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

Subject: Bush, New York, Baghdad and Turkey

So it seems that Bush will be sneaking into his own convention in New York City for only a few hours on Thursday--just long enough to give his acceptance speech to a handpicked crowd.

Reminds me of a similar quick visit by our Great and Adored World Leader to Baghdad last Thanksgiving, where he provided false consolation under cover of darkness to yet another handpicked crowd.

I guess it's just another example of the personality of this shy and humble guy--you know--the one who doesn't want to show off by facing adoring crowds as they strew flowers onto his path in streets throughout the world.

The only question that remains is--will the speech Bush delivers on Thursday be a red meat speech, a white meat speech, or just a plastic speech--as fake as the Turkey he delivered to our military last November?

A Loyal BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Absentee Ballot Blitz was GOP secret weapon in Florida 2000

Buzz;

Some thing(s) to consider for readers that vote in precincts that use the paperless e-voting machines:

Absentee voting was key to the GOP victory in Florida in 2000 (The Nation)

WASHINGTON -- In an extraordinary get-out-the-vote effort that helped put George W. Bush in the White House, Florida's Republican Party mounted an aggressive appeal to party faithful--complete with a letter from Gov. Jeb Bush--to cast absentee ballots before the Nov. 7 election.

"Vote from the comfort of your home," Jeb Bush urged in the letter, which was superimposed over what appeared to be an image of the state seal.

And vote they did. A survey of Florida's 67 counties shows that more than 700,000 Florida voters--or almost 1 in 8--voted absentee.

George W. Bush, the governor's brother, captured about 125,000 more absentee votes than his Democratic rival, Al Gore.

That margin dwarfs Bush's official 537-vote edge in the Sunshine State. And Florida in turn put Bush over the top in the electoral college.

The gigantic but largely invisible absentee ballot blitz was the GOP's secret weapon in the Florida campaign. But it was almost entirely overlooked during the suspenseful five-week recount of the Florida vote last fall, when the presidency hung in the balance.

GOP flier questions new voting equipment (St. Petersburg Times)

As Gov. Bush defends touch screen machines, his party urges using absentee ballots to "Make sure your vote counts."

July 29, 2004

BOSTON - While Gov. Jeb Bush reassures Floridians that touch screen voting machines are reliable, the Republican Party is sending the opposite message to some voters.

The GOP urged some Miami voters to use absentee ballots because touch screens lack a paper trail and cannot "verify your vote."

"The liberal Democrats have already begun their attacks and the new electronic voting machines do not have a paper ballot to verify your vote in case of a recount," says a glossy mailer, paid for by the Republican Party of Florida and prominently featuring two pictures of President Bush. "Make sure your vote counts. Order your absentee ballot today."

Joyce
Winston-Salem, NC 

Subject: Warning to NYC: Passing out flyers can get you arrested in Bush's USSA

Dear Buzz,

Your headline, in reference to the NYT story about the arrest of 250 cyclists protesting Bush yesterday, reads: How Will NY Respond to Protests? "A fifth person was arrested for passing out fliers on their behalf." Arresting for Passing Out Flyers? Sounds a Bit Extreme. 8/28.

Arrested for passing out flyers--"extreme"? Friends, things have changed in GWB's United Stalinesque States of America. As I learned the hard way this summer, passing out flyers in Bush's America CAN get you arrested. Just take a look at what happened to me and my girlfriend:

It's A Shame Somebody Has to Get Arrested: A Reader's Story (CityPages.com)

I rented the movie "Fahrenheit 451" for the first time last night, a futuristic film starring the beautiful Julie Christie that looks a heck of a lot like our Patriot Act present (complete with big-screen tvs, mindless game shows, and Prozac to keep the masses docile), and it occurred to me--maybe the Bush administration's real problem with flyers doesn't lie in their distribution, but in their content. That is, unlike chants and protests that block traffic and marches that are easily ignored by those with the power to throw dissenters in jail or corral them into "Free Speech Zones," flyers contain and spread contagious thoughts and ideas through the most pesky nuisance of all for dictators and their henchmen -- the written word.

Teresa Josette
Nashville, TN

Subject: MLK speech on Vietnam so relevant now

Hello bloggers I depend on --

Our local NPR station (and maybe many others) this week aired Martin Luther King's April 1967 speech on Vietnam in which he laid out how he came to "see the war as an enemy of the poor" and warned that, "If America's soul becomes totally poisoned, part of the autopsy must read Vietnam."

It's a masterful, prescient, passionate, and plainly argued plea for hope and peace.  And it's utterly relevant today:  Swap references to Southeast Asia and communism with Middle East and terrorism and all the heartbreaking logic applies to our poisoned venture in Iraq.  Not to mention the whole Swift Boat bullshit swirling around...

Text and audio of King's speech are online at:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkatimetobreaksilence.htm

Please link to it.

Thank you for thinking about this.

Marlene

Subject: RE: Double Standard

Is it just me or is there a double standard on the poll numbers. It seems to me that all month long Kerry had a 2 point lead, and was said to have been in a statistical dead heat. Now that Bush is up by 2 points he is said to have a slim lead.

It gets worse. Today Wolf and Conservative AEI's Bill Schneider implied that Bush is doing well in the battleground states. Their evidence was a few cherry picked polls showing Bush in the lead. What a joke, most polls show Kerry with small margins in all the battleground states except for Ohio and Fla. Wolf's bias is showing through and we all know that Bill is in the tank for the conservative side.

If I want this kind of misleading crap, I'll watch Fox. Stop the Spin and get on the ball.

thank you,

stevie gardiner
somerdale, nj

PS - For the 100th time, Why isn't Bill Schneider identified as being with the conservative AEI?

PSS - Can someone answer this question for me: If the majority of issues favor the Democrats and there is a liberal media, then why do the republicans control both houses and the White House? Seems to me if the media was in the tank for the DEMS, they would win every election.

Subject: Heads--Up Headlines I Want to See in America

BuzzFlash,

If I were to say there was some "good news" this week, it would be the following from Truthout - British MPs Plan to Impeach Blair over Iraq War.

But, for my "Wish List," just change the names from British to US Congress and Blair to Bush . . . now that's a headline and for once, since Bush has been in the White House, I would celebrate. :)

Thanks BuzzFlash,

Shirley Smith

Subject: I'm not going to take this anymore

Hi,

Remember when the famous commentator in  the movie "Network" told his nationwide audience "We're not going to take this anymore," and most everyone opened their windows and screamed the same thing?   Well, Al Franken is asking everyone to do this  about 10 minutes before Bush makes his speech next Thursday at the convention.

Join in if you like and tell your friends about it.

Burt

Subject: Major News Organizations Need To Reveal This Truth

Kudos to Maureen Farrell for continuing this assault on voter apathy - she reveals the true connection between the Bush administration and Republicans and the extremist Christian right wing theocrats:

http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/08/far04029.html

Her articles need to be in front of every middle of the road voter, undecideds, apathetic non-voters, or even those moderate conservative voters who still believe in our Constitution, and in our democracy. Now the the RNC is getting under way, the stealth tactics used by the Christian theocrats will be used behind the scenes, as the Republicans put on that false "all-inclusive" cover face to fool Americans.  Please email her articles far and wide and get the word out - we need to have major-league media coverage of this potential danger to our country's freedoms.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Okay Story Number Two . . . From Kerry to Spy Case

BuzzFlash,

One thing this administration has taught me . . . I never believe anything coming out about them. This "spy story" being released at the same time as the convention, for instance, because the only news of the convention will be the brutality of the police on people trying to make use of their rights as US citizens and we will be lucky if they (police) don't kill some of those protesters. In a liberal city such as New York, shame on the police!!! There will be nothing new offered by the Republicans . . . until they prop up Osama somewhere right before the day to vote.

Does this "spy story" mean that the Bush administration can blame him (the alleged spy) for everything? It is curious to me that they can "find" any spy when they couldn't find who gave out names in the Valerie Plame investigation that has caused at least one death and exposed years of work against terrorism. They haven't found the killer using anthrax. In fact, I don't believe this administration could find anything unless it was for their own use . . . the reason being that they are incompetent and they don't care . . . terrorism is a vague term to the Bush administration and they use it to their own advantage, but they have done nothing to try and terminate it . . . only to exploit it.

So, you can see why I am dubious. Of course, Bush supports Sharon, (Sharon mows down homes while Bush takes homes through jobless owners) they are two of a kind and I believe that whenever they (the Bush administration) do anything, i.e., such as transfer this person into the department in question under Rumsfeld, that they know what is going on, but will always have "Plan B" to save their ass and let someone else take the fall. After all, who was the last person to be questioned about Enron?

It is my belief that everything that happens in the Bush administration . . . the buck stops with Bush and his cohorts in crime. And, since they are criminals . . . I question everything and believe nothing from this administration.

I am just left wondering what story number three will be . . . :)

Thanks BuzzFlash,

Shirley Smith

Subject: Bush in the round

Bush to deliver his acceptance speech next week  "from a small circular stage in a sea of thousands of delegates and other guests."   His "God complex" is at work here - he'll be projected as the savior and deliverer from all that is evil according to the RNC's platform (i.e. all things Democrats believe in).  It's a sickening image.

For the President, Special Setup Is Planned at Convention  (NY Times)

DS
Pensacola, FL

Subject: Foreign companies on the US government tit...

U.S. subsidiaries of corporations headquartered in tax haven countries such as Bermuda are likely to enjoy advantages over American companies when bidding on federal contracts, congressional auditors said Friday.

Federal Contracts Benefit Tax Haven Cos. (AP: yahoo.com)

It is absolutely ridiculous that any US Tax Money should be spent on companies who have headquarters in the Cayman Islands or other tax dodge countries. If it is legally done it's those companies' choice to become leeches on the business infrastructure of the United States while avoiding paying for it with taxes.

BUT, as taxpayers we have a choice to make our representatives spend our tax money ONLY with real American companies. Of course this won't happen while Bush is in charge, because Bush's loyalties are to the financial well-being of CEOs and not to America's financial well-being as a whole.

A BuzzFlash Reader and Big Time Patriot
http://www.bigtimepatriot.com...

Subject: "Unheroic Bush behind anti-Kerry Lies"

You asked what I think--Here it is:

Anyone convicted of telling lies about any candidate in any election, including any candidate telling lies in his own behalf, should go directly to jail for five years with no time off, no "pardon" from president or Governor, or anybody else.

This law should apply to all sitting elected officials and all their staff personnel WITHOUT EXCEPTION...

Bet you would see an abrupt change in the behavior of ALL the Liars  in Government!

Sidney S. Keith

Eagle, Idaho

Subject: I was in school

I was in school. The sun shone bright on November 22, 1963. A crying teacher came into my third grade class and told us that President Kennedy had been shot and was dead. School was dismissed. At age nine I didn't really understand the implications of what happened but I will never forget where I was or what I did on that day. The bus ride home was solemn and the news consumed us for days after. Newspapers ran "where were you when you heard the news" accounts.

I was in school. The sun shone bright on September 11, 2001. It was the first week of fall semester and I was on my way to teach Speech 101 at 8 a.m. Running late as usual, I heard just a bit on the radio about the World Trade Center in flames. When I arrived on campus my fellow graduate students told me what had happened. At age 47 I understood the potential implications of what happened and I will never forget where I was or what I did on that day.

We quickly discussed how to handle our classes. I briefly told my students what I knew. Many thousands of people worked in the Twin Towers and our state of knowledge led us to believe that most of those had been killed or would soon die. I compared this to Pearl Harbor and told my students that casualties there had amounted to a few hundred and the event led us into World War II. I handed out my syllabi and gave my students the briefest overview possible before dismissing class.

We gathered in the office of one of the professors to watch news coverage on a 9-inch black and white television. One girl was crying and asked over and over, "How could anyone do this?" We were outraged. We were sad. We were afraid. The only thing any of us wanted was more information. The television was our lifeline. We NEEDED to know. Know what. Know who. Know how.

He was in school. The sun shone bright on September 11, 2001. We know the rest of the story.

Columnists and pundits continue to rail on about Dubya's seven minutes. Their implicit purpose is to ask us to put ourselves in his place and ask ourselves how we would have reacted. I have done so. Individually we know how we did react and have a good idea how we might have reacted in Uncurious George's shoes. But individual accounts can easily be swept away.

Media during those dark days following 9/11 ran "where were you when you heard" accounts. I think it's time to resurrect those accounts. Let's pile them one upon another until they topple and crush George W. Bush under their weight.

Kathy Gustafson
Brookings, SD

Subject: Just wondering

Dear BuzzFlash,

 I was reading about this guy Jerry Patterson, the guy the Bush campaign sent out to present Max Cleland with a counter-complaint letter - He is a state employee in Texas right? He was on his way to a meeting when he received the phone call from the Bush/Cheney campaign. Did he take annual leave for his political activities yesterday? Was he in a state-provided car or request travel reimbursement for his trip? Much was made by CNN over the fact that Max Cleland arrived in a rented Cadillac. What was Patterson driving? What about the others that signed the letter to Kerry? I understand that some are also State employees. Did they take off State time too?

No one seems to know, and what Texas state government agency is going to ask?

If I am a State employee and I did something like this on State time, I'd be out the door before a Longhorn could drop his next load...

A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: As the Kerry campaign notes, Texas Land Commissioner Patterson received over $150,000 from Bob Perry, the top donor to the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth."]

Subject: A Modest Proposal

At the Democratic Convention John Kerry honored the men he served with by having them there as guests, and they in turn honored him by coming and attesting to his bravery and honor.

During this entire campaign President Bush has not appeared with any of the men he served with in Texas and Alabama.  It's as though he were ashamed to be seen with them.

Perhaps at the Republican Convention it would be appropriate for him to have as his guests pilots and others who served with him in Texas and Alabama.

That would put to rest the allegations that there is no one in Alabama to do so (other then the dentist) and  that he did not show up for a year (may 72 to may 73) in Texas.

It would also do honor to the National Guard and Reservists everywhere who are bearing the brunt of the war in Iraq.

I would think he would be willing to do this since he takes great pride in giving many of his speeches at military bases before military audiences while wearing his Commander in Chief flight jacket.  And don't forget his appearance on the carrier.

A modest proposal for the President to put to rest the allegations and to honor those who served with him and those who are dying and being wounded every day in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Robert E. Reynolds
Orange Park, FL

Subject: mailbag

Hey Buzz,

I'm so happy my t-shirt arrived yesterday - in time for the protest.  And Phil Rowland's mention of that bumper sticker in the 8/26 mailbag - "It ain't over til' your brother counts the votes" - is great and I may put it on my sign.  I just love it - it's funny but the message is a powerful one.  Thanks for the idea.

So I'm ready ... bring 'em on.  Did anyone see the banner yesterday on the Plaza Hotel?  It was huge and said, "Truth (with an arrow pointing towards Central Park - and "Bush" with an arrow pointing in the opposite direction.  It was great.  But of course it's not up there anymore. 

The polls are looking really good for Kerry, but of course, "it ain't over til' your brother counts the votes."

Maybe I can piss off a few repugs with my BuzzFlash t-shirt.  We all know that they know who BuzzFlash is - you refute all their lies.

You're the best!

Barbara in NYC

Subject: JEB wins Panama pardons for Cuban Terrorist Lois Posada Carriles & Co.

 These pardons show the REAL  attitude  of the Bushies with regard to their most peculiar   "War on Terror". As noted in this article, http://www.madcowprod.com,  Daddy Bush's  Cuban terrorist pal Lois Posada Carriles joined new CIA director Porter Goss in Operation 40.  One got a pardon, the other his dream job replacing Tenent as  DCI.  JEB pulled the strings thus allowing the Bushies to deny involvement in the pardon of Carriles and his terrorist cadre by the outgoing Panamanian Prez. She'll be taken care of for her ignoble act of "loyalty" to the Bush Mafia.  That's the way it works in mafia circles. 

Here's a partial rap sheet on Bushmen Lois Posada Carriles: 

Exiles directed blasts that rocked island's
tourism, investigation reveals (afrocubaweb.com)

U.S. Denies Role in Cuban Exiles' Pardon
Panama Frees 4 Convicted in Plot To Kill Castro (Washington Post)

Barbara E. Hecker

PS. Watch the "liberal" media drop this nasty little piece of business under the avalanche of their 24 hour stream of banality: The SwiftBoat, The Pedophile, The Rapist & "The murder of the Century" - until another "Murder of the Century" replaces it a week after the verdict is announced.  For good or ill, America gets the government that she deserves. 

Subject: what we go through !!!

Hi,

I am writing because I am a single mom having a hard time supporting my kids, half the time I don't get child support, I can't afford health insurance, people think certified nursing assistants make a lot of money, we don't.

I am really from south Louisiana, jobs are so bad their people are moving. I moved to Wyoming.

Some single moms have to work two jobs just to make it. Some singles can't get food stamps, I am one of them, but I make it.

Lots of single moms do the best they can, people down them, when they are trying. Bush doesn't realize how many single moms they have in this world, trying to support kids when their dad won't support them, it also goes for men when they have to raise kids, women should support their kids as well, but men make more then a woman, but men get way more than women for paying for their kids.

People are homeless because Bush doesn't care. If he did, he would take the time do for our country. We are supposed to be the richest state, but we are not, because he's taking from us.

To me, Bush needs to live the life of a single mom or dad for a week, and give him less money to live on, and have a few kids and no health insurance, when the kids are sick, to see what we go through.

I think Bill Clinton might have had his downfall on some things, but he looked out for jobs and health insurance.

C.C.

Subject: Viagra Bob

I so enjoyed your article on Bob Dole. I too admired him. It is hard when your heroes let you down, but let me down he did. I can never look at him the same. How could a man like Bob Dole dishonor himself for a couple of cowards like bush and cheney? If he thinks Kerry is not fit to be president how in the world could he think those "I will hold your coat" cowards be the ones to lead our great country?

Keep up the good work. I so enjoy your website.

Annette

Subject: Re: Yes, Held Over for the Third Day...

Awesome!  This is an absolute Grand Slam -- An elderly white man with a strong and commanding southern drawl!  This the strongest thing I have seen yet!

We must edit this into a 30-second spot! (It must include some footage or quote

from Bushie saying he did not get any special treatment.)

Get Moveon.org., DNC, ACT or somebody to sponsor this and start a fund drive immediately!  Everyone will literally empty their pockets to pay for this...

Where can I contribute to this?!!!

A loyal daily devotee for over three years.

Pete Chaviano
Tallahassee, Fl

Subject: Connecting the Dots on Mental Instability

In the book, The Pelican Brief, a young law student takes what are seemingly disparate events and constructs a theory as to how they are tied together.  She, in fact, connected the dots.  Now a lot of ink has been expended on GWB's failure to hold unscripted press conferences and how the crowds which he addresses are generally friendly.  This is either because he is on a military base and the soldiers are under orders or anyone who poses any possible conflict with GWB is removed under the guise of national security.  This includes, recently, the arrest of two people who were wearing t-shirts which expressed an unfavorable attitude toward GWB.  People from the audiences ask pre-screened, softball questions.  No real questions are going to creep in here!

I have my own tinfoil theory as to why this is being done and it has nothing to do with great photo-ops or national security.  The reason that all dissenters are removed from the forum and hidden away in corrals, euphemistically referred to as "free-speech zones," is because they are afraid GWB is so mentally unstable, that any challenge to his power will push him over the proverbial edge.

BuzzFlash premium Bush on the Couch tackles the question no one seems willing to ask: Is our president psychologically fit to run the country?

As evidence for my Tinfoil contribution:

Recently when asked by a reporter about the arrest of Ken Lay, GWB did not respond, but instead, sulked away from the podium and off the stage.  Reportedly, he nearly had a meltdown at this time.

Bush Walks Out on Media, Refuses to Answer Questions About Relationship With Ken Lay (capitolhillblue.com)

Recently, when asked by reporter who doesn't know the drill, GWB became perturbed and followed it up with retribution:

The President's handlers foolishly granted a Presidential interview (requires RealPlayer, interview starts about 20:40 into the stream) to a non-White House Press Corps journalist, Carole Coleman, the Washington correspondent for RTE, the Irish public national television network. When she asked him pointed, pertinent questions, he became upset when his stock answers failed to satisfy her. An aide to the President later complained that Coleman had "overstepped the bounds of politeness."

President Bush accidentally allowed to be interviewed by a real journalist (boingboing.net)

Frequently, GWB is perceived as having the inability to answer any question that is not scripted.  Karl Rove has made the political calculation that it is better GWB be perceived as dimwitted as opposed to him being mentally unstable without the temperament to handle any sort of question to his decisions and/or integrity without blowing a gasket.

No dissent; no tough questions, no unscripted press conferences.  When will he go off?

Tick, tick, tick...

Turk Meister

Subject: Then why are you...

I just saw George Bush talking about Kerry, and saying Kerry said he would pay for his big programs by taxing the rich. He went on to say and I quote, "The rich dodge taxes, that means you will pay!" So I say, "Hey Bush, if the rich are dodging paying their taxes, why are you giving them these big tax cuts?" :):):):):) I MEAN, IF THEY DON'T PAY TAXES ANYWAY? :):):):)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: GOP pressuring reporters

Ever wonder why reporters refrain from criticizing Emperor Bush? Maybe they've been scolded into towing the GOP line:

...Mr. Bush rises at 5 a.m. to read the newspapers and check on the political news. By 7 a.m., when he is in the Oval Office, aides say, Mr. Bush will frequently tell them about an article they have not seen and tell them to call the reporter and complain.

Bush Takes On Direct Role in Shaping Election Tactics (NY Times)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: a horrifying thought at the debates

Dear Buzz:

A candidate's worst nightmare during the presidential debates: He can't get a list of the questions before the debate so he can practice the answers, and of course no teleprompters will be allowed (the audience might notice), so he'll probably have to rely on a tiny electronic device embedded in his ear (hopefully invisible) so Karl or Karen can feed him the answers.

But--what if, just as the debates begin, someone (anyone!) requests that Bush remove his little electronic helper, just hand it over, in the interest of fairness. Perhaps he'll find that without a pre-picked audience of slavish adorers, without "soft" pre-digested questions, without a thoroughly rehearsed script he can read from teleprompters or have fed into his ear--Mr. Bush's true grasp of the issues will appear.

He'll be a deer caught in the headlights. As this will be televised nationally, out of his protective bubble, contrasting him with someone who can actually lead (without handlers), the sheeple may actually wake up and notice. I would give a million dollars (if I had it) to see Bush's expression if some debate official asked him to remove any audial prompters from his person, and one were actually found. The repercussions from this incident alone on the Bush candidacy--priceless!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: GOP Convention Theme

In 2000, Jesse Jackson dubbed the GOP convention the "Inclusion Illusion" because practically the only minorities at the convention were being paraded around on stage.

This year's GOP convention will not feature the GOP's real power players on the far right, nor will it highlight their extremist right-wing agenda.  Instead it will feature the few moderate members that in fact disagree with much of the plank: John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Thus this year's unofficial GOP convention theme must be the  "Moderation Hallucination."

Troy Torstrick

Subject: Good God!

Anyone reading this years from now will all wonder if we had just completely lost our senses letting this man run the country!

From Time's Interview: George W. Bush

ON WAR ON TERROR: "I think it is a long-lasting ideological struggle. I'm not the historian. I'm the guy making history." -- HE IS GOD! GET IT!

ON IRAQ: "Had we had to do it over again, we would look at the consequences of catastrophic success -- being so successful so fast that an enemy that should have surrendered or been done in escaped and lived to fight another day.."-- GEE THE REASON THE WAR IS SUCH A FAILURE IS BECAUSE WE WERE SO SUCCESSFUL! NOW THAT IS SPIN! :):):)

ON SADDAM: “Do I pray for him? No, I haven't.... Maybe I will [pray for Saddam], now that you've asked the question."

Bush: 'I'm the guy making history' (Time Magazine: CBS)

JUST GAG ME!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: :):):):):):):):)

Subject: Schwarzenegger

Dear Friends:

I wonder whether Arnold Schwarzenegger will talk about "Family Values" at the convention. After all, he is an expert in organizing slam-bang parties! Will he demonstrate how to grope women and give a speech on touching breasts? Oh, these hypocrites!

Gus Pohlig

Subject: The latest in GOP Smear-Kerry's cancer makes him unfit

I heard rumors of this new phone call, and now in today's newspapers here, these two letters.  The Republican Party has made Nixon look like a Boy Scout!  

Bush backers' scare tactics  (Oregonian)

A representative of the Bush campaign called recently, asking if she could count on me to vote for him in November. I am a registered independent voter.

After a short, respectful discussion, she asked if I knew that Kerry had had cancer. She added that a patient is not truly a "cancer survivor" until one is cancer-free for five years.

The message was clear: I should not vote for Kerry for fear that he will have a recurrence while in office. A February 2003 Reuters article noted that after surgery to remove his prostate, Kerry's doctor gave him a 95 percent chance of being cancer-free in 10 years.

This is another excellent example of the scare tactics used by the Bush administration and its supporters. Thank you, caller, for reinforcing my conviction that I will not vote for an administration that deliberately instills fear among its constituents for political gain.

ROD LUNDBERG Southwest Portland

Media silent on Kerry's cancer (Oregonian)

Sunday, August 29, 2004

I am a former cancer victim in my third year of what I hope to be a successful remission. It is therefore disturbing to find that apart from ABC's Peter Jennings' inquiries about Sen. John Kerry's recent encounter with prostate cancer, the issue appears to have been totally avoided by the media.

Kerry is seeking the presidency. Is that a responsible undertaking for anyone who could well be faced with a recurrence of cancer? Is Kerry truly confident that Sen. John Edwards, a first-term senator, is ready and qualified to replace him should that happen a year or so into a President Kerry's first term in office?

Before too long, Kerry should be asked the following question during a prime-time TV appearance: "In this time when the United States faces an extended war against terror, is the nation best served by a president who has not so long ago been a victim of cancer?"

The U.S. public deserves an honest answer.

SHARON CORNISH Hillsboro

A.J. Burton

Subject: the protest march

Hi Buzz,

I am watching the N.Y. march and am amazed at the number of people. It is 2:40 and the march started at noon. I hope someone puts together a nice color album with lots of close-ups of some of the signs. It could be sold to benefit Kerry and the Democratic Party. One of the signs that was really well done was a very nice photo of Reagan in his cowboy hat next to a photo of dubya in his cowboy hat. Reagan was titled "RON" dubya was titled "MORON."

Another said "SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT, PLANT A BUSH IN TEXAS."

A.B.

Subject: Change the Subject!!! PLEASE READ - Message to American voters

Since you guys seem to have the ability to get a message out to the masses quickly, here is the list of relevant news stories that the MAJORITY of American voters have missed since the SBVFT charade has dominated the national conversation:

• Evidence implicating the staff of Vice President Cheney in the Valerie Plame exposure

• Illegal accounting practices that Halliburton was fined for WHILE the current VP was its CEO

• A potential Israeli spy in the Pentagon who is alleged to have passed along  American intelligence to his government

• The potential impeachment of Tony Blair for his role in misleading the UK into the Iraq war.

• The Riggs Bank criminal investigation, where it has been alleged that Saudi terrorism money had be laundered

• The President's Overtime Law is enacted to the detriment of millions of American workers

• Newest US uninsured and poverty figures show the ranks of these citizens swelling for the third straight year.

• Congressional Budget Office releases report showing that recent tax cuts have indeed favored the wealthy

• Release of Abu Ghraib report, although less shattering than it could have been, is damning to this administration nonetheless

The above stories are not in any particular order. Also, this list may not be inclusive. Now many of us with common

sense would think that Republicans denigrating a decorated War Veteran (who volunteered) when their candidate has been exposed to have courted special favor to avoid the same war, would be a losing strategy. However given the stories above, ANY distraction is welcome and if their candidate receives further scrutiny of his war record so be it. At the very least the American voter will be ignorant of the current scandals facing this administration if their only sources of information are network or cable "news" programs.

WHY isn't the Democratic Party seizing on this? THIS is the reason why Democrats struggle to win National elections. If the DNC is not capable of fighting for itself, perhaps your organization can. Frankly, I think McAuliffe and Cahill both need to be FIRED. Please help this message reach the public. Thanks for your time.

Nathan

Subject: hey matt, next time ask this...

i thought he would die laughing! :)  

my husband saw a clip of that today show interview with bush. in that interview bush pointed out he flew fighter jets and  said he would have gone to vietnam had his unit been called! :):)  hellooo :):)

for starters, his unit didn't know where he was! why didn't matt remind him the jet he was trained to fly was out of date and would not have been sent to vietnam, matt also should have refreshed bush's memory in the fact that he was grounded for failing to show up for his physical. he never flew again.:):)

he would have gone to vietnam? we think not! that is why his daddy got him in the guard in the first place!

A BuzzFlash Reader

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