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Subject: Bushies stop company from doing the right thing

Buzz-

You might find it interesting that a beef company is trying to get the USDA to allow them to test 100% of the beef they sell for BSE or Mad Cow disease:

Creekstone Farms to Challenge USDA's Decision to Decline Private BSE Testing

The odd thing is that the USDA said no!!! This is one company, that I know of, that is doing the right thing for public health, and the USDA will not let them. Please bring this up on your blog. It shows how the Bushies will even stop a company from doing the right thing if it suits the interest of more powerful companies. In this case, they are protecting the big beef producers who do not want to pay for 100% testing.

Joe Otterbein

Subject: Terrorism (colorful language alert)

I wish we could be guaranteed of credible information before they were able to issue a terrorist alert. I do not find Tom Ridge very credible!

We are preparing to take a trip, in a plane, on June 3rd...for our 50th wedding anniversary....and I am already shaking in my shoes. I know, I do know that they want to keep us on alert for the remainder of 2004, but all you have to do is watch the news, the credible news on your NPR station, to know that this country is in a lot of trouble.

We have the Palestinians, the Iraqis, and the Afghanis so viscerally mad at us that I would put nothing past them....and dear God, I would almost not blame them! After 911, I cried...I watched ...I was with Bush 100 %....I was terrified at that time...until.....until...he did that 180 midstream and went after Iraq and Saddam.

Why? Because he thought they had WMD?? Even though at least 3 inspectors told him there were none! Everyone, absolutely every follower of Bush, quotes the fact that he [Saddam] was funding Bin Laden...he was harboring Bin Laden...he was harboring terrorists, etc....even being able to read that Bin Laden and Saddam hated each other and were not friends...likely ever... and even after Bush himself said that there were no connections between 911 and Saddam.  That might have been the most arrogant thing ever admitted on nationwide television.

Now, we are faced with a country financially broke...constantly under some kind of terrorist alert...and lies day after day. 

The arrogant  and uncaring attitude of men like George Bush, Rumsfeld, Kimmit and Myers...is just what we got when the Supreme Court selected this bastard!!! With scandals like the Abu Ghraib prison, the beheading of Nick Berg, and the growing anger from the parents of kids who have been killed in this phony war, I fear we are on a path of destruction! 

These men constantly put the blame on the kids who did it, or their leader, the female, of course, and it came from the top...anyone who does not believe that by now is brainless!!!! They would like us to believe that Afghanistan rebels beheaded Nicholas Berg, but that also is a lie!!!

We are going to have to work harder than ever in November...you would be surprised how many people out there still believe that Bush is doing the right thing...I think likely I just happen to know most of them, because his numbers are not good, and are getting much worse.

I think the most chilling thing ever is at the end of Bob Woodward's book, when he asks the President, how history will see all this.  And, of course, the righteous Prez says, "Hey...doesn't matter...we will all be dead!" 

Are we ready to get rid of this man??? Hell, yeah!! I sure hope so!!!

Shirley..........St. Louis

Subject: THIS should be interesting...

US to release photos of possible attack planners (bloomberg.com)

...bet they have long beards, turbans, and could be either Saddam's nephew or the Jordanian Al Qaeda guy, or someone Dustin Hoffman and Bob DeNiro hired for their reality war show in "Wag the Dog"...

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: BEWARE, VILLAGERS! HERE COMES THE BOOGEYMAN AGAIN!

Dear Buzz, 

Well, here we go again.  No sooner do the Idiot's national numbers plummet in the polls than the alert of an alleged impending terrorist attack by the unseen al-Qaeda boogeymen is foisted upon the oh-so-gullible and all-too-easily-spooked American villagers.  As always, an ashen-faced Ashcroft tells us that while we are winning the war on terror on one hand, we are still in imminent danger of being attacked on our own home turf.  Excuse me, but exactly how is that possible?  If we're supposedly winning the war on terror, how do we have terrorists within our own borders capable of choreographing and launching a major attack?  If the terrorists are actually moving about that freely in our own backyard, then why are we supposedly looking for them across the globe in Baghdad?

Without fail, BushCo invokes the spinetingling specter of The Boogeyman each and every time they need to distract anxious Americans from the real horror show that is going on in both The White House and Iraq.  Obviously, if The Vulcans can't legitimately pump up the public's support with appeals to the wartime virtues of patience and patriotism, then they'll settle for good old-fashioned panic and paranoia.  And, even more unsettling, it never fails to work.  Americans roll out those flags and declare that the only thing that can save us from the unseen forces of evil now is a renewed declaration of allegiance to King George.

The only thing that keeps it from being funny are the more than 700 dead young people in our manipulated military, the thousands of others whose young lives are forever altered by crippling injuries and disfigurements, and the scores of innocent Iraqi men, women, and children who just happened to be living in the crossfire of this mad quest for oil and power.

It may take a village to raise an idiot, but it takes a village of morons to blindly follow him.

Larry Talley
Dallas, TX

Subject: Abu Ghraib

Around the time that ol' Rummy was testifying about the abuses and subsequent scandal at Abu Ghraib prison, I was sure that some of the articles I read indicated that Democrats had been calling for the prison to be razed, but that the Administration was against it. Can BuzzFlash find an article on this and bring it back as an archive item? It seems relevant now since razing the prison was on W's 5-point Iraq plan in his recent speech... as if it was his idea. Thanks.

Pat Weller

[BuzzFlash Note: Another BuzzFlash Reader (see below) sent a link to this story: "House Votes to Destroy Iraqi Prison."]

Subject: My Response to the NY Times' Apology

Hi Buzz, To the Editors:

Can you explain to me how it is possible that: Daily Courier publisher, Dennis Mack, fired the columnist Dan Guthrie for writing about President Bush hiding in a Nebraska hole; the Texas City Sun fired columnist Tom Gutting for a column titled "Bush has Failed to Lead US"; newspaper publishers in Grants Pass, Oregon, and Galveston County, Texas, have fired writers who made negative comments regarding President Bush's actions on September 11th; Bill Maher, host of "Politically Incorrect," ended up losing his show because of his criticism of the United States;
yet Judith Miller still has a job? 

The aforementioned people were punished for what are at the very least, paranoid, and at the most, unconstitutional, reasons (we do have a First Amendment).  Ms. Miller spent the better part of the run up to the war telling what now appear to be outright lies to the American public, day after day.  In her aggressive attempts to prove that her sources were the best and brightest (Chalabi -- what a laugh), it seems she forgot all about fact checking. 

You did not mention her name in your apology.  Judith Miller shames her profession and your paper. You try and place blame on the fact that "editors at several levels who should have been challenging reporters and pressing for more skepticism were perhaps too intent on rushing scoops into the paper."  Well, I guess if anyone needed to be challenged, it was Judith Miller, however, it truly seems that it was Judith Miller who was intent on rushing scoops into the paper -- and as the reporter, was it not her responsibility to verify her "findings" with more than one source (Chalabi)?  She was simply being fed false information and regurgitating it to the public. 

I would call upon The New York Times to either demand her resignation or fire her.  Too many people in this country have paid high prices for innocent remarks and actions.  The people who don't seem to have to pay a price, or be accountable for their actions, are those at the top of their profession -- such as Donald Rumsfeld, George Bush, Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, and now, we can add Judith Miller to the list.  If any of us working stiffs made a virtual joke of our jobs as she has, we would be fired on the spot.  What ever happened to accountability?  Your apology means nothing if Ms. Miller remains employed by The New York Times.

Barbara in NYC

Subject: HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?

In today's press conference, Attorney General John Ashcroft said to be on the lookout for potential al-Qaeda operatives who are European-looking, in their late 20s or early thirties, traveling with families and speak English well. So if you see this man, let the authorities know immediately.

Subject: Richard Perle: 'who cares about the troops?'

Even Tom Clancy -- Reagan cheerleader and republican chickenhawk (never served in uniform) -- has figured out just how much the "draft deferment" Bush Administration doesn't give a damn about real soldiers.

Tom Clancy wrestles with Iraq war (cnn.com) In discussing the Iraq war, both Clancy and Zinni singled out the Department of Defense for criticism. Clancy recalled a prewar encounter in Washington during which he "almost came to blows" with Richard Perle, a Pentagon adviser at the time and a longtime advocate of the invasion. "He [Perle] was saying how (Secretary of State) Colin Powell was being a wuss because he was overly concerned with the lives of the troops," Clancy said. "And I said, 'Look ..., he's supposed to think that way!' And Perle didn't agree with me on that. People like that worry me." Both Clancy and Zinni praised President Bush but would not commit to voting for him. Clancy said that voting for Sen. John Kerry, the Democrats' presumptive nominee, would be "a stretch for me," but wouldn't say that he was supporting Bush. Zinni, a registered Republican who voted for Bush in 2000, said he could not support the president's re-election "if the current strategists in the defense department are going to be carried over."

Bradley V.

So what's up? Ridge says nothing new, poo poo.... Ashcroft sounds as if we are on the eve of destruction.... Maybe Ridge does not want to be on tape saying anything like Ashcroft just in case we find out the truth. :)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Insult to Injury -- The NY Times "apologizes" for its misleading "news" coverage

Kind of like Bush's shifting of the blame to underlings.  Here, however, the NYT is the real villain.  It abdicated its responsibility to examine the facts, report the news and challenge and expose the Bush administration's lies.  It claims it was victimized by the same misinformation that fooled the government, thereby letting itself and its beloved fascist government off the hook.  Disgraceful.  

Paper Criticizes Own Reporting on Iraq (LA Times)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: YEE GADS!

We have noticed a very disturbing pattern in interviews with people who support Bush. They say we should not be asking our government questions, there are things we should not know. We need to trust and support our government. Our president goes to a higher power for answers. Our president will bring an end to legal abortion, our president will put God back into our schools. These people scare the hell out of us! They are like Jim Jones followers!

The Massey Family in South Carolina

Subject: Tony Blair

As we all know, Tony Blair can be a cagey fellow. However, his polite little statement that sovereignty for Iraq means just that -- sovereignty for Iraq -- creates an absolutely gigantic issue between Bush and Blair. I think old Tony is looking for a way to bail out, and he means it. If we hand over "sovereignty" on June 30, any first-year political science student can tell you that on the very next day, that "sovereign" government can tell us to pack our bags and get out. Again, though, this is yet more evidence of the mindless fever swamp Bush has created in Iraq. Nothing is as it seems; "sovereignty" is not really sovereignty; "democracy" is not really democracy; and so on and so forth. However, Bush is getting hoisted on his own petard, and even loyal puppets like Blair are reaching a breaking point. Unless Blair does an immediate mea culpa and withdraws his statement, I'm hearing people inside the White House (those with half a brain working) saying, "Houston, we've got a problem." 

Donald P. Russo
Bethlehem, Pa.

Subject: apologize?

Well, I have to retract all the nice things I've said about South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson. Seems he has apologized for his "Taliban" comparisons to certain Republican leaders. This is quite pathetic -- our side is always apologizing for one thing or another, and people like Mark Racicot and Ed Gillespie keep on keeping on with their calumnies, lies and mendacious distortions. This emasculated wimpiness is a ticket for disaster, and I for one am waiting for someone on our side other than Robert Byrd or Ted Kennedy who is simply not afraid of the Republican attack machine.

Donald P. Russo

Subject: Terror alerts

We're told the following:

1. We're safer with Saddam locked up...
2. There's a credible (imminent?) threat of a terrorist attack this summer, possibly affecting our election...
3. The alert status does not have to be raised from yellow to orange...
4. The intel we're getting is not specific as to where or when, as was the case in the summer of 2001

Subject: Terrorist Attacks

Subject: the Hastert Rule

I am trying to complain to Speaker Dennis Hastert about the increase in the national debt limit...an item which appears to be under the radar of the national media. Please go to www.wegoweb.net and check out the new item about "Still Waiting after 7 full days." I would love to tell the guys who work for Denny that over a thousand people saw that page in a day. This is such a safe district and getting his attention would feel very good.

Robert L.

Subject: Strategy...we need some: Delaying Candidate Acceptance

To John Kerry:  While considering to delay acceptance had merit, the process went down as if all the talking heads on Sunday forced the Dems to withdraw from their wild hair idea (instead of making this a Win-Win no matter what the decision). However, now it looks like back-room politics.

Please make the case why delaying was considered:  How many people contributed to the Rep and how much? How many have contributed to the Dems and how much? How do we get a level playing field? Make the case for consideration to the American people! Use the media! Then again use the media as to why the decision was made.

Get with it ..we need you not to stumble...plan and organize.

John and Marcia Booker

Subject: Gore's speech response

A suggestion:  The RNC responded to Al Gore's speech with the following words: 

Washington, DC -- Communications Director Jim Dyke issued the following statement today in response to a speech by former Vice President Al Gore attacking President Bush.

"Al Gore served as Vice President of this country for eight years. During that time, Osama Bin Laden declared war on the United States five times and terrorists killed US citizens on at least four different occasions including the first bombing of the World Trade Center, the attacks on Khobar Towers, our embassies in East Africa, and the USS Cole."

"Al Gore's attacks on the President today demonstrate that he either does not understand the threat of global terror, or he has amnesia."

Subject: The Fools on the Hill

Subject: Question for Mailbag

Dear Buzz,

One refrain I constantly hear from the right-wing is that we could've won in Vietnam if only the politicians had allowed the generals to fight the war. (Never mind that the question isn't how could we have won, but rather should we have waged that war in the first place.) With that refrain being the prime lesson the conservatives took from war on Vietnam, why did they ignore and diss every general who told them how to handle Iraq? Why were Shinseki, Zinni, Schwarzkopf, Scowcroft, et al., marginalized and silenced? Just asking.

Mike in Spokane

P.S. Thank you for using my essay.

Subject: Bush's "Five-Point Plan"

Dear Buzz--

Even some fervent Bush supporters had to be disappointed the other night when Mr. Bush, after a big drum roll about coming up with specifics for the transfer of "sovereignty" in Iraq, just re-organized the same old platitudes under five shiny new headings, one of which was--ta da!--the still-unexplained transfer of sovereignty, the very thing folks were hoping the speech would be about.

But for me, the absolute high point of the address was Mr. Bush's promise to "tear down Abu Ghraib" and build a shiny new maximum security prison. Now, if that isn't a noble and inspiring promise of a golden future, a future you'd be glad to deliver your children into, I can't imagine what would be. It's sure to win hearts and minds from one end of our new domain to the other. It's as if, after Reagan had thundered, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" he'd gone on to detail how the United States was going to help East Germany build a more modern, attractive, and efficient barricade across Berlin.

So now, instead of lying shackled into naked heaps on a freezing cold concrete floor, or being dragged around that floor on a leash, Iraqis being swept up in catch-all raids and incarcerated "just in case," or because they have relatives we want to blackmail, can look forward to being shackled into naked heaps or sporting their leashes on modern, sanitary vinyl flooring--perhaps in an appealing floral pattern--or on durable, attractive, stain-resistant indoor-outdoor carpeting. Dog attacks will no longer leave unsightly splotches to remind everyone of unpleasant episodes, and prisoners voiding themselves in terror or agony during questioning can clean up afterwards with some hope of restoring a springtime-fresh environment. With modern, soundproofed interrogation rooms, detainees who are not actually being questioned can anticipate a good night's sleep rather than being kept awake by the screaming of fellow inmates in old-fashioned barred cells; and surely, it should reassure them to note that electronic baffling built into the new structure will ensure that photos of them being sodomized with broomsticks cannot be circulated on the internet until they've been released by the proper authorities...no more of those pesky digital camera-phone "leaks" that have proven so embarrassing.

If I were an Iraqi, I know the idea of a glorious new prison would remove any doubts I'd been developing about the occupation's intentions and attitudes.

Robert Crawford
Halfway, OR

Subject: When the Scare Tactics Aren't Working Anymore - The Truth Shows Herself

Dear Fellow BuzzFlash Readers:

Your favorite (LOL) Christian Liberal is at it, again. I believe in the two years I've been rescued by BuzzFlash for my true news source (kudos!), I've seen all who read and post your letters, commentaries, columns on this blog, and you are keenly intelligent. Having made that observation, I want to spill my guts to all of you here, on this forum.

One day, a fellow, astute BuzzFlash reader pointed out the coincidence that whenever GeeDubya's numbers are going in the tank, or he realizes he can't repeat the same lies to America because the truth has a fundamentally habitual way of letting herself be known, or if Shrubya's plans are being shown that they demonstrate his gross arrogance and incompetence: HE HAS SOME MINION IN HIS ADMINISTRATION PUT OUT A "TERRORIST" ALERT!

How coincidental that the unusually mute John Ashcroft is now making a "timely" reappearance to warn us of an impending attack from terrorists on our soil at the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend. Coincidence? I think not! The duet of Tom Ridge and Robert Mueller are also singing the "Terrorists Coming 'Round the Mountain" theme song. My response to these announcements: "IF YOU KNOW THAT A TERRORIST ATTACK IS IMMINENT, WHY DON'T YOU DO SOMETHING TO PREVENT IT INSTEAD OF SCARING THE HELL OUT OF AMERICAN CITIZENS?"

Unfortunately, my fellow Buzzers, that would be too easy. Anyone seen the movie "Thirteen Days"? In that movie, the threat of nuclear war between Russia and the United States was more imminent than this drudge that GeeShrubya and crew keeps throwing at us. President Kennedy kept that threat (of nuclear war) under wraps because HE DID NOT WANT TO ALARM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE UNLESS IT WAS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY! So why can't Bush demonstrate the same type of compassion and concern for the country that Kennedy did 40 years before?

He can't because it would all but guarantee a quick exit from the White House. It is in this Administration's best interest to keep this country in a state of perpetual fear, with an unwillingness to question the motives of the neo-con men (and women) who are war-mongering whores. It is to Bush's advantage to keep everyone scared to the point that the fear motivates them come election time. It is the fear that diverts America's attention from the fact that everything in this country is going to hell in a handbasket, and we're supposed to meekly accept our pathetic lot. Not so, I say.

I deeply believe that the truth can and will always, always, overcome FEAR. Notice how the truth keeps appearing, appearing and re-appearing, until she can no longer be denied? The truth can never be covered up; she can be delayed, but in her delay, she is more impacting, more grasping, more devastating to those who would try to keep her quiet. I see that happening right now, at this very moment.

Truth wants to be heard, and we Americans who are hungry for her, are welcoming her with open arms. Those who want to keep truth silent, they are the ones we see spinning "terrorist" alerts and blaming someone else for terrorist acts, as well as the madness which is better known as the War in Iraq. Truth does not and cannot accept that she must be quiet; not in the face of abject lies.

We must help Truth to do her task. We cannot be silent. I was reading an article in The Washington Post referencing "Bush's Moment of Truth." One comment that caught my eye was this quote: "With Americans bracing themselves for an 'October Surprise' (i.e., the capture of or the presentation of Osama bin Laden in time for the elections)..." I blinked, and reread the statement to make sure I wasn't hallucinating! Truth is finally catching the attention of the media; slowly, surely, but she is! That quote made me realize that, for all of their grandstanding and posturing, Americans are getting tired of the BS. They are tired of always being afraid. Most of all, they are tired of being lied to and betrayed by the one individual who has sworn to uphold the Constitution and preserve the welfare of the country.

We must help Truth get out her message. And how do we do that? My fellow readers, why, we've already started to help Truth. Every time one of us posts on BuzzFlash, in Op-Ed News, in the Political Junkies, MoveOn.org, Evil GOP Bastards, etc., we are helping Truth to spread her message. Never, ever forget that, even in a dark time such as this.

Embrace Truth. Welcome her and introduce her to your Neo-con family member, spouse, boy/girlfriend, aunt, uncle, cousin, friends, college classmates, whomever needs to meet her, because they are still being "Blinded by The Right" (Good book by David Brock, btw)! God bless all of you, and thank you for keeping me encouraged.

Most of you know me by name: Leutisha Stills. I am a loyal and proud reader of BuzzFlash, and an unabashedly Christian Liberal.

Leutisha Stills

Hi Buzz,

I hear the "BOY" crying "wolf" again.......what is he covering up this time? If we do get attacked we will surely get caught with our pants down, cause no one believes it anymore. I suppose he will then say "see I told you so." Every day this world just gets curiouser and curiouser.....How do the republicans stand the embarrassment of their boy...just wondering.

Genie

Subject: Comment on reader contribution, "Iraq, it's all in the numbers"

Subject: Help Wanted

Here's an oldie (from before the war), but a goodie. I don't know who posted the basis of this, but I've modified the ad slightly:

Pompous, arrogant unilateralist nation has contract entry-level (cannon fodder) positions available at our exciting new Iraq location! Duties include search and destroy functions; rounding up and interrogating locals (as well as torturing them); guarding oil facilities and other places deemed important by employer (Halliburton); dodging bullets, RPGs, and assorted home-made munitions; pretending to be hot on the trail of Al-Zarqawi, al Qaida, etc., or WMD; and looking upbeat while your comrades are wounded, kidnapped or killed on a daily basis. No experience necessary. We'll train the right nations. Required skills: A willingness to lean into the strike zone and take one for the CORPRATe team. Benefits: An increase in terrorist activity inside the applicant's borders (see Spain). Chance for advancement: None. Non-UNion only.

Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys strongly encouraged to apply as are Chocolate Eaters from "Old Europe."

Regards,
Ron Russell
San Francisco   

Subject: The Blind Men and the Elephant (in reverse)

I was reading the article about Halliburton costing $4000 a person (Your bill for the war, workingforchange.com) and it made me think...

You may recall that Halliburton has some large no-bid cost plus contracts in Iraq? (Of course you do.) Now Cheney and his supporters say he has no control of government contracting. Let's look at that issue. Halliburton got no-bid contracts because of what? The fact that there was no time for bidding due to the urgent war on Iraq, and who pushed for an urgent war on Iraq? Dick Cheney. That's a long trail of cause and effect, but I hope you were able to stay with me...

This leads to the story of the blind men and the elephant (in reverse). This direct corruption to the tune of billions of dollars is the elephant sitting in the middle of the room, perfectly visible, perhaps knocking over furniture and stepping on people's toes. Supporters of Cheney and the administration (who can see perfectly well) look at these facts, and instead of seeing the elephant, they shut their eyes tight and feel little bits at a time and can't see any elephant. Cheney gets checks from Halliburton every year? That is some kind of wall, right? Cheney owns shares of stock in Halliburton? That's just a tree, eh? Those no-bid contracts? Seems like some kind of fan...Pushing for a war when you're the former CEO of a defense contractor?  That feels kind of like a rope doesn't it?

http://www.bigtimepatriot.com/default.asp?itemID=30

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Editorial for Buzzflash: Two American Dreams

Come November we will be faced with a stark choice. A choice between George W. Bush and John F. Kerry. A choice between two visions of America. A choice between two American Dreams.

A vote for Bush is to dream a dream that affirms a policy of voodoo economics founded on ballooning our budget for the sake of corporate welfare. A dream which uplifts the prosperous and throws the poor down to the gutters.

A vote for Kerry is to dream a dream in which tax cuts aren't used to get re-elected, but to target specific soft spots in our economy. A dream where our tax dollars will be spent educating our children, making sure people don't die for want of health care, and keeping America strong.

A vote for Bush is to dream a dream were national forests are simply resources, rivers are dumping grounds, and the sky is the limit when it comes to smog and other pollutants.

A vote for Kerry is to dream a dream were hydrogen, the wind, and the sun will replace wrecking ANWR for oil. A dream in which forests, rivers, and the air we breath will be protected.

A vote for Bush is a vote for a dream of a world of black and white, where the enemy of our enemy is also our enemy. Where you are either American, or a terrorist. His is an American dream where diplomacy and rule of law does not apply to the powerful. His is an American dream where millions of people around the world, myself included, protesting against a dangerous policy of needless death are called nothing more than "focus groups." His is an American dream that refuses to admit mistakes.

A vote for Kerry is a vote for a nuanced and realistic foreign policy that sees the world in gradients of gray. This is an understanding that Americans make up only a small percentage of the world population. His is an American dream of coalitions that truly are willing, and allies who are amiable. His is an American dream of a country that will fight not because it wants to, but because it has to. His is an American dream that is willing to admit when we are wrong, and fix the problem. On this coming November 2nd you, God willing, every one of you, are going to do one of the most significant things in your life. You are going to vote to end this American nightmare! Years from now you will be able to tell your children, and your grandchildren, that you stood up and stopped the squandering of America's resources, as well as its good will abroad. You will be able to tell them you saved America's trees, and American lives. You will be able to tell them you lived through an America on the brink of madness. You will be able to tell them when fate gave you the vote, the power to change things, you, you lived the American dream.

In the Grace that has redeemed all,
C.L. Halverson

Subject: Reader Contribution -- Abu Ghraib For Dummies

From the very beginning of this prisoner abuse scandal, I've had an image in my mind that I had assumed would be clearly obvious to most thinking people in this country, especially in light of the recent Red Cross report that said 70-90% of those held were innocent civilians.

But the accumulation of comments and editorials I've been seeing has left me feeling rather "out of touch" again with so many of my American peers.

Picture, if you theoretically can, a naked Jessica Lynch lying there on the floor, writhing in pain, with an [Iraqi] guard holding her dog leash. Or hooded, standing on a box with electrodes attached to her fingers and genitalia. Or screaming in terror as guard dogs attack. How about a video of her smeared with feces with a banana stuck up her ass, being forced to masturbate as the guards point and laugh.

Can you even imagine - I know I can't, and I have a pretty good imagination - what we in this country would do if we saw pictures like that?! Imagine what our response might be if then thousands of [Iraqi] citizens and several of their key spokesmen - including members of the government - said that these were just harmless pranks, kind of like fraternity hazing!

I honestly believe the 'nucular' option would be put in play. I don't see any way it wouldn't.

Which tells us exactly what millions of those people over there just might be thinking about sending our way in due time.

And don't even begin with me "defending the terrorists" or "not supporting the troops!" Save that kind of crap for people who don't know any better.

We are in serious trouble here. And it's trouble that will follow us, whether we want to think about it or not, for decades - if not centuries - to come.

If we're ever going to even attempt to live in peace in this world, this country simply must reconsider its myopia; its - "We're the most wonderful people that ever lived in the whole wide world, because God loves us best!!" attitude.

If we don't, all of this 'end of times' discourse permeating our society these days just might turn into the classic self-fulfilling prophecy.

Kerry Tomasi

Subject: in the interest of being in complete accord with ALL Catholic orthodoxy...

...are those cardinals denying Communion to pro-choice Democratic politicians also denying the Sacrament to pro-death penalty Republican politicians? As the saying goes, "just asking.

Cory Hinman
Ann Arbor, MI

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE MAY 27, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.