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

Subject: In response to Crash (August 17 mailbag)

Crash,

I get your point about Bush not really being a Texan. Okay, he was born in Connecticut, but we don't want him either! Whatever shall we do?

Grissom

[BuzzFlash Note: We think we overheard someone mention the Isle of Elbe.]

Subject: An active campaign to answer the right-wing nut-job swifties

I suggest the BuzzFlash encourage its readers to printout several copies of the the "A Veteran's Purple Heart" letter and send that copy along with their own comments to letters-to-the-editor of the Washington Post, NY Times, local paper, etc, as well as the White house, and all the networks. These letters should invoke a "hands-off Vets" attitude in the political campaign. Vets shouldn't be compelled to suffer their wounds twice, once defending our country and again by the broad-shot of an unethical, deceptive and unpatriotic campaign conceived by an "anything goes" campaign manager and approved by the president.

A million letters dropping in on these various repositories of campaign news and propaganda would not go unnoticed. Perhaps BuzzFlash could list the newspapers and stations, beside the White House, that should be targeted with this response. I would include "Hardball", "Larry King" and the Republican Convention. Such action by one million BuzzFlash readers might create a needed public outcry against the reprehensible campaign tactics of this president and his party. "All that's required for evil to win the day is that good people do nothing." Reading with concern is not enough, it is well past the time to act.

J.Z.S.
Denver

Subject: Lying Swift Boat Liars

You know, I guess I just don't understand everything I know about these jerkwad swift boat liars. Other than they are a big bunch of george bush republican liars!! The bush supporters must be paying them well!

I spent four years in the U.S Navy ( 1963-1967). Although I never served in Vietnam, I served with some sailors that did. Most of them got medals.And you know what, folks? Not a single one of them said they recommended themselves for those medals! Things just didn't work that way in the U.S Navy back in those days.You would better be able to prove you earned it, or you might be laughed out with a dishonorable discharge! (sounds like something george bush might try, huh?) So you can be assured that John Kerry earned his medals!

Lordy, lordy, lordy, if you could write your self up for medals, those swift boat liars wouldn't be able to walk around, with all the medals dangling off them!!!

At least they do agree that John Kerry was over there. Yep, folks, while John Kerry was in Vietnam dodging bullets, george bush was in Alabama, or somewhere, dodging National Guard meetings!! I wonder if the swift boat meatheads see anything wrong with that picture!

I wish they would quit calling these swift boat liars chicken hawks! They are chicken shits!! We are doing a big injustice to all of our fine feathered friends who fly through the air so gracefully to be comparing them to the swift boat liars!

Speaking of chicken shits, I wonder when our illustrious "liberal medias" are going to start giving some air and press time to Paul Lukasiak's tireless work on bush's awol record? Don't guess I will hold my breath! Looks to me like he's pretty well proven that bush is an awol deserter! I gripe to my repug media friends so often (I have 'em all grouped up in my address book) that I'm sure if two or three days went by without them hearing from me, they would send out a search party!

Hooray to Senator Tom Harkin of the great state of Iowa for calling dickhead cheney a coward!!! A coward, by any other name, is still a coward! Lets hear it for Senator Harkin!!! Now, I would love to put in my two cents worth....F* * K YOU DICK CHENEY !! YOU COWARD!!! There, that needed to be said and I'm glad I got it off my mind!!

Well, BuzzFlash, thanks a million for letting me climb up on your soap box again. Keep up the good work. And remember, folks, our four year long national nightmare is almost over!

Don from Texas

Subject: Lewis Lapham Fears for Your Liberty A Newday Article.

Dear Folks,

I am strongly urging all of you to read this article that appeared in today's Newsday titled, "Lewis Lapham Fears for Your Liberty" where he has written a book called, 'Gag Rule'. It is a book that launches a full frontal assault against the U.S.A. Patriot Act and rightfully so. This article should and must be passed on to everyone you know so that we have the ammunition to take back this country.

Below, is a paragraph that appears within this article, and it reminds me of the age-old saying, "Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it"

"The only way forward is enlightened, multilateral foreign policy. Give up the notion that we can run the world as if it were a prison, Warden Bush. It didn't work for the Romans. And it won't work for us."

Yes, we are faced with an enemy today, but as he points out during the dark days of the Cold War where we faced missiles that had the capability of hitting us in ten minutes, we still had dissent and no administration tried to ram down our throats an act similar to the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

Here is part of what Mr. Lapham said within this article, "I'm old enough to remember a constant form of terror. All through the '60s there were, supposedly, Soviet nuclear submarines 150 miles from our shores equipped with missiles capable of annihilating American cities within a matter of 10 minutes. We survived that."

During the sixties, dissent was key in changing America forever. It was exactly what in my opinion the framers had intended for our nation to survive. We must have a dialogue if we are to survive as a democracy.

I even wrote about this sometime ago in an article titled, "Patriotism Through Fear Means Nothing" which can be found at this link. It was written by me on September 5, 2002 where I read that support for our first amendment to our Constitution was eroding in a Newsday article. That cannot be tolerated if we are to remain a democracy.

To read Newsday's article that appeared today, please go to this link.

Democratically Yours,

Mary!

Subject: Ad Idea

Dear BuzzFlash,

Please contact MoveOn.org to have them run fourteen (14) 30 seconds ad spots in battleground states of Bush's 7 minute mind delay. The announcer, would say, America needs decisive leadership. With a clock running in each spot, the ad would show Bush as ineffective and indecisive, as a result we are in war and in danger. In the last series of ad, the announcer would say, America needs decisive leadership. We can't afford a President who sat out a war and sat down for 7 minutes while our country was attacked. Leaders don't sit down while our country is under attacked. In 7 minutes America could have been changed forever, and Bush sat and did nothing.

Sincerely,

Reader

Subject: 9/11

Dear Buzz,

Regarding "Bush's 9/11 Silence, A BuzzFlash Reader Contribution" the awful thought has occurred to me, ever since 9/11, that the handlers KNEW Bush and the school were not in danger and that Bush should play out his role.

A 10th generation American and loyal BuzzFlash Reader and contributor.

Subject: Dangerous Duhhbya's Police State

Buzz,

New York Times' articles and editorials paint a grave picture of DangerousDuhhbya's police state.

In New York, the F.B.I. is targeting and questioning political protesters. "F.B.I. Goes Knocking for Political Troublemakers" [8/16], and "Interrogating the Protesters" [8/17]

In Florida, "... state police officers have gone into the homes of elderly African-American voters - including participants in get-out-the-vote operations - and interrogated them ... an attempt to intimidate voters." Krugman's "Saving The Vote"

'Intimidation' isn't stark-enough a word to describe the criminal warfare Duhhbya's Police State is waging on American citizens.

T Quigly

Re: Salon's article on "the whole world is watching"

Buzz,

I read the free part of Salon's article, "the whole world is watching"...and this is the letter to the editor I responded with.

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

Protests that turn violent in NYC might help Bush? Why?

First, let me point out that in 1968, a federal commission appointed by the Democratic administration of LBJ, who certainly had no love for our message (yes, I was there), found it to have been a "police riot", and not due to any fault of the demonstrators.

Then, to address the idea that such violence in NYC might be "Christmas in August" for Bush, may I point out that it didn't seem to help VP Hubert Humphrey in his campaign against Tricky Dick.

It could just as well result in sympathy for the demonstrators if they are clearly the ones being attacked, as we were in Chicago.

Finally, should people *not* at least make the attempt to "petition their <ruler> for redress of grievances", to use language from an obscure 18th Century document?

mark

Subject: Letters from Ethan & other stuff

I just wanted to let Ethan know that how much I enjoy his letters to the pResident. Every day when I'm looking at BuzzFlash I hope for a new Letter from Ethan. Too bad Bush has a team of screeners & probably never even sees them.

A coworker & I have started a friendly (so far) war because I proudly display my Kerry/Edwards bumber sticker & he proudly displays his postcard w. the pic of GeeW & Laura. For some reason, he thinks mine should come down. This morning I emailed him the article about the social studies teacher who had her ticket for a Bush rally torn up because she was wearing a Kerry/Edwards sticker. His reply was that she could have taken off the sticker & did I think that Bush really knew about stuff like that going on? He surely would put a stop to that! YEAH RIGHT!!!

His next statement was a question: Is that really indicative of the type of president that Bush has been? You can imagine the "friendly" tirade this sent me into - all in an e-mail response that ended up taking my entire lunch break before I quit citing fact after fact after horrible fact. Sadly enough I could have kept writing on the subject for another hour or two.

My point? It seems like Bush has a bunch of supporters who don't pay attention - but I guess we already knew that. Maybe it is just the fact that I am in Texas & in the minority - it is crazy the way some of these people follow like sheep!

Thanks, Buzz, for keeping me in the loop, & all the readers who submit to the Mailbag - I feel like I know some of you & miss you when you are not posting!

Stephanie in Arlington, TX

Subject: Blue NYC

www.bluenyc.org

The Republican National Convention arrives in New York in less than two weeks.

Have you thought about speaking out against Bush?

We suggest a plan for a citywide protest that allows all New Yorkers to participate without leaving their home:

Put blue in your window.

Simple as it may be, the image of an entire city blanketed in blue, building to building, window to window, will be the most powerful and poignant protest imaginable. Along with flooding the streets with placards and bumper stickers, an image of New York draped in one single color will demonstrate to the world a clear message: we, as one city, want a change for our country.

If you are a New Yorker who is upset with the Bush Administration, visit:

www.bluenyc.org

.... and pass this email on to your friends, family and coworkers.

Subject: Minutes of silence...

My husband and I have discussed the 7 minutes of Bush sitting there reading "MY PET GOAT" . .. we came to the conclusion: There should be an AD showing the towers falling in the background, and next to that showing Bush sitting there doing NOTHING (except looking stupid!) How DARE HE !!!!

How DARE the repubs accuse Kerry of being a wimp when BUSH was missing for nearly a year during the time he should have been serving in the 'National Guard!" Pilot he was not!!!

The records should be compared!!!

Just my thoughts . ..

RT - Ohio

Subject: GW in Wisconsin Wednesday

GW was in Eau Claire Wisconsin Wednesday, and I hear part of his speech on Milwaukee channel and could not believe what he said. I am providing part of the speech, it is taken from the Eau Claire Wisconsin newspaper, the Leader Telegram.

If he thought ahead of time, he wouldn't even bring up the fact that John Kerry plans to spend trillions of dollars --- the only reason Kerry would have to do that is to cover Bush's deficit--and where does Bush think he'd get the money to cover this?

Here is Bush's unbelievable quote:

" We need fiscal discipline when it comes to spending your money,”he said. “We’ve got to be wise about how we spend it, and we must keep taxes low.”

Democratic challenger John Kerry has a plan to spend trillions of dollars, but the rich aren’t wealthy enough to take on the burden, Bush said.

Therefore the middle and lower class people will be taxed, he added."

Kay

Subject: The Morning of 9/11

One of your readers write that "of all the inexcusable and incompetent acts Bush committed on that day was putting those children in the classroom in danger".

I have to believe that he probably knew that he was in no danger, that he was totally safe and not in harms way. He made no effort to leave, he stayed around for photos and to chat with the children and their teachers. If the sky was indeed falling in New York, and other parts of the country, I think that President Bush had to know that he was safe. His brother Jeb had the entire Nat'l Guard out that day, so maybe he knew there was no need for hurry, no need to scurry, no need to do anything other than what he was doing.

Just a thought!

After 3/12 years of these guys and their lies and manipulations, nothing would surprise me

Cheryl Betz

Subject: Bush's 9/11 Silence - another angle

Dear Buzz:

On August 18, 2004 I read a very interesting piece by a BuzzFlash reader Karl M Evans: Bush's 9/11 Silence. In the last paragraph, Mr. Evans states:

“It means that by remaining in that classroom for that seven minutes, and remaining in the vicinity for another 20, Bush was directly endangering the lives of those children. As a presumed target, his mere presence among those children put them directly in the line of fire. And with every second he lingered, he kept them in the line of fire.”

I would agree with Mr. Evans on this, only I do have another hypothesis.

If one looks at it from another angle, it may appear that Bush knew about the attacks before they happened. He also knew that HE WAS NOT THE TARGET. Thus, he was sitting quietly on his worthless butt until he figured out he wasted enough time and the damage was done. Later on, in order not to waste a photo op –he hung around for another 20 minutes or so, until all the pictures were taken. All this time he knew he wasn’t in any danger.

If Bush knew about attacks (which was confirmed by lack of any reaction when he was told), he also knew what the targets were, and he knew that he wasn’t one of them.

Just my humble opinion.

Buzz, you’re my Number One news source. Thanks for keeping me sane. –Malgoska (Pueblo, CO)

Subject: Bush: yet another Flip-Flop (or is it?)

Bush has just said importing Rx drugs "makes sense."

Pressure mounting on the House GOP Cromags to allow importation of Rx. The Gray Panthers are, it seems, bearing their teeth.

So, a 'humble' foreign policy, arsenic in H2O, man back to the moon and on to mars, let inspectors do their job, mission accomplished, Yucca Mtn, and oodles of others, and, now, Rx importation policy . . . Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop, can W keep anything straight???

Of course, the story here is not that the guy is changing his mind (good for him if he is), the real story is that the Media Heathers will call this a "re-evaluation," or Bush's " backing off" a more strident stand, or a "recalibration" of the "political dynamic," or, a "smart move," but, by no means will it be called a "Flip-Flop," that term is exclusively reserved for writing the Kerry narrative.

Richard Newton
Birmingham, Alabama

Subject: ARE WE THERE YET?

Citizens and non-citizens alike are held indefinitely, in secrecy, without being charged with a crime, without benefit of legal representation and deprived of any contact with the outside world, including their families. Citizens who may or may not become protestors at a future political event are interviewed by the F.B.I. In the Denver area, one young woman was questioned by four F.B.I. agents and two Colorado law enforcement officials. Frightened and intimidated, she attempted to explain to the six individuals that came to interrogate her that she wasn't even planning to be in New York for the republican convention. The Mayor of New York claims that the ability to protest is a privilege not a right. American citizens attempting to take part in Bush political rallies are forced to sign loyalty oaths. If they refuse their tickets are destroyed and they're refused admission. Some have actually been cuffed and hauled away. Protestors are herded into "free speech zones", where some, non-violent, defenseless and fenced-in, were pepper-sprayed by overzealous policemen. The pResident's legal council advises him that it's legal to torture prisoners. Librarians are forced to turn over citizens reading histories to domestic intelligence agencies. The so-called Patriot Act is filled with opportunities to deprive Americans of their civil liberties. There is so much abuse going on in this country, and I've barely scratched the surface with these examples. I'm sure the BuzzFlash readers are capable of providing many more examples. And I hope you will.

Some of us are concerned that America is already well on its way to becoming a fascist state. Others think we're paranoid or we worry too much. CNN's Tucker Carlson actually mocks those of us who are concerned about the loss of civil liberties and he makes fun of the fact that we genuinely fear another Bush term.

In every failed democracy, there was plenty of warning. Totalitarian rule thrives when the early warning signs are ignored until it's too late. I find myself wondering if there was a point at which the German people could have stopped Hitler? Even the nightmare he visited upon Germany and the world didn't happen overnight. I suppose I'm simply wondering if we're close to that point of no return. Can someone out there tell me, "are we there yet?"

"As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is twilight. And it is in such twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness." (Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas)

Judy Maclean
Colorado

Subject: For the Anti-Shrubya Protesters Heading to New York.

Hi Gang!

You've been loud and you've been proud. You've started progressive movements that concentrate on dooming Shrubya's second-term hopes. You've blogged, emailed, called, screamed, and even been arrested.

When it comes to New York, the idea is a show of unity. Show all the privileged characters in MSG and those watching on television something radically different.

When you go to protest, hold whatever sign you want up high (might I suggest "MY VOTE IS MY PROTEST") but stand there in silence.

When you are allowed to march, do it in utter silence.

When the media wants an interview, keep walking and ignore them.

When some of Shrubya's delusional supporters take it upon themselves to harangue you, keep walking and ignore them. If one of these A-One nut-jobs tries to take away your sign or even in the slightest way touches you, file assault charges.

Do nothing verbally or physically to provoke anyone.

Silent protests will garner you much more attention.

Pass it on.

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: Bush speaks of 'Soviet dinar'

US President George W, Bush spoke today of "the Soviet dinar," –appearing to mix up the Russian ruble and the Iraqi dinar.

"Bush speaks of 'Soviet dinar'"

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Religious Wingnuts

Dear fellow BuzzFlash readers

I forwarded the link to Maureen Farrell's article, Conventional Facades, to everyone on my personal address book, including a few Born Again's who agreed with the article. Although I think all of your contributors write great thoughtful articles, this one was among the best, exposing the far right wingnut agenda.

As each day passes I am filled with even more rage at what has happened to our "Once Great" country, and 1/2 or more of the American sheeple don't seem to care. I'm also feeling more certain that the Bush mob will steal the White House again, and nobody will utter a peep, or if they do, the controlled press will ignore it.

I'm a Viet Nam vet and what bothers me is a few people I know, including friends who are also vets have talked about leaving the country if Dubya is re-selected in November.

Most people I talk to do not see at all that we are becoming a fascist state, but if your read the following article, Fascism Anyone, we meet many of the criteria.

I've been reading articles about Bush's proposed plan to screen all Americans for mental health. My mind boggles at what I can only imagine will be some of the criteria for good mental health. Will people who question authority, maintain the ability of critical thought, non Born Agains, Non Repuglicans, the poor, the sick, people with AIDS, gays, those not on Prozac, etc be singled out as in need of gummint re-education.

And the internet! what does his administration have in store for the net after he's re-selected. My hunch is there will be no more BuzzFlash as well as any other dissenting voice in cyberspace, at least in the US of A.

Perhaps I'm sounding paranoid, but a few fellow thinkers have told me, in the current state of affairs, I'm not paranoid enough.

I pray to God (an I'm wondering more and more if he really exists) that he expose the lies, open the eyes of the sleeping masses, and return this country to sanity.

Shalom,

Ray, Cambridge, Mass

Subject: Anti-Kerry/Pro-Bush coverage from 'liberal' NPR

Hey Buzz:

Here's an E-mail I just sent off to NPR's 'Morning Edition:'

I had to turn off ME in the middle of Juan Williams' report on Kerry's VFW speech. The amount of time given to repeating the false, GOP-manufactured charges against Kerry's Vietnam service (without identifying them as such) and then equating them with the real, unanswered questions about Bush's National Guard service was astonishing. Williams' angle on the story had the net effect of giving Bush a free pass on something he should be held to account on, and then taking the entire issue off the table. This slant was particularly galling, given the no-questions-asked treatment of Bush's swing through Minnesota in the previous report. Williams' report also depicted Kerry as on the defensive against Cheney's 'sensitive' charge, without providing the context of Bush's repeated use of the word himself. The right-wingers who sneer at NPR as 'liberal' and therefore biased against their man should give you a listen; you'd gain a whole new audience overnight.

-Joe Strike

Subject: Clueless???

Dear BuzzFlash,

When one looks at the odd behavior of the President, the Vice-President, the Sect'y of Defense and other very high officials on the morning of 9/11, the question that begs asking is "Why did ALL of them do nothing normal?" Is total incompetence an acceptable answer when, in their own words, the shadow government was quickly enabled and flawlessly at the ready and running perfectly without a hitch?

Have you let readers know that a right-wing radio host and moralist, Michael Medved, stated publicly those who ask simple questions like this need a visit from the FBI? Did those who doubted the Warren Report receive this type of assault on their Constitutionally guaranteed rights? It seems that asking such questions is one of the most patriotic things an honest American would do and that our honorable FBI agents, police, and all sworn to protect us, should be doing the same.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Swift Boat Liar, Thurlow, become unhinged!

You've all probably posted the link to today's washington Post story casting serious doubt on Larry Thurlow's accusations against John Kerry.

But, this passage was what interested me the most:

" It's like a Hollywood presentation here, which wasn't the case," Thurlow said last night after being read the full text of his Bronze Star citation. "My personal feeling was always that I got the award for coming to the rescue of the boat that was mined. This casts doubt on anybody's awards. It is sickening and disgusting."

Thurlow said he would consider his award "fraudulent" if coming under enemy fire was the basis for it. "I am here to state that we weren't under fire," he said. He speculated that Kerry could have been the source of at least some of the language used in the citation."

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

You'd think Thurlow had never READ his Bronze Star citation before! And not only does he implausibly imply he never read it before, he says the language in there he regards as "hollywood" was put in there by John Kerry!

One can only conclude that Larry Thurlow is an unhinged lying nutcase with an obsessive desire to harm John kerry at all costs.

Even to the point of denying his own Bronze Star!

Moreover, his disingenuous comment:

"My personal feeling was always that I got the award for coming to the rescue of the boat that was mined."

Is obviously a bunch of hogwash. Why would he think that going back to assist a disabled boat (even one that was mined) was somehow deserving of a Bronze star?

Especially if, as he now maintains in order to avoid prosecution for perjury or being sued by John Kerry, he wasn't under fire?!?

This is plain and simple ass covering.

It is almost a 100% certainty that Thurlow read that citation before the Washington Post called "bullshit" on him. It is also a near 100% certainty that the citation was READ by the officer who pinned it on him at the ceremony.

In other words, Thurlow didn't say one word about it until he got caught in a lie.

What's worse, is that in order to protect himself from legal liability, and to continue to screw John kerry, he's now LIERALLY calling into question EVERYBODY'S medals from that time in Vietnam!

He's going to bring everybody down with John kerry, if he has to.

Nothing cold be more pathetic.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Mayor Bloomberg, a blooming idiot.

I am not sure that if I ever get the money I want to visit a place where free speech is a privilege given when the mayor likes what you are saying.

"Mayor suggests free assembly a 'privilege'"

NO:
C heney
A shcroft
R umsfeld
B ush
Speak up or they assume you agree!!! ABB

Karen Webb, Moore, Ok.

Subject: How Many Restricted Neighborhoods?

Just spoke on the phone with one of my democrat daughters (this mom did her job) and she tells me they are not supposed to put out any political signs in their neighborhood (Bellingham, Wa. Sudden Valley.) Most are doing it anyway but I am wondering just how many POA groups are taking away our civil rights? I can understand the reason behind this when it is not close to an election but not this close to primaries. If half of us are Kerry supporters why do I not see more bumper stickers and yard signs. It pays to advertise! I live in Florida and rarely see either. Come on people, let's just do it! Don't let the Repugnants scare you.

Pisces

Subject: considering the source

Dear Buzz:

In the front-page Washington Post story "Records Counter a Critic of Kerry," I found this lovely little paragraph:

"In a telephone interview Tuesday evening after he attended a Swift Boat Veterans strategy session in an Arlington hotel, Thurlow said he lost his Bronze Star citation more than 20 years ago. He said he was unwilling to authorize release of his military records because he feared attempts by the Kerry campaign to discredit him and other anti-Kerry veterans."

Oh, I see, what's fair for the goose is apparently unfair for the gander. Mr. Thurlow and company would like us simply to take their discrediting of Kerry's wartime valor at face value without considering the source. Their version of things strikes me as kind of like that official Bush bio on a govt. site, which says he continued to fly missions for several years following his Guard service (To which we can now all say collectively, "What the f*&#?").

And, if, as Bush's spokesmen claim, the president so admires John Kerry's service then why doesn't he come out against the group discrediting it. You know, if he's such an admirer and all...

The garbage out there sure does stink.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: additional reasons for the cut...

I recently read your post "Bush Cancels Funding for Important Weather Satellite Program, A BuzzFlash Reader Contribution."

This was a very good letter suggesting that there would be consequences for the cancellation of the satellite program, but there was no serious look at the reason. Cost cutting alone does not explain something that will have potential political fallout. On a different, but related issue, I've had extensive arguments with conservative friends on global warming. They often used lack of sea level change as an argument. I found the best source of ammunition to shoot them down was the NOAA/NASA site: http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/cenap-en/slr_links.htm.

The satellite information from the NOAA program was important in proving the raise in ocean levels. Sadly, it does not seem unlikely that there is a connection between this information and the lack of future funding...

Yours,

Ron Sturtevant-Stuart

Subject: A Kerry Scorecard

Dear Buzz;

The media are confused about the Kerry position on Iraq. Kerry has been remarkably consistent in his position. Two or 3 times a day on the stump Mr Bush mischaracterizes the Kerry position, claims that Kerry flip flops, claims that Kerry supported Bush decision to go to war or whatever is convenient for Bush to say regardless of truth. Mr Bush repeats his charges constantly and uses different versions so it really does become a mess. Kerry's position is not a mess. Bush's characterization of Kerry's position is a mess. This is a deliberate campaign tactic. Mr Bush is deceiving the public into believing that the Kerry position changes, but Bush is not being called on it. Plus he has his echo chamber to drum home his talking point lie (Kerry=flipflop).

Buzz, the media need our help. We should send every last one of them a scorecard to remind them that the Kerry statements have been consistent

THE KERRY SCORECARD ON IRAQ:

Threaten Saddam over UN compliance and allowing inspectors- NOT A MISTAKE

Using force if Saddam refused inspectors- NOT A MISTAKE

Not adequately pursuing diplomatic and political means in Iraq- A MISTAKE

Invading before weapons inspection was complete- A MISTAKE

Invading Iraq without the support of key allies- A MISTAKE.

Invading Iraq without a plan for the peace- A MISTAKE

Misleading the Congress and US about WMD and intelligence- A MISTAKE

Refusing to allow key allies to help rebuild Iraq and keep peace when the occupation beagan- A Big MISTAKE

- jonny bakho

Subject: Deer in the Headlights

Dear Buzz,

I keep hearing on Fox news that Bush was "reading to the children" when he heard that the second tower had been hit. I think that is a misstatement. Every clip that I have seen, it seems to me that he was simply listening. and after he was told he sits there with a look on his face that clearly shows that he is thinking "I wish someone would come tell me what to do". This would make a good ad for the campaign. No one would feel safer from attack it he were in charge.

A BuzzFlash Reader