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THIS IS PART 2 OF THE AUGUST 12, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1.

Subject: Imus ad nauseum

"What American wants to watch Iraqi soccer? They're our enemy, and I want 'em all dead. Women, children, who cares? I want 'em all dead,"

Another Imus minion suggested the two teams use a hand grenade instead of a soccer ball. Mr. Imus chuckled and agreed with all of the above, adding that he'd like to see all the Iraqis dead, too.

When money, talent, and resources are poured into military systems and prison systems, while health, education and welfare systems compete for inadequate budget allotments, we can expect constant warfare abroad and the quadrupling of prisoner populations which occurred in the US over the last 25 years.

Kathy Kelly
Voices in the Wilderness

" In this administration, you don't have to wear a turban or speak Farsi to be an enemy of the United States. All you have to do is disagree with the President." Unnamed White House aide

If the public doesn't learn what really happened a much worse tragedy must follow.
9-11 has been used by the Bush regime to support imperialism.
The Bush regime is using 9-11 to form a dictatorship.
The Bush regime continues to employ 9-11 for propaganda purposes.

I hope that there's a website for Honest Fighter Pilots.....because Mz Pringle's essay deserves wide exposure. I'll join....if there's a place for an ex-wife of a fighter pilot.

Donna

Subject: Summer Political Reading

Dear BuzzFlashers -

I'm spending most of August on an island in Maine without TV or internet or even much newspaper. But I took all the political books that I've been buying over the last several months and I'm starting to read them. Here's an interim book report.

Ivins and Dubose, "Bushwacked: Life in GWBush's America," 2003

Moore - "Stupid White Men," 2001 with new introduction in 2003.

"Dude, I want My country Back," 2003

John Dean (He of Watergate fame) - "Worse than Watergate," 2004

Harris - "Blackbox Voting," 2003

For those who haven't read them I will say that both Ivins and Moore are meatier than one might guess. All three books are full of information and stories you may have forgotten. All are well documented with footnotes and references to websites etc.

Briefly Ivins and Dubose have a lot about the environment - demise of the Superfund, coalbed methane and water in Wyoming and elsewhere, the EPA, of course, and food. There's a long chapter on the demise of the ergonomics rules that took several years to write and the role of Scalia, Jr. Education and business in GWB's Texas.

Moore - 9/11, lies, oil, terror and fear, economy and corporations, what to do. And this especially for Shirley of St. Louis - how to talk to your Republican brother-in-law.

Dean - Very interesting book. He's absolutely scathing on the Bush Administration's secrecy - what it means, why it's bad for democracy. All this from someone with intimate experience of another secretive administration. Well documented.

Harris - A must read, in my opinion, for everyone who cares about the integrity of our democracy. Full of anecdotes about 20 years of problems. The problems are more pervasive than 'just' the 2000 Florida debacle.

I'm also about halfway through Thomas Frank's "What's the Matter with Kansas."

More later in the month.

Colleen Clark
Cambridge, MA

Subject: Trinity Broadcast Network

Last evening while channel surfing, I saw Hal Lindsey (author of "The Late, Great Planet Earth") air the ad from the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth on his program. He ran the disgusting thing in its entirety supposedly for "discussion purposes" and then added his erroneous commentary, slamming Kerry.

Is this a new trick by the religious media to avoid legal entanglements regarding their tax-exempt status? If they air the political propaganda without receiving "paid advertising", can they legally be allowed to slither out from under? Are the other religious programs on that network (or others) doing the same?

Lindsey has been wrong about everything he's said for 30 years, and is still waiting anxiously for world destruction and "The Rapture". He'd be laughable if there weren't so many religious conservatives hanging on his every poisonous word.

However I think it's far from laughable that religious media are using slimy tricks to stump for political candidates and still enjoy tax-exempt status. I'm furious, but I don't know, as a taxpayer, what I can do.

Buzz, can you help?

Theresa Dunyak
Blairstown, NJ

[BuzzFlash Note: You can always file a complaint with the FEC. Here's their Filing a Complaint page.]

Subject: You Have To See This To Believe It!

White House tries to dismiss on camera F/9-11 interview with new CIA director Porter Goss as "hearsay"!!

In it, Goss explains why he is NOT QUALIFIED to lead the CIA.

Joanne G Murphy
Skokie, IL

Subject: Why records are important

"The palest ink is better than the best memory". John Kerry's heroism is recorded in the military record. A legal record is important because it can be subpoenaed and used as evidence. Since Kerry's medals and commendations are recorded in the legal record, it is the best evidence of Kerry's heroism.

"If it wasn't charted it wasn't done". Bush's last year as a pilot wasn't charted in his military record. Since there are no pay records or record of his last year's physical examination (mandatory for pilots), the most reliable conclusion is he was absent without leave.

What could have been his motive to abandon the covenanted "wings" of a military pilot? Could it be related to the military's institution in 1972 of random mandatory drug testing for those getting annual physical examinations? Was Bush experiencing difficulties with drugs and alcohol during that time? What do the records show?

A BuzzFlash reader.

Subject: True Flip-Flopper

“We all want the mission to be completed as quickly as possible. But we want the mission completed,”the president said.

‘I know what I’m doing’he further says.

I’m confused –I thought that “Mission Accomplished”had already been declared? One thousands American deaths is just around the corner. I don’t believe a thing Bush says, because the next time he tells the truth will be the first time!

Bill Wheeler

Subject: What if Bush Sr.'s Carlyle Group ends up owning the world's communications satellites?

Carlyle Group also bought the Lowe's Cinema chain....

"FCC Grants Approval for Sale of PanAmSat to Private Equity Firms"

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: The Draft

Dear BuzzFlash:

I just got off the phone with my husband who is a National Guardsman preparing to be deployed to Kuwait next month. He said that there is a rumor going around that the draft is coming back. He also said that students will NOT be exempt. Is there any way to verify this? I sincerely hope that this is not true but so far this year every rumor he's heard has turned out to be true. There is a great deal of concern right now in the California National Guard about the troops being overstretched and not enough personnel available at home in case of an emergency. Last October when we were having all of the brush fires here in Southern California, my husband came within a heartbeat of having his unit called up to aid the already overstretched firefighters. To whom are the firefighters supposed to turn to this year (and possibly beyond) if there is another disaster like last year's? No matter what the village idiot of Crawford, Texas or any of the neo-con artists says the military IS OVERSTRETCHED! Why is it that a former National Guardsman that cannot even account for all of his time in the military send today's National Guard troops to risk their lives so that he can play his filthy little war-games? And question John Kerry's service in Vietnam? If Dumb-ass does not speak out against the Swift Boat Veterans for "Truth" then he is condoning their despicable behavior. That is not only a slap in the face to Vietnam veterans, but to all veterans and troops currently serving in this illegal and immoral war that was based on nothing but shameless lies. Every day I see bumper stickers that say "Support our Troops". But questioning the service of any solider that has had to go to war is the opposite of support for our troops. If we really want to support our troops we should bring them home.

Thank you,

Anne Keb
Corona, CA

Subject: Pat "Trick Knee" Buchanan on Scarborough Country

I used to have some grudging respect for Buchanan. Watching him shilling for Bush and his Band of Liars tonight was truly disgusting. How's your knee, Pat? You know, the one that got you out of Vietnam... How dare you say anything at all about Senator Kerry's service? Finally, chickenhawks, have you no shame?

Sincerely,

Chuck Van Wey
www.bushwatch.com

Subject: Questions for Bush on Larry King tonight

Since Mr. Bush does not allow any questions that he doesn't like or want to hear at any press events, nor at any campaign rallies, (TALK ABOUT OUT OF TOUCH!!!)

Tonight may be your chance to actually ask a hard question of Mr. Bush. Although I am sure that there was an agreement to screen out any difficult questions, it would never the less be worth a shot.

Questions like:

President Bush, what do you plan to do about our largest trade deficits in US history?

Mr. President, what do you plan to do to stop outsourcing, or the new term these days, global sourcing of American jobs?

President Bush, how do you expect our children and young people to shoulder a deficit that is already out of control? Or afford education? Specifics please.

Mr. President, what do you plan to do about millions of Americans losing their health insurance in the past 4 years, now totaling almost 45 Million in the US without insurance?

Mr. President, what IS your plan for Iraq?

For that matter Mr. President, of the 28 different rationales you have offered since the decision to invade, what is the reason we invaded Iraq?

Mr. President, what are you plans for Afghanistan, where the Taliban is back in power?

President Bush, what do you plan to do about the fact that 1.9 million Americans have lost their jobs under your rule?

Mr. President, two part question, how do feel about a nation that does not allow discussion, dissent, or protest? How do you explain your policies at campaign rallies where no one is allowed in if they are wearing any anti-Bush clothing, signs, or don't sign an oath of loyalty to you or Mr. Cheney?

Mr. President, isn't you that is the king of the flip flops, first you were against a 9/11 commission, then you were for it, you were against an intelligence czar, now you're for it, you said you'd jawbone Opec to keep oil prices low, but you haven't done a thing...just to name a few?

President Bush, on tax cuts, how do you explain $1.7 TRILLION dollars being cut from the top 2% of the nation's wage earners, while the average middle class got $300, and the poor got no benefit at all?

Sam Cortland

Subject: Some thoughts about Swiftboat Vets.

Reservists and National Guards for Truth

After seeing the now infamous ad for a group calling itself "Swiftboat Veterans for Truth", I visited the Rapid Response area of www.johnkerry.com. I learned that when these veterans said that they "served with" John Kerry, they meant that they were in Vietnam at the same time as John Kerry or were there at some time after John Kerry had left Vietnam, and that few had actually met John Kerry at any time.

Based on the criteria established by the Swiftboat Veterans for Bush, I can say that during the Vietnam War, I served with George W. Bush; because, while Bush was "serving" in the Texas or Alabama Air National Guard, I was in the U. S. Army Reserve in Baltimore, MD. We were both in the United States at the same time. Although, I never met George W. Bush while I was in the Army Reserve, I feel that, based on the precedent set by the Swiftboat Veterans for the Continuation of the War in Vietnam, I am fully qualified to evaluate his performance in the National Guard.

Based on my experience with George W. Bush I can say that this man is not qualified to be our commander-in-chief. Like the Swiftboat Veterans, I base this opinion on stuff people have told me and things I've read. Also, like the Swiftboat Veterans, I believe my opinion of George W. Bush should carry extra weight because I don't like him or the things he stands for.

I believe that all of the former reservists and National Guard members who "served" with George W. Bush (i.e., were in the reserves or the Guard and were in the United States at the same time as Dubya) should form an organization to reveal the truth as we see it about him. If the swiftboat guys can get all that money from Texas Republicans, maybe we can get a few bucks too.

By the way, at least the swiftboat guys DO establish that John Kerry was in a combat zone in Vietnam. Nobody seems to know where Bush was during this period. I do know that in my unit, unexcused absences resulted in 18 months to 2 years involuntary active duty. I guess the rules are different in Texas Air Guard Champagne Units. It says something too that people who never met John Kerry remember him, but nobody in the Alabama Air National Guard seems to remember Dubya.

Tom Mullen
Brunswick, GA

Subject: Bush's 7 minutes

Dear BuzzFlash,

Was just reading an article about the right wing trying to deflecting criticism for Bush sitting in that Florida classroom. One of the official excuses was that he was "gathering his thoughts."

What crap! Bush's brain is so empty that if he ever had a single, independent thought, IT DIED OF LONELINESS.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Mailbag 8/11

In answer to G.Adams, I,too, wish John Kerry would refute the war, Dean would have, but Kerry is still better than Bush in the long run...and his plan to get the other nations involved, will help. The only reason the Bush administration did not, is because they did not want to share the wealth of rebuilding....we , this country, are taken to the cleaners by this administration(And I am ashamed of what they are doing in Najaf).

And to Gloria, besides Scarborough being a rightwing pundit...he has never,ever had to explain one thing about the death of Lori klausitis...his office aide, found dead in his office, She was a healthy 28 yr.old....no health problems, and the man who performed the autopsy,( according to the Jefferson city, Mo. office of the government,) he was revoked in this state,(Missouri) for falsifying at least 10 autopsies and testifying to them in court.

It is odd to me, how someone can get elected in a landslide(Scarborough) and then less than 6 months later, decide that he is resigning, to go home and be with his family, having marital problems....then a few months later, Lori is found dead? We did not question...'cause it happened in 2001, and no o ne questioned a republican about anything then...remember?

Yeah, Cathy...I think George does not misspeak as much as we are led to believe. He is the typical dimwitted, tongue-tied, idiot...and he has played it like a drum And to the story of Linda Starr's, of "How Bush has failed to fulfill his duties...I enjoyed it so much...I haven't really even finished it yet...but so fascinating.

I read in the paper this morning that Halliburton is being sued now, for that l.8 billion dollars, supposedly spent....but not! They have of course, declared bankruptcy...and likely whatever happens to Ken Lay.....will not happen until after the election.

I am so accustomed to remembering the sign someone held up at one of his appearances....Bush now has an ad...and of course, he starts out with"I am George Bush and I approve this Mess.....and I stop there!

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

Subject: Proud To Be An American

I can never remember an Olympics [winter or summer] where our American athletes and attendees are being warned to tone down the fact that they are American. I'm going all the way back to 1950 here folks. Now we have people telling us what [not] to wear if going to the Olympics... don't wear walking shorts, baseball hats, t-shirts indicative of the US, track shoes [like Nike, Reebok, etc.] They suggest that male and female visitors wear casual slacks, long sleeve shirts regardless of high temps and leather walking shoes... don't let anyone suspect that you are American by your actions or dress. No backpacks w/US flags and definitely no American flags... keep a low profile, be quiet, etc. In other words, deny that you are an American through your dress and actions because people from other nations hate what our US president has done. Does this tell us something about our standing in the world because of Bush? And is this fair to our athletes who have worked for years to represent their country? Is this what Bush's idea of being an American means?

THIS IS ANOTHER BUSH LEGACY WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ENDURE!!!!

~ Cathy

Subject: John McCain

Hi Buzz and Fellow BuzzFlash Patriots,

At our wonderful local bookstore (Copperfield's) is a huge selection of Books of Truth about the Bush misadministration, most of which you offer on your site. These books are quite prominently displayed, and it was very gratifying to see this in our mostly conservative, agricultural town. But sometimes I just can't take one more horrifying fact, photo, or description of the destruction wrought by this bunch, so I bought "John Adams," by James McCollough. I highly recommend it, as it brilliantly chronicles the events surrounding the founding of our representational government, the Declaration of Independence, the genius of Adams' diplomatic efforts on behalf of the brand new nation, the relationships between Adams, Jefferson, Franklin....it's incredible what true patriotism really means. It's inspiring and hopeful, because Adams (who drafted so much of the text and whose original Constitution of the state of Massachusetts is still a living, working document!) tapped into the inherent good AND bad in humanity, and saw so clearly the potential of the UNITED States of America. It's a wonderful read (too bad Bush will never read it... but there are some good pictures he could look at).

But what I really wanted to mention was the photo of the McCain/Bush hug! http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2004/08/10/politics/mccain.html

There is something very pitiful in the way McCain's eyes are closed, his head is resting on the Idiot's shoulder, and his left hand is really grasping Bush's waist and almost pulling him into McCain. The Warmonger in Chief, however, is looking off into the distance, with the usual vapid stare, his right arm raised in a relaxed manner, but with his left arm grasping McCain's shoulder in a way that I think says: "I own you, McCain." McCain is relieved?!

I admit I am fascinated by this relationship and perhaps reading too much into the body language. But I wonder: is McCain ill? I mean, physically ill? He looks terrible. I remember he had skin cancer...is it all gone?? Does he have nothing left to lose but to grasp at any straw from this murderous bunch who practically destroyed McCain and his family in 2000? It just doesn't make sense. I think someday some Big Secret about McCain will come out to explain this dynamic. Bush is McCain's mortal enemy. McCain is playing with fire.

elaine in Petaluma

Subject: O'Reilly's latest rant

Hi!

I don't know if anyone has reported this yet, but this is almost unbelievable--except when you consider the source:

I was going to bed last night and turned on the radio--it was about midnight (central time). The radio had been dialed off my regular station and was picking up a station that, judging from the reception, was out of state. People were calling in to a show hosted by a woman and praising Bill O'Reilly on his tirade against Paul Krugman. Great, I think, this will really help me sleep! Just as I was about to tune to another station, the host of the show starts with her wrap-up. As she does, O'Reilly asks her, "Who would you rather have sex with: me or Krugman?" The woman laughs and brushes off the question. O'Reilly persisted and asked her the same question over and over. By about the third time, her laugh was hysterical, nervous. At that point, I lost the signal and never heard what was the name of the show or the host.

It takes a lot for O'Reilly to shock these days, but this was stunning. All I know is if this was a Liberal (Al Franken, i.e.) his comments would be all over every media outlet the next day.

I wonder if his wife approves of his humor.

Liz Taylor
Houston

Subject: What the hell is Bush talking about?

From his latest t.v. spot:

"I'm George W. Bush and I approve this message. My most solemn duty is to lead our nation to protect ourselves. I can't imagine the great agony of a mom or a dad having to make the decision about which child to pick up first on September the 11th. We cannot hesitate, we cannot yield, we must do everything in our power to bring an enemy to justice before they hurt us again."

Tom in Ohio

[BuzzFlash Note: Maybe he's talking about protecting Americans from four more years of Bush/Cheney?]