October 15, 2004

The BuzzFlash Mailbag

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

Subject: Tonight's Debate

As an undecided young voter, I have been quite disappointed with the direction President Bush has taken this country over the past 3+ years. However, when the debates began, I barely knew anything about John Kerry - about his presidential qualities, about where he stood on the issues, and about how he was different from the President. Over the course of the debates, though, Senator Kerry has not only solidified his candidacy for President, but more importantly he has showed me something about his character, about his integrity, and about his values. He has clearly articulated his viewpoints on the most important domestic and foreign issues. And he has effectively convinced me that I must vote in the upcoming election. My swing vote in the state of Ohio is enthusiastically going to John Kerry.

A.N. Sheth
Cincinnati, OH

Subject: Third Presidential Debate

Hello--

Kerry is three for three after tonight's debate! While Bush managed narrowly to avoid most of the unpleasant idiosyncrasies that plagued him in the last two debates (from the grimaces of the first debate to the mania of the second), he replaced those with nothing but mangled and ineffective attempts at humor and ridicule, a flimsy grasp of the issues, and talking points in place of plans. Kerry maintained the same cool, collected and competent manner he has maintained throughout these debates again tonight. Kerry's plan for America's future is simply not matched by anything the President has to offer. The American public will not buy Bush's so-called "plans" any more than they could buy their own health care with a tax credit.

Cheers,

Sally Ferguson
Pensacola, FL

Subject: Bush makes me SICK!

I'm sitting here listening to the last (thank God!) debate. The one thing that I keep hearing Bush say over and over and over again is "a liberal Senator from Massachusetts." Like that's a detestable thing! What is it that he has the biggest problem with? That Kerry is a Senator? That Kerry is from Massachusetts? That Kerry is a "liberal"? Or all of the above? If I were a resident of the state of Massachusetts, I'd be very offended.

But then again, every word out of Bush's mouth is offensive to me. Bush is the most detestable person I can think of. He's a greedy, dry drunk, ignorant, lying piece of dung (and that's being nice!) and America needs to scrape him off of the bottom of our shoes! I agree with Mike Malloy! I hate these people! These people HAVE to go!! The rest of the world is watching and listening to everything going on over here and they have the advantage of getting the truth of what's happening and the Bush Administration's hand in it. They already know that Americans have their heads up their asses and if we allow Bush to steal this election, too, then I expect massive boycotts on American goods (which is obviously already happening to some extent), and who knows what else! So if the election theft proceeds and is successful, then expect the scheiss to hit the fan!

Cecilia
Montgomery, AL

Subject: Who is Feeding Bush Information to Write Down?

Watching the 3rd Debate, Bush listens to Kerry, blinks his eyes then he starts to write, but it seems like he is listening to someone and writing down a lot of information.

In the first debate, I don't think he wrote down a lot of information. Someone isn lying! Someone is feeding him information. He did not get that smart overnite!

Watch him.

And second, he keeps giving answers to questions that aren't even asked. Case in point, the question about stem-cell research: he talked about abortion. And he also gave us an inside into his incompetence:

"The Texas border is much safer since I left Texas." Whatta ya know?

Just asking.

Anita in St. Louis

Subject: Kerry won this debate in a Landslide!

Tonight Kerry goes for a record 3-0 wins. This just shows that not only does bush have no ideas, but that when people don't sign a loyalty oath, that when there is no ear piece available, and that when he can't see the questions in advance, he can make his record, which is a myth, a reality. We will take back the White House on NOV 2.

JK took the advice that he wins by not offending anyone extra. He set up points for women and minorities. He did all the damage he could do with aggression in the first two debates. This one ought to turn out pretty well - pretty tough critiques, but spoken really well.

I have never seen a sitting president, in a debate, so flippant! He's been cracking jokes all night and it's just not appropriate. Neither candidate has been sticking to the questions as much as I would like, but Bush is by far the worst offender.

All I hope is that Mr. Bush can see that mountain in West Texas as much as he wants, and not just on his presidential vacations.

So this is what a "war president" looks like when what he really wants to do is explode in raging anger, but knows he shouldn't, so instead, he gives tepid, lip-biting, tentative, weak answers.

Bush=arrogant, rude, condescending, incompetent, and worthless!!!

Kerry=strong, smart, tough, resilient, outstanding and resourceful!!!

Go Kerry!!! You kicked his butt 3 TIMES NOW!!!!!!!!

God if you can hear my prayer; I pray that you will send your idiot back to Crawford, Texas, and keep him there.

Amen

Mrs. Jenny Bryson
Lakeland, TN

P.S. The worst part is Bush is smiling with the right side of his mouth, and frowning with the left. Simultaneously. What's he got? Bell's Palsy?? Or is his two-faced-ness showing thru?

Subject: Didn't die the first time?

Jesus God! G W Bush said our soldiers don't see it as a back door draft, they see it as another opportunity to serve their country. Is he that out of touch? Does he know what our soldiers are saying or just what he is being told they are saying?!!! He lives in his own world.

Shorty in Memphis.

Subject: Kerry Was Magnificent!

Dear M. BuzzFlash,

I've been a staunch supporter of Wesley Clark. For most of this election cycle, I've been disappointed that General Clark was not the Democratic nominee for President. But tonight, John Kerry impressed me. He did a wonderful job. I particularly liked his discussion on education and jobs.

The President, on the other hand, was again an embarrassment. He started the night with a big whopper of a lie, that he'd never said he wasn't concerned with Osama bin Laden. We all know he said that. In addition, according to Atlantic Monthly, October 2004, "On February 24, 2002, General Richard Myers, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said: 'I wouldn't call (getting bin Laden) a prime mission.'" Bush further attempted, as usual, to misrepresent Kerry's service in the Senate.

As with the first two debates, John Kerry turned out a stellar performance. After the first debate, I said I was no longer voting against George Bush but for John Kerry. Now, I even look forward to hearing John Kerry, the next President of the United States, speak!

Sincerely,

Maria Wells

Subject: debate

As an Australian, I understand that I have no actual voting rights in your upcoming presidential election. I ask you, however, to understand that your country is the most powerful in the world and thus retains the most global responsibility.

I have been watching the debates on cable TV and listening to them over the internet. My honest, rational opinion is that anyone who votes for Bush is impaired intellectually and emotionally. Anybody who thinks Bush 'won' this recent debate, or the others, is clearly in denial. Kerry is a coherent, compassionate, clearly intelligent person and this shows in the debates.

Unfortunately, Australian voters have recently proved that the economy is what to base their vote on. John Howard and the Liberal party were re-elected (which means very bad things for education fees, environmental issues). I fear if Bush remains in office, Howard will continue to do W's biddings in the war, succumb to harmful free trade laws and so on. Whilst I am embarrassed and highly dissatisfied with my own government, I urge American voters to vote Kerry as to help transform my own nation into a better place and help the WORLD to be safer and more humane.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Three Out Of Three

John Kerry demonstrated mastery tonight. Once again, the president misquoted, misled and misrepresented his own performance. What kind of an answer to a minimum wage question is "Get more education?" Because you call something a Clean Air bill or No Child Left Behind, does not mean you deliver, and Senator Kerry clearly illustrated that point this evening.

But the worst misrepresentations are the President's comments with regard to his tax cut. His tax cut was actually a tax: property taxes went up; health care premiums went up; college tuitions went up; the amount in Pell grants went down and the list goes on and on.

Are you better off today then you were 4 years ago? Are you safer? This is not a question of ideology any longer. This is a referendum on competency and George W. Bush fails.

Steve Rozov
Drexel Hill, PA

Subject: Bush Misspoke Again

George W. Bush said in tonight's debate that he had never said he was no longer concerned about Osama bin Laden. If he checked the White House website, he could refresh his memory.

Here are three quotes from the two questions he was asked in a news conference on March 13, 2002, just six months after the attacks on the United States that took down the World Trade Centers, damaged the Pentagon, and killed the passengers on four domestic flights. In the fall of 2001, Bush said he would hunt Osama down, six months later, he was unconcerned. "And he's just -- he's a person who's now been marginalized. His network, his host government has been destroyed. He's the ultimate parasite who found weakness, exploited it, and met his match." "So I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him, Kelly, to be honest with you." "And, again, I don't know where he is. I -- I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html

Kathryn L.

It seems that John Kerry has a more inclusive message for America. George Bush supports the status quo, which means a bigger divide between the haves and have-nots. As a physician who makes over $200,000 a year, I'm happy to have a tax increase if it means that there's more equality of education and opportunities in this country. I don't want to raise my children in a police state, or behind locked gates to keep out the riff-raff.

I think America can be a place for having a stake in one's own prosperity that means better communities for all.

Carolyn Kaplan, M.D.

Subject: Dumbya misses the point - again!

Buzz,

No matter the question on any issue, Dumbunny's reply was 'education; people need to get a degree to get a job.' He failed to mention that there are thousands of Americans with an associate degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or PhD, who can't get work [except maybe at WalFart] because There Are No Jobs! because he has shipped them all to India or China.

Speaking of education, according to all the polls listed at http://www.politicalstrategy.org..., Dunderhead FLUNKED Big Time at the third debate. His best showing - at Faux, of course - was 2:1 for Kerry [AOL also gave him his most positive - down 20 points to Kerry]. Pickles is going to have a mightily petulant child on her hands the next few days!

Amazed in Arizona!!

Subject: Bush's Hypocrisy in Debate #3 (One might even say Flip-Flop!)

It was very amusing to see George Dubya in one breath during his monologue warn American seniors away from Canadian drugs because there was no guarantee they were not substandard, toxic and could kill them! Then practically in the next breath (to try to save his butt in the next question!) he "hoped" that Canada would be able to come through and save the day with sufficient "influenza vaccine" to make up for Britain's botched order! Does the man remember anything he says except "more of the same"? What a fool.

McPogo
Ontario, Canada

Subject: Son of a gun Bush still has that wardrobe malfunction!!!!!!

Did Geo. Dubbya wear the same outfit as before? I saw the little square in his back again when he turned his back after the debates and he was shaking hands and talking to everyone on stage. Hmmmm why not get into this again?

Judy Walsh

Subject: prez debates

John Kerry (again) proved tonight not only to have superior debating skills but also to have a better grasp on the realities of the world in which we are living. I thought that he struck the perfect balance between exposing the abominable record of the bush administration and offering his own clear vision for our country should he be elected. President Bush (again) appeared to me to be extremely out of touch (by sticking to his same tired applause lines and factual distortions). His assertion that he has never said that "he doesn't think about Osama Bin Laden much anymore" is an out and out lie. I've seen the footage of him saying it...and so has every other American. This president has absolutely no credibility and this third and final debate reinforced that view in my eyes.

Bryan K.

Subject: Just one thing

I'm sick of the people who are going to vote for the imbecile in chief. When they try to convince me to vote for him, I ask, "Tell me one thing he has done as President that deserves my vote." I haven't had ONE Bush supporter give me ONE reason. They usually stand there with a glazed look on their face. It is very strange. I feel as if I'm dealing with the living dead! At least the brain dead.

So, I then ask them if they can't come up with one reason, why are you voting for Bush? The response: "There hasn't been any terrorist attack since 9-11."

Who was in charge on 9-11, I ask. It was Bush. Don't you realize terrorist attacks throughout the world have skyrocketed? No. There hasn't been an attack here.

OK, there hasn't been an attack here. Bill Clinton's administration was much more pro-active in preventing terrorist attacks here and abroad and we didn't have to give our civil liberties away in the process. How does that make Bush better? There hasn't been an attack since 9-11. I'm dealing with the brain dead. And it's not just me, if any of the recent polls are accurate it is about 45% of the public. Talk about scary!

Gregg Dunn
Dearborn, MI

Subject: Faulty Intelligence?

Referring to the U.N. sanctions against Iraq.....

And frankly they have worked. He has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbors. -- Secretary Colin L. Powell, Cairo, Egypt (Ittihadiya Palace), February 24, 2001

Les M.

Subject: Re: The Battle of Bush's Bulge

Here's what I wrote to a pundit on this recently:

Bush was most likely wired, which I concluded before seeing the "bulge" pics. If not wired, it becomes more difficult to explain various facts and behaviors, while the wired theory is simpler and fits what we know much better.

1. The technology exists for wireless in-ear receivers (it still requires additional equipment, like what may be in the "bulge"). Knowing the dimensions of the electronics boxes used in available products, one could measure the bulge and determine if it fits known products.

2. The advantage of using this is clear, given Bush's obvious difficulty with speaking off the cuff, and the importance of the debate. I don't see a good reason that the Bush team would not use this technology to improve their chances in debates. If I were on their team, I'd do it, no question. With no specific rule against it, it's even more a "slam dunk."

3. Bush's behavior in that debate suggests listening to a prompter, with the strange pauses mid-sentence and his odd mid-sentence "let me finish" aside, while having plenty of time. I don't think his blank-faced, blinking pauses were mere stupidity, so listening to a guiding voice makes more sense.

4. Several experts have gone on record with the opinion that Bush was indeed wired, from an expert tailor to a behaviorist, who noted that Bush's eye movements were more consistent with listening than contemplation.

5. Besides the bulge, there also seems to be a cord from the bulge up to the shoulder - this would make sense if it was a very weak antenna requiring close proximity to the ear, or a cable connecting to more equipment.

Scott McGlasson
Denver, CO

Subject: Campaign Idea for Kerry voters

I have an idea to share for a yard sign & parade display. Have a picture/cutout of Bush in a garbage can with a sign on it/next to it saying "Take out the trash in 2004." What do you think? Share this/Post this where ever you can!

Janet
Durango, CO

Subject: Dimwit on Divisiveness

Hi Gang!

I will leave it to a myriad of others to illustrate more of Shrubya's Still Yet More Ill-Informed and Out of Touch statements, but I thought I might touch on a stinky little nugget he left out on the debate floor.

Bob Schieffer, whom it seemed to me did not really ask any tough questions for either of the candidates, posed this dandy of a question:

Sen. Kerry, after 9/11 -- and this is a new question for you -- it seemed to me that the country came together as I've never seen it come together since World War II. But some of that seems to have melted away. I think it's fair to say we've become pretty polarized, perhaps because of the political season.

But if you were elected president, or whoever is elected president, will you set a priority in trying to bring the nation back together? Or what would be your attitude on that?

First off, just so Mr. Schieffer understands it clearly, the polarization did not occur because of a "political season." Second, good job giving Shrubya a lead-in to refresh his memory on what his scripted response would be:

My opponent said this is a bitterly divided time. Pretty divided in the 2000 election. So in other words, it's pretty divided during the 1990s as well.

So, the Smirking Chimp likes to bring up the topic of the divisiveness of the 2000 election?

Might I remind the Incoherent at Best One that the country had just endured eight years of Republican-led witch hunts aimed squarely at President Clinton?

Might I remind the Blathering for the Sake of Wasting Time Baboon the for the last two years of Clinton's presidency, that Republicans were focused solely on how to bring him down rather than attending to the business of government?

Might I remind the Pandering Political Puppet that it was his party that led the smear campaigns, the voter fraud, voter list purging, and outright intimidation of recounters in Florida?

And do I need to remind the Illegitimate Resident of the White House that former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said that the Republican Party's goal should be the outright destruction of the Democratic Party?

And Both Schieffer and Shrubya seemed so blithely oblivious as to why we are so angry and so divided?

Hope you enjoyed your history lesson, gentlemen.

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: "Everybody's Talkin' At Me..."

Hi Gang!

I've been watching most of the day and since I have to turn my schedule around to work nights, I've been checking on occasion during the night on a breaking news story.

All day Wednesday we were treated by all the national and cable news outlets about the story of none other than Bill O'Reilly having a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him.

All the national and cable news outlets except one.

I keep looking and I can't find it.

How is it that CBS News reports on its own Documentgate Debacle and yet FOXNews is strangely silent on the subject of O'Reilly?

Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN

Subject: Video of Bush Debate Contradiction

1) Below is part the transcript from 3rd Debate where Bush said "I didn't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama Bin Laden."

2) Below that is the link to the video where he DID say that very thing.

KERRY: Yes. When the president had an opportunity to capture or kill Osama bin Laden, he took his focus off of them, outsourced the job to Afghan warlords, and Osama bin Laden escaped.

Six months after he said Osama bin Laden must be caught dead or alive, this president was asked, "Where is Osama bin Laden?" He said, "I don't know. I don't really think about him very much. I'm not that concerned."

We need a president who stays deadly focused on the real war on terror.

SCHIEFFER: Mr. President?

BUSH: Gosh, I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden. It's kind of one of those exaggerations.

http://www.angryfinger.org/archives/fing_liar.html

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: GOP Pulls Ad Funding

I just heard on the early morning TV news that the GOP is pulling their money for their Republican candidate for Senator -- Tim Michels.

Michels is running against Senator Russ Feingold. Last time I checked polls, Feingold was ahead with a substantial lead.

http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=25381

Lisa Johnson
Milwaukee, WI

Subject: explosions in Green Zone

I just heard on the radio that today there were two explosions within the Green Zone in Baghdad. Think back to the days when the Vietnam War was in decline for the U.S. This development would be the equivalent of two explosions going off within the grounds of the U.S. embassy compound. It doesn't look good folks -- we can't even secure our most secure facility within Iraq. And yet Bush keeps repeating the same litany (he used that term twice last night in the debate -- he learned a new word) that we must stay the course. The man is delusional and is probably upset that we don't see reality the same way he does. He must be wearing a tin-foil hat to prevent unwanted messages from getting to his mind.

Roma

Subject: Has George Bush had a small stroke?

Has George Bush had a small stroke? People who have strokes often lose muscle tone and the fold in the skin between the nose and the mouth is lost. They have collections of saliva, sometimes at the corner of their mouth. Their speech can be subtly slurred. Their smile is often uneven. If you look at the clips from the debate George Bush had each of these signs last night! Is this why he is not getting his physical?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Letterman's Top Ten List (forwarded to BuzzFlash)

Top 10 President Bush Explanations For The Bulge In His Jacket:

10. "It's connected to an earpiece so Cheney can feed me answers--crap, I wasn't supposed to say that."

9. "It's a device that shocks me every time I mispronounce a word."

8. "Just a bunch of intelligence memos I haven't gotten around to reading yet."

7. "Mmm, delicious Muenster cheese."

6. "John Kerry initially voted for the bulge in my jacket, then voted against it."

5. "I'll tell you exactly what it is--it's a clear sign this economy is moving again."

4. "Halliburton is drilling my back for oil."

3. "Oh like you've never cheated in a presidential debate.

2. "Accidentally took some of Governor Schwarzenegger's 'roids."

1. "If Kerry's gonna look like a horse, then I'm gonna look like a camel."

http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/top_ten/

A BuzzFlash Reader and Letterman Viewer

Subject: Comments on tonight's debate

It is obvious to everyone that John Kerry defeated George Bush in the first debate. In the second debate, it was clear that George Bush flipped out when confronted with the truth on Iraq. In tonight's final debate, John Kerry showed he is a strong and committed leader, looking more presidential than President Bush ever did. Bush looked out of touch and befuddled for most of the evening. Kerry on the other hand projected strength, intelligence and wisdom. His undeniable command of the issues is refreshing. Dubya fooled this country once, but in the words of his favorite rock band "The Who,""We won't be fooled again."

Sincerely,

Joseph L. Ortiz

Subject: What draft?

In a debate about the draft last week, Republicans asked why rumors had spread that the Bush administration might be considering a military draft--even after Bush specifically promised that there wouldn't be one.

Were Democrats just trying to scare kids? In an explosive speech Ryan answered their charges:

We are not trying to scare kids. This President's foreign policy is what is scaring the kids of this country. And people have said today, why are people believing this? Why are people believing this big Internet hoax?

It is the same people who told us that Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11; the same people who told us Saddam Hussein had something to do with weapons of mass destruction; the same people who told us we would be able to use the oil for reconstruction money; the same people who told us we would be greeted as liberators, not occupiers; the same people, the same President who told us the Taliban is gone; the same President who told us that Poland is our ally 2 days before they pull out; the same President who tells us Iraq is going just great; the same President who tells us the economy is going just great; the same people who told us the tax cuts were going to create millions of jobs; the same people who told us that the Medicare program only cost $400 billion when it really cost $540 billion.

So please forgive us for believing what you are saying. Please forgive the students of this country for not believing what you are saying.

To watch the video, go to http://www.airamericaradio.com/weblogs/alfrankenshow/ and scroll down to October 12 for the above summary and the web link.

Jackie N.

[BuzzFlash Note: The link is available only to subscribers.]

Subject: presidential prevarication

In the first debate we saw "Scowling George."

In the second debate we saw a scary version of the pResident that got dubbed "Furious George":

http://www.oliverwillis.com/stuff/bushflipsout.wmv

In the third debate we got plain old "Lying George." Here's a clip that contradicts that whopper he told about Kerry's "ex-ag-ger-a-tion":

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/atrios/notconcerned.wmv

And for those of you who have wingnut friends or family who would defend the Great Prevaricator (to compare with Reagan's "The Great Communicator"), here's a transcript of the press conference where Bush said he was unconcerned about bin Laden. The clip clearly is not taken out of context:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html

Mike P.

Subject: The Closing Speech of Bush

The opening lines about the painting of the mountain in Texas is almost word for word the script of the presentation he makes in showing you around the Oval Office on the White House web site. This must be two or three years old!

He might have given us something new - I stayed up all night to listen to the debates here in the UK and felt cheated that I had seen some of it months ago!

Thanks for a great internet site.

Keith

Subject: The president's physical

When is the last time George Bush had a medical physical? Should it not happen BEFORE the election, not after?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Three Times A Charm

Last night, the third and final presidential debate came to a close. Once again, I decided the victory goes to John Kerry.

During these debates, John Kerry has left no doubt that he has the strength and character we need in a commander in chief. He has shown the American people his command of the facts, steady demeanor, and well reasoned arguments. He offered hope and optimism, and showed that he will fight for middle class families.

The Bush campaign, on the other hand, doesn't talk about its failed record, resorting instead to labels and name-calling. The only trick Bush has left in his bag it seems is using the tired old word "liberal," which in Kerry' case simply doesn't apply. It's sad, really.

The bottom line is, when it comes to the concerns of the middle class, George Bush just doesn't get it -- doesn't know how to talk about it -- and has no way to fix it. While he offered nothing but more of the same tired rhetoric -- John Kerry presented real solutions to real problems. That's the reason why John Kerry won and George Bush lost -- lowered expectations and spin from the Bush campaign will not change this.

Last night George Bush's denials further damaged his credibility. He denied we have problems with immigration, No Child Left Behind, equal pay for women and the minimum wage. Bush pretends our problems don't exist, and he won't level with the American people. And, of course, his biggest denial, is on Iraq.

David Rabenau
St. Louis, MO

Subject: Bush's Bulge

There's been a lot of talk since last night's debate about Bush's appearance; his crooked smirk, the fact that when he arches his brow only one eyebrow lifts, the drool in the corner of his mouth, and of course the change in his speech patterns over the years. It's been speculated that he's suffering from some sort of health problem, perhaps a mild stroke. That may explain the mysterious lump on his back, it could be a wireless medical monitor.

Kurt Krause (FeralLiberal)
Burlington, WI

Subject: Presidential Debates

Dear Madam or Sir:

I watched all three debates. In watching the debates, I was struck mainly by the candidates' styles. Senator Kerry's style was consistent throughout all three debates. On the other hand, President Bush's style varied. In the first debate, President Bush appeared annoyed. In the second debate President Bush appeared aggressive. In the third debate, President Bush appeared nervously happy, not unlike a candidate at a beauty pageant. I'm not certain which of President Bush's styles is genuine.

Sincerely,

Michael McBride

Subject: Republican Jim Bunning Secretly Used Teleprompter during Debate

Bunning refused to conduct the debate for the U.S. Senate Race in Kentucky as planned. Instead he insisted on doing it from a Republican studio in Washington via satellite while his Democratic opponent was in a TV station in Kentucky. Today we learned that Bunning was secretly using a teleprompter during the debate even though candidates are not even supposed to have pre-written notes, much less a teleprompter.

Here is the story from WKYT in Lexington, KY.

Debate Controversy: Bunning Used Teleprompter, Denies Breaking Rules

A BuzzFlash Reader

I'm writing an article and I'm interested in why the "honor roll of service personnel killed in Iraq" on Jim Lehrer's Newshour was stopped. Has there been any coverage of this or can you suggest where I might get more information? Thank you!

Jim

[BuzzFlash Note: Here's a video link: http://pbs-newshour.virage.com/...]

Subject: Did Bush have a Stroke?

Hey Buzz!

I'm not one to normally traipse down the "Oliver Stone Conspiracy path" but........ when one starts adding up lots of bits and pieces.......it sure seems to add up.... Non disclosure of medical records Not taking this year's physical til "after the election," strange whatever on his back.....even in his pick up truck inability to answer unscripted questions needing Rove and or Cheney by his side an inordinate amount of times subtle strange droop of left side of face drooling in last debate falling off bicycle..."choking on pretzel" something smells fishy. Even scarier than Bush being re-elected is an actual reality of a mentally incapacitated Bush as president with Cheney as Real president..... Can this happen to the American people? Can this be true at all? Can America be that DUPED? I sure hope BuzzFlash comments on this......PLEASE thanks

Wendy in Mexico

Subject: A Real Loser

In the final debate, one of Bush's supporters showed up to help him in a rigged debate. Bob Schieffer was not an impartial moderator. His brother is George W. Bush's Ambassador to Australia and was a partner with Bush when he ran the Texas Rangers.

In a debate about domestic issues, Bush got his way and covered the Iraq and Afghanistan mess all over again. Important domestic issues were avoided completely. The administration's complete failure to protect the environment, and policies harmful to the environment were bypassed. The unprecedented increase in global warming gases the past two years is alarming. Energy and alternate sources were omitted completely. Oil is causing our trade deficits to climb toward the moon.

Two of the biggest issues facing the whole world today - nuclear weapons and overpopulation are the two worst threats. Yet, this president trashed nuclear weapon treaties and ordered continued development of new US nuclear weapons. This president does not support any policies to contain the world's population explosion. In fact, his policies have been against population control.

In a rigged debate, Bush still lost without question. Will a rigged election be next?

RB

Subject: Debate "exaggeration"

During the debate "Dubya called John Kerry's assertion an exaggeration. W claims that Kerry was wrong in the claim that W said that OBL was not a concern. Well according the White House's own transcript he clearly stated "I truly am not that concerned about him." For full context here is the question and the response.

Q But don't you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won't truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, as I say, we haven't heard much from him. And I wouldn't necessarily say he's at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don't know where he is. I -- I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him. I know he is on the run. I was concerned about him, when he had taken over a country. I was concerned about the fact that he was basically running Afghanistan and calling the shots for the Taliban.

Thanks BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY by Karen for the quote that enabled me to locate the transcript.

Lvdzat

Subject: Bush wired etc.

Hi,

Did anyone else notice that Bush tried smiling all through the third debate, but his smile is now too lopsided to be a smirk? Has George Bush had a stroke?

Paula Deming
Worthington, Ohio

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