October 20, 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: Does Bush have oral cancer

Does George Bush have cancer of the mouth. He declined to take his annual physical August 2004. During the debates he appeared sick and tired. As a nurse, to me he appears to have symptoms of cancer of the mouth: a drooping and drooling left lip, slurred speech, a nervous tick and biting of the lip, discolored skin, quick, uncontrolled movements, stooped, fatigued posture. With his history of heavy alcohol and chewing tobacco, he is a prime candidate for oral cancer.

Doreen Suran, RN

Subject: New Year's Resolution

Like everyone else, every year I make one or more New Year's resolutions. Like everyone else, every year I get off to a good start, for a while, and then it always goes by the wayside. Last December I thought about what my New Year's resolution should be. I thought that it would be nice to make one for a change that I could actually keep no matter what happened. So I resolved to do everything I could reasonably do to defeat Bush. For the first time in a long time, I have been able to keep my New Year's resolution all year. If you're feeling guilty about your broken 2004 resolution (and all the others), here's one you can make, and keep. It's a little late, but better late than never.

Mike Lauderdale
Albany, NY

Subject: On Mary Cheney and Love

Dear BuzzFlash:

I am so tired of the feigned outrage from the Republican Party concerning John Kerry's use of the "L" word when he spoke of Mary Cheney in the final debate, it is hypocrisy at its epitome.

I bring six decades of experience to this argument but it only will take me a few paragraphs to sum up how I feel about this whole affair.

As a Lesbian who has been with the same partner for more than 20 years, as the mother of 4 children and the grandmother of 7 children, I was proud when John Kerry called Mary Cheney a Lesbian because whether America likes it or not, that is what Mary Cheney is. She is OUT and she has chosen to put herself into the public eye by participating in her father's campaign.

If John Kerry had used the name of anyone else it wouldn't have been nearly as effective as using the name of the daughter of the Vice President of the United States, the man whose Party attempts to enshrine prejudice against me and people like me into the Constitution. A prejudice that touches every American because it attempts to discriminate against the mothers and fathers, the brothers and sisters and the nieces and nephews of everyone in this country. There is no way John Kerry could have made his point more effectively than by using Mary Cheney as an example.

You see, we are not our family's dirty little secrets anymore. We are citizens who pay taxes and attempt to be productive members of society. We teach your children, care for your sick and elderly, police your streets, wash your cars, cook your food, raise you crops, paint your homes, service your computers, fix your toilets and clean your teeth. We are scientists, lawyers, judges, ministers, doctors and Senators.

You see us everywhere you go. We work with you, we pray with you and some of us have even died for you in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have always loved you and we have always wanted you to love us in return.

We are Lesbians and Gays and neither word should make you cringe. If it does, you should consider this: How can you love us if you are ASHAMED to acknowledge who and what we are?

I see the pain on Mary Cheney's face. She is the daughter of the second most powerful man in the world yet even he is afraid to take on the voices of hatred in his own party and fight for her rights, her happiness and her future.

I see Mary Cheney, do you? She is a Lesbian!

Carolyn
in Tennessee

Subject: Justice Dept being used to suppress vote

Rove was schooled by the King of Dirty Tricks, Lee Atwater, in the Nixon WH. Back then the Justice Dept., IRS and other government entities were pressed into going after Democratic supporters, breaking into Demo HQ, putting a plant in Ted Kennedy's security detail, smearing the McGovern ticket, etc. Nearly the entire Nixon admin was in on the dirty tricks...and brought about a Constitutional crisis. Nixon asserted the rights of a King and tried to suppress everything.

Feisty Senator Sam Erwin chaired the committee that brought them to justice. A number of the administration, including the Attorney General, got tossed into Club Fed. Same pattern...only worse today...and many of the same players were around in the Nixon WH. They didn't learn any lessons except to lie more brazenly and be even more secretive.

Back then the CIA started unraveling Nixon by planting the "talking to the pictures" stories....just as they are doing today with El Numbskull. I was pretty young but remember my grandmother (who grew up when her father was a big-city mayor so she was steeped in politics) planted in front of the TV having fits over the roaring criminality that was draining and decaying the nation's energies. Deja vu all over again.

Footnote: Nixon spent most of his retirement in lonely exile in his tacky home in San Clemente....and would go for strolls on the beach in his suit, tie, and dress shoes as if headed for a global summit. Most of his top lieutenants were in the slammer. Lee Atwater developed brain cancer and did a mea culpa on his deathbed. My guess is big time Karmic payback also is in store for Bush Inc. Their crimes make Nixon look mild.

Suzanne
San Francisco

Subject: Why Lynne Cheney is so outraged

Dragon Lady Cheney has her knickers in such a flutter...because she is about to get her behind kicked out of her free government digs. No one does greedy at taxpayer expense better than the Cheney-Burtons. And she hasn't finished her book-burnings...so many books...so little time. At least she won't need to spring for a costume for Halloween...all she needs is a broom.

Suzanne
San Francisco

Subject: CNN Reported Poll Alleging Bush Lead in Oregon Uses Strange Sampling....

Friends:

This afternoon, 10/18/04, CNN is reporting that Bush (48%) has a 5 point lead on Kerry (43%) among likely voters in Oregon. This poll was conducted by Riley Research Associates of Portland, OR. Their full report can be found at http://www.rileyresearch.com... Please note that this research firm sampled likely voters as 43% Democrat, 42% Republican, and 15% independent.

A similar poll of likely voters conducted by American Research Group on 10/12/04 showed Kerry (49%) with a 5 point lead on Bush (44%): http://www.americanresearchgroup.com/or/ If you want to crunch the numbers yourself, you can visit the Oregon Sec'y of State's office at http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/other.info/stelec.htm. However, the average turnout in Oregon per party affiliation over the past four national elections (1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002) is Democrat 43%, Republican 40%, and independent 17%.

In short, the Riley Report oversampled Republicans and undersampled independents (who are, according to both AGR and Riley numbers, trending towards Kerry).

Another interesting aspect of the 10/18 Riley Report is that it oversampled by 3% the Second Congressional District which covers Oregon's conservative eastern half of the state. There are a third more registered Republicans in Oregon's Second Congressional District than there are Democrats. That alone could account for nearly a percentage point difference if one considers just Republicans. But the relatively high number of Democrats the Riley Report indicates are voting for Bush (22, by comparison to the 5 Republicans who say they are voting for Kerry) could also be accounted for because there is a higher likelihood that Democrats from eastern Oregon are conservative -- e.g., see 'Dems for Ben'... (Bend.com) -- where eastern Oregon Democrats practically gush at the possibility of "writing in" a Republican state legislator as their candidate this year.

All in all, polls that have shown Bush massively ahead where he shouldn't be need to be examined closely. This includes the grotesquely distorted national poll numbers produced by the right-wing Gallup pollsters last month. And if CNN's Judy Woodruff can't even do the modest research I've done before she reports, can I have her six-figure job?

Rob Olson
Bellingham, WA

Subject: The Congressional Black Caucus' Unwelcome March on the White House

Much was made over Kerry's supposed "untruth" when he said Bush didn't meet with the Congressional Black Caucus. Given the time I now spend organizing, I haven't had time to blog a response. So I waited for the response from the Kerry campaign or other Democratic bloggers, but didn't see it. Therefore, I am now responding.

Most folks know that I am a strong supporter of Rep. Jan Schakowsky. She understands and empowers grassroots activism in her district without ever feeling threatened like many other politicians. The result? She continues to increase her margin of victory in each election, plus has created an environment where progressive advocacy flourishes and spreads outside her district. If only other Democratic safe seaters, like her, we would take back state legislative seat all over the country.

Anyway, enough of my Jan praise... Here is a story I heard her tell multiple times about the "meeting" Bush had with the Congressional Black Caucus in the White House.

The Black Caucus (plus Jan, as one of the minority leaders) literally marched on the White House and demanded to see the President over the crisis in Haiti. The White House said the President was busy and could not see them. Not to be deterred, the CBC+JS protested and said they were "not leaving until the President saw them."

At some point, the White House decided they just might be serious and sent Condi Rice out to talk to the group. (My thoughts: I can just see it, Andre Card must have said, hey grab one of "our" African-American folks to come out and talk to them. They'll be able to understand them.) Anyway, after a cordial meeting, the CBC+JS said thanks, but we aren't leaving until "we see the President."

After more confusion in the White House, they decided to send Colin Powell out. (My thoughts: no commentary needed) Again a cordial meeting with the CBC+JS saying thanks, but we aren't leaving until "we see the President."

To finish the story, finally they pressured the President into coming out and having a quick meeting with them. Jan, obviously didn't get into the details of the meeting, but this was the meeting where the funny Obama incident quoted in several other blogs and newspapers occurred. For those who don't know, after the meeting Bush was shaking hands with the CBC+JS. He looked at Jan's Obama button and stepped back in horror. Jan figured out after a second that Bush thought her button said, "Osama." She stepped forward to the President and stated, "Obama, Mr. President. Barack Obama, he is running for Senate in Illinois." To which Bush mumbled something to the effect of "I don't know him," with Jan sharply responding, "Oh, you will soon Mr. President. You will soon."

Was Kerry right in spirit to say that Bush had not met with the Congressional Black Caucus? I'll let you be the judge.

Daniel Dannison
evanston4kerry@yahoo.com

Subject: How You Can Save America: Help Get the Huge Number of New Democrats to the Polls

Massive new Democratic registrations in Ohio and Florida, and in other swing states, have created potentially large voting shifts to the Democrats: But no one knows whether the new voters will turn out at a 30% or a 70% rate. The one certainty is that direct voter contact on Election Day dramatically increases turnout. The second, according to Pollster John Zogby, is that if turnout is high, then Democrats will win. So, if you are still trying to figure out how to best help Dems, take a week off (or even just Election Day) and get out the vote. Go to Ohio (think Cleveland) or Florida (especially Duval County), New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Arkansas or Missouri and make sure that on Election Day America's new voters get to the polls. To volunteer in a nearby swing state, go to http://www.acthere.org

The New York Times story about the huge increase in Democrats' registration can be read at: New voters coming out in droves (NY Times/Seattle Times)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Boycotting Sinclair Advertisers

After having written many letters to the Sinclair Syndicate advertisers whose products and services I actually purchase and use, I think it's important to note that several have very graciously responded with appreciation and empathy at the same time that they assert they are not advertising either in or around the specific program attacking Senator Kerry. While their responses are appreciated, it should also be pointed out to them that it is their advertising support on every OTHER day of the year which makes it possible for Sinclair to have this menacing power to employ no-holds-barred media attacks without fear of reprisal. The companies in question feel they are doing their part simply by not subsidizing this single negative piece of programming, but I suggest adding in letters to companies that organized boycotts of products and services will also continue long after the "Dishonored" program is aired. The advertisers in question must not only reprimand Sinclair for possessing a partisan political agenda that is indirectly causing lost sales and creating a dissatisfied customer base, but also withdraw promotional budgets, thereby creating a ripple effect with the potential to become a financial tsunami in the $inclair $yndicate's boardroom.

Larry Talley
Dallas TX

Subject: Cheney is "pretty angry" his professionally gay daughter is outed on tv

RE: DICK AND LYNNE CHENEY FEIGNING 'OUTRAGE'...Well before any of the debates, on August 24, in Davenport, Iowa, Vice-President Dick Cheney was asked what he thought of "homosexual marriages." "Well," he replied, "Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so it's an issue our family is very familiar with." He went on to say that people "ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to." An admirable and very tolerant point of view, I'd say, except that the Bush administration (which, the last time I checked, includes the Vice-President) is now proposing a radical Constitutional amendment banning gay marriages.

So, what's Cheney's real position? Is he truly a tolerant, loving father who is in favor of freedom of choice in relationships for his own lesbian daughter? Or is he a calculating, hypocritical politician willing to sell out the civil and constitutional rights of his own daughter and all the other gays and lesbians in America in order to appease the Bush Republican, evangelical Christian voting base?

Which father is he? The loving, compassionate family man or the Old Testament prophet spewing hate, sin, and abomination? Before voting on November 2, the American people have a right to know.

David Wyles
Venice, CA

Subject: Jon Lieberman

Can you set up a Jon Lieberman fund that we can contribute to?

Sinclair Fires Washington Bureau Chief (AP/Yahoo)

Susan Yabumoto
Alto, NM

Subject: The Sinclair boycott

Here's some proof that simple action can be effective. Yesterday I sent the following to a number of advertisers on Sinclair Broadcasting channels (you can get the list at http://www.stopsinclair.org/).

Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Copps has called Sinclair Broadcasting's decision to require its stations to carry the "documentary" Stolen Honor "an abuse of the public trust."

The financially troubled Sinclair stands to gain from a Bush reelection, in view of the administration's support for further deregulation of the airwaves, which would allow them to own more stations in more markets. The so-called documentary is in essence an attack ad on John Kerry, which claims that in telling the truth to the US Congress about the atrocities he had witnessed in Vietnam somehow increased the pain and suffering of American POWs.

Looking down a list of Sinclair advertisers, I find many companies whose products I know and enjoy. However, I feel strongly enough about this issue that effective immediately, I will boycott those companies, including your company, until either Sinclair cancels the program or the advertiser announces that it will pull its advertising.

Please do not support Sinclair's narrow agenda over the welfare of its viewers and your customers. Pull your advertising immediately.

If this program is aired, I intend to watch it on my local Sinclair station (WRLH-Richmond), and publish a list of advertisers who will not get my business as long as George W. Bush remains in the White House.

A little after 6 PM last night, I received the following from one of them:

As an advertiser on select Sinclair stations, we have repeatedly requested a statement from Sinclair Broadcasting to explain their intentions and convince us they are not violating any FCC or FEC regulations with the airing of 'Stolen Honor.' As of Monday, October 18th, we have not received a response. This concerns us because we do not have the information we need to effectively answer the concerns of our customers. So, effective immediately, Whataburger, Inc. has pulled its advertising buy from Sinclair Broadcasting until more clarity can be gained on this topic, and we can feel confident their actions are not in conflict with our ethics or the legal requirements of the FCC and FEC.Sincerely,

Whataburger, Inc.

Apparently I was not alone in expressing my opinion and urging advertisers not to support this illegal in-kind campaign contribution. I heard on the news this morning that Sinclair's stock fell almost 8% yesterday (11% since last week) to $6.49 amid concerns for advertising losses "in the aftermath of the political firestorm that the company created last week." (CBS Marketwatch)

Meanwhile, Whataburger has been removed from the aforementioned list of advertisers; Arby's has not. Next time I feel like having a meat sandwich for lunch, guess who gets my business?

So this shows that even little actions like sending an email can be effective when multiplied by thousands. And if everybody who reads these words takes action, who knows how much more effect we can have? Take action today. Support broadcasting in the public interest by supporting the Sinclair boycott.

Rick

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE OCTOBER 20, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.