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THIS IS PART 2 OF THE AUGUST 9, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1.

Subject: No wonder the chatter has slowed

Regarding your headline:

news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040807/ts_nm/security_source_dc_1

These guys are good! They arrest then out the guy who's responsible for the "chatter" they use to scare the crap out of us then try to scare us into submission telling us the chatter has stopped.

A BuzzFlash Reader

I was looking on the site and wondered if any of this gobbltygoop! was "editorialized". What a ridiculous answer!

Remarks by President Bush to the UNITY: Journalists of Color Convention

Q; Good morning. My name is Mark Trahant. I'm the editorial page editor of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and a member of the Native American Journalist Association. (Applause.) Most school kids learn about the government in the context of city, county, state and federal. And, of course, tribal governments are not part of that at all. Mr. President, you've been a governor and a President, so you have a unique experience, looking at it from two directions. What do you think tribal sovereignty means in the 21st century, and how do we resolve conflicts between tribes and the federal and the state governments?

A: THE PRESIDENT: Tribal sovereignty means that, it's sovereign. You're a -- you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And, therefore, the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities.

http://www.americanpatrol.com/BUSH/JournalOfColorRmks040806.html

Or is there anything about K Harris and her statement regarding the 100 thwarted terror attacks including the one in Indiana against the electrical grid?

Thanks...great and really informative site.

Michael Meyerson
San Francisco

[BuzzFlash Note: Bush's response is a Must Hear.]

Subject: Do you fear the Possibility, of rigged Electronic voting Machines in the coming election?

Hi BUZZ,

I still have a feeling that the repugs, are going to play some dirty computer games with our Ballots. I live in Oregon, where we have VOTING BY MAIL, several days before election day we receive our Ballots and a booklet that defines both sides of each issue on the ballots, beside each ballot measure, there is a small arrow that points to each of the ballot issues.the arrow has a break in the shaft, if you wish to vote for an Issue, you simply fill in the blank area in the shaft, with a black pen, so it appears to be a complete, arrow. We usually get our ballots by Mail far enough ahead of Election day, so we can check out the voting information booklet. We must have our completed Ballot ready to mail so it will arrive in the County Clerks office on or before Election day.

You folks still have time to contact your state representatives, and Governor, and demand that the Oregon mail system be used in your state. Oh and by the way we have been using the Mail system for several years, and have never had a case of fraud, If your interested Contact the registrars, office in Salem Oregon, lets beat these Repug Slugs at their game.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BuzzFlash,

A VOTER

Subject: Anniversary of Nixon's Resignation Going Unnoticed?

I am writing to several TV outlets about why there seems to be no coverage on the 30 year anniversary of Nixon’s resignation? Could it be that he was a Republican President? Could it be that the TV/Cable outlets are controlled by the Republicans? Too bad for all those who don’t really know what that time in our country was like.

Betsy

[BuzzFlash Note: We found this local story on the resignation, but no national coverage.]

Subject: don't blame georgia for zell miller!!!!!!!!

here in georgia we have a word for democrats who turn republican for political or monetary gain..... scalawag. it is not a compliment. zell miller is a scalawag of the highest order.

zell miller was a democratic governor here in georgia, squawked loudly about things like the georgia lottery but changed his tune once the money started rolling in, and was appointed to take the place of well-loved democratic senator, paul coverdell, when that senator passed away. ever since he hit washington zell has been acting like a republican. he talks like a republican, he acts like a republican, hell, he's even appearing as a speaker at the republican national convention - why not just switch isles and call himself a republican? because he can do more damage to the democratic party and more good for the republican party as a scalawag.

zell miller couldn't get himself elected dogcatcher in the state of georgia - one good reason why he's not running again in 2004. he was elected in good faith by the people of georgia as a DEMOCRATIC senator in 2000. for him to turn like he's done has been an affront to all of us who voted for him and have since learned to regret it.

so when you hear zell miller spouting off his mouth about the democratic party or telling everyone how he thinks george w. bush is such a great president, please remember - zell may be from georgia, but he ain't one of us. he's a scalawag.

here's hoping he doesn't come back here to retire. maybe one of them northern red states will have him.

jan in georgia

Subject: Flip flopper equals 100 percent liberal?

I don't get it, Republicans call Kerry a flip-flopper while ALSO saying he is 100 percent liberal at the same time. I assume to flip flop you must have a different opinion half the time, eh? So if you support the conservative view half the time, that still makes you ultra-liberal?

This thing where having a liberal opinion 50 percent of the time equals being 100 percent liberal must be some of that new conservative math, like that ''fighting a war while cutting taxes equals conservative values'' math.

Signed,

A BuzzFlash Reader and Big Time Patriot

Subject: Fwd: Douglas Jehl and his ubiquitous "senior government officials"

Hey Buzz:

I suggest everybody's radar go up when you see a story authored (usually co-authored) by Douglas Jehl at the New York Times. Here is the third letter I've sent in three days complaining about Jehl's relentless use of anonymous sources. When Jehl does quotes someone by name, it's often Scott McClellan or Dick Cheney. What does that tell you?

* * *

Dear New York Times editors:

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, you serve up Douglas Jehl's and David Johnston's "Terror Detainee Is Seen as Leader in Plot by Al Qaeda." (link: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/06/politics/06terror.html?hp) Of Jehl's three most recent pieces, this one is my favorite because of its failure to cite *a single source by name*. How nice to be able to include quotes and never have to worry about being wrong because there's no trail of accountability.

Choice paragraphs are 4-8, which each begins with a variation on the ever-popular anonymous "official":

Paragraph 4: "A senior American official described Mr. Hindi..."
Paragraph 5: "Intelligence and law enforcement officials said it was not certain..."
Paragraph 6: "At a minimum, a senior counterterrorism official said, investigators..."
Paragraph 7: "British officials remained tight-lipped on Thursday..."
Paragraph 8: "A senior counterterrorism said..." (by the way, just what is a "counterterrorism"? Hello, proofreader...)

Sigh.

A suspicious BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: What I Believe

I believe it is our patriotic and civic duty to question authority when it needs to be questioned. Those days of the Vietnam protests were dead, gone and forgotten until Howard Dean and men like him came on the scene and reminded us of what we can do as individuals. We are not liberals (as the repugs define it) we are progressives. We yearn to move forward, to accomplish what needs to be done, for the whole and not the individual. We include everyone and embrace all concepts that seem viable. We examine and re-examine our situation and we change when it is best for our goals and our plan for the future. The repugs stand fast and wallow in their rhetoric and ignorance. Steadfast is good if it serves the purpose but when it does not, admit your error, correct it and move on.

In the 60's were beaten with ax handles, trampled by mounted police, baited by dogs and sprayed with gas, and all within a stones throw of the White House, Boston Commons and the Liberty Bell. We stood our ground, we spoke up for the community, some were arrested and we made a difference.

All of that was forgotten in the 80's and the early 90's. We are now once again returning to our roots. We are once again standing as individuals for the betterment of the whole. We are fighting for what we believe in and not what we are fed by the media. We choose to act with our eyes open rather than to follow blindly. That is our destiny and that is our cause and we will see it through to its sensible end. We are the true patriots who live in the shadow of our founding fathers. We are the ones that they smile down upon and encourage across the divide of two centuries. We are the ones entrusted with the sacred duty of defending our country and its constitution from the terror within and abroad. Again.

People need to see that, know that and join us. In their own way as individuals who are looking out for the whole.

All Americans now have a chance to participate in a movement of unprecedented proportion. The taking back of America! People can choose to sit on their hands and watch their dreams evaporate (and have no one to blame but themselves) or they can do the good thing and participate. For they will be participating in their own lives and the lives of the whole. They will be helping to forge the future of our country, the future of the world and they will be making a difference. There lives will take on new meaning and they will in turn inspire others to do the same. They will find themselves among friends.

These are perilous times (when is it ever not) and we must be vigilant and act with thought and purpose. As individuals defending the rights of the whole.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: The Awakening

Hi BuzzFlash

Like Shirley, I am seeing a difference in the attitude of my family, and friends.

Seems like after watching Michael Moore's Movie, all seem to be saying ever so quietly, *we have to get rid of that man.* Gee, I wonder who that man may be??

I can actually talk out loud now, and have people agree with me.

It's a great feeling, even though there is a lot of dirty tricks the other side are capable of, especially because they are so desperate.

Although, I think if they pull Ben Laden(spelling?) out of their hat, at this time it would be moot.

Well, I better not get too confident, they still have their convention, and they will play *Can You Top This?*

For now, there is defiantly, an awakening.

(Bring on Bruce Springsteen, THE BOSS!)

Wake up, all who still believe in their President, if you have a child nearing their teens, think twice before you vote, this Iraqi thing can last till they are old enough to go to war. This is an alarming, thought!

Angie... a caring Granny, who worries about our future generation.

Subject: Kerry attack adviser acted with Peter Sellers in THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT

The New York Times reports that Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the group that is running the attack ads against Kerry, paid $27,000 this spring to Dallas PR consultant Merrie Spaeth, who also was involved in the vicious primary campaign by Bush against John McCain. You may remember Spaeth from her role as one of the two teenaged girls obsessed with the concert pianist played by Peter Sellers in the charming 1964 film THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT. Here's her bio from her website, Spaeth Communications.

Joseph McBride

[BuzzFlash Note: Perhaps someone should recommend Ms. Spaeth for her own award.]

Subject: Swift Boat Liars on Drugs ...

To EVERY “news”network and media outlet that gave Swift Boat airtime.

I just have one simple question for all the media outlets that have given the Swift Boat guys airtime. Where are all the guys that served with or near (like the Swift boyz claim) GEORGE W BUSH????????? There should be just as many who served with him as claim to have served with Kerry. WHY IS THERE NONE? Why aren’t they out supporting George Bush instead of attacking John Kerry? And why haven’t you asked that question? That should be the debate; who actually served and who didn’t; not some group of vets sponsored by a Republican HATE GROUP. (and you guys KNOW that) You let it happen to John McCain and now you are letting it happen to John Kerry. Do you have no conscience? If you hadn’t done THE EXACT SAME THING during the 2000 Republican Primary then McCain would quite possibly be president. Now does ANYONE question whether McCain would have done a better job as president than Bush?

That is why the media has as much blame for this expensive (lives and money) mess we are in as Bush/Cheney. How do you sleep at night? The blood of those troops is on your hands.

Larry Parker
Princeton, TEXAS

Subject: Latest Official Bomb Scare

This latest hoax has been defended by pointing to a number of pictures of financial centers taken by an accused terrorist. I remember being told that terrorists have also taken photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and virtually all major American landmarks. But this time only the financial areas are raised to Orange.

Seems pretty obvious that this is all to establish a defense for our lousy economy. It's been too long to blame Clinton, and Bush won't take the blame for anything so it must be those ever-so-convenient terrorists.

Three More Months !

Tom S.
Cedar Mill, Oregon

Subject: (Clinton) Former trooper admits he lied to federal agent

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/story_Arkansas.php?storyid=20978

A former Arkansas state trooper who said years ago that he arranged sexual liaisons for former President Clinton while Clinton was governor has pleaded guilty to a felony in an unrelated federal civil-rights case.

As Al Franken would say-LIAR!

Jamie M.

Subject: Check out Feith's weird opinion piece today.....

A War Plan That Cast a Wide Net

By Douglas J. Feith
Saturday, August 7, 2004; Page A21

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46898-2004Aug6.html

_______________________________

Buzz,

Feith must believe he's deflecting some heat in this weird, defensive piece he wrote for the Wp today, but look at how he leaves himself open with his bullet points near the end... almost any one of those points (in conjunction with the bizarre notion of, say, selecting some non-Afghan target as in South America) can be show to be using faulty, reckless, self-defeating logic.

E.G., "Show that the war would not be limited geographically to Afghanistan."

Brilliant, Doug. Why not bomb Antarctica - that'll teach 'em!

Are these guys going to start getting flakier than ever trying to tap dance their way out of the mistakes they've made, or what? Doesn't this seem like a particularly ineffective argument as a whole to you?

Dave Dorsett

Subject: Kerry, Edwards in Sedalia, MO

Dear BuzzFlash,

I had to write and tell you about Edwards putting some Bush supporters in their place late last night. I live in Sedalia, MO, and after the big rally in Jefferson City, MO, yesterday, Kerry-Edwards rolled through Sedalia, MO on Amtrak and gave speeches. It was announced in the local newspaper and radio the day or two before that they might stop if enough people show up. Well, it was estimated that they would arrive about 7 or 8 p.m. but they didn't arrive until 10:20 p.m. and I didn't see anyone in the crowd leave. It keep growing in size. Sedalia is only 20,000 and it went for Bush in 2000 but there were 2,000-3,000 in support of Kerry/Edwards at the depot last night. I was among a group of teachers that naturally congregated towards each other. Nothing planned. Everyone was so excited to see and hear them.

There was a small group of local Bush supporters that carried a large waffle that was loud and obnoxious. The Kerry staffers arrived early and tossed t-shirts to the crowd. Well, the Bush supporters got one and ripped it to shreds and threw it on the R.R. tracks. The crowd booed that but ignored them for the most part. Well, when Kerry and Edwards' train finally arrived the crowd was very excited. When Edwards began talking the Bush supporters began booing loudly and he finally asked them to show a little respect. Well, they kept it up and he asked politely for them to be quiet so his young children would not have to hear them.They kept it up and Edwards continued talking. Edwards spoke about keeping jobs at home and not letting them be outsourced overseas anymore and the Kerry supporters cheered and the Bush supporters booed. Edwards laughed and turned towards the protestors and said, "I can't believe you just booed keeping jobs for Americans in America," and the crowd roared with laughter. I thought back to earlier in the week when Bush gave a talk in nearby Springfield, MO (just a 100 miles away) and they would not even let anyone into his rally unless they signed a pledge of support for the Bush/Cheney ticket. When several people refused to sign the pledge they actually ripped their tickets up and a few were arrested. Can you imagine if the hostile Bush supporters had been refused admittance to the Kerry/Edwards gathering?

I am proud to be supporting the Democrats who welcomed the protestors right to be there last night and showed them what real honor and integrity looks like. I admire the Democrats who allow dissent but wonder what would happen at a Bush gathering if any dissent was shown? Probably jail time for those who were daring. It appears to be their only solution to dissent whereas, Kerry/Edwards allow even the rudest Bush supporters to be at their gatherings.

Thanks for being there, BuzzFlash,

Avid reader,

Nancy Weant
Sedalia, MO

Subject: First Wal-Mart to get union accreditation

Hey! Good news from Quebec...

The first Wal-Mart to get a accreditation is coming...in Saguenay, in the Province of Québec (Canada)

Visit this page from CBC NEWS to learn more about it:

http://montreal.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=qc_walmart20040803

Keep up the good work ! GO KERRY GO !

François Dulong
Saint-Nicolas, Québec

Subject: John Kerry and Mr. Roberts

While thinking about John Kerry's two tours of duty and his volunteering for a Swift Boat command, I was reminded of Henry Fonda's character, Mr. Roberts, in the World War II movie of the same name. A naval officer like Kerry, Mr. Roberts also voluntarily sought out a more dangerous assignment.

On a different note, I was listening to Bush's speech on C-SPAN in which he vowed never to stop thinking of new ways to harm us. As with his "sovereignty is sovereignty is sovereignty" answer at the UNITY forum, transcripts don't do Bush justice - you've really got to hear his vocal stumbling and see his physical mannerisms. In the case of the new-ways-to-harm-us passage, Bush just breezed right through it as if he wasn't conscious of what he was saying. In the same speech, I heard him pronounce Al Qaeda with four syllables: "al kuh ee da". I've never heard it pronounced this way before. Is this correct? Does Bush pronounce Al Qaeda the same way every time or, not being familiar with the term, does he pronounce it a different way every time?

Alex M.
Maryland

Subject: RICE: U.S. DISCLOSED UNDERCOVER AGENT AGAIN

BLITZER: Let's talk about some of the people who have been picked up, mostly in Pakistan, over the last few weeks. In mid-July, Muhammad Naeem Noor Khan. There is some suggestion that by releasing his identity here in the United States, you compromised a Pakistani intelligence sting operation, because he was effectively being used by the Pakistanis to try to find other al Qaeda operatives. Is that true?

RICE: Well, I don't know what might have been going on in Pakistan. I will say this, that we did not, of course, publicly disclose his name. One of them...

BLITZER: He was disclosed in Washington on background.

RICE: On background. And the problem is that when you're trying to strike a balance between giving enough information to the public so that they know that you're dealing with a specific, credible, different kind of threat than you've dealt with in the past, you're always weighing that against kind of operational considerations. We've tried to strike a balance. We think for the most part, we've struck a balance, but it's indeed a very difficult balance to strike.

BLITZER: Had he been flipped, in the vernacular, was he cooperating with Pakistani intelligence after he was arrested?

RICE: I don't know the answer to that question, as to whether or not he was cooperating with them.

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0408/08/le.00.html

* * *

The next question is - what DOES she know? Is she in the loop or no?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Yikes!!

WOULD YOU EVEN DREAM OF DEPOSITING MONEY INTO AN ATM WITHOUT GETTING A RECEIPT?

Florida Court Dismisses Lawsuit Seeking Paper Trail for Touchscreen Voting Machines

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Taking orders

Sunday NY Times front page

Marines pushing deeper into city held by shiites
No hint of a cease-fire
U.S. and Iraqi forces in Najaf--Clerics urge end to fighting

Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 7--American marines drove deeper into the heart of the Shiite holy city of Najaf on Saturday as they fought Moktada al-Sadr's rebel militiamen and there was little sign that American commanders, who said they were taking orders from the new Iraqi government, intended to heed appeals for a cease-fire from clerics and others claiming to represent Mr. Sadr.

Well at least our military is not taking orders from the UN.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Pakistani suspect

You really need to play up the stories from Reuters that the Bush Administration seems to have torpedoed a Pakistani-British sting on Al Qaeda by leaking the double-agent's name to the NY Times. I saw the one link you have, but the Times' "coverage" of this story in which they may have unwittingly compromised national security is at best, puzzling, and at worst, disturbing. (Unless, of course, I've missed something and there's nothing to the stories about ISI being really pissed off at Bush.)

A reader who will soon start buying stuff from your site.

LC

Subject: ELECTRONIC VOTE RIGGING

BuzzFlash,

I just got through watching the most amazing show on TV about electronic vote rigging. Howard Dean served as the guest host tonight (Sunday) on Topic A with Tina Brown on CNBC, and he had Bev Harris of BlackBoxVoting.org on. She was incredible, and showed step by step EXACTLY how to hack the vote on a Diebold election computer. She did this in less than 90 seconds flat!!! It was so absurdly easy---such ridiculous child's play that a retarded fourth grader could do it after being shown how a few times.

I happen to know that people associated with Bev Harris have sent out demonstration discs (CD's) showing exactly how to do all this to many congressmen. You'd think they'd be freaking out, and demanding that something be done, but so far, nothing.

This may be one of the most important segments ever broadcast on TV. I think it would be very important and very educational if you could get a streaming video copy of this segment of the show and put it on your website.

I know you will agree with me that this is of the utmost importance. If we have lost the ability to have our votes counted accurately and fairly, and to have confidence in this system, then we have lost EVERYTHING!

Ken

Subject: Terrible Economic News

Dear BuzzFlash:

I realize that this news just came out, but I’m wondering why the Kerry-Edwards team hasn’t jumped all over the bombshell job report that U.S. employers were only able to add a paltry 32,000 workers to payrolls in July —just a bit short of the 215,000 to 240,000 the administration had projected would be created last month. The economy has to create 150,000 new jobs each month just to keep up with natural population growth. And, if you want to keep the economy from slumping into recession employers have to create 200,000 new jobs each and every month. The horrible July news now makes three months running that the administration has failed to produce the robust job growth promised its $1.6 trillion in tax cuts. Bush-Reagan trickle down economics has been proved, once again, to be a complete failure. Also, the New York Stock Exchange index, American Stock Exchange index and the Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks all tumbled. Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones by 8 to 3 on the NYSE. The price of the Treasury's 10-year note rose, clearly showcasing a flight to safety by savvy investors. And the already nervous precious metals investors rushed out to buy more gold which now stands near $400 an ounce. On top of this, rising energy prices will further dampen economic growth. Oil for September delivery settled at $44.41, up $1.58 a barrel.

crude touched $44.28 a barrel –the highest price since oil futures were launched on the New York Mercantile Exchange in 1983. New applications for U.S. mortgages eased last week with a dip in refinancing despite steady 30-year mortgage rates. American consumer spending in June unexpectedly plunged by the steepest margin since the September 11, 2001 attacks. Layoffs in the United States rose 8 percent in July from the previous month, as the job market recovery struggled to gain momentum. U.S. houses were less affordable in the second quarter than in the prior quarter because of rising home prices and interest rates. Outlays for U.S. construction fell unexpectedly in June as spending on housing dropped for the first time in 16 months. The Dow Jones 90-Day moving average has been moving —down, down, down for the past six months. Holy cow!! This is one huge economic mess, but it seems like John Kerry is still out there trying to convince America that he is a bigger tough guy on terrorism than Bush. Democrats win elections on the economy, and if all this bad news doesn’t give them a powerful campaign platform, then I’m not sure what will.

Donald P. Russo, Bethlehem, Pa.

Subject: Letter to the Swift Boat Vets

Dear Sir:

I've read your comments concerning John Kerry's Vietnam service, and I'm a little puzzled on how you came to the conclusions that you've reached. It's my understanding that you guys were never aboard any of the Swift boats that Kerry was on. Also Kerry's accounts of the events that took place are backed up by not only the guys that actually served on the boat with him, but also by another crew that witnessed what took place.

I find it very unpatriotic, and UN American that you would go after someone like John Kerry who fought for his country. You say that you're interested in the truth, how about trying to find out where George W, Bush was for the last five months of his National Guard service?

It's disgusting that you and the rest of your cronies would come out now with these distortions about Kerry's service during a political campaign. Where were you when he was running for Senator? If you guys had an ounce of integrity you would let the chips fall where they may, and allow the American people to choose the next President.

We all know who's bank rolling your organization. It's a shame that the Bush administration is so threaten by Kerry's medals that they have to try and tarnish them. As far as Kerry coming back and speaking out against the war, that was his right as an American, you may have disagreed with what he said, but isn't that what you guys were fighting for in Vietnam, "to protect free peoples," which includes freedom of speech?

Kimberly D.

Subject: YIKES

"We Resolve To Arm the Terrorist Enemy"

George W. Bush, July 4, 2004 - Charleston, WV after having a couple illegally arrested for wearing the wrong tee shirts.

Subject: Proof Republicans are either insane or brainwashed.

Get a load of this item from an appearance by Dick Cheney at a political Rally in Southern Oregon a couple weeks ago:

"People keep telling me that Senator Edwards got picked for his good looks, his charm, his great hair," Cheney said. "I say to them, "How do think I got the job?"

"You're better looking!" yelled one man in the rear of the crowd."

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

Of course, Cheney was just joking. But apparently some GOP idiot in the crowd actually thinks Cheney IS better looking than John Edwards.

A BuzzFlash Reader

with all the [help] this administration and their [friends] and business partners have given to terrorists, i begin to wonder if they are treating their country just as they do all their customers, which is to offer lip service while supplying both sides in the conflict with the necessary tools to keep the conflict going in order to continue to profit from the sale of military/hardware/support/contracts,...this would answer the question of why bush had the taliban/al-Qaida, rescued from the afghan/pakistan border, just as they were in a position to be annihilated.

signed, a liberal/patriot/ counting his days till the knock on the door by the SS MO.

Subject: OSCE Observers.

Hi Gang!

Repuglicans, Neo-Cons, and their sympathetic pudnit mouthpieces still gloat over it and we are all still angered over it.

What I'm talking about is the 2000 Presidential Selection. It was no election by any means. By manipulation, intimidation, and by a one ruling margin along ideological lines in the Obscene Court we get stuck with the most dangerous administration in American history.

But what a lot of us haven't heard about is that the United Nations itself will be watching our elections very closely this time around.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/08/international.observers/index.html

Citing documented human rights violations, Democrats sent a letter to the U.N. requesting the observation but were turned down. It would seem that the current administration must request the observers.

Immediately, Repuglicans got their machine in motion, amending a foreign aid bill to block federal funds that the U.N. would use to monitor the election. Obviously, they forgot that the United States is a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and by that fact, our elections are just as subject to scrutiny as any other member nation.

Their motives for attempting to halt or at the least hinder the observation need to be investigated.

But before we raise our ire, please note that in a letter dated July 30 and released last week, the State Department confirmed that there will be U.N. observers to our 2004 Presidential Elections. Whatever the case may be, the United Nations will be watching us - just like they did for the 2002 mid-term, California gubernatorial recall, Northern Ireland, and Spanish elections.

Just as it is apparent that Repuglicans have a problem with the U.N. watching the elections, it became apparent that the bullhorn of the Neo-Cons, FOXNews has a problem with it as well. I am still looking for a transcript on the "conversation" but it took place on Saturday night and the gist of the entire "discourse" was about the overall credibility and usefulness of the United Nations itself.

Watch for the U.N. observation "story" to really start to rear its ugly opinionated head on FOX News, Rash Lumberbutt, Sean Spamity, and Shill O'Lielly very soon.

And watch how many times you will hear "discussions" along these lines: "If the U.N. is so useless, why not do away with it altogether? Their credibility is on the line here as well. Can we trust the U.N. to honestly observe our elections when their track record is this shoddy?"

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: Report from Flagstaff, Arizona

Buzz,

The wait was long, the crowd large, jolly and exhilarated. We arrived at 6:00 p.m. to an already-long line of ticket-holders for John Kerry's appearance - a line that continued to grow and snake through and wrap around Flagstaff's downtown streets. During the long waits, the crowd retained its jolly good humor - no grumbling, few departures. The crowd was estimated at 5,000. It took 2 hours to get to the security check, then into Heritage Square to hear the warm-up speakers - the chairman of Arizona's Democratic Party [entertaining and very determined] and Arizona's hero, Congressman Ed Pastore. Then lots of Springsteen music. We had heard Kerry was to speak at 9:30, but that was optimistic by an hour. Seems their train had stopped that afternoon in the tiny town of Williams outside Flagstaff, where 2,000 people gathered. One man [as Kerry told it] held a sign Give us 15 minutes of your time.' So he did.

The luminaries on stage in Flagstaff included Bruce Babbit, veterans, and chairmen of the many Arizona tribes. The president of the largest tribe in America, the Navajo, endorsed Kerry for President [seems they held long discussions during the day on Native issues]. Governor Janet Napolitano introduced Teresa - who introduced John. I had come to see/hear Teresa, not John, but was impressed with Kerry's talk - which was short on blahblah political rhetoric, and long on concrete, innovative, progressive plans to benefit America and the world. Plans focused on jobs, education and the environment. He wants the troops home. He did not spend the precious moments of his appearance with BushBashing - we all already know how bad the situation is. His subtle criticisms were set within his positive message for the future.

It was a great evening. The crowd was with him all the way.

Well, all but one. Afterwards we stopped for chips at a nearby convenience store which had the radio tuned to a radical-right call-in show. Some brain-dead droned on that Kerry was late to his own rally' [not, of course, mentioning the unplanned, enthusiastic stop in Williams] and that the Flagstaff crowd was indifferent. I don't think he was at the same exuberant event we were. We fled the store for a long, very satisfied, very energized drive home.

Animated in Arizona
Help Is On The Way !!

Subject: Not yet scared?

Hello McGovern,

Sorry, the whole story sounds extremely familiar. Part of the reason is that the great strategist in the White House, Mr. K. Rowe, is well read in Nazi history. All of this sounds like the Reichstag fire and other scare tactics used by uncle Addi's merry men in black or khaki uniforms, the SS and SA. I did not believe it, but I am entering my second childhood which is turning out to be a re-play of my first, with all its nightmares.

unHeil Bush!

Frank A. Lojewski
Sointula, BC
(an GermanAmerican refugee in Canada)