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

THIS IS PART 2 OF THE JUNE 28, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1.

Subject: Re: Fahrenheit 9/11

I just saw Lisa Myers' piece about the new Michael Moore movie. I find it ironic that she had the guts to label the movie as propaganda, in what was clearly a biased piece of propaganda on her part. I was wondering, does she rewrite the RNC talking points or just read them directly from the Karl Rove propaganda sheet? Does she get paid in cash or check by the GOP? Why does it seem that Ms. Myers only does pro-GOP or anti-Clinton reports? Am I missing something, because I can only stomach MSNBC for so long and may miss her "hard-hitting" reports on GOP scandals. Could you please direct me to the transcripts of any of her reporting on Enron, Harken, Halliburton, the Valerie Plame Scandal, or anything vaguely critical of the Bush Administration or the GOP? At this point I'd be happy to see anything positive she has said about Clinton. Please ask her to at least pretend to be "fair & balanced" or put a disclaimer that she is a GOP sympathizer. Why must your so-called "journalists" also be spouting the Right wing propaganda? Aren't Frank Luntz, Joe Scarborough, Peggy Noonan, Dick Armey, and the rest of the MSNBC pro-GOP talking heads capable enough cheerleaders for the Right wing?

thank you,

stevie gardiner
somerdale, nj

Subject: RE: GOP spin

I was wondering if it was a journalist's/interviewer's job to cut through spin and challenge a guest's talking points? It seems that the talking points for two current stories are blatantly obvious and I am frustrated that no interviewer has the guts to just say "yeah we know because we've heard that talking point many times this week. I direct you to the Al Gore is "unhinged" talking point that I've heard many times since his speech. Far too many times to be a coincidence. Also the "If I'm going to see a fictional movie, I'll see Shrek," which I've also heard said by several GOP guests on various shows. I mean at least make them be creative enough to each pick a different fictional movie to say they would rather see. Wouldn't we all be better served if these talking points, on both sides, were slapped down right away and we could have an honest interview? It seems that all we get now is a Kabuki show between interviewer and scripted guest. Maybe then I wouldn't have to spend hours a day on the net going to different news sights getting information. My daily routine includes Drudge and BuzzFlash along with the NYT and WP websites. I actually believe in getting a true "fair & balanced" view of the news, unlike what I get from cable.

thank you,

stevie gardiner
somerdale, nj

Subject: Head of OR Nader campaign: Nader candidacy in GOP's "best interest"

Subject: Fox News Gets A Scoop !!

Did you see that they've just now, today, June 24th, reported that Bush hired a lawyer in the Spy-gate case? If I'm not mistaken, didn't everyone else report this about a week ago?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,123653,00.html

Charles P.

Subject: Bush Hitler Ad

Have you seen this yet?

http://www.georgewbush.com/

Click on the web video, you can't miss it.

The group who whined so loudly about the use of Hitler in the MoveOn.org contest are using the same imagery (lifted from the MoveOn entries) in an ad comparing Democrats to Hitler. Simply incredible.

J. Stewart
Chicago

Subject: NC Vets for Kerry

CALLING ALL VETERANS:

NORTH CAROLINA VETERANS FOR KERRY ANNOUNCED

This week, the North Carolina state organization of Veterans for Kerry was announced.  This statewide group, representing veterans who support the election of Vietnam veteran John Kerry as President, has announced that it intends to enroll veterans from across North Carolina as part of the national Veterans for Kerry movement. 

"We simply believe that Senator Kerry has the right plan, conviction, and the experience to support veterans' needs.  John Kerry's plan includes mandatory funding for VA healthcare to properly care for over 500,000 veterans who are currently excluded from the system and revoking the Disabled Veterans Tax, which deducts disability pay from military retirement pay," said Richard Basil , NC Veterans for Kerry coordinator and a veteran of Vietnam.

"We believe that this election is especially important to all veterans and their families, and we intend to make a difference with our voices and our votes.  This is especially important here in North Carolina, where, in addition to the tens of thousands active military members and their families, we have over 780,000 veterans," said Phil Leslie, USMC Ret., another NC veteran for Kerry. 

The organization is asking interested veterans to join up now and help put John Kerry into the White House this fall. 

Interested veterans may contact NC Veterans for Kerry at ncveteransforkerry@yahoo.com for more information.

Brian D. Voyce
Chapel Hill, NC

Subject: Cheney's Timing

Hi Buzz,

Interesting that Cheney's public moment of profanity came on the same day Bush was interviewed for 70 minutes in regard to the Valerie Plame case.

Distraction anyone?

Sincerely,
Bri Held

Subject: Coalition of the Wild-eyed

Hi,

Don't know if you've seen this yet, but here is the newest Bush-Cheney ad. They are calling Kerry supporters a "Coalition of the Wild-eyed" and pulling out old footage of Adolph Hitler.
This is a damned scary bunch of folks.

http://www.georgewbush.com/Default.aspx

Lisa

Subject: BUSH VIDEO COMPARES HIMSELF TO HITLER

BuzzFlash!

The Bush website is advertising a streaming video web ad that attempts to paint Bush's critics as wild-eyed and crazy. It ends up showing Bush's critics at their best, and they even make the "mistake" of merging Hitler's images and audio with Bush's words and EVEN A PICTURE OF BUSH WITH ARM RAISED IN A "HEIL HITLER" SALUTE! This is classic irony!

I'm sure they'll pull down the original soon after this makes it out into the wild, so I blogged a summary and even captured the stream as a stand alone Windows Media file for sharing here:

http://patoka.blogspot.com...

Perhaps your readers would get a kick out of this stupid attempt by the Bush campaign. I really hope they make this a TV ad!

~jeremiah patoka

Subject: Fahrenheit 9/11

Dear Buzzers,

Well, there may be some glimmer of hope. I attended the showing of "Fahrenheit 9/11" tonight in the FLORIDA PANHANDLE. The house was full, and there was applause and whistling at the end of the movie. It felt good to feel like I was among like thinkers, too. (I feel very isolated here most of the time due to the extreme conservatism of the area.) A middle aged gentleman sitting next to me overheard my husband telling me he hoped there were no right wingers there to stir up trouble. The man laughed and said that right wingers wouldn't dare be there, not to worry. He also said he was glad to see all age groups represented there, and I had noticed it, too. There were a LOT of folks in their early 20's, and a lot of retirees, and all other age groups, too. Fahrenheit is great, although I was aware of most of what was revealed in it since I am an avid BuzzFlash reader and don't rely on mainstream news for info. I also have to say that there was much laughter in the theater throughout the movie. I really wanted to get a better look at those in attendance, but had to sit near the front. I would like to go back, arrive early, sit near the back, and watch the crowd.

Go, Buzz, go. You make a difference.

Danielle in the panhandle

Subject: Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit 9/11

I saw this movie at a 4 p.m. matinee that looked like it had maybe 50 people attending. It was not sentimental or exploitative. It was sensitive, pointed, factual and powerful. If the current administration is imperial, authoritarian and contemptuous of law, the constitution and individual rights, then Moore may be the antidote for the disease that allowed it to happen. His message is a modern synthesis of Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine and Jefferson. Don't let anyone tell you it's not patriotic. Moore has gone a long way to compensate for the abject failure of the still-embedded mainstream news media to do their jobs. They recognized the movie's value in Cannes. If democracy is to be saved then this film will have made a difference. See it.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Fahrenheit 9/11 .....applause from Newt's hometown

I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 this afternoon and it was sensational........so was the audience! I went to a theater in Cobb County, Ga., which is a strong-hold of Newt Gingrich and many neo-cons. The theater was 3/4 full which was surprising since it was 2:00 in the afternoon. The audience was mixed in terms of male/female and ethnicity. Throughout the film, the crowd laughed, cried, and gasped. At the end, they applauded. Thanks Michael Moore for a classic.

Dee Turner
Atlanta

P.S. I enjoyed Larry King's interview with Bill Clinton. Now if someone will just remind Monica L. that she flipped her skirt and came on to Bill, not the reverse. She decided to tempt an older, married man and now she is hurt because after all that has happened, he still wants his wife and not her. Many have forgotten that she also had an affair with an older professor. Give me a break!

Subject: Michael Moore -- Every American

I was the first person in line at the Rialto Theater in Santa Rosa, CA, to see Michael Moore's movie, F9/11...we had heard that rightwingers/Bush supporters were going to be protesting or disrupting the showing of the film, but I don't think they would have dared. Every single person there was excited, positive, talking with people they didn't know, comparing Bush horror stories...it reminded me of the war protests in San Francisco...very exciting, uplifting, and hopeful.

One image keeps replaying over and over in my mind. An Iraqi man holding a dead baby in his arms screams: "What did this baby do to George Bush?! WHY?"

For me, the death, the fire, the destruction, the unimaginable suffering of the innocent people of Iraq and Afghanistan is all the reason I will ever need to look back on this time of my life as the most horrifying, bloody and shameful period I have experienced. Unless, of course, it gets worse.

Every single image of George Bush, with his swagger and his smirk, and the murderous glare of Cheney, and the Dead Soul stare of Condisleeza Rice made me literally sick to my stomach; and each time, I would then see the image of that Iraqi father's anguish again.

Michael Moore has performed a service to humanity by doing this film; I pray that his efforts will wake up the sleeping multitudes hypnotized by Fox News and CNN, and I pray that our long national nightmare will end this November.

I also pray quite fervently for Mr. Moore's personal safety and that of his family. This Bush crowd are proven war criminals and mass murderers who will stop at nothing, nothing at all, to further their agenda. Life has no value to them at all.

elaine in Petaluma

The Clinton administration warned the Bush administration that terrorism would be their main concern. Also, a two and a half year bipartisan Congressional study warning of the imminent danger of terrorist attacks such as 9/11 was turned over to Bush when he took office. This regime just can't win for losing!

DID ASHCROFT BRUSH OFF TERROR WARNINGS? (MSNBC)

NBC exclusive: 9/11 commission interviews FBI officials who contradict Ashcroft testimony
By Lisa Myers

WASHINGTON - The 9/11 commission is busy writing its final report, but is still investigating critical facts, including the conduct of U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. NBC News has learned that the commission has interviewed two FBI officials who contradict sworn testimony by Ashcroft, about whether he brushed off terrorism warnings in the summer of 2001....

RB

Subject: if it feels good...

Subject: On Reagan and Healthcare

As Ronald Reagan's health deteriorated, his care was paid for by the U. S. Government. Most American families would have been forced into bankruptcy if they experienced the same financial strains -- from the loss of income by the caregiver to the cost of medicines -- over the lengthy period that he suffered.

Now I don't begrudge the cost to the government of Reagan's medical care, but, why did Reagan and why does his Party begrudge the same healthcare benefits to all Americans? Why are millions of Americans forced into bankruptcy after they are faced with a catastrophic illness? Reagan, his Party and Insurance Companies have blocked universal healthcare, while at the same time they have benefited from the government's healthcare expenditures.

It's one thing to take the position that it's socialism and too expensive, but the former President, who articulated this position at every opportunity, was able to live his final days without the worry of economic ruin because his family was able to receive so much assistance from the government.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Check out America's new coal rush

America's new coal rush (Christian Science Monitor)

Utilities' dramatic push to build new plants would boost energy security but hurt the environment.
By Mark Clayton | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

After 25 years on the blacklist of America's energy sources, coal is poised to make a comeback, stoked by the demand for affordable electricity and the rising price of other fuels...

Coal, that is Black Gold, enough to supply us for 250 years, and the Bush people are relaxing the standards to keep it clean. Who would have thought we would be going back to the days when you couldn't see the sky above cities like London in the winter due to the coal dust? There will be a lot more coal miners' daughters in the future and black lung will be making a big comeback. Why couldn't they just go ahead and develop nice clean solar energy?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Rumsfeld -- Hussein

A suggestion to all Buzzers, let us all send a picture of Rumsfeld shaking hands with Hussein to Cheney with a little note saying: "This is contact" now show us one with Hussein with Bin Laden and another one with Atta and the Hussein representative in Prague and then..... we will TRY to BELIEVE you.

Jocelyn
Miami, Florida

Subject: re: Bush Gets Chilly Reception on Eve of Meeting in Ireland

Subject: T-shirt idea gone bad

Dear Buzz:

One of the mailbag contributors, David Honis , made the following statement:

"Hopefully after the November elections we will all be able to wear t-shirts proclaiming:

I SURVIVED THE MOST CRIMINAL, STUPID, EVIL, GREEDY, CORRUPT PRESIDENCY IN US HISTORY AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS T-SHIRT."

Dear Mr. Honish, I sincerely hope that we don't have to make changes to this proclamation. Like for example:

"I SURVIVED THE MOST CRIMINAL, STUPID, EVIL, GREEDY, CORRUPT PRESIDENCY IN US HISTORY AND ALL I HAVE LEFT IS THIS T-SHIRT"...

Liberally yours,

Ms. M.J. Stringer
Pueblo CO

Subject: War in Iraq Not Inciting Terrorists? Will Someone PLEASE Fire This Moron?

Hi Gang!

Came home from a long night-shift at the hospital and found this latest ridiculous, addle-brained proclamation from Shrubya.

Bush: War not inciting terrorists (cnn.com)

As I've said before, John Kerry doesn't need to attack Shrubya at all. When the Presidential debates come around, Kerry will simply take hold of the other end of the rope and start pulling the hangman's noose tighter and tighter.

And we, the tired, disgusted, and downright outraged will pick that rope and pull along with him.

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: FW: Halliburton, civility, etc

Buzzflash --

Re Cheney:  Below is an email I just sent to VP Cheney. I thought I'd be civil myself rather than spluttering the outrage I feel. Given the protocol of Senatorial discourse, Cheney's language is unacceptable. Actually I think it's funny and I'm glad to know he feels under so much pressure.

Dear Vice President Cheney,

The Senate, including Senator Leahy, and the American people have every right to ask whether your long-term association with Halliburton has given it an inside track for contracts in Iraq. After all, billions of dollars are being spent. In the past
the Republican Party had the reputation of being careful stewards of the public's money. But now huge tax cuts tilted toward the most wealthy citizens and corporations coupled with huge expenditures in Iraq have put the budget back into deficit. You should not be surprised that many of us are worried about our fiscal future and the burden our children and grandchildren will labor under.

I'm sorry to say that in recent years the Republican Party has operated under a double standard. Your party is very quick to question the integrity, patriotism, morals, and even sanity of its political opponents and private citizens who question policies. This demeans and corrupts our public debate. The attacks on the Senate Judiciary Committee members who have opposed some of the nominees to the federal bench are beyond the pale. To have challenged Estrada was called anti-Hispanic. Challenging Roman Catholic nominees is anti-Catholic. This is no better than schoolyard bullying. Every candidate or nominee has any number of characteristics -- gender, religion, regional affiliation, age, etc. etc. To oppose a nominee is not to do so on some irrelevant and prejudicial ground.
Are you 'anti-Vermont' or 'anti-New England' or even anti-Catholic yourself to oppose Senator Leahy's opinions and actions? It wouldn't cross my mind to think so.

Where is the civility President Bush promised the country in December 2000?

Yours truly,
Colleen Clark

Colleen Clark
Cambridge, MA

Subject: ANOTHER reason that Socrates is my personal hero ...

In history's first democracy renowned for freedom of speech, Socrates was convicted and executed for exercising it. Specifically, Socrates mocked the Greek gods as silly and immoral. He taught that a good life, as a human, must be based not on imaginary gods but instead on inner virtues such as true knowledge, honesty, justice and personal integrity.

http://www.holysmoke.org/cos/socrates-free-speech.htm

Some things never seem to change.

Larry P.

Subject: Fwd: Letter To CNN

Mr. Bush's ridiculous and inane comments regarding the world being a safer place today would be dismissed as the ramblings of a man completely out of touch with reality if he were not the "President" of the United States.  His statement regarding the actions of terrorists who kill innocent people to stop freedom fails to mention that his own actions to promote his twisted ideal of freedom also includes the slaughter of innocents; although in Bush's mind, I suspect his "moral superiority" precludes him from making this connection.  If Mr. Bush and the Republican Party actually believe the nonsense that we are safer in the world today, why then will the GOP convention in August turn Manhattan and the convention center into a fortress?  George Orwell is surely spinning like a lathe in his grave -- as are our Founding Fathers. Disgusted with the GOP,

Bush: War not inciting terrorists
'I do believe the world is a safer place' (cnn)

Bush's trip to Ireland is expected to draw thousands of protesters.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In an interview with Irish television ahead of a
U.S.-EU summit, U.S. President George W. Bush defended his stance on
Iraq and said the war has not incited terrorists....

Steven K. Samra

Subject: The connection between Saddam and Osama

Dear BuzzFlash,

George Bush is telling the truth about there being a connection between Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden. Here is the proof.

Saddam Hussein Osama Bin Laden Connection

In the 1980s George H.W. Bush was vice president and a colleague of Donald Rumsfeld who was a special envoy to the Middle East. Donald Rumsfeld made several trips to Baghdad to meet with Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein also made at least one visit to the United States in 1980 and was given the Key to the City by the City of Detroit. George H.W. Bush is the father of George W. Bush who in 1977 started a company named Arbusto. Salem Bin Laden who was head of the Bin Laden Construction company in Saudi Arabia became a major investor in Arbusto. Salem Bin Laden is the older brother of Usama Bin Laden. Usama Bin Laden later became known as Osama Bin Laden.

There you have it. The above statements are verifiable facts available on the Internet at the current time.

R Franklin Stencil
Washington State

Subject: Kerry Shines

Hi Buzz,

I started out endorsing John Kerry in the primaries, then found Dean's message resonated more with me more and backed him, then, painfully, realized, it would have to be Kerry in the end. I was not happy.

However, I must say that catching Ted Koppel's "Kerry & Me"-type segment on
Nightline this past Friday reminded me of why I had been drawn to Sen. Kerry in the first place.

He handled Ted's questions, pointed and silly, with just the right candor and openness. I was even heartened to hear Sen. Kerry say he'd taken a look at how he came across as a communicator, and decided he needed to do something about it. Imagine, having a chief executive again in the White House who's actually capable of self-criticism.

My favorite answer of his, though, came when Ted Koppel asked him about the attempt of the Bush camp to paint him as too somber and gloomy. Basically, Sen. Kerry replied that he's as capable of having a good time as well as the next guy, but the current state of the country requires a serious leader.

Thumbs up to that. Go Kerry, go.

Sincerely,

Bri Held

Subject: Bush approve "torture"?

Well, yes, Bush thinks he can honestly say that he has never approved "torture" -- because they have changed the definition of what "torture" is.  They now say that anything that is not pain equal to dying or organ failure is not torture.  He has approved everything short of this.  There was torture in Guantanamo, Afghanistan, four places in Iraq, and in Diego Garcia.  There were 33 deaths.  Coalition Intelligence said 70-90% of the prisoners were innocent -- they were just rounded up in sweeps.  This builds up the insurgency.  This is wrong.

Keith Gordon
Arroyo Grande, CA

Subject: Bush corruption

I hope the US realizes what a hero they have in michael moore who has the guts to publicly and repeatedly face down the Bush government and confront their lies. Certainly not CNN those shameless whores. The Movie was a sellout and won overwhelming applause here in Canada. I can't understand the cement heads that continue to support Bush and Co. even while being confronted with overwhelming evidence of the damage they have done. It's heartbreaking, what your government has not only done to you but to the entire world. Where are the Democrats? Why are they afraid to name Bush for what he is and fight back? How deep does this corruption run? America needs to rage in the streets against the injustice done to them and in their name. The World loves Americans but hates Bush! Don't let him drag you down to his level.

Canadian supporter fighting my own Government corruption.

Howard O.

Subject: Fahrenheit 9/11

We went and saw "Fahrenheit 9/11" today and it was GREAT !! The 1:40 p.m. show sold out and more people were waiting in line outside for the next show. It was so refreshing to be in a completely full theater with a group of people that all share the same concern, and anger over the direction America is going under the "idiot king" Bush.

Thank you Michael Moore, for such a wonderful, powerful film.

Let's all work together to take back our country !!

Carl Shea
Orlando, Florida

Subject: political question

Explain to me how Moore's film is violating campaign finance laws when Rush, Sean, and O'Reilly, as well as hundreds of other loud mouth talk show hosts are on the radio or television 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, every year for the past 20 years campaigning against practically every single Democratic office seeker and they are not violating campaign finance laws? Bush and other Republican candidates throughout the country have received billions of dollars worth of free campaigning on their behalf from Rush Limbaugh alone! When the Gingrich Congress was elected, the Republican members held a celebration in Washington praising Limbaugh for getting them elected. I know that there is no such a thing as a fairness doctrine any more...thanks to the Republicans, but going after the free speech rights of the opposition is ridiculous!

Dorothy Schreyer
Kingston NY

Subject: Honor & Integrity

Ryan drops out of IL Senate race; Blames the media.

Documented abuse of prisoners in Iraq; Rumsfeld blames the cameras.

Outraged by the outrage; Inhofe blames the victims.

At a loss for words; the author blames the sheer volume of BS emanating from these jackals.

Turk Meister