The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. Read the BuzzFlash FAQ for info on submitting to the Mailbag.

Subject: heads up!

Subject: Hindcite [sic]

Cited at TalkingPointsMemo.com: "As Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), former head of the Republican House campaign committee (NRCC), told The Hill, 'If you take out the Indian reservation, we would have won.'"

Dear Mr. Davis: So. If we "take out" Stupid White Males, Ms. Herseth wins in a landslide? Thought so.

M Tavin
San Francisco

Subject: "The Day After Tomorrow" runs up against White House

In an amusing case of life imitating art (to use the term loosely), Bush administration officials stalled the release of a website on abrupt climate change, which was developed by a team at NOAA's [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] paleoclimate program to coincide with the release of the film, according to insiders who worked on the project. The site was put together to make years of paleoclimate research on abrupt climate shifts accessible to Day After Tomorrow viewers attempting to make sense of the fact and fiction behind the movie's science (to use another term loosely).

"We thought this movie presented an incredible education opportunity to create a public dialogue that would demystify these widely misunderstood problems and showcase some of the things we do here at NOAA to help observe the earth system," said Mark McCaffrey, a NOAA science communications specialist and lead author of the site.

After all, a blockbuster thriller starring a NOAA scientist that grosses $86 million its opening weekend in U.S. theaters is not the kind of pop-culture glory that comes often to the world of paleoclimatology.

But the White House apparently didn't share McCaffrey's enthusiasm. After he got permission from high up the chain of command at NOAA to go live with the website, word then came down that the site was "indefinitely on hold -- with no further explanation," McCaffrey said. Several staffers at NOAA who spoke on condition of anonymity said the embargo came directly from the White House.

http://www.gristmagazine.com/

 A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: D-Day

Did you hear the NPR article about Dwight Eisenhower and D-Day narrated by that most venerable of newscasters, Walter Cronkite? It was one of those NPR "driveway moments" for me -- the kind that you have to keep listening to even when you've arrived home, put the car in the garage and are ready to take your briefcase into the house. I was admittedly a little misty-eyed when I finally opend the car door to get out.

This article gave me new insight into the mind of Eisenhower (one of the last "good" Republicans). Apparently Walter Cronkite spent a lot of time interviewing Eisenhower after he left office, and came away with a vastly different opinion of him, saying that he was much more than a "do-nothing" president.

On this 60th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, Cronkite's reflections on Eisenhower bear witness to Ike's understanding of what war and its aftermath really mean. Unlike the present president, he understood the horrors and implications of war and its consequences.

It really disturbs me that Bush is representing this country at the ceremonies marking this important anniversary of that turning point of WWII. Does he even know what it means? That this little man, who has taken this country to the brink of disaster, who has thumbed his nose at international opinion, and who has no respect for law, will be there to mark this occasion is an insult. What are his credentials? How has he earned the right to do this?

http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1923277

David Schlomer

Subject: NYTimes

Subject: Citizen Murdoch

Hello BuzzFlash,

Subject: Fox propaganda

Hello,

You may perhaps want to urge your readers to do what I do as a matter of principle. I DO NOT SUPPORT shruB PROPAGANDISTS! The way I do that is by watching carefully who advertises on FOX, then make it a point never to purchase anything under those labels. Moreover, I inform my friends and acquaintances whose merchandise they ought to avoid, and why. I have so far not informed the vendors, but am about to do that too. Well, isn't that the American way, isn't the marketplace the wherewithal? Onward and upward.

Frank A. Lojewski

Subject: Leveling the field ...

There is another tactic that we are letting FAUX NUDES get by with that we shouldn't. Whenever people like Hillary preach on the "vast right wing conspiracy" then of course FOX et al. yell CONSPIRACY theories and of course just ignore the issue. On the other hand in a similar situation the righties yell "liberal bias" and usually site so-called facts and figures (anecdotal mostly). It is the same argument basically (even though one is most likely more valid than the other ... truth STILL counts.

What they have once again accomplished is framing the issue better than we have even though our side actually has the "moral high ground." The whole point of this it seems is we need to somehow turn the argument back around from a more logical viewpoint. Our greatest advantage, which should ultimately be our saving grace, is of course the truth. Like arguing religion, logic most always triumphs rhetoric when all the facts are exposed. The truth surely can set us free.

Larry Parker

Subject: #s of protestors in Italy

All day, I have seen the estimates of the number of protestors in Italy placed at "tens of thousands" or "150,000." Interestingly, while watching CNN's International News tonight the "ticker" across the bottom of the screen reports the numbers as 500,000! No wonder dubya seemed frozen in fear sitting next to the Pope. He was feeling the wrath from all sides.

Liz

Subject: A Chance for the Return of America

To me, the presidential election of 2004 is a no brainer. Vote for Bush if you want more of the same:

• Lies
• War and its tragedies
• Tax unfairness
• Ruination of the environment
• Ineptness
• Terrorism alerts
• Terrorists
• Medicare assaults
• Increased population without medical insurance
• High fuel costs
• Corporate lobby victories
• Outsourcing of US jobs
• Extreme secrecy
• Stagnant wages
• Worker rights demolished
• Staggering national debt
• Living in constant fear
• Unemployment
• Unacceptable low-wage jobs

We'll just stop here to refrain from taking up all of BuzzFlash's copy space. Vote for Kerry if you want:

• Dignity and well planned judgments
• Respect and cooperation of our long-time allies
• A sensible and respected exit from Iraq
• Complete and honest analysis before considering war against another nation
• Meaningful respect for our veterans
• Respect for America and Americans
• Remedies for the huge cracks in our democracy
• Restoration of our Constitution
• Fair and unbiased federal judges
• A mended economy
• Action against outsourcing US jobs
• Real, decent paying jobs
• World respect and admiration for the US and Americans
• A strong nation in every facet
• A truthful president
• American security

The job for Kerry will be stupendous, if not mind-boggling. It will take half of Kerry's first term to reverse the harm that has been bestowed on this country by Bush and the neo-cons. An overwhelming task, but I believe a Kerry administration can do it. Do we really have a choice? Such urgency tells us it is now or never! The America we all learned to love and take pride in has taken a Leave of Absence. Our country is no longer the America in which we grew up. John Kerry relates to the same thoughts, also wants his country back, and is willing to take on the challenge. Real patriots, working together in an administration are solely capable of giving America back to Americans. With John Kerry, a proven patriot, we can have our best shot at taking back our country.

~ Cathy

Subject: Tenet's family

A BuzzFlash Reader asks if it's paranoid to think perhaps Tenet was sending a secret message in his stated reason for resigning, i.e., "the well-being of my wonderful family," with the message being that his family had been threatened. Thank you for bringing that up, Reader, as I had exactly the same thought when I listened to Tenet making that statement on the radio...And also wondered if I was being paranoid. It sounds wild, I know, but wild things are happening. I prefer to think of it as critical inquiry rather than paranoia. If it's not true, I wouldn't be surprised, and if it is true, I wouldn't be surprised.

Sue 

Subject: Re Bush Press Conference in France

Did anyone see the Saturday 6/5 press conference, because it seemed to me that Bush was being fed what to say. Through what must have been a glitch in the audio, a voice was heard saying what Bush was about to say. Somehow I think that Bush's ear piece audio was accidentally transmitted. I clearly heard someone say "Jim Angle Fox News" before Bush called on Jim Angle from Fox and then heard a voice giving the answer that Bush was about to before Bush even said a word. Did anyone happen to get it on tape, because they fixed the problem before I could turn on my VCR.

stevie g

Subject: george tenet

My belief:  Chalabi is the scapegoat.  He is going to be blamed for the whole fiasco. Bush is going to get away with "murder" (of over 900 soldiers and countless Iraqis).   Tenet resigned because he KNOWS the truth...that Bush and company  are the real culprits...and he will not speak out against the regime.

What burns me is that Bush and his administration are going to get away with this. I believe that this administration lied knowingly about the WMD.  What chumps we are!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Tell me if I'm crazy . . .

Dear BuzzFlash,

I was watching the joint press conference from Paris and there was a question directed to President Bush; the questioner at first quoted President John Kennedy as once having said something to the effect that everyone in the world has two countries, their own and France, and then asked the current US president to comment on today's chillier relations between the two countries.

Now here's the crazy part: I could have sworn I heard Bush say this, "Well to paraphrase John Kennedy, there's the United States and then there's Texas." And then he went on to speak about US/French relations in his usual, meandering style. Please print the transcript of this press conference. I'd like to know if he really said this. If he did, doesn't it show truly remarkable thoughtlessness, even by his own standards? After all, President Kennedy was assassinated in Texas. Also, maybe reporters might be prodded to ask just what Bush meant by citing this reference. Thanks for your great site.

Myron Klopman

[BuzzFlash note: Bush did say that. The Seattle Times has the quote. But, it wasn't Kennedy who said it, it was Thomas Jefferson. How, we keep asking, can anyone vote for Bush when it's as plain as day he's an ignorant and arrogant fool?]

Subject: Letter to the Editor - Reagan Dies

Different people have different opinions about the life of Ronald Reagan -- but there's one thing I think everyone agrees on. America will be forever in his debt.

Marc Perkel
San Francisco, CA

Subject: White House reaction to Reagan's death

Dear Buzz,

Strange. The White House reacted faster to the death of Ronald Reagan, going through all the necessary formalities like informing Bush in Paris, planning ceremonies and lowering the flag to half mast, than it did to the attacks on the WTTs and Pentagon on 9-11.

It says a lot about their priorities, doesn't it?

(I can't wait to see the photo-ops of GW with phony tears rolling down his cheeks at the ceremony! Don't be surprised if this event raises his poll ratings.)

Nancy Lynn Nagy
(TN)

Subject: Gore for Vice President

Please think about this. Al Gore would unquestionably accept the nomination for VP since he will always do what's best for the country -- except run an effective presidential campaign against Bush. He might avoid saying "lockbox" and he has proven that he can say "United States" on occasion without portentously saying "United States of America." (Sen. Kerry has difficulty with this.) Gore has proved that he is a great VP. He has proved that he is acceptable to more than half the electorate, having beaten Bush by over a half million votes. He has rediscovered his passion and his commitment to Democratic ideals and he is a passionate spokesman right now against the evils and excesses and failures of the Bush administration. Please consider Al Gore for Vice President. I think he would contribute, once again, to a winning ticket. And the learning curve for both Sen. Kerry and Gore would be greatly diminished by the strength of Gore's experience.

William Betz

Subject: The New Improved Election

Subject: Analyze this

Dear Buzz,

At 10 pm Paris, France time, Andrew Card woke the sleeping GW Bush and informed him of President Reagan's death.  Reportedly, Bush immediately got out of bed and called Nancy Reagan in California.  He also plans to cut his visit to Europe short and return to Washington for funeral services. 

On 9-11-2001, Andrew Card interrupted GW Bush's meaningless photo-op at Booker Elementary School by informing him of the second plane attacking the second World Trade Tower in New York.  Reportedly and as seen on the Elementary School's video, Bush sat there for twenty minutes longer listening to a story about goats.  Then, instead of immediately returning to the White House he ran and hid himself in a bunker in Nevada. 

Nancy Lynn Nagy
(TN)

Subject: Rome Protests

They held up trains heading for Rome to hold back protestors!  No wonder bush gets along with this new mussolini!

U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to Rome drew protests and disrupted transportation, as 10,000 police and soldiers guard against terrorist attacks and patrol demonstrations against the occupation of Iraq....

...Trains carrying protesters from northern Italy were held back about three hours to delay protesters on their way to the capital. Flights at Rome's main airport, Fiumicino, were operating regularly, said a spokesman for the city's airport manager, Aeroporti di Roma SpA....

...Bush's visit contrasts with his predecessor Bill Clinton's 1994 trip to Rome, when the former U.S. president was met with crowds of cheering revelers. Richard Nixon was forced to move entirely in a helicopter during a 1969 visit to the capital after anti-Vietnam war protests turned violent...

Rome Protests Block Traffic as Bush Visits Italy (bloomberg.com)

Liz

Subject: REAGAN DIED

Reagan died, now it's time for the press to go to sleep again.

Now it's puff pieces and laziness.

Now it's time to make the same mistakes they just got through apologizing for.

Now it's time to ignore all the important stories that are currently going on and only cover the death...as if the American people can't keep more than one thought in their head at a time.

It's time for the right-wing echo chamber to try to use this to make Bush look competent, when any comparison between "the great communicator" and George Bush is purely comical. As soon as the Republicans try to use this sad event for political gain, the Democrats should call them on it.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear Buzz,

Bush visited Fosse Ardeatine, where on March 24, 1944, German troops killed 335 innocent Italian men and boys in an abandoned quarry in retaliation for an attack by Italian partisans... Bush Late for Vatican Meeting With Pope (Guardian Unlimited)

Will he next visit Fallujah and mourn the more than 800 innocent Iraqi civilians killed in their homes in retaliation for the death of four civilian contractors?

KN

Subject: The New York Times and "ALL THE NEWS THAT'S  FIT   TO PRINT"

Fit:  TRANSITIVE VERB: . . . . b. To cause to be the proper size and shape: The tailor fitted the trousers by shortening them. . . . 3. To be in conformity or agreement with: observations that fit the theory nicely . 4. To make suitable; adapt: fitted the shelves for large books. See synonyms at adapt .  . . . . 8. To insert or adjust so as to be properly in place . . .

Joe Blue's addendum;

w. To echo, mirror, spin, incorporate, authenticate or otherwise surreptitiously advance the White House agenda . See synonyms at lie, yellow journalism, elitism, denial, zionist and class warfare.

Stay well Buzz,

Joe

Subject: How bush will stop the reporting of 2004's stolen election! This has Rummy's prints all over it!!!!

Don't forget, even the Police have reported 500,000 protesters, after earlier statements of 25,000 (the amount CNN reported on air, before I read the internet version, hmmmm.)? Control of the internet and media is the technique which keeps us in check, and will be used to greater ends as the election nears. I suggest we all get jobs in media, or as some already are becoming the media, as we do with our emails! bush will pull out all the stops, but the repugs may throw him to the wolves since there is no honor amongst thieves!

Plug Pulled on Rome Radio Stations Covering Bush Protests (MediaChannel.org) By Timothy Karr
NEW YORK, June 4, 2004 -- Italy's largest electric company pulled the plug on two left-wing radio stations the morning of U.S President George W. Bush's visit to Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. The outage -- described as "strange maintenance work" by Enel, Italy's 60 percent state-owned utility -- forced Radio Città Aperta and Radio Onda Rossa off the air as they were preparing to broadcast extensive coverage of street protests against the president's visit.

Rex E.

Subject: Link: New Jersey Businessmen Facing Jail Gave $43,000 to GOP

Three area businessmen facing jail time in the federal corruption probe into Mercer County finances, including the latest to plead guilty yesterday, all donated to county Republican candidates and committees in the past several years, election finance records show.

The scope of the financial ties expanded yesterday when John Ruddy of Princeton Township pleaded guilty in federal court in Trenton to mail fraud conspiracy and filing a false tax return.

Collectively, the 37-year-old Ruddy and two other area residents, who recently admitted their roles in a scheme to defraud the Mercer County Improvement Authority, have given more than $43,000 to county Republican committees and candidates through private and corporate donations.

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE JUNE 7, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.