October 21, 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: George W. Bush--A Texan afraid of Oklahomans

In prep school, I opted for cheerleading rather than football. Bush may be from Texas, but he wanted no part of Oklahomans.

The word of one Bush is good enough for another Bush. When Al Gore called Bush on election night 2000 to withdraw his concession (after Gore's camp decided they had reason to believe that the media's claim of a Bush victory in Florida was premature), Bush's exact response was, "But I just talked to (his brother) Jeb, and he assures that me that I won (Florida) fair and square."

Do as I say, not as I did. Bush ordered war in Iraq. When he was eligible for service in Vietnam, Bush opted for the Texas National Guard.

I'll defend my actions on Iraq anytime, anyplace. Except in Great Britain. When visiting that nation in July of 2003, Bush declined an invitation to address (and answer questions from) the House of Commons about his Iraq policy.

Our young men and women in Iraq are risking their lives because of my policies. As Commander-in Chief, one would think I would at least have the courage to defend those policies in an open forum. Bush has held the fewest press conferences of any modern president. On the campaign trail, the Bush campaign bars any non-Bush supporters from attending stump speeches or "Town Hall" meetings. "We want these meetings to be constructive," is how a top Bush campaign aide put it.

Fighting terrorism is hard work. Bush has taken more vacation days during his first term than any modern president.

I'm the guy you would most want to have over for a barbecue. Unfortunately, the office Bush occupies and is up for re-election for is president, not guy-you-would -most-want-to-have over-for-a-barbecue.

My hard line stance on Islamic terrorists resonates with American Jews. Likely less reassuring to Jews is Bush's hard-line fundamentalist Christian stance, which among other things holds that ultimately Jews must be converted to Christianity or face death.

The other guy is a Massachusetts elitist who went to St. Paul's and Yale. Bush is a Texas elitist who went to Andover, Yale, and Harvard Business School. (The other guy also went to Boston College law school and worked as a prosecutor; Bush tends not to mention that.)

OK, yes...the other guy served his country admirably in Vietnam. Bush has yet to rebuke the swift boat veterans, whose attacks questioning Kerry's heroism are refuted by official Navy records, a branch of the military Bush oversees as Commander-in-chief.

It's ridiculous to suggest that my economic policies are good for Wall Street and not Main Street. The Mayor of Bush's hometown of Crawford, Texas has endorsed Kerry.

My guy Karl is an honorable man. Rove has taken out three Vietnam veterans (McCain, Cleland, Kerry) in as many years. At this pace, vietnam vets may well consider re-naming him "Charlie" Rove.

The New York Times is against me. Of all the mud flying from the GOP this election season, what issue finally got Safire and Brooks to cry foul play? Gay daughter gate.

The other guy's thinking is outdated. Bush on the other hand is willing to think outside the box. Under Bush, for example, America became the first civilization in history to simultaneously go to war and cut taxes. (Note that the juxtaposition of the words "first,""civilization," and "history" is not necessarily a good thing.)

I envision a religious America. A Bush second term would no doubt cause many to find religion.

I'm tied or slightly ahead in most polls. Actually, that's not funny.

Please vote.

Loyal BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Bush...who else??

I wondered if anyone else heard about these two incidents except me.

First...Karl Rove's weird stunt of lying down by the wheel of Air Force One...as the president boarded to go to another campaign stop...apparently, after Bush got on the plane...he grinned and motioned Rove to come on! It was in our newspaper this morning and was just weird.

The other thing...I heard on the news this afternoon that last night, four women went

to a Bush Rally...all four were really undecided...and had shirts on that said ,"Please do not take away our liberties," or something to that effect! They were immediately shown the door, and when they balked, the guard said they would be arrested and put in jail if they did not do as he said!

And, I could be very wrong...but many or you have expressed thoughts that maybe Bush is ill......like I said now, I could be wrong.....but, Bush is not above Pandering for Pity....Especially, in lieu of the fact that he has a Stepford Wife....and can get her to do anything by showing some loss of will. He has never had to work this hard before! You must remember, 2000 was not work, everyone was so sick of the Clinton escapades (except me) and Gore and Lieberman wanted everyone to know that they did not have any respect for him.........so, it came pretty easy to Dubya, and he still lost the election!! Gore and Lieberman should have been horse whipped, but Gore has come back and worked very hard....Lieberman is still on my Shit List!

Anyway.....He has been doing that silly leaning on the desk since he first started this inane imitation of a leader...way back in 2001...and got real cocky right after 9-11. Jeez...he could do no wrong! So, all of this having to work, has got to be hard...having to stand up to Kerry's lambasting every day...truth that it is, he is just not accustomed to it!

No, pity poor Bushie....it is not funny, either! But, in 2001 and 2002, even though I was not a "Patriot," I spoke out about this very thing...to anyone who was in front of me, and most did not listen...they just glared and walked away...And, they have to be scared now, too. Looks like it is gonna be a tight race....their stupid candidate may not win...that shows them to be not a good judge of character!! Pity!!!

I have lost friends for life over my speaking my mind....I would imagine that every democrat out there...who might have been sick of the Clinton Escapades and voted for Bush...( know one), who will not vote for him now...but, will not admit that it was a mistake before.....and will never think that the war in Iraq was wrong...no matter what you put in front of any of them (at least they will not admit it). It is just not patriotic to invade a country..............for oil........power....or because he tried to "kill my daddy"'!!!!

Shirley..........St. Louis

Subject: Greetings from Germany (forwarded, re Sinclair)

Dear Mr. Reny,

I have heard, yes, even in Germany, that you have decided not to advertise your company on the local Sinclair station until after the election.

I applaud your efforts in maintaining a fair and honest election process during these trying times, especially for those of us living on Army bases in Germany, with many of our divisions, such as the 1st ID, currently deployed to Iraq. An election such as this is incumbent upon voters receiving the facts rather than the manufactured opinion of the wealthy few who own the US media.

On behalf or those of us whose livelihoods are dependent on clear-headed US decision making, I thank you.

Sincerely,

A BuzzFlash Reader
Wuerzburg, Germany

Subject: Never Forget - Bush Stole the White House by a rt-wing coup in 2000

Law Professor's Statement on Bush v. Gore:

http://www.the-rule-of-law.com/archive/supreme/statement.html

New York Times ad on Bush v. Gore:

http://www.the-rule-of-law.com/archive/supreme/viewad.html

http://www.the-rule-of-law.com/archive/supreme

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: This is a chart of the price of a barrel of crude oil

Dear BuzzFlash,

This is a chart of the price of a barrel of crude oil, from Bush's inauguration to now. Put a pair of Texas oilmen in the White House, give them control of the House, the Senate, the Supreme Court, the Treasury, and the Pentagon. Can anyone really be surprised? What did you THINK would happen?

Love your website. Keep it up.

B. Pascal
Kansas City, KS

Subject: Is It His Second Term or the Second Coming?

Bush believes "God speaks through me," and the Christian right is feeling rapturous. Are we to re-elect a President with a Messiah complex ? This could get scary.

The Second Term Begins to Look Like the Second Coming (thebushpresidency.org)

The Patriot Act has put civil rights at risk. Now government challenges to press freedom are on the rise with the first of several subpoenaed reporters held in contempt of court for not revealing sources

Justice Can't Solve Case So They'll Jail the Press Instead (thebushpresidency.org)

The U.S. is belly up against the debt ceiling, but Bush will now sign yet another tax giveaway -- $136 billion this time -- and some of the biggest corporations are at the trough.

Bush to Sign Yet Another Tax Giveaway (thebushpresidency.org)

The U.S. is Broke, Thanks to Borrow and Spend Bush (thebushpresidency.org)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Iraq Missing Nuke Stuff is huge for Kerry

Dear BuzzFlash,

Here's another link for a story on the missing Iraq nuke materials

Nuclear material 'has gone missing' since war (independent.co.uk)

Here's a link on Iraq asking UN inspectors back to investigate this. The horror. The irony. The horror.

UN inspectors asked back to Iraq over missing equipment fears (news.scotsman.com)

I caught BBC TV tonight (Tuesday, 10/12) and their expert, whose name I missed, commented that the missing materials could only have gone missing in the past year with the agreement of Iraqi officials and the United States Government.

I imagine the US Government subcontracted the materials to companies of their choosing for removal and sale on the Jordanian, Turkish, and Netherlands black markets. Or maybe the companies just did it themselves. You have to wonder who let this happen.

How do you spell "actively-helping-terrorists-to-get-WMD"? Hint: it begins with a B and ends with an H and it isn't just bullshit.

Really, this angle deserves huge play, don't you think? Picture Kerry speaking:

"According to official statements from Iraq and the UN, George Bush has let whatever nuclear materials Iraq had to leave Iraq and enter the world black market. Through his incompetence and carelessness, he has directly aided and abetted the terrorists who want to destroy entire American cities. And he has the nerve to pretend America is safer while whatever Saddam did have is spread Heaven knows where. Just so his friends can make a buck." (if that last line can be demonstrated)

Jim P.

Subject: 7 Minutes on 9-11

An open plea to the Kerry campaign: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE run an ad nationwide showing Bush sitting with that blank, frozen look on his face for seven minutes on 9-11!!! That is ALL you have to do to shut up Bush and Cheney and show America once and for all what a cowardly, inept, soulless "Commander in Chief" he was that terrible day.

This election is about BUSH'S FAILURES. You will win in a landslide with that piece of video that shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Dicktator has no clothes!! Please fight hard for the millions of us who so desperately need and want you to win....hit them back HARD with the video!! thanks

elaine in Petaluma

Subject: You Know GeeDubya is In Trouble When...

Dear BuzzFlash Readers/Supporters:

Tis me, your favorite Christian Liberal, LOL.

I thought I'd share with you the things that indicate GeeDubya's in trouble with this election, to the tune of Jeff Foxworthy's "You Must Be a Redneck." The title is "You Know GeeDubya is in Trouble, When..."

You know GeeDubya's in Trouble, when...

The RNC is destroying the voter registration cards of those who identified themselves as Democrats in states like Nevada and Oregon;

Jeb Bush is continuing to purge the voter rolls of African-American voters in Florida - then goes on the Sunday talk shows to deny culpability;

The Civil Rights Commission postpones dissemination of their report on GeeDubya's record until AFTER the elections;

They are relying on Katherine Harris to retain her seat in Congress, as well as GOP nuts like Jim Bunning and the nut running for the Senate in Oklahoma;

There is a theft of a Democratic campaign office and all that's stolen are the lists of registered voters who are registered as Democrats;

Sinclair Broadcasting throws away any remaining vestiges of engaging in objective journalism by showing a smear documentary on John Kerry and attempting to pass it off as "news reports";

That the Swift Boat Liars are still getting face time, even though it's been soundly proven they are all, well, LIARS (I wonder why Kerry doesn't sue for slander);

John Ashcroft won't invoke Patriot Act provisions and find out who's trying to rig the election in favor of the sock-puppet in the Oval Office;

The British are being pressured to send more troops to fill in for our guys until after the election;

The Russian President is the only global leader that openly supports GeeDubya's reelection, when 90% of the world wants him gone from the White House;

Lynne Cheney's hysterical outburst about her lesbian daughter being complimented and supported by Senator Kerry; not to mention she and Dick's silence when GOP nut Alan Keyes called her a "selfish hedonist";

The fact that the Illinois Republican Party could not field a worthy opponent to take on Barack Obama, so they imported the carpetbagging Keyes in an attempt to retain control in the Senate;

"Hot-Tub" Tom DeLay's redistricting efforts are being revisited in the lower Court, because Antonin "Tony the Fixer" Scalia and his sidekick Clarence "toting the water for massa" Thomas don't want to have the Supreme Court looking decidedly partisan (they're four years too late);

The fact that Michigan State senator John Pappageorge stated, "We have to suppress the Detroit vote in order to Win" -- code speak for "Stop the N----rs from going to the polls!" (pardon my salty language here);

The fact that I'm writing this ditty. When I think of something else, I'll add on. Until then, take care, God Bless and most of all, TAKE CHARGE on November 2nd!

Leutisha Stills - The Christian Liberal
Oakland, California

Subject: ACTION ALERT: General Mills Will Advertise Despite Sinclair Broadcast of Anti-Kerry Program

Dear Friends:

General Mills, the food giant, will maintain its advertising during right-wing Sinclair Broadcasting's airing of the Anti-Kerry "Stolen Honor."

General Mills defends Sinclair decision to force airing of anti-Kerry film (rawstory.bluelemur.com)

General Mills sells products under the following brand names: Betty Crocker, Big G Cereals, Bisquick, Bugles, Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Chex, Fruit Snacks, Gardetto's, Gold Medal, Green Giant, Haagen-Dazs, Hamburger Helper, Jus-Rol, Knack & Back, La Saltena, Latina, Lloyd's BBQ, Lucky Charms, Muir Glen, Nature Valley, Old El Paso, Pillsbury, Pop Secret, Progresso, Totino's/Jeno's, Trix, V. Pearl, Wanchai Ferry, Wheaties, and Yoplait/Colombo.

I have decided to stop purchasing any of these General Mills products until this company can assure me that 1) they will discontinue advertising with Sinclair Broadcasting, 2) they have convinced Sinclair Broadcasting not to air anti-Kerry material, especially "Stolen Honor," days before the election, or 3) they convince Sinclair to air Fahrenheit 9-11 during primetime the day after "Stolen Honor" (provided this is still prior to the election).

General Mills can be contacted via the web at:

http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/contact_us/contact_us.aspx

Rob Olson
Bellingham, WA

Subject: News You Don't Hear in America Department

Dear BuzzFlash,

I caught a bit of a French news program today. One news item: It seems France has given us 22 million doses of flu vaccine, though, as their report noted, nobody in the USA has commented on this. Imagine a free press one day.

Jim P.

Subject: Re: General Mills-Sinclair

Wrote my letter re boycotting them regarding Sinclair anti-Kerry tripe....they responded by saying everyone has the right to an opinion and they also received an equal amount of pro Bush supporters...case closed.

So my e.m to them re the boycott was futile.

Colette Miller
Wellington, Fl

Subject: The nature of the forces invading the White House and the 'religious right'

If you read the article...titled 'Official Handbook of How to Fleece the Flock for Fun and Profit' [satire from Open Arms Internet Ministry] and think of the tactics used by the TV preachers who follow the 'seed-faith' or 'word of faith' movement, you may find, as I did, that you suddenly realize how much of the tactics of the current administration come directly from this movement.

The 'seed-faith' movement serves as a means to enrich the leaders (pastors and family and close associates) while the rest of the flock remains in poverty or physical infirmity. Check out the recent articles in the LA Times about TBN and financial accountability; the leaders of the organization have a combined salary of almost $800,000 a year, a private jet, and several very expensive houses. Repeating lies with a straight face is another tactic; sound Republican to you? Well, guess where they got it from? Yep, 'seed-faith.'

Karen I.

Subject: Bush bulge

Please, please, pleeeease don't let the story of the Bush bulge die.

The photographic/video evidence is irrefutable. The denials and absurd responses about what it is makes a mockery of anyone who has 2 eyes and a functioning cerebral cortex!!!

The possibility of the President having a serious medical problem or being a cheat is too important to NOT continue asking the question:

WHAT IS IT?

Please continue to do your job and have at least one serious segment dedicated to this cover-up. This is NOT a "joke" story! We have never seen such a blatant denial of the obvious; such a bold attempt at distorting the facts; such a complicit effort to NOT get at the truth as we've witnessed over the past week.

EVIDENCE: http://homepage.mac.com/c.shaw/BushBulges/PhotoAlbum15.html

Sincerely,

John Napiorkowski

Subject: Direct Phone Lines to Top Execs at Sinclair

I received this email from a friend and think this is another powerful tool we can use to put immense pressure on Sinclair. One person has said to me that it is their freedom of speech and while that may be correct, I say to that, they have financial dealings through a major investment in Jadoo which was awarded a defense contract by this administration. So, they are not just airing their opinion, they do not want to see the gravy train run out. Also, while we are speaking of freedom of speech, those that dare to go up against this administration in the past, have not been given theirs. Please remember that woman who was arrested for asking Laura Bush questions whose own son died in Iraq. Please remember the graphic designer who was fired from that company for heckling Bush. Please remember that woman who was fired for a Kerry sticker at her work place, where Senator Kerry gave her a job.

Mary,

You've got a great mailing list and you can reach a lot of people. Can you help me spread the word about how to contact Sinclair? People are calling Sinclair's general number (410-568-1500) and all they get when they call there is either 1) a busy signal or 2) a non-answer or 3) a person who will immediately send you over to a voice mail box designed for "complaints and comments."

I've dug up the DIRECT lines of the key people in this sleazy company. You can call the top Sinclair executives and ask them anything you want at the following numbers:

410-568-1506-David Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer
410-568-1505-Fred Smith, Vice President
410-568-1508-Duncan Smith, Vice President and Secretary
410-568-1504-Mark Hyman/Cam Smart, Vice President for Corporate Relations/Adm. Asst.
410-568-1507-Rob Smith, Director
410-568-1509-Helen Smith
410-752-2468-Steve Thomas, Outside Counsel, Thomas & Libowitz

I'd appreciate it if you spread these names and numbers to as many people as possible. Encourage people to call directly. But not just to insult these folks and so forth. People need to be encouraged to call and ask: Why are you showing this attack film against John Kerry? Are you trying to insure that Bush wins? Do you know that I'm going to contact the FCC to urge them to deny your stations a license renewal? Do you know that I'm going to contact all of your advertisers and ask them not to buy time on your stations? Did you know that I'm a holder of mutual funds that currently have Sinclair in their portfolios; and that I'm going to urge them to drop you?

See link: http://mediamatters.org/items/200410130001

Anything you can do---including calling yourself---would be great. We don't have much time!

Steve

Democratically Yours,

Mary!

Subject: Administration hiding damning 9/11 CIA report

Voters have a momentous decision to make in two weeks, and we need the information to make an informed decision. There is information here--The 9/11 Secret in the CIA's Back Pocket (robertscheer.com)--a CIA report on 9/11 that names names, that could help us make the right choice.

"It is infuriating that a report which shows that high-level people were not doing their jobs in a satisfactory manner before 9/11 is being suppressed," an intelligence official said.

The ultimate power in a democracy lies with the voters. The fourth estate has a responsibility to give us the information we need to use that power wisely. The secrecy of the Bush administration runs counter to the ideals of our democracy. Please use your journalistic skills to get this report out before the election.

Sincerely,

David Shubinski
Bowler, WI

Subject: Bush's tailor is selling a lie -- photo evidence

Please look at this photographic comparison showing that the "wrinkle" theory of the Bush bulge does NOT hold water. Please note that the President's advisors told him to do this.

Original Article of the "tailor" photo: http://www.thehill.com/under_dome/102004.aspx

Sincerely,

John Napiorkowski

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE OCTOBER 21, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.