October 18, 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.

THIS IS PART 2 OF THE OCTOBER 15, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1.

Guys,

I love BuzzFlash, an indispensable source of information and opinion. Being a Christian (Yes, "Born Again,") it saddens me to hear Christianity trashed as if it were the source of this administration's vile actions. Religion is like a sharp blade; in the hands of a surgeon it can heal, in the hands of a thug, destroy. When the Christians in this country wake up (Hopefully, before it's too late.....and it may well be too late.) they will prove to be some of the left's strongest allies.

Thanks....and thanks for being there to give a voice to the truth.

Nick Berezansky

Subject: "...the principle of silencing the voice..."

Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear. -- Harry S. Truman

Forwarded by a BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Why didn't Katie play the tapes?

Katie,

Why didn't you play the tapes of Cheney thanking Edwards for being nice about Mary? You think it is okay for the Bush campaign to use Mary to show how non-homophobic they are, when they aren't-- it is a damn lie.

Mary Matalin says Mary is private, except when her own parents want to exploit her. What an incredible hypocrite? If the Bush administration can trot out Mary as an example of their big tent, then she is fair game, period end of story and Katie you should be ashamed of your self for not playing the tapes of the Cheneys using their daughter.

You allow Mary Matalin to lie like a damn bedsheet about Bill Clinton. She went after him like he was a mass murderer because he lied about having oral sex and now you are allowing her to pretend to be miss proper.

Katie I will not forgive you if you help Bush because when the draft comes they will have to draft your girls and you will be happy about it and allow them to go because you support this war. We know you do because you haven't said that you don't. We will not allow your kids to stay here and others to die.

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: Off Topic

Buzzers,

It is probably shameful to be talking about one's sexual preferences especially in office. Questioning someone's sex life is a "tawdry" thing. I mean, can you imagine if the Republicans did something like that to Bill or Hillary Clinton....?

Instead of spending time discussing why George isn't worried about the guy that master-minded the 9/11 attack, our wonderful yellow journalistic media has deemed it more important to talk about a comment rather than an issue. I think these news readers like Blitzer et al. are really, Freudianly, auditioning for a job with the rag tabloids. But I think the tabloids have more character.

Another bit of news today, the cable Pay per View group said they are pulling Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 showing the evening before the election because it would seem "political"...duh! Sinclairitis! I'd love to see Dan Rather review Fahrenheit 9/11 on 60 minutes Halloween night. Isn't that newsy?

By the way, isn't Ms. Cheney campaigning for her father and his puppet? Since Kerry brought up his war record a while ago, according to Republicans, that made him and anyone associated with him fair game. If Ms. Cheney OR MRS. Cheney can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. After all, Mrs. Cheney has a rather sordid past writing questionably erotic books. Just check Amazon.com. What's the difference? Those made her money.

lensman

Subject: This is a CALL TO ARMS! (To media)

Hello,

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." --Harry S. Truman

As I am sure you already know, most journalists are now reporting accusations instead of facts and government officials are now intentionally lying to journalists with impunity. Your refusal to directly expose these lies, and to condemn the liars who are telling them, is destroying the fabric of both your profession and our great Democracy.

You must stop this now.

You must expose these lies.

You must SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER.

Brian W.
Seattle, WA

Subject: Two Important Stories The So Called NEWS Media has Completely MISSED ON 10/15/04

Hi BuzzFlash,

Did anybody see on the Cable News, or any other news outlets, the following stories? Did you read about this in any large newspaper, ie: NY Times, LA Times, Washington Post or Times, Chicago Tribune or in your local newspaper?

I'm just curious if Connecticut gets a different "Version" of the news vs other parts of the country, or if the news media is really falling on its face with this Gay/Lesbian story of the Vice President's daughter. As if that is going to solve the unemployment problem, Iraq or the massive deficit we just blew out of the water today, to name a few.

The first UNreported story involves an internet article from The Toledo Blade, in which The Democratic Headquarters in Iowa was broken into and the records of volunteer rolls, financial data, Election Day strategy and other "sensitive information" was stolen. Do you remember Watergate and what happened to Nixon?

Burglars left plenty in political break-in: Most loot untouched at Democratic office (Toledo Blade)

The second UNreported story was in today's The Union Leader in New Hampshire. The Feds, through The US Justice Dept, halted just 20 minutes prior to Democrats questioning a Republican, about the illegal phone jamming operation that took place in the 2002 election (shows you how fast trials work). How come the FBI and The Attorney General's office put the kibosh on the trial? Not a peep on the networks or in the major newspapers.

Democrats name GOP official in phone jamming (The Union Leader)

It's time to wake the media up with e-mails protesting their lame NEWS coverage. Perhaps a "Sinclair type document" should get put on the web, listing all the reporters, their e-mail addresses and their phone numbers. If they cannot get listed individually, then have the News Company e-mail and phone numbers.

It's time to let the media corpSE know that they have to start working for US.

Tom Wieliczka

Subject: Shameful - US REJECTS UN Women's Rights Plan

President Bush is touting the work that is being done on behalf of womens' rights in Iraq and Afghanistan and then he turns his Victorian head on the UN's plan to ensure women's rights around the globe. This is shameful. Instead of chasin around the Cheneys' faux indignation about their gay daughter, all the while denigrating her rights here at home, THIS is the story that ought to be covered. The Bush administration owes the American people, and women of the world, an explanation.

U.S. Rejects U.N. Plan for Women (AP/LA Times)

Michael La Porte
Chicago, IL

Subject: Please cover Karl Rove Dirty Tricks in Tennessee

WHAT IS IT WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE SOUTH and disgusting political flyers and mailers?

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/000119.html

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_10_10.php#003688

You must view all of these events through the lens of what Karl Rove has done before, according to The Atlantic's "Karl Rove in a Corner."

HB

Subject: Shmedia

Don't you think that if John Kerry's political advisor had spent 2 hours today being questioned before a federal grand jury about his possible involvement in an act of TREASON, that Kerry's campaign would be over? Finis? Kaput!

Just a simple question. Is there an answer that doesn't expose the truth about the media's bias?

Rove appears before grand jury in CIA leak probe (CNN)

Jeff Crook

Subject: What team is Begala on????

Buzz:

I am so very angry! A member of the Crossfire audience stood to ask guest, Jon Stewart, about the "back pack" on Geedubya's back. Stewart seemed unaware of the controversy and so Paul Begala chimed in that it was just internet nonsense and that it was simply the president's wrinkled suit. In pictures that I have seen, it appears to be more than that. We are in a fight for our lives here. We don't need for any Dems to play nice with Dubya and Cheney. We don't need Paul Begala defending the Repugs......they would never do the same for Kerry/Edwards.

I have been donating money that I really can't afford, making phone calls, sending emails, begging others to be supportive of Kerry, and encouraging voter registration here in Georgia (a state that the Dems have given up on). The least that I expect is for national Democrats to stay on point the way the Republicans do!! During the debates Bush looked flushed, had something churning in the corner of his mouth, and had some squarish looking item on his back! We know that he is mentally deficient.....I want to know if he is also physically ill. He has delayed taking his annual physical and that is suspect.

D. Turner
Atlanta

Subject: letters do work!

Wanted to share with you a letter I received from Lowes after sending them an email in reference to Sinclair Broadcasting:

Dear Valued Lowes Customer,

Thank you for your comment regarding concerns about advertising on the Sinclair Broadcasting network. Lowes does not advertise in political programming. We will not advertise within this political documentary, nor will the company's local advertising appear anytime during the day this documentary airs.

As far as advertising on the Sinclair group of stations as a whole, Lowes' advertising agency is in contact with Sinclair to learn more about the program, and our company will make a decision about future advertising at a later time.

Lowes has a strict company policy specifying that its advertising is not to run in controversial programming. The company advertises primarily in national, network prime-time television programs and on select local stations and cable outlets. Because Sinclair owns 62 television stations reaching 24 percent of all television households, some Lowes advertising may appear on those stations from time to time, but again, not in close proximity to the controversial documentary you mentioned.

We appreciate your contacting us, and hope this information addresses your concerns.

Lowes Customer Care

Mandy

Subject: Moore Offer to Sinclair

I think it important that BuzzFlash get an Opinion piece up this weekend on Moore's offer to Sinclair of a free airing of F911. This needs to be rubbed in the Smith Bros.' faces, to keep in the public eye what one-sided abusers of fairness in public broadcasting Sinclair is. Please keep it on the front burner.

Thank you,

Norm Pettit
La Jola, CA

Subject: The Repugs have already started their cheap and tawdry political tricks

Dear Buzz,

The following article on BuzzFlash, and the latest information we have had about Democratic voter registration forms being destroyed in many states, all prove that the republicans are desperate, and will do anything, however dishonest, to try and win these elections. They can never play fair, and are always low down and dirty. Bush/Cheney and their cohorts always resort to cheap and tawdry political tricks (Lynne Cheney, pls make note!).

We have to be on high alert (color code RED) for fraudulent election tricks by the GOP.

Click here: Democrats name GOP official in phone jamming (The Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News)

Let's not let our guard down.

Roseanne

Subject: Someone please make this commercial!!

SUGGESTION FOR 60-second KERRY/EDWARDS TV commercial.

VOICE: Do you want a leader who can actually lead or .....

PICTURE OF GEORGE BUSH IN CLASSROOM READING MY PET GOAT

Flash to Kerry sitting in classroom receiving word from aid (Show clock ticking ... :03 seconds)

- Kerry gives casual excuse to class and exits classroom (clock: 10 seconds)

- Kerry barks orders and questions to aids (clock: 40 seconds)

- Kerry orders the entourage to leave the school (danger for children) (clock 58 seconds)

- Kerry is shown in car on phone with FAA, FBI, CIA, generals ... demanding answers, issuing commands (clock: 2 minutes)

- Aids are seen making rendez-vous arrangements with media on phone (clock: 4:32 minutes)

- All regular programming and live coverage of NY is interrupted for a statement from the United States of America (clock: 6:58 minutes)

A true Commander in Chief doesn't HAVE seven minutes to just sit there!!

Eve D.

Subject: Boycott of companies advertising during Sinclair Broadcast of Anti-Kerry propaganda

Dear BuzzFlash:

My husband found the following website:

http://www.boycottsbg.com/advertisers/default.aspx?MarketID=140

It must be used to contact the companies that advertise on Sinclair Broadcasting.

As you know, Sinclair Broadcasting, a conservative broadcasting company... is forcing its stations to air an Anti-Kerry propaganda film, prime time on multiple stations throughout the country this week. This is obviously a blatant misuse of the public airwaves. They refuse to give equal time to show the other side of this story.

By clicking the link above, we can write one letter and forward it to every corporation that advertises on Sinclair Broadcasting. The federal government has already opted out of getting involved (big surprise) so it is up to us to hit them where it counts......in the pocket book. BuzzFlash supporters will be happy to do this one easy act, that I know.

Please take a minute to write a quick email saying you will boycott any company advertising during the forced airing of this Anti-Kerry film. It's fast and easy. The website just asks that the emails remain polite as they have not yet advertised and we are hoping to keep them from doing so.

Thanks so much for all you do.

Sharon Podolsky
Holland, PA

Subject: Like father, like son

Letter sent to the Arizona Republic:

In the last debate, Bush really showed how out of touch he is with the current job situation. His suggestion that the key to fixing unemployment is to "go get educated at your local community college" is really absurd. I found it highly offensive.

There are many people like myself that are already highly educated and have either lost their job or were forced to take a 50 percent pay cut. I have a master's degree and almost 30 years experience in the computer industry. It's hard to find any work at all in my field, and the jobs that are out there are paying what I was making fifteen years ago, and that doesn't even count for inflation. It's precisely these high pay/high skills jobs that have been lost to outsourcing.

Just what exactly am I going learn at a community college that will lead to a high-paying job that won't be outsourced next? What are these "jobs of the 21st century" anyway? Burger flipping?

It just shows how clueless Bush really is, just like his father was.

Bryan in Phoenix

Subject: Flu vaccines from Canada

BuzzFlash,

Why is it that no one in the media has picked up on the fact that, in the last debate, George Bush said the U.S. was working with Canada to procure the needed vaccines to solve the flu vaccine shortage, yet, this is the same man who is blocking the importation of prescription drugs from Canada? Go figure.

QUESTION: How did the U.S. end up with a flu vaccine shortage?

BUSH: Bob, we relied upon a company out of England to provide about half of the flu vaccines for the United States citizen, and it turned out that the vaccine they were producing was contaminated. And so we took the right action and didn't allow contaminated medicine into our country.

We're working with Canada to hopefully -- that they'll produce a -- help us realize the vaccine necessary to make sure our citizens have got flu vaccinations during this upcoming season.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/13/debate...

DS
Pensacola, FL

Subject: con men?

Dear BuzzFlash,

I used to think that the Rove administration comprises a minion of practiced and adept con artists. Now I'm not so sure.

A successful long con depends on its timing. The con begins by expressing confidence in the mark(s). He allows the sucker to believe that he is vulnerable and allows the mark to think that he is taking advantage of the conman. (The low expectation game in the 2000 debates. They misunderestimated me.) Then the conman ropes the marks into his game by including them in some sort of dishonest endeavor, allowing the marks to believe that they will profit from taking part in the enterprise. (The war in Iraq would pay for itself when we take over the oil resources of the "occupied" country.) We Americans went along with a lot of this con. We have to share much of the blame. We protested at first, but when the boots hit the ground, we rallied around the flag and hoped for the best. How many among you have said or done anything to end the torture of prisoners?

The most important part of any successful con is a well timed exit. I am not referring to an exit from Iraq.The time for a fortuitous exit from Iraq is well past. I refer to the Rove administration's minions of con artists. They have played the game too long. People are looking for voterigging, and preparing to act against it. People are looking for dirty tricks and preparing to shine the light of indignation on them. People expected Bush to cheat by getting the answers to the debate. We don't speak of it because we are not surprised. All pretense of honesty is past. We know who these conmen are. If we hold our noses and vote them in, knowing what we know, then we are part of them, and we deserve what we get.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Letter to the Editor - Republicans Cheat

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has hired firms to register voters who are destroying the applications of Democrats registering to vote. Because of Republican cheating, Democrats will need to win elections by a large margin to actually take office. So even if some polls are showing that people are tired of failure and excuses and are ready to change the direction of America from failure to success - we still need to redouble our efforts to compensate for Republican voter fraud. They already stole one election. Let's make sure they don't steal this one. I'm Marc Perkel - And I approved this message!

Marc Perkel
San Francisco, CA

Side Note: Republican candidate Allen Keyes called Mary Cheney - lesbian daughter of the vice president - a sinner and a "Selfish Hedonist." I await the Cheneys' outrage against a fellow Republican.

Subject: hannity and colmes

Faux News aired one of the more amazing editions (and that's saying a lot) of "Hannity and Colmes" on Oct. 14, the night after the final presidential debate. One of the guests was Dr. James Dobson (one of the show's more "frequent fliers") who is founder and chairman of Focus on the Family (otherwise known as "one of many fundie groups who think the government should leave us alone but have no problem supporting politicians who advance our mission to tell everyone else how to behave).

Here's the url to a transcript: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,135600,00.html

Dobson was on the show ostensibly to talk about the Supreme Court agreeing to take up the Ten Commandments issue, and the first part of the interview, conducted by Alan Colmes, centered around that.

Of course, when it was Sean Hannity's turn, he couldn't wait to jump on the RNC talking point of the day -- John Kerry's reference to Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter during the previous night's debate.

Here's the amazing exchange:

HANNITY: Hey, I want to ask you, before I get back into this issue, I really wanted to get your take on the issue we were talking about in the last segment about what was said by John Kerry about the Cheneys' daughter.

DOBSON: Yes.

HANNITY: And the issue of homosexuality.

DOBSON: Right. There was something that Senator Kerry said that bothers me even more than outing Vice President Cheney's daughter, which I thought was terrible. It wasn't fair. It was an invasion of her privacy. I don't even know if she's outed herself.

But what bothered me more was the assertion, which nobody challenged, that she was born that way. And there is absolutely no scientific evidence for that. There is no evidence. Even gay activists in the scientific community don't claim that. There is no gay gene.

It comes from early developmental confusion, sexuality identity problems, early on. It's not chosen, but it is also not genetic. And I wish somebody would make that case. I guess I just did.

HANNITY: What did you think of the president's answer then on that? Because I thought the president gave a pretty thoughtful answer.

"...outing Vice President Cheney's daughter"? Is Dobson the only person on the planet to not know Mary Cheney is a lesbian? Oh, apparently not, because (after Hannity made no attempt to correct him) Dobson revealed his source when it was Colmes' turn to set the record straight:

COLMES: She was not outed by John Kerry. She worked as a gay liaison to the gay community for Coors beer before she joined the Cheney campaign. The vice president has spoken about her being gay. She was not outed. This was not some kind of secret way to reveal her sexual identity. That's not, sir, what happened.

DOBSON: Well, Alan, I heard that on Rush Limbaugh today, and I very well may be wrong, because I don't have the facts, and I certainly don't know either one of them personally.

That response is so ludicrous to not merit comment. But go back to Hannity's question about President Bush's response to the gay issue during the debate:

HANNITY: What did you think of the president's answer then on that? Because I thought the president gave a pretty thoughtful answer.

"Thoughtful answer?" The president said "I don't know." Well, come to think of it, I guess that is pretty thoughtful for him.

Here's more from the original exchange between Hannity and Dobson:

DOBSON: I started to say before the break, Sean, I wanted to give you something to think about in the midnight hours, because I woke up this morning at 4:00 in the morning thinking about this.

Let's suppose that John Kerry squeaks out a victory. And then, he's able to make two to four Supreme Court appointees. And Senator Clinton looks at that situation, and she sees the possibility of eight years of waiting, and she'll be eight years older. And anything could happen in eight years.

And President Kerry then appoints her as chief justice of the Supreme Court. And she would have the opportunity to virtually rewrite the Constitution with the rest of her life. That keeps me up at night.

HANNITY: Dr. Dobson, you're trying to scare -- you're trying to do what they're -- you're trying to play the draft card. Because that's what they do. They use scare politics. That is a chilling scenario.

DOBSON: That scares me. I'll tell you.

Now I don't know about you, but Sean Hannity accusing Democrats of scare politics is, to paraphrase the Texas D.A. accused by Tom DeLay of being vindictive and partisan, is like being called ugly by a frog.

And has anyone before heard a scenario brought up where Kerry would appoint Hillary Clinton to the Supreme Court? Let alone name her chief justice? Just exactly who was playing "scare politics" here, Sean?

As I said, one of the more amazing editions of "Hannity and Colmes." And that is saying a lot!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: What's The Beef?

If Vice-President Cheney and his wife Lynne are such angry parents and think that Senator Kerry is "a bad man" for talking about their openly gay daughter during the last presidential debate, then they owe the country, not to mention Senator Kerry, an explanation.

What did Senator Kerry do or say that was so bad? What did they find offensive? Are Senator Kerry's actions or comments comparable to the vile rhetoric of Illinois Republican Senate candidate Alan Keyes about the Cheneys' daughter during The Republican Convention last month? If so, then why are the Cheneys so angry now and why were they silent when Mr. Keyes made his comments? Is it somehow impolite or offensive to mention an openly gay person, specifically, when making a comment about attitudes about gay people, generally? If so, again, why?

The media should also be held accountable for simpy acting as stenographers about the Cheneys' comments and charges while refusing to question them about the logic and reasoning behind making their comments and charges in the first place.

Richard J. Smolnicky
Portage, IN

Subject: Hillsborough Ballot instructions confuse voters

When I got my absentee ballot I thought I was crazy, it had two sets of instructions. One tells you to use pencil one tells you to use ink.

Ballot instructions confuse voters (St. Petersburg Times)

Christine Dohlmar
Valrico Fl.

Subject: major NYT article - please post link

Scariest quote:

In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn't like about Bush's former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to Bush. He expressed the White House's displeasure, and then he told me something that at the time I didn't fully comprehend -- but which I now believe gets to the very heart of the Bush presidency. The aide said that guys like me were ''in what we call the reality-based community,'' which he defined as people who ''believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'' I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. ''That's not the way the world really works anymore,'' he continued. ''We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors...and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.''

Without a Doubt (Ron Suskind, NY Times Magazine)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: CNN Bias

We were watching "In The Money" when we heard Jack Caffrey defend Sinclair's showing of "Stolen Honor" by comparing the Fahrenheit 9-11 film. We have written the following email to the show.

We are appalled at Jack Caffrey's defense of Sinclair's broadcasting "Stolen Honor" by comparing it to Fahrenheit 9-11. Caffrey exposes his bias and stupidity. National theaters are not part of the public airwaves - TV is. Fahrenheit 9-11 cannot be compared to this "campaign commercial" of SBG in any way, shape, or form. Maybe it is time to start a national effort to boycott the advertisers of CNN - leaning radically right this election season. This ends our viewing of "In the Money/" When media personalities such as Caffrey play to the political agenda of EITHER side, then it is time to turn them off.

Please write and express your disapproval!

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?24

Linda W.

Subject: People like Kerry, empty commercial lots like Bush

Hi Buzz,

A volunteer from Moveon.org visited me today to ask for whom I'm voting. She is a lovely and intelligent woman from the neighborhood and it made me feel good that people like her live here. We ended up talking for almost an hour and I thought I would share with your readers (if you choose to print this) one of the things we talked about because I've been thinking about it all week.

In 2000 it was rare to see a Gore sign anywhere in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Now Kerry signs are everywhere, even on the lawns of known Republicans. So anyway, I started taking notice where the Bush and Kerry signs were in the Valley Forge area and I noticed something that I found humorous: There are a lot of Kerry/Edwards signs on peoples' lawns all over the area, but few Bush/Cheney signs. Oh there are a lot of Bush/Cheney signs, but most of them are on empty commercial lots. And on these lots there is usually a line of these signs, four or more. As if these numerous signs in one place cancel out the Kerry signs!

So, at least in the Valley Forge area, we have empty commercial lots voting for Bush and the people voting for Kerry.

This is a Republican area. In other words, I think you can take Pennsylvania off the swing state list. It's going to Kerry - count on it. The polls are wrong. Have a nice day!

Derek in Phoenixville, PA

Subject: Re: Pedophile Rock Star

Actually, I think this selection of music for the Bush campaign is apropos. Isn't it indicative of how he is raping our children with this deficit, perpetual war, environmental degradation and economic oppression, and manipulation of the constitution? I think he should keep the music--it's the closest thing to honesty we've seen from this man.

Hasta la Victoria Siempre!

When I give food to the poor they call me a Saint. When I ask why the poor have no food they call me a Communist. -- Dom Helder Camara, Brazilian Archbishop

A BuzzFlash Reader
Indianapolis, Indiana

Subject: if you think of ideas

Arizona Democratic Party wants YOUR ideas as to how to stop the GOP vote suppression. Nathan Sproul is the Arizonan who decided he wanted to force dictatorship on the country. Arizona Dems are serious. They are serious about throwing Nader off the ballot for his phony signatures that he procured and they are serious about having votes counted. If you have ideas on how to stop this stuff, and make votes count, Please write them at tips@azdem.org.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Sinclair stock

Dear Friends,

Randi Rhodes on Air America Radio told her considerably big national audience to buy 10 shares of Sinclair stock on E-Trade apx $70.00 and then write a letter to the CEO saying if they follow through on airing 'Dishonored,' the anti- Kerry film, that new fellow shareholders who are not neo-cons will hold them accountable in an organized way as soon as a good opportunity arises.

I thought it was an excellent idea don't you ?

Alex

Subject: Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart was wonderful on Crossfire!!!! It's about time some one gave the media a kick in its but for letting the president get us into a war that is failing miserably!!! I'm so sick and tired of the media focusing on the "Republican Agenda"...no gay marriage no abortion......and ignoring the fact that the world hates us and every day future terrorists are being born and indoctrinated against us!!! Why have no news channels told of our poor troops that are being sent into combat with no body armor or working vehicles....instead they are focusing on the real news..."Should John Kerry have mentioned Cheney's daughter during the debate"....WAKE UP TUCKER!!!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: What Liberals have done

LIBERALS BROUGHT US MINIMUM

WAGE LIBERALS BROUGHT US SOCIAL SECURITY

LIBERALS BROUGHT US WORKMEN'S COPENSATION

LIBERALS ENDED RACIAL SEGREGATION

LIBERALS GAVE US THE 40 HOUR WORK WEEK

LIBERALS BROUGHT US THE RIGHT TO JOIN A UNION

LIBERALS GAVE WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE

BUSH DOES NOT LIKE LIBERALS, SO IS HE AGAINST ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS.

Ben B.

Subject: Flu-Gate

No one dies because Mary Cheney is gay, Kerry commented, or we have the Bill O'Reilly sexcapades. Yet the news media mercilessly pander to such stories while ignoring that every day Americans are dying in Iraq; and countless Americans (including children) are going to die for lack of adequate influenza vaccine.

The CDC estimated 36,000 flu related fatalities last year with a particular predilection for seniors and children under aged two. How many thousands more deaths will be added to that number remains to be seen, but it is likely that more Americans will die this season of influenza than died in Vietnam.

No one issue typifies corporate greed and social irresponsibility as clearly as Flu-Gate. Vaccines are made by only a few drug companies because of the relatively low profit margin. Arthritis and erectile dysfunction drugs reap billions in profits, which vaccines do not and never will, so few invest in their manufacture. The problem is corporate greed and pandering politicians, not lawsuits and lawyers.

For the past several years there have been problems producing sufficient flu vaccine effective against prevailing strains. I don't know if the Bush Administration had advanced warning of the Chrion Catastrophe. But in view of the vaccine's recent history one can only conclude that they are "asleep at the switch" or callous in their gross dereliction of duty to protect the public.

Bin Laden is clearly not the only "virus" threatening us. G. W. Bush did not protect us from attack on September 11th, and he's not protecting us now. That this has not provoked national outrage suggests that the American people have become as chicken-witted as the news media. But rest assured that despite his denials, G. W. Bush will get his flu shot, and you and your children probably won't.

Dr. Dietrich

Subject: Flu Vaccine Shortage

Dear Sir or Madam:

As a U.S. citizen and virologist, I am very concerned about the Bush Administration's inability to provide an adequate supply of flu vaccine for the American people. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 5% to 20% of the U.S. population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. Those at highest risk for complications from the flu include the elderly, young children, and pregnant women. Worse, approximately 36,000 people die from flu each year (i.e., more than 12 times the number of people that died in the attack on 9/11). See http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

Despite the seriousness of pandemic flu outbreaks, this year is the second time that the Bush Administration has failed to ensure an adequate supply of flu vaccine. The arrival of flu season is an expected and recurring biological event. If the Bush Administration cannot adequately prepare us for an expected and recurring biological event, how can the Bush Administration be expected to prepare us for a surprise biological attack by terrorists? The Bush Administration's record is not reassuring.

FACT SHEET: What Everyone Should Know About Flu and the Flu Vaccine (Centers for Disease Control)

Sincerely,

M. Scott McBride
Fox Point, WI

Subject: Bush's Lies and Expression of Faith

Dear BuzzFlash Readers/Supporters:

Greetings from the Christian Liberal. I am going to be brief (brief for me, in any case, LOL.

Last night's debate should have shown us two very important factors, especially if you claim to be a Christian: (1) You should be able to articulate why you have faith in God and not only that, your faith should be shown through the works that you do, and (2) A Christian that publicly speaks of his/her faith, should NOT damage his/her testimony by telling lies.

While I'm sure all of America saw with their own eyes (unless drunk on the Kool-Aid) that Senator John Kerry swept all three debates (counting Edwards' performance against anti-Christ Dick Cheney, make it four), it may have also escaped your notice that GeeDubya damaged his own testimony as a Christian by continuing to lie to the American people. How can one decide to follow Jesus, who NEVER lied, if he/she sees Christ's representatives lying as a matter of routine?

"Where did he lie?" one may ask. Very simple, because as far as I'm concerned, the entire Bush Administration is NOTHING BUT A LIE! However, one salient point caught my attention because I personally witnessed the events that led to Senator Kerry's discussion of it.

In September of this year, I attended the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference, held during the week of September 8-11, 2004. The conference concluded with a star-studded Gala event, that featured many Black celebrities and entertainers. Both Bush and Kerry were invited to speak at the gala (an after-five affair, complete with tuxedos and ball gowns) but only John Kerry showed up, and quite a dashing figure he made in his tuxedo! He looked like the President of the United States.

On the other hand, I asked one of the organizers of the event whether or not Bush responded to the CBC's invitation and was told that Bush didn't even bother to respond, send a note of regret, or anything. When the Washington Post made note of it, one of Bush's press people issued a statement saying that there was a scheduling conflict. I did some fact checking and learned that this was the third time this year that the CBC has extended invitations to meet with GeeDubya and he blew them off like ugly stepchildren, just like he did the NAACP (Accepting an invitation to meet with the National Urban League to cover his horses' patoot because he'd already blown off the NAACP and many African-Americans hold memberships in both organizations, does not cut it). Needless to say, when I heard GeeDubya say he actually met with the CBC, I almost crashed my car (I was listening to the debate on the radio) while screaming at my radio, "He's flat out lying!" It literally took my breath away, to actually see an individual, who, in one breath, talks about his faith, and then, in the next instant, tells a flat out lie! I don't think even Nixon was THAT BOLD, but he probably came close!

The only time during his four year administration (cartel is more like it) the CBC members gained face time with GeeDubya was over the Haiti incident with Aristide, and they only saw Bush because they had to strong-arm Condosleezza Rice and almost threaten to chain themselves in the White House unless they got face time with the man. They got ALL OF FIVE MINUTES with him. So, if he considered a five minute meeting with the CBC (and all the members weren't present) meeting with the CBC, then John Kerry DID get it wrong ((insert sarcastic tone here)). Somehow, I think BuzzFlash readers are more intelligent than that to know the difference.

Another thing; if Bush was so eloquent in expressing his faith, then why couldn't he back it up with favorite passages of Scripture that demonstrate, or illustrates it? Why could John Kerry not only express his faith, but weave Scripture references into his expression to back it up and give more credence to who really is a Christian? A practicing Christian can always quote a passage of scripture that defines who he is - even if it's the 23rd Psalm, or John 3:16. So what does that tell you about GeeDubya? I don't know about you, but I've long been tired of GeeDubya's lies and his claims of faith and being a Christian. He continues to abuse the American people when he does this. I'm tired of the abuse, and I'm attempting to end it on November 2nd. Won't you join me?

Leutisha Stills - The Christian Liberal
Oakland, California

Subject: NEWS ALERT: GOP Fails in Anti-Terror Effort (GROSS Failure)!

Dear Dems:

Please see the following article revealing that the Bush government ONLY this past Friday, 10/15/04, froze Jordanian terrorist al-Zarqawi's assets.

Only this past Friday? This guy is likely responsible for the deaths and maimings of hundreds of U.S. service personnel as well as the gruesome beheadings of civilian contractors and they JUST NOW FROZE HIS ASSETS? This is a MAJOR security failure and Dems need to pound the Republicans on this issue on the Sunday morning talk shows....

U.S. Orders Freeze on Zarqawi Network Assets (Reuters/Yahoo)

Rob Olson
Bellingham, WA

Subject: Sinclair's website

There's a disclaimer on the website, about the film, that wasn't there last time I looked. I think the pressure is gettin to em. Thanks, Buzz, I wouldn't know anything without your alerts

Deborah Smith

Subject: The Voter Registration Shredding Scandal

If you truly consider yourself a reporter, this is the story that MUST be covered. It is a violation of everything this country stands for!

The Republican National Committee has been funding the efforts of Voters Outreach of America, aka America Votes, operated by GOP operatives Sproul & Associates, Inc. VOA was set up to register voters which, by law in every state I know of, they must register ANYONE that asks whether Repub, Dem or other. VOA has been caught redhanded literally shredding new voter registrations from Democrats in states across the country; sending only Republican applications through to election officials. The Founding Fathers are rolling in their graves.

Kos, God bless him, has a full compendium based on Kossack entries.

This is an outrage against everything our country stands for.

Tell your readers/watchers/listeners to CHECK with their secretary of state to make SURE they are registered!

Registration Shredding Scandal Threatens Voters, Election (People for the American Way)

Kim Walker

Subject: Whatever happened to Ahmed Chalabi?

Here's an article from the Ashville Citizen-Times about how the neocons got duped into doing Iran's dirty work by getting rid of Saddam Hussein. It could be a nasty October Surprise for Bush. Of course, since Chalabi was the darling of the American Media as well, it probably won't get a lot of traction over here.

How our neocon leaders got conned into fighting Iran's war (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Nathan

Subject: Oregon Ballots Have Arrived

Oregon is the state that has vote by mail. The ballets arrived in the mail Friday (10/15). For all of you Oregonians that read the BuzzFlash, Please, Please, Please vote!

We need very desperately to get GW Bush out of the White House and get a man in that is both responsible, and cares about America.

Please make sure to sign your ballot envelope, and to affix postage. If you don't put any postage on your envelope you will either get it back, or if you don't put on a return address it goes to the mail recovery center in the Midwest somewhere.

So make sure you do this right-- we don't need uncounted votes.

Richard C. Baerlocher