September 3, 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: suing the swift boat scum
Slander - "Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation."
Hello BuzzFlash,
Why, may I ask, is no one from the Kerry camp suing these swift boat liars? That would really put these shameful retardlican errand boys to rest. Well, maybe nothing would do that, but at the very least, it would slow them down & demonstrate to most Americans with brains what vicious liars Republicans are. Do these attacks not live up to the legal definition of slander? And what about suing John O' Neil for libel, in regards to his book of lies, "Unfit for Command"?
Thanks,
Omar Khalid
Atlanta, GA
Subject: Rove
I saw Karl on CNNI this evening. He is on the defensive! Must have received all those negative voice mails, and not just from me! Still, he continues to obfuscate, to the point of bringing up his Vietnam Vet uncle! Desperation time in the GOP camps, and that is exactly what I sensed when waiting for that RNC aide to respond to my phone call.
Time to hang these bastards out to dry.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Purple Heart Band-aids
Dear BuzzFlash crew,
I don't know about you guys, but I'm especially perturbed by the the jokey Purple Heart Band-Aids being passed out at the RNC. It really can't be answered by the Democrats in kind, because the only symbolic-witty retort to the Band-Aids would be for Democratic officials to go on cocaine binges and disappear for a year, and that just wouldn't be good for the country.
Ben
Subject: Zell Miller
Dear Buzz,
I would encourage all of us angry liberals not to become too exercised about Senator Zell Miller's rhetorical speech at the RNC.
I took the time to peruse Sen. Miller's website, and all I can say is this: The man is a kook. While he claims to be a "conservative Democrat", he is really a Republican Retread: Marine Corps ideology; Beethoven for Babies (this is an imperative for the Georgian Senate?); and other strange and eccentric activities.
Republican pundits will have a heyday with Miller's ill-spoken diatribe in praise of Bush Jr., but those of us with half a brain will realize that it's a great day for America when Zell Miller retires next year from the U.S. Senate. Let's pick our battles and remember what's really important.
Linda Regensburger
Westminster, CO
Subject: did I make a mistake, not watching one moment of the convention???
I have not been able to bring myself to do it. I dislike everyone in that party...and Zell Miller, too! He is only playing footsie with them, thinking maybe he will get a cushy job. I have really not watched any of it...and not much of the talking heads, even though I like Ron Reagan and Joe Trippi.
To Phil Rowland....don't do that! I have not been able to watch Sean Hannity since Bush became president. He was the worst basher of President Clinton of all of the rightwingnuttalkingheads. He used to call Clinton...a Triple Draft Dodger....and suddenly he stopped it after Bush became president...And it was just too obvious, even though he is more sickening than Rush Limbaugh! I truly (God forgive me) hate those two. See, Phil, you should have asked me first...you just cannot stand the man...and you are going to ruin your car...hope it is not new!!!
I think, I did not see, but heard about the stupid bandaids with the purple hearts. If that is not the most demeaning thing to all men who earned them, including my brother, posthumously:...it just does not surprise me with republicans of today. This country has played the politics of personal destruction for so long....they just do not know how to be nice and win an election...without lies, inferences, and worse!
I have not missed it...I watched every minute of the democratic one..and thought of how classy it was....I just could not do this one!
Shirley.............St. Louis
Subject: The Real Morton Blackwell
Pathetic Bandaid monger Morton Blackwell:
Here’s the real Morton Blackwell. When George Bush I was in the White House, Morton Blackwell had the job of giving out food to the poor that the White House had left over after dinners. Remember, this is excellent food that just was never served. Morton refused to do it because he thought it was yucky and beneath the dignity of the White House. It created such a stir that it made the national news. It was written up in newspapers and probably someone can find it. Compassionate conservatism?
I went to high school with this guy. When he was a senior in high school, he got in trouble because he had a book on hypnotism and was trying to hypnotize little first graders who were waiting for the bus, trying to make them miss the bus.
He kept on asking me for a date. And I kept on refusing. One day when I came in from school, my mom said that his mom had called and chewed her out because I would not go out with her son. She said that he was only going to ask me one more time and if I didn’t go, he would never ask me out again. I jumped up into the air and clicked my heels together because I was so happy.
He talks about organizing the Young Republicans when he was in college. Ha! Ha! Ha! At that time there were not enough Republicans in Louisiana to organize.
He would never have gone to fight in a war. And if he had, it would be on that braggadocio web site of his, and it is not.
He is a real right wing nut case. He has always been a loose cannon. I can only say that the Republicans deserve to have him.
I hope you print this, Buzzy! This guy needs to be exposed for what he really is….pathetic!
A BuzzFlash reader
Subject: Holy Cow!
Holy cow is all that I can say. Did Zell Miller flip his cork on Wednesday night or what? His interview with Chris Matthews afterwords was simply surreal. All that I can say is that the Democratic National Committee has to use the Zell Miller/Chris Matthews tape in its commercials, because this shows the truly ugly face of the madcap right wing these days. The Republicans showed, on Wednesday night, they they have lost their collective moorings, if not their collective minds. Geez, I used to just not like these people. Now, however, I must confess that they are actually starting to really scare me. What I saw at that RNC convention on Wednesday night at times reminded me of those old Movietone News filmstrips of Hitler giving nighttime speeches in Berlin during the 1930's, with the adoring crowds going wild. If the Democrats can't make some hay out of this sheer madness, then I simply can't imagine what else they are going to need.
Donald P. Russo, Bethlehem, Pa.
Subject: The War in Iraq is Wrong
Zell Miller gave a hell of a speech except that it is based on a false set of facts. After all the chest pounding is over, the fact is that America is not safer because we went to war with Iraq. Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11 or terrorism. The 9-11 terrorist was Osama bin Laden and he's still free and safe. There were no weapons of mass destruction. We went to war based on a lie and the rest of the world knows it. Bush and Cheney lied and Americans died because we sent our soldiers to attack the wrong enemy.
It takes more than just raw aggression to win the war on terror. You have to have a little wisdom so that when you start a war - you correctly identify the enemy. I too believe that we need to be aggressive on the war on terror - but - let's not waste out military capital by going to war with the wrong guy. We need a president who isn't more loyal to the Saudi Royal Family than he is to the 9-11 survivors. And I find it amazing that a war hero like Kerry has to defend himself for the attacks of draft dodgers over his military record. We need someone who will fight smart and not just fight hard - and Bush is not smart.
Marc Perkel
San Francisco, CA.
Subject: Something Smells Fishy
If you go to the Salon.com article "George W. Bush's Missing Year," you'll see a photo of the Bush family circa 1972. If you look closely at Barbara Bush, I think you'll agree with me that it is not THE Barbara Bush, but Nathan Lane dressed as Robin Williams' "wife" in the movie The Birdcage. What, or who, is behind this fishy photo?
JPA
Minneapolis, MN
[BuzzFlash Note: Nathan is prettier.]
Subject: Dishonoring the dead, and wounded US troops in Iraq
Hi BuzzFlash,
What audacity, how atrocious can the republicans get, telling the American families who have grieved, over the deaths and terrible wounds their sons and daughters have suffered, in the Iraq war. are now being told that Their loved ones did not fight for a noble cause, they fought because of a miscalculation of their commander in chief, who now calls it, Unanticipated Catastrophic success. What ever that means, is it worth the tears and agony suffered by a loving Family who has lost a love one?
An old Vet with a heart
Subject: Alerts
Hi Everyone.
Just wanted to ask something. Are Asscroft and Ridge on vacation or hiding out this week?
ANYONE NOTICE THERE ARE NO ORANGE OR RED ALERTS?
Uhmmm just wondering.
K in Oklahoma
Subject: Slanted Coverage
Dear Buzz:
When Media Matters for America reports that FOX News is giving the GOP convention more than twice the live primetime speech coverage as they did the Democrats, it just proves once again how FOX and its top lapdog, Bill O'Reilly, lie whenever it's convenient.
As Media Matters points out, both O'Reilly and Fox host Cal Thomas previously said don't worry, folks, "fair and balanced" means we'll cover both conventions the same way.
Right.
Fox "analysis" of the Democratic convention was strongly negative, featuring guest Republicans yipping out their talking points like obedient little attack poodles. "Analysis" of the GOP convention features buckets of pro-Republican pablum.
Under every show Fox News should run a little ticker across the bottom: "Democrats BAAAAD. Republicans GOOD"
It goes without saying that anyone with half a brain, on the right or the left of the political spectrum, understands Fox News is not a credible source for actual news or commentary. Still, as satire it's on par with Mad TV or the Daily Show. The fact that Fox News pretends to be real only makes it funnier. Yet with so many knuckle-draggers out there watching it and thinking it's real - I remember when lots of people thought pro wrestling was real, too - studies show the country now suffers a glut of right-wing dumbasses.
Somebody ought to start up a left-wing goof network and pretend its real. That would level out the dumbass playing field and add even more news humor to the cable landscape.
- Mike in Fla.
Subject: Convention protests/11/02/04
Hello, BuzzFlash,
As I was watching C-SPAN for most of Sunday Morning, I couldn't help but wonder why the mainstream media was giving so much attention to the potential trouble that all of the protesters would cause. I don't recall this kind of publicity surrounding protests at the Democratic convention. I guess that the Right Wing Propaganda Machine thought that this would help make Kerry look bad seeing as how the Swift Boat liars kept ending up with egg on their face as each one of their allegations turned out to be false and most people did feel that they were somehow tied to BushCo.
But as I was watching the thousands of people parade down Seventh Avenue, a thought occurred to me: What does the fact, in and of itself, about the concern over protests at the RNC say about the Bush Administration? I would hardly think that the fact that these protesters are being given so much attention says anything at all positive about the "accomplishments" of the last four years. If Bush had actually been acting like a president these last three and a half years, would there be so much worry over these so-called troublemakers? I think that the real trouble will start when November 2, rolls around and we have an election fiasco that would put Florida 2000 to shame. I don't like to think about it negatively, but let's face it the country is more awake than it was four years ago. Anyone who went to see Fahrenheit 9/11 can tell you that. We can't put anything past these swine we all know that now. They will stoop to any dirty trick to get another four years of war, poverty, and fascism out of this country and at least half of the population knows that.
I am definitely voting for Kerry there is no doubt in my mind about that. I'm not sure that I agree with him on every issue, however to me he at least comes off as smarter and more mature than the spoiled, little frat boy who currently occupies the White House. But I just wonder, what will the next four years be like after a Bush victory? Would he even last another for years or be impeached or resign in disgrace like Nixon did? If he did last another four years would the other half of the country start to wake up to the antics of these bozos and not let anyone who supports them come even close to advancing their political careers by becoming his successor? Will our country end up wiser for the wear after another four years of this fascist regime or will we all be living in fear and abject poverty like France before the French Revolution? The only reason that I can see in favor of another four years of hell is that in 2008 we will be able to lay all of the blame for the country's problems squarely at Duhhbya's feet. I feel that most of us were asleep in 2000 and we're only about half awake now. I really don't want another four years of Bush but since 2004 is the Year of the Monkey maybe Un-Curious George will be re-selected.
Voting for Kerry in '04,
Anne Keb
Corona, CA
Subject: Barney for Scottie
Dear BuzzFlash,
We are also dogs--Staffordshire Bull Terriers to be exact. Many uninformed people think we are pit bulls but that is incorrect. We do, however, have working class roots, of which we are very proud. Barney better not come to our door because we will give him a piece of our minds! Dogs love Kerry/Edwards in 2004.
Sincerely,
The Terriers
for Truth
Wynnie, Cam, Zeke, and Charlie Richardson/Smith
Subject: PULPIT NOT PODIUM
Dear BuzzFlash:
Your usually excellent choice of words is lacking when describing the speakers platform at the RNC. It is most definitely a pulpit not a podium...kinda like the one Jim Jones leaned on when he was asking the true believers to drink the Kool-aid so many years ago. I know, picky, picky,,, Keep up your most excellent work.
Sincerely,
John Massie
Subject: Cheney Rips Kerry
There isn't any more worthless scum in this country than Dick Cheney. Halliburton is being investigated for their fraudulent accounting methods like Enron while Cheney was CEO. They used the Arthur Andersen auditing firm like Enron did also. Why should Cheney not be investigated like Ken Lay and prosecuted? Cheney is also unfit physically to serve as vice president, like Bush is unfit mentally. Cheney could die any day from his next heart attack. And they have the nerve to talk about Kerry flip-flopping? Bush has flip-flopped more than any previous president.
RB
Subject: Nov. 3
Hello Friends
I have an idea. When Kerry-Edwards have won the presidency we should put up banners that say
Kerry-Edwards 2004 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Take care,
Susan W
Orangevale, CA
Subject: Democratic Talk Radio calls on Senate Democrats to expel Zell Miller
His comments at the Republican National Convention were nasty, angry, false and downright evil. Urge your Democratic Senators to expel him from their caucus.
Thanks,
Stephen
Crockett
co-host, Democratic Talk Radio
http://www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com
Subject: Lies are a virus
The Republicans are so infected with the virus of lying that they infect those susceptible to untruth. You might say they are the Typhoid Marys of the American body politic.
Ellis L. Bert
Why don't we see more of this statement from bush?
AUGUST 11, 2004 –At a Virginia rally on August 9, President Bush virtually said John Kerry was right, that on Bush’s watch the rich get away with loophole murder and don’t pay their fair share of taxes.
The actual quote is even better. Here is President Bush explaining why Kerry’s plan to reduce the deficit and finance programs by raising taxes on the richest Americans won’t work: “The really rich people figure out how to dodge taxes anyway." (see: WTOP News report)
The President isn’t saying this as a problem that needs to be dealt with, that the “really rich,”as in people like him and his supporters, figure some way to work around any tax scheme set up and so end up not paying their fair share of taxes. He is saying that this is how things are, this is how things are going to be, and nobody, such as John Kerry, should even try to fix it because it can’t be fixed.
Astounding, huh?
http://moderateindependent.com/v2i22elections2.htm
BOB-C
Subject: Bush/Perry Legacy
Buzz:
In the United States, Texas ranks 50th in home value appreciation. Last two Governors of Texas are Rick Perry and George W. Bush.
Kurt
Subject: Miller certifiable?
Hey Buzz:
I was just reading a Chicago Tribune transcript of CNN's interview with Zell Miller after his speech. In addition to the other bizarre stuff that fell out of his mouth when being questioned by Wolff Blitzer and Judy Woodruff (who seemed to be more on top of their research than they were at the DNC), there was this exchange:
MILLER: I'm talking about John Kerry's record. I'll let Dick Cheney, the vice president, answer those charges. He knows what happened in the Department of Defense years ago. I don't know that.
But I do know, because I've looked it up and it's there for everyone to see, that he voted against those positions as far as those weapons were concerned. He voted against all the weapons that really won the war against Communism, the Cold War and that are now winning the war on terror.
BLITZER: I know you have to move on because you have other things to do, but when you were speaking tonight -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- you seemed very angry.
MILLER: Me angry?
BLITZER: Yes, sir.
MILLER: No, no. I'm sorry if I gave that appearance.
Huh? Um, the Cold War was an ideological war that wasn't won by any kind of weapons. What is he talking about? Yes, there was the questionable " arms race deterrent," but that was different. Weapons did not defeat communism. The man's a raving lunatic. When I first saw the photos from his speech last night, I thought, "Wow, the press is really going out of its way to make him look demonic--his words can do that by themselves." But then I saw a bunch more pics, and he looks positively deranged and maniacal in every single one. Gee, GOP, great keynote speaker!
It would be fun to replay Barak Obama's speech about now, just to compare the two side by side. That would be a persuasive ad for the Dems, don't you think?
A Zell-frightened BuzzFlash reader
Subject: The Democrats Did It Again
After seeing bits and pieces of the Grand Oil Party Convention, it becomes more clear that the Democrats chickened out at their convention. Remember at the time of their convention all you could hear on tv was "Bush Bashing". I think they were so afraid that they would be accused of bashing bush that they went soft on him. Will they ever learn that you have to fight dirty just like the repugs do? Nice gets you nowhere in politics.
Carolyn in Illinois
[BuzzFlash Note: One might also say that by not going shrill, there was an opportunity to shine a light on the sea of difference between what people saw at the DNC and the extremely shrill nature of the Republicans. Just a theory.]
Re: "Cheney and Miller deliver 1-2 punch"
To the Editors of the Arizona Republic:
I'm writing about: "Cheney and Miller deliver 1-2 punch" (9-02-04). It's interesting what Dick Cheney and the other Republican speakers have not mentioned so far. So far, no mention of the Halliburton Corporation, the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, Saudi Arabia, (Even though most of the 9-1-1 terrorists were from Saudi Arabia).
Also not mentioned so far is anything about our huge deficit, our health care crisis, our jobs that are going overseas, or our economy-- except that Arnold Schwarzenegger says: "Don't be economic girlie men!" (Easy to say when your net worth is about $500 million, not so easy if you have just lost your job).
So far, no mention about weapons of mass destruction or our failure to find Osama bin Laden. I wonder why?
Best regards,
Kirk Muse
Mesa, AZ
Subject: NASA Inspector General Investigating DeLay Campaign Event
Seems NASA reversed its long-standing policy against NASA employees attending political functions just in time to let Houston NASA employees go to a campaign event for Tom DeLay.
Check it out:
http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2004-09-02/hairballs.html
DeLay seems to be a full-employment guarantee for federal inspectors general. In addition to NASA, the inspectors general of the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation and Department of Justice have all had to investigate charges that DeLay used taxpayer resources for partisan political ends.
Alfredo
To BuzzFlash and any bigshot Democrat who's listening:
The Dems keep sending me solicitations for money, and I must admit I've sent a few bucks in the past.
However, I've stopped. Why? Because I'm tired of being associated with (not to mention giving money to) a team that doesn't fight back, and doesn't fight back very smart.
Everyone's heard of the "Swift Boat" ad propaganda so I won't summarize it. My question is where have the Dems been about disavowing it? Where is the " quick response" defense the Dems were supposed to have ready? Is two weeks a "quick response"?
Now, more recently I see some Rs have distributed band aids with little purple hearts on them at their convention. So, now they're ridiculing veterans with purple hearts??? Quick response, please? I hear nothing, and I read a couple newspapers a day, and watch CNN a lot. Isn't this an outrage? Yes it is. Isn't this something Dems should be fanning out all over TV complaining about? Yes it is. Where are they? When will the Dems learn how to use the media "echo chamber"?
Finally, I heard some of Zell Miller last night -- just a few minutes, as much as I could stand, before I was compelled to turn it off and puke. Quick response? ..........I'm still waiting. Where is the outrage about this traitor from the Dem's team? Is the money I formally sent them supporting Zell Miller somehow? Why isn't Dem's team leader (Terry M) on TV denouncing this zig-zagging blowhard, and revoking his Dem membership ASAP?
Now do you see what I mean? I don't want to be on a team that can't, or won't, or doesn't know how to fight back. Who is advising these people on their PR? Their strategies? Whoever it is, they are not earning their pay.
Message to Dems: You need to learn how to play defense by going on offense. Study a little Karate about how to use your enemy's strengths against them. The Rs have successfully made it an embarrassment to be on, or join, your team. No one wants to be on a team that doesn't fight back, and doesn't fight back hard and smart.
Scott in GR
Bush's Base: The Rich and the Stupid.
Bush is totally corrupt. But you wouldn't know that if you just watched the right wing corporate media. His followers are so stupid they don't care they are voting for a criminal. I mean these morons went on for 6 years about a party dress and now don't even care that our soldiers are being killed for the profit of Bush's cronies. All while bankrupting America's future.
Mr Bush, who is the felon in your cabinet who outed Valerie Plame? I wonder how many CIA agents lives you put at risk by doing that? You see, that is why Reagan and Bush sr. made that a law.
Did that help that you outed that mole in Al Qaeda? Gee, it seems like that could have been useful in your "War on Terror". I guess that is why MI5 and ISI are so mad at you. That was really stupid. But it is just another thing on a very long list of incompetent mistakes that the media will give you a pass on.
If Bush didn't lie, cheat, steal, swindle, exploit, intimidate, maim, torture and kill on a daily basis and have the corporate media look the other way he wouldn't be where he is today.
Kerry WENT to Vietnam. Case closed. Bush was a drunken coke snorting deserter. Only stupid people don't know that.
Nov. 04 Good Riddance to Bad RubBUSH!
Jef Hinds
Subject: Look at the Podium at the RNC!
I bet no one mentions it in the main media, but take a look at the RNC podium.
It's a cross. As every single detail of every convention (RNC or DNC) is planned and programmed, this is not a "happy accident."
Keep up the great work, BuzzFlash!
-Leslie
Subject: Does Anyone Care What These Guys Say?
Buzz,
Your headline reads, "RNC Protesters Disrupt Andrew Card. Does Anyone Care What Andrew Card Says?" Well, Duhhbya sure didn't on September 11th.
And wasn't it in this year's State of the Union address that Duhhbya lambasted steroids in sports? And only a few months later he props up on the RNC podium, steroid-riddled Ahhrnold? Another flipflop?
T Quigly
Subject: gentility on parade
Hey Buzz:
Just saw this AP non-news item: "Delegates Call Moore 'Fat Pig'" (http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-CVN-Watching-Moores-Weight.html). Non-newsworthiness aside, it once again shows what a class act the GOP is.
And as my mom used to always tell me, "Pretty is as pretty does," in which case, Moore is drop-dead gorgeous.
And the Republicans, well...
An amused BuzzFlash Reader
P.S. And from the Biblical "Let he who is without sin..." viewpoint, when the camera pans across the GOP delegates, I haven't noticed too many who look like they're missing any meals.
Subject: I Don't Think So
"I want to address these next words directly to President George W. Bush: In the weeks ahead, let's be optimists, not just opponents. Let's build unity in the American family, not angry division. Let's honor this nation's diversity; let's respect one another; and let's never misuse for political purposes the most precious document in American history, the Constitution of the United States.
My friends, the high road may be harder, but it leads to a better place. And that's why Republicans and Democrats must make this election a contest of big ideas, not small-minded attacks. This is our time to reject the kind of politics calculated to divide race from race, group from group, region from region. Maybe some just see us divided into red states and blue states, but I see us as one America - red, white, and blue."
John Kerry, July 29, 2004
John Kerry asked nicely. He asked for Shrubya to remain on the issues on what being the President is. He asked Shrubya to reject the petty, divisive tactics that his attack dogs engaged in and repeatedly asked for him to disavow any attack ads.
Shrubya just couldn't do that, could he? Kerry has been right all along. Edwards has been right all along. So have all the Democratic challengers who stood shoulder to shoulder to challenge Shrubya: "Bush has no record he can run on, only one he wants to run away from."
Wednesday evening, we truly saw the proverbial "man behind the curtain," Dick Cheney. In a speech devised only to further divide the country, Cheney essentially dealt in nothing but insults, not issues, deliberate misleads instead of truths. This is most evident in the fact that he completely dismissed and disrespected John Edwards by not even mentioning him. Oh, how Repuglicans have to stoop oh so very low to reach the pinnacle of a mountain consisting solely of their own bovine excrement. What more does it take to get the American people to see just how desperate and vindictive the Repuglicans are to keep their hold on power?
John Kerry needs not defend himself from the pathetic shilling that has been coming out of MSG nor do I expect him to. I do expect him to remain focused solely on his target, Shrubya and as indicated by his and Edwards remaining on the campaign trail during Shrubya's convention, he's doing just that.
Karl Rove thinks he's putting the nail in the coffin of Kerry's presidential aspirations? Shrubya thinks he's all that and a bag of manure to run our country into the dirt?
As John Kerry commented after being asked about Wednesday night's speeches and should now be a part of the Democratic marketing strategy: "I don't think so."
Jerry Peurala
Wesfield, IN
Subject: Fw: Incrementally small, cumulatively large
BuzzFlash--
Fact of the matter is-- Rove is employing a sports strategy-- whereupon you apply certain minor defensive techniques to several tendencies of an opponents' known offensive capability.
Assume both teams are evenly matched, and your opponent has 10 specific tendencies to defend.
Limiting the proficiency of, say-- 3 tendencies by a mere 1% or 2%-- and your opponent begins at only 94% to 97% of peak efficiency.
I'd take an advantage of 3% to 6% in an even contest every time. Right?
Further, a subtle strategy, delays your opponent's response. An unexpected strategy creates confusion and/or errors.
Analogous to the Hastert comment-- Each time a Bush henchman creates a controversy, it consumes portions of each daily news cycle with disproven, baseless and/or inflammatory accusations-- Rove subtly continues to 'run-out-the-clock' till Nov. 2nd.
Each contrived event reduces by percentile, the probability of 'likely voters' exposure to, and acceptance of, the multitude and magnitude of Bush's failures, and this administration's record of incompetence, and yes, criminality.
Each rumor, veracity aside, will be accepted by a statistical percentage of its' audience. Each fractional percentage of voters whose opinion is swayed becomes cumulative.
Each rebuttal or defense from those targeted by Karl Rove's Smear Campaign-- exacts a toll, in time, money, and votes. A 10-week 'House of Mirrors' designed to negate a percentage of Democratic Party resources necessary for Kerry/Edwards to win the Presidential Election.
All Karl Rove expects from his series of manufactured controversies-- is a 3% to 6% advantage in an even contest.
Regards,
John Warrilow
Houston, TX
Subject: Letters Attacking Kerry
I have a question for people busily scrawling all the letters giving Kerry advice on what he needs to do to win this election and taking him to task for not doing it their way: Are you doing anything at all yourself to get Bush out of office? I know Kerry is the Democratic nominee, but he can't win this thing alone. Republicans have more money to run ads; the media is nothing more than a propaganda outlet for Bush; and, let's face it, it's easier for republicans to campaign because they don't feel confined by such concepts as truth, morality, decency or honor.
It's your country that 's at stake, folks, not just Kerry's campaign. So, you can sit there and throw rocks at Kerry and question his fight or his manhood if it makes you feel important or smart or cool. But if you succeed in turning enough undecided voters against him to make the election close enough for republicans to steal again, I hope you enjoy the next four years. Kerry is rich and smart and talented and will have quite a nice life even if he loses. Most of the rest of us can't say that.
Why don't you all read the article by Josh Marshall and give it some thought. And if you are just so pure you can't possibly support Kerry's efforts this time, at least have the decency to wait until the election is over before running your mouth. If you spend more time criticizing Kerry than Bush, you're no better or smarter than the people who are still going to vote for Nader.
And finally, if you think you have such great ideas about how a campaign should be run, how about running for some office next election? There surely is a republican in your home town who deserves to be standing in the unemployment line. Put your money, time and effort where your mouth is.
But for right now, IT'S THE BUSHES, STUPID!!!
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Can Anyone Figure This Out?
Published reports indicate that Bush spent 40 percent of his first three years on vacation. And we know that he spent an enormous amount of time at fund-raising events, starting as early as 2001. Is there any way to figure out what percentage of the time Bush was NOT either (1) on vacation or (2) attending fund-raisers over the past three years? It would be an interesting statistic.
Redefeat Bush
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: The Swift Boat Liars
Dear BuzzFlash:
I read about the band aid purple hearts at the repuglican convention. I am so angry that I could bite a railroad spike in half. If it weren't for the fact that so many people, especially, but not entirely, right wing christians with low double digit IQ's, who are so easily confused, deceived and lead, because they are basically politically illiterate, the swift boat liars for bush would be a virtual laughing stock. But, given the fact that so many Americans are politically illiterate, the repuglicans can come out with such audacious lies and there will be a certain percent- age of the American public that will accept these lies as fact. The most grievous part of this swift boat liars fiasco is not that it is believed and accepted by a certain percentage of people, but, the fact that there are people who are low enough, unscrupulous enough, immoral enough and callous enough to put forth such lies. If I were a person of imperturbable character I could dismiss all this with a simple shrug of the shoulders. But being who I am, I can't, and I don't understand why Senator Kerry is not fighting these slanderous lies and liars with every means available. I would be. If you are going to win in November Senator Kerry, you had better learn to fight again.
An Angry Texan
Wynn Spell
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