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 AUGUST 4, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1.

Subject: The Bush 'recovery'

What recovery? I am sick and tired of hearing Bush go on and on about this wonderful economic 'recovery' that we are supposedly experiencing. Tired of hearing about how fast the growth is going. I put it this way. Let's say you have a hill 20 feet high. Then a few years later some guy, let's call him "W," bulldozes the mountain and in its place he digs a hole 15 feet deep. Then after a while he quickly throws 2 feet of dirt back into the hole. Can it be said that the hole is being filled? Sure. Can it be said it is filling at a pace faster than it was before he threw the dirt in? Of course. Is the hole as high as the mountain? NO. This is the slippery slope the Bush team is working. They are bending, twisting and spinning so fast it makes me dizzy. But nothing they say can get me to believe that Bush is anything but one of the worst economic presidents in history. Period. Now because sometimes these concepts are hard for folks on the other side of the isle to comprehend, I make this point in a pretty animated picture. check it out and pass it on:

http://www.thefreespeechzone.net/images/busheconomy_animation.gif

Jordan R.

Subject: Exactly as I thought Hey Buzz:

When I heard the details of the "intelligence" they'd collected from the Al Qaeda guy they nabbed JULY 13 (as opposed to July 27 or whatever day it was last week that they decided to announce it), I thought to myself, "Oh, that sounds to me like what maybe the terrorists might have been thinking about when they settled on hitting the WTC... i.e. big financial institutions that would carry big symbolism... huh... well, I guess if it's recent intelligence..."

But, NO, it wasn't recent intelligence. In fact, it's just what my gut said. Disgusting. I cannot believe it (except that, sadly, I can). And the cherry on the crap pie? That Laura and the girls turn up at one of the sites to thank people for going to work. Does anyone really believe that if there was an iota of danger the Bush gals would have been allowed within 500 miles of there?

An utterly disgusted but devoted BuzzFlash reader

Subject: French Kerry?

I just read that Trent Lott bashed John Kerry for speaking French. That reminds me, the other day on "The Beltway Boys" on Fox, one of the pundits said "Don't you think John Kerry looks French?" The other pundit looked at him like he was a nut and said no. Obviously some Republicans have gotten together and decided to bash Kerry by associating him with the French, who they've already slandered.

I think all these pundits on TV have only one thing as their goal: to promote themselves. They will say anything required for them to be on TV and hear themselves talk. Many of them, regardless of the network, don't even truly interview the guests on their shows--instead they lecture them. Aren't there any journalists, commentators, businessmen, or right-wing Republicans out there who care about what's right? Is money and power all they care about?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Ridge 'the deceiver'

Reports That Led to Terror Alert Were Years Old, Officials Say (NY Times)

Peace & Love...

Frank

Subject: in regards to your main headline....

the terror threats aren't just to quell the kerry headlines: - by launching this new terrorist campaign, bush makes the city safer than it's ever been just three weeks before the republican national convention. the people of NYC flip the bill for it all.... - just as people begin saying "oh, these threats have no validity- they're vague, they have no evidence or credibility, no time or place..." all of a sudden, there is evidence off of some computer confiscated in pakistan somewhere... it quells the criticism of the system... - it makes a case for bush's new calls for an intelligence overhaul - it keeps people afraid which benefits the man whose entire re-election platform is "vote for me, i'll make you safe" bush's/ridge's/rove's intentions are very transparent, we need to make people more aware....

Mark H.

Subject: where's the money?

Tim

[BuzzFlash Note: It probably disappeared with the CPA.]

Subject: unfair

Kerry and his wife get heckled, but in order to attend a Bush-Cheney rally, one has to sign a loyalty oath first. That way, they are not heckled and the media sees only praise.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Kerry Edwards

If the above don't come out Swinging over this latest corrupt erroneous terrorists report, then in my irritated opinion they are TOAST. Kerry SHOULD go for Bush's Jugular and attack his dismal records and constant lies. He has nothing to run on and yet seems to be neck and neck with Kerry.....what's going on? Then when DEAN spoke up about said erroneous threat, Kerry didn't support him, very aggravating.

THANK HEAVENS FOR BUZZFLASH IS ALL I SAY.

Colette Miller
Wellington, Fl

Subject: Four more months!

When handing out literature for Kerry and I hear Bushites yell, "Four More Years," I immediately yell back: "Four more months!" and often get applause and cheers. This should work well through September. In October, I'll likely use the phrase "Four more weeks!" Best regards,

Walt
Syracuse, NY

Subject: "Results Matter"

I think these "Chicken Little" terrorist alerts are starting to be ignored by the public in general as evidenced by the absence of any effect on the stock markets yesterday. I hope the undecided voters will soon see through these obviously politically-motivated scare tactics. There may be another reason for the "terror alert."

There were reports in the papers on Saturday that the major OIL companies have reported "record profits" in the last quarter. One company, I believe Exxon, said they had the most profits ever made in their history! The oil companies jack up the price of gasoline, the public complains, but after a few months, they accept it as normal. Then they lower the price a few pennies and come across as reputable businessmen, looking out for the public interest, but now prices are at a higher tier and will remain that way, insuring record profits for them without significant outrage or complaints from the public. How nice (for them).

I also read a small article buried in Saturday's business section (L.A. Daily News) that despite the outrage over Enron, Worldcom and other corrupt corporations, compensation for CEOs in the U.S., during the years 2002 and 2003, has risen between 15 and 23 percent.... In other words, the "golden parachutes" are still going strong. So maybe the repug slogan: "Results Matter" is really true! At least it is for oil company stock holders and corporate CEOs!

Michael W. Prah
North Hollywood, CA

Subject: "quotes"

I read two articles on your site this morning, both supposedly covering the same news conference, and I think this is worth noting and it may be worth looking into.

Here's a "quote" from Bush in the Washington Post on 3 August 2004.

"It's serious business," Bush said. "I mean, we wouldn't be, you know, contacting authorities at the local level unless something was real."

Now here's the way the NY Times "quoted" him:

In Washington, President Bush said the alert issued on Sunday reflected "a serious business.'' He said at a White House news conference, "We wouldn't be contacting authorities at the local level unless something was real.''

The first one sounds more like Bush's off the cuff speaking style, but there's no way to know which is the correct version without seeing/hearing the tape of it. If it turns out that the first one is accurate, what the hell is the NY Times doing editing Bush's "quote"? It makes him sound much more authoritative and sure of himself than the version in the Washington Post. What did he actually say?

Am I out of the loop, and this is the way that journalism is practiced everywhere? Is it now permissible to edit out bits of a person's quote and still indicate that one is "quoting" that person?

The message is very different in the Post's version compared to the way the Times reports it.

Just wanted to vent to someone about this.

The more I study religions the more I am convinced that man never
worshipped anything but himself. -- Richard Francis Burton, explorer and
writer (1821-1890)

David Rutland
Winterville, GA

Subject: Who's a flip-flopper?

Apparently Mr. Bush is a flip-flopper

President Bush Discusses Progress in the War on Terror...

America is safer because of your service at Oak Ridge....

Today, because we acted to liberate Afghanistan, a threat has been removed, and the American people are safer....

Today, because Saudi Arabia has seen the danger and has joined the war on terror, the American people are safer....

Today, because America and our coalition helped to end the violent regime of Saddam Hussein, and because we're helping to raise a peaceful democracy in its place, the American people are safer....

Today, because we're working with the Pakistani leaders, Pakistan is an ally in the war on terror, and the American people are safer....

Today, because the Libyan government saw the seriousness of the civilized world, and correctly judged its own interests, the American people are safer....

Today, the A. Q. Khan network is out of business. We have ended one of the most dangerous sources of proliferation in the world, and the American people are safer....

Today, because America has acted, and because America has led, the forces of terror and tyranny have suffered defeat after defeat, and America and the world are safer.

President Bush Discusses Progress in the War on Terror (July 12, 2004, whitehouse.gov)

"We are a nation in danger," said President George Bush, after the nation's state of alert was raised to "orange" (high) on Sunday evening. "We are doing everything in our power to confront the danger. [This alert is ] a solemn reminder of the threat we continue to face."

A nation in danger. Or a president in peril? (independent.co.uk)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Latest terror alert

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: The GOP has their own Obama John Stewart had some GOP hack on as a guest last night, Congressman Henry Bonilla, someone who has most definitely had more than a sip of what Ron Reagan referred to as "the Kool-Aid." Congressman Bonilla, a slick, ingratiating bucket of oozing slime from (the soon to be Republic of) Texas, claimed that Kerry and the Democratic Convention were [dis]ingenuous. "Why can't they just admit who they really are?" he pontificated, while Stewart looked like he wanted to vomit (on him). Well, in the spirit of Rep. Bonilla's campaign for truth in political packaging, I suggest that the GOP Hate Fest 2004 -- I mean the Republican National Convention -- dump the pro-choice/pro-gay moderates they have as prime time speakers and show the public their real face -- the Tom Delays, Rick Santorums...people who really represent what the Republicans are all about. And just the way the Democrats chose an unknown rising star to give the keynote address (carefully not shown on ABC, CBS or NBC), I'd suggest a young Republican rising star for their keynote: James Hart of Tennessee. He may embarrass the likes of Bill Frist with his straight-forward talk about what the GOP really stands for, but in ole Bill's heart he knows they're soulmates.

Eugenics Backer Causes Stir in Tenn. Race )

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Republican congressional candidate James L. Hart acknowledges that he is an "intellectual outlaw."

He is an unapologetic supporter of eugenics, the phony science that resulted in thousands of sterilizations in an attempt to purify the white race. He believes the country will look "like one big Detroit" if it doesn't eliminate welfare and immigration. He believes that if blacks were integrated centuries ago, the automobile never would have been invented.

He shows up at voters' homes wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a gun, and tells them that "white children deserve the same rights as everyone else."

Despite his radical views, Hart may end up winning the Republican nomination because he is the only GOP candidate on the ballot in Thursday's primary.

Howie K.

Subject: Republicans are Hunting Mr. Daschle BuzzFlash,

I know, I know, I am supposed to be more serious. :) But, I never thought the so-called Compassionate Conservative Republicans had a "sense of humor," until I got this email. Out of all the members of Congress, I can't think of anyone the Republicans should appreciate more than our Mr. Daschle. Would hunters refrain from killing a deer, if the deer snuggled up to them instead of always running away? The answer is "No," Senator Daschle.

Hunting Mr. Democrat (NY Times)

Along that line, Republicans have been bashing the label "liberal" for years . . . how long before Americans realize that our most "liberal document" is our own Bill of Rights and everyone seems to appreciate that hallowed document except Republicans? The two couldn't possibly be related . . . eh?

How long before Americans realize that the only thing Republicans are compassionate and conservative about . . . are their money changers.

Thank you for the blog during the Democratic Convention. It bridged the distance. I loved reading it every day.

Thanks BuzzFlash,

Shirley Smith

Subject: Comment

Dear BuzzFlash:

I suggest that the bushies are best described as a cabal, not a junta. A junta is generally a group of military officers getting power through a coup; a cabal is described as "an association of a few individuals who seek by cunning practices to obtain office and power. Restless jealous, ambitious, and little minds are cabals....and are raised by busy and turbulent spirits for selfish purposes". (Found in dictionary.com, slightly edited).

Bob Gelman

Subject: Bush Putting the Fear of God Into ? . . .

BuzzFlash,

It has occurred to me to ask the question . . . Why . . . why try to put the fear into New York after the Democratic Convention? Well, my first thought was that they (Bush people) want to discourage protesters, which there will be many of in New York at the time of the Republican Convention.

But, the benefit of giving a threat and then having a violent incident to take place somewhere away from the Republican Convention, would still interrupt the convention. Would the Republicans want this? Well, why do the Republicans really need a convention? eh? Bush will be their candidate and he certainly is counting the days and I seriously doubt if he would actually want to "appear" at the convention.

Sure, he will be the Republican candidate, but I can't believe that there aren't many "good" conservatives who just "go along to get along" and really can't stand Bush and his overly conservative, and bashing-the-Bill-of-Rights Right Wingers.

Bush has taken care of "both" his bases. The Republican elite and the much poorer, confused Right Wing. Of course they (Bush's selective group) will see that he is applauded and worshiped in the way that Bush has come to expect . . . but, and a Big But, all of that preparation still will not remove Bush's paranoia for the unexpected -- brought about by his own threats, probably -- and the fact that he is, in my opinion, a coward's coward.

Too, Bush probably wonders why should he go to all of the trouble to show up when he is the candidate for the Republican Party. Maybe he will decide to talk with them from an undisclosed location via cameras. :)

I know this sounds crazy, but I think the true benefactors of some threat carried out before or during the Republican convention would benefit Bush in several ways. Especially if they canceled the convention. I also am not above thinking that he would not lose any sleep if any of our protesters were killed while protesting. He certainly hasn't lost any sleep over 911 because he never testified in the way that he should have or helped with the investigation or the families of the victims of 911. He hasn't lost any sleep, obviously, over Iraq and the thousands of deaths caused by his lies.

To me, I have said this before, any threat that is carried out in the US is a Bush administration failure in the highest degree and if any American could vote again for a person who still hasn't done anything to help solve 911 or any of the other problems causing death and destruction by this administration . . . must have a real problem sorting out facts. Of course, our mainstream media has that problem, which really makes any citizens who gets their news from that media . . . only a symptom and not the real problem.

Just a crazy thought that might not be too crazy indeed . . .

Thanks BuzzFlash,

Shirley Smith

Subject: Diverted US Airways - TAXI for the TWINS?

Our airlines acting as a TAXI in order to get the BUSH TWINS to D.C. in time for cocktail hour in Georgetown? As told to the Post by someone TOO AFRAID to give their name! Please note the POST making excuses for this, PLUS when I just called to try to find out which day this was printed the news desk jerk told me they didn't run a "research facility!"

Now Boarding: The Bush Twins (Washington Post)

Amid the mess over the weekend for travelers flying from Boston to Washington (lost luggage, delayed flights, etc.), those aboard Saturday's 7 p.m. US Airways shuttle from Logan International Airport -- which had been held up for 20 minutes because of luggage problems -- were surprised when the pilot announced that the plane would make a quick hop to Albany on its way to Reagan National.

" We land in Albany, and the doors open and in come Jenna and Barbara [ Bush] and several Secret Service agents," our spy, who declined to be named "for fear of going to Gitmo," told us. "I kept thinking, I haven't heard of anybody diverting planes for all these other people being inconvenienced. This doesn't fit in the norm of airline travel."

But before blame goes to the first daughters, it turns out that it's not unusual for US Airways to make such diversions. "Yes, there are times when we will divert an airplane to pick up passengers off of another canceled flight. We do that when we have no other way to accommodate those customers," said airline spokesman David Castelveter. In addition to the Bush twins, 22 other beleaguered passengers also boarded in Albany.

The shuttle landed in Washington around 10:30 p.m. -- two hours past its scheduled arrival but, as witnesses tell us, time enough for Jenna to be spotted that night carousing at the Georgetown prepster hangout Smith Point.

R.M.

PS. Desperation causes people to consider very desperate measures and I believe that the Bush administration is at that point and has been stuck there for the last three and half years. Whatever the task at hand, they have undermined and destroyed and have had to answer to no one. The fear they try to instill into every American is only a reaction to the fear they feel if Americans overcome the propaganda and stop believing in this Bush administration.

What do they have to show America at their convention? That only the rich and powerful can stay out of jail? The only thing I have learned from the Bush administration is that every breath breathes just another lie.

Subject: Zogby

It's fun and exhilarating to read Zogby's projections but I have a lot of problems with his art and I think it's colored by wishful thinking.

At most Kerry is 262 - 233 in the electoral college with my best assessment of how the tossups could go. If New Jersey gets "terrorism fever," that could cost Kerry 15 points. If Ohio and Missouri break for Bush everything changes.

Rosamond

As the Bush administration and its coterie become more and more closeted behind their machiavellian machinations as w continues his decline; I would posit that far more thought needs to be given to the danger these zealots represent after they lose the election, during the transitional period to a Kerry presidency, than to the trouble they may create between now and election day. Those who are concerned for the safety and preservation of the Republic must recognize how truly dangerous these people are and do everything possible to safeguard not only the election, but the transfer of authority to the incoming administration. Color it any way you wish...we are in peril.

Respectfully:

dt

Subject: "four more years", they yelled!

Subject: willing to die

reasons laura bush took the twins to the terror targeted citi building.

a. she is a moron

b. she is a lousy mother

c. THEY KNEW VERY WELL THERE WAS NO DANGER AT ALL AT THAT CITI BUILDING! THAT'S WHY THEY WERE SO COMFORTABLE IN GOING!

katie johnson
tampa

Subject: Who owns CNN? or MSNBC? ABC?

I visit BuzzFlash everyday at work and notice that the scroll under my address bar on Microsoft Internet Explorer remembers every other web site I frequent. Every Web site but BuzzFlash that is. After reading the Who owns CNN? etc. link, I learned that Microsoft gave GW Bush 2.4 million towards his 'election'. Any Coincidence that their web browser conveniently forgets BuzzFlash.com. hmmm?

Peter P.

Subject: Sen. Joe Lieberman

Hey BuzzFlashers

While attending the Democratic Convention, I had a clear view of the Faux network booth from where I was sitting. I could not help but notice that on Wednesday night, Sen. Joe Lieberman spent an hour with Hannity and Colmes. One has to wonder about this guy. It would appear that he is leaning more and more to the right with every passing remark he makes. (See recent his comments about this latest phony terror alert). It sure looks like Joe is bucking for something. So, here's an interesting thought: It is becoming increasingly obvious that as Kerry's numbers go up, the Repugs really will need an October surprise. So, how about dumping Cheney and, in the interest of bipartisanship, Joe Lieberman becomes the repug VP candidate. Stranger things have and will happen.

Howard from Phoenix

If you want your vote to count, use an absentee ballot.

Vicki Stein's August 3, 2004 Reader Contribution ended with this:

"One more thing, and this scares me, our Secretary of State, Terri Lynn Land, is also Michigan Campaign Chair for Bush/Cheney '04. Should Michigan be close, and I think that it probably won't be, since Gore took the state in 2000, we have the potential for another Florida.

Bottom line, everyone: get active. Don't allow them to steal this election from us again!"

To follow up on Vicki's advice:

Best way to create a recountable close election and avoid one that cannot be recounted because the E-Voting machines do not produce recountable ballots reviewed by voters is to TELL EVERYBODY: VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT.

There are usually rules by which one must qualify to vote by absentee ballot. Find out your state's and municipality's qualifications for absentee voting, pick a reason, like being out of town, then act on it. One must apply first, then, often, the envelope must be signed by another other than the voter. Therefore, allow time for voting by applying for an absentee ballot now, and, get votes in the mail as soon as they arrive and you decide who to vote for.

In addition, people need to volunteer as best they can to monitor counting of ballots, which, in the case of absentee ballots, is after election day.

Wouldn't that be something: An election decided by undeniably qualified absentee ballots? And a too close to call election having to wait for absentee ballots to be counted?

Toni Marshall

Subject: All The Unreported Bush Scandals/Tom Wieliczka

Dear Tom;

Thank you,thank you, thank you. I've been following all of the unreported events you cite,and you have put together a brilliant,thorough, and concise synthesis of everything a rational person needs to follow the thread of this administration's complicity with the mainstream media and corporate america to finally enslave us all. (how's that for a run-on sentence?)

DLH

Subject: Three Years Ago

Dear Buzz;

Ridge tells us he now has credible information that financial districts in NY, NJ and Washington are being threatened. We now find out that the threat is Three Years Old.

Three Years Ago was August 2001.
Three Years Ago the WTC was a financial district in NY.
Three Years Ago this criminal admin ignored another warning about a man who was planning to attack inside the US and who was behind an attack on the WTC, a financial district in NYC.

How will they spin their way out of this one?

Just wondering,

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Is a puzzlement!

Among the many things I am unable to figure out in this crazy, mixed up political season is, why, when he is accused of voting against the $87-billion Iraq War appropriation bill, in rebuttal neither Senator Kerry nor his surrogates ever mention the fact that President Bush had already stated that if the bill was passed by the Senate he would veto it. To me, this seems to put the two of them on the same side of the argument. Can anyone give me clarification on this?

Bill Sybert
Dallas, Texas

Subject: GOP Soliciting Suggestions for 2004 Platform

Dear Buzz;

Please include this on your website, so that we can all help the GOPNAC create their platform for their 2004 convention...

URL: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=111-08032004

Excerpt:

2004 Platform Committee Requests Suggestions Via the Internet from Republicans

Across the Nation
8/3/2004 11:56:00 AM

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: National Desk, Political Reporter Contact: Ginny Wolfe of the Republican National Committee, 212-356-2344, Web site: http://www.gop.com

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. (R-Tenn.), Chairman of the 2004 Platform Committee, today announced the creation of an online Platform Portal and invited Americans to participate in the development of ideas for the 2004 Republican Platform. The web-based tool -- which goes live today at 12 p.m. and can be accessed at

http://www.gopconvention.com/platform -- allows Republicans across the nation to contribute to the creation of the party's platform.

"The best ideas most often come from Americans who solve real problems and live real dreams every single day," said Sen. Frist. "With your help, I am confident we will develop a platform that reflects the party's commitment to those issues most important in neighborhoods, homes, faith communities and workplaces all across the United States."

The 2004 Platform Committee is responsible for articulating the values and views of the Republican Party. The committee members will work with delegates from across the nation to build a platform that reflects the priorities of the majority of Americans. Suggestions submitted online will be included in that process.

"Our goal is to hear from as many voices and points of view as possible," said

Sen. Frist. "People who participate on-line can rest assured that it is well worth their time."

Subject: Homeland Freak Out

Appearing on the front page of the LA Times website, now as I am writing, the lead story states "Fresh Intelligence Backs Threats of Terrorist Attack", while the front page story at NY Times reads "Reports That Led to Terror Alert Were Years Old, Officials Say". This is truly an extraordinary contrast.

So which is it? Here the LA Times is caught stumbling all over themselves to spin, deliberately distorting the story that Tom Ridge seems to have had to dig through files 3 and 4 years old to find this sudden "warning." He's got the whole nation on alert now, and for what? What specifically? Ridge should be tarred and feathered for this.

Why is the LA Times running cover for him? They are clearly trying to hide the sad fact that there is no new evidence of any terror threat, and that the LA Times has once again shown themselves to be little more than a propaganda outlet. Tom Ridge is just trying to freak people out.

"Homeland Security" and color coded alerts have never been anything but a colorful distraction from reality. Ridge's recent flurry of warnings are carefully and obviously timed for political impact, presented without any specifics and which do nothing to aid any American's safety, but on the other hand seem very effective at minimizing the impact and significance of John Kerry's tremendous success over the past 6 months.

Don't think the NY Times is doing anything more noble. My guess is an editor just missed the day's talking points memo from the White House. I'm sure we'll see a correction in tomorrow's edition.

Message for Tom Ridge: We The People aren't huddled masses any more. We're baby boomers like you, all grown up, went to school the same time you did, then to college, many of us went to Nam, and now we're educated. We notice when you try to pull the wool over our eyes and we're very tired of it.

Message to the Media spinners, the Republican Party, the "terrorists" and to GW Himself: We The People Of America Are Not Afraid of Terrorists!!!!!!!!!! And we are not afraid of YOU.

The extraordinary events we witnessed at the DNC in Boston last week, and what has happened around the country since John Kerry emerged as the Democratic Nominee for President, isn't the result of group think but exactly the opposite. It's an honest grass-roots uprising of wildly varied groups and sectors of society, as well as just fed-up individuals like myself, all coming together with a common purpose -- to get GW Bush out of the White House. It is a miracle to behold.

For the last few years, and now after watching the deplorable, slanted DNC coverage from Boston, it became all too clear that what the American news media machine has become is a disgrace. They are a disgrace to themselves, and a disgrace to America.

Steve in LA

Subject: "Noise" from hurricane Alex

Dear Buzz,

I wonder who Bush will choose as his "Intelligence Czar"?? May I suggest a man of the cloth such as Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell? It seems of late, with the failure of his war on terra' and all, Bush has been experiencing some difficulties in deciphering the "chatter" he receives from God!

Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)

SUBJECT: Jon Stewart and Rep. Henry Bonilla

Oh, it was priceless! Jon was interviewing Rep. Bonilla about the GOP war room at the DNC convention, and Bonilla was bragging about 50 newsmen cramming inside to sample the latest spin when Jon Stewart started a riff on Bonilla. It was the greatest. He was NOT subtle. He just laid it out that the GOP, the President, et al., were not only spinning they were lying (and continue to lie) through their teeth.

Jon asked specifically about the charge that Kerry is THE most liberal senator, left of Teddy Kennedy, and John Edwards is fourth on the list. He asked how that figure was derived, who compiled the statistic, and asked repeatedly for the name of the organization. Bonilla kept saying the statistic was an average taken from surveys conducted by many groups monitoring Senate votes. Jon pressed him over and over. Finally, totally frustrated, Jon fessed up that the National Journal was the culprit and that the statistic does not measure a full year's voting record, basically distorting the data, and that in fact both Kerry and Edwards are far closer to the middle than to the left. Bonilla was clearly startled. He had that gotcha, deer-in-the-headlights look. Priceless!

After that Jon told Bonilla he wished that the candidates would stop "spinning" and just tell the truth. The audience roared its approval.

This is one segment I hope they excerpt and make available on the website.

I'm still LMSAO!

SherAn

Subject: What Howard Said Now!!!!

I have heard nothing on the car radio all day, except what Howard Dean said about the terror levels giving Bush a Boost! Hell, I wish it would boost him clear out of this country! (he really said, that so long as they keep that terror level up, it will help the president) something to that effect!

But, of course, there were those who just thought it was horrid....others, a lot more than I would have guessed...agreed totally with Howard! Are they getting wise to the dimwit in the White House?

Nah...nothing in this world has been that easy since Dec.of 2000.

Howard Dean...if nothing else (and I voted for him in the primary) will keep the idiots on their toes....he will command attention when he thinks things are wrong. I remember well, when he first decided to run for president...he said he was sitting in front of the television, reading a paper, in 2003, I guess.....and cursing both....and said to himself, "well, are you going to sit around and bitch about it, or do something"....he decided to do something....thank God!

Rob Reiner is still crazy about him, and so am I and as democrats we should all be grateful for him! What Kerry and Edwards cannot say now, he will, you can bet! I have an idea, that Howard Dean will be around for a long time!...Just think of the things he can remind the American People of, that Kerry nor Edwards can.....Howard will stick their crooked little feet to the fire, every chance he gets!

I still love the man...not like the Big Dog...but, as the Big Dog said, he gave the Democrats back their voice!!!

And for that, we should be eternally grateful...Bush is getting scarier and scarier all the time...every day! His little department of 'counterterrorism' he brags....will be hired and fired by him....how nice is that?...Isn't that special?

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

Sent to CNN's Bill Schneider, bill.schneider@turner.com:

Subject: Questions on your "monstrous" comment r.e. Howard Dean's threat-related statements yesterday....

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0408/02/lol.04.html

Bill, in a CNN segment yesterday with Kyra Phillips (available at the above link address) you said:

"Well, that is what Howard Dean hinted this morning or yesterday morning when he said that he thinks there might have been some politics, as well as, of course, the possibility of a real threat. But he thinks politics may have played some role.

John Kerry was quick to disavow that because the idea that politics was driving the terror threat is frankly monstrous and it's unbelievable that would be the motivation of the administration. "

* * *

1. Are you not putting a spin on Kerry's words when your phrasing makes it sound as if KERRY thinks Dean's remarks are "monstrous"? Kerry might very well wonder what percentage politics plays in Bush's terror warnings/security policies (I think, e.g., of Bush's instant conversion to favoring the creation of the Homeland Security Dept - announced at DINNERTIME the exact day of the Colleen Rowley testimony) but is too smart politically to say that directly.

2. The info that came out as reported by Dana Priest and others today about how old this "new threat" info was, coupled with Bush's folks getting this to reporters just in time for the Sunday shows featuring a post-convention nominee Kerry have to raise suspicion, especially to a politically savvy person as yourself.

3. Many people today are expressing what Dean said in his phrase where he said he thought the alert was generated by a COMBINATION of reality and politics. Do their comments rate the scathing adjective "monstrous" as well?

4. Bill, if I (or more likely myself with others) do a research project where we:

a. dig up all the dates of Bush/Ridge/Ashcroft's alerts, arrests, and color level changes.

b. cross-reference these dates with the political/war/poll ratings related stories in the news at those precise times that reflected very poorly on Mr. Bush's leadership.

c. establish a VERY strong connection between a and b.

...would you consider commenting on-air on the statistical probabilities of these being so closely related (using your considerable expertise in statistical analysis) in this area? It would be a service to the public to make this known if the likelihood of such a strong connection taking place simply by chance was indeed, extremely unlikely, and would be good fodder for further serious journalistic examination of this issue.

Thanks for any comments.

Dave Dorsett

Subject: Ridge's Latest Big Lie

So, Bush's latest the "terra lerts" were based on 3+ year old, ahem, intelligence.

Why not issue the lerts 6 weeks or 6 months ago? Why not, say, 3 or 4 weeks from now?

When will Judy Woodruff and the other Media Heathers apologize to Howard Dean for lambasting him for suggesting that the alerts might be politically expedient?

Richard Newton
Birmingham, Alabama

Subject: Novak "worried" that Dems will steal the election?

Jo Ann McNamara, New York City, yesterday in the Mailbag provides us her insight as to why the Florida repugs are actually pushing for absentee ballots.

"They have reason to worry that the Florida vote will not be sufficiently manipulated to ensure their state's electoral votes for Bush. They may be the only people alive who read the entire report on the final recount and discovered that when all the votes that could be counted were counted Gore won in Florida. And this time around the people who were disenfranchised in 2000 are determined to make their votes count (and be counted) in 2004."

"The logical scenario at that point would be a riff on the successful strategies of 2000. They claim that the Democrats have stolen the election! They appeal to the Supreme Court to intervene. They flood the streets with young congressional staff members flown in by special jet."

Her conclusion may not be far off the mark. Did anyone else see and hear Robert Novak this past week on television say that he believed the DEMOCRATS WERE PLANNING TO STEAL THIS ELECTION? I cannot remember on what show he was appearing, but I do distinctly remember that he said just that!

CAN ANYONE BELIEVE THE GALL OF THESE NUTS?

Jackie Millinor
Andover, MA

Sent to cmcnickle@tribweb.com:

Subject: Mr. McNickle, fourth time, what was your exact question to Ms. Kerry?

Dear Mr. McNickle,

I'm requesting your help again. This is now the fourth time, and it's a really simple question. Tappity-tap, hit send and you're done. I'm off your back.

Because I'm feeling kind of lazy right now, though, I thought I'd just send you exactly what I sent last week. Forgive me; perhaps I'm simply tiring of a "journalist" who sees fit not to be frank and honest to his readership. You know, like Bob Novak. Or Dear Dottie from the Weekly World News, who's actually supposed to be a guy or something. (I've also heard that Ed Anger is really an outright liberal who can't stand George W. Bush, but I digress.)

By the way, BuzzFlash has seen fit to publish my messages to you on their site. I can't imagine why. Maybe they and some of their readers are also interested in knowing what you asked of Ms. Kerry. After all, your mysterious question is just like that italicized "x" in a high school algebra textbook problem, and they, like any inquisitive person like yourself, just want to know the answer. And only you, Mr. McNickle, seem to know what "x" equals, but you're not interested in telling. How can I make you interested in being open and honest?

Anyway, for your convenience, here's the question a fourth time. Ahem:

I still cannot find anywhere an exact quote of your question to Ms. Kerry, the one that appears at the beginning of that famous video from a couple of days ago. It's difficult to hear on the videotape, and in fact it seems to start well into your question.

Would you kindly tell me what your exact question was, word-for-word? I know that your website says "this editor asked what she meant by 'un-American activity,'" but only the words 'un-American activity' are quoted, and that's not really a lot to go on, and with you being a journalist and all I think you appreciate the need to aim for precision and to avoid nebulous phrasing and the ambiguity it invites. I would therefore appreciate knowing exactly how you presented your query--a direct quote of the full question.

Otherwise, you see, it's quite possible that some would say you probably asked Ms. Heinz-Kerry a leading question such as:

Ms. Heinz-Kerry, can you clarify what you meant about the Republican party being a festering pile of malodorous un-American activity?

Do you see how that might cause embarrassment if it were not what you had really asked?

I'm willing to bet that's not exactly what you said, and so I thought you might like an opportunity to clear things up a bit.

I still believe it is a reasonable request, and I do look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Warren Opheim

Subject: People Not Buying Into Bush's Phony Terror Alert

I got to know Howard Dean a bit in the last year. He's a very smart man, a very savvy man. When he said in a CNN interview yesterday that the Bush Regime/campaign used the terror alert for political purposes he wasn't talking out of his ass. Of course to the corporate media talking heads and buffoons (not to mention the GOP propaganda functionaires at Fox "News"), Dean's "outrageous accusations" were red meat they could howl about for two whole news cycles (so far). An hour or two after Dean told CNN that the Bush Regime/campaign was clearly using the terror alerts as a partisan political ploy, one of CNN's insipid talking heads was babbling to Michigan Governor Granholm that Howard Dean had made these outrageous accusations against The President of The United States of America and did she (dare to) agree with him? Maybe because she's too smart and too cynical to fail into the little corporate trap (or maybe she's an airhead; I don't know), she smiled benignly and condescendingly and said the President would never do something like that and she was sure there were no political motives behind the Bush Regime/campaign terror alerts. Well, CNN's sister media behemoth, AOL, has some members who don't agree. They're conducting a poll on how the public feels about the Bush Regime/ campaign using 3 year old "intelligence" to panic and distract citizens with the latest of their phony terror alerts. The results shocked me.

Did the government do a good job of handling the terror alert on financial targets?
No 58%
Yes 30%
Not sure 12%

Do you think politics played a part in issuing the terror alert?
Yes 71%
No 25%
Not sure 5%

71% is a pretty big %. Maybe there's hope after all!

-Howie

Subject: Questions regarding "specific" terror warning

First I'll admit that when I hear a terrorist warning from the Bush administration I immediately assume they're warning the public that they're about to be covered in bullshit again. It's all Code Brown to me.

Now, with the specific warnings based on stale, 3 year old actions, will the Press ask why the Bush administration didn't know about this 3 years ago? Will anyone write an opinion column pointing out the obviously pathetic anti-terrorism efforts of the pre-9/11 White House, now proven by this stupendously stale terror alert? Is it a surprise to anyone in charge of this country that large banks and monetary organizations would be the target of terrorists or even bank robbers?

Code Brown. The bullshit is getting thicker.

-HH

Subject: Fw: clearly political

Buzz -- This got forwarded to me through the email network we in Columbus have going and I thought you'd be interested.

* * *

-----Original Message-----

Subject: An experience I had on Saturday

I just wanted to tell you all about my experiences last Saturday. I found out last week that John Kerry was going to speak on July 31 in Wheeling, and so I went to get tickets. In addition, I made a general offer to pick up tickets for anyone at my work that wanted them. In response, some people noted that George Bush was also speaking in Cambridge, OH (which is not too far away) earlier the same day. Since it is not often that one gets to see both candidates for President on the same day, I went and got a ticket for the Bush rally as well.

On Saturday morning, I went to Cambridge with a friend. Wanting to see the President, but not wanting to be seen as supporting his policies, I wore a Kerry/Edwards T-shirt. I want to emphasize, however, that I was not there to protest, only to listen to my President. We stood in line in the rain for an hour an a half in the rain just like the other 10,000 or so people. And while I did get a few curious or dirty looks, very few people said anything to me, and I said nothing to the other people at the event outside of occasional small talk.

As I approached the security area, one low-level security person asked me to turn my shirt inside out. As I said, I was only there to hear the President, and so I complied. When I got to the main security area, however, the same man came up to me again, told me he had checked with his superiors, and that I would not be allowed into the event with the Kerry/Edwards T-shirt. I had been a little afraid of this eventuality and had brought another non-political T-shirt just in case. So I agreed to change shirts. The man took my other T-shirt and put it where I could find it after the speech.

Thinking that was the end of that, we went inside and tried to find a place in the crowd where I could see the President. I had no intention of heckling the President or causing trouble of any sort. I just stood with the rest of the crowd waiting for the speech. After a few minutes (maybe 10-15), the first security person came up to me again, this time with a second burlier gentleman. I was asked to stand with the second man in an area somewhat away from the main crowd, and again I complied. A couple of minutes later a third man who told me he was with the President's advance team (or something like that) came up and escorted me out of the event. Still not wanting to cause trouble, I went out as I was asked, and waited for my friend who was allowed to stay. Incidentally, while outside, I did get to do what I came for. I got to see the President briefly waving from his motorcade on the way into the event.

Now being the curious sort, I obtained a Bush shirt to see what would happen at the Kerry rally in Wheeling. Still not wanting to be perceived as a Bush supported, I waited and put the Bush shirt on about 10-15 minutes before we reached the security checkpoint. This time no one said anything to me, and I was allowed to enter with no questions asked. After entering, I put on my Kerry T-shirt, and listened to the speakers as I had planned.

Now I don't know what others will make of this experience, but you should feel free to forward this email to anyone that you would like. I would ask that you include my name, however. Too many people spread lies and rumors on the internet anonymously. What I have said is true, and I am not afraid to sign my name to it.

Sincerely,

John Prather

P.S. If you would like to see a newspaper article written about this, you can access it by going to http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com. Then click on local news. At the bottom of that page is a calendar for previous stories. Click on August 1. The story is titled "Rally draws only few with opposing views."

Subject: Al Franken

I hope a lot of BuzzFlashers watched Al Franken on the McEnroe Show on CNBC on Tuesday night. Good old Al launched into a delightful diatribe against Fox News, ending up calling them just plain old "evil". If only more of the good guys on our side had the cajones of an Al Franken.

Donald P. Russo, Bethlehem, Pa.