October 19, 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: Not Enough Ballots
Dear Buzzers:
In response to Dan Kroeger's mailbag letter to BuzzFlash printed in the October 15 mail, I may have an idea: If there aren't enough ballots for everyone, I think it would be a great idea for democrats to get to the polls first thing in the morning as soon as they open. That way, if there aren't enough ballots by the end of the day, the democrats will already have voted, and the fact that there aren't enough ballots will only affect the republicans that came late.
A BuzzFlash Regular Reader
Subject: Sinclair
Why isn't the DNC taking Sinclair to court for breaking FCC rules and seeking an injunction against running its propaganda piece before the election? If 60 Minutes backs off airing a factual piece on Iraq, and Michael Moore is blocked from pay-for-view...it is outrageous that the DNC allows this to move forward without seeking legal remedies. Perhaps that's why Sinclair is claiming the program isn't even formatted yet, so that Dems don't have an actual target for injunction.
Suzanne
San Francisco
Subject: Is Bush Ill?
Today I watched (on CNN) a brief tape of the President and his wife crossing the White House lawn to board the Presidential helicopter. In mid-stride Bush appeared to stagger, and then he pursed his lips and blew out a big breath. Laura looked at him, then back at the camera and mouthed the words "Are you OK?" Are you OK, Mr. President? Why won't you take your physical exam until after the election? Why is your face drooping on one side? Is that device you were wearing on your back for medical purposes?
FELLOW DEMOCRATS: Let us all do the Karl Rove thing here and POUND on this in the next two weeks!
The Lazy Liberal
Subject: The Seven Minute Tape
MoveOn, Soros, the DNC, et al. should fund a commercial of the infamous Seven Minute Tape...time-lapsed..to show what the "commander in thief" did for seven minutes knowing our nation was under attack...and air it across the U.S. in the days leading up to the election...and at every Kerry stump speech. Let the picture speak for itself. People are most concerned with national security and should witness the opportunist fraud failing to act when hell was raining down on NYC. Buzzers have seen it, so believe the nation has...but most people I ask haven't. The caption could read something like, "What if it had been 20 planes? What would it have taken for "the commander-in-chief" to act with the nation under attack?
Suzanne
San Francisco
Subject: we want to stop Sinclair, too
dear BuzzFlash,
i noticed you had refreshed the link for http://www.freepress.net on this. what we have done is create a page that emails all your members of congress with one click (and now the FCC too) at
http://www.thepen.us/sinclair.html
we had a couple thousand emails come through the system on Friday, just based on some Yahoo group postings we did, almost exclusively opposed to the Sinclair action. as you know, we have unlimited bandwidth to back this up, and the system has been working for just about everybody.
won't you please allow us to help in this effort. we believe emails to Congress in sufficient number will have the greatest impact in moving the other agencies on this issue. we now have a permanent link for you on all our pages.
peace,
The Pen
Subject: Bob Shrum, stop underestimating the intelligence of Americans
With all due respect, Mr. Shrum, you have committed an immeasurable disservice to America's voters, and John Kerry, regarding his prosecutorial investigation of BCCI. For months I have been wondering, why doesn't Kerry trumpet this achievement? To me, it's his shining star, an accomplishment which surpasses even his noble service in Vietnam. When I learned the full extent of his role in bringing down BCCI, I changed from a mild supporter of John Kerry to a 100 percent supporter. He got my attention as well as my complete respect.
Follow the Money: How John Kerry busted the terrorists' favorite bank. (Washington Monthly, Sept. '04)
Today I found out why BCCI hasn't been a major issue in John Kerry's campaign. From Newsweek, "Kerry By The Boo":
It's one of John Kerry's biggest achievements in the Senate: a groundbreaking investigation into money laundering, drug dealers, terrorists and secret nukes. Yet voters have rarely heard of the senator's dogged inquiries into the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI). Why? Because some of Kerry's leading campaign strategists believed it was too difficult for voters to digest. "You can't talk about that because people think you're talking about the BBC," Bob Shrum, Kerry's top adviser, told one senior staffer. "Why were you investigating British TV?" (MSNBC/Newsweek, "Kerry By the Book")
Blundering Bob, if any American had half a brain to be aware that there
is such a thing as BBC, then they are also conscious enough and have
the mental faculties to recognize that BCCI is an entirely different
animal. Under your rationale, it's a wonder that Americans during the
Cold War didn't get USA confused with USSR.
When I tell people about John Kerry and BCCI, they are fascinated. It's a true
story of intrigue, a 20th century version of good versus evil. The positive
consequences of BCCI's downfall remain to this day on the American and international
landscape. John Kerry, a young Senator barely in his forties, defied his own
party's leaders and other extremely powerful men. Against all odds, he was
the driving force which brought down a corrupt financial institution that allowed
criminal activities, drug networks and terrorist connections to flourish with
impunity. Simply amazing. To further quote the MSNBC article:
The well-connected bank, with ties to powerful Democrats like former Defense secretary Clark Clifford, was a network of international crime. Kerry's staff concluded that BCCI bribed government officials the world over, handled cash for Palestinian terrorists and Saddam Hussein, probably funded Pakistan's secret nukes and laundered money for the CIA. Three years after he launched his inquiries, BCCI collapsed.
John Kerry "gets it." He knows that cutting off the funds of terrorism is an essential component of bringing the terrorist machine to a grinding halt. George W. Bush only came to this comprehension on October 15, 2004, when the U.S. finally ordered the freezing of the assets of the composite terrorist Zarqawi.
U.S. Orders Freeze on Zarqawi Network Assets (Reuters/Yahoo)
John Kerry also understands that American parents fear, justifiably so, a flood of drugs such as heroin into this country, a menace which is just as detrimental and threatening to our homeland security and the preservation of law and order as the spectre of another terrorist attack upon our soil. (The ineffective handling of the war in Afghanistan, with its opium production reaching record highs, should be a matter of grave concern for all Americans. We are barely beginning to see the effects of increasing quantities of heroin and morphine destined for Europe and the United States.
War on terror worsens war on drugs: Opium production flourishes after defeat of Taliban (WorldNetDaily)
George W. Bush's strongest base is within the age group which can appreciate a real-life "crime-buster" like John Kerry. In the late '80s, John Kerry stayed in the background. But now it is critical for him to take a big step forward and trust in the intelligence of Americans and their instinct for protecting their children. John Kerry needs to tell America that he always has, and always will, protect us against the three major forces of evil which seek to harm us: nuclear proliferation, terrorist networks, and the devastation of illegal drugs such as heroin. And he can start by telling us the story of how he brought BCCI to justice.
Maybe, Mr. Shrum, BBC will cover the story.
Regards,
Elaine Cole
Subject: Ladies and Gentlemen: The October Surprise.
Hi Gang!
We've waited on it, we've dreaded it, and now it's here.
I present to you the October Surprise, complete with all the gloom, doom, and terrorist generating fear Shrubya needed.
Never mind Iraq was never a haven for terrorists until after we invaded.
Never mind that our economy is in the toilet.
Never mind that our education system is being horribly short-changed.
Never mind that our healthcare system is in an ICU.
Never mind that Medicare is now in the hands of the drug and insurance companies.
Never mind that Social Security is going to be a luxury, not a right, once the Republicans get done with it.
Never mind that we are the most hated and laughed at country on the face of the planet.
Never mind all that.
The terrorists are gonna get ya so re-elect the most incompetent president in the history of the United States of America (who, by the way, brought all this shit down on our heads in the first place)!
Al-Zarqawi group claims allegiance to bin Laden (CNN)
Jerry Peurala
Westfield, IN
Subject: bush coming out of church
I saw on TV pictures of bush leaving church today. guess what, no bulge in back.
Henry
Subject: CNN's on the Dark Side of the Force
What the hell are they talking about on CNN tonight? They're singing loudly the results of their biased CNN/Gallup poll showing bush far ahead of Kerry, then their reporter goes on with a story about a poll asking "Who do you think will win?" Again being a Gallup trash poll, bush comes out far, far ahead of Kerry, so their reporter goes on to conclude that Democrats aren't motivated to vote. Then, talking about all the newspaper endorsements Kerry's getting, they "report" that bush is getting all the smaller papers, and those are the only ones that actually influence people. I've never heard such baloney being sliced up and tossed around! Where are they getting this crap?
It sounds like Karl Rove took all the employees of CNN out to lunch today, passed out the "strategy of the day," and sent them home with a pat on the head. Then, like good like robot "journalists," they followed their script and, to quote bush's favorite string of words, "Mission Accomplished." I'm so angry at hearing this blatant republican bias. They have NO idea how motivated people are, and their stupid biased false polls are only going to make Democrats more motivated. How can these people sleep at night?
Sue
Subject: The idiot in chief...etc.
At the last debate...I was taken by the exaggerated expression Bush has when Kerry says almost anything. He is like someone who is so surprised that anyone would question him on anything. That administration has gotten away with this for so long...they will continue to use it until we kick their lying butts out!
I liken Bush's expression and silly laugh...to "Beavis and Butthead." I have heard a lot of folks say that Geez...the man sounds exactly like Beavis and or Butthead" (one or the other...they get the two of them confused, just like I do, and Bush is a combination of both)!
I think he thinks...that if he acts like that...with the silly smirky grin...after Kerry seriously asks something...that it will impress everyone to the point that they will believe anything he says....I just cannot even have respect for anyone I know who follows this man after seeing him....he is the most goofy leader we have ever had, and none of it surprises me. He was goofy when he stood on Ground Zero....after the bombing...but, we were all crying out of fright...so everyone thought he was just being so humane. He was goofy!!!
And, he got goofier...when he did a 180....left Afghanistan to their own...and decided that we should be doing more important things.....going after Saddam who is so much like him....that it is like the blind leading the blind. Saddam...is just a shade above Bush in intelligence. This man should not be leading anyone or anything!!!!
Think about that for a while!
Shirley..........St. Louis
Subject: all-volunteer?
How is it that George Bush can proclaim an all-volunteer service with a stop-loss order preventing people from leaving Iraq and the service and with the call-up of the Individual Ready Reserve? Where is the outrage over this?
Just wondering is right.
Darryl Brashier
Subject: Lesbians
I have many gay friends who are very afraid of four more years of Bush...after last Wednesday's debate and furor re Mary Cheney, we remembered the Sept. 17th, 2001 interview of Jerry Falwell by Pat Robertson where Falwell said God let 9/11 happen because of lesbians...
Jerry's still welcome at the White House???
Keep up the good work!
Michael Gregory
Subject: All in the Family?
After Dick Cheney was nominated at the GOP Convention and his family joined him on stage, Mary Cheney was shown on camera sitting in the audience with a woman who may have been her partner or just a friend. If the Cheneys were truly accepting of their daughter, why wasn't she included on stage as part of the family? Dick and Lynne Cheney are true hypocrites and are using their own daughter again in an unacceptable way. Did their other daughter create a better photo op with her blond attractiveness and sweet little children? Were they all showing their true colors? So much for family values!
Linda in Indiana
Subject: Republican nazi forces attack!
Here in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, the nazi forces are hard at work. Hundreds of Kerry signs stolen, no Bush signs missing!
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subject: Guess the Next Terror Alert Date!
Dear BuzzFlash:
Why don't you have a contest to "Guess the date of the next terror alert"? People can either a) click on a page that lets them vote (you can save time by setting up a series of simple pages, one for each day, linked to the question page, and each would have a counter) or b) email you their guess or c) have a "click on the button" vote. The results would be interesting. This action, of and by itself, might help dissuade the administration from playing election month games with terror alerts.
Mike Ravnitzky
Subject: Blatant Republican Violations of Voters Rights: Are They Actually BY DESIGN?
After reading a series of pieces from states around the country accusing Republicans of blatantly violating election laws - like ordering their staff members to throw out large batches of registrations by Democrats, etc. - I could not initially grasp how openly stupid such moves seemed, until...
The thought occurred to me that THIS might actually be a well thought out tactic in a 'win at any cost scenario' that allows for not merely unethical but outright illegal actions which a Karl Rove might easily envision as an 'ace in the hole.' There have been enough reports in the media suggesting numerous questions being raised how the GOP has signed up new voters, along with a variety of other potential vote count problems. The ideas have clearly been 'positioned' in our minds.
The new registrants are the greatest unknown factor and pose the biggest threat to a Bush reelection. But the Neo-Con media's mouthpieces keep trying to establish questionable numbers as they maintain spinning that of 'known voters' polled, Bush and Senator John Kerry are basically in a dead heat.
What IF they're generating this out there to actually encourage challenges to the election results around the country and, thus, tie up the election to the point where everyone is so stressed over another slow, messed up determination heading nowhere that the outcome has to be called by the U.S. Supreme Court? After all, they have already established a precedent and we know what the result of that would be...
Allan Stagg
Subject: Senate Race in Florida -- Alert
Martinez is airing an ad in florida accusing Betty Castor of having knowledge of terrorist activity at the university of south florida. They show a picture of one professor. I seem to remember a picture of this same arrested professor and his family with George Bush during the 2000 campaign--he was a fund raiser for Muslims, I believe. I do not have the capability to track this picture down, but BuzzFlash once posted it.
Mike
Tampa
Subject: Don't Eat Chocolate!
Bush and Cheney are like a couple of globs that hit the wall, stuck and now slowly slither down. I've seen something like this before at the zoo. You know, at the monkey cages? Most zoos put up protective glass so you won't get hit with it when you walk by. In 2000 there was no protective glass at all. That's what happens when the monkeys themselves are in charge. No protection! This year again the glass is not in place but at least we know enough to duck and dodge. The monkeys also got something new this year. A poop flinging gismo. They call it Sinclair Broadcasting. This thing can really fling. Looking around I see some people are liking it. I guess they have grown accustomed to the taste. The monkeys have a name for the brown stuff, they call it "trickle down economics." We all know what's been trickling down. They also call it patriotism. I don't know about you but I don't want any of it mucking up my flag. My advice, don't swallow any, its brown but it isn't chocolate.
Damon Smith
Subject: Bush is Ill
Editor:
Clearly President Bush is physically ill. His face is twisted. His speech is halting and unclear. Spittle formed at the side of his mouth in the last debate and he seemed not to realize it. He is wearing a device on his back. He refuses to take his yearly physical until after the elections. The press is responsible for clearing this up before the American people vote.
Paul A. Moore
Miami Lakes, FL
Subject: Re: Tribune endorsement of Bush
Dear Buzz:
Here is the letter I wrote to the Tribune this morning:
Dear Editor:
It was with utter astonishment and disappointment that I read your October 17 endorsement of Mr. Bush for election to the presidency of this nation.
This is an administration that has damaged "if not destroyed "every policy, every plan that it has encountered, offered or enacted. From the 2000 election, to the environment, to Medicare and health care, to the economy and jobs, to education, to the "war on terror," this man and his administration has left chaos and corruption in its wake. He has squandered more than the good will of the world. We are now nearly alone in his "fight against terror." He has destroyed our economy and has offered unemployment and smug comments about people being "retrained" for newer, lower paying jobs. His arrogant belief that he is "speaking for God" is placing us all at risk. His belief that this "war on terror" is a "holy war" can only lead to disaster -- for us and for the rest of the world. His words belie the truth of his works. Every time he speaks, the truth is the opposite. War is "peace," joblessness is "economic recovery," increases to the cost of Medicare and prescription drugs are "opportunities," lowering the pollution emission standards for manufacturers is named the "Clean Air Act," reducing the numbers of workers in OSHA is called "worker protection." His policies did not work in Texas -- the state with most pollution, the most poorly educated, the worst record of use of capital punishment in this nation, and when he left office, the worst fiscal policies. And you are endorsing this man for President of the United States?
It is clear to me that, like this administration, you are more concerned with the well being of your investors' bottom line than you are with the well being of our country. Shame on you.
Leslie Walsh
Evanston, IL
Subject: RE: Chicago Tribune endorsement of Bush
Hi, folks-
I was certainly not surprised by the Trib's endorsement of Bush, though I was shocked at how poor an editorial it was. I told my kids that I could write the editorial myself, since I knew the Trib would have to shy away from any comment on domestic issues in order to make their case.
But keep this in mind: it won't matter. Illinois will vote heavily democratic, and Kerry will carry the state. As will Barack Obama. So add the Trib to the list of editorials that aren't going to have an effect. Makes you wonder why they bothered. If they could endorse Bush, I cannot conceive of circumstances where they will not endorse any republican that runs. The Trib always goes republican. This, however, was so poorly conceived that it beggars description. Let's see how the letters to the editor come in.
Dana J. Lawrence
Subject: TR, New Philadelphia, Ohio endorsement of Bush
I live in NYC four blocks from Ground Zero. I grew up in Tuscarawas County, Ohio where the Times Reporter is the major news source. I was home over the weekend visiting my parents and read the TR's endorsement of the President. You guys need to read the endorsement for yourself to believe it! On line three of paragraph two, the editor states, "We believe Bush has the vision to shape a new world order, securing for our children, and their children, a safer and more secure planet."
What exactly do they mean by "new world order"? Please go to timesreporter.com-archives-sunday, oct 17th, editorial. See it for yourself. This is the type of christian fundamentalism we are up against in states like Ohio. What can we do to fight back?
Ed Mathews
Subject: Reader question/comment
I wonder if the current flu shot shortage is part of the Bush Cartel's plan to fix Social Security and Medicare.....
Coleen Christensen
W: Decisive? Resolute? My Pet Goat!
Subject: Shortage of flu vaccines
Hi:
I find it very interesting that the shortage of a flu vaccine this year coincides nicely with work being done to duplicate the virus that caused the great Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918.
Given the Malthusian views of many in this administration, and in the World Health Organization, it is fitting that work is being done IN A BLS-3 LEVEL LAB, on a strain of flu that, if released "accidentally" would seriously impact the health of millions of individuals world-wide. The story can be viewed here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/07/science/07virus.html
I've mentioned previously that everything that has been occurring since 9/11 fits nicely into the projections made by the Club of Rome report of 1972 which stated that absent a famine, major outbreak of disease world-wide, or a major war, the world's resources would not sustain the expected level of population.
Since that time, we've seen the AIDS pandemic, numerous wars and genocidal events in Africa and the decimation of indigenous populations in Central America and Indonesia in the 70s and 80s, and the current folly, the endless war on terror.
It goes without saying that this scientific work is being carried out under the auspices of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and the Biosafety Level 3 labs carrying out the work, yes there are more than one of them, are located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and at a Department of Agriculture owned facility in Athens, Georgia. The lethality of this flu strain is such that it should not be assumed that these researchers have rendered it innocuous enough to be experimented on anywhere other than a Biosafety Level 4 facility, if at all.
But, what better way to get parents resistant to vaccinating their children alarmed than to have a minor event from which a couple of hundred people die; look what great things this administration achieved after the 3,000 or so deaths that occurred here on 9/11.
This is a situation that calls out for Congressional oversight. Our government, under the guise of making the world safer, is underwriting experiments with biological agents that can be used for warfare. With weapons of mass destruction, in other words, weapons that almost one hundred years ago proved very deadly. With the high incidence of immune-compromised people throughout the world in the wake of the AIDS scourge, what better way to thin out the population than to "accidentally unleash" a little dose of Spanish flu?
The closing line of the article is chilling:
"Thus, a large section of the population would be susceptible to an outbreak of a 1918-like influenza virus[.]"
I guarantee you Bush and his cronies got their flu shots.
Matt Carmody
CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE OCTOBER 19, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.