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 29, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1.

Subject: Taking the Liberated To the Cleaners

Subject: My letter to the infotainment networks ...

It has come to my attention that about 90% of the American press seems to have absolutely NO ability to tell truth from fiction. Did they teach you in journalism school that you MUST be extremely gullible or just plain blind to be a good TV "reporter"? It sure appears that way. A good deal of us who have had absolutely NO formal training in distinguishing fact from fiction see it as clearly as the nose on your faces (along with some really horrid "cosmetic" additions by the way).

I guess it is time to maybe give your talking heads and writers a quiz in gullibility BEFORE you hire them. Although I realize you guys think that looks and loudness are the #1 factor when it comes to hiring help, it really does little or nothing to actually INFORM people who watch.

I now propose that any TV or radio "personalities" either have formal training in lie detection or PLAINLY denote that fact BEFORE they start repeating these lies and half-truths. You are EXTREMELY guilty of calling infotainment a "News Network." Couldn't you at least put a little bit of those billions of advertising dollars into actually paying attention?

For once let's have a bit of "truth in advertising" when it comes to selling entertainment in the guise of news.

Larry Parker

Subject: "Fahrenheit 9/11": Use It

Hello BuzzFlash,

Here is my article on "Fahrenheit 9/11" I was hoping you would use. Thanks and take care.

"Fahrenheit 9/11: Use It"

I thought “Enough already. I’m sure the movie is good, but now that the media has built up my expectations, I fear it may be a let down.”Boy, was I ever wrong.

“Fahrenheit 9/11,”which I saw but seven hours ago, is one of the greatest films of our time. It is every bit as good as the critics have said and more. Within five minutes I was crying (I’m an emotional person) at Moore’s coverage of the Black Congressmen and women attempting
to stop George W. from stealing the 2000 election in which thousands of black voters were disenfranchised. From then on the emotional roller coaster continues of sympathy, anger, hate, disgust, and of course much, much laughter. When it is all over, I was left in awe.

“Fahrenheit 9/11”has been declared a landmark in cinematic achievement.

Has already won one Best Picture award, and in all likelihood will win the Oscar for Best Documentary and possibly the Oscar for Best Picture

It is already the highest grossing Documentary film ever, out grossing ‘Bowling For Columbine's”nine month total of $21.6 in one weekend.

It is the greatest recap of the last four tumultuous years in America and a blessing to those who appreciate our country's real history.

It is all of these things and more, I hope.

“Fahrenheit 9/11”represents one of, if not the, greatest political tools we have in the Presidential Campaign. The film is just what we need to win over the ‘hearts and minds’of the undecided voters.

For those who doubt the film's power to convert because the “liberal media”says it preaches to the choir, I can only tell you from experience, they’re wrong. That’s what they want you to believe.

I know people committed to voting for Bush in November who are now questioning that vote simply from the commercials they’ve seen on T.V. and online. They are disgusted at Bush’s manner on the Golf Course in which he speaks of catching terrorists in one breath and playing Golf in the next. Bush’s emotional disconnect from the situation is obvious and disturbing. If the commercial for “Fahrenheit 9/11”has the ability to plant seeds of doubt, the movie, at the very least, has the power to solidify those doubts so that no voter in their right mind will think of
casting a vote for Dubya.

“Fahrenheit 9/11”is a huge moneymaker, a personally enjoyable film, and a superbly made picture. However, it can become an even more historic piece of history by fulfilling its destiny: Aiding in the defeat of President Bush in the 2004 Election.

And with our help, the film will do just that. If you haven’t yet, see the movie, tell others to see it, spread the word, and take others to see it. “Fahrenheit 9/11”is the greatest Campaign tool we have; so let’s use it.

Michael Dobbins
www.StopBushin2004.com

Subject: Underhanded Handover?

The funny part really is all of the "special handover coverage" the major news networks have been selling all week... and they pulled a fast one on the media. Now what will they do with all those special "Handover In Iraq" graphics? The music? Will Bush refund their plane fare?

U.S. transfers sovereignty to Iraq 2 days early (msnbc)

jj.

Subject: Gwen Ifill

After seeing her shameful appearance on Meet the Press, I just sent off this letter to Gwen Ifill.  I hope that Moore sues her AND David Brooks.

Gwen:

I think that your personal friendships are getting in the way of your ability as a reporter.

I just heard you on Meet the Press and I was deeply saddened at your inability to come up with an objective analysis of the film.

I was especially appalled by your personal slurs on Michael Moore, and how you repeated the out-of-context argumentum ad hominem of David Brooks.

You said there were wrong facts in the Moore movie, but did not say what they were. Instead, you said Moore told people in Europe that Americans were stupid.

First of all, analyze his movie and dispute his facts.  That is what an objective reporter does.

Ron Brownstein was right to call your analysis of an award-winning movie less than "complex."

Secondly, Moore, even according to Brooks, did not say Americans were stupid, he said they were ignorant and knew little about life outside of the U.S.  Certainly there are books and articles galore that back him up on this.  Certainly you yourself believe that this is true.

By referring to Brooks on Meet the Press, you, in fact, used the American isolationist hostility about Europe, just like Brooks did, to slur him.  After all, if Moore said what he did in EUROPE to those "cheese eating surrender monkeys," you seemed to imply, he truly was a traitor.

Shame on you.  I used to respect you.  I will no longer watch your show.

Meet the Press

Sincerely,

A Loyal BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Airlifting the bin Ladens

In an effort to refute the allegations detailed in Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, Bush apologists went to great lengths to point out that Richard Clarke authorized the decision to spirit the bin Laden family back to Saudi Arabia shortly after 9-11-2001. Is this the same Richard Clarke that VP Dick Cheney described on the Rush Limbaugh show as having been "out of the loop" on counter-terrorism? You mean to tell me that in the days immediately following the 9/11 attacks, the Bush administration allowed Richard Clarke (a person they didn't even deem important enough to attend counter-terrorism meetings) the sole power to decide whether Osama bin Laden's relatives could leave the US? WTF?

Roger F.

Subject: Death threats against theater owners

Saw F9/11 in Nashville this weekend. The Cineplex had hired or asked police to be there. When I asked one of them why he was there, he said that the theater had been getting death threats since Wednesday.

Question: Do not these people who are phoning in death threats to movie theaters for showing a film with which they disagree (and might even act on them if given the chance) qualify as "terrorists?"

If so, when can we expect the Bush Administration to start going after them?

Phillip Giannikas

Subject: incendiary?

Just like the Buzz editorial, I've been screaming, "You just don't get it!" since first becoming aware of Rush Limbaugh in 1991.  If more of us don't "get it" soon, all is lost.  Those who died for what is right and decent will be rendered "just dead," disgraced, vain pretenders.  History will rewrite them as 'uppity' and 'a few defeated extremists.'  The victorious new "elite" will grope themselves for Life Magazine, cigarettes dangling.  Abraham Lincoln "got it" 150 years ago: "they (corporations and the rich) will manipulate the passions of the people until all the wealth is in the hands of only a very few, and the Republic is destroyed" -- something like that.  Funny!  and they call themselves the "party of Lincoln," another subterfuge.  Lincoln was right, wasn't he?  I was right in 1991.  And BuzzFlash is right now.  Someone had better "get it" soon.  This is not about everyday politics-in-America:  it's the whole thing, the entire human struggle -- and the good is losing.

http://www.buzzflash.com/editorial/04/06/edi04044.html

Bob D.

Subject: Craig Unger v. Newsweek

Subject: Neo-cons and family values

Hello,

A major slogan of the new Republican Party is "family values." First of all, what are these? These are values held by individuals and families. While there may be some communality, these are not values that can be imposed on people, these values must be held and nurtured by the particular family and its members. Being an integral part of an individual's personal make-up, these values stir strong emotions which can be exploited by demagogues. Inasmuch as there are millions of families, there is quite a broad spectrum of "family values." Some of these are religion based. Again, there are many religions present on this continent. Each is supposedly free from the control of government -- or other religious groups.

This is not to say that politicians in different times and places have not tried to impose their view on others using the vehicle of "family values." We need not go far into the distant past for fine examples of "family values" being imposed, with disastrous results. Iran after the revolution comes immediately to mind. Afghanistan under the Taliban is another excellent example. Current Shiite radicals share a similar goal with the Bush administration. And it works, in a way, for as we see daily in the news, some people rally to a cause being fired up by "family values." Now the Bush people are trying the same scheme at home. If you are not frightened by now, you ought to be scared out of your wits.

There is, however, a silver lining in all this. First, revolutions follow a similar path in that they consume their own. Concentration camps and killing fields in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were filled with dissenting members of their own group. Eventually, the folks at home get fed up sufficiently to do away with these "family value" demagogues.

Frank A. Lojewski

Subject: WH LODGES COMPLAINT WITH THE IRISH EMBASSY OVER JOURNALIST (Unison)

Angry White House pulls RTE interview

THE White House has lodged a complaint with the Irish Embassy in Washington over RTE journalist Carole Coleman's interview with US President George Bush.

And it is believed the President's staff have now withdrawn from an exclusive interview which was to have been given to RTE this morning by First Lady Laura Bush.

It is understood that both RTE and the Department of Foreign Affairs were aware of the exclusive arrangement, scheduled for 11am today. However, when RTE put Ms Coleman's name forward as interviewer, they were told Mrs Bush would no longer be available.

The Irish Independent learned last night that the White House told Ms Coleman that she interrupted the president unnecessarily and was disrespectful.

She also received a call from the White House in which she was admonished for her tone.

And it emerged last night that presidential staff suggested to Ms Coleman as she went into the interview that she ask him a question on the outfit that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern wore to the G8 summit.

Miriam Lord

Subject: In-terror-gations

Since Rumsfeld, Ashcroft and Bush have made it clear that we use no torture in Gitmo and that all our prisoners are treated quite well I would only hope that Mr. Bush, Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Rumsfeld will gladly submit to these same techniques to verify if they are telling the truth. Ordinarily I would say this course of action would be a bit extreme, but since we know all these techniques are non-stressful and perfectly safe because we have been told they were not then I think it would be a most prudent and timely approach to ascertain the truth by using these same interrogation techniques. Maybe we should call them "in terror gations."

It's only fair...

Shunk Wugga

PS:  Since we have handed over "sovereignty" to Iraq does this mean the war is over? Does that also mean we now have to actually treat our "POWs" like humans now?

Subject: Re: "Basically, The Republicans Conduct Business in a Dishonest Way"

I have not gotten to see the movie yet, but why does this not surprise me? I have been in my car a lot today....and Rush is hot under the collar about this movie and the Cheney "F' word. He infers that Leahy was trying to cozy up to Cheney, and Cheney told him to "F" off....sounds like Rush's divorce to me.!!

Thanks for the reminder to read....

http://www.buzzflash.com/editorial/04/06/edi04044.html

Shirley.....St.Louis

Subject: SUCH A GREAT SHAME

I think it is such a great shame that on a day that should have been a great celebration, the hand over of sovereignty had to be done in great secrecy because of the mess bush has made of this war and the great violence that country faces every day now. BUT THEN WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Sharon (Shorty) Swift
Memphis, TN

Subject: Republican insanity

Just to note a few things before I forget them...I am want to do that from time to time.  As I said, I listened to the Flush Rush show while in my car...I don't know, maybe it makes it easier to get through traffic...or whatever...but, yes, Ii am guilty of listening to an insane man in my car...because, for one thing, he lies with such ease!

Today, his story was about Cheney and Leahy.... His story of course, was that Leahy wanted to cozy up to Cheney in a group photo...and Cheney told him to 'F' off or 'F' himself, something like that, making it like the dem tried to be friends with the stupid rep!  Well, you know, sort of like his ex...Marta "agreed" to his request for a divorce!  When we all know that Marta was the one wanting the divorce and with good reason.

And the sickness of Jack Ryan....does anyone out there believe him? 

You know, something I have noticed lately....either he is letting more negatives in, or that is all that is calling in!   I never before heard anyone get through on Rush's show, who disagreed with him...but, today there were no megadittos...as usual.  Everyone was almost calling him  a liar.

A little different thing happened with Larry Conners who comes on right after Rush. Everyone who called in, that I heard, told him he was being too negative about the "Handover"  you know, the early Handover!!!?  What the hell is that about...what are the Bushies up to now?  Not that I believe or care, the damage has been done way back there...but, did someone stick a gun up his nose?? He wants to make nice before the election , I know....but everyone on earth, except hardnosed republicans, knows what George is up to by now!!

They are going to let them have it, now that they have trashed the entire country...and they will have a civil war and demolish what is left and whom is left....but, Bush is going to act so innocent!

I have never, ever been so ashamed of this country.  I have lived in this country for a long time, folks, and I have never felt this way before!! I sort of get queasy when I see a flag...the colors, red,white, and blue, are not patriotic anymore. 

And, worse yet, I am not ashamed of that!

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

Subject: Now I get it...

Hey Buzz:

I was wondering why the hurried Iraq "turnover" two days ahead of schedule? It didn't make sense to me until I just saw the headline that the Supreme Court has ruled Guantanamo prisoners have the right to challenge their detention in U.S. courts. Guess the Bushies saw what
was coming down the pike and sought to drown out their legal defeat with "good news." Hah.

Incidentally, having just returned from Australia, I was much amused to read about Cheney's use of the f-word in the Senate. Oh, how the GOP hypocrites crack me up. All those anti-obscenity people (Frist and co.) are falling over themselves to excuse Dick's foul mouth. So much for this not being a time for "pessimism and rage." Hee hee.

Missed you down under.

A BuzzFlash Devotee

P.S. Dare I say it? I'm feeling hopeful.

Subject: Ken Lay

Did anyone see Ken Lay being brought in today for questioning...no handcuffs of course, but he says it was all Jeff Fastow's fault! He said he took the word of his financial advisor! Of course he did....and he also says he has no money...well, he didn't say, but except for all those billions in the Caribbean banks....but, you just must remember, it is all Fastow's fault!!!!!!

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

Subject: Are We Really Safer Now?

As I do not have C-Span, I wonder if someone could call in this question for me? If it is true as Bush says that we are safer now with Saddam gone, then why is it that two Americans in Saudi Arabia have been beheaded? We have been in that country since the 1950's and Americans were safe there. Why has not one pundit pointed that out?

Pisces

Subject: The ties that bind

There is much interesting reading here for anyone who thinks the Iraqis now have control of their own fate:

http://www.iraqcoalition.org/regulations/

Paul Bremer has issued scores of binding decrees that make a farce of both Iraqi "sovereignty" and the idea of free elections in Jan. For example, he has established a commission with the power to disqualify any political party and any candidate from participation in the election process. That anti-American Mullah getting just a little too popular? not a problem....

Albert Clark, NY

Subject: Fahrenheit 9/11

Subject: Michael Moore's show

Hi BuzzFlash,

We saw Michael's movie in Philly, Ritz Theater. It was packed, and there was a line still waiting.

Like one of you're other readers, I knew everything that was in the movie, but seeing how Michael put it together, when it was over, I was raging angry.

There were mixed emotions. Some cheered, clapped, and some were silent. To me, silence meant stunned. I was all of the above!

When the screen went dark, and all you heard were the planes overhead, heading to the towers, it was chilling, and so sad.

Subject: A few thoughts and questions

Dear Buzz,

I went to see Fahrenheit 9-11 over the weekend. Wow! What a movie! (Michael Moore reads BuzzFlash, I am sure!) Although I knew most of what Michael Moore documented, I didn't know that because he is a former president, Papa Bush receives the same CIA briefings as the current president. According to Michael Moore, CIA briefings are optional and offered to all living former presidents. Papa Bush is the only former president who chooses to exercise that option. Well on the drive home it dawned on me! If Papa regularly receives CIA briefings then he must have received the same CIA briefing entitled: "Osama Bin Laden Determined to Strike in the U.S...!" Right? Then if this is true, not only did the Son KNOW AND DO NOTHING....ON 9-11 PAPA BUSH KNEW TOO AND DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Hmmm. Now that IS interesting. And remember where Papa was on that fateful morning? In the same city having a meeting with members of the Bin Laden family... with the WTC towers in full view from their suite! Interesting. I wonder if the 9-11 Whitewash Committee investigated this?

Another thought: I wonder if Bush's surprise handover of sovereignty in Iraq has anything to do with the huge response to Michael Moore's movie? Could it be a desperate attempt at damage control?

Also, since Bush & Bremer have tucked tails and run, what the hell happens to our Troops they left far behind in their so-called democratic Iraq?

(Just asking.) I have a strong fear Al Gore is right...again. "The worst is yet to come!"

Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)
God Bless Michael Moore!

Subject: iraqi "handover"

just wondering.... last night I heard a representative of Christian Aid on the BBC fulminating over the fact that once the Iraqi coalition authority disbanded, they could not be held to account over the disappearance of BILLIONS of dollars in government money, mostly from oil.

And now... they are gone

cheers,

martha rosler
brooklyn, ny

Subject: Fair AND Balanced

I have heard a few rumors (some quite founded by the way) about how “The News Hour”with Lehrer hides like a scared rabbit from the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I think they may have proven it today. They were interviewing Zbigniew Brezinski and Walter Russell Mead about our chances of succeeding in Iraq. As it should the talk went to how the US should try SERIOUSLY restarting the “peace process”between Israel and Palestine. More or less their attitude was that there would be very little chance for success in the Middle East (i.e. Iraq) unless we proactively work on solving the Israel/Palestinian problem. Both panelists seemed to agree and that we should push hard for a two state solution with REAL concessions for the Palestinians. It was actually one of the most candid and logical discussions I had heard in some time about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Mr. Lehrer IMMEDIATELY stopped the discussion and said the talk about Israel and Palestine should be “left for another time”. HE wanted to talk about IRAQ!! I was shocked although I guess I shouldn’t have been. Rumor has it that the guy who runs “The News Hour”is a hardcore Sharon apologist. If anyone is keeping count I would like to see how soon that “another time”happens to be.

By the way what was so maddening was the level of the discourse was FINALLY getting to REAL problems AND solutions for the Middle East. Brezinski should be on EVERYONE’S show because of how he points out the severe Orwellian spin that this administration and the press are putting on our occupation of Iraq. Mead is annoying as hell (to me anyway) but he really has some great ideas on the Israel/Palestinian conflict. I just had to smile when he said the Palestinians must feel like they are getting something in return because they WILL be. Otherwise it will NEVER work. It was so refreshing to have two people MAKING SENSE about the world but then Lehrer showed his true colors. No “fair and balanced”allowed here either. That show has gotten so right wing anyway that nearly all the news is slanted pro business or pro government anyway. Some like to call it Petroleum Broadcasting Network. The right should be all for supporting PBS these days because except for Frontline and Charlie Rose the right pretty much controls PBS. Poor ole Tavis is sponsored by Wal-Mart so you just know he will be hard hitting (sarcasm alert).

IT JUST PISSES ME OFF THAT’S ALL ….LOL…

Fair AND Balanced Shunk Wugga

Subject: Thanks, Michael Moore.

Michael Moore, in his film, Fahrenheit 9/11, presented another situation I did not know about, and for the benefit of those who have not seen the movie, I would like to relate it to them.

One day Mr. Moore and his camera crew were setting up their cameras for a shot of the Saudi Embassy, which was across the street. Within minutes he was confronted by uniformed U.S. Secret Service officers, wanting to know what was happening. Evidently, he was able to belay any fears that he might be making an attack on the building and the officers departed and Mr. Moore continued the shoot.

Michael then surprised me with the statement that the U.S. taxpayers provide a six-man security force, 24/7, for the Saudi Embassy, the only embassy in Washington to receive such protection. Why?

It seems to me if the Saudi's have nearly a trillion dollars invested in the U.S. (7% of our total national worth), they should be able to afford to pay for their own security force. Why?

Michael also stated that George H.W. Bush is almost like family to the Saudis and has been given the affectionate name "Bandar Bush." What is the reason for this bond? Why?

Just some of many unanswered questions revolving around the Bush/Saudi relationship. Inquiring minds want to know.

Bill Sybert
Dallas, Texas

Subject: "Fahrenheit" Frenzy

We went to Ashland, some 75 miles north, to see the movie this morning, and were met with a sign advising that all shows for the day were sold out.

We talked to the guy at the counter, explaining that we had come up from Mt. Shasta and all, and I noted that their website this morning had advised that limited seats were available, and that if all shows had been sold out yesterday for today, they should have at least updated their website to reflect that.

Turned out there just happened to be three seats left, so the three of us got to see this amazing film.

There were two lines around the block in each direction when we left: one the people who had tickets for the next showing, and the other, an even bigger line of people looking to buy tickets in advance for this week and next.

In our thinly-populated area, long lines for ANYTHING are rare.

I've never seen anything like this.

A BuzzFlash Reader

-----------------

Fahrenheit 9/11' is a Number 1 Hit Across America

Dean Goodman, reuters, June 27, 2004

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -

Bush-bashing became the nation's favorite spectator sport over the weekend as Michael Moore's red-hot documentary " Fahrenheit 9/11" earned more in its first three days of release across North America than his previous record-breaking movie did in its entire run.

According to studio estimates issued on Sunday, "Fahrenheit 9/11," in which Moore takes aim at President Bush, and the war in Iraq, opened at No. 1 after selling about $21.8 million worth of tickets in the United States and Canada since June 25.

Subject: The Angry Liberal's - Bush's Seven Minutes of Inaction

Your reader contribution of this article assumes that George had the power to do something when the planes stuck the twin towers.

Cheney was running to his bunker, and at the same time ordering to shoot down planes, remember?! No wonder Bush was sitting there wondering where Cheney was.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: "I'd Love to Talk, Fellas, But I'm Getting the Hell Out of Here!"

Hi Gang!

The missus and I were watching the news and I filled her in on Paul Bremer's hasty exit from Iraq via a C-130 (Its actually an AC-130 that can shoot back. Damn, I was hoping they'd take him out on a skid.) and she asked the simple yet very astute question:

" That's great. He can haul ass out of there right off the bat - but where were the other C-130's, C-5's, C-141's, and C-17's for the 150,000+ Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine personnel left behind?"

So, Shrubya? How about it?

" Later! Buh Bye!"

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: Many More Like Pat Tillman

I read an article today, posted on BuzzFlash, about a mother who invited the press to photograph the return of her son's flag draped coffin. She said her son "had grown disillusioned with his mission in Iraq" and she wanted to protest the official ban on images of fallen servicemembers as their bodies return home.

What most struck me about the story was this line: Army SPC Patrick McCaffrey "was a manager with a collision repair company in the Silicon Valley when he enlisted in the National Guard in the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks."

Yes, 34 year old SPC McCaffrey died in Iraq for essentially the same reason former NFL star Pat Tillman died in Afghanistan -- both believed they were answering to a higher calling when our nation was attacked. Both left their families and their everyday lives behind in order to serve a country that seemed desperately to need them.

But where is the wall-to-wall coverage for SPC McCaffrey? His story is not distinct from Mr. Tillman's by any measure of heroism, patriotism, or love of country.

It seems the real distinction between these two men is what each left behind. Recall in your mind the media chatter after Pat Tillman was killed (in what was later revealed to be friendly fire). It was his fortune and his fame that were given prominence. These attributes, the media implied, were what made him special and what made his death so tragic.

I mean to take nothing away from Pat Tillman's sacrifice or the sorrow his family so surely feels. Indeed, I agree with the assessments of his heroism. Voluntarily enlisting in the military when you know war is a certainty takes a great deal of courage. My point is only that Pat Tillman was not alone in making that decision; he was unique only in the degree of material comfort he left behind. And because of that distinction -- one that ultimately matters not one whit, especially in a life and death moment -- only Pat Tillman was celebrated for his heroism, while the countless others like him, SPC McCaffrey among them, are, and will likely remain, ignored.

Sincerely,
Cathy Vance

Subject: Condi on Fahrenheit 9/11 ?

To paraphrase Condi (as the right wingers begin buying up movie theater chains as part of the war), 'Before Fahrenheit 9/11, no one ever even conceived that anyone could take a movie and crash it into our regime. We'll be ready next time.'

Jonathan Inskeep
Crofton, MD

Subject: Turkish Democracy in action

Bush now holds up Turkey as beacon of democracy in the region. Some Turkish Democracy in action: (from the Amnesty International Annual Report for 2004)

"Reports of torture and ill-treatment in police detention and disproportionate use of force against demonstrators continued to be matters of grave concern, although the use of some torture methods appeared to diminish. Those who attempted to exercise their right to demonstrate peacefully or express dissent on some issues continued to face criminal prosecution."

"A range of laws and regulations was used to restrict freedom of expression and obstruct the activities of human rights defenders. Peaceful statements and activities were prosecuted on grounds of "insulting" various state institutions (Article 159 of the TPC), "aiding and abetting an illegal organization" (Article 169) or "inciting the people to enmity" (Article 312). Other activities were prohibited or punished under Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, the Law on Associations, press laws and public order legislation. In some cases human rights defenders were imprisoned. However, most of the investigations and trials resulting from such prosecutions ended in acquittals or with sentences being suspended or commuted to fines, highlighting what AI regarded as a pattern of judicial harassment of human rights activists."

"Teachers and health workers were often posted away from their home as a disciplinary measure for involvement in human rights or trade union activities, and some student activists were expelled or suspended from university."

Turkey is a better place than it was, but if Turkey today is what Bush hopes for in a "democratic" Iraq, god help the Iraqis.

Albert Clark, NY

Subject: Public Financing of all Elections

Hi BuzzFlash,

If the voters in our country think that if they elect Terry, or even Bush, that everything will be all Rosy and beautiful, FORGET it our Federal Politicians, and State Politicians work in a septic Tank that we have allowed them to build , full of Bribery, filthy deals, lies, thievery,Blackmail, greed,and averse, to mention just a few of the stinking brown stuff swirling about them. So the day after the next election, we will be greeted by a few new faces, that will quickly get their feet wet and fall in line with the old-timers. So if you want to get rid of this stink, Now is the time to do it. Demand that who ever is campaigning for President, COMMIT THEM SELVES TO PUBLIC FINANCING OF ALL ELECTIONS, let the people run the elections, and make the rules for the politicians after they are elected, example, Any person ,elected appointed or employed by the Government, who accepts any thing of Value, other then there salary, from any person, private or Business entity, shall have committed a Felony Crime and shall be immediately prosecuted. This is the only way we can take our Governments Back from these jackals.

Thanks BuzzFlash I think you are destined to save our Country, Thank You

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Canadian Election

The big news is this: the Republican style right wing in Canada got creamed. The two right wing parties (the Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives) ostensibly merged. the Alliance (ne Reform) is cut out of the same shoddy that the GOP is; the PCs were once the great Tory Party of Canada. The PC's were moderate (think Jim Jeffords). The Conservative Party tried to sell itself as a merger of the two, but, in fact, the Alliance took over the PCs. Former PM Joe Clark of the PCs opposed the "merger" as did Former PC Foreign Minister Flora MacDonald. Both, by the way, are American heroes; he was PM and she was Foreign Minister during the Iran hostage crisis and decided to hide Americans in the Canadian Embassy eventually getting them out of the country. Clark campaigned for a former PC who could not stomach the new party and ran and won as a Liberal.

The new party was down 8% from the two parties combined totals of 3 1/2 years ago and it only picked up about 15-20 seats more than the combined totals of the 2000 election when the two parties were running against one another.

There were good reasons for the voters to be annoyed at the Liberals. They looked at the new party (the polls showed a close race), but decided it was just the bigoted, tax cutting, Gay bashing, healthcare privatizing Alliance gussied up.

Ed Weissman

Subject: Making the Problem go away

Since terrible news will continue to flow from Iraq, how to limit the political damage to President Bush prior to the election? It's simple, with the stroke of a pen and a mock hand-over transform all of the enemies of American occupation into enemies of a "new democratic Iraq!" Our army of occupation becomes a "peacekeeping multinational force." The daily deaths formerly attributed to "regime remnants," "Saddam loyalists," etc., etc., now can be blamed on "anti-democracy insurgents." And while exercising all of the meaningful power in Iraq, the Bush administration can now pretend to be only a part of a "multinational" effort to help a fledging Iraq fight its way to the democratic light against evil freedom-haters.

That this sad charade should be given such sober and reverent treatment by the media ("an historic event") is disheartening. It's disheartening that the administration can count on the fact that if you feed the media the images they want, they won't look beneath them. So if the hand-picked puppets stand in front to lots an lots of Iraqi flags (just like "real" presidents do!), if they sign oversized "documents" ("officially" giving Iraq to Iraq) and do the Morning News shows ("thank-you for having me Katie .") the media will obligingly withhold the truth.

And that truth is, of course, that there is no sovereign Iraq. They are not now an independent country with their own government fighting an internal war with terrorists. America continues to occupy Iraq and Americans are dying there today and will be dying tomorrow for the same reasons they were before the "hand-over." The Bush administration's hands are still covered with their blood and no made-for-TV sovereignty can change that.

Albert Clark, NY

Subject: Kudos to MF

Hi,

Maureen Farrell is always very good, but today's article, The Founding Fathers Meet George Bush might be my all time favorite. Congratulations to Maureen and BuzzFlash.

Thanks for all you do,

Jerry Helbling