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April 7, 2004 |
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Important Note: Because we can't always determine your intentions, we need to ask a favor of you when you send us email. If you DO NOT WANT YOUR EMAIL PUBLISHED in the Mailbag or in the Contributors section, please write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the Subject line or at the top of your email. That way we'll know it's just a comment to BuzzFlash. Additionally, if you submit a mailbag item and DO NOT WANT YOUR NAME associated with your submission, sign your email "A BuzzFlash Reader." If you send email unsigned, we will post your name with your submission, or, if that's not available, your email name (not the full address, just what's on the left side of the email address). Please try and keep your word count under 400. If your letter includes hypertext links, please include the entire URL. We can only post a small percentage of what is sent to us. The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. Thanks again for your email and your patience.
Subj: Maureen Farrell re Postponing Elections Regarding Maureen Farrell's article about the potential for the November presidential election being postponed should the US experience another terrorist attack - I wish Democrats and other non-Republicans would think about developing a serious strategy to respond to such a possibility. To postpone elections would be an extraordinarily dangerous precedent to set. It could then be used again, possibly wily nily. What if the "ruling party" is losing in the polls and decides a particular event warrants postponing the election and uses that event to do so - thus giving that ruling party time to regroup and rise in the polls. What if they postpone an election and take years to reschedule it? What would the rules be as to how long a postponement could last, for example. Think of what could be done by a party that controls all three branches of government during an election postponement period. I believe an election postponement must never happen. While it might seem logical and right at the time, to do it once means it can be done twice. Safeguarding the potential abuse of such a precedent is more important that invoking it even one time. Given this administration's track record on doing whatever it wants, regardless of the moral, legal, or ethical ramifications, and it seemingly being willing to do anything under the sun to have it's way, the potential for abuse here is frightening. Isis Douglas, Boulder, Colorado. BUZZ, Perhaps you could tell me how it is that BUSH can lie and he gets our soldiers killed .They accused CLINTON of lying BUT NO ONE GOT KILLED. That gives me the impression that it is ok to be treasonous against our country, But god forbid you have sex. thank you i am a great fan collette Subj: We are sorry that our President is an idiot. We didn't vote for him T-shirt
Anonymous [BuzzFlash Note: Support http://tombihn.com/] Subj: Bubble, bubble, we're in trouble Teabag in hand, I go forth to do battle. Hang in there, Buzz, and thanks. ====================================== Tuesday, April 6, 2004 Mr. President, Hello, Sir. Yes, it has been a few days now. No, no, nothing personal. Just a nasty bout with the current bug du jour. Today's the first day that I've had the 'stomach' to turn on the computer. Why, yes, that was a double-entendre. Good catch, Sir. No, that wasn't a baseball reference. Consider it a freebie. Today's tea is Echinacea. I drink it when my immune system needs a little help. Never fear, Sir. This is a commercial product, sold on supermarket shelves. If it's good for the people, how can it be bad for you, Sir? Are you all prepared for your appearance before the committee? Well, I wouldn't think it would be all that difficult. After all, aren't they just asking for the truth? How hard could that be, given all you've told us already? You know, Sir, people are really wondering about why all these conditions and restrictions on your committee testimony were negotiated. Oh yes, Sir, they are. I don't know who you've been talking to - wait, I take that back. I do know who you've been talking to. Only those allowed inside your bubble. The thing is that the world inside your bubble is not the same as the world outside your bubble. Which, come to think of it, was probably the whole idea, wasn't it? The inherent problem with this is that the overwhelming majority of the citizens of this country live outside your bubble. Out here in the real world, things look a bit different. Well, Sir, if the opinion outside the bubble doesn't count, doesn't that say that all of us outside the bubble are irrelevant? Mr. President? You look funny, again. Are you OK? Mr. Cheney? He's right over there, Sir. No problem. I'll wait right here. What was that, Sir? You'll get back to me later on this? Not to be rude, Sir, but that list is getting mighty long. To continue, questions that should get asked by our representatives in Washington get asked in the line at the Safeway. Discussions that should be going on in the halls of Congress take place over the back fence. With the exception of a few stalwarts, our Congress is apparently waiting to see who emerges victorious before speaking up (always assuming, of course, that they will be allowed to speak). One of those questions is why you and Dick Cheney are going in together. Why? Where is the precedent for this? All those times when Mr. Cheney wasn't around after 9/11 were excused on the basis of security. The explanation was that in order to foil any plots on the leadership of the country, the two of you could not appear in public together. And now, here you are, insisting on going to the committee hand in hand, the dynamic duo. Not only are you going to appear together but you have announced this to the world. I assume the time, date and place of this extraordinary appearance will be broadcast as well. Have you captured the people you were trying to foil so the hiding out of Dick Cheney is no longer an issue? If so, who was it? Where are you keeping him? If you haven't captured anyone specific, how do you know that both of you will be safe? If you weren't safe inside your bubble inside the government building inside the fortress called Washington, D.C., then, how come you're safe now? What's changed? What is Mr. Cheney's reason for being there? Why isn't he going in on his own? Why was this so necessary that you used Condi Rice's testimony as leverage in order to get these conditions? You know, of all the many questions we have about this testimony, there is the Big Question. Which is -- What good reason is there for the Leader of the Free World to need a committee-buddy to bolster his answers? If you alone can commit us to war, why can't you alone respond to the committee? Don't you know the answers? Cookies with my tea, Sir? Actually I don't feel like eating anything right now. I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach again. Most sincerely, Barbara
A. Rittiman Subj: 18 SOLDIERS HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES OVER THE WEEKEND FOR BUSH'S BLOODY WAR Dear BuzzFlash, They sure know how to fiddle while Iraq burns. How the heck can Bush, Bremmer, Rumsfeld and others make statements implying that things are under control in Iraq. To most of us it really does look like it has become a civil war, and that our soldiers are in a very dangerous situation, and it seems like it is getting worse! Despite the assurances that we will be greeted as liberators, it seems like the Bush cartel have put our sons and daughters into harms way, and the situation is getting bloodier and bloodier by the day. When will someone with a spine hold this horrible lot responsible and accountable for the worst blunder in our history? Eighteen soldiers dead within the last few days, and they act as if this is nothing. I guess it must be nothing for them, as it is not their kids who are out there facing horrible deaths. Bush's stupid statement sometime back saying that the more successful we are, the more we will be attacked rings hollow and dense at a time like this. These statements sound false, and only the people who cannot think for themselves will believe these misleaders. Bush has the tiger by the tail and neither he, nor his band of neocons, will ever admit to this tragic mistake. It takes a man to admit he is wrong, and folks, believe me George Bush is NO MAN (although he likes to act the part!). As for the folks who think it was the right thing to invade a helpless country, despite now knowing that all the reasons these war profiteers gave were proven to be false, they need to see a psychiatrist asap, or better still ,they need to start reading BuzzFlash and get enlightened! I am really sorry that our troops are out there in that mess. A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Buzz Editorial On Oct. Terror Attack Wow! before I had even read your article here at 4:57 pm I had a conversation on this at 9 am with my nephew who is visiting. We told him we feared a terrorist attack and the declaration of martial law with no election at all in Nov. He laughed (he is a staunch Republican) and said you're crazy. We'll see won't we? Pisces in Florida ps he also said what a great job Bush is doing on the economy! Subj: The Great "Employment Figures" Hoax of 2004 "Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers" -- Aristotle Hi Buzz! Here's something I've been meaning to write about for a few weeks but I keep getting sidetracked: Ever notice how the job market is so seemingly improving? I just happen to have a little inside scoop as to why that may be. You see, our company is part of the US Department of Labor Survey from whence they generate the "job creation" figures for the month. Every month we submit a very brief survey form stating how many non-supervisory employees we have on the payroll (along with a little information on women and minority figures as well). This month, our "contribution" to the job picture will increase the number by x. However, this is misleading because nowhere on the form does it ask if our new hires were hired away from other jobs (which all of ours were). So unless by some strange coincidence their former employers were also part of the survey, it appears as though employment has increased. So why doesn't this all balance out through random selection? BECAUSE WE WEREN'T RANDOMLY SELECTED!!! I am certain that we were chosen as a 2004 survey participant because we were seen as a company most likely to add jobs this year. (And lest we forget, this is an election year). It did not matter that we work in a highly specialized field and that all of our employees are hired away from other companies. We're the kind of company that, because of the work we do, is growing and we do hire on a relatively steady basis. And the Department of Labor knew this prior to selecting us for the survey! I know this because of something the auditor let slip. Without going into detail, I know for a fact that this auditor had access to our W-2 records for the year 2003 -- the year before our selection to the survey. This is information she could only receive from the IRS, which, as we all know, is NOT affiliated with the Dept. of Labor. So next time you see these figures, just remember, the con game is rigged. I'm sure downsizing is still alive and well and living in America. Until next time, I am still faithfully yours, A Patriot
Opposed to War Subj: Letter to Kerry Dear BuzzFlash, Here is a letter I sent to the Kerry campaign: Dear Senator Kerry, I saw all the "flip-flop" demonstrators in front of you on the national T.V. networks tonight. This could be turned way in your favor if you do just one simple thing. You need to announce to the American people that dissenting views are welcome in our democracy. GEORGE BUSH, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILL NOT ALLOW DEMONSTRATORS ANYWHERE NEAR HIS CAMPAIGN! He has set up "free speech zones" to make sure no dissenting voices are seen anywhere near him. YOU NEED TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS. It could play way in your favor if people know what's going on here. And all you have to do is tell the truth, because the truth is on your side. I urge you not to miss this opportunity. Left alone people will think the public is against you. Don't let the GOP get away with it. Thanks! Rob Moitoza Subj: Border Patrol I have a friend in law enforcement & he goes to Mich., (I think it is), every yr. to teach snow-mobile something or other....well, he came back this year & said the border patrol have been told NOT to stop anyone....Nat'l Sec says if they don't do anything it'll look like Nat'l Sec is working....so they sit on their hands & watch aliens, drug dealers, etc. go across. This is in Mt., Wash. & Idaho. So "who" is coming in?? When I read your BuzzFlash it sure made me think of what he said. Thanks for what you do..... Marilyn Mueller Subj: Ideas Dear BuzzFlash; I have 3 things I have observed that I would like to pass on. Yesterday I was watching the news on Newsworld International, Canadian, and they were saying how Bush was stressed out. They then showed a clip of Bush at a news conference, looking stressed out, when a reporter started to ask him a question and as he started to address Bush he called him Sir. Bush asked, all pissed off, 'what did you call me?'. He then smirked at the rest of the reporters in an exaggerated way, and asked the reporter again. The reporter the addressed him as Mr. President. What this brought out was the intimidation this man is capable of. Richard Clark said his was asked in an intimidation way to find a connection between 9/11 and Sodom. Karen Hughes, back in the picture, said as long as she has known Bush she has never seen Bush intimidate anyone. So. The second thing is back on Feb 17, 2001 when the USS Greeneville came up under the Ehime Maru the Captain was distracted by a group of fat cat republican donors. What were they doing on an Atomic Submarine that was supposed to be protecting us. Submarines aren't supposed to hit things. That is exactly what they aren't supposed to do. Maybe you can find a connection between this and 9/11 and not having our defenses up. Maybe, if you get my drift you could explain it better. The last item is sometime after 9/11 I remember watching either Wolfowitz, Pearle or Frum say they know that our invasion of Iraq was not going to be popular with the people on the street there but it didn't matter because they didn't see the big picture. That we should take Iraq with force and the dead and injured, the destruction and the cost were all worth it to bring democracy to the Middle East. Dennis Price Subj: Murdoch incorporating in US? Hi guys, Hate to be a conspiracy theorist, but do you think there's anything fishy behind Murdoch's move to incorporate in the US? Mark Smallwood Subj: November Dear BuzzFlash, Maureen Farrell hit it right on the nose, yet again. This is why all those pundits were harping on the spanish being appeasers-- right beneath the surface is the message: if this happens to us, vote for George Bush or YOU are an appeaser too. The truth of the matter is, of course, that the Spanish voted out a government that failed to protect them from terrorism. The repugs are worried that the American public will, in the face of another attack, realize themselves that this is a government which is failing (will have failed? has failed?) to protect us from terrorism. The neocons are obviously planning ahead for this sort of eventuality, and we need to start framing the possibility of a pre-election attack in terms of Bush failing to protect us, and not in terms of appeasement. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: send her son! isn't karen hughes son old enough to go to be in this war in iraq she is so happy about? a BuzzFlash reader Subj: "I'd rather eat dirt." "For 2 long years Bush has attempted to thwart any real 9-11 investigation. Ellen Mariani's suit against Bush et al under the RICO Act for racketeering, is the catalyst to demand truth. Bush tried to buy her off with a $1 MILLION "settlement," but Mariani said, "I'd rather eat dirt . . .". Mrs. Mariani's courageous act must not go unsupported by mainstream peace & justice activists." http://globalresearch.ca/articles/DOU403A.html Ellen Mariani's lawsuit against the Bush regime: Mariani vs. Bush - Amended Complaint The 9-11 Visibility Project: 911Visibility.org A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Bush's Steely Resolve OK, so help me out here. The Bush administration has repeated and repeated that we are holding firm to the 30 Jun transition in Iraq. I think that this transition will be a transition of power from the American occupation forces to the yet-to-be Iraqi government. I don't know when this government will be instituted or what the composition will be, but that's who's going to be getting the reins of power. Of course, we're going to maintain a military presence in the country for an undetermined length of time, but the country will be turned over to the Iraqis. All of the turmoil that we see in that country has resulted in one basic response from Bush -- we're going to maintain the 30 Jun deadline, it won't be extended. Now help me here -- does Bush think that these people don't want their country turned over to them on 30 Jun? That they really want that date pushed back? I got new for this guy -- it's not that they want that date extended. I think they want us out of there right now. Pack up and move out. Has any administration official or right-wing hack even discussed this departure from common sense? OK, George. We'll cave in and keep Paul Bremer and Co. in power for another six years, how does that sound? Think that'll make all those uprising revolutionaries put down their AK's and go home? So in essence, when George opens his mouth and talks about our resolve to stay there (someone should be making recordings of his utterances cause I bet he's going to cave on this, too) until 30 Jun, he's just wasting his breath. They want us out now, and they want their country back. I don't think they're too interested in democracy and the freedom that we're supposed to be giving them. All of that might sound good from a PR point of view, but they didn't want us there in the first place, they certainly don't want us now, and I don't think there's anything we can give them that they would be interested in taking into their society and cherishing. Guess we just have to kill as many as possible to prove that we're going to free them. Anyone want to bet that there's going to be some type of incident around our election time that might, just might, cause Bush to declare martial law in this country? Anyone see the movie "Siege" recently? Roma INFO re BuzzFlash Note following M. Farrell's column Re the following note:
I don't know how relevant this is, but I recently was informed by Truthout.org that AOL is refusing to transmit their e-mails to AOL members. The pretext is that it's for our "protection from unsolicited mail," which is a crock, since you have to sign up to receive it. I contacted AOL, they had some butt-hole call me and I had a HUGE fight with them about my First Amend. rights, free speech, etc. I also accused them of being Republican lackeys. The upshot is, they're going to continue not sending Truthout's stuff. AOL offered me 2 free months, thinking I was placated, but I will ditch them at the end of that time. I also talked with the Truthout people about this. They took all my info and it sounded to me like they might be accumulating it to (I hope) make a BIG STINK. I told them they could use my name, etc. About a year ago I was at a protest and I bought a button saying, "Is it Fascism yet?" I just thought it was kind of cute, but, still, far out. But now...? Dorothea
Courtwright [BuzzFlash Note: We called AOL Tech Support (888-346-3704) and spoke with Nathan, who said that BuzzFlash was not a restricted site, but that AOL users had restrictions on how many people they could email at one time, which, he said, was causing the problem (something to do with recent spam legislation). He said AOL users can contact Tech Support to have the "block" removed from their user name. We asked him to email us that in writing, but he has yet to do so. We'll let you know if we hear from Nathan or anyone else at AOL.] Subj: Sent Anti-Bush Email from Bush's Web Site! Peggy in TX asked that we that we contact the Federal Election Commission and tell them that they do not work for the GOP! She didn’t have a web address. But you can send a pro-Democracy, pro-Democrat email directly from the Bush site! http://www.GeorgeWBush.com/Letters/ Just be sure you edit the title and the text of the email. (You also have to fill out the form, but you can use your imagination there too if you want…) Joseph Luna [BuzzFlash Note: We did the same thing. Heh-heh.] Subj: "Chosen By God" Bush Administration Video Released The rock band Trucker today released a music video entitled "Chosen By God" which discusses America's current economic turmoil under the Bush Administration. Trucker is partnering with other grassroots organizations around the country to share in the distribution efforts. You can view the video at http://www.truckerrocks.com/chosen Trucker frontman, Todd Johnson, had the the following to say about the making of the video... "Living in a Democracy is being free to speak your beliefs and stand up to things you believe are wrong. There is no question in my mind that what is happening to our world in these times is blatantly corrupt and wrong. The pillaging of nations and the "homeland" is becoming rampant to line the pockets of few. Using a fear and disinformation cocktail the Bush administration, as well as other world leaders, are setting the stage for catastrophe. The fact that I had to even think twice about releasing this piece outside of my own living room speaks volumes about the state of the land. If it was not for more and more people courageously stepping up to poke the beast I may have never shown this to anyone but my close and trusted friends... I am not a Republican, a Democrat or a Liberal. I am a Moralist, now how can that be slandered?" Sent by kevin l. powell, vp and head creative chimp, cjk public relations inc. Subj: Bringing back the draft Rivero, I don't agree with you. Bush is not going to bring back the draft. Bush and Rumsfield's plan is to "privatize" the military. There is much more money for companies like Blackwater and Brown & Root in providing private armies. More importantly, it is easier to screen for the politic ideologues necessary to staff a right-wing paramilitary group that would operate within the US if and when US citizens get fed up with the repression and begin to fight back. Do you really thing conscripts would really fire their weapons on ordinary US citizens after, say, people start rioting after Bush cancels general elections based on the pretext of the "war on terrorism" Bush started in the first place? Greg Burton Subj: Check out this great web site! I frequent and drive by this wonderful old style movie house in Oakland, California all the time and see their fabulous and unabashed and fearless political criticisms posted. http://www.fotolog.net/grand_lake/?pid=7332454 Would you consider posting it on your site? Judith
Foster, Subj: On Nader Dear BuzzFlash, I just had to write in to weigh in on Ralph Nader. Bottom line, Ralph Nader has an inalienable right to run for the presidency and any American has an inalienable right to vote for him. The Democrats need to stop being pissy about the Nader campaign -- what we Democrats need to do demand that Sen. John Kerry take the mush out of his mouth, drop the cadences and start giving Bush & Co. hell. Democrats -- and Kerry -- need to light up Kerry's campaign and keep those fires burning high. The Kerry campaign needs to become so compelling and inspiring that Nader's run becomes a true non-issue. In other words, Democrats need to focus on winning with Kerry, not whining about Nader. That said, I was heartened to read at Buzz that there were less than a thousand souls in Oregon who showed up to support Mr. Nader's ill-advised campaign. http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_040504_p... Not because I'm delighting in the "failure" of Ralph Nader, but because reading this news refreshed my hope that there are many, many Americans who understand the high stakes present in this election. I've been hearing a lot from Independents, Nader-ites and disappointed Deaniacs (of which I am one) that they can't vote for Kerry because they need to vote their conscience. I have to ask, what part of that conscience will be clear after putting George W. Bush back into the White House by either not voting or casting a vote for Nader's "protest" campaign? Again, the choices:
Out of those four, only the first directly impacts removing George W. Bush from the White House. The rest keep him there. Lastly, anyone considering "voting their conscience" should read this dark forecast from the American Prospect of what Bush has in store for this country in an unleashed, "mandated" second term. http://www.prospect.org/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7507 If you can read this and not vote, or not vote for John Kerry, and still sleep at night, a review of your conscience might be in order. It's a shame this country has gotten to the point where a three-way race actually threatens what's left of our democracy, but guaranteed, should Bush return to the White House, an America where a three-way race is even possible will quickly be bludgeoned into oblivion by the abuse-of-power Republicans gone wild. Sincerely, Bri Held Just heard there's not enough federal money to support homeland security. That after hearing Bush plans to build largest embassy in the world in Iraq, employing thousands of Americans and Iraqis. Gee, it's confusing. Milly Subj: Quote of the Day Iraq is on track to realize the kind of Iraq that Iraqis want. Paul Bremer, interview on ABC's Good Morning America
A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: Ashcroft: Justice Dept cracking down on adult porn... Hundreds of US Soldiers are dying in Iraq. Our civil rights are being taken away one by one. Tommy Chong is in jail because he sold a bong on the Internet. Women cant buy birth control at Pharmacies. Ashcroft wants to ban Soap Operas, and is now spending millions to prosecute people who publish, and or view Adult pornography. If this is a dream, please wake me up. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bal-te.obscenity06ap... Justice Dept cracking down on adult porn... Administration wages war on pornography Obscenity: For the first time in 10 years, the U.S. government is spending millions to file charges across the country. Originally published April 6, 2004 WASHINGTON - Lam Nguyen's job is to sit for hours in a chilly, quiet room devoid of any color but gray and look at pornography. This job, which Nguyen does earnestly from 9 to 5, surrounded by a half-dozen other "computer forensic specialists" like him, has become the focal point of the Justice Department's operation to rid the world of porn. In this field office in Washington, 32 prosecutors, investigators and a handful of FBI agents are spending millions of dollars to bring anti-obscenity cases to courthouses across the country for the first time in 10 years. Nothing is off limits, they warn, even soft-core cable programs such as HBO's long-running Real Sex or the adult movies widely offered in guestrooms of major hotel chains. Subj: mailbag 4/6/04 To everyone who has heard Bush call Bremer everything but his name...he is on something again. I watched him today in that speech in Arkansas....and I was so embarrassed, even though I take no responsibility for the man....I did not vote for this idiot!!! (Notice the way he grins in speeches at inappropriate times?) He was trying to make jokes with everyone, telling one woman that she and his mom used the same "hair dyer". She told him that she was a natural blonde! He was so embarrassing.....so trying to tell everyone that these thugs and assassins in Iraq were trying to scare us...and we would not take it. We are going to stay the course, he said, like some school bully! We will not Cut and run....we will not back down! Well, Georgie...how about when they have killed everyone, and the rest maybe refuse to go?? George is such a smartass, that he does not feel the need to tell us or anyone else, why we are there! Even that, we do not know!!! Did you all know, that even Britain has half the military count there that we do, and all the other countries that Bush brags about being there, have a fraction...mostly, about 1000 to 3000....now, if anyone thinks that is going to help,I've got a bridge in New York I will sell you....the chances are just as good!! Deborah, is right, in this mail bag...we must demand "no more lies"! And Colette....Kerry is recovering from the shoulder surgery now, I hope that is the excuse....I hope with a full heart that he chooses Howard Dean.....that man will yell, he will tell the truth...and he will not back down from the likes of Bush or Cheney!! Colette, did you watch the Democratic Unity dinner, about a week ago, with Clinton, Gore, Kerry and all the candidates (a fund raiser). Clinton made a wonderful speech, as usual,....he spoke of everyone in the Dem party who should take it forward...he spoke of the mess Bush had gotten us into..and how hard it would be to get out of it. You could almost feel the relief from him that he did not have to do it, though! Anyway, my being a Dean backer from the start, but will vote for any one of them now, that Lieberman and Sharpton are out......I was a little disappointed when he went though the list of names and left out Howard Dean. Midway.....he said, "When I spoke of the primaries and the candidates....I left out one(on purpose)!About a year ago, a man came on the scene and made us know that we did not have to back down anymore....or be afraid to speak out....this man said what he thought right from the start....and he never backed down....and that man is Howard Dean!" I almost was in tears...here my favorite president of all times...since I have been voting...validating the candidate that I still think was the best, likely, he has venom in his voice for Bush and Cheney...and Rummy and Powell.....and Perle and Wolfowitz......and the crowd stood and gave him a standing ovation.....and Clinton said,"See, they still remember?" Something makes me think that the real democrat still thinks that Howard was the one who gave the democrats back their Backbones...their spines.....their grit!!! I will always think that something in this administration (Kerry) if it turns out that way, will belong to Howard Dean! Some days, I think there is the possibility that we can take it....other days, I get very down about it....they are a crooked, lying bunch, who will do anything to get their way....stop at nothing.! I fear the voting....the way rightwingers are so dumb...really, not one of the republicans in my family can tell me why we went to Iraq...still! They just get mad!! Of course, at first, it was the 911 thing...I always protested that, Saddam had nothing to do with that.. I had a neighbor tell me, that Saddam and Osama were in it together and Saddam was paying him.(When Bush admitted it, they stopped) They do not discuss it with me anymore...I think many of them are beginning to see. Well, my granddaughter is out now, she is in Texas, they still have not performed the surgery...they are "By Damn" going to get her back to Missouri before it is done! That was my "By Damn"...but, I can read their venomous little minds by now! Bush's numbers do not look good right now. When he is out there trying to be a buddy he is so totally embarrassing....Surely there are some smart republicans somewhere! Thanks,....Buzz, for the great site to come to with our concerns!!! I can hardly stand to watch the news shows anymore...I only watch Jim Lehrer...everyone else lies!! I have not been able to get Air America yet...cannot wait! Shirley.............St.Louis Subj: Indignities Endured by US Military Hey Buzz, I was reading your update on Military Indignities. I was especially moved to learn of soldiers and their families having to use food stamps because they were living in extreme poverty. Even then, there were long waits and errors regarding pay. Then, I read about the mercenaries, or "contract employees." Chilean soldiers were being recruited at $4000 per month and the employees of Blackwater Security (including the four killed in Fallujah) were paid generously. I wonder how the US military families, some who try to survive on $1600 per month, and have to purchase their own body armour, feel about how well the private, contract employees are compensated. Where does the Department of Defense come up with that kind of money while at the same time closing commissaries and schools? P Coombs Re: New David Letterman Flap? No one is covering it??????? Dear BuzzFlash, I am sure that you were following the back and forth between David Letterman, CNN, and the White House over the yawning boy incident. However, last night's show took a true Orwellian turn. Letterman was doing his usual opening monologue when he began to tell a joke about Bush and Condoleezza Rice. There was a blip noise and a split second black screen and then he was doing a different joke. Was the Bush Condi joke censored by CBS? Why was there nothing about it in the media so far today? Why no outrage? Leno is drubbing Kerry and the Dems at every opportunity, when he's not helping his GOP buddies win races like Arnold, but Letterman can't make a joke about Bush? I want to know what was so bad about this joke and when, who, and how the decision to censor it was made by CBS. Bill Short [BuzzFlash Note: We wrote an editorial about the Letterman video, "CNN and the Truth: It's Nothing to Yawn About".] Subj: IRAQ IS BURNING AND BUSH IS CLUELESS Dear BuzzFlash, I accidentally tuned into Scarborough on MSNBC, and for a few minutes I thought I was on the Faux Chanel. He very selectively showed part of the Pew Poll, which said that the american people thought the war was worthwhile, and another part that said that the people supported the troops. But he failed to show the most important part, where Bush/s approval ratings were only 43%! When Lawrence O'Donnel mentioned that the moron in the white house (okay, so he did not say it like that), was in trouble politically, he was brusquely dismissed by Scarborough, who apparently did not want Bush's approval ratings to be disclosed. I cannot imagine someone like Scarborough not having access to the entire Pew Poll, and look how good they are at not disclosing information, when it looks bad for them. They are misleaders of the media. I notice that the rethuglicans are constantly giving false or misleading information to the public, or they conveniently omit important bits of information, when it does not agree with their agenda. On another subject, I watched a young Iraqi kid, who had his face hidden by a mask say (through a translator) that Bush is calling him a terrorist, and that he was no terrorist. He thought the terrorists were the ones who are attacking them in their own country. I thought he had a good point. Despite the warnings and pleadings from around the world, the Bush regime attacked a helpless country (already weakened by UN sanctions), and is responsible for the death and destruction of its people and infrastructure, and now our troops have to suffer the consequences. The situation is terrible over there, and this was what many leaders, who had the foresight and the wisdom, warned us will happen. George Bush at this moment does not seem to have a clue as to how to handle the bloody mess in Iraq. Even the bluster and rhetoric he musters seems a bit artificial and strained. This is what we get for having a wet behind the ears, spoilt, inexperienced person in charge of our nation. He is making one bloody mess after another, and is still not held accountable for any of it. THIS IS AFTER ALL, BUSH'S UNILATERAL WAR, AND HE HAS TO ANSWER TO THE NATION WHY HE LIED, AND WHY IT DID NOT GO THE WAY WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD. LIARS, ALL OF THEM. A BuzzFlash Reader Subj: What stinkers! White House criticism disputed Dealing with criticism that national security adviser Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites) wouldn't testify in public before the 10-member commission investigating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, White House spokesman Scott McClellan complained last month that when she testified in private, "only five members showed up" to hear what she had to say. What McClellan didn't tell reporters was… http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usat... Warren Right Wing Propaganda Push Calling: American is a Republic not a Democracy There have been recent callers state on C-Span Washington Journal that America is a Republic not a Democracy, plus there are articles showing up in small cities in the south in the newspapers promoting this. We need to be proactive and put a stop to the following propaganda. "...AMERICA IS A REPUBLIC –NOT A ‘DEMOCRACY’! http://www.ahherald.com/bishop/020228_democracy.htm I’m tired of Democrats telling me they believe in “democracy”and that America is a “democracy.” Liberals constantly use the word “democracy”because they want voters and taxpayers to believe that, as Democrats, they are the chosen ones..." The Right Wing is trying to convince the average Joe America is a Republic not a Democracy. The idea to soften people to the idea, if there is a terrorist attack around election time; the White House could push for a police state and cancel the 2004 election. The right wingers claim “Americans don’t know their civics well,”when they state the United States is a republic not a democracy. We need to suggest the right wingers purchase a current globe. We need to e-mail everyone who believes in a democracy to call every talk radio station, television station and newspaper, C-Span Washington Journal, and let the "average Joe' know how unpatriotic it is to say we are a Republic not a Democracy. We need to have the following talking points and documentation: People who push this idea are anti-American and unpatriotic. We are not a nation of sissies. If there was a terrorist attack on Election Day that is one more reason to have an election. If the Spanish can vote after a terrorist attack, then Americans can do better and vote on Election Day. What next? Do we look at how many traffic fatalities there are and decide not to hold elections, because people might have an accident on the way to the polls? We are at war. Our service men and women go to war for our freedom and right to vote. Saying we are republic, not a democracy is unpatriotic and flies in the face of all Americans. This is right wing propaganda machine is making fools out every veteran who has fought in every war. The following countries are Republics:
Encarta
Kathleen Subj: Bush and Blair to Fallujah Here is one of the 4/7/04 headlines on MSNBC.COM:
God how I wish that headline read:
I can assure you that all it would take to put an end to this madness would be to send Bush & Blair to Fallujah for a day. Carolyn Subj: OK, so is this weird or what? I hate to admit it, but upon occasion, I actually look at the Drudge Report, to see what Karl Rove is thinking that morning, and because Drudge's right-wing spin is so amateurish...usually worth a couple of yucks before the caffeine kicks in. This morning he had a link to a story about the investigation of the Bush administration using the Treasury Department to analyze Kerry's tax proposals. Right above the link to the story is a rather unflattering picture of Kerry, and I guess instead of clicking on the link, I clicked on the picture. And I was directly linked to the al Jazeera web site. So what's THAT about? The only place he could find a picture of Kerry was on Al Jazeera? Maybe I'm naïve, but I found this actually dumber than usual for Drudge. And that's saying something. Lynne Keeley THANK YOU for saying that the Bush cartel needs to be impeached! Very sincerely. You're right on time. Sincerely yours, Frank Snapp Subj: Bush, Cheney, and Rice to Testify: How They Will Avoid Telling the Truth. Dear Angry Liberal, Another way they will avoid telling the truth is to couch their replies as "opinion". In fact Bush said yesterday that he is looking forward to sharing his "opinions" with the commission. Opinion is not subject to the charge of perjury or false statement. Rosamond Subj: Juan Cole You should definitely be reading Juan Cole's site today: http://juancole.com/. Also, today's Meyerson editorial from the washington post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56304-2004Apr6.html "We wrested control of Iraq when we did not have to, and leaving it to its own devices as sectarian violence grows worse would be a dismal end. The only unequivocally good policy option before the American people is to dump the president who got us into this mess, who had no trouble sending our young people to Iraq but who cannot steel himself to face the Sept. 11 commission alone." Branden |
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