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

Subject: Question

I wish I had the time and resources to research this matter myself, but I am wondering what states we are pulling out national guard troops from and if any of these states are considered swing states? I know NY has troops in Iraq and soon to be going as well, but we are a state that is predominantly democratic. Is this part of his election campaign, to not send troops away from his faithful supporters? Thank you for your time, and Down with Bush!!!

William Lemmon

Subject: Before we Start Waxing Poetic on Ronald Reagan

Dear Loyal Buzz Flash Readers:

I guess I should nickname myself "Your Favorite Christian Liberal," huh? If you're like me, this past weekend you've been bombarded with anything that waxes poetic about the passing of our former President, Ronald Reagan. While there's some sympathy about his actual death, I want to encourage those of us who have been ranting at the current Bush junta, to remind themselves and others, just what kind of "legacy" Mr. Reagan left us. Unlike Mr. Reagan, whose affliction with Alzheimer's allowed him to forget the devastation his policies inflicted on us all. I will entitle this "Mr. Reagan's Legacy."

Mr. Reagan's Legacy included:

The complete de-funding of state-run mental hospitals in the state of California. This is probably where the first stages of the epidemic known as "homelessness" began;

His negotiating with Iran not to free the hostages (that Jimmy Carter got released) until after his inauguration, so it could be presented to the world that he accomplished something that was actually accomplished by President Jimmy Carter;

The Iran-Contra scandal and the influx of crack cocaine into urban neighborhoods, thus resulting in the "blight" that you see today;

The fact that Manuel Noriega (terrorist) was on the CIA payroll;

That Donald Rumsfeld was the special ambassador appointed to give Saddam Hussein "Weapons of Mass Destruction" to keep him happy;

Economic devastation that it took the Clinton administration to clean up;

He didn't end the Cold War as it is being reported - he threatened the use of nuclear weapons, plus asked the Pentagon if a form of biological warfare could be developed to destroy human life, but keep buildings intact;

The fact that he allowed the influx of the AIDS epidemic when he could have done something about it (he didn't even mention AIDS until his buddy, Rock Hudson, became the first celebrity casualty of the disease);

The laying of the foundation of the current administration run by GeeDubya and his organized crime family.

I could wax poetic all day about Mr. Reagan's legacy, but I won't. While I'm sure he and Nancy had this 50-year love affair marriage, and ahem, stable home life (ask Jane Wyman and his children about that one), a close examination of his "Legacy" really indicated that the man laid a blueprint that GeeDubya is following at this very point in time. Additionally, David Corn, of "The Nation" outlines 66 reasons to look at the "Legacy" Mr. Reagan left us.

We should also be on the look out for the spin that the Republithugs will use to gain an advantage in the upcoming elections, as well as look out for GeeDubya to add this as a distraction from all the other mess that is ongoing, better known as the functioning of the United States government. Stay strong, stay focused and don't believe the hype!

Leutisha Loyal Buzz Flash Reader and Proud Christian Liberal
(If you don't vote in November, you have no right to complain about the state of anything!)

Subject: What comes around...

So, Duhbya felt the need to consult an outside attorney over this little Valerie Plame thing.  I hate myself for relishing the irony of the situation -- set your wayback machine to November 10, 1998, and pay particular attention to paragraphs four and five of this vintage news item.

House readies impeachment inquiry (USA Today)

Subject: Reagan

Dear BuzzFlashers -

For others who are nauseated by the sentimental nostalgia and white-washed hagiographic nonsense about the golden age of the Reagan presidency, this piece by David Corn republished by The Nation from 1998 is a welcome tonic.

"66 Things to Think About When Flying Into Reagan National Airport" (The Nation)

Reagan's death pushed aside the other nostalgia event of the weekend - the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings. As though WW II showed how war can be "good." And as though the Western European allies could take major credit for Hitler's defeat, when 20 million died in the Soviet Union fighting the German army. How short and dishonest the memories are!

Colleen Clark
Cambridge, MA

Subject: Bush in France

Why was there almost no mention of the Anti-Bush demonstrations in Paris on the D day ceremonies?????????

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: GOP family values

THEY RIDE IN STYLE, THANKS TO TAXPAYERS (The Salt Lake Tribune)

Salt Lake County Auditor Craig Sorensen buys a lot of fuel for his 2003 Ford Expedition, enough that last year he averaged 4.6 miles per gallon.

County Mayor Nancy Workman likes to have a clean vehicle -- as evidenced by her car washes about every three days.

Her legal counsel, Greg Curtis, has used his car to shuttle family and legislators to southern Utah.

Call it a job perk.

Call it a necessity.

Call it whatever you want -- you're paying for it.

* * *

EX-WATCHDOG CHARGED WITH THEFT (The Salt Lake Tribune)  

Former Salt Lake County Auditor Craig Sorensen -- who resigned this week after serving 25 years as the taxpayers' "watchdog" -- was charged Thursday with misusing public money for allegedly stealing more than $10,000 worth of fuel. ...

* * *

LAWMAKER REPAYS GAS MONEY, CURTIS: CAR-USE ISSUE 'PARTISAN'

"House [Republican] Majority Leader Greg Curtis pocketed nearly $800 in state mileage reimbursement at the same time Salt Lake County was providing him a car and fuel.

* * *

This one involves a recently passed state law that outlaws all forms of abortion, and threatens any hospital that receives state funding with loss of that funding if they perform abortions, even on a fetus that can't live. 

* * *

OVER THE CLIFF  [editorial]

"In a state where one wing of one party holds so much power, it is frighteningly easy for one motivated legislator to lead his colleagues, his governor and the people of Utah over the edge of a high cliff on the strength of one half-baked idea."

* * *

Utah--the "Family Values" state-- thy name is Hypocrisy!

Keep slammin' those evil-doers, BuzzFlash!

R. Dale Webb
Salt Lake City

Subject: Speaking Ill of the Dead

Dear Buzz,

Many Republicans are suggesting that Liberals who criticize Reagan's policies now that he's gone, are disrespectful and speaking ill of the dead. Although I did not like Reagan at all, and I vehemently disagree with his polices, I definitely think he was better at being president than our current Faker-in-Chief, GW Bush.

But according to the Republican punditry, GW is like Reagan and his presidency is really Reagan's third term! Now any halfway intelligent person would understand this absurd analogy to be exactly what it is: A desperate late-hour attempt to equate Bush with Reagan and elect him in 2004.

But for me, anyone who would equate our bungling buffoon with the now deceased "great communicator," is definitely speaking ill of the dead. What an insult! For this, Ronald Wilson Reagan, you and your family have my deepest sympathies.

Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)

Subject: Couple of Thoughts

Hi BuzzFlash,

A reader thought of maybe Tenet's resignation, was due to threats to his family. This isn't the first time I thought of this happening to others getting threats to their family if they didn't do, or say, what the repubs wanted them to, like falling on their sword,by taking blame for the higher ups.

Also, I believe Chalabi, the scapegoat, got the back of Bush's hand. Not saying Chalabi was a good guy. He asked for it!

As for the fantastic puppet, Reagan. He made the best puppet, beside the selected one we have now. Bush has Reagan beat on this one.Rest in peace, sir, you did your job perfectly, for the wealthy. Wasn't the October surprise the best way to get elected? Priceless! But at least you were elected.

A couple of thoughts from Granny,
an old BuzzFlash Reader.

Subject: Election

Dear BuzzFlash,

Do you know of anyone in authority in the Democratic Party who has planned what to do about the probable stealing of the 2004 election? Or what will be the response if elections are canceled? It seems to me that we are in great danger and I hope our leaders have considered what we can do to take our country back. We cannot simply let the Bush machine get away with their theft again.

A Loyal BuzzFlash Reader and 10th generation American.

Subject: Reagan

God forgive me...but it is only day two, and I am so sick of it, already!!!

I remember, so well, when Clinton was in his last two years....and had that moral lapse....people on Fox saying...."Oh, you remember Ronald Reagan, that wonderful man would not even go into the oval office without his coat and tie!"

But, Geedubya keeps his 'Saddam gun' there!!!!!

BS and hogwash!!! I cringe that this man is being buried as a wonderful person who gave his life, like my brother did. Reagan spent the World War...in the Fox holes of MGM and Warner brothers pictures...so many dumb republicans, actually think he is a war hero.(my brother died at 24 for another silly presidents war)

There was someone on the radio talking today, about how Nancy was never a decision maker for her husband....like Hillary or Rosalyn..Well, I remember the beatings Hillary took...but Rosalyn, I never remember her working alongside her husband, until they were out of office and building houses for the poor!!! I can just see Nancy Reagan hammering a nail in a house....even at the age of thirty.

I remember in 1980....the first job to go was my eldest son...right after Reagan was elected....he had to take a much lower job, because he had just taken a wife. The next job to go was my daughter in law....the aforementioned son's wife....she had to take another job, which of course paid less.

My brother was next....he lost his job with the city government of Springfield, Mo. .... with the planning dept....he had at the time a wife, and three kids....he took a job in a feed company, making minimum wage....and they many times did not have food to eat.

Next came my nephew who was in training to be an air traffic controller...(of course, we all know what happened to Air Traffic Controllers under Reagan.) He left his town, with a full college degree, went to Oklahoma City...and stayed with a sister and the three of them (along with her fiance) were killed in a car accident in 1981...it all happened fast.

I really hate to speak ill of the dead...but Ronald Reagan was anything but a good president...The Great Communicator?? Maybe...but, not for common people, like most in this country!

Reagan was like every Republican president I have ever known in my 50 years (almost) of elections. He was rich...mindless.....a little more dovish than Bush...but, other than that...he was an actor...and not really a good actor!!!

He was good at one liners...like "Honey, I forgot to duck!" or asking all the doctors in the unit, if they were republicans....and they, being doctors...said that they were All republicans at that time!

I have no good memories of Ronald Reagan...he has been crammed down our throats so many times.., trying to compare his morals to those of Clintons.......his Nancy was a few months pregnant with his child, before Ronnie had even divorced his first wife. Funny, how morals are just for the Dems!!!!

And, the wonderful Nancy....taking care of Ronnie until he died? We should all have the 'around the clock nursing care' that he had...Nancy slept at night, unlike those of us who really have to take care of a dying relative. As we watch poor people in this country try to buy their medication and eat? But, we provide the wonderful medical care for all politicians....never, ever forget that!!!

We should all be able to grow old...with the peace of mind that the politicians have. There are a small fraction who actually deserve it!!!

May he rest in peace....He is the God to most republicans...and it would not surprise me one bit, if the idiot I heard today, does not start a push...to have Ronald Reagan put beside the men at Mount Rushmore....as the man said, "Where he belongs."

I am sorry, I am so numb to this kind of talk!

And, on a lighter note....to William Betz...I think the idea of Al Gore for VP, is great....he is starting to preach...and it is getting on the nerves of the rightwingnuts...and that is certainly a good sign....he is a little younger than Kerry...and would be able to step right in if anything happened...he has experience from the Greatest President in my time....William Jefferson Clinton ... and that is enough!!!

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

Hello,

Good editorial about FOX. I've never seen it (kill your TV) but have read much and heard a great interview of Bill O'Reilly on Fresh Air on NPR. Evil dude.

How about Fox News Network: Fear and Bias

Your site is a wealth of great information.

Thanx

Jack Rogers

Subject: Reagan

Hi, Buzz!!

Having never been an admirer of Ronald Reagan, I'm finding the non-stop eulogies on every TV station today hard to take. There are two things I remember about the Reagan era:

Remember the Great Reagan Tax Cut of the 80s? The one that was supposed to put so much money back in people's pockets? I was working 9-to-5 in those days, making $5.15 an hour. The Great Reagan Tax Cut raised my weekly paycheck by the princely sum of 76 cents. Whoopee!!!

The other thing I remember - that nobody else seems to recall - is that Reagan's agricultural policies drove a great many farmers in the Midwest to suicide. I was a farm wife myself at the time, and the great economic boom that Reagan bragged about was nowhere to be seen in farming country. Interest rates on our mortgages went up, the prices we paid for fuel, fertilizer, and just about everything else went up, and the prices we got for our products went down. We were caught in the middle. Reagan is the reason it's so hard for individuals and families to farm nowadays, and so easy for large corporations to do so.

"Morning in America"? I don't think so.

Jane Hawes
Emporia, KS

Subject: Reagan Hype

I must confess that Ronald Reagan never inspired the loathing in me that GWB does; in some respects I actually sort of liked the guy. But this media hype since he died is sheer madness. I'm not trying to sound cruel here, but do people really care that much that Reagan has died? Everyone has known for a long time that this day was coming. My suspicions are that the corporate media are enjoying this as a respite from the uncomfortable reality of having to cover the Bush debacle in Iraq. They are going to milk this all week; it's simply absurd. Nevertheless at the same time, things continue to go badly in Iraq. In the last analysis, I am now convinced that there is more than a little crass partisanship behind this media effort to deify Ronald Reagan.

Donald P. Russo, Bethlehem, Pa.

Subject: Fox News compares Reagan to Dubya

As I have also noticed on the Media Matters site, I am not the only one noticing the across the board comparisons of the current President with the late President Ronald Reagan. I guess even though the candidates are toning down their campaign rhetoric this week to honor the Reagan, the Faux News types can't resist spinning their coverage of Reagan's legacy into some kind of endorsement for Dubya. Up and down the list of commentators on their programs they are falling in line comparing Bush to Reagan in glowingly positive ways, so much so that it made me a little nauseous. I think Fox News could well be in the running for hypocrite of the week two weeks in a row.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Question . . .

"GOP pitch for Patriot Act draws a raucous response"

How is it that you have what is supposed to be a press conference but only invite those that will agree? Isn't that just a commercial?

"'The event was for invited members of the law enforcement community and Bush- Cheney supporters,' campaign spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said later by telephone. 'It was not a public event.'"

Thomas V.

Subject: The Fog of War

Dearest Buzzers

I highly recommend the "Fog of War:" video, the interview with Robert McNamara. It's mesmerizing. I found myself hypnotized by this man's evil genius displayed alongside his apparent remorse in his role in the Vietnam war. His body language, the actual tears in his eyes, the shaking voice and laser-like focused stare into the camera as he describes his interactions with Kennedy and Johnson are truly riveting.

I doubt very much that the Shrub has watched this video. What a shame. It is man's inhumanity to man laid bare for all who dare to watch. There are lessons to be learned here. How tragic that the current misadministration doesn't have a clue about the true repercussions of war and its aftermath. Iraq is Vietnam revisited.

elaine in Petaluma

Subject: Saint Ronnie

Dear Buzz,

My most vivid memory of Saint Ronnie is how, in the middle of my third year of college, he completely dismantled the national program called Better Opportunity Education Grant (B.E.O.G.) which made up a large percentage of my scholarship at a prestigious school (University of Rochester). I was a (financially) poor kid who won that scholarship on merit and hard work. After Saint Ronnie cut my grant, I had to ask for a deferment for a year to try and make enough money to finish my degree. I worked two full time jobs, and could not come up with the money to finish my education. I never did get my degree. All during that time, Nancy Reagan's stupid slogan, "Just Say No," meant: "Just say NO to higher education", not drugs.

Now we are subjected ad nauseum to All Ronnie All The Time, and already I want to gag.

What is particularly galling is that today on NPR they stated several times that "not one Democratic member of the House" got up today to praise Saint Ronnie to the skies. Only Republicans did.

Well, I seem to remember how the Republicans vilified Paul Wellstone, his family, his friends, and his supporters, AT HIS ACTUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE, even to the low-down low-class booing of Senator Hillary Clinton.

So, you GOP hypocrites: GET OVER IT!! Ronnie was a liar, a bumbling fool in his later years in office, and pulled the wool over our eyes, just like his acolyte Dubya.

Ronnie is no hero, no saint, and no great President. He did NOT end the Cold War, he sold arms to Iran to fund the Contras behind Congress' back, and guess what?.....he LIED and people DIED. He was a B-grade actor.

Just like Dubya.

Sincerely,

A Loyal BuzzFlash Fan and NOT a Reagan Fan

Subject: wellstone's and reagan's funerals

After Paul Wellstone's funeral, Democrats were accused of politicizing his service. Apparently in contrast, Reagan's funeral has provided Republicans with what will be at the very least a week-long political commercial, wiping off the radar present-day issues, such as those couple of little quagmires in the Middle East. So far we are seeing march across the TV landscape an endless parade of Republicans waxing amnesiastically about "the conservative revolution," almost each one making a point of comparing favorably Bush II to Reagan, implicitly -- sometimes explicitly -- distancing the son from the one-term regime of his father. It would seem that hypocrisy once again trumps the moral conscience of this country.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: News "Readers" Should Be Accountable, Too

This morning on Fox News the Three Stooges were spreading propaganda again. Brian stated at one point that a guest would be speaking about how wonderful our economy was right now. These small-fry "news readers" (they're not journalists) should be held just as accountable as the big guys like Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. If their names were brought up as making false statements, they might not be so easily pressured into making them in the first place. And . . . isn't Brian the sports guy? Isn't Steve the weather guy? How come people who aren't qualified are discussing serious news and conducting serious interviews?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Ronald Reagan Turnpike

In Florida, we proudly drive north and south on the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, so designated in 1998. Yes, Florida, not California. It's a tribute to the man who did what for Florida? Frankly, I'm not sure. I can't prove he even visited the state. If naming the turnpike for someone is considered to be an honor (a long strip of lonely road through swampland -- hmmmmm), it really should have been named after the late Governor Lawton Chiles, who actually made this a terrific state to live in. Jeb, however, tore all that down, and now it's a state of confusion. I figure it's only a matter of time now until Jeb renames the railroad for Katherine Harris.

Sue

Subject: Let's Keep Ears to the Tracks

Thanks for keeping us current on Florida [scene of one of the largest crimes in the USA.]

Yes, it sure sounds as if the "powers that be" in FL are still causing much suspicion over the 2004 presidential election. But wait! What makes us so sure that dirty pool will be carried out solely in FL? Don't you just wonder if republicans are working behind the scenes in other key states where accusations of voting improprieties may surface, post election '04?

~ Cathy

Subject: More Hypocrisy

Dear Buzz,

The Grand Old Hypocrites are at it again! Here in Minnesota conservatives pitched a fit after Paul Wellstone's memorial service, claiming Democrats turned it into a political rally. Now here they are using Reagan's death to reelect Bush. Go figure.

Patricia Schoenberger
Eden Prairie, MN