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May 5, 2004 |
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THIS IS PART 2 OF THE MAY 5, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1. Subject: Iraq Prison Abuse Look at all those Congressmen howling about prisoner abuse in Iraq. Why aren't they howling about the nearly 800 dead and 15,000 crippled (mostly amputees) U.S. troops? Why isn't the Congress howling about George Bush, who every day is sending our troops straight into the jaws of hell?AK Subject: Supporting Kerry Dear beloved BuzzFlash- I have a question for you. Is there a way we can get email addresses of cable or regular news channels that are giving bush a more positive spin than they are giving Kerry. Media whores used to tell us and sometimes had the email address of said news site right there for us to contact and complain. It used to drive Kurtz crazy. CNN today at four let us hear some of bush's speech making fun of Kerry, but when Kerry was speaking Woodruff was a voice over. It was so one sighted especially by that heavy set woman, I can't remember her name. You have to encourage your readers to do what the republicans do, call or write and make a lot of noise. I guess you can say I am going a little bit over the top, but I don't think us liberals are doing enough to support him with these news channels. Best regards, Pat Lavin Farrell is Right BuzzFlash--- Maureen Farrell is the first columnist who has hit the nail on the head about the fact that there were no mistakes made as regards the Iraq invasion-- everything is going according to the PNAC plan-- to depopulate the Muslim world. The whole world has objected to this neo-imperialism, but Bush&CO. don't care. They lie again and keep going-- its a case of Triumph of the Will. They want what they want and if anybody stands in the way-- they're prepared to destroy us. David W. Subject: Wow . . . http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor... Rumsfeld refused to use the word "torture."
Are you kidding me??? Marc L. Lippincott Subject: Rumsfeld refuses to use word "torture" Even though prisoners are dead Rumsfeld is a disgrace to America and to American Democracy. As world news reports spread, including the USA, reporting that the US forces killed US held Iraqi prisoners, Rumsfeld refuses to call that "torture". So glad Rumsfeld feels this way <sarcasm> -- the US-held Iraqi prisoners are still DEAD even if Rumsfeld can not bring himself to admit that torture by US forces killed those prisoners DM * * *
Subject: Torture photos weren't 'girls gone wild' in Iraq When I look at those infamous pictures of Iraqi prisoners again, I realize they were definitely directed by someone higher up. Someone who knew the psyche-rattling effect on these Muslim men naked and treated like girl toys. This didn't just "happen" spontaneously. And the photos were taken to further add to the humiliation the prisoners would feel -- that someone somewhere would have a record of this. I agree with news reports that these were planned events directed by military intel to "soften up" the prisoners before interrogation. This wasn't some "girls gone wild" in Iraq as it's being portrayed. And, again, Bush takes no personal responsibility for anything. As commander-in-chief, he's where the buck stops. But no apology to the Muslim nations horrified by these photos comes forth from W. It's always somebody else's fault. Mike Kilroy Subject: McCain I was watching an abc talk show this weekend and when mccain started to rag on the administration, he was saying that the decision for more troops comes from the top not the forward commanders he said the top... then they cut the feed. Paul Subject: Will America Come Clean on Torture? Was the abuse of prisoners in Iraq limited to a few misguided reservists or is it the tip of the iceberg of a far bigger abuse problem then involves the highest officials in government? Is America committed to investigating the problem and coming clean - or will this be yet another cover up? The answer will be in the months ahead as the investigations go forward. What I'm looking for is - will the administration fight the investigation like they have in the 9-11 hearings or will they cooperate with it to see it to its conclusion? The amount of cooperation by the Bush Administration will be an indicator to America and the rest of the world about how serious Bush is about getting to the bottom of what happened. For all we know Bush could have ordered the torture. Bush does not seem to concern himself with obeying international law. Marc Perkel ON A SIDE NOTE: ------------------------ 3000 Prisoners Slaughtered in Afghanistan If you think that prisoner abuse in Iraq is bad - you haven't seen anything yet. I snagged this video off the Internet about a year ago and I think it's finally time I posted it. This video - which I think was produced by a Canadian news crew - is about how the US slaughtered 3000 Afghan prisoners of war. The video is big - 55 megs download and it is shocking. It makes the Black Hole of Calcutta look like a picnic. These prisoners were left in sealed truck containers to suffocate and fry in the hot sun. The few that survived a week were taken out and shot an buried in mass graves. The video is EXTREMELY disturbing and it will give you nightmares. If you are not ready to see this footage - DO NOT WATCH IT !!! This is NAZI level stuff. http://marc.perkel.com/images/AfganPOWsKilled.mov Marc Perkel Subject: Who is behind Titan National Security Solutions? Maybe I'm getting lazy, but I can't find anything out about Titan National Security Solutions (www.titan.com) They certainly do seem to be making lots of money in the war on terrah! -Ed [BuzzFlash Note: The Board of Directors can be found HERE.] Subject: "Letter from diplomats tells Bush: Middle East policy is 'dangerous'" I have stated from the beginning of W's residence that his refusal to continue the peace talks in the Middle East and with the North Koreans was dooming the US to foreign policy failures, and possibly contributed to 9/11. As the criticism increases, from many groups on many issues such as the environment, the war, the economy, energy, health care and all the other sick policies of the oil Mafia, including another scheme to increase gas prices to steal from us by creating a shortage by not building up oil supplies this year, more and more people are seeing just how lousy this regime really is. What a difference between Clinton and Bush! Repubs were scheming every day of Clinton's eight years in office how to get rid of him and abusing their power in an unjustified impeachment. The Bush administration is being criticized by most countries in the world, many organizations and groups in this country and throughout the world, and scientists, intellectuals, and many Repub politicians, former politicians and now former diplomats. They are attempting to use every conceivable scheme to brainwash the American people with the most devious propaganda ever adopted in US politics. It is time to give the country a new start with a huge Dem victory in November, and denounce what has proven to be a complete failure by this government and the Repub majority in Congress. RB Subject: Bush just a flop I hope the Kerry campaign understands that style and image are more important than issues in winning this election. The right-wing attack machine has already placed the "flip-flop" phrase throughout the media and it is now appearing on blogs across America. Kerry should reply directly to this charge with these words: "I can appreciate how a White House that has been as reckless as the Bush administration could interpret the compromise and negotiation required to get things accomplished within the healthy democratic debate of the U.S. Senate as being somehow indecisive. For them, and throughout even such hopefully objective federal organizations as the CIA, NASA and the EPA, the Bush credo is clear: LONG thinking is WRONG thinking." "I will match my record in the U.S. Senate in its service to the American people against anyone's. As for the Bush administration, it's just a FLOP. A FLOP in bringing jobs to Americans, a FLOP in foreign policy, a FLOP in protecting Americans from terrorism, a FLOP in protecting our precious environment for our us, our children and future generations." "But in the Bush White House, it's also clear: ignorance is bliss. But not for the American people." Mike Kilroy Subject: Morale, Leadership and Discipline Dear BF- Many, Many years ago I was a cadet at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. One of the most important, instructive and fascinating classes was the above subject. It taught how soldiers act under certain conditions and what your responsibilities were as a leader. And one of the most important factors was discipline. The recent sad debacle in the prison in Iraq is,in my opinion, a fairly obvious lack of discipline which goes back to the very day the troops enlisted. The blame for the atrocious acts committed by US Army soldiers both enlisted men and commissioned officers can be brought to the office of the C-in-C, king george. This is where it all started. In any other country with pretensions of democracy incidents of this nature would assure the resignation of the senior person involved. That would be the decent thing to do so I guess we can forget it in this case! This has been a terrible, shameful and sad period for this great country , and all I hear from generals, politicians is "we will get to the bottom of this". Congress should demand the impeachment of this wretched pretender to the Presidency, together with his miserable cohorts. Only this will wash the stains of dishonor from the body politic and the army. A. Leslie Palmer, Mill Valley, Ca. Subject: GOP Lies Hi: I know you probably don't follow these kinds of things, but something in today's Washington Post really has me annoyed. The GOP is looking to capitalize on the fact that the deficit is 27% less than predicted. From $521 billion to possibly $421 billion. That's admirable. Of course, that's still the BIGGEST DEFICIT in history. Bill Frist has decided that this is a good thing. Let's say it's the tax cuts working. Actually, in a way, it is. Many people are receiving smaller refunds than were anticipated. Add to that decreased federal spending and higher payroll and individual taxes and a picture begins to emerge. Economic growth was 5.5% the last three quarters. Hey, there's a war on! The companies in the sectors that supply that war are in the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones INdustrial indices. Of course things are going to look up. But look behind the numbers, and this is what they don't want you to know. Inflation is starting to be whispered. The Fed may have to raise interest rates. There'll be another round of mortgage refinancing before the election (actually before August) which will put more money in people's pockets. What are they going to do with that money? Pay off credit cards? Pay off some accumulated debt? Fuck no - they're going to spend it! And the renewed spending will translate to a healthier economy (according to the numbers) which will increase the chances that the Fed is going to increase interest rates. Sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy. That, in turn, will lead to more foreign money coming into our Treasury issues which will serve to shore up the dollar against the euro and the yen, mainly against the euro. But the story is really in the increased payroll taxes and individual income taxes. In 1983, Alan Greenspan chaired a commission that recommended raising the payroll (FICA) tax so that a surplus could be produced which would protect social security. Of course, at the same time, Ronald Reagan and the Democratic congress were busy colluding to give the wealthy tax cuts. Those tax cuts went through and payroll taxes increased in addition to the demise of the interest and sales tax deductions which middle class taxpayers realized with a shock the first time in 1982. (www.jimhightower.com/air/read.asp?id=11354) Why are these two things important? First, government spending is decreasing, but it's decreasing in areas that many people feel it should be increased, such as affordable health care, education, and federal assistance to states and municipalities. Instead, government funds are going to a select few corporations, with documented ties to the White House, involved in the war in Iraq and the militarization of America, such as Halliburton, Bechtel, DynCorp, Blackwater, CACI, and Wackenhut. Payroll taxes are up because the expanded bracero program has introduced more foreign workers into the workforce, the supermarket workers in California are collecting paychecks again, and the rate itself increases each year. Individual income tax receipts have increased because, SURPRISE!!! the middle class is finding out that the tax cuts weren't aimed at them after all. Greenspan's plan back in 1983 has come full circle: working people paid increased payroll taxes, which are regressive, and had income tax deductions taken away, to fund tax cuts for the rich; now Greenspan figures that still wasn't enough, so let's cut Social Security payouts while we continue to give tax cuts to the rich. And still Joe Sixpack doesn't get it. Matt Subject: Fighting back for JFK BuzzFlash should take the lead in forming a group called "Former AWOL National Guardsman Against Bush." If the right wing slime machine can try and round up Navy veterans to tarnish John Kerry's wartime heroics, the least we on the left can do is prove that draft-dodging chicken hawks don't uniformly support Bush... JGV Subject: mailbag I was listening to Rush today....my favorite form of self abuse, and he was comparing what is going on in our treatment of the arab prisoners.....and this war...to "Get this" Tailgate....and "Janet Reno's Waco".. That fattie is still on drugs...you can bet on it!! He always refers to Waco....as "Janet Reno's"...it used to be Elian Gonzales...I suppose we are going to have to wait for another kid to reach our shores, alone, and have a legitimate father who wants to take him back...and that would be John Ashcroft's...like so many things are now! They are killing us, folks...and it gets worse...and there is little Georgie, on television, telling another audience on one of his fund raising trips...that same old song and dance about the Iraqi bad guys, think that we are going to cut and run, because they do not like freedom! Maybe, Georgie, they thought they were free before we came...compared to what is going on now.. What a nuisiance....what a little jerky pest....he is like a tick that gets on you in the summer...and burrows..and tries to suck the blood out of you....He is demonic and hateful...and God help us all, if he is elected this fall!!! Shirley........St.Louis Subject: Introducing Bush -- The Genius Hi Gang! I stumbled across this article on OpEdNews.com and shuddered. But before I paste the link, I just wanted to make a comment about something I noted in the vast differences between Bush and Kerry personality-wise. I'm watching Bush in Michigan at a rally and the best he has to offer in terms of selling himself for another term are a plethora of wise-ass insults and rhetoric straight from Karl Rove's laptop (see "Plan of Attack" by Bob Woodward). Kerry, on the other hand, is a very focused, very serious on the issues. He's not given easily to wise-cracks as he does not view politics and especially the Presidency as a stint on the Tonight Show. I like a good sarcastic barb just as much as the next guy and I'm known for shooting off some that really hurt. But I do not want Bozo the Clown running and ruining my country. Now, on to....*gasp*....Bush Is A Genius. http://www.opednews.com/kall%20bush_is_a_genius.htm Perhaps BuzzFlash can post it as a permanent link so that any political contender who visits the site can read it and learn. I'll be posting it in John Kerry's Blog. Jerry Peurala I'm the one driving the silver KIA Spectra with the "John Kerry for President" sticker on the bumper. Honk if you see me. Subject: I thought Mr. Rall should see this column on Pat Tillman from the SF Chronicle Sorry if Mr. Rall has been inundated with this. I'm not one of those people who thinks he had no right to draw his recent toon with Pat Tillman. If anything, I think the outrage that toon generated was the highest compliment an editorial cartoonist can receive. It means people are paying attention. That said, I think there's some rich material here ("Pat isn't with God,'' he said. "He's f -- ing dead. He wasn't religious. So thank you for your thoughts, but he's f -- ing dead.'') which would have sparked similar outrage while having the benefit of being factually true and not just conjecture. Maybe it's not a bad idea to revisit Pat Tillman. Sincerely, Roman Berry * * *
Sent to: michael.eisner@disney.com; cc'd ken.green@disney.com, and roy.disney@disney.com: Subject: The Walt Disney Company Dear Mr. Eisner, After being a supporter of The Walt Disney Company and it's products for nearly 35 years, it pains me to write and inform you that I can no longer support any product or service created, financed or released by your organization. I will also encourage my friends and family to do the same. The sole reason for the discontinuation of my support is the decision by your organization not to let Miramax distribute Michael Moore's new film "Fahrenheit 911" in North America. Here's a link to the NYT article, in case you missed it: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/05/national/05DISN.html... I believe you may come to regret that decision, Mr. Eisner. Free speech will persevere. Disney may not. My suspension of support begins with, but is not limited to, sponsors of and advertisers on:
plus,
Sincerely, Michael Wells P.S. Did you know that the Columbia Journalism Review put together a list of your other Disney properties? http://www.cjr.org/tools/owners/disney.asp Subject: Torture and Abuse of Prisoners Dear BuzzFlash - "The fish stinks from the head." (Balik bas(h)tan kokar.) That's a Turkish saying that is relevant to the sickening abuse of prisoners in Iraq by soldiers and private contractors (outrageously not liable for their actions.) At least Gen. Meyers, Secretary Rumsfeld et al are probably now catching up on their reading of Maj Gen Taguba's 53 page report, completed more than 2 months ago. I guess the report wasn't urgent business until Seymour Hersh and CBS broke the story. How is anyone with a conscience and a sense of integrity not appalled by the Bush administration? Colleen Clark Subject: Ten Minutes To Abnormal Karen Hughes, on the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners:
Well, I think it's safe to say that her father is, indeed, guilty of at least one atrocity in the past~~and he named it Karen. Larry Talley Subject: The Irony Of It All . . . When is Abuse, Abuse . . . Anyone?? BuzzFlash, Something is missing. Where is the passion? We are getting reports of the torture of Iraqi prisoners. Does this mean that it is okay to bomb the hell out of a Country brought about because of a Lie; kill women and children openly with malice and intent; bomb restaurants, neighborhoods, shoot at and burn cars full of women and children, prevent medical care at hospitals, bomb all public records buildings and libraries, pilfer museums and banks, bomb public facilities that provide clean water and electricity, close down Iraqi TV and all media; the list goes on and on. Where is the outrage for all of the abuses that this Country (Iraq) has suffered since the war brought on by the elder Bush and his (Lie) to Saddam? Where is the outrage for the abuses brought about by Saddam and our ten years of bombings and sanctions against these people? Is it just me? I see white men who are still killing people of color. They don't wear pointy hats and old sheets and they don't ride out at night . . . their cover may only be religion and political lies, but they kill just the same . . . in the open, and they are using our young people as their weapons. Young minds whose eyes may have only viewed death on TV. What are these young people going to suffer when they come home . . . If they come home . . . when they realize that they were not liberating the Iraqis . . . they were not protecting the US . . . they were killing and maiming for Bush and his cabal. What nightmares will they suffer? Where is the outrage? Isn't this abuse? Why are people so surprised by the pictures of abuse of Iraqi prisoners? The Iraqi people have been regularly used and abused for years. Where is the outrage? Where is the passion for what is Right? And, some people think Liberal is a filthy name? I'll wear that label proudly any day. This administration is only and all about abuse. Constant abuse. Daily abuse. Kerry thinks Americans don't listen to that "Junk." Where is your passion Mr. Kerry? You have the media, why don't you use it? Where is your outrage? In my opinion, Kerry and the DLC are so concerned about those voters who can't make up their mind . . . or they are counting on "anyone but Bush," . . . I long to hear a leader . . . any leader speak with a passion of outrage about what is going on in our name (America) under the current leadership (Bush) in the world today and ask for accountability where the "Buck" stops. How long will Americans allow these white men to continue to kill people of color? How long . . . how many more months or years of abuse by this administration before Americans say enough is enough and you did the crime, you do the time!! eh? How many Mr. Kerry? Just askin . . . Thanks BuzzFlash, Shirley Smith Subject: Jeff's Letter on War Atrocities, May 4 I read Jeff's letter with much agreement. We need to accept man's capability to be monstrous. If we look at German Nazis and say, oh that could never happen here, or anywhere ever again, we will be sadly mistaken. We need to know what we all are capable of and beware of it. I wanted to comment on one thing Jeff said: People should understand what our military is capable of under poor leadership. What we are lacking in this country now is accountability. Our leaders are accountable to no one and do not represent the values of the American people. I feel, though, that if the people really knew what was going on, they would begin to hold our leaders accountable for their actions. I have said these words a thousand times regarding Haiti. I am very involved in Haitian affairs..long before Bush took the White House... and I have known what this country has done to meddle in Haitian government business. We made that coup happen. It was illegal and immoral but when it all came out and the American people got the information, did they come out and say, "NO MORE!"? Sadly, no. Those helpless people who look to us for our moral support, who think we are the good guys, have been betrayed by us. I am so heartsick I can't stand it. Now we see this travesty in Iraq....all the evidence points to crimes against humanity by this administration but do you see the American people standing up and saying NO MORE??? No, you don't. Yes there are those of us who read BuzzFlash and get comfort from knowing we are not alone. But there are many Americans who just don't see the light. What will it take?? Kathy from Pasadena, CA Subject: Atrocity whistleblower I would suggest somebody doing a short piece tying together two things: (1) right now, no one would doubt that we should all consider the military personnel who blew the whistle on the torture and atrocities perpetrated by Americans upon Iraqi prisoners to be heroes. (2) this is exactly what Kerry did when he came back from Vietnam and testified before Congress - part of his supposed "anti-war activism" for which he has been repeatedly lampooned lately. Those doing the lampooning owe him an apology. What he did took a lot of guts, and we can all more easily recognize that now that some courageous soldiers have done the same. John C. Pitblado Subject: Terrorists causing high gas prices? Buzz, On CBS TV "Up To The Minute" this morning (May 5) I heard, "Are terrorists causing the high gas prices?" To which I'd most certainly have to reply with a resounding "YES!!!" " That 'Terrorist-in-Chief' who is squatting in the White House!" How long must we wait - how high must the prices go - how many MORE BILLIONS must he and his Arab buddies needlessly bilk out of us, before HE IS FORCED to take corrective action? Where is the OUTRAGE from the citizens - the "little guy" - you and me? DEMAND that this trend be reversed NOW, before the date that's been pre-scheduled by Bush's buddy, the Saudi Ambassador Bantar. (by using some of our stored petroleum reserves, and buying from sources other than OPEC) Don't allow the sudden drop in gas prices (due later this year) to be misconstrued as yet another Bush "Mission Accomplished", and thereby boost his polls! The resident's email address: president@whitehouse.gov DEMAND that your Senators and Congressmen put the pressure on Bush - make YOUR voice be heard - NOW! http://www.congress.org nerdeaux in Idyho Subject: Poison Fruit Dear BuzzFlash, A bush that produces poison fruit can not be expected to produce anything else. a BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Disney is Killing Moore's 911 movie Please share with your lists - Disney is Killing Moore's 911 movie Please join me in the boycott of the Disney Company. I found out Disney won't distribute the documentary, "Fahrenheit 911." This makes no sense, because the last film Michael Moore made won the Academy Award and informed 100,000s of people. I read some of the materials the film was based on, and it clearly would add to the understanding of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by reviewing what our government did leading up the attacks. I am telling everyone I know to boycott all Disney products, movies Theme parks, the Disney Channel and ABC television until Disney reverses this decision and distributes the movie "Fahrenheit 911." I've heard Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida has threatened Disney and its Florida Disney World operations with reprisals if Disney allows this movie's release. That's outrageous, and should be made public. You can get more information about this boycott at: http://www.democrats.com/disney Sincerely, Mike Hersh |
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