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Note: Our Mailbag Editor is standing in an out-of-state wedding this weekend. The BuzzFlash Mailbag will take a short hiatus beginning on Friday and will return on Wednesday, September 22nd. Thanks for your understanding.

Subject: It's Time to Cream Him, John (GREAT)

Greatest editorial ever! Now if John will only listen and start hitting below the belt for all our sakes.

Shari Milks
Wisconsin

Great editorial! Thanks. Now, can we send a thousand copies to Kerry to wake him up?

Alan T.

Remember when Pat Robertson said Florida was going to get hit by hurricanes because Disney World allowed "Gay Day"?  No hurricanes hit then, but they are hitting the state now--maybe God is punishing Florida for the 2000 election!

Carol Schmidt
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Subject: Intelligence ??????

Hi BuzzFlash,

What is all this BS about improving Intelligence? Bush and his cronies got great intelligence, it warned them of an attack, on America, months before 9/11. All the cronies who were in on the deal, including our Vice President, stopped flying Commercial Aircraft, and hustled their rich Corporate friends to provide private planes, as safe transportation for them, of course they did not bother to tell the rest of the people in the country about their intelligence, and 3000 citizens paid for this little secret with their lives. Just asking.

Robert T.

Subject: VIETNAM II

I just read the story you posted from CONSORTIUMNEWS.COM dated, 9-14-04, titled "Bush's Bloody Flip-Flop" by Robert Parry. I had chills running down my body, because this is the very SAME thing that drove our soldiers crazy in VIETNAM. It would be interesting it you could dig up a story from those last few years, to show people this is the same thing happening now.

----- Another comment on the thought of our next target being IRAN, I really doubt it. It's hard enough getting the money, much less the troops, and then there is the equipment. It would require a HUGE commitment, that we just don't have anymore.  PEACE!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Straight Jacket Strategy

BuzzFlash,

The below article was in the San Francisco Chronicle:

Analysis: GOP's playbook: a single, relentless message
Strategy is clipping Kerry's momentum in crucial states

Sometimes I feel as if the DLC has the whole Democratic Party by the neck and even though we have been kissed, we are about to breathe our last breath. In the article above, the GOP strategist mentions how they call Kerry a "flip flopper" over and over.

Kerry doesn't even have to act as if he is answering Bush's claims. He can, however, call Bush "the biggest American flop that ever flipped out while in office."

I am no expert . . . and that is why it scares me to death to see what I consider giant mistakes . . . why are the experts called experts when they insist on taking the steps up the scaffold that the GOP has carefully built and then hanging themselves by themselves as all of the bystanders just clap and watch and shout with glee because our last chance at democracy just committed suicide?. This is not the first hanging, as we all know.

Justice and truth used to mean something in this Country. The big-balled boldness by the GOP and their criminality and lies . . . tells me that they fear nothing . . . no one is going to threaten their flagrant lies . . . hell, why should they, they lied us into a war and they are still walking around free. That is not democracy . . . that is democracy demonized.  We are in hell here and the Bush administration is keeper of the gates . . . anyone can get in, but it's hell trying to getting out!

Bush can afford to be vague . . . Kerry cannot. When has so much been done so openly by an administration? Death and destruction of everything they have touched in the world and here at home, and Kerry and his handlers must find a way to put it into words that picture where we are as a nation in today's world.

Further down this article, Jeff Goodby, a San Francisco adman whose agency made "Got Milk?" is [quoted as] a Kerry supporter, and as reported in the paper:

Goodby -- who has created ads for Nike, Hewlett-Packard and Budweiser -- noted that the Bush team appears to have homed in on their own effective pitch: that the president is "moving America forward."

"They're saying don't go back to the tax-and spend liberalism. Go with us and go forward," said Goodby. "And forward sounds like a good thing."

Tax and spend liberalism . . . can you believe people are swallowing this bunk when we have a debt larger than anything ever in our history? If Americans swallow these haggard old lines by the Republicans that have been used over and over again like some straight-laced, virgin-faced, lady of the evening's hook . . . then I suggest that Kerry and his "think-tank experts" get out their old, old handbooks on how to win a Democratic election and start using some of the lines used by those Democrats in the past who won their races. Even if Americans don't believe it . . . it seems that they "want" to believe it. And, Kerry doesn't have to lie.

The tortoise and the hare . . . which one is the Democrat? The one wearing the straight jacket.

Thanks BuzzFlash,

Shirley Smith

Subject: Farrell's editorial

Dear Buzz,

Maureen Farrell's editorial, "Can It Happen Here?," is excellent, as usual. Chilling, too. But if you are compelled to wonder whether "it" can happen here, you are already too late. Isn't that the major point of Lewis' book -- or the (never quite learned) lesson of history?

Look no further than the story you reference above Farrell's piece -- the one about the Alabama woman fired for displaying a Kerry-Edwards sticker on her car. Or how about the local TV stations that suspended the broadcast of last week's '60 Minutes'? Or the media cultivating amnesia and ignorance of Bush's past and current lies? Or Secret Service agents intimidating dissenters at Bush's rallies? Or the "Patriotic Acts" of arresting and detaining innocent people without due process? Or scaring the public into submission with trumped up terrors? How about intimidating voters? Or, for that matter, stealing the presidential election four years ago?

The examples of "it" taking a firm hold of our reality are supplied daily, even through the largely complicit media. What else should happen to force open our eyes? The myth of American exceptionalism is a pervasive and dangerous delusion. We are lulled into believing that our democracy is inviolable -- the political propagandists make sure we think so -- as if our own history has not shown us otherwise.

But even when "it" stares us directly in our face, we are still reluctant, and often afraid, to call it by its name. Denial is a powerful self-protective force.

We are indeed convinced that "things are not THAT bad" -- as if those who use these words knew how bad things should get before the arrival of "it" could be officially announced. But it does not work this way. Fascism, like cancer, often creeps in slowly and takes a hold of its victims almost imperceptibly, its symptoms often confused with something else (the belief in the primacy of national security and strength, for example).

If you think that "things are not THAT bad" because you can still hear occasional voices of dissent, think again. Even in Nazi Germany active opposition to the Nazi agenda existed -- only it was consistently marginalized and, whenever possible, silenced in the name of preserving national unity, strength, security and other "patriotic" goals. Sounds familiar?

Having grown up under a communist rule in Eastern Europe, and listening to stories of my parents who also experienced the horrors of Nazism first hand, I can assure you that we -- the US, that is -- are quite far on the same path already. The question is not whether "it" can happen here, but whether there is anything at this point that can stop it. After all, the free, democratic elections in this country are neither quite so free nor so democratic, as we have seen in the recent past -- and there goes our only chance for change.

When my teenage son expresses his political views, my mother fearfully admonishes him to stay quiet and not to rock the boat. Never ever, dear, and especially not in public. Her own experiences under fascist and communist tyrannies taught her this life-saving caution. But we laugh at her worries -- or at least we used to; after all, this is America, no one here will persecute you in any way for your political beliefs. Or so we believed for a long time.

A Devoted Buzzer

Subject: what's condi been smoking?

Tonight, mystery still surrounds what did or did not happen last week in another part of the member of the axis of evil, North Korea. Satellite imagery detected a mushroom cloud, a mushroom cloud two miles wide, over a North Korean county near the Chinese border. Pyongyang insists the mushroom cloud was not the result of a nuclear test.

U.S. officials -- publicly at least -- also say it was not a test, but U.S. intelligence agencies are divided over what it could be and whether North Korea is telling the truth.

Kitty Pilgrim has the report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KITTY PILGRIM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A mushroom cloud of smoke more than two miles wide was detected last Thursday in North Korea picked up by a South Korean satellite. North Korea said it was blowing up a section of a mountain for a hydroelectric project. U.S. intelligence wondered if it was a nuclear test. U.S. officials said events were unclear.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Maybe it was a forest fire of some kind, but we don't believe at this point that it was a nuclear event.

[See http://maisonneuve.org/blog/index.php?itemid=473 ]

Forwarded by a BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: No child left alive

The Republicans claim that the assault weapons ban should expire because it was ineffective due to "loopholes" in the law, as if they would actually have renewed the law if it was more effective.  So why not plug the loopholes and extend the ban?   The next time a screwed-up kid shoots up a high school with a now-legal combat weapon (which is bound to happen given our lack of support for education), it will be "no child left alive."  When the young bodies are being wheeled out, the NRA will be on the tube telling us they're not to blame, and their bought-and-paid-for Congressmen will righteously decry the "decline in American values."  70% of us favor the ban, and yet we allow Congress to ignore us on this issue! We get what we deserve.

Greg Foote

Subject: Hastert on Soros

Hi:

Perhaps Dennis Hastert should publish the source of his statements smearing George Soros as a drug dealer. I noticed there wasn't anything said in his statements about the Bush family's links to notorious drug cartel members, not to mention their beholdence to such cartel members as Eli Lilly, Searle, Pfizer, Wyeth Labs, you know, the people who are forcing parents to vaccinate their children with unproven vaccines and using the state apparatus to threaten parents who refuse to have their newborn babies vaccinated with Hepatits B vaccine. You won't hear John Stossel doing any investigative work questioning the validity of, basically, conducting clinical trials on millions of children without the nuisance of informed consent getting in the way.

A smear against Soros similar to that perpetrated by Hastert can be found at his website.

That's right, the smear against one of the democratic party's supporters can be traced to the LaRouche campaign. Is this where the republicans are getting their ideas from now? The American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation were bad enough, but now the GOP is trawling in murky waters for anything to smear the democrats with. While I can appreciate LaRouche's historical analysis and the appellation he gives to these people, perhaps he could do a little something on the parents of the devil, George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush, the Ice Queen. God save us from these people!

Matt Carmody
Washingtonville, NY

Subject: Is Nader back on the Florida ballot?

Florida OK's Nader's Name on Election Ballot (Reuters, 9/13/04) 

If it hasn't been posted yet, it appears they're using the excuse of the hurricane to break the law.  Despite a court order by Circuit Court Judge Kevin Davey prohibiting Nader's name on the Fla. ballots, their election chief announced today that due to uncertainty of Hurricane Ivan, they would have to postpone the scheduled Wednesday hearing to make that temporary order a permanent injunction and some loophole then automatically "lifts" the injunction without the hearing taking place on time.   They are rapidly printing ballots now with Nader's name on them, for immediate usage in overseas absentee ballots, which must go out by Saturday.  Surprise---Governor Jeb Bush agreed with the decision. 

It was noted that the Circuit Court was not even located in the path where Ivan is supposed to go (in Tallahassee).  These people can break the law repeatedly, lie continuously, cost the public billions of wasted dollars, thousands of precious lives....and seemingly get away with it every time.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: To Maureen Farrell-- Thanks!

Dear Ms. Farrell:

Thank you for reminding us all of the work of Sinclair Lewis, especially "It Can't Happen Here." One way I got through the Reagan years was by re-reading "Babbitt" periodically, to remind myself that the cramped, selfish, intellectually stifling notions of the 1980's were far from new. With all best wishes for your continued success,

Mary O'Grady

Subject: Bush, author of his own demise

Hersh reports that a secret document signed by Mr. Bush in February 2002 stated: "I determine that none of the provisions of Geneva apply to our conflict with al-Qaida in Afghanistan or elsewhere throughout the world."

Bush Team 'Knew of Abuse' at Guantánamo (Common Dreams)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/...

And the legal basis for this is . . . ? Last time I checked, the President was not above the law.

Brook M.

[BuzzFlash Note: Look at this... http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1303296,00.html]

Subject: Bush's Washington Post Factor

Could someone, anyone tell me why the Washington Post is soooo earnestly trying to disprove the Killian memos used by CBS?  They seem to be working overtime to lay lie to documents with rhetoric, rather than real proof, as they themselves acknowledge they really, really need the originals to be positive of any conclusion.   What confuses me is the non-effort to to disprove the so-called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth when the Post had real evidence of lies and misleading, non-contextual statements.  Has the Limbaugh labeled media gone to the Dark Side?  Where is the BIG DEAL about the Swifties, Washington Post?  Piss on your paper, I'll trust the Globe and the Enquirer before I trust you guys anymore.

As an aside to John Kerry; show some fire for God's sake.  Bush has outlined your campaign for months now.  Your convention was all about being "optimistic" ad nauseam because the Rove Reckers had labeled you as pessimistic.  Start openly questioning these people, Senator.  So far your finest moment was one not meant to be heard when you called them the biggest bunch of crooks ever.  I sure noticed the bump in the polls you got then.  Why didn't you?

Jack Pryor
The Lazy Liberal

Subject: more Repugnicant voting fraud

Reliable source reports that high school students in Brevard County, Florida, are being told to leave "party affiliation" boxes blank, and that the person handling the registration will "take care of it" for the student.  When the students arrived at the polling places to vote in the recent primary election, they were surprised to find that they had been registered as Republicans.  Publicity and investigation is needed regarding this heinous matter.

Mark Tietig

Subject: Maureen Farrell and it CAN happen here

Dear Buzz -

Thought you'd like to know that since Maureen's piece appeared this morning, Alibris's copies of "It Can't Happen Here" have all been sold. Amazon has none. Currently there's one on eBay - the bid is momentarily $31 but because of Maureen's piece is likely to go FAR higher in the 5 hours left of the auction. Guess it's time some publisher reissues the book!

Thanks for everything,

judy

Subject: It Can't Happen Here is readily available for free

Maureen Farrell's article mentioned that Sinclair Lewis' It Can't Happen Here can be hard to to find. It's not. It's available for free here, and most likely other etext sites:

http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/l/lewis/sinclair/happen/

Keep up the great work!

Judith Nicholls

Subject: Novak Hypocrite

Bob Novak now believes in revealing sources?

Robert Novak Believes in Revealing Confidential Sources, After All (Editor and Publisher)

Sue K.

Subject: Misuse of the word "casualty" by the media

I keep seeing ubiquitous references in the media to the "1,000-casualty mark" in Iraq. This is wrong. Historically, casualties refer to KIA (killed in action) PLUS wounded in action, PLUS MIA (missing an action), PLUS POWs.   Thus, the actual casualty rate is now over 21,000 (according to sources that estimate "medical evacuations" at 20,000 so far.)   It would be "nice" if Kerry and the Dems pounded away at the actual figures... You tell people 21,000 casualties -- and they maybe begin to understand the enormity of what is going on over there....

A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: How right you are. From our Webster's New World College Dictionary: "...a member of the armed forces who is lost to active service through being killed, wounded, captured, interned, sick, or missing." And a typical misuse: http://www.boston.com/news/...]

Subject: Letter to the editor [unionveterans]

Here's a short, easy letter I'm sending out.

Editor:

The fight in the press over John Kerry's medals, his anti-war activities, and George Bush's National Guard Service  can be boiled down to a few relevant facts.   John Kerry enlisted in the Navy as an active duty officer, volunteered for duty in Viet Nam, held command of a swift boat, served in combat, received multiple military decorations and was discharged honorably.   George Bush used family influence to jump the queue and get into the National Guard ahead of other draft eligible Texans, avoided active duty, did not serve overseas, lost his flight status for failing to perform his duties and take his annual physical, missed months of Guard meetings, and was discharged honorably.  Who do you want as your Commander-in-chief?  

Gordon Pavy
Petty Office 2nd Class
USN 1969-1973

Subject: James Baker is defending the Saudi government against a lawsuit by the 9/11 families

Certainly James Baker is not going to rock the boat in Saudi Arabia for
President Bush, while he is in an election year. James Baker is considered
to be a good friend by the Saudis. Since 9/11, Saudi Arabia has had, to put
it delicately, a public relations problem. Saudi Arabia has had to dodge
allegations that it had a hand in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, as fifteen of
the nineteen hijackers were Saudi nationals.

The families of the September 11 victims have instituted a trillion-dollar
class-action law suit against the Saudi government. In the months ahead,
dozens of Saudi citizens (including Khalid bin Mahfouz) and institutions
(including National Commercial Bank) will have to respond to suits in New
York and Washington, D.C. Those suits name hundreds of defendants, including
major Saudi banks, charities and certain members of the royal family,
alleging liability for the attacks. And guess who is defending the Saudi
government against this law suit? The law firm of the former Secretary of
State under President George Herbert Walker Bush, President George W. Bush's
father, James Baker.

The law firm of former Secretary of State James Baker III, Baker Botts, has
long represented clients with interests in Saudi Arabia.

James Baker III and Saudi Arabia (stopcarlyle and Arutz Sheva - Israel National News)

Silvio

Subject: Re: Bushy boy's professor

I heard Bush's Harvard professor, Yoshi Tsurumi, speaking with Al Franken on Air America a while back. He was pretty much saying the same things that he said in article you linked to CNN. The statement to Franken that really jumped out and stuck with me was that Mr. Tsurumi said that Bush told him that poor people are just lazy. I have thought of that many times, especially every time I hear the words compassionate conservative. It's about time Tsurumi's statements have come to light in the main media. I salute his bravery and honesty. I think CNN edited the "poor person" statement.  It was in the same context as the discussion about Mr. Tsurumi remembering Bush's flippant remarks on Air America.

No, Mr. Bush! Lazy is having everything handed to you and still not giving enough of a shit to actually read, learn and contribute to society. Now, THAT is a Loser, with a capital "L."

The Neo cons take the cake, really. They should have enough sense to be ashamed, but they don't. I know that deep down in their dark little hearts, they really feel that way about the poor and feel they are superior to the less fortunate. I hear it in their speeches, in between the lines.

Keep the faith and keep on a Buzzin,

Danielle in the Panhandle

Subject: "honorable discharge"

Look who else got an honorable discharge, and who also failed to show for duty when ordered.

Sniper-Suspect's Military Record Revealed (Time)

Point this out the next time some Republican W. lover mentions Bush's "honorable" discharge.

RS

Subject: I'm not just being paranoid, am I?

Picture this...

The Bush Administration finds out that a Ben Barnes video clip is floating around the net and know that it's only a matter of time before it gets into the mainstream media.

They're worried. Not because of the whole "My family connections got me into the guard" angle, because that truly is a rehash. No, they're worried about the payback story.

So, in order to kill the story, they mock up some bogus memos and leak them to CBS. CBS uses them in the Ben Barnes story and the "proof" behind the story becomes suspect, which gives them a fairly strong position on the next story about the payoff.

The payoff? This is all detailed on www.gregpalast.com.

It seems as though when Georgie Bush become governor of Texas, his buddy Ben Barnes was a lobbyist for a company called GTECH Corp. GTECH had previously won a multi-billion dollar contact to run the Texas state lottery, but was about to lose the contract due to corruption and bribery charges. Governor Bush stepped in at the last minute and "convinced" the Texas lottery commission to refrain from voiding GTECH's contract. Ben Barnes was paid $23 million dollars for his little part of this deal. That's a lot of Thank Yous for sparing W. a trip to Southeast Asia eh?

Here's the part I like. Part of Palast's proof is some mysterious documents that were sent to him from people inside Texas government. So, when and if this story breaks, all the Bush campaign has to do is say, "Look, more fake documents and memos," and they'll get off the hook... again.

I'm not being paranoid... am I?

Seven weeks to go.

MIPatWx

Subject: Re: Your Afternoon Buzz

Tell Kitty Kelly to hang in there and continue to reveal G. Bush's failures. Look what the Swift Boat liars did to Senator Kerry. The Senator did good today. Tell him to continue to fight these old Republicans everyday. Terry M. was out there today as well. They need to keep up the fight until election. I'm glad to see J.Kerry fight back. That's what we want.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: trying to connect the dots

Dear BuzzFlash,

Been musing about the articles which speculate on whether or not W might have early Alzheimer's. Then I saw the Pledge of Allegiance Tummy Photo! Weirder and weirder.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Doubletalk

Dear Buzz:

Do these people actually listen to what they are saying? Last night I was watching an excerpt from one of Bush's campaign speeches on one of the news channels. He was talking about health care. He said, as closely as I can recall, "We believe that health care decisions should be a matter between patients and their doctors, and not be made by some bureaucrats in Washington." (Wild audience applause.) He must have left out the rest of this thought: "Except in the case of a woman's reproductive health, when bureaucrats in Washington up to and including the Supreme Court can interfere in the patient/doctor relationship at will." What a hypocrite! Too bad they don't let people with functioning brains and real questions attend these rallies.

MC

Subject: Hopeful Signs

My husband and I live in the Houston area. This weekend we went to small town Texas to visit family. Imagine our surprise when we saw Kerry/Edwards placards, billboards, and bumper stickers all through small town Texas and not ONE Bush anything. We saw "Where are the Jobs?" on the back of redneck pickups, next to Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers. Talking to the people was a revelation, too. We heard things like "Bush was AWOL" and "Bush isn't so good on terrorism, he let 9/11 happen," and "Those polls are rigged," and "We don't trust the news." This was surprising and inspiring and really made our weekend.

P.

Subject: Finding a copy of "It Can't Happen Here"

If you want to find a copy of the book at a library near you, check the Worldcat link for this book by my favorite author, Sinclair Lewis [or try:

http://ms101.mysearch.com/jsp/GGmain.jsp?sear...]

Most of the ones listed are academic libraries, but most of those will provide services to the general public. I came across a 1993 paperback edition of "It Can't Happen Here" in October, 2000--perhaps why I couldn't sleep for 3 days before the election. It's hard to find now because the Bush Administration made the book relevant, and people have been grabbing up copies for 3 years now. People can also make use of Inter-library loan at their public institutions. Most reference librarians would happily help them find this particular book. (Or others that are ahead of their times about racism and hypocrisy, such as "Kingsblood Royal;" about women, morality, social welfare, the prison system, and the death penalty in "Ann Vickers;" about evangelistic preachers in "Elmer Gantry;" just stay away from "Bethel Merriday" if you can, and ALL movie interpretations of his work. He just doesn't write Hollywood stories. :-)

Theresa Flynn
Athens, GA

Subject: Bush has a DoD problem

These are just a few of them. Many 2003 URLS and beyond are defunct, but I have copies of several of the letters, should you ever need them, as well as those in between. Anyway, this list will give you an idea of the scope...

Letters published in "Stars and Stripes"

Toe the line or else -- Sept. 11, 2004

Strong leadership? -- Sept. 6, 2004

AAFES censorship (of F 9-11) -- Aug. 29, 2004

Bush's behavior on 9/11 -- Aug. 27, 2004

Too much Fox? You decide; Civilian leadership failed the troops -- Aug 18, 2004

What protection? -- Aug. 2, 2004

Response to Rumsfeld -- Aug. 20, 2004

Too much FOX news -- Aug. 6, 2004

Don't follow leaders blindly; Kerry's war actions -- Aug. 5, 2004

Letter was chilling; Christ's words lost -- July 30, 2004

Bush leadership weak -- July 29, 2004

Don't blame Clinton -- July 27, 2004

Bush vs. military standards; Gay marriage -- get over it -- July 24, 2004

Conservatives are like sheep -- July 15, 2004

Bush actions parallel enemies -- June 30, 2004

Can FOX News be trusted? -- June 18, 2004

Impeach Bush -- June 11, 2004

Troops not forgotten -- June 7, 2004

Lies and failures -- May 23, 2004

'Year in hell' long enough; Treat GIs like heroes -- May 20, 2004

Rumsfeld should resign -- May 11, 2004

Iraq resembles Vietnam; Distortion and deception; Abuse of prisoners -- May 9, 2004

Bush fought pay restoration -- May 3, 2004

We need them back; Get out and vote; Enough is Enough -- April 18, 2004

Thanks, Secretary Rumsfeld; Supports troops, not mission; Let them come home -- April 13, 2004

Dr. Laura and the Military; Spend more for protection -- March 26, 2004

A little selective amnesia; Spend more for protection -- March 25, 2004

Must demand better -- March 7, 2004

Canceled R and R; Vietnam, Iraq similar -- Feb. 8, 2004

Bush visit disrupted dining--Dec. 5, 2003

Take Limbaugh off AFN; Mission real national tragedy -- Nov. 28, 2003

Will Limbaugh change?; Remove Limbaugh show -- Nov. 27, 2003

Thanksgiving visit--Nov. 7, 2003

A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: Encouraging stuff from our service men and women. Thanks for a great compendium!]

Subject: why risk it?

the media has done everything but nail kitty kelly to a stake and set fire to her.

no one in the media seemed to care if the swift boat people were lying or not. they showed that commercial over and over for free.

why in the world do people risk everything to say anything bad about bush?

km

Subject: depression......

There are times that I get so frustrated, it seems that no matter what Dubya does, it rolls off his back like a duck...he never answers anything, he never is held responsible for anything... Today is one of the most vile days in Iraq...and everyone who is for this man just infers that that is the kind of people we are fighting for our freedom..

What the hell does that mean? Did they ever threaten our freedom? If so, I never knew it!

Last night, Bill Maher on Larry King's show said, "You know, sometimes I think we should just forget about it...let it go...let Bush win.....and have to clean up a mess himself...he has never had to do that....Daddy did it for him....or friends fixed it for him."

This thing in Iraq is getting no better, folks, none! It is getting worse...and with all the jobs gone...too many people are on the street without jobs...and, all assault weapons are legal now...so watch the crime rate soar!!!

I try...so hard...I am working to get Kerry elected...I have volunteered my time, I have told them to put a yard sign on my yard...I have a bumper sticker...but Kerry is going to have to raise some Hell!!!!

He must get out there, and fight the Son Of a Bush...or we are not going to make it!

Shirley............st.Louis

PS: I saw another bumper sticker today....it was simple "MORE TREES, LESS BUSH."

Subject: Idealogues

Hi Gang!

Sometimes, a picture can do so much to motivate.

The challenge was made and I gladly accepted.

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: "It Can't Happen Here"

The Sinclair Lewis book is available on the net as an ebook from Project Gutenberg of Australia.

gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0301001h.html.

Tim L.

Subject: Re: Your Afternoon Buzz

Dear Mr Krugman,

Simple and direct, so the average voter can get it.

Following the Democratic National Convention, attacks on John Kerry's military record were justified by the claim that he had made his military career the centerpiece of the convention.

President Bush has just wrapped up the Republican Convention in which he made his efforts or lack thereof, surrounding "911" the centerpiece of the convention.

During the "Summer of Threats," George Tenet told the 911 Commission, "the system was blinking red"; he said further it could not "get any worse."

So what did our president do? He went on vacation for a month. Who was left in charge? Not the Vice President, he went on vacation for the month, too. In fact, the Director of the CIA, Mr. Tenet, was also on vacation and he testified to the 911 Commission that he didn't talk to the president at all during this period.

On August 6th, 2001, the President's Daily Brief stated that "Bin Laden Determined To Strike in the US." Following the briefing, the president spent the rest of the day fishing. When questioned by the 911 Commission, the president told them that the report "was historical in nature." It is now.

Respectfully,

Mike Scott

Subject: Swift boat versus National Guard record

It seems that the Republicans can't stand the heat in the kitchen when President Bush's military record is put up for scrutiny. Yet they lauded the bogus swift boat people, who were trashing John Kerry's legitimate war record. In case anyone is interested, it was a matter of sour grapes with the bogus swift boat people. And to think that group is voting for a candidate who joined the National Guard to escape the draft, and that same person didn't finish his commitment. How dumb can you get?

J. Keith
Arizona

Subject: Support LTC Bill Burkett against the right wing attack on him

Everyone is always saying how much they admire and respect LTC Bill Burkett for standing up against the Bush regime and refusing to ignore criminal actions in the governor's office. Don't forget he made the ghost soldier story known publicly. Now the right wing extremists are calling for a "criminal investigation" into whether someone forged federal documents and attempting to lay this at Bill Burkett's feet instead of asking the real questions of Bush.

Bill needs everyone to go post on every message board and blog. Begin questioning if Bush deserved his honorable discharge and whether or not he disobeyed a direct order to get his flight physical. The right has chosen to attack him in a personally vicious manner and he needs our support. Bush must be forced to answer the accusations on the record. Instead, he is relying on the swift boat liars to attack Bill Burkett in an attempt to deflect and obfuscate the issues that are important, whether Bush fulfilled his service commitment.

If you care about Bill Burkett and the courage he has shown repeatedly in standing up for the truth and integrity, please write to all media forums NOW and continue every day until Bush answers the questions.

I know Bill Burkett will appreciate your efforts. I am thanking you now on his behalf.

Linda L. Starr
The only fake document is Bush's "Honorable Discharge!"

Subject: Bush Goon Squad Targets Kitty Kelley

Goodie! The more Bush goons assail poor little Kitty...the more books she'll sell. It isn't like she and Doubleday didn't anticipate this. Or that she hasn't been attacked before. Guess Bushiviks didn't learn with F-911 and Franken's Lying Liars. Their attacks incite more interest in books/films they are trying to suppress. I've never read her and am all "Hot Damn!" ready for this one on its first day of release. The more they assail...the higher her numbers will be...and the more poor Sharon Bush will be protected from the Bush evil family empire.

Suzanne
The People's Republic of San Francisco

Subject: Re 60 minutes documents' authenticity

Why is everyone demanding that CBS initiate a thorough investigation of the authenticity of the documents? Weren't there several other valid reports making essentially the same assertions?

Furthermore, isn't the onus, rather, on bush to provide any real proof of his activities at that time? Why then does he have his records hidden away from public scrutiny? How ridiculous is that?

And why is Laura stating that the documents are "probably" forgeries! I mean, if she knows the documents are false and therefore forgeries, why would she use the word "probably"?

Who is being dishonest here?

Thanks,

Jim Wiser

Subject: Re: It's Been Time for Kerry to Cream Bush

Dear BuzzFlash Readers:

Greetings from the Christian Liberal: Had the opportunity to catch Kerry's speech to the Congressional Black Caucus last weekend, and I've never heard a finer speech. However, I'm writing this to say that BuzzFlash's editorial, "It's Time to Cream Him, John" is dead on target. While I know that Jesus would want us to "turn the other cheek," in this instance, since Kerry's being attacked by a group of thugs, I think Jesus would honor Kerry's need to defend himself and win this election. If he can get those around him to give him fight speeches (and it looks like James Carville and Paul Begala are riding to the rescue) while ridding himself of DLC influence (Terry McAuliffe is a running joke and the result of his leadership has largely contributed to this mess), Kerry can pull it off.

Kudos, BuzzFlash, for your timely editorial. Also, props to Barbara's Daily Buzz Flash Minute - she articulated that nothing Bush does correlates to his faith as a Christian. I just wish Christians would stop drinking the Kool-Aid to say that whatever Bush chooses to do is okay with them - that's like saying it's okay to deny yourself your own best interests and get screwed over in the name of the Lord. And that's something the Lord doesn't even co-sign on, so if He doesn't okay it, then why should we?

Leutisha Stills
The Christian Liberal

Subject: i don't get it

Why doesn't bush release those flight inquiry records? Why doesn't someone ask him why? If you have nothing to hide, then why hide it?

Kate
Tampa

Subject: Maureen Farrell...Can it Happen Here?

Greetings...

I read with interest Maureen Farrell's article about Sinclair Lewis' novel "It Can't Happen Here" and the parallels with the current administration. I've read the book 3 times. Eerie isn't it! Frankly, I thought the same thing during the Reagan years...there were so many parallels then that I joined the Peace Corps to get away from it all!

I'm just glad that someone else in this country has read "It Can't Happen Here" and has recognized that "It" could possibly happen here. I think "It" has started already...how else can a failed administration such as the Bush administration do so well in the polls? They should have alienated every voter bloc in the country except for rich white males, yet they still hold a tenuous lead according to some polls.

Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

James Harding

Subject: Lying Group of Thugs

Dear BuzzFlash,

Remember when Sen. Kerry was overheard on C-Span, telling a voter "these guys are a lying bunch of thugs" or something very close to that? At the time, I thought serendipity had given the Senator exactly the campaign theme he needed against the sure-to-be-cutthroat Bushies. (We've already forgotten the false "affair with an intern" rumours.) The beauty of his summary was that it was true, and would be given fresh proofs practically every day Bush and his Republicans proposed or blocked a law, kept citizens from free expression, slimed a critic, etc. etc. Maybe it's too late to take that tack now. But it's still true.

Jim P.
PS: Saw Zbigniew Brzezinski on Charley Rose. He had this summary: "To win, you must divide your enemies and unite your friends. We have united our enemies and divided our friends." There's a slogan for Senator Kerry!

Subject: WTF strategy

Buzz,

Here is how W attacks Kerry: And he again accused Kerry of vacillating on Iraq, saying it was critical a president "speak clearly and consistently at this time of great threat in our world, and not change positions because of expediency or pressure."

Democrats step up attacks on Bush's military record (Yahoo)

W lecturing Kerry (or anyone, for that matter) on "speaking clearly and consistently" and "not changing positions because of expediency or pressure"??? This is laughable. In the mental health (or unhealth rather) circles, this is called projection -- accusing others of one's own vices.

But this is a great opening for Kerry or his surrogates: Let's talk about how Mr. Bush has been changing his positions because of expediency or pressure. So far we have seen that the only consistent thing about Mr. Bush is his inconsistency. Remember no-nation-building promises in 2000? Remember the humility in international relations he promised us? Remember Osama 'dead or alive'? Remember WMD morphing into WMD related program activities morphing into oblivion? Remember the talk on unwinnable-then-to-be-won-for-sure war on terrorism a while ago? This list goes on and on.

Here we are, in September 2004, and we still do not know where Mr. Bush stands on major issues affecting our country and the world. His clever rhetoric aside, we have yet to hear how he plans to address the worsening deadly chaos in Iraq -- caused by his thoughtless and inconsistent policies. Etc. etc. Mr. Bush prides himself on his resolve -- but the only resolve we see is in his refusal to admit to his grave mistakes and change the course of action in face of overwhelming failure.

Wrong choices and empty promises -- that's what is consistent about Bush's presidency. (And don't get me started on speaking clearly, Mr. Misunderestimated Bush.)

Gosh, the creep-in-chief and his goons offer so many opportunities for attack as each day brings more news about their lies and incompetent decisions. They are a terrible thing to waste.

A Buzzer

Subject: Sharon rues the day

Would it be too bold to say that Sharon Bush was threatened by the Bush family? Well, hush my diplomatic mouth! You can bet that when she decided to retain a lawyer, it was within minutes of being threatened by the Bushes and told to disavow her witnessed commentary of GW snorting cocaine at Camp David many times...or else. Or else what?!!! Now, she is in a real fix with the Bushes. There are witnesses and recordings of her commentary staunchly backed by Random House.

Last year, I referred to the Bushes as Mafioso and I meant that. Since then, we have seen them lean on many people who dare to bring truth about them to the American people. It has become a daily practice. I called attention to the reddening of Bush's nose [a characteristic of alcoholism and/or cocaine snorting.] When Bush sweats and the make up slides off in the hot sun during a campaign stump, the red nose reveals itself. Check it out. I feel sorry for Sharon Bush. I'll bet she rues the day she met the Bush mob.

Cathy