regards. With that in mind, I am extremely disappointed in C-SPAN's framing of the question "Should foreign leaders influence our elections?" that appeared on this morning's Washington Journal. The right wing in our country has employed these kinds of deceptive, leading questions for years, in their attempt to mislead the American public. You know the kind, like "When did you last beat your wife?" No matter how the question is answered, the framer of the question has already steered the debate to his advantage. The aforementioned question on Washington Journal falls into that category. The way the question is framed, it sounds like foreign leaders are trying dictate the outcome of our elections, simply by voicing their support for one candidate or another. Good grief. A foreign leader has the right to state his opinions, and in doing so, he is not forcing the outcome of what takes place here in America. Is he "influencing" the election? Well of course he is! And, (sarcasm alert), this has been going on since the dawn of time! Shocking! In these times, there is no doubt that our foreign policy and how it shaped and executed is critical to the survival of this nation, and indeed the world. There is also no doubt in many people's minds that Bush's foreign policy has been a complete disaster. So what better way to twist this disaster around, and say that because some foreign leaders would welcome a change in America's leadership, they are guilty of "influencing" our elections, and thus we are in danger of no longer being a free nation. So let me see: first we anger the entire world, unleash our own weapons of mass destruction, invade countries preemptively with no evidence to back up any perceived threat, and then faced with this miserable failure of foreign policy, we go around and ask, "How dare foreign leaders say they want a change in leadership in our country?" Implicitly, since John Kerry has stated he believes there are foreign leaders that would welcome his success in the elections, this somehow makes John Kerry "bought and paid for" by foreign powers. I know that's not what the question explicitly asks, but the way the question is framed, it puts that thought in people's minds. And C-SPAN played right into this Orwellian logic this morning. It's almost as though Karl Rove's minions played a hand in it. He didn't did he C-SPAN? Say it ain't so. --- A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: "Iraq Watch" group in Congress Dear Buzz, Late last night I was watching CSPAN and several Democratic congressman who are part of the "Iraq Watch" group were speaking vociferously and articulately about Republican abuse of power and the systematic lies and misstatements of the Bush administration on many fronts, not just Iraq. The following Representatives spoke at length:
Another congressman whose name was mentioned several times in connection with "Iraq Watch" is Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, but I didn't hear him speak. These patriotic representatives ****REALLY GET IT****. I was hoping that BuzzFlash could contact them and offer to do an interview. Unfortunately, since few people are watching CSPAN that late at night I fear that their excellent work will be missed. I am acting like a kind of matchmaker here and have written to all of them to thank them for this effort and suggested that they contact BuzzFlash to do an interview. The SCLM is focusing idiotically on the "presentation management" aspect of the campaign. The persistent duplicity of the Bush administration and the corrupt Republican party SHOULD BE at the top of every newscast every day for the next several months, but the pundits and anchors continue to talk about the strategy of "negative ads." HOW CAN THESE NEWS PEOPLE STAND THEMSELVES, I ask you? Are they happy to be such unmitigated suckups? Does a single one of them have an INDEPENDENT THOUGHT? Sincerely, A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Bush Villain loves war - that way he stays in power Hey King George, Did you stir up things in Iraq, Haiti, and now all of a sudden out of the crystal clear blue sky, six years later, KOSOVO? You like war so you can stay in power, huh, George W? A BuzzFlash reader and supporter C-Span Dear BuzzFlash Every Tuesday or Wednesday night, after 8 and before 11 EST--it changes from week to week--C-Span broadcasts a "Bush Critique" hour (or 2 or 3, depending). It's invaluable. You see prime Democrats of the House in discussion, laying out the story, just as we read it, and often with connections or details we don't all get. Tonight Hawaii's Rep Abercrombie, for example, just said "We have not had a Vice-President so sinister since Aaron Burr." It's a joy seeing things named as they are. I'll see if they transcript these sessions anywhere. Jim P Subj: Kerry's response: Cheney canoodling with Saddam Dear Buzz: Cheney threw a few suckerpunches and wild roundhouses yesterday. Sen. Kerry should smack Tricky Dick with this 2-by-4 today. When the press asks Kerry to respond to Cheney's comments, here's what the President-Elect should say:
CR Subj: Peace, prosperity, security, freedom Dennis Hastert at the St. Patrick's Day luncheon:
This administration is 4 for 4: Peace = two long, costly wars - both still ongoing. Prosperity = more jobs lost from the economy than added; landmark deficits; huge increases in the national debt. Security = the occupation of a Muslim country that has multiplied our enemies among moderate Muslims around the world; Al Qaeda membership on the rise, and the Taliban once again in control of a third of Afghanistan. Freedom = the steady erosion of freedom for Americans, starting with the 'Patriot' Act and continuing with Bush's drive to enshrine prejudice in the Constitution. Iraqis are now "free" to choose their leaders, just as long as they are the ones we have anointed. And if they don't choose them, let them look to Haiti, where we supported the violent overthrow of the democratically elected leader. By all means, let's judge them by Speaker Hastert's political barometers. Albert Clark, NY |
||||||
 |
||||
| DAILY BUZZ | ||||
| INTERVIEWS | ||||
| ANALYSIS | ||||
| MEDIA LINKS | ||||
|
Unless
otherwise noted, all original |
 |
|||
