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April 29, 2004 |
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Subject: Global Warming is Good for You! In light of Bush's attempt to censor NASA scientists from speaking about global warming, it would be a good time to do a BuzzFlash archives on "Global Warming is Good for You," which does the best job I've seen of exposing the right wing campaign to distort science by claiming -- get this -- global warming is good for you. http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2002-08-15/feature.html/1/index.html Global warming could be great, Westbrook says. He talks of saving on heating bills. "That can be quite significant." What's more important, carbon dioxide is the raw material for plant photosynthesis, "just like crude oil is the raw material for making gasoline." Most crop yields have increased over the last 20 years or so, as well as forests, he says. Furthermore, he notes that humans thrived during a period of global warming in the early Middle Ages. Yet during the Little Ice Age from 1300 to 1900, people had a much rougher time. Westbrook cites support for the idea by the response to the 1998 Oregon Petition and an accompanying official-looking scientific paper called "Environmental Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide." The paper claims that the release of more carbon dioxide from fossil fuels "will help to maintain and improve the health, longevity, prosperity and productivity of all people." It concludes that "we are living in an increasingly lush environment of plants and animals as a result of CO2 increase. Our children will enjoy an Earth with far more plant and animal life as that with which we are now blessed. This is a wonderful and unexpected gift from the Industrial Revolution." The paper, however, has never been published or submitted for peer review. It is the product of a desktop operation from the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, a facility that lists six faculty members. The institute is located in Cave Junction, Colorado, and it also markets the book Nuclear War Survival Skills, homeschooling kits and the "pro-science, pro-technology, pro-free enterprise" monthly newsletter "Access to Energy." The founder, biochemist Arthur Robinson, has a facility near Siskiyou National Forest, where he is trying to develop a way to retard aging through the use of "molecular clocks." Dylan Subject: Your archives on the "Dover Test" Dear BuzzFlash, I am wondering whether your archives contain anything re George H.W. Bush and what happened to him at Dover? If my memory serves me correctly, the 1991 rule that no "remains" would be photographed at Dover was due to an incident where "Father" George was caught on camera in a split screen. On one side it showed him "hamming it up" with reporters, on the other, caskets being unloaded at Dover (I believe during the first Gulf War). Father George didn't like the media too much after that incident, and I believe that, shortly thereafter, the current "rule" that is supposed to "protect the families' privacy" was born. In my mind, this "rule" has nothing to do with protecting the privacy of the families of the war dead, but has everything to do with protecting the image of the craven Bush family ego. The rule might as well read, "henceforth from this day, no one will take pictures of coffins under the watch of any President (Bush), lest they be caught on camera hamming it up, while coffins of the faithful soldiers who served at my command are being repatriated." I understand tragedy. In my seemingly short (to me) lifetime (49), I have lost 3 immediate family members. From my perspective, it's not the casket that has ever mattered, it's what's in it. How does seeing a flag-draped coffin invade a family member's privacy? It's not as if there is a sign with the name of the beloved lost one's name blazoned on the top of the flag-draped casket. That scenario WOULD be intrusive. In any case, I am not an investigative reporter. I am just hoping that, if BuzzFlash could find in its archives the REAL reason for the current "Dover Rule," that your website could "bring it on" into the light. It seems to me that wherever BuzzFlash has dared to go, "trouble" follows. Peace, Keep Up Your Good Work, Eileen [BuzzFlash Note: We don't have anything on BuzzFlash. We'd be happy to post it if someone finds something.]
Subject: this is what really p*sses me off http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51480-2004Apr28.html The Bush administration has decided to count hatchery-bred fish, which are pumped into West Coast rivers by the hundreds of millions yearly, when it decides whether stream-bred wild salmon are entitled to protection under the Endangered Species Act. No matter what it is, if it doesn't suit their propaganda, they just change the rules Linda
Subject: I told you so I am watching Gen. Mark Kimmett and Dan Rather. He wanted to know why anyone would take pictures in the POW prison in Iraq, why anyone would take the pictures. The reason pictures are taken is because no one would believe it happened. At least Dan Rather asked the correct follow-up: "What do you mean why were the pictures taken, why was there anything to take pictures of?" Had no one taken pictures, Kimmett and the rest would still be saying nothing like that could possibly happen. Electric shock to the genitals, using dogs on prisoners and many, many other things. A lot of the people have obviously not been trained enough. And everyone was so shocked at what the Iraqis did to the 4 contract Halliburton mercenaries. This entire war stinks to high heaven. Bush is getting by with saying it didn't matter what reason they gave for the war. We are probably going to be told these pictures should not be shown. Karen Webb
Subject: Only In America Only in America could a deserter and a man hell bent on turning his pregnant wife into an elephant (two pregnancies, five (?) deferments) gain credibility with their shameful attack on Kerry's military record. But there you have it. Since Kerry's record is fair game, so should be Bush's desertion in time of war. Don't let these media brown noses forget it. We have a campaign of ribbons and medals and talking out of both sides of one's mouth when we should have a campaign based on what the white-collar criminals are being allowed to get away with, the way helpless older people have to choose between medicine and food, the way our youth are being used as human targets because "that man tried to kill my dad" and the oil companies need a pipeline over there bad. This entire administration is not only corrupt, they are incompetently corrupt. Given what always seems to happen under Republican administrations, I'm convinced they don't know how to govern but are experts at being holier than thou, sanctimonious, hypocritical and vicious liars to boot. My mind is so affected that I found myself remembering something that happened in Bush 41 that at the time I thought stunk worse than last week's raw fish. A few days after he took office, poppa appeared on TV in the oval office holding a plastic baggie filled with what he said was drugs purchased by undercover agents outside, the night of his inauguration! So began his "war" on drugs. But then years later some pundit on TV remarked that everyone in the beltway knew that W was high the night of his dad's inauguration and the old man was none too happy about it. And I thought, sure, being the good father that he is, he set up this little show so that W could become an undercover agent if it came out. You see how these people have affected my thought processes? Does anybody else remember this event or am I hallucinating? John Kerry needs to get with the program fast. And a big part of it will be the man/woman he picks as his running mate. I know who my pick is, for vp, for secy of state, for secy of defense, anything. General Clark will sock it to 'em. He's brilliant, he's decent and he sure knew how to handle those catty, nasty little girl generals who trashed him. SOS
Subject: Gloria Lalumia--Please share! So, has Gloria sent her analysis of Kerry's style to the Kerry campaign? She is absolutely right--he should start "prosecuting rather than pontificating!!" But let's not just HOPE he'll change tactics; let's HELP him! We should send him all of the ideas we can--after all, he's up against the real Axis of Evil: the Sinister Bush Administration, the Simplistic by Design Media, and the "Hired Guns" who could and would smear the Angel Gabriel if they thought it would get Bush elected! Perhaps Kerry would even hire Gloria as a speech writer (did he not hire someone from MoveOn.org?!). Susan
Subject: Do you believe this guy??? Miller time Nate
Subject: END OF STORY! Dear John Kerry: we have decided the only way you might get bush to debate is to tell him he can bring dick cheney to help him with the answers. :):):) you might like to know my mother in fort myers has a sign on her door that says john kerry said send me. george bush and dick cheney said send someone else! end of story! she's a kerry fan, :):):) diane a.
Subject: Kerry the child molester The next thing you know the Republicans will be saying Kerry is a child molester, the media will run with it and everyone will be saying Kerry needs to prove he is not a molester. Then Kerry will be put on the defensive and the issues Bush does not want discussed will not be discussed, and the country will think Kerry is a child molester. Move on to the next lie. Shorty
Subject: Bush of Arabia Whenever I hear supporters of President Bush deflect criticism of his administration's policies with their self-righteous indignation, claiming that the Iraq War makes him immune from reproach because he's a "War President," I have to laugh. I hear their melodramatic protestations and I imagine them picturing Bush, the War President, astride a big white horse, waving his sword, leading his troops into battle through the sands of Iraq and into the streets of Baghdad. Sort of like "Bush of Arabia." I concede that the war with Iraq does indeed make Bush a War President. Hello!! He's the one who started the damn war in the first place! Using this "War President" business is the same twisted logic used by those who murdEr their parents and then plead for mercy because now they're orphans. Which president ever wrapped his re-election around the theme, "I'm a War President"? Not Truman, not Johnson, and not Nixon. In fact, Johnson even bailed out during a war because he knew that Americans were so opposed to the Viet Nam War that it would be futile for him to attempt re-election. The country survived that mid-war Presidential change, and it's time for another. Richard
Ross
Subject: :):):):)
Katie Johnson
Subject: Example... I wonder what the Republicans right now would do to a soldier that volunteered for the National Guard but stated they did not want to go overseas. I wonder what they would do to a soldier that disappears from duty for eight months, without a word to his commanding officer. I wonder what they would do to a soldier that decides they would prefer to work on a Senate campaign rather than fight with his brethren in hostile territory. Apparently they would nominate him for President. Marc L.
Lippincott
Subject: Just appalled! Last night several people at work were calling bush our elected dictator. i felt compelled to correct them........bush is our SELECTED DICTATOR. karen p.s. we are appalled at the fact that bush and cheney are testifying together before the 9-11 commission, no transcript, no recording and not under oath...... WHY WASTE THE COMMISSION'S TIME?
Subject: Who's Your Leader? I like the idea of having a leader that went to war, saw war, then came home and changed his mind about war, based on his experiences. I believe that most Americans do when considered. Kerry knows why we shouldn't be at war unless it is a very, very good reason. Right now the Bush News Networks are trying to portray the President, who was AWOL in Alabama, and the others, "I'll pass on military duty...", as being better prepared to lead the defense of the United States. The logic of this is manure. Even if there was a possibility of this being true in concept, it is disproved over and over again by the actions of the entire Bush administration. They do not have the skills to properly lead this country. On another subject, what is the analogy of Iraq and the Pottery Barn? If you break a large pot at the Pottery Barn, you pay for it, get in your car, and go home. You don't sit at the Pottery Barn for a couple of years trying to glue the bits back together so that the Pottery Barn can sell it again. Bush needs to pack it up and go home. Iraqis can figure out democracy for themselves much better than we can do it for them. Taxpayers can write the check for Bush's mistakes, choose a new leader, and everyone moves on. Except the dead. Richard
Hubbard
Subject: Responsible Leadership???? BuzzFlash, Do Americans really think that it is responsible leadership when Bush and his crime mates refer to everything they oppose as " being related to terrorists or terrorism." Every time I hear such remarks it reminds me what a sick administration and just how very, very scary these crackpots really are. Patriotism . . . they know nothing. When will people realize that these people (Bush administration) have sold their souls for money and power and will use anything to stay where they are? Karen Hughes . . . a Bush muse . . . an American amusement . . . if it weren't so serious. Thanks Buzz, Shirley Smith
Subject: Politics in Pennsylvania Buzz All this tripe about the Republican Senate race for the nomination in Pennsylvania and how Toomey the neocon defeating Arlen Specter for the nomination would have made this seat "easy pickins" for the Dems is cracking me up. I live in central Pennsylvania, which is like living in the deep south. Was it Carville who said Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in between? And then there is the Pennsyltucky nickname I've heard repeatedly... We here in PA do not do Democratic senators, unfortunately. Remember, our other illustrious senator (in addition to the crackpot Specter) is Rick "Man on Dog" Santorum, who is to the right of Atilla the Hun! Let's keep things in perspective here. Thanks for the laugh. SR
Subject: Insurgents? It has gotten to me. The constant use of the word "insurgent" to describe the Iraqis that are standing up against their invaders by all the media: radio, TV, newspapers etc. Do they not know the definition? "Somebody who revolts against civil authority or an established government." Exactly who is the civil authority? And of course, the established government shalln't be here till the end of June! Please stop using it! As someone said -- "One man's insurgent is another man's rebel leader." Alex Nicholson
Subject: Boot Diebold from California Calling all BuzzFlash readers in California, Here is our chance to help boot Diebold and their unverifiable electronic voting machines from our state. If you live in California, please call the office of the Secretary of State (Kevin Shelley) at 916 653 6814. Callers will get a menu of six options. Chose number 6 (other) and another menu will give three options the third being elections. Select number three and you'll get a real person who will pass your concerns about Diebold on up to Shelley. This week, Shelley is seriously considering the recommendation of an advisory panel that Diebold touch-screen voting machines should be removed from the four California counties that currently use them; the reason being that there were all sorts of software problems (perhaps even fraud, who knows?) in the last election. And they leave no paper trail for a recount! A call to the Secretary of State will make a huge difference; if California gives Diebold the boot other states are sure to follow. We have one week to call before he makes his mind up on April 30. Here is a Wired.com article on the issue that BuzzFlash posted last week: www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,63179,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1 Call now! Get friends and family to call. Let them know we want our votes to be fairly counted across the state. RA in LA
Subject: This arrogant administration!!!!! As the article [Kerry zeroes in on Cheney draft record] says, Bush lied and our soldiers are dying. Not only Bush, who is a little more cowardly to bash Kerry for 45 minutes but ... the gall of Cheney. He never ceases to amaze me. He is proud of his record during Viet Nam....he says he had better things to do! He is the most arrogant bastard I have ever seen in any administration....jeez...and they impeached Clinton! Go figure!! Shirley.......St.Louis
Subject: 20/20: A new low With all that's going on in the world, I know this complaint is really rather insignificant, but I felt compelled to lodge it anyway.On Friday night, "20/20" is having a show where 5 couples, desperate to adopt, compete with each other to see who gets to adopt a child from a teenage girl. The teenage girl decides who gets the baby after she meets with the prospective couples and they have to convince her they would be the best choice. This is by far one of the most disgusting things I can imagine because of the emotions and consequences involved. Is anyone looking out for the interests of the baby?Can you imagine trying to explain to this child when she gets older that she was won on a game show? Is there no limit to their quest for ratings? At least with the reality shows and the torture shows like Fear Factor, all the participants are adults who have made a choice to be involved. Barbara Walters should hang her head in shame. Turk Meister
Subject: Character assassination by experts There is nothing dirtier than conservative politics in recent years. The character attacks against Democrats are a national disgrace. To attempt to destroy anyone's character for political gain is nothing less than disgusting and dastardly. Because of Bush's claim to military commitment by receiving special treatment in avoiding military service in Vietnam, by bypassing hundreds on the waiting list to join the Texas Air National Guard, and questions concerning his fulfilling that commitment, conservatives and their pundits are now attempting to destroy John Kerry's character by questioning his heroic service in Vietnam. There is no question regarding which man served his country more honorably -- one avoiding going to war and staying in this country in a safe TANG sanctuary, and the other fighting in Vietnam, receiving some of the nation's highest medals for valor, bravery and wounds. He is being denounced for denouncing the Vietnam war just as countless other Americans did, including Vietnam veterans. It was a war the U.S. couldn't win. The war in Iraq is unjustified, illegal and a matter of nothing else but oil, and personal vengeance. A president with military combat experience would not have committed the U.S. military in an attack against Iraq without complete justification, like the present administration, an administration consisting of persons who have no combat experience, those who avoided going to war, and have not experienced the horror of war. Those who avoid going to war and let others do the fighting should never attempt to attack the character and patriotism of those who do. And this administration has one of the worst records when it comes to attacking this country's wartime heroes. When it comes to politics, there are always mistakes that politicians have made to criticize, especially when a politician has been in Congress for many years. But conservatives are infamous for taking things out of context, or not telling all the facts, and leaving the public with false impressions. They are professionals when it comes to pure propaganda. This country is bogged down in a war which cannot be won. Our resources and military forces are being wasted at a time when this administration is trying to make its tax cuts for corporate America and the wealthy permanent; at a time when the economy is struggling without the burden of war, along with increasing energy costs, inflation and Bush's"voodoo economics." RB
Subject: Chip Implants Below is a direct quote from Monday's USA Today: Bush also set a goal for most Americans to have electronic health records within 10 years. Paper ones, he says, can lead to errors, inefficiencies and poor communication among doctors and nurses. To help reach the goal, the president is creating a national health information technology coordinator, a sub-Cabinet-level position. Bush certainly doesn't care one iota for us average Americans, why would he care about errors in our medical records? What's the unusual concern? Then I remembered reading on this site about Bush planning to implant wireless radio tags into homeless people to track their movements in real time. The sender thought it might be a pilot program for the rest of us. I wonder, too! http://politechbot.com/pipermail/politech/2004-April/000573.html About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip can be encoded with bits of information and implanted in humans under a layer of skin. When scanned by a nearby handheld reader, the embedded chip yields the data -- say an ID number that links to a computer database file containing more detailed information. A satellite receiver can also track where you are. The maker of this chip is Applied Digital Solutions called the VeriChip. Guess who their biggest client is? You got it, the U.S. Government!!! Keep your eye on this one. Is this the mark of the beast? Elaine
Subject: re Karen Hughes "I think after September 11, the American people are valuing life more and realizing that we need policies to value the dignity and worth of every life,'' Hughes said. Hey, Karen, tell it to the Iraqis! joel
Subject: Shame, shame on them CBS report excerpt on the U.S. Supreme Court hearing [Cheney's meeting with the energy company biggies] It's no great surprise, then, that the justices seemed to react to this official schizophrenia with a few contradictions of their own. The court seemed cool to the notion that it necessarily must save the White House's hide now (as opposed to later) by precluding the lower federal courts from trying to force Vice President Cheney to hand over information about which private individuals contributed to the formulation of energy policy. [But the justices also didn't seem wild about creating a PRECEDENT through this case that would encourage other plaintiffs from making similar information requests in the future.] Oh, a big whoops to the USSC and shame, shame on the black-robed buzzards. This is the same supreme court that handed down a DIRECTIVE in Bush vs. Gore saying that particular case could NEVER again be used as PRECEDENCE in the future. 'Ya can't have it both ways, Buzzards! "Cheney Energy Flap Goes To Court" ~ Cathy
Protesters Plan to Infiltrate GOP Convention as Volunteers Michael Slackman, The New York Times, April 28, 2004
Jim K
"O'Reilly Goes After Rummy on WMDs," Salon, Right Hook, April 28, 2004
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