August 13, 2004
The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. Read the BuzzFlash FAQ for info on submitting to the Mailbag.
Subject: Is he nuts?
President Bush on Wednesday saying, "I know what I'm doing when it comes to winning this war."
Um........is Bush seeing the same war we are seeing? The one the whole world agrees is a major mess? And where did he get that war experience? When he was a cheer leader? We know he didn't get it being awol from the guard!
Matt, Pete and Bernie in florida
Subject: gop race card ads
The GOP used to talk of discussing ''issues'' and now they support anti-white ads.
It gets 'curiouser and curiouser'.
Doug
Subject: Ken Lay thinks George Bush is going to lose...
"Lay asked the court for a Sept. 14 trial date, and waived his right to a jury, offering instead to put the case directly to Judge Lake.
Lay, a friend and campaign donor to President Bush, faces up to 175 years in prison and $5.75 million in fines if convicted on all 11 counts included in his indictment." From: 'Ken Lay files for quick start to trial'
Well why the rush for a quick trial? Here is my theory, Kenny Boy thinks he's going to lose his case (he may even plead out to speed things up) AND that George Bush will lose the election. Kenny Boy thinks that George will pardon him because George is such a complete and shameless toady when it comes to rich people.
http://www.bigtimepatriot.com/default.asp?itemID=146
signed,
A BuzzFlash Reader and Big Time Patriot
AN EXCERPT FROM JUAN COLE'S "INFORMED COMMENT" dated August 12, 2004:
" Western reporters keep saying that Sistani believes in the separation of religion and state, but this is not true. Sistani wants religious law to be the law of the land and when parliament takes up legislation related to moral or social matters on which Sistani has a position, he expects the Shiite members of parliament to do as he says.
"I suppose it is the sort of system that the Christian Coalition and the religious wing of the Republican Party would like to implement in the United States. Indeed, it is because the Republicans have elements of this sort of system in place that President Bush limited stem cell research and pushed for a constitutional amendment forbidding gay marriage. Some people warn that because Sistani wants religious law and clerical influence, he is a Trojan Horse for theocracy. If so, then so are Tom Delay and George W. Bush and their allies among the evangelical Protestant ayatollahs."
SherAn
Subject: GWBush had 6 MONTHS tacked on to req'd mltry duty - Why ?
The St Louis National Personnel Records center has confirmed that Bush had approximately six months tacked onto his military obligation
military document -
http://users.cis.net/coldfeet/slpcreply.jpg
...but...but...but...the "liberal" news media refuses to ask why.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: That photograph--ugh!
Dear Buzz,
That photograph of McCain hugging Bush was on the front of the Boston Globe today. I jumped back, it was so repulsive. I can't see how it can help the Republicans, and it certainly puts McCain in an odd light. There is something psychologically creepy about it, especially when you remember what the Bush campaign did to McCain in 2000. Get me outta here!
Leslie
Winchester, MA
Subject: George Bush and fishing
Dear Buzz-
For the last couple of days the bass fishing legend, Roland Martin has featured on his program on the Outdoor Channel what I think amounts to an in-kind donation to the Bush campaign because he has been touting Mr. Bush as the ultimate sportsman and fisherman. Many people buy into Roland Martin and watch his programs and purchase his equipment and magazines. Martin actually says at the end of the program that it is such an honor for him to fish with a man who is president who understands fishermen and one that has gotten legislation through to help fishermen.
At the same time that I heard this coming from my den while my husband who is a true conservationist and avid fisherman nearly gagged, I was reading an alert from the environmental folks regarding the harmful changes that the Bush administration is making regarding salmon and other fish in the NW. Additionally I keep thinking of the increase in mercury that is allowed and how it puts in question the health of those who eat the fish.
Roland Martin was one of the first of the well known professional anglers to encourage catch and release. Although this was done for conservation in the beginning it will now most certainly be more a case of health as more and more of our waters produce fish that we will not be able to eat -- so why not release them -- you sure couldn't afford to eat them.
Just think of the current warnings about tuna and canned salmon for pregnant women. Scary! Just think of the hypocrisy of this so-called conservationist and sportsman, Roland Martin singing Dubya's praises for legislation that he has passed. He expects that those who listen to his program will take him at his word rather than acquaint themselves with the true facts and find out what the real deal is.
I think we BuzzFlash readers ought to get in touch with the Outdoor Network as well as Roland Martin and let him know what we think. You can email Roland Martin according to his website at info@fishingwithrolandmartin.com or you can see more about his fishing trip on the Crawford Ranch on his website. Title your email Question for Roland. The Outdoor Channel's website is www.outdoorchannel.com.
We in Texas have had it -- we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore. WE ARE GONNA CHANGE TX FROM RED TO BLUE! Help by letting Roland Martin and the Outdoor Channel know that you don't appreciate Mr. Martin's fisherman's tales. After all everyone knows that fishermen are liars anyhow.
Peggy in Hurst, TX
Subject: He said what to the Urban League?
Bush drew on a line from a former Illinois state legislator who once said, "Blacks are gagging on the donkey but not yet ready to swallow the elephant," references to the symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties respectively.
Read about the exchange with Jesse Jackson.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5496640
Karen
Subject: Please advise
I am writing you as a concerned citizen of the United States of America. Over the last years I have watched President Bush deceive the public by innuendos, misrepresentation and out and out lies. Not just the President himself but with a whole network of Neocons leading their followers to a deceptive view of John Kerry and anyone, and I say anyone, that does not agree with the Bush Doctrine. We are giving our blood and sacrificing our freedom and rights for the Bush administration.
I am tired of having all Senators Kerry’s ideas distorted, and twisted. Senator Kerry must respond to all these distortions immediately and without excuses. He must not be defensive but offensive on all his ideas and policies. The Bush Regime is like a bunch of sharks, just waiting for blood to flow and we must stop the flow as small cuts and not let them get infected.
John Kerry has to use the same tactics that the Neocons do. I realize Senator Kerry is trying to run a clean campaign, but that will not win the election. After Senator Kerry is elected let him then restore morality and truth back to the Presidency. Al Gore tried to do it honestly and look at what happened; Max Cleland tried to do it with integrity and look what happened; John McCain tried to do it up front and straightforward and look what happened. It is time to fight fire with fire.
Arthur M Sachs
Subject: Answer To Question About John McCain
"Karen" in SC asks: "doesn't he (John McCain) have any pride?" for which I will be happy to answer, having been marooned in this "land that time forgot" (Aridzona) for almost twenty years.
HELL NO!
McCain has no pride, no ethics, no integrity. Just like our other Senator, John Kyl (who makes the "Dark Side" look like a good neighborhood worth moving to). Neither of these hacks cares about the people of my state; hence Aridzona remains trapped at the bottom of every list for quality of life, education, et al (right along with Texass, Mississippi and Louisiana).
The worst thing is that the people here keep voting for these junior brownshirts over and over and over. It must be the heat. There's no other reason why sane people would continually commit insane acts and expect anything good to happen.
The WORST thing that could have ever occurred would have been for John Kerry to have selected John McCain as his running mate. Am I ever glad that rumor passed like bad gas. It would have been like mixing fire and gasoline; two polar opposites. There would not have been any " reconciliation," just outright, partisan gridlock!
Bill Dougan
Editor, Publisher & Dissident. Although I am not incarcerated in any facility,
I am being held a prisoner to the 'Thuglican agenda; I am also a victim of
their failed economic policies and brutal class warfare.
Subject: John O'Neill
I think this is what his name is...he is the one who wrote the book about Kerry, something about being unfit to lead.
He was on Crossfire today...and a bigger mud slinging, screaming, yelling, son of a bitch..I have never seen!!!!
They, Carville and the legal analyst for Kerry...could not get him to answer one simple question....was he on the boat...did he actually see what happened..."No, but one of the guys in this book was." Carville at one time, turned around and said, "I'm finished, with this...this is stupid." He was right, but, knowing Carville, I am surprised he did not walk off the set. This is the most awful book...and you know, since it came out, I have been so busy.., I haven't even looked at it. But, I would never pay good money for it, either. I hope it is rerun...'cause, I sort of got in on the last 20 minutes... It makes me mad, when someone makes things up...you know damned well, if he did not see anything...he has no right!!!
At least in Fahrenheit 9/11, even if it is told from one point of view.....Moore had 12 lawyers fact checking it before it was released...and still has a reward of $10,000 for anyone who can find and prove a lie. That is pretty sure!!
Shirley...........St.Louis
PS: If anyone has this idiots e-mail address...or the book, or anything...please give it to me...I could give him a piece of my mind....not that I could afford to give it...but you know!!
To Theresa Dunyak question about the ad running on a Christian Broadcasting Channel and if it this violates the tax exempt status of religious organizations. I would suggest you contact Americans United For the Separation of Church and State (http://www.au.org) as this organization has filed numerous complaints with the IRS for violations of tax-exempt status. In fact anyone seeing any violations of Church-State should contact them. This group has worked with the ACLU on many cases.
Roberta
Lockport NY
Subject: Congress
Carolyn in Tennessee is right. We have to work everyday to ensure Kerry is elected in November. One enabler of the Bush Administration is the media. A lot of people are e-mailing the media about coverage, and have personal boycotts going. What about our elected members of Congress? Here we are slipping into fascism, and there are no impassioned speeches on the Senate floor denouncing e-voting machines. I call my Senators once a week on this issue. Contacting our representatives is still one weapon we can use in this democracy. How do other people (in other states) feel about their elected representatives?
I would like to see some discussion in this forum on Congress' role in the current situation.
R. David
Goldberg
Vancouver WA.
Subject: Tom Ridge's kids are going off to college, and his salary is too paltry....needs to cash in.
Since poor Tom Ridge's kids are going off to college, and his salary is too paltry....maybe his kids should join the Reserves and when they get back from Iraq the G.I. benefits would fund a their college......just asking!!!!
Hey Tom, most people could educate their kids on $175,000.00.....
Alice
Subject: Subtle coup for me and you?
I really cannot understand how both the Senate and the House persist in a general silence, when hysterical screams should be the order of the day, over what might very well be a relatively simple and bloodless technique for the final destruction of our democracy - namely, voting machines that lack one hundred percent ironclad integrity, or as close to such as possible. We’ve heard the arrogant and self-serving declarations by executives of companies who manufacture these devices that their software codes, etc. consist of privileged information that can not be publicly revealed. My God, we certainly have strict controls over the medicines sold us, or I believe we do, but here we are talking about the very political existence of our society. Shame on every single person in our Senate and House who remains silent on this issue. I quake each time I hear it said, “People get the government they deserve.”Our elected representatives in Washington might well be seeing to this through their unpatriotic inaction, their nonfeasance that could help drive those final nail’s in our democracy’s coffin in a not very distant future. The spirit of Florida looms over us all like some stinking slime from a Grade Z horror movie.
Norman Weinstein
NYC
Subject: John O'Neill's Lies
As an addition to your headline story, O'Neill said on Hardball on 08/12/04 that he voted for Perot twice, then Gore in 2000. I'm finding it difficult to believe that he voted for Perot in '92 when the mediamatters.org story you posted showed that he gave $1000 to HW Bush in 92................
Keep it
up.
Fred
Subject: Roger Moore?
Touché! -- in spades! How true!
Aloha,
DONALD KOELPER
Honolulu, HI
Subject: Swift Liars
I registered on the Swiftvets website so I could post on their forum. I posted the article by Jim Rassman in the August 10th Wall Street Journal. (You know, the article that contains the TRUTH about Kerry’s actions). They not only deleted my post. The de-activated my user ID.
And this from a group that CLAIMS to value the truth.
Pete Kallash
Subject: 9/11 Report
According to the 9/11 report Iran had a little more to do with 9/11 than Iraq.
GWB keeps on claiming that he is a great "Commander in Chief", should we ask him if a Commander in Chief can attack the WRONG country? .... just asking
Jocelyn
Miami, Florida
Subject: National Sales Tax
It was interesting to see an article on the National sales tax. Just by coincidence I was in Washington D. C. this week. As I was riding the Metro train out of DC to Shady Grove I happened to meet a guy from the Treasury Department who was reading a paper on just this subject. I think it was listed as being HR25 in case you are interested and was submitted by I believe Congressman Imerson of Georgia. The proposed amount in his paper was 23% on all goods and services produced and sold in the United States. That’s 23% of the GDP going to the government not counting local sales taxes. The president said he supports it now the White House is denying there is such a thing. I have seen the proof that the President is flip flopping on this one big time.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Frank Gaffney: Learning from South Africa
Yesterday I happened to catch neocon Frank Gaffney on FoxNews's Neil Cavuto show pushing a new website called http://DivestTerror.org/ which calls for Americans to stop investing in companies that invest in terror sponsoring states. Gaffney compared this strategy to when, decades ago, companies were asked to divested from the South African apartheid regime. The terrorist states are defined by Gaffney as Iran, Libya (I thought we liked them now), North Korea, Syria....
But what cracks me up is his list of companies (none are American, if such nationalistic terms have validity in this era of transnational corporations) that allegedly do business with terror regimes: Alcatel, BNP Paribas, Hyundai, Siemens, Oil & Natural Gas Corp ... (http://64.46.114.65/divestterror/dirtydozen.html )!
My immediate question is, where is Halliburton?! Where are the American corporations (http://www.truthout.org/docs_01/02.23D.Cheney.Circumvented.htm) that were doing business with Saddam before the U.S. tanks rolled into Baghdad? Have these corporations suddenly found conscience? Or is this stunt being promoted by Gaffney just another way to exert pressure on governments who openly disagree with the largely unilateralist Bush foreign policy, by putting pressure on their respective industries, so that those corporations will in turn pressure their governments to comply with Bush administration whims?
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: John O'Neill
Dear BuzzFlash,
Three cheers for Chris Matthews!!! He made O'Neill's and his co-author's anti-Kerry book look like what they are...the lowest form of political assassination. This excellent interview was featured on Matthew's show Thursday, Aug. 12. He also accused O'Neill of being a Bush surrogate who, like other conservatives spokesmen, try to hog the discussion and use other rude tactics on air to silence their democratic counterparts who strive for equal time to speak. For those who didn't see the show, I recommend accessing the transcript and reading it at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5694561/ for a truly satisfying experience.
Mike Brown
Waco, TX
Subject: Patriot Act
Just wondering...Exactly who in the Bush administration told the media about the arrest of the Al Qaeda mole Mohammed Khan? Shouldn't they be arrested under the Patriot Act for aiding terrorists?
Oz
Subject: Imus has the media fooled
Imus has so many people fooled. He will pretend he is for Kerry and that way he can attack him with a vengeance and people think, "Well, gee, he is for Kerry, so all these nasty things he says about Kerry and his wife must be true."
Imus does not have all of us fooled.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Ahmed Chalabi sitting with Laura Bush at the SOU address as her Special Guest:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/01/20040120-5.html
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/06/02/chalabi.iran/
Jim
Subject: Julia Child
Hey, buzz, in honor of Julia Child who just passed away, maybe you could post (re-post?) a Summer 2003 article about her from MS magazine in which she makes a great comment about Bush?
Live! Eat! Enjoy! A Ms. Visit with Julia Child by Martha Smilgis
From next to last paragraph on first page of article:
"Regarding President George W Bush: "I've nothing to say about him except that I am appalled that he was chosen by our people to be president."
Thanks for all of your great work--you're a daily stop for me.
Keep up the good fight,
Amy
With all the Bush administration/Republican attacks on American politicians who have served in war-time over the past few years, including John McCain, Max Cleland and now John Kerry, soldiers serving in Iraq today should be on notice if they have any political ambitions. Your service now -- putting your life on the line for your country -- will be attacked by the same party that put you in harm's way. The same party whose major figures never served a day in battle when they had every opportunity to do so.
The Bush/Rove shamelessness knows no bounds.
Mike Kilroy
Aliso Viejo, CA
Subject: Mr. O'Neill and the "SwiftBoat Vets"
Dear BuzzFlash:
To Mr. O'Neill and your 'vets'.....Kerry might have served only 3-4 months in Vietnam....that is still 3-4 months longer than either Bush or Cheney served anywhere.....
Mary in Indiana
[BuzzFlash Note: Also, look what Kerry did in those 3-4 months.]
Subject: "Sensitive" George
Last night (8/12) I caught a report on one of the big three broadcast network evening newscasts (though I can't remember which one) on Dick Cheney's attack on Kerry's "sensitive" war on terror remark. The reporter actually did some homework and went back into the archives and found a clip of George Bush uttering the exact same word -- "sensitive"-- to describe how he thought the war on terror should be fought. As usual the Bush campaign calls the kettle black, thinking no one will call them on it, but it appears a lot of reporters are finding their cajones and aren't letting them get away with it anymore. Problem is, I haven't seen reference to Bush's "sensitive" comment anywhere else. It would be great if you could find a transcript of the story, but again I don't remember which network ran the story.
Steve
[BuzzFlash Note: While not a network news company, the Center for American Progress has plenty of good info.]
Dear BuzzFlash,
Regarding your link to the website currently recruiting law enforcement officers for 1 year postings in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc...
The company you should send your resume to is: DynaCorp.
Sound familiar? (*yes to most of us, but for those of you who haven't yet heard of this infamous "rent-a-cop business", click below for an overview.)
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?list=type&type=18
MP in Vancouver Canada