September 7, 2004
The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. Read the BuzzFlash FAQ for info on submitting to the Mailbag.
THIS IS PART 2 OF THE SEPTEMBER 7, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1.
Subject: YES--It's up to YOU to work for a Kerry-Edwards victory
BuzzFlashers,
The 9/4 letter challenging everyone to stop complaining, whining, and second-guessing John Kerry is exactly right. It is time for everyone to get up, buy a Kerry-Edwards shirt, get a bag of Kerry-Edwards buttons, walk out the door and DO SOMETHING. Kerry and his team are working round-the-clock to deal with the Rove Machine. We all have good ideas to share with the Kerry campaign, but we also have the responsibility to be active players in this crucial election.
In Louisville Ky, we are working with Stand and Be Counted, www.standandbecounted.org to organize precincts and target the 98,000 Democrats (530,000 in the state) who did not vote in 2000. Check out the website and get to work. We also work with Kerry Kentucky, www.kerrykentucky.com and we mobilize hundreds & hundreds of volunteers for high visibility actions at intersections, festivals, concerts, sport events, stores and shops across the city. We wear our Kerry-Edwards shirts everywhere we go and hand out buttons & bumper stickers. We talk up the Kerry-Edwards campaign and we explain Kerry's plans for health care, the environment, and Iraq--in the isles of Kroger, at bus stops, at the dry cleaners, at the day care, at the gym. We find anxious, angry voters ready to join Kerry Kentucky and we add them to our massive data base. We are a red state that we hope to turn blue. We act like the battleground state that we hope to be.
We Americans can elect Kerry-Edwards if we are informed, clever, and relentless during the next eight weeks. Contribute all the money you can. Buy Kerry Gear and spread it around. Pass out yard signs to your neighbors. Write a letter to the editor. Remember June Brashears and Jodie Evans--the two courageous women who disrupted Bush's speech on Thursday night. These women are our new heroes. If they could stand up to Bush, Cheney, Zell Miller, and the GOP crazies who forced them to the floor to silence their protest, we must all do our part to turn this country around. Visualize our victory parties on November 2nd. Thank you
Judy Munro-Leighton
Subject: Zell Miller's Revenge
Old zell better enjoy his 15 min. of fame for it won't last much longer.He is now dead man walking in the democrat party, and now that the repugs have got what they wanted from him,( a little more then they really wanted, take note he was evicted from the box of honor}but he is also a dead man walking to the repugs too. He is considered a traitor by both parties. I will never forget Paula Jones. after the repugs had drained every last drop of blood, she was then cast aside. Paula was heard to say "They don't like me anymore, what did I do?
A BuzzFlash reader
Subject: Bush sister at RNC
Did anyone besides me notice G.W.'s sister roll her eyes and puff her mouth as King George spoke of the seven iraqis who lost their hands, the camera cut to the bush box G.H.W.Bush was reading a book (or doing a crossword puzzle) Barbara was trying to look proud and G.W.'s sister expressed a perfect "what a blowhard" look.
Did anyone see this besides me?
Thanks!
Kevin Gracie
Subject: A Political Question...
..that has been posed as an issue in the upcoming elections is whether or not Mr. Kerry will be able to protect America from terrorists. Of course this is a question we cannot answer, however we do know one thing that is an absolute certainty - this administration DID NOT PROTECT AMERICA - Does anyone remember 9/11? This Administration FAILED to protect America from terrorists, of that we can be certain. And if this President claims his job is to protect us as if we were 10 year old children then again, HE FAILED. We do not need a parent who neglects his children and puts them in mortal peril while vacationing. That kind of parent would be in jail!!
So it is probably a good question whether Mr. Kerry can protect America, but let there be no doubt that Mr. Bush cannot, because he has proven his absolute failure of that promise in very clear terms on the morning of September 11th.
Larry
Subject: Easy Way To Settle Controversy
The controversy over George Bush's military service is very easy to settle. Bush has no proof and neither does the National Guard that he ever served that time. In fact, it'd be VERY simple for George to be able to prove he did - his 1972 IRS returns, which has a separate line item for National Guard duty. It'd be very simple for George to show how he received AND CLAIMED a full 12 months of Guard Duty.
But he hasn't.
In fact, the ONLY reason he isn't showing this information - WHICH WOULD SETTLE THE ARGUMENT - is that he knows there are only 7 months worth of pay claimed on that line. To show this in public would prove one of two things: That he either is LYING about having served ALL 12 MONTHS - or that he cheated on his taxes and only claimed 7 months but received 12 months of pay.
I'm CONFIDENT we'll never see his '72 returns, but I'll challenge each and every Bush supporter out there to write George a letter or an email and DEMAND that he voluntarily opens his 1972 tax records to public scrutiny and have this controversy to be put to rest once and for all!
Art Mauck
Subject: Bush in Erie PA
Hi, I live in Pittsburgh, PA and heard a clip from Bush's campaign stop in Erie, PA last night. He was discussing Kerry's tax increases to the rich and said something along the lines of (this is not a direct quote) "Everybody knows the rich always manage to dodge paying taxes, so you know who'll get stuck paying more? You will! The middle-class!"
I find it very interesting that he admits that the wealthy find ways not to pay their taxes, don't you.
Nita Kellum
p.s. I saw it on WPXI a Pittsburgh station
Subject: Cheney in Rolling Stone
Dear BuzzFlash,
Anyone who hasn't read the article about Dick Cheney in the latest issue of " Rolling Stone" should definitely do so. This guy would be pathetic if he wasn't so harmful to our country. Check it out. It's easy to spot with Michael Moore on the front cover... which is also a good article... but the Cheney piece is astonishing.
Now if Kerry or Edwards would just use some of this info to nail him. As usual, we liberals are too nice.
Rob Moitoza
U.S. Navy Veteran
Seattle, WA
Subject: Medicare??
I suppose you have all heard that Medicare co-pays are going up $11.68..something like that...is supposedly is the largest increase in 40 years!
Just in case you are wondering how Dubya, Cheney, and Rummy are paying for their little war....you don't have to wonder anymore.
And if you have not looked....at least me...every utility I pay has increased...and the increased part, is mostly taxes.
Shirley...........St.Louis
Subject: New polls show 144,000 new American jobs .... why this number????
It is very interesting that the Bush Administration, the day after the GOP Convention, would claim that polls show 144,000 new jobs due to the leadership of Bush.
Anyone who is a Bible student immediately recognizes the significance of that number as being from the Book of Revelation. It has to do with the the events of the "last days" and carries significant importance to fundamentalists Christians and Jehovah's Witnesses.
Is this a "message" to the fundamentalist Christians who take the symbolic number with all seriousness? Give this some thought.
I am NOT a fundamentalist but I am a mainstream Christian!
The Rev.
Dr. L. Edward Durbin, B.A., M.Div., D.D.
Westfield, NY
Subject: About the RNC Protests
I'm a regular BuzzFlash reader and fan. I am a New Yorker and was one of the Peaceful Protesters that Bloomberg had welcomed to NY before the convention. On Tuesday night I was brought in during the mass arrests. Three quarters of the hundreds of fellow arrestees I spoke to were NOT part of a civil disobedience or a disorderly crowd. We were held till Thursday. When I did get a phone call 28 hours after the arrest a police friend relayed that we are being held through the remainder of the convention. I was asked to write a blog for Gotham Gazette about the RNC week from the view of a protester. I just published an account of the ordeal. There are going to be multiple class action suits against the city regarding the arrests and our treatment.
http://gothamgazette.com/blogs/wordpress/index.php?author=16
Thank You,
Jon Winkleman
New York City
Subject: Medicare
Dear Buzz,
So I just checked out our closeted gay buddy's site, The Drudge Report (I like to keep an eye on the other side to see what they're concentrating their bile on), and these are the first two headlines on the left column...
"Time Poll: Bush Opens Double Digit Lead..."
and
"Medicare Payments for Elderly to Rise 17%.."
I couldn't make up a more perfect example of the disconnect I see in the US these days. God, I hope enough people wake up between now and November 2...
Shawn
Chicago, IL
Subject: Time/Newsweek Big "Bounce" Bush polls oversample Republicans, according to Rasmussen Reports
Rasmussen Reports says Time and Newsweek oversampled Republicans.
A correct sampling would result in only a 3% Bush bounce.
Chris Bush
[BuzzFlash Note: Rasmussen reports today that Kerry and Cowardboy are even.]
When did it happen? When did the thousandth man die?
So, when did the last blood of the thousandth American soldier trickle into the sands of Iraq?
Was it while police were jailing bicyclists for protesting America's dependence on foreign oil? Was it when Arnold Schwarzenegger was telling us about listening to a Nixon-Humphrey debate that never took place? Or was it as George Bush was telling us we could not win the war he declared?
What is certain is that over 1000 American soldiers have given their lives in the occupation of Iraq and the Pentagon-- presumably for political reasons-- has declined to inform the American people. Into some newshole-- perhaps the Friday of a long weekend, the news will be placed for burial. Just as the bodies themselves are flown in secretly, denied the simple honor due them.
The press, as usual, plays along with the game. Nothing is more important than making sure that the American people don't have to face reality. Nothing is more important than re-instating a man who is not fit to tie the shoelaces of the worst American president, a man who walked away from his own military duty but now demands that others give their all.
The facts on deaths of US troops can be found at, which in turn sources to http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_casualties.htm
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Marie Cocco article (Newsday)
I read the article you linked on your site. Her comparison of the two tales --how history is being re-written by the Republicans -- prompted me to remember this:
Ransom Stoddard : You're not going to use the story, Mr. Scott?
Maxwell Scott : This is the west, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"
Movie by John Ford (Director)
The Republicans are only too happy that everyone is printing the legend.
Another link on your site led to published reports halfway around the world where one of our Ambassadors is saying of Pakistan.
Imagine "the legend" if that ever happens. God help us.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: John Stewart Daily Show clips
Here is a site with video clips of the John Stewart Daily Show skewering the hypocrisy of the GOP. Most of these files are small so users can download and e-mail to their friends, which is what I highly encourage. The hypocrisy of the GOP needs all the exposing possible
http://members.aol.com/politicalclips/
Mike
Subject: ex-Patton Boggs 2000 election fixer now Pentagon Inspector General announces investigation of Kerry
Yep, the fix is in, they hope.
Time to crank the outrage to "11".
"In a fresh blow to John Kerry's flagging presidential campaign, the Pentagon has ordered an official investigation into the awards of the Democratic senator's five Vietnam War decorations.
News of the inquiry came as President George W Bush opened an 11-point lead over his rival - the widest margin since serious campaigning began - according to the first poll released since last week's Republican convention.
A question mark has been raised over one of John Kerry's awards
The highly unusual inquiry is to be carried out by the inspector-general's office of the United States navy, for which Sen Kerry served as a Swift Boat captain for four months in 1968, making two tours of duty. "
More at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh./...
"President
Bush nominated Joseph E. Schmitz to be the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense (DoD) on June 18, 2001. The Senate confirmed him
on March 21, 2002.
...
From 1987 to 2002, Mr. Schmitz' private-sector law practice focused on complex
civil litigation, aviation regulatory matters, international trade, administrative
law, and constitutional appellate litigation, most recently as a partner at
PATTON BOGGS LLP."
http://www.dodig.osd.mil/BIOs/new_schmitz_bio.htm
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: My Reaction to Zell's maniacal rant
Buzz:
I wonder how many voters reacted to Zig-Zag Zellout's speech the way that I did. I am a retiree, living on a fixed income. However I reacted by submitting another donation to MoveOn.org and by contributing more then I could really afford to the Democratic Party. I am trying not to get too emotional over this because I think that Kerry can win this thing if he doesn't have to also fight the media. If the media treats Kerry the way that it did Gore, the Dems have a more difficult struggle.
D. Turner
Atlanta
P.S. A writer to the local paper asked:"How did Zell Miller get through airport security with those 30 pieces of solver?"
Subject: I believe that the Unemployment Rate does not count those who can no longer collect
You might want to check this out.
As a resident of Youngstown, Ohio, a steel city that at one point saw huge unemployment, I recall that the numbers seemed to be going down at one point. It turned out that officially, if you have been out of work so long you can no longer collect, you are not counted as unemployed.
Carolyn
[BuzzFlash Note: You are correct. If someone runs out of unemployment or quits their search, they are no longer counted as unemployed.]
Subject: Stupid Zell
The repugs used Zell like they used McCain, and then, throw them out like the dirty rags and fools they are.
Juan
If Bush sees himself as a "Father to a Nation of Children" then he should be accused of "Child Abuse".
Russ & Mary Ann Gordon
Subject: 10-year old child-America
The truth is Bush is the 10-year old child looking for a parent who loves him unconditionally, but will not tolerate(enable)his behavior...The misconception is that all you have to do is quit drinking....That is wrong!!!Being sober 22 years, I quit drinking, but continued to hide behind friends, family, church, God;Alcoholism is a physical, mental, and spiritual disease....Although not drinking, I did not begin recovering until I went to A.A. and putting in action the 12 step program which saved my life....There is a big difference between religion and spirituality as I had to learn being "religious" didn't(doesn't)keep my sober but God and spirituality do!!!!So, therefore one who is alcoholic (or you might say, dysfunctional) will not recover until he(she)gets help and deals with the "inner person" rather than blaming others, and not taking responsibility for his(her)actions......Like the "bull in the china closet".........Alcoholics are good actors and can turn everything completely around to make others look bad so their ego(insecurities)will give them a false sense of superiority.....Bush always has people around him, leading and telling him what to do and say.....Well, I rambled, but these are some thoughts I wanted to share.........Keep up the great work you do!!!!!!
Ginny Richardson
Subject: Kerry has to say it!
Dear Buzz:
This letter is inspired by the item titled, "AWOL Bush Finally Gets Attention from the Associated Press. But Don't Expect the Pro-Republican Cable and Mainstream TV Stations to Give Our AWOL, Grounded, Coke Snorting, Vietnam Evading Puppet in the White House Much Neg. Coverage." Truer words were never spoken. That AP filing is headed for the same black hole that has already swallowed up the entire Iraq War.
That is why JOHN KERRY MUST SAY IT! First because it's the only way to put the truth before the American people and then because it will expose Bush for the cowardly, frightened little man that he is. Did you see him shrink from Al Gore when Gore walked up on him in the last presidential debate of 2000, the fear and confusion on his face after Andrew Card whispered, "Mr. President, the nation is under attack," on Sept.11th, the panic on his face when Code Pink demonstrators made loud noise while he was trying to read the teleprompter at the RNC.
Bush's whole life is an advertisement for weakness. He's President now because he can be so easily manipulated by stronger men. Men like those that control the "cable and mainstream TV stations." Bush is too stupid to realize that he is being played like a fiddle. But Kerry has to be intelligent enough to see it!
Kerry must stand before these huge crowds he's seeing at his campaign stops, crowds longing for him to attack this phony cowboy, and hit Bush directly and personally. Demand to see the missing records, say the names of the young people dying for Bush's lies in Iraq, ask where the 8.8 billion dollars of disappeared Iraq reconstruction money went.
John Kerry, if you will attack him, George Bush will run away like all bullies do when stood up to. By the time of the debates Kerry could be facing a whimpering jello mold if he would JUST SAY IT! The emperor has no clothes.
Paul A. Moore
Miami, FL
Subject: Babes in the Woods
Sept. 5, 2004
Dear Buzz,
I'm curious about something. Are you of the opinion that the Democratic Party is really up to the task of going toe to toe with the Party of Fear and Smear? I must confess that I have come to the point where I think we need to take a serious look at this question. It does no good to bury our heads in the sand, after all. So, what the hell happened, anyway? How'd we get where we are today? Well, my well placed sources are telling me of a titanic power struggle that was played out within the Kerry campaign and out of which, go figure, the "Babes in the Woods" faction emerged victorious, taking control of the reins. Word has it that Kerry is frantically trying to wrest the reins from their trembling hands even as I write, but, alas, that it may already be too late. Let us hope and pray that it is not. And let me just emphasize, for the record, that I would never want to be the one to prematurely pronounce a post-mortem upon the Kerry campaign. I want him to win so bad I can taste it. But - and I ask this question in all seriousness - was his campaign being run by Republican moles? How is it that his campaign came to be run by people so lacking in competence, or fire in the belly, or both? Finally, if the Democrats should somehow manage to blow this critically important election, where do we go from there? Given that disastrous scenario, if that indeed should come to pass, then I am of the opinion that perhaps it might be time to consider putting our resources and energy into creating a credible third party with a charismatic populist personae leading the charge. In the vein of Teddy Roosevelt, perhaps, as it were? But who would fit that bill? Who could carry the banner? Certainly not Ralph Nadir. Ralph, God love him, is hopelessly charisma challenged. He'd never break the 5% threshold. Who, then? Okay. If you must know, I'm thinking along the lines of a certain General by the name of Wes Clark. There. I said it. No doubt the "Babes of the Woods" gang will cry, "Sour grapes!". But, guess what? I say, "Screw 'em!".
Buzz, I'm not a happy camper, as you may have already figured out. Remember what the "Babes in the Woods" gang was tellin' us? "Oh, the American people will reject negative campaigning. Negative campaigning will backfire on those mean old Republicans. That's why we chose John Edwards. Because he's so positive. And the American people will just love to hear his optimistic message. Don't worry! Be happy! Put on your smiley face! This won't be a replay of the Dukickass campaign. They won't be able to Gore us this time. And if they try, the American people won't stand for it! They're fed up with all of this negativity! Fed up, I tell you!". Remember?
Well, we can't get rid of Edwards now, but we can sure as hell throw all the rest of this dead wood overboard. And it's long overdue, too. Thank you. Bye, bye, "Babes in the Woods". Hello "Lean and Mean". Say a little prayer, Buzz, that we are not already careening over the cliff into the abyss.
Best regards,
G. Will Hunter
Subject: Rush Limbaugh
You keep having this headline up about Rush Limbaugh dating CNN anchor Daryn Kagan, but since I don't watch CNN, I'm confused by the name. Is Daryn Kagan a man or a woman?
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Those phony "Ask The President" sessions
Hey, Buzz... I adore you! Thanks for all you do, each and every day....
I'm writing to you because you must be ask sick of these bogus "Ask The President" sessions as much as I am. Even the NYDailyNews can hardly contain their disgust. Just read the first graf....
I've started The World's Shortest Blog in an effort to cut through the crap. The site is offering a reward for anyone who has the starch to confront W in a public forum and ask one simple question. Hence the blog's address: http://onesimplequestion.blogspot.com
The "Bush Bounty" has grown to $324.29 -- a modest sum, but it's growing a few dollars at a time every day. When I started it, all I offered was $100 of my own money. Others have insisted on chipping in!
Would you please consider linking to the site? A little exposure from you would go a long way!
It's all about that One Simple Question!
Thank you again for all you do!
John
Subject: NO, IT'S THE TIMIDITY, STUPID!
If Kerry loses this election, it won't be because democrats criticized his timid campaign and scared away undecided voters. It'll be because the undecided voters weren't convinced that Kerry had any fight in him in the first place. Kerry will only have himself to blame if that happens, because it isn't like hasn't been warned umpteen times that he'd better wake up and take the gloves off and NOW. Until he takes the advice, he needs to keep hearing it, because he's getting some bad advice somewhere. Could it be that someone else with presidential ambitions is trying to subtly sabotage his campaign by convincing him to play it safe and hold back? In the backstabbing world of politics, it's not out of the realm of possibility.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Bush, Booze and Holy Paterfamilias . . . or God the Father
BuzzFlash,
It just keeps getting better and better . . . doesn't it? Bush now thinks he's the "daddy" of us all. Well, then, "Gee, Dad . . . can I have loan? You have been taxing the hell out of my allowance! And, would you please quit warring with the neighbors, they are threatening to burn our house down!
And, I just love this one . . . sacrifices . . . yes Bush as a father of this nation has made many sacrifices. Oh really. Gee, I wonder how many abused children have heard that line before. Condescending? No, just being Bush. This from a person who has never done anything on his own other than kill a few thousand brain cells from drinking or smoking his favorite beverages . . . sorta, kinda, like his daughters are doing today.
This is Labor Day holiday. And, I have to say, it is real "labor" to have to read about this administration on a daily basis and never see anything positive coming from the Bush White House. If our "liberal media" could have reported the news until the citizens of this Country understood it, Bush would not be in this election. He would be somewhere trying to beat up more pretzels or falling off more bikes in a fenced compound.
I, too, an angry that the lies get reported over and over and the truth always "takes a dive." Why? Because the owners of our "liberal media" are not only Conservative Republicans and Bushes base, but they are the referees in the "liberal news media."
The Democratic base, however, believes in using soft, lambskin gloves. They don't want to leave any marks! Believing that the American people understand what is going on in the White House. How can they know, if most of them get their news on TV?
Bush has gone from the "war president" to the "peace president" to the "Father of our Country," in just a few months . . . maybe two or three months. I would love to list some sacrifice made by Bush . . . but, the only the one I can think of is that, he has sacrificed jail to serving in the White House, because jail is where he belongs for leading this Country into battle with Afghanistan over 911, then switching to lies and a war in Iraq, killing thousands . . . and forbidding the honest investigation of 911, for starters . . . on a looooong list of crimes against the highest office in this Country. Such an office that "should" require a very special resume, but when you get appointed by the labors of a crooked Supreme Court, all of that goes out the window.
If Bush thinks he is the "father" of US citizens . . . well, I for one, want to be adopted.
Happy Labor Day BuzzFlash,
Shirley Smith
Subject: Ben Barnes on 60 Minutes
Hello BuzzFlash,
I'm a big fan. Keep up the good work.
I have a question: what happened to Ben Barnes on 60 Minutes? I was all set to record the program, and no Ben Barnes. Wasn't he supposed to be on last night?
Please give any info you might have.
Peace,
Jack
[BuzzFlash Note: It airs soon, but we don't have an exact date.]
Subject: The Media Fix Is In, Stupid!
Dear BuzzFlash,
Tonight's local news confirmed the obvious for me. Once again, whereas Bush " said," Democrats "charged." Pay attention to any news report you encounter and you will find invariably that Bush "says" something and Kerry and Democrats always "claim" or "charge." Bush's statements are never challenged, and Democratic charges are not necessarily true.
For example, tonight we were informed--over footage of Bush meeting yet another cheering crowd--of every Talking Point Bush is pushing this week. Economy stronger, America safer, yadda yadda, with most of his speech's main points summarized. Then we were shown a fifteen-second clip of Bush denigrating Kerry. Nothing Bush said, no matter how misleading or how contradicted by fact was in the least questioned, we just got the party line, straight up.
For the Democratic section of the report, 1/3 the length of Bush's, we saw no pictures of Kerry but we did have the reporter on camera reading her script. She repeated Democratic "claims" that President Bush's statements were misleading, without saying how. Democrats also "claimed"--but nothing like this can possibly be verified or refuted I guess--that a million jobs have been lost since Bush took office.
The media fix is in, ladies and gentleman. We will once again get propaganda and be denied discussion. Shall we just lie here in a stupor shouting " Unfair! Unfair" or are we willing to do what's necessary to save America and it's dream?
Remember, this Swift-Boat lie against Kerry is going on because the illicit affair lie didn't really work. These people respect no bounds of basic human decency, and will stop at nothing to win. And Big Media is their friend.
Apparently, this is a big surprise to the Kerry Campaign, Democrats, and everyone in the blog sphere and the progressive web movement. Well, it's really time to get over our shock over this or that new outrage, it's time to stop defending ourselves, now it's time to take real actions involving real power.
Now, there's what the "players" can do to cut Bush down to size, and there's what you and I can do to cut the media down to size. I'm no media expert, but the Kerry Campaign obviously needs to play for keeps. For example:
As sure as you're reading this, if the slight rumor that Bush has fallen off the wagon were about a reformed President Kerry instead, a Challenger Bush would already have ads ready to run, and every right wing outlet in America would be screaming "Kerry Drunk" as a headline.
The ads would be: "Kerry. Has the stress gotten to him? It seems he can't even keep promises he made to himself, let alone to ourselves and our loved ones. Maybe it's time he drop the enormous strain he's under, and fix himself before he tries to fix our great nation's problems. Our safety, our children's safety, depends on it. Go home and rest Mr. Kerry."
This rumor gives the impression that Bush's drinking is widespread knowledge in Washington. If we can't get a half-dozen Democrats to say this thing--if it's true--publicly, if we can't find a dozen reporters willing to report it, if we can't find two Republicans to admit it (while Bush gets even the noble John McCain to LIE about the "great job" Bush is doing), well then this nation is screwed for generations to come.
Now I'm not saying make up a lie about Bush, I'm just saying if it's true that Bush is boozing, then our nation's very security is in fact at stake. And I'd say about 70% of the public would agree with that. Why not discuss it?
We don't need Bush to have "fallen" to make the case he must go. We've got the widespread looting of our treasury by Bush and Cheney's cronies in Iraq and Big Business, the vast pattern of lies, the multi-faceted incompetence, the continual subversion of the Constitution, etc etc to hammer home.
(If John Kerry had stayed with the "lying crooks and thugs" angle he'd be far ahead of where he is, because A) the media would have to cover such a claim, and B) it can easily be proven, if it can only get examined. Being polite, rational, and considerate won't get the Press discussing your issues.)
Well, that's what the Kerry Campaign could do. They'll get around to it eventually, but by then it might be too late.
And that brings us to what you and I can do. First, check again--do you believe that the re-election of George Bush will spell disaster for our nation and it's virtues?
If you do, and you want to do more than moan about our dreadful fate, then we need to immediately--this month!--get Big Media to give real reporting. This means every time you see a lie go by, call AND mail a complaint to the network/paper involved. Every time. Remember, they were brow-beaten into this phony "objectivity" pose by the wingnuts. We've got to provide the antidote.
Our calls and letters must be accompanied by a promise: If there is no improvement by the beginning of October in the fairness of coverage, then the cable, the subscription, WILL BE cancelled. The paper will not be bought.
Our voice and our money are the only instruments of leverage we have. If we fail to apply them, while the forces that despise America spend hundreds of millions to attain their aims, then we deserve what we get.
We really must tell the Press--get the facts right, or get out of my home, there's no use for you. Really, if Bush is going to be beaten we have to deal with the central reality that the media fix is in, and we have to stop it. Maybe my ideas here aren't that good for fixing the problem. Then someone, anyone, please come up with something better. But really quickly. And let's ALL make "fixing the fix" our first order of business.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Great Film!
Dear BuzzFlash,
I took the advice of one of your readers and went to see the documentary "Bush's Brain" at a Los Angeles theater this past weekend. I thought that I already knew everything there was to know about the vile Karl Rove. Wrong! This guy was already doing his dirty tricks in high school! I was reminded of that movie from the 1950s called "The Bad Seed". I believe Karl Rove was born amoral. What a riveting, well put together film.
I recommend it highly to all BuzzFlash readers.
I was depressed afterwards thinking that we Dems have no one to counteract the evil of this man. And even if we did, their voice would never be allowed to get through the corporate media to the people. We're screwed!
But I am not giving up.
A BuzzFlash Reader in Santa Monica
Subject: Kerry non campaign
Yesterday, Saturday September 4, Elizabeth Edwards spoke at the Arts Beats and Eats festival in Pontiac Michigan. This festival spans the 3-day Labor Day weekend and is expected to draw 4 million people. Today my wife, our 2 children and I attended the festival. Much to my surprise and dismay there was no sign of the Kerry campaign.
There was however a very visible presence by the Bush campaign, his people were everywhere, passing out literature and campaign material on virtually every corner! You couldn't avoid the folk walking around with Bush lawn signs.
Now I may not be as smart as the people running the Kerry campaign, but it just seems to me that 4 million people gathering in a 1 square mile area over a three day period smack dab in the center of the largest concentration of voters in a key state is one hell of an opportunity. The Bush campaign seems to have realized this also.
Bob Rossi
Dear Buzz,
I read with total disgust the article you posted about the Pentagon "investigating" John Kerry's Silver Star. I think we should load buses full of people and head to the Pentagon, and stand outside the door and holler "Stop the investigation! Stop the smear!" - something similar to the Republican operatives sent down to Florida in 2000 to stop the counting. The difference is this would be regular citizens, and we would be asking for an end to the absolutely shameless smearing of Kerry's record.
I do have a few questions that maybe you can help answer. In the article, the former Navy Secretary, John Lehman, says he doesn't remember the recommendation he gave to Kerry that helped him get the Silver Star. My questions are this:
Would the Secretary of the Navy be involved in making the recommendations for all Navy personnel who might be awarded the Silver Star?
If not, how often would the Secretary of the Navy be involved?
How many Silver Stars were awarded to Navy personnel during Vietnam? Would the Secretary of the Navy be able to remember them all?
Final question - where is the investigation into Bush's non-service? Why isn't the National Guard turning over all documents and doing its investigation so the gap in Bush's service record can be explained?
Jodie Draut
Subject: Bush's "strength" is really weakness
I am so disgusted by reports that the Kerry team is going to try to focus on such domestic issues as jobs, while ceding to the fraud the issue of fighting terrorism! What the Kerry team should do is turn that issue around, and insist that Bush has completely bungled the war on terror. This country is less safe because of Bush and his so-called war on terror. He totally screwed up on that. To run away from that, and allow the voters to continue to believe the LIES that Bush is better on fighting terror and protecting this country, is a huge mistake. Especially since this is a point that can be refuted with the facts.
What we need are some ads showing Bush being informed about the second plane hitting the WTC, being told "the country is under attack" and then the voice over can say, as in Fahrenheit 911, with no one to tell him what to do, the "commander in chief" sat reading "the pet goat" instead of taking action to protect this country! This country needs a president who is capable of thinking on his own, who doesn't need Dick Cheney or anyone else to tell him what to do in a crisis.
Another ad can show Barnes telling how he got Prince Georgie into the Texas Air Guard over hundreds on the waiting list, and then the ad can talk about the "missing months" of service. Then, over a visual of a smirking, giggling Bush, the voice over can say, "What does it say about George Bush's character, that he has his political operatives smear a genuine American hero, who volunteered for two tours in Vietnam, with lies?"
How about ads showing Bush fishing, etc., and then a voice over reads the warning, "al Qaeda determined to strike in the US" and the voice over says, "in these perilous times, don't we need a president who has the intelligence to heed the warnings, and take action?"
Joann Olbrich