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

The Federation of American Scientists issued the following report by email today:

PENTAGON "CONSOLIDATES" ABU GHRAIB DOCUMENT REQUESTS

Freedom of Information Act requests that were sent to the Pentagon for additional documentation and imagery concerning the abuse of  Iraqi prisoners held in U.S. custody in Iraq (SN, 05/12/04) were forwarded by the Pentagon to U.S. Central Command for processing.

But now U.S. Central Command is sending them back to the Pentagon.

"We have been instructed to refer all requests for information referring to detainee abuse to the Department of Defense [Pentagon FOIA office]," a CENTCOM FOIA officer wrote.

"In order to provide you with as much information as possible, all detainee requests are now being consolidated and will be answered by [the Pentagon]."  See:

http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/2004/07/centcom071304.pdf

Meanwhile, Congressional efforts to gain access to documents on the Abu Ghraib case and related issues have been frustrated.

"Time and again attempts by this House to acquire documents related to the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal have been defeated, largely on party line votes," said Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) on July 19, citing several initiatives that had been blocked by the Republican majority.

Subject: No More Bush

Subject: Where was Bush in Vietnam?

Think you know the whole story? Only one man knows -- and that's George W. Bush. He's not talking. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about Bush's military service, and America deserves the answer.

You might consider passing this on to friends who are either veterans or currently in the military service.

William Betz

Subject: Cool

Support Linda Ronstadt. I bought "Canciones de mi padre." There are many other wonderful CD's to choose from. Go to http://www.elektra.com/lindaronstadt/music/ and see where you can order CDs to support Linda Ronstadt. This is the first time I have ordered her music. I am so proud.

mev

Subject: Daschle's speech

"...we're not doing right by America when we hand over millions to a lucky few who already have so much, while ignoring the real needs of those who are working so hard and so honestly." How I wish these words were finally taken seriously by those whom we elected as our representatives. Will there ever be a time in America when this happens? Good speech. Thanks for posting it, Buzz.

Elizabeth

Subject: Our country is on the line

So the hypocrites censured Corrine Browne's justifiable remarks, huh?

Well let's analyze this a little. The reason for censure was Browne's accusation of "stealing." Evidently, there was another congress in history just like the one we have now who said you cannot accuse a house member of stealing. Hmmm. What if an accusation of stealing is the slam-dunk, godly truth!!!?

Once a neighbor of mine, whose house was burglarized, told me that she felt so violated by the theft. That word "violated" surfaces every day of the week for me when I monitor the actions of Bush and his cronies. Americans are being "violated" every day that this administration is in office. Yes, absolutely...they are thieves. The republican congress steals from us every day through their legislation. A whole crowd of Bush republican cronies began with stealing the 2000 election. A majority republican supreme court stole our votes. Since then, the Bush crowd has stolen our jobs, social security surplus, our environmental protections, the lives of our military sons and daughters, our national security, our future. They have stolen our right to free speech and many of our constitutional protections. We are nearly certain that our votes were stolen in some of the congressional elections. They have stolen the good reputation of America in the world and they have stolen America's peace of mind.

And then our pResident claims that God acts through him. He could be right. But what you have to understand is that Bush does have a god, and that god is MONEY. Yes, the GOD OF MONEY definitely acts through this fraudulent BEING. I use the term "being" because I do not classify Bush as a man. A man is a thinking, caring and reasonable creature. Bush is a malignant heretic with blood all over his hands. 'Nuff said there. But getting back to stealing, this man has stolen the unity of the American people. He has stolen our pride, our self esteem, our faith in government. And worse, he has stolen the very spirit, the very fiber of America.

I can understand how the Canadians and other nations must view us, but they need to understand that US citizens have been cowered into apathy by this crafty crowd. With all branches of government controlled by the offenders, add a complicit news media and there is extreme fear of retaliation among Americans should they lash out. That atmosphere in America was specifically manufactured by the Bush cronies. When we saw the injustices beginning, we surely thought the democrats would put up a fight, but they did not do it. They permitted republicans to get a strangle-hold on us by ignoring their assaults and turning the other cheek. It began, as Michael Moore movie depicted, on the floor of the congress when the black caucus asked for the signature of just one senator in their objection to the stealing of the election. Not one democratic senator would step forward. Result? Instant apathy among Americans! The people lost round one and it set the tone for the biggest raid on America this country has ever seen. Adding insult to injury, the democrats continued to perform like Featherweights in a Heavyweight boxing match. We expected Rocky and got Barney Fife. The picture was very clear...the republicans had set the stage...they control and will stoop to subterranean lows to maintain that control. Likewise, the few decent republicans are scared to death of this crowd with the exception of Rep. Jim Jeffords. And it certainly appears that John McCain has been castrated by the Bush butchers. I am totally embarrassed for John McCain prostituting himself for the benefit of this illicit administration. The praise McCain showered on Cheney when he introduced him to a republican function last week made my stomach turn. All I could think was, "You two-faced SOB!"

Who will pick up the sword? The few democrats who tried were verbally shot down. Anyone who has dared to speak out against Bush atrocities is thrown to the cable networks for a verbal hanging. Speaking out against Bush can get you fired. Wearing an anti-Bush T-shirt can get you arrested and led away in hand-cuffs...you can also be told to leave shopping areas. Entertainers who speak out are boycotted, fired and or thrown to the cable news wolves for a thorough bad-mouth chastising.

You don't need me to tell you all of this...you have been living it too. It's like a horrible nightmare that goes on relentlessly...a nightmare in which we are helpless to wake. Every day when we hear polls sited, if Kerry is 4 points ahead of Bush, the news anchor says that Kerry is leading Bush by 4 points in such-and-such state. Then he/she quickly adds that considering the margin of error, the numbers indicate they are neck and neck. Oddly enough, if Bush is leading Kerry by 4 points, the anchor pleasantly states that Bush has pulled ahead of Kerry! Why is it that the majority of people we run into complain about Bush but the polls say that everyone is going to vote for him? Are the pollsters lying to us too? I certainly hope they are lying to us because things just don't add up.

As the election draws closer, we must be more active than we have ever been. If we have never been active...it is time to start. We need to attend rallies, join protests, voice our opinions and vote. If you fear your vote may somehow go astray, call your election board and request an absentee ballot and vote in advance of any disruptive and contrived trouble. Our country is on the line and if Bush gets in again, we will never wake from the nightmare...a nightmare that we are all living in hell.

~ Cathy

BuzzFlash,

I'm glad you're covering Brown censorship story.  Criticizing NBC is always good, but they were the ONLY net who covered the incident at all, so we can thank them for that.  Also, Brown can't be E-mailed (I tried last week), so your link only leads to her postal addresses.

Rep. Corrine Brown Censured by U.S. Congress For Saying 2000 Election Was Stolen; Serious Free Speech Issue

Below is a message I wrote last week about the incident.

Subject: Congressional censorship

NBC local news in San Diego ran a piece of footage yesterday, (July 15) showing Florida congresswoman Corrine Brown being shouted down and gaveled out of order by Bill Frist and others when she proposed the UN monitor the 2004 presidential elections in Florida because "Bush stole the election from us!  It amounted to a coup d' etat."

Like a bad little girl, this brave woman was forbidden to speak the rest of the day and her remarks were stricken from the record. Is there no free speech in congress?  No national TV coverage was given to this incident and there has been nothing about it (that I could find) in the papers today.  I hope American Progress tracks down the facts and writes about it.  More and more, it seems like we are living in a dictatorship....

Karyl Miller
San Diego, CA

Subject: Mailbag

Hi Folks,

I would like to suggest that each of you purchase a copy of Uncovered, Outfoxed or Orwell Rolls in his Grave and donate them to your public library. This is especially important for those who live in conservative areas.

Roberta
Lockport

Subject: Tongue lashings

Subject: Nasty e-mail sent to my favorite News Media

I wanted to drop you a line and say how much I enjoy BuzzFlash!  You guys have a super great web site!! I visit it three or four times a day! I wanted to send you a copy of a e-mail I just sent to some of my favorite jerk-wad news media friends. Here goes:

When are you cowards going to get some backbone and start reporting ALL the news? What about all the lies that bush and cheney and company are STILL telling? what about the mess we're in in Iraq and the lies that got us there? You know, the lies that you were too yellow bellied to expose in the first place!! What about the poor little children that are being tortured in Abu Ghraib as I write this? Are you people on the bush administration payroll? Maybe God talks to you, as He does to bush, and says this is all ok! I didn't think so! Not my God anyway! You seem to have lots of courage when it comes to reporting lies about Democrats! Lets see if we can't muster up some backbone and do a little better job, ok?  

Subject: MEDIA COMMITTING MORAL TREASON

Dear Republican Media and Republican Corporations: Who's unpatriotic -- people with free speech or people who obstruct it?

To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. -- Theodore Roosevelt

Judith B.

Subject: Bush's St. Louis visit

Buzzers, 

Maybe it's the heat, I don't know, but I'm sick of seeing Bush and Cheney in Missouri.  I took a friend yesterday to see F 9/11.  She has no democratic friends but me and I wanted to see it a second time.  I came home, turned on the TV to find gwb back in St. Louis again.  People were lining up to get into the stadium and were passing out from the heat.  gwb's people were probably taking too long checking everyone out to make sure they were 100% republican.

Today the news people are falling all over themselves talking about one of the twins sticking her tongue out at reporters.  The reporters have all commented how the girls are ONLY 22 and love to joke around, and isn't it just soooo cute.  (Sounds like a talking point to me).  PLEEEASE!  Maybe it's just me but I think that's the kind of behavior that would be cute in John Edwards' two little kids -- certainly not a 22 year old.  Maybe it's because they are upset at being hauled around the country as photo ops.  Maybe they think if they act up enough they'll be left at home. . .  Maybe that was a good idea after all.

Subject: Jon Stewart wins award for best news & info program

...you have to hand it to the Television Critics Association for naming Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" the year's best news and information program. That happened during the 20th annual TCA Awards ceremony over the weekend.

We think Stewart was given the TCA Award because his Comedy Central show was the only one early on to ask the tough questions about the decision to invade Iraq. Of course, it was for humorous effect, but at least they were asking. Additionally, Stewart is the only person headlining a "news and information" show whose head still fits into the state of Rhode Island, which is reason enough to give him the trophy.

Stewart was somewhat baffled by the award -- his show won a TCA award last year for best comedy program. In his taped acceptance speech, he pointed out that his newscast is "fake," " illegitimate" and "unprofessional." Stewart insisted it must be some sort of mistake and said that if his show had an actual fact-checking apparatus, like a real news program, they would check it out.

The TV Column (washingtonpost.com)

Sent by Jackie N.

Subject: Bush Misspeak

I heard Bernie Ward of KGO radio SF say last night that Bush gave a speech before a group of right-to-lifers in which he said, at least 12 times, feces instead of fetus. I believe it was in Tampa, Florida, in June (maybe the 17th). Have you heard anything about this. I can't find it in print. Thanks.

Kathy

Subject: Re article: Jr. FL Senator Worried About Voting Technology

Subject: George and Laura Bush photo and request for donation

Hi Guys, 

Enjoy your site very much.  It is the first place I go to in the morning.

I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion as to what to do with those pesky mailings from the RNC, containing a photo of dubya and his shadow Laura. I would like to send the envelope back to them since they have to pay for the postage anyway.  This is the second one I have gotten, and they are claiming we liberals are attacking their poor man, and they need a donation to help defeat the terrible left.

Subject: Berger as told by CNN

John King, Kelli Arena, Bob Franken and Pam Benson report on CNN that "Law enforcement sources said archive staff members told FBI agents they saw Berger placing items in his jacket and pants, and one archive staffer told agents that Berger also placed something in his socks." Why this oddly oblique description of Berger's alleged wrongdoing by eyewitnesses? What are the "items" he put in his pockets? His glasses? a pen? If witnesses actually saw him place documents in his pockets, the only things he is accused of wrongly removing, why don't they say so? Why don't any CNN reporters ask? He "placed something in his socks." Again, if it was a document, why not say so? If it was nothing identifiable, what are we to make of "placed"? If he pulled up a slumping sock, is this the sort of action the alleged witness would describe as a placing something unidentifiable in his socks? Who knows? Certainly not John King, Kelli Arena, Bob Franken and Pam Benson, who nevertheless pass along this highly contrived and prejudicial description of Berger's actions. It's sad that this sort of sloppy transcription of press releases is the best four CNN reporters can do.

Albert Clark
NY

Subject: Right Now

Right Now,
    Republicans are making decisions that have nothing to do with you or me.
Right Now,
     You are being lied to.
Right Now,
    The president refuses to be held accountable for his mistakes.
Right Now,
    Someone else is being blamed.
Right Now,
    Another job goes overseas.
Right Now,
    A father has lost his job and can't feed his family.
Right Now,
    Someone's civil liberties are being violated.
Right Now,
    You are being watched.
Right Now,
    Our Constitution is being subverted.
Right Now,
    900 Americans have died in Iraq.
Right Now,
    A mother is mourning.
Right Now,
    Collateral damage is being ignored.
Right Now,
    We have questions and we demand they be answered.
Right Now,
    People with dissenting opinions are being put in jail.
Right Now,
    Fascists are questioning our Patriotism.  
" Right Now,
    It means everything."  

A special thank you to Van Halen and the song "Right Now."  

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: Charming, I'm sure.

Buzz, not that I'd consider adventures of Bush's offspring to be of newsmaking importance, but I was surprised to see the 'oh-how-delightful' spin on Jenna's tongue-sticking episode in our media:

Jenna Bush Cracks Up Media With Gesture (Yahoo, AP)

Huh??

Just imagine for a moment that Chelsea Clinton would stick her tongue at the press (which I suspect she'd never do, even though, no doubt, she must have been tempted at times to express her feelings in this and perhaps more forceful gestures). Do you suppose the "media" would "crack up" or that we would see the same spin? I don't think so. Instead, we would hear about her bad manners, contempt, etc., all the result of "poor parenting." But Jenna misbehaves in a way that even the Edwards' toddler would not dare in the public eye, and our media "crack up"... Just as we are informed that the 900th American soldier has died in Iraq. Seems the level of retardation in our journalists has dropped from severe to abysmal.

A Buzzer

Subject: the story is the media.....

i have watched both msnbc and cnn over the past 48 hours and both networks appear to be working feverishly to convince us  we should  to come to the conclusion mr. berger deserves nothing less than to be stripped naked, all fours tide to the ground next to a fire-ant hill and sprinkle sugar on him in the hot sun.  but then i see david gergen say the people in the archives deny saying they ever said  he stuffed anything in his socks and underwear. he also asks what would be his motive? since these were copies and not originals. the 9-11 commission had all the papers.   mr. gergen, if i'm not mistaken is a republican.  I BELIEVE THE STORY TO COME OUT OF THIS MAY VERY WELL BE THE SLIMY MEDIA,  cable news is more tabloidish but a reputable newspaper should delve into this and get the truth. mr. gergen said he also doubts any charges will ever come of this. he (a republican) said he questions the timing. i heard someone on cnn say they got three phone calls from white house aids telling them to point out different things. yes, i think a good investigative reporter with a good newspaper could have quite a story! if, after the election, ashcroft drops the charges,where will mr. berger go to get his reputation back? could it be the corporate owned media wanted a close race to get people to watch but then started getting scared kerry might actually win? oops can't have that.

Subject: Fw: Slim-Fast response

Subject: berger

not too long ago a woman on cnn had reported a lie about david letterman, later she retracted the lie and blamed it on her staff. she said they got calls from the white house giving them the information. does cnn ever check things before it is put out for people to believe?

shorty

Subject: The Ever Opportunistic Bush . . . Humpty Dumpty . . .

Shirley Smith

Subject: BOYCOTT THE ALADDIN

Tell them to apologize to Linda Ronstadt and to invite Michael Moore to show his film in Las Vegas for free, as he has offered o do.

The guy who yanked Ronstadt off-stage is President Bill Timmins, Alladin Resort and Casino, 3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109, Phone 702-785-5555.

Did you see the articles in the Chron about Linda Ronstadt being kicked out of the Alladin Casino after she praised Michael Moore on stage?  They didn't even let her go back to her room.

Las Vegas casino boots singer Linda Ronstadt after performance  (San Francisco Chronicle/AP)

A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: Here's what Ronstadt's saying... Reports of casino incident not accurate, Ronstadt says (Tucson Citizen)]

Subject: Boycott the Aladdin. . .

To Whom It May Concern;

I just felt compelled to write and say that while I visit Vegas 3/4 times a year and have played and eaten in your Hotel/Casino several times in the past. . . due to the treatment by your owner of Linda Ronstadt over her dedicating a song to Michael Moore, I will never again spend one dime in your establishment.   Ronstadt had every right to dedicate a song to whoever she wanted to; members of the audience had the right to boo; and I even could understand if you decided to not book her for any future performances. . . but to have her escorted off the premises???   What kind of Nazi numb-nuts do you work for??   Sincerely,   W. J. Watkins

Subject: Sandy Berger

Doesn't it seem odd that those who work in the archives supposedly saw Sandy Berger stuffing papers and notes into his pockets, pants, and socks, and yet no one at all questioned him, or stopped him as he was leaving...just waited until later, and tattled on him? Doesn't make me feel good about the security of our most secret documents. 

Kathleen A. Harris
Norwalk, OH

Subject: To The Duhhhbya Girls

Buzz, 

This from the Globe and Mail:

To the Bush Girls
By JOHN ALLEMANG

It's time to cast off childish things --
The tapped-out kegs, the late-night flings,
The rap sheets gleaned from one-horse towns --
And put on de la Renta gowns
That make the world a proper stage
For Texas twins who've come of age.
Where once your photos graced the tabs
(All glassy-eyed and flabby abs),
Your glamour shots from this month's Vogue
Reveal a state that's far from rogue:
Instead of winding up in jail,
You're Page 1 in The Globe and Mail.
You've traded in your fake IDs
For selfless, save-the-world CVs,
And left behind your low-life haunts
To serve as campaign debutantes --
Who knew your zeal to help your Dad
Could make the Olsen twins look bad?
If strapless gowns and made-up eyes
Are what it takes to humanize
A man who sends kids off to fight,
Then you two have turned out just right:
Good girls don't ask the reason why,
But pose and smile while others die

Subject: futurevotersagainstbush.org

With all of the talk about the various misdeeds of the Bush II empire, to my knowledge, no one has addressed how to prevent W from pardoning all of the crooks within and associated with his administration. I'm not sure how to block it, but they should not be given a get out of jail free card.

A loyal BuzzFlash reader

Subject: News coverage of war in Iraq

Dear Fellow BuzzFlash Readers:

I would like some input on something that has been bothering me for the last couple of weeks. It seems that every time I try to watch the news, I am hearing less and less about the war in Iraq. As the wife of a solider who will be sent there this September, I try to find out what I can about the situation there. I find this trend quite disturbing since the only conclusion I can come to is that because it is getting so close to election day, the Republican owned media outlets don't want to report anything that might make "fearless leader" look bad. Apparently, the only stories that qualify as news these days are anything that concerns Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant, or Scott Peterson. Is the media force-feeding us this mindless drivel or do they just think that the American public is really that stupid? I would appreciate any assistance in this matter. I feel so frustrated and helpless that I have all but given up on tv news, relying only on BuzzFlash and the Daily Show.

Thanks for Listening,

Anne Keb
Corona, CA

p.s. I used to get my news from NBC.

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE JULY 22, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.