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

Subject: I haven't forgotten: U.S. Hands Power to Iraqis Two Days Early (yahoo.com)

Subject: NY Times glaring omission!

As Pam Belluck of the NY Times tells us, John Kerry is bad, bad, bad for refusing to cross police picket lines to give a speech Monday to mayors in Boston:

A Republican Subs for Kerry With Relish (NY Times)

CBS news informs us that Kerry had actually made a deal with the police union that they would not picket the Democratic National Convention in Boston next month if he honored their picket line in Boston on Monday:

Cops Won't Picket Dem Convention (CBS News)

But of course Pam Belluck of the NY Times forgets to mention this aspect of the story. Bad reporting? You bet! What else would one expect from the NY Times?

And to top it off, Tom Menino (Boston mayor, Democrat) jumps in bed with Mitt Romney (Massachusetts Governor, Republican) to dis John Kerry! Tom is such a staunch Democrat -- just like Zell Miller! With friends like Tom and Zell, who needs enemies?

-bob

Subject: F 9/11

Hi, Buzz -

I've been waiting for this movie to come out ever since Michael Moore first announced after his Oscar speech last year that he was going to make it, and it more than lived up to my expectations. One thing I noticed for the first time -- people are always so puzzled and intrigued by Dubya's behavior and  expression after being told that the second plane had hit -- what I almost found worse was his going in there laughing and joking and without a care in the world when he had just heard about the first one.

Also, did anyone notice that right at the end he has a clip of Condi Rice EXPLICITLY claiming that there was a connection between Saddam and 9/11 -- something that the misadministration has denied that they ever did although they implied it like there was no tomorrow?

I also have a suggestion for Mr. Moore if the FEC decides that his ads violate campaign laws, though I'm sure he's capable of coming up with it on his own. As long as the ad doesn't contain Dubya's name or image he's OK, right? Well, run as much of it as he can get away with, then have the tape either grind to a halt or cut off. Then flash across the screen "Censored by the U.S. Gov't."

Just a couple of ideas -- keep up the good work! I don't know what I'd do without you all to get me through our long national nightmare!

Leslie

Subject: Liberal Media?

Please tell me that old Liberal media story again. I just finished watching John Kerry give a policy speech on CNN that was completely ignored by Fox and MSNBC. Apparently Fox thought a segment on J-Lo's yoga was more important and MSNBC had some other entertainment story when the speech began. Afterwards they both did segments on Saddam's show hearing which will take place on Thursday.

Please explain to me how in the world people can claim a Liberal bias? Could someone also please check and compare the time Bush's speeches were given in 2000 up to this point in the campaign with the time Kerry has been given?

Another example of that ole' Librul media -- all the fact checking devoted to Michael Moore's 2-hour movie. I mean, come on, Moore is the left's equivalent of Rush Limbaugh, or Sean Hannity. Both of whom have spent many hours a week over the last decade or so promoting such nonsense as the Vince Foster Murder. I don't remember the media "fact checking" any of the Right's hero's claims. Rush even went as far as to say that the Titanic's oil spill didn't harm the environment. Well, I guess not since the Titanic was coal powered and the only oil was in the salad dressing. Where's the balance? Thank you,

stevie gardiner
somerdale,nj

PS - Anyone who believes the media is liberal is either delusional or lying in my humble opinion.

Subject: Nader in Arizona

Half of Names on AZ Nader petition are Registered Republicans;
One of Nader's Biggest Donors is a Bush Ranger (democrats.com)

Two Democrats challenging the validity of Nader 's AZ ballot petition say that only 10,161 signatures are valid and that half of those are registered Republicans! Worse three dozen key donors to Nader are Bush campaigners, including Richard J. Egan of Hopkinton, Mass., who donated $ 2,000. (MSNBC): "Could this be the same Richard J. Egan who was chairman of EMC Corp.? Who has raised at least $ 200,000 for Bush? No, Egan's assistant says, that's "a different Dick Egan." What a coincidence, since state and Federal Election Commission records show Dick Egan the Naderite living at the same address as Dick Egan the Bush Ranger. The Ranger's son, John R. Ega , a $10,000 donor to the Republican National Committee, also has ponied up $2,000 for Nader.Collectively, Bush donors account for about $ 41,000 of the $1 million Nader has raised. Nader says he sees no evidence that Republicans are conspiring to hurt Kerry by helping him." What a joke!

Bush Bigs Open Their Wallets For Nader (msnbc)

Didn't the republicans denounce Gray Davis for this sort of tactic for supposedly helping Issa win the nomination over Richard Riordan?

Turk Meister

Subject: Zell says meow and Frist says WOW!!!

Buzz:

I'm hoping that when Zell Miller shows up to deliver the key note speech at the Republican National Convention that Bill "Cat Killer" Frist mistakes him for a Pussy Cat and gives him a lobotomy.That could be a bit of wishful thinking on my part though because that outcome assumes that Zell has a brain.

Carolyn in Tennessee

Subject: It's time to start the election count down clock

Dear BuzzFlash:

I think it's time for BuzzFlash to begin an election countdown on your front page.

Presidential Election 11/2/04 is ________days away.
Are you registered and are you ready to vote for John Kerry?

 It would be a great way to build enthusiasm leading up to our vote for Kerry and the ideal way

to keep it on the minds of the BuzzFlash readers.

 Keep on keeping on BuzzFlash, WE'RE GOING TO WIN THIS ONE!!!!!!!!!! 

Thanks,

Carolyn in Tennessee

Subject: Cheney to be dumped?

On today's Lou Dobbs show on CNN, journalist James Gannon spoke of his open letter to Vice President Cheney recommending he should step down and not run for reelection as vice president. He wants to see John McCain on the ticket. Repubs are worried that he will be a liability in the November election. CNN has a poll on the subject which favors replacing Cheney.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/

RB

Subject: Re: Hitler image used in Bush Campaign video

1. It is "propaganda" and manipulates emotions. 2. It is "one-sided," doesn't balance "both" sides.

They appear to think that "propaganda" is specific to politics and that it is a bad thing. Actually, it is simply a point of view about any topic, communicated along a spectrum starting at getting others at least to SEE it and ending at getting others at most to SHARE it. Manipulating emotions is the basic tool.

When VAN GOGH painted a bright field with blotches of grackles over it, he was conveying some specific thing, with selectivity in choices of inclusion and exclusion, just as surely as every other artist in whatever medium does. And Michael MOORE did this in his own creation, just as, for that matter, every human does in the act of communicating.

As for there being a supposed need to balance both sides, how exactly does somebody expressing his own personal point of view present another side to or against himself? Does he say, "I said to myself," 'Self'?

John G.

Subject: Nashville, TN, population 1.2 million. Theaters showing Fahrenheit 9/11, ONE

Hello Buzz:

I've noticed in the Mailbag that the BuzzFlashers are complaining about not having enough theaters showing Fahrenheit 9/11 in their hometown. For the record, in Nashville, TN, a city of 1.2 million people, only one theater is showing Fahrenheit 9/11.

Subject: Go F*** Yourself, Dick Cheney." Now, We Feel Better!

Subject: The Responsibility of a Democratic Liberal Father

Hi Gang!

I am a Democratic Liberal.  I'm proud of it and I wear it like a badge of honor.  Someone once asked me, " Why are you proud of it?"  My reply was, "Liberals move forward, always reaching beyond what is now instead of trying to maintain the status quo. Liberals also deal in realities.  People like to call us 'flip-floppers' and a variety of other things.  Times change and in order to change with the times, you have to inevitably change your position, don't you?"  The person asking me the question initially sputtered and stammered while a few co-workers nodded in agreement.

I have succeeded in waking up my mother-in-law to the realities of the politics today.  She asked me, "Why do you hate Republicans so much?"  My reply was, "The Republican party you knew and grew up with doesn't exist any more.  It's being run by people trained by Newt Gingrinch.  They want nothing more than to completely eradicate the Democratic Party and 'govern' on the basis of an ideology, not on the basis of reality."  She just stared at me, not sure what to say.

My oldest daughter, 11, has taken up bad-mouthing Bush, Iraq, and any other topic the missus and I go off on.  She asks me about things and I try my best to keep it simple for her, laying out what I know in a fashion that isn't too far over her head.  But, I have a responsibility to her as a Democratic Liberal father and what I always tell her after talking to her sums it up for myself and for any other parent out there.

 "I can give you a lot of information, tell you a lot of things that make me angry, sad, or outright disgusted.  But I will tell you something that no Republican Conservative ever will:  Don't take my word for what I think is wrong with this country today -- look it up and decide for yourself ."

I would never try to force her to follow my line of thought.  This is something a conservative wants you to do and do it without question.  I want her to open her mind to everything around her, analyze it carefully, and come to her own conclusions.  

That's the responsibility of a Democratic Liberal father to make sure she learns to do, that and it should be all of ours.  

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: : THE SHAM SOVEREIGNTY wait! that's 500 B a year!

Dear Buzz,

Let's say the obvious. By making Iraq a playground for right-wing economic theorists, an employment agency for friends and family, and a source of lucrative contracts for corporate donors, the administration did terrorist recruiters a very big favor. -- NYTimes Op-Ed June 29, 2004

And let's say more; let's just follow it out.

With all that we know now, the conclusion pointed to is that Bush et al. have been paving the road to full-scale war all along. When have they not made that clear? Be it in service of oil, present population un-sustainability, Christian Millennialism, racism, ideology, or just old scores, such a generalized, mobile, all-purpose shadow-enemy as Terrorism is a carte blanche answer to their prayers.

Terrorism's mutability nourishes the psychological fear necessary to create a 'belly' for war. It also provides the rational for endless logistics. And all who question or oppose become the enemy.

Congress has given this administration a clear 500 B a year to wage war. The people Congress represents, those who fund everything, have no say about it, and have been continually and deliberately disinformed by Bush and Cheney. This is simple fact. We were disturbed when Bush unsigned us from the nuclear proliferation treaties, but now, looking back, it simply fits into the logic: Last week, Republicans, by Senate roll call, voted overwhelmingly to reject an amendment to the defense authorization bill that would have eliminated funding for research into "bunker buster" warheads. Nukes, my friends.

I had hopes last week when so many individuals and commissions were taking a brave and deliberate stand for truth, that moderate Republicans would come forward to make some sense of things. But the lies only got bigger; Hannity and O'Reilly, and even the emasculated Rush, just got louder.  

The full potential for Marshal Law is embedded in the Patriot Act. What a miracle to come up with such a tome on such short notice! You can't say this administration wasn't prepared, even as they rejected their own intelligence and Hart-Rudman's pre-9/11 warnings.

And now I read:

Weapons that can incapacitate crowds of people by sweeping a lightning-like beam of electricity across them are being readied for sale to military and police forces in the US and Europe.... But human rights groups are appalled by the fact that no independent safety tests have been carried out, and by their potential for indiscriminate use.

Sweeping stun guns to target crowds (newscientist.com)

Let the eagle fly. With the media, the executive, much of Congress in the bag, how can we can we stop it? We best say the obvious, and say it loud and clear: If Bush has a second term, there is no chance to stop them.

With all good wishes,

Deborah Conner

Subject: Reagan memories

Subject: F 9/11

I have really enjoyed reading the comments from readers who have seen Fahrenheit 9/11.  I wish all of you would send a copy to rush@eibnet.com .  Let's all bombard HUSH RUSH with e-mails praising the movie.   I haven't seen the film, but I will.  Also, let's let Rush know how we just love Bill Clinton and have RUSHED out to buy his book.  I have.  I can't believe what this guy gets by with and our tax money is paying him to broadcast on ARMED FORCES RADIO. Now that makes me very angry. We need to contact our representatives and get this fool off our tax-paid radio.

LET'S DO IT!

carolina

Subject: a view point that needs to be expressed by a Christian

I love BuzzFlash, but I think we need to direct our attention to the "christian community."  I am a progressive and a Christian.  Here is a recent letter I've written in hopes of stimulating the Christian community to ask critical questions of this administration.

The Christian community needs to ask itself real hard questions during this upcoming election. Does the current group in power really represent the teachings of Christ or is it simply a power grab/

Are they good stewards of the earth? WLOS (Asheville, NC) reported 6-30-04 about many miles of polluted French Broad tributaries and possible mercury in the fish. Is our air cleaner? Relaxation of rules governing pollutants from electric utilities has contraindicated progress.

Have they been good stewards of our money? The accumulated debt will be transferred to our progeny. Jesus said: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." The raping of the poor and middle class to enrich the wealthy is well documented. Did Jesus mean this is the way the "meek will inherit the earth?

Have they been "peacemakers"? Are the "hungry" or the "oppressed" cared for? Have they been merciful? This last is meaningful in light of the inaction by the White House concerning the detainees in Guantanamo or in Abu Ghraib.

We Christians need to examine their deeds, not just listen to their empty rhetoric.

Willard Cottrell

Here's what to do with your "Fahrenheit 9/11" ticket stub.... After you go to Fahrenheit 9/11, keep your ticket stub and mail it to: George W. Bush, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500, with a note attached, "I saw what you did last summer."

Kevin Lampe
Chicago, Illinois

Subject: anonymous mad cows

Subject: slips of the tongues

Subject: "Calling Bush a Liar" (NY Times Op-Ed)

Dear Mr. Kristof,

You oppose calling Bush a liar because it leads to polarization and because it is emotional language which hinders the love fest you envision if we were to use benign, neutral language like that used by our vice president. But there should be only one reason to oppose calling Bush a liar: because it's not true. Sadly, it is. If you look at the false statements he's made or condoned on Iraq, the budget, the environment, civil liberties, etc., etc., etc., there are only two logical conclusions: he's a chronic liar or he's delusional (or a combination of the two, come to think of it). While you've probably guessed that I am not a political supporter of "President" Bush, even I wish he would speak the truth once in a while. I remind myself that just because he affirms something does not necessarily mean that it's false -- there may always be nuggets of truth in his statements, and we as Americans must be on the lookout for them and cherish them, when found, like nuggets of gold. In the meantime, whether you like it or not, he is a liar, a coward and a hypocrite. And those are his good qualities.

Jon Krampner

Subject: Caught in Oregon

Subject: Article about Carole Coleman's Interview with Bush

Has it occurred to anyone that what it may take to do a tough interview like Carole Coleman did is perhaps not testosterone but estrogen? No I suppose not. It will be an interesting day when I hear someone say,"You know, that guy really has ovaries!"

Just Wonderin'

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Justice: Sharing Data Would Crash System (news.yahoo.com--AP)

The Bush administration is offering a novel reason for denying a request seeking the Justice Department's database on foreign lobbyists: Copying the information would bring down the computer system.

Warren O.

Subject: Regarding "Go F*** Yourself, Dick Cheney."

Regarding "Go F*** Yourself, Dick Cheney." Now, We Feel Better!: you folks are brilliant!

I laughed my @ss off when I read your leading headline this morning.

I think that a lot of your readers feel that what you said badly needed to be said, that it was long overdue!

Keep up the good work.

Murnal C. Abate

Subject: Re: Get Ready! "The government needs to establish guidelines for canceling or rescheduling elections

Hi again, BuzzFlash!

Just a quick note to see if you might be willing to rerun my letter to BuzzFlash posted April 4, 2003.

In light of the growing public outrage towards Bush and today's headline Get Ready! "The government needs to establish guidelines for canceling or rescheduling elections if terrorists strike the United States again, says the chairman of a new federal voting commission." 6/30, I believe the issue I addressed last year is even more timely and pressing.

Thanks, BuzzFlash!

Your pal,

Erin Ferdinand

Subject: Dick Cheney

Just read your editorial about the VP and his comment to Sen Leahy.

The proper way to address the VP would be to (go Cheney yourself Dick), hopefully this will catch on and become the way to address someone with the F word from now on.

Thanks Dick we needed the new word and its vulgar meaning, its not as vulgar as the VP but it will do.

PC

Subject: Mailbag: typo you have to love

I’m not sure whether the following is just a typo or more of the truth seeping out, but I liked it. From Voting official seeks process for canceling Election Day over terrorism:

“Soaries said his bipartisan, four-member commission might make a recommendation to Congress about setting up guidelies.”

Don Alejandro

Subject: "Go F*** Yourself, Dick Cheney"

Dear Buzz,

BuzzFlash, which introduced "to gop" (from GOP, aka Republican Party) meaning "to be dishonest and mendacious, to purvey disinformation," can now further enrich the English language by adding "To Cheney." Some examples of proper (or maybe improper) usage of this intransitive and intransigent verb:

1. "Man, after that third Tequila Sunrise last night, I was all Cheneyed up."

2. "Just who the Cheney do you think you are?"

3. And, of course, "Go Cheney yourself."

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: "Carlyle goes to the movies"

Hmm…wonder if Carlyle Group is a tad upset at F911? Four days before F911 opened, it just agreed to buy one of the largest movie distribution chains…Hollywood better beware…

Marc L. Lippincott
Austin, TX

Subject: Potty Mouths Have Run In The White House Since 2000

I guess these past four years in The White House have been filled with "Explete-Deletives" that would really make Nixon PROUD!!

It must be part of The RNC agenda.

So much for our "Compassionate", "Family Values", President, aka 2nd Banana, since Cheney is really the one in charge. Or is it Al Haig?? I keep forgetting.

And to think that Bush and Cheney are pushing all THEIR VALUES on all of US.

They can keep their values!!!

Tom Wieliczka
Windsor Locks, CT

* * *

A "major league asshole"

In an embarrassing gaffe, George W. Bush insults a New York Times reporter.
By Jake Tapper

Excerpt:

September 04, 2000 | At a Labor Day event in Naperville, Ill., Monday morning, apparently oblivious of the microphone just inches from his mouth, Gov. George W. Bush made a crude offhand remark about a reporter that those in the campaign of his rival, Vice President Al Gore, hope will take some of the shine off Bush's warm and sunny veneer.

Waving and smiling to the crowds, Bush and his running mate, former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, seemed to be enjoying the generous reception offered by the Republican enclave in the Chicago suburbs.

Then Bush spotted New York Times reporter Adam Clymer, who has been with the paper since 1977, serving as national political correspondent during the 1980 presidential race, as polling editor from 1983 to 1990 and as political editor during the successful presidential campaign of Bush's father in 1988.

" There's Adam Clymer -- major league asshole -- from the New York Times," Bush said.

"Yeah, big time," returned Cheney.

RE: "Go F*** Yourself, Dick Cheney. Now we feel better!"

Thank you soooooo much for writing this editorial! It is exactly what I have been saying for the last day and a half.

And the irony of dick(head) having blurted the infamous phrase out on the same day they passed that stupid Indecency Act is too sweet!

The filthy creep then goes on foxwhorenetwork to say it made him feel better. Like we care a rats ass if that creep feels better!

I won't really feel better until dick, his dunce and gang are in jail or gone (and I don't mean no longer in office!), whichever it makes no difference to me. They are evil incarnate.

If I really believed in the bible I'd think this gang was the anti-christ warned of in revelations, but I know the stories in the bible are a bunch of crap written by a bunch of fundamentalist men to control people's minds. God exists. Good and Evil exist. On this planet. In people. Leahy's gentle spirit wants to get at the truth of the evil war and its profiteers and is more godlike than creepy cheney with his filthy sideways mouth and no-bid, conflict of interest duck hunting kiss ass. When liars are backed into corners they attack. And lie some more. Lie upon lie upon lie. My sign on J20,01 at Freedom Plaza was "lie, lie, lie". Fit then, fits now.

Thanks for all that you do and thanks for making me laugh out loud this morning when your page came up! Awesome!

Margaret Robinson
Erlanger, KY

Subject: Call off strategy against Ralph Nader

Dear BuzzFlash,

I am sending along an email I sent to the Kerry campaign. I probably won't get many sympathizers to my point of view. BuzzFlash is my favorite website but you often bash Nader.

Do you think it is fair, right or just that the Democrats try to ruin a progressive who has worked hard for most of his life to make things better for American citizens?

Michael Moore stated in his book, "Dude, where's my country?' that in the late 80s when he was working for Ralph Nader, one of their projects was to get locks on airplane cockpit doors. How different things might have been.

IrmaS

* * *

Dear John Kerry campaign,

I urge you to inform your Democratic colleagues/party members throughout the US to NOT use underhanded tactics to try to keep Ralph Nader off the various state ballots. Let each Secretary of State, or whoever determines eligibility in each state, handle the verification of signatures.

Your Democratic partisans come off looking very undemocratic. That would be a great issue for the Republicans to use against you. Do you want to be seen as unfair? Why can't the Democrats embrace some of Mr Nader's ideas and views instead of harassing him?

I appreciate that you met with Ralph Nader, but don't let the Democrats resort to dirty tricks like the GOP usually does. Please put out a directive for them to back off.

Thank you,

IrmaS
Lincoln, Nebraska

Subject: Is the RNC advertising for prostitutes on Craig's List? Nah...

Hiya BuzzFlash!

Do you think it's a coincidence that this story, "Sex pros get ready for party," appeared one day before the following ad posted on Craig's list?

"Flexible, Full-Time/Part-Time Work for Females"

Very interesting...

Your pal,

Erin

Subject: PLEASE READ, SIGN ON and SPREAD!!!!!

Friends,

DL21C member Andrew Rasiej has reserved Giants Stadium in New Jersey for the evening of September 1st... which is during the Republican National Convention.

Andrew is calling the evening "VOTE AID: A Concert for Change"

He hopes to get Bruce Springsteen to headline the event. He has also reached out to acts such as REM, The Dave Matthews Band, Bob Dylan and Carlos Santana.

Andrew has started an online petition to urge Bruce to agree to perform. He has collected thousands of signatures... 26,000 THIS WEEK ALONE!

Please visit: http://draftbruce.com and add your name to this fun and important effort...

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

*******************************
Upcoming Events - PLEASE RSVP THRU OUR WEBSITE
*******************************

Wednesday July 28
10:00pm to 2:00am
DL21C Convention Party
with NYS Democratic Party, Gotham Magazine and YDEMSCAN.NET
Avalon
Boston Mass
The DL21C convention parties at the New York, Chicago, and LA conventions
were epic. This years installment features guest speakers like Chuck Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Charlie Rangel, Steve Buscemi, and Alec Baldwin.
This will be a ticketed event... so let us know early if you are planning to join us in Boston

Thursday August 19
8:00pm
6th Annual DL21C Summer Bash featuring:
United States Congressman (TN-09) and rising star of the national Democratic Party
The Hon. Harold Ford

*******************************
Volunteer Opportunities
*******************************

Wanna get involved in the Presidential Race? Join DL21C's Campaign Clearinghouse. Visit our website for more information.

************************

http://dl21c.org
Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century
61 4th Ave. #191
NY, NY 10003
212-979-2218

************************

PLEASE PASS ON THIS MESSAGE TO TWO FRIENDS

Subject: BUSH the Deserter, tristero links to story with smoking gun

George W. Bush, Deserter?

I was reading one of your posts which jumped me to Atrios. From there I started reading where I found a story about Cheney that was interesting that jumped me to tristero which I start to scroll. And low and behold, just a few minutes ago tristero posted this blockbuster story detailing that Bush's inactive status could only have been set if Bush was disabled or a deserter. Bush is not disabled, not physically. Please post ASAP.

Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best Regards,

Gasper Cario

Subject: Carole Coleman -- Interview

Hi Buzz,

Carole Coleman interviewed the petulant brat and it might be the first stone removed from the dike. Can we now hope for a flood of good honest actual reporting?

Best,

Cole...