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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: NYTimes.com Article: CBS Offers New Experts to Support Guard Memos

Buried at the END of the article:

Richard Katz, a computer software expert in Los Angeles who was featured on the "Evening News" segment, said in an interview that he had called his local affiliate, KCBS, after looking at the memos on the CBS Web site after the initial broadcast, when some experts were saying that the memos looked as if they had been composed using the Times New Roman font in Microsoft Word.

Comparing the CBS memos with a replication produced on Microsoft Word, he noticed a slight variation in the boldness of the letters, as there is on many typewritten documents. "It doesn't look like you can do this very easily," he said. "If you use something like Photoshop you could come close to faking it, but why not just go out and buy a Selectric for $75?"

Bill Glennon, a technology consuLt.ant and I.B.M. typewriter specialist who had posted his thoughts on the memos on a blog and was quoted over the weekend in publications including The New York Times, said CBS called him Monday morning. The producer asked him to come in and look at the memorandums and say whether he thought that an I.B.M. typewriter could have produced the documents. He said he was initially leery of talking. "Because quite honestly there's some people out there, they're scary," he said. "You don't agree with them, you offer opinions that don't jibe with theirs and you get a target on your back." [emphasis added]

Mr. Glennon was in charge of service for 1,000 contracts for I.B.M. typewriters for 15 years, starting in late 1972, around the time the memorandums were produced. He spent 15 minutes with the CBS documents, he said, and believes that they could have been created using the kind of typewriters he worked with at I.B.M.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Bush Spending Little Time at White House

We all know that Al Gore beat George Bush by over a HALF MILLION votes in 2000, and that the Florida election was stolen right from under our very eyes and ears. Yes, Jeb and Company are up to their old tricks again this year with their electronic "paperless" voting machines and defiance of a judge's order to remove Ralph Nader from the ballot, blaming the hurricane that they said is going to hit Florida's capital of Tallahassee (look at the map, it's hundreds of miles to the west, about to bear down on New Orleans, Louisiana). Friend of Joe Deb just reminded me of the "polls" at this point four years ago, all of which had Bush ahead of Gore, all were way off. If you follow the Rasmussen Reports daily poll, as I do each day, you see Bush and Kerry within a point of each other. Bush received about a four point "bounce" shortly after the Bushmaster liefest, that went away within a week, and then another two point bounce on September 11 (lies do work you know), but that's gone now too. We're going to WIN! despite the naysayers.

Bush-leading polls got you down?

Are you blaming Kerry for screwing this campaign up royally?

Can't believe he's down by 11 points? Check out polls from 2000...

(ABC News tracking poll)

Bush, 48 percent

Gore, 45 percent

Nader, 3 percent

Buchanan, 1 percent

Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 1,280 LV, MoE 3 percentage points

(CNN-USA Today-Gallup tracking poll)

Bush, 47 percent

Gore, 43 percent

Nader, 5 percent

Buchanan, less than percent

Nov. 1-Nov. 3, 2,222 LV, MoE 2 percentage points

(MSNBC-Reuters-Zogby tracking poll)

Bush, 46 percent

Gore, 42 percent

Nader, 6 percent

Buchanan, 1 percent

Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 1,206 LV, MoE 3 percentage points

(Voter.com Battleground tracking poll)

Bush, 46 percent

Gore, 37 percent

Nader, 5 percent

Buchanan, 1 percent

Oct. 30-Nov. 2, about 1,000 LV, MoE 3 percentage points

And CNN tracking poll gave Bush an 11 pt lead on 10/27/2000.

Joseph J. P.

Subject: The Systematic and Willful Act of Destruction

Hi Gang!

Sometimes, one needs to step back, review all the events that have transpired, remember things said in the past, and you get a clear and frightening picture of what is truly happening in this country. To paraphrase Newt Gingrich, "The goal is to destroy the Democratic Party." Across the board, on all manner of issues, Neo-Cons are eroding and destroying Democrats. By appealing to the fear and the worst in people by the use of ideology, theology, and waging unwarranted warfare, the Neo-Cons are taking it all away from us.

"The economy? Never mind that because we are at war and everybody knows war is good for the economy (i.e., big corporations and those rich enough to invest in them)."

"Security? We're at war to keep you secure."

"Healthcare? Don't talk to us because it's in the hands of private corporations. You have a problem - talk to them."

"The environment? Go talk to the companies that are polluting. They're supposed to be regulating themselves."

"Social Security? Liberals broke that so if you didn't start a retirement account, it looks like you're on the dole."

How long does this have to go on before Democrats realize that these Neo-Cons will stop at ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO GAIN AND MAINTAIN THEIR HOLD ON POWER? Can't Democrats see that the November elections are truly the most important elections that will ever take place in this country? To illustrate just how important the elections are, it would behoove us and Democrats to learn this word: Kakistocracy.

A kakistocracy is a form of government in which the government is conducted by the worst people. Rather than being an advocated or recommended form of government, the word is usually used in the context of criticizing a particular ruling elite. The origin of this word is uncertain, but it appears that at some time between 1800 and 1930, the word was 'derived' from the Greek word kakos, meaning bad. In a similar vein to aristocracy, or to the assessment of ability (meritocracy), the definition of kakistocracy depends on some moral or ethical valuation, or point of view over what in fact constitutes good and bad. - Wikipedia

I fear so many awful things will happen if Shrubya gets re-elected because this is the Neo-Con way of doing things. Black and white, right or wrong, or good and evil. Neo-Cons see only absolutes - absolutes they claim are right.

Democrats didn't lose control of the House and Senate because of happenstance. They lost control because the Neo-Cons framed all their campaigns around the credo that if you can't trust one Democrat (i.e., President Clinton and his eventual admitting to an affair with Monica Lewinski), you can't trust any of them. Just what can Democrats do to save themselves? Pray we elect enough of them to regain control of the government and pray they, at long last, have learned their lesson.

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: The Media Again

Dear BuzzFlash,

Time is wasting. We need to hammer on the Media's weak points, and get them to do some real reporting.

It is no coincidence that the percentage of people who support Bush is about the same percentage who believe the three great lies: Saddam had WMD, Saddam was involved in 9/11, Saddam was allied with Osama.

Unquestionably, Media has failed to do its job of keeping the Public informed. At least, that's what it should be doing. Its real job seems to be to protect Bush, and Media will continue to do so unless forced to do otherwise.

We need to do something out of the ordinary to make the Public aware that these 3 things Bush told us about Iraq are false. Here are the things available to us:

Written and phoned complaints. The crazies have been doing this for ages, and in an organized fashion. They browbeat the Press, and we complain. They win. Focus on these three questions and let each of us ask every "journalist" why they are allowing sheer nonsense to go unchecked, and when will they start pointing out that Bush-and-Friends are lying and misleading every time they assert one of these false things.

It is time we browbeat the press. They need to be reminded the American Press is the laughing-stock of the world. They need to be told that following a horse-race leaves them stepping in a lot of horse-shit, and We the People are left without the facts we need to make the right choices for our own and for our children's future.

Any future demonstrations--and we should have massive ones as soon as tomorrow if we can--should be aimed at the various stations demanding they clarify the truth about these 3 issues.

This ultimately will not be enough, unless it is backed by a threat of boycott. If we are unwilling to focus on getting at least the basic record straight--the Iraq war had nothing at all to do with stopping terrorism--then we are faced with the end of the American Experiment.

Tell me what else can average people do, unless we act in concert to force the Media to speak truth, regardless of who holds power.

Jim P.

Subject: The Guard Convention cheered him.

I would, too, if he could deploy me if I didn't. They know what happens to hecklers.

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: Bush and his National Guard Service

Editor: As usual, the political prudents, as well as the President avoid the real issues about the President's National Guard Service. The authenticity of the CBS documents should be determined by examining the original documents. However the greater issue is the truth and nothing but the truth about the service of Lt. George W. Bush and to see if he has been truthful in 2004 about his military service. The following facts have been established: Service in the National Guard during Vietnam was one of the best ways to stay out of Vietnam. George W. Bush got into the guard with the aid of, then Texas Speaker of the House, Ben Barnes. George W. Bush requested not to be sent overseas on his application for the Guard. He scored in the bottom 25% of his flight aptitude test and would not have been given a flight slot without special treatment. He failed to take a required physical that resulted in him being grounded. He did not attend required drills for a period of 5 months as proven by his pay records. His Officer Efficiency Report confirms Lt. George W. Bush was not observed by his commander from April 72 - March 73. Questions that remain open are: Did he disobey the lawful order of his Commanding Officer, Lt.C. Jerry B. Killian? This is where the authenticity of the CBS memo from Lt.C. Killian can help. However, according to the recollection of Marian Carr Knox, the secretary to Lt.C. Killian, the truth of the memo is accurate. In other words, regardless of the authenticity of the CBS Documents, George W. Bush disobeyed the orders of his commanding officer! Where are the reports covering the failure of Lt. Bush to get a physical? There is no question he did not take the physical and it was not an option of Lt. Bush to take this required physical. His failure to remain flight qualified meant he was unable to perform the job he was trained for and to fulfill the reason he was given a position in the Guard rather than serve in Vietnam. How does an officer receive an Honorable Discharge that failed to attend drills and disobeyed Air Force Regulations that mandate annual physical Exams? The personal desire to manage a political campaign in another state is not justification for George W. Bush to ignore the responsibilities he accepted when he joined the National Guard! Gene P. Abel

COL, USAR Ret
Cape Coral, Fl

Subject: "Sopranos From Maine"

Dear BuzzFlash,

The Bush's are not from Maine and never were. Just because they spend a handful of weeks here a year does NOT make them Mainers.

Please do not insult Maine.

Paul Gelardi
Kennebunkport, Maine

Subject: Kerrybunkport MusicFest

Dear BuzzFlash:

The audacious Kennebunkport Dems pulled off a great event here in Kerrybunkport this weekend. About a 1000 people joined our celebration of democracy on the Kennebunkport Village Green. Eight bands and two folk singers performed. The music spanned the taste dial with something to love and hate for everyone. Folk, blues, blue grass, reggae, and classic, alternative and even head banging rock. Eight political speakers addressed the gathering including, Congressman Tom Allen. Their speeches were concerned, hopeful, heartfelt and passionate. It was truly wonderful.

We registered a number of voters including a 74 year old woman who has never voted in her life! Over 100 voter registration guides were taken home and a large number of absentee ballots. Voter Registrars for Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Biddeford, Arundle and Wells counseled prospective voters on the registration process and residency requirements.

Jane MacDonald came all the way from Cape Cod to be our sign language interpreter.

The sound system was powered by a mobile bank of solar cells, with a bio-diesel auxiliary and a grid backup.

It was a great event to have in this heavily Republican town that we all love. Repubs outnumber Dems 2 to 1 but none-the-less we are intent on painting Kennebunkport blue on November 2!

...Keep The Faith, We Still Have 48 Days to Save the World!

Paul

Subject: Karl Rove's Dirty Tricks

Knowing Karl Rove's history of dirty tricks (as partially chronicled in your editorial ...9/15), a frightening thought has occurred to me. There has been much discussion about the touch screen voting machines and fears that they will allow Bush/Rove to steal the election. Wouldn't it be more Rovian to use these machines to give more votes to Kerry in a state that wouldn't throw the election to him and then with the help of his media megaphonies "uncover" this despicable act by the democracy-hating Democrats? It would serve as a preemptive strike that would undermine any attempts by the Democrats to reveal where these machines are throwing the election to Bush. Scary.

Nancy Cashman
Yonkers, NY

p.s. I worked on the IBM Selectric Composer in the early 70s. They were capable of doing everything that appeared on the Killian memos.

Subject: answer to statement that Bush served "honorably" or having an "Honorable Discharge" proves he did all that was required of him The following information was taken from VA Benefits information at www.vvoa.com/benefits/benefitrequ.html. I have great difficulty listening to or watching commentators or news persons being misled by Bushites when they defend Bush's National Guard duty (or rather, his lack of National Guard duty). Bushites always say that Bush "served honorably" or that he received an "honorable discharge" followed by an inference that this is something very special, with significant meaning relative to meritorious service. The five basic types of military discharges are:

Honorable discharge General discharge, or discharge under honorable conditions. General discharges cover many things including alcohol or drug abuse -- e.g. failure to muster (not showing up for duty), or showing up under the influence, etc. The main thing to recognize about this type of discharge is that a recipient of this discharge may refer to themselves as having honorably served.

Undesirable discharge, or discharge under other than honorable conditions. Bad-conduct discharge. A veteran with a bad-conduct discharge from a special court-martial or with an undesirable discharge (discharge under other than honorable conditions) may appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) and beyond that, to the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeal (CVA) to have their discharge upgraded. Furthermore, a veteran usually will be able obtain a discharge upgrade from a discharge review board (DRB). Veterans with discharge problems are usually advised of their right to request a discharge upgrade and may be referred to a veterans' service officer or attorney for information and advice. Dishonorable discharge, or dismissal. Some copies of the DD 214 show what kind of discharge the veteran received and Bush has refused to share all of his DD 214s. I hope the above can be infused into any statements by Bush people that Bush served "honorably" and/or that the military doesn't just give away "Honorable" discharges, in fact, under various circumstances, they do just that.

Dennis Bogen

Subject: Blank Stare

CBS news quotes John Elway at a rally for Bush in Denver:

Elway, the quarterback who led the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl victories, praised Mr. Bush in football terms. "This man knows how to make the right calls when the pressure is on," Elway said.

Elway must have taken too many hits to the head. If Elway froze for 7 minutes when a blitz was coming he would have been knocked out of the game

Thomas A. Oliviero
Holbrook, NY