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

Subject: in memory of a fallen hero

It is time to mourn the loss of one of the greatest of Americans.  No matter our economic class, social position, religion or political affiliation, this is one of those sad occurrences where we should put aside our differences and salute the greatness of this fabled man.  He will be greatly missed.

Ray Charles was 73.

Irwin W.

Subject: NANCY

Dear Buzz,

I could not stand Reagan! But besides that, yes, I do feel sorry for Nancy. I know she had her round the clock of nurses, and such, and has the money to have help, but besides all that, think about it, politics aside....the man was her husband. I've never lost a spouse, except in divorce when I kicked his ass out the door, but I remember my mother and how she felt when my father died. The first week was a numbing experience and then the realization set in that he was never coming back......so from experience, that's why I feel sorry for Nancy and her kids, after all, they are the ones who lost a husband and a father. Especially the pain of a loved one not remembering you anymore....how sad.

A Loyal Buzz Fan Forever!
Sharon Carlton
Bellevue, Nebraska

Subject: Was the flag really crooked?

Subject: cbsnews.com

I just clicked on the story of 10m kids in slave labor, which came from cbs.com. At the top of the webpage was a banner ad for WAL-MART, the world's largest exploiter of slave labor. Ironically funny, in a disgusting sort of way. Just thought I'd mention it.

10M Kids In Slave-Like Labor (cbs.com)

Kristen D.

Subject: O'Lielly's Boycotting Techniques Stink

I don't think Bill O'Reilly's boycott of Canada is working. I don't want to toot our horn or anything, but north-south trade is as healthy as it's ever been:

Trade surplus rises to $7.6B in April (CBC)

OTTAWA - Boosted by exports of aircraft, machinery, cars, petroleum and coal, Canada's trade surplus hit its second-highest level ever in April, Statistics Canada said on Friday.

Companies exported more than $36.6-billion worth of merchandise in April, up 4.4 per cent from March. Canada imported $29.1-billion worth of goods, an increase of 0.7 per cent.

The overall trade surplus for April stood at $7.6 billion, second only to the surplus of $8.6 billion reported in January 2001.

Exports to the United States grew 3.3 per cent to $29.4 billion as imports from south of the border rose 0.6 per cent to $20.3 billion.

"Since April 2003, when the Canadian dollar was in the midst of its rapid appreciation against the U.S. dollar, exports to the United States have risen 7.0 per cent while imports have remained unchanged," said Statistics Canada. "The recent stability of the currency has dampened some of its effect on the trading community."

And congratulations on winning the Stanley Cup ... again.

A Canadian Buzzflash Reader

Subject: I love this

Subject: Fired park workers

Fired parks workers file suit (Lexington Herald-Leader)

I sent this out earlier about the fired state park workers.  Guess what?  3 of them have changed their registration and are now registered Democrats!!!!  They will be at the state convention on the 17th.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Maureen Farrell's column - Broken promise

Someone should mention to John Kerry that the Democrats need to have TV commercials showing Bush spouting...as an example...Uniter not Divider etc...and then showing the reality..he is making the Flip Flop on Kerry stick. Someone needs to show the broken promises in a Democratic campaign TV Ad...and show who has really flip flopped.:-(.

Revisiting the 2000 GOP Platform: 20 Outrageous Assertions, Shameless Lies and Broken Promises

A Canadian

Subject: Limbaugh headline should read...

..."Limbaugh Uses Reagan's Funeral as Subterfuge to Announce 3rd Divorce!"

Limbaugh announces end of 10-year marriage (Tallahassee Democrat)

Chad C.

Subject: Ron Jr. fittingly eulogizes his father

Subject: key fact for your hypocrite

Key fact missing from your Jeb disenfranchising story (GOP Hypocrite of the Week: Jeb Bush) .... why they must do it:

Bush's Florida Edge May Have Faded (The Lakeland Ledger)

snippet:

Democrats argue that the population shifts favor Kerry. Of the 730,000 new Florida residents between April 2000 and July 2002, about 46 percent were Hispanic. Another 28 percent were black -a minority group that overwhelmingly votes Democratic, especially in recount-scarred Florida.

Just 21 percent of the new Floridians were white, according to the Census Bureau.

"While the suburban population has grown . . . I would argue that demographically, Florida is a more friendly place to Democrats than it was in 2000," said Marcus Jadotte, a deputy campaign manager to Kerry.

But the Hispanic growth doesn't necessarily translate into Democratic votes -- or even registered voters. While registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 330,000, the GOP has narrowed the gap since 2000. There are about 1.6 million voters in Florida with no party affiliation, the fastest-growing category.

Linda

Subject: Ron Reagan Jr. Slam at Bush during Eulogy for his Father

Dear BuzzFlash,

Subject: Nomination for GOP Hypocrite of the Week

BuzzFlash,

May I nominate a candidate for a BuzzFlash GOP Hypocrite of the Week?  Following is an example of hypocrisy within a eulogy.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The following is a transcript of the eulogy given Friday by former President George H.W. Bush at Ronald Reagan's funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington: Brief extract: “And one of the many memories we all have of both of them is the comfort they provided during our national tragedies.

Whether it was the families of the crew of the Challenger shuttle or the USS Stark or the Marines killed in Beirut, we will never forget those images of the president and first lady embracing them and embracing us during times of sorrow.”

Excerpts From the Eulogies... (NY Times)

Compare this to a passage contained in "THE ROOT – The Marines in Beirut, August 1982 – February 1984" by Eric Hammel, copyright 1985, Pacifica Press, Pacifica, CA ISBN 0-935553-05-3, pg. 388,  referring to the aftermath of the bombing:

The horror stories are legion: the time on Tuesday that one of the sergeants spent hours freeing a body from a tight corner, only to discover that it was warm, no doubt having expired only moments before he reached it; the time several of the sergeants were told in the midst of a recovery to shut down a hard-to–start light earth mover because the noise disturbed Vice President George Bush, who was touring the bomb site in place of the Commander in Chief…

Stuart Kallio
Hayward, CA

Subject: Lack of Blacks

Did you all notice that there were so few black people going through the line in the capital?  Must have been about 98% white people.  At the final ceremony in CA where 700 of Reagan's "friends" were invited, I didn't see one black person.  Maybe I missed him. And poor Michael Reagan!  He tried so hard to get attention, but Nancy didn't even know he was there. At the end when Michael kissed her on the forehead, she looked at him like, "Who are you?" The whole hoopla was to try and outdo Kennedy's funeral and the only thing they left out was the eternal flame. The poor repugs, they just haven't had a president yet that they can put on a pedestal.  Most of their presidents ended up needing to be impeached.  That's why they always have to go all the way back to Lincoln.

Carolyn in Illinois

Subject: What A Difference A Poll Makes

Hi Gang!

Subject: Suggested corrections to - "Michael Moore has Blair in sights"

 Michael Moore Has Blair in Sights (Reuters)

1.  "Britain and Blair have been the staunchest supporters of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq..." is this a quote? Polls show that the majority opposed the  USUK invasion. The  attack was an undemocratic decision on Blair's part.

Subject: oh for christ sake!

oh for christ sake! everyone but the media knows very well kerry has not picked mccain and mccain has said he would not anyway. at this point it is just the media looking for stuff to get people to listen to them.. not to mention a mccain choice would bring in swing voters at the cost of the base and virtually all the democrat women. it would be a stupid choice and not going to happen anyway! let go, move on, get some help if you need to.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: rushie-baby

Just have to add my 2 cents worth on rush limpbro. Now he is getting his 3rd divorce.  Is that the up-right fine american bush referred to recently? guess so! That's the republican way.  Paint a godly picture of themselves and then sneak in the closet and drink the boot-leg.  haha

Carolina

Subject: Donated jet flight runs into squall (Toledo Blade)

American Electric Power has refused to accept payment for flying U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist on its corporate jet to and from last month's dedication of the Ohio Supreme Court's new home.

Use of the utility's jet to shuttle the chief justice between Washington and Columbus on May 15 at the request of the state court had already raised eyebrows among environmental groups.

Chewgababy

Subject: News Release: Take a Republican to Fahrenheit 9/11 website is online!

This e-mail is an invite for you to view trtf911.com. This is a grass roots website organized to encourage individuals to get out and bring friends, family members or any other individual to see Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. The plan, to get the truth out to as many voters as possible. This site is not sponsored by or associated with Michael Moore, the film's producer's or distributors. It was set up a a simple way to make a difference. All we are asking for is mention of this site by your website. Please direct all interest or questions to info@trtf911.com. Thank you for your support!

Peter Wikoff

Subject: NYTimes.com article on Crisis in Sudan

Hey -

-I sure agree that what's happening in western Sudan is something we need to pay attention to.  But note this:

White House Reconsiders Its Policy on Crisis in Sudan
"Bush officials say they are considering whether what is happening in Darfur amounts to genocide. So far, the administration has only used the term ethnic cleansing."

Nothing wrong, apparently, with a little "ethnic cleansing."  And these are the straight shooters?

Jake

Subject: Howard Dean.....still

I have read both articles today...

http://www.theunionleader.com/articles...

and without a doubt, there just must be a place in this Kerry administration for this man who gave the voice back to the democrats. There is not doubt in my mind, that we would still be stumbling along, peacefully hoping that no one would step on Bush's lying shoes....if Howard Dean had not come along when he did.  I think he, alone, is responsible for the "Fire in the Belly" attitude of Al Gore....and to a certain extent John Kerry.  They just must keep Howard....he is our Savior, no matter whom is elected!!!

As you likely have guessed, I spent the day with my republican relatives, and found that (at least from what they tell me) Ronald Reagan was in the US Army reserves. I thought he spent the war, in the foxholes of MGM...and Warner Bros...but, from what I am now reading...he did join, but was rejected for active duty because of poor eyesight..

Anyone know anything out there???

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

Subject: Reagan's sainthood?

I think any former president deserves a respectful funeral no matter what the politics. But last week was ridiculous. Mail wasn't even delivered. It was the most overblown fiasco put on by the Republicans to mimic President Kennedy's funeral (the networks kept comparing the two funerals). They forgot to mention that President Kennedy was actually "in office" and assassinated.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Hey Buzz:

Here's a little test that I'll call "What's Wrong with this Reporting?" I've excerpted the following paragraphs from a Sunday, June 13, AP report entitled "Powell: Terrorism Report a 'Big Mistake'". Pencils ready, here we go.

Begin quote (cut and pasted--the typos are not mine):

Waxman asked Powell for an explanation and the secretary called last week to say the mistakes for unintentional.

``He says it wasn't politically motivated so I will accept that,'' Waxman said after their conversation. Still, the lawmaker said, ``We are still left with the fact that this report is useless until it is corrected.''

The April report said attacks had declined last year to 190, down from 198 in 2002 and 346 in 2001. The 2003 figure would have been the lowest level in 34 years and a 45 percent drop since 2001, Bush's first year as president.

The report also showed the virtual disappearance of attacks in which no one died.

``There's a new terrorist threat information center that compiles this data under the CIA. And we are still trying to determine what went wrong with the data and why we didn't catch it in the State Department,'' Powell said Sunday.

``It's a very big mistake. And we are not happy about this big mistake,'' he added.

The department has said that one of the mistakes was that only part of 2003 was taken into account.

When the annual report was issued April 29, senior administration officials used it as evidence the war was being won under Bush.

End quote

Anybody? How about that the erroneous data is repeated without any attempt to balance it with correct information, at least some of which can be found in the report itself. Contrast the above weak paragraphs with the following superior reporting by R. Jeffrey Smith in The Washington Post , found on page A-17 in the June 10 edition, a full three days prior to the AP's story (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29664-2004Jun9.html):

Begin quote:

Larry C. Johnson, a former CIA analyst and former deputy director of State's counterterrorism office, is among those who have urged a wide-ranging correction. He said that even using the report's own data, as presented in its statistical tables, the total number of terrorist incidents in 2003 rose, not fell, compared with 2002.

The number of deaths in the tables was 390, not 307 as department officials asserted in public comments; the number of wounded was 1,895, not 1,593, Johnson said. He said the number of significant incidents -- involving victims who were killed, injured or kidnapped -- rose from 60 percent of incidents in 2002 to 89 percent in 2003.

He also noted, as did Waxman and scholars at Princeton and Stanford universities, that the report omitted acts of terrorism after Nov. 11, 2003. The department attributed this to a cutoff date for printing the report in time for its release on April 29. At a result, a Nov. 15 suicide bombing in Istanbul that killed 61 people and injured more than 300 was omitted.

End quote

See the difference?

By citing errors without corrections, the AP story (which lacks a byline) leaves the mistakes unanswered. This is a tactic the Bush administration uses over and over. The strategy: if you say something enough times, even when the statement has been proven false, it takes on a ring of familiarity and truth. The Associated Press should be ashamed.

Read carefully, my friends, read carefully.

Sincerely,

L. Parsons
Charlottesville, VA

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE JUNE 15, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.