October 29, 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.

Hi,

Instead of waiting for this corrupt administration to come up with some nefarious "October surprise" in these last few days before the election, why don't we take over the headlines with our own October surprises? One news story that I am astonished has been completely suppressed is Cheney's near death experience earlier this year. He spent the entire month of April 2004 hospitalized and incapacitated. This was reported in Roll Call, but has been suppressed by all other media. I have written the Washington Post about it and they have ignored my letters. This is crucial information for the voting public - the man one breath away from the presidency, and whom many believe to be the actual finger on the button, as it were, was completely out of commission for a full month. How many near fatal heart attacks has he had? How recently? And what has been the actual cost of his extensive medical care to us taxpayers? As a millionaire many times over thanks to Halliburton, has he had to pay one cent of his extensive medical bills, or do we taxpayers, most of whom struggle without full insurance or medical care, have to pay for his intensive care? Please join me in getting this story out into the media before it is too late! Thanks.

Caethe Richardson
an avid reader and fan

Subject: You're going to Vote?

You are going to vote? That's terrific! But you can do more and it may make a difference for Senator Kerry.

I made plans to take Nov. 2 off from work and I plan to go to New Hampshire to help get people to the polls to vote. I also may work at the polls, make phone calls to encourage people to vote, and anything else I can do to help.

You may not be able to take the day off Nov 2, but you can help after work. Call or email the Democratic Party and ask them if you can help. They probably will get excited and say yes. It might just make a huge difference and get Senator Kerry elected.

So how about it? It's not like they will not let you go when you want to. They will be so happy if you help out a little. It's your choice. And think how happy you'll feel for giving what you can.

Judy Walsh

Subject: Ohio Campaigning

While Bush is flying all over Ohio, I wonder if he plans to stop by Kent State?

Betsy

Subject: Bush is scheduled to be polled Nov. 2, 2004 by the American people

Bush is scheduled to be polled November 2, 2004 by the American people. (Besides Bush, the only other person who hasn't been polled is Dick Cheney's daughter.)

My prediction is that all the major news networks will declare John Kerry winner of the presidential election at 10PM West Coast time, which would be 1AM on the
East Coast. I am not ruling out that the margin of victory is so big that Kerry will be declared winner as early as 8:15 west coast time, right after the polls close, but the networks will probably wait a little bit just to cover their rather large posterior.

I predict a final popular vote of Kerry 52%, Bush 48%.

All those recent registrations haven't been polled just yet. Soon the whole world will hear from these voters, and President Bush will be furiously searching for lubricant as he realizes he has been polled big time.

Mike in Seattle

Subject: Wild accusations

Please don't pass up this opportunity. The television news is on in the background and the George Bush sound bite is something like "We can't have a president making wild accusations without knowing all the facts."

We need an ad replaying that statement, followed by all his assertions that Iraq was "a gathering threat," that Iraq possesses vast stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, that the Iraqis will welcome us as liberators, that our mission is accomplished in Iraq.

Will someone please create this ad and air it tomorrow? PLEASE!!!!

jn

Subject: w ketchup

Did you here about W ketchup? It runs like the president.

Scott

Subject: Please note usage: "Kerry" vs. "Mr. Bush"

Dear BuzzFlash:

If it's possible and not too much trouble, please inform your readers about one of the ways Big Media – in this case CBS News – subtly suggest to readers that Bush is better than Kerry.

CBS has been doing this for a long time, and I’ve f-----g had it. What they’re doing is referring to Senator Kerry simply as "Kerry," but Bush is always "President Bush" or "Mr. Bush."

See for yourself in today's CBS News.com article "Bombs Away on Iraq Explosives."

They refer to Bush 12 times, once as "President Bush." All the other references refer to him as “Mr. Bush.”

The article refers to Senator Kerry 13 times, only twice as “Sen. Kerry.” (In addition, Bush is quoted in the article as referring to Kerry as “Senator Kerry.”) All the other times, the article refers to him simply as “Kerry.”

SUMMARY:

President Bush: 1; Mr. Bush: 11; Bush: 0

Sen. Kerry: 2; Mr. Kerry: 0; Kerry: 11

So much for the “liberal media.” Thanks.

Steven R. Rhoads

Subject: Sending Out an SOS to United Nations: MAYDAY!

Dear United Nations Countries:

Please help us next Tuesday, November 2nd. The overwhelming majority of US citizens want to vote for John Kerry for President. We are the majority who voted for Al Gore in 2000, plus millions more new registrants, and we are urgently requesting your presence to ensure that everyone who desires to vote will be allowed to do so. It appears that it may be impossible to hold a legitimate election without U.N. assistance.

Please send emergency troops to our polling places and insist that each voter leave at least a paper ballot marking their choice for President.

Please send emergency accountants to watch over the tallying process and the Electoral
College. The other races and resolutions can be counted in the usual way, being unimportant compared to fraud in the election of our country's leader.

President Bush plans a hostile takeover, evident from his orders to arrest and use riot control measures against non-supporters. The President has violated every known National and International Treaty and Convention regulation, and our Congress refuses to move toward justifiable impeachment proceedings.

In this most desperate of situations in which a criminal is the Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America, I beg you to act immediately. History dictates that the longer a self-appointed tyrant is in power, the worse the consequences for that country's people and their rights.

We, the people, are being prevented from participating in our country's direction in every way, even though we are funding it monetarily through our tax dollars. The worldwide disapproval of President Bush is echoed by 60% or more of Americans, yet our polls reflect a tied race in order to make the outcome believable.

I'm sending out an S.O.S. and MAYDAY to every nation on this planet. President Bush is despised around the world and his policies do not represent the vast majority of our people. Please help us. Send your hearts and consciences to us, if not your best and brightest, on November 2nd. I'm begging you.

Susan Jolly
Atlanta, GA

Subject: Question

What are we going to do if the massive fraud and voter intimidation already beginning does lead to a Bush "victory"? What are we prepared to do? Knowing as we do how the Republican dominated Supreme Court and the Republican controlled Congress will vote if they "arbitrate," what indeed are we prepared to do to take back our democratic process?

Will we simply roll over and play dead again as we did in 2000 while right-wing propagandists begin a "preemptive" propaganda campaign to claim that it was the Democrats who were doing the cheating and intimidating? Will we once again give in to Republican taunts to "get over it"? Will we launch futile legal action knowing where that will lead given the right-wing tilt of the Supreme Court?

Should we hit back at the Republicans where they hurt most - in their wallets? Maybe a national and international boycott, of all states and companies that do business with those states, until we get a fair accounting of our votes and an impartial investigation into the obvious cases of fraud might get their attention.

I think we have to think seriously of a strategy to deal with this potential crisis on and after November 2. With the Republicans already disrupting, cheating and intimidating voters, what will our response be? Rolling over and playing dead cannot be an option any longer because the future of true democracy in this country is at stake.

Jonathan Tan

Subject: Reason to Worry???????

Dear BuzzFlash Readers,

I'm deeply concerned about Florida. The Swift Boat SmearVets plan to run a half hour attack ad the night before the election. They've bought air time in selected Florida markets.

Something needs to be done about this. There has to be some way to buy an equal amount of time on the same stations to counter the smear. Michael Moore, George Soros, ACT, MoveOn.Org, Brothers in Arms--somebody needs to step up and make sure that these political assassins don't sway any votes.

Marc Levenson
Castro Valley, California

Subject: President Kerry

I will like to suggest to our base to stop saying that MAYBE Kerry will win.....NO, NO, NO, we must have a firm belief that he IS winning, and no matter what tricks the Republicans come up with trying to steal the election again, WE, THE PEOPLE, will not allow it to happen, we are going to take matters in our hands instead of relying on the Democrats on Capitol Hill, which I personally hold them responsible for the destruction of our beloved country during these last four years. If they would have not given up so easily and fought the election fiasco in Florida, thousands of lives would have been saved and thousands of billions would not have been added to our debt.

From now on, let us refer as President Kerry, a President elected by WE, THE PEOPLE.

Jocelyn
Miami, Florida

Subject: Will we rejoin the community of nations?

George Bush speaks derogatorily about the 'global test.' Over the course of his administration, our nation has failed that test over and over and over. Fate willing, Kerry may have an opportunity to retake some of those tests. How can we regain the respect of the world?

1. Immediately try or release the Guantanamo inmates and dismantle the system that created it.

2. Track the torture at Abu Ghraib all the way up the chain of command and PROSECUTE those responsible.

3. Abide by the Geneva conventions. ALL of them.

4. Start listening to what the people of Iraq and the Mideast want and try to help them achieve it rather than forcing them to take what we think they should have.

5. Listen to and cooperate with our allies and the peoples of the world.

6. Restore democracy and the Bill of Rights here at home.

7. Sign on to the Kyoto Protocol. Bring our nation and its manufacturers into line in the fight against global warming.

8. Quit interfering in the self determination of other countries and stop propping up tin pot dictators who we later "must" take down.

9. Commit ourselves to caring more about human rights than property rights.

Last, but not least ...

10. Admit that no one died and left us God.

Kathy Gustafson
Brookings, SD

Subject: Setting the stage for a December Surprise

Why we need a decisive victory. And why the Electoral College has got to go!

Trashing registrations? Intimidation at the polling booths? Absentee ballots lost in the mail? Challenging legal voters? Interfering with the vote count? All that might be small potatoes as the post election meltdown begins. Forget about the Supreme Court getting involved again in the election. It does not have to lift a single gloved finger this time! (Actually, it didn't need to do this the last time, either. The old fools.) No, a "fix" exists that will literally void all the votes cast by the citizens of any given state. All that is necessary is to muddy the waters enough so that the outcome of the election is in doubt until that magic date: December 13.

Article II of the U.S. Constitution and Title 3 of the U.S. Code describe the procedures that will resolve a contested or inconclusive election. The Constitution says that a state shall "appoint" electors "in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct." A state doesn't even need to have an election and even if people vote, the state legislature can still decide to "appoint" its own slate regardless of the outcome. That's particularly true if the state has held an election to choose electors "and has failed to make a choice on the day prescribed by law" -- perhaps because the vote is so close that an accurate recount is not possible or there is no paper trail to make a recount feasible. In that case, the statute says that the state legislature may appoint the electors. Whoa!

Once electors are "appointed" -- regardless of how that is done -- their names then are sent by the governor to the Archivist of the United States. If there is a "controversy or contest" concerning the electors, the governor must also send the Archivist a statement of how it was resolved. The electoral votes will be opened on "the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December" (that would be December 13 for 2004) and officially counted on Jan. 6. If the state in question has resolved its controversy by the December 13 date, then the statute pledges that Congress will abide by the governor's certification of the state's choice. If the state has not resolved its internal dispute by the deadline and there are two sets of electors claiming victory, then the issue goes to Congress. If the House and Senate both choose the same slate, then those electors' votes will be counted. But if the two houses disagree on the proper slate to be counted, then the statute requires Congress to abide by the governor's certification.

Just take a hard, long look at the legislature and governors of the most important swing states: Florida and Ohio. Mmmh, let's guess who they would want to appoint as electors. And if the other side does not give up and there are two sets of electors, Congress will get to choose which one it will pick. And who dominates Congress, especially the House? Mmmh. Now if the House and the Senate cannot agree which slate to accept, who's the final arbiter then? Well, it's the governor's call. So, let's look at all of the swing states with this in mind:

Arkansas Governor: Mike Huckabee, Republican
Legislature: House Majority: Democrat, Senate Majority: Democrat

Colorado Governor: Bill Owens, Republican
Legislature: House Majority: Republican, Senate Majority: Republican

Florida Governor: Jeb Bush, Republican
Legislature: House Majority: Republican, Senate Majority: Republican

Iowa Governor: Tom Vilsack, Democrat
Legislature: House Majority: Republican Senate, Majority: Republican

Maine Governor: John Baldacci, Democrat
Legislature: House Majority: Democrat, Senate Majority: Democrat

Michigan Governor: Jennifer Granholm, Democrat
Legislature: House Majority: Republican, Senate Majority: Republican

Minnesota Governor: Tim Pawlenty, Republican
Legislature: House Majority: Republican, Senate Majority: Democrat DFL

Missouri Governor: Bob Holden, Democrat
Legislature: House Majority: Republican Senate, Majority: Republican

Nevada Governor: Kenny Guinn, Republican
Legislature: House Majority: Democrat, Senate Majority: Republican

New Hampshire Governor: Craig Benson, Republican
Legislature: House Majority: Republican, Senate Majority: Republican

New Mexico Governor: Bill Richardson, Democrat
Legislature: House Majority: Democrat, Senate Majority: Democrat

Ohio Governor: Bob Taft, Republican
Legislature: House Majority: Republican, Senate Majority: Republican

Oregon Governor: Ted Kulongoski, Democrat
Legislature: House Majority: Republican, Senate Majority: Democrat

Pennsylvania Governor: Edward Rendell, Democrat
Legislature: House Majority: Republican, Senate Majority: Republican

West Virginia Governor Bob Wise, Democrat
Legislature: House Majority: Democrat, Senate Majority: Democrat

Wisconsin Governor: Jim Doyle, Democrat
Legislature: House Majority: Republican Senate, Majority: Republican

Do you really think that an administration that started a war with such a criminal disregard for the truth and the common good will hesitate one moment to use every possible loophole and twist of the law to remain in power?

Is there a place where volunteers for the Second Coming of the American Revolution can sign up?

Heiderose Kober
One Pissed Grandma in Efland, NC

Subject: Herman Post: An Election Hero [short].

...Herman Post, who said he divided his time between Connecticut and Boca Raton, said he called the Palm Beach County elections office 10 days ago to inquire about a ballot he requested in September, and was told it had been mailed on Oct. 12.

When Mr. Post still had not received the ballot by Wednesday, he said, he called back.

"They say they never mailed me one, that there's no record from me having applied for it," he said. "I think there's obviously some phony baloney going on down there."

Mr. Post, 82, said he would drive to Florida to vote, leaving Connecticut at dawn on Sunday.

Passion and Election Disputes On Rise in Florida as Vote Nears (NY Times/Truthout)

Russ

Subject: Re Man "Allegedly" Tries to Run Down Katherine Harris. Maybe It Was a Rove
Effort to Portray Dems as Evildoers Out to Get the Canoodling Katherine
10/28

Is anyone sure it wasn't Shep Smith from Faux News trying to get a parking space?

Alamaine
Grand Forks, North Dakota, US of A

Subject: WHOOO-HOO!!!

RED SOX!!!! Be of good cheer, people, the eclipse and the red sox win signal a new beginning.

I sat next to a CIA psy-ops (of all people!) in a good ol boys bar in Cambridge!! (How did I know? He spoke CHINESE and we had a mutual comrade. He totally clammed up as to why he's leaving the country on Nov. 1. Hmmm.)

No matter. Kerry's a shoo-in and the only question is how much violence on Nov. 2 and whether the theft and the spin can hold under the landslide support for change and a fresh start!!!

Glory, glory!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: international access

We should just write 'em that we'll visit the GeorgeWBush.org web site to get our Bush campaign information instead. Wouldn't that just piss em off.

BTW I never got my absentee ballot. If it hadn't been for this article...

Suppressing the overseas vote (Salon/Guardian.com)

I wouldn't have known how to cast my vote in time.

"Mad as hell and not going to take it anymore" in Germany

Subject: Missing Munitions

Today KSTP channel 5 news in Minneapolis showed footage of the local reporters embedded with the 101 Airborne division. They were at the Al Qaqaa munitions dump days after the invasion and have footage of the weapons in question.

Daniel K.

Subject: Bush's Munitions

Bush locked down the OIL but not the ammunition? Plans for oil, no plans for munitions? What does that say??

Ron H.
Crete, IL

Subject: DeLay losing his mind

Dear Buzz,

While browsing at Atrios, I came across a posting claiming Tom"The Roach" DeLay made the following statement, to wit that Kerry is getting money from Daily Kos, a group known to raise money for terrorists, to paraphrase.

Buzz, I think Tom needs some 'attention.' Some very probing attention. Like Naomi Kline gave to Jim Baker.

I think the pubbies are scared, really scared to make bizarre charges like Kos supporting Iraqis or some such nonsense.

Help if you can. In a follow up, I hope you are going to put "Proud members of the Reality Based Community" on your masthead, soon.

Thanks for BuzzFlash!

Steve in Syracuse

Subject: sound bites for Kerry

I don't know if there's anywhere to send ideas like this but I feel Kerry needs some good sound bites. If you know anyone to send this to, here's a suggestion.

Rumsfeld Cheney and Bush are fond of saying that "Best defence is a good offence" but history has shown that the worst possible defence is a BAD offence. The invasion and occupation of Iraq is a poorly planned and badly executed offence which has weakened our defences across the board.

Scott

Subject: Fill in the Blanks


_____ went to war obviously knowing most of the intelligence was flawed, exaggerated, or just blatant lies.

_____ used a vile phrase to berate a Senator he didn't agree with, in the hallowed halls of the Senate.

_____ is accused of going AWOL, allegedly to avoid a urine test, a crime that could at the worst be punishable by death in time of war. He can offer no credible evidence to refute the charges.

_____ found guilty of obtaining land illegally which later reaped huge profits as a major league ballpark.

_____ charged with raping woman who was later found dead of a gunshot wound to the head. It was officially ruled a suicide. True or not, the investigation was dropped.

_____ held an energy meeting with unnamed executives to form national policy. When the country faced a national energy crisis and some of the suspected attendees at the meeting were accused of crimes, he still refuses to give names or details.

_____ appeared at a debate, with what seemed to be an electronic device, hidden in his clothes. Will not give a reasonable explanation.

_____ has a past filled with drunkenness, drug use and run-ins with the police. Refuses to discuss any of the circumstances.

_____ stayed seated in a classroom while his country was under attack for an agonizing amount of time. The blank, bewildered look on his face somehow became interpreted as trying to keep the school children calm.

_____ declared a war was over, even though Americans continue to be killed and the country is more unsettled than ever.

_____ claimed he never made a statement he was accused of making. Video showed him actually making the statement. He still will not admit he made the statement.

Now put President Clinton's name in all the blanks and let's guess what the "fair and balanced" Conservatives would do. There wouldn't be enough Ken Starrs to keep up with the investigations.

Mel Spiegel
Jupiter, Florida

Subject: martial law

I woke thinking that Fox and even CNN are prepping their faithful for a huge Bush win. When it doesn't happen, they'll be out on the streets. The assault weapon ban is over. The police -- helpless. And the National Guard is gone.

Is this the perfect set up for Rove's martial law?

Even the military is turning on them, and we know our intelligence is divided -- who is being threatened with outing or blackmail?

Fear. People be wise, be wise.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Time to put up...

There are only a few days left before America hires or fires a president. Sen. John Kerry and President George Bush are said to be in a statistical dead heat. Some polls show Bush in the lead and others give Kerry the advantage. For those of us who have a vital stake in this election, it's time to put up or shut up. Sending those last minute contributions to our favorite candidates and getting ourselves and others to the polls is imperative. We owe it to our children......their future is at stake. Let's do it!

Dee Turner
Atlanta

Subject: Story you should post

After The Denver Post endorsed Bush on Sunday, 700 letters...EVERYONE dissenting!

Editor's note: More than 700 readers have given us their thoughts on Sunday's presidential endorsement, and they add up to a passionate dissent. An endorsement is meant to provide the newspaper's perspective and to stimulate readers' consideration of issues and candidates. Most readers look over the paper's analysis and then draw their own conclusions, as today's letters certainly demonstrate. Every letter we received was critical of the Post endorsement; we publish a sampling here today.

http://www.denverpost.com/...

Jon

Subject: Bush, Flips the Bird in Front of a Camera.

Dear Folks,

While in this video, you will see a younger George W. Bush, it shows that he does lack any class in the flipping the bird at the camera. It used to be that Americans aspired for greatness in their leaders, now they are settling for the bottom of the barrel. And we are supposed to respect him why? We should hold our heads high as Americans? Why? When
some have compared him to Winston Churchill, would Churchill have done such a thing?

http://static.vidvote.com/movies/bushuncensored.mov

Mary!

Subject: explosives

Might want to play this bigger on your site given Drudge's play of the likely bogus Washington Times piece saying the Russians moved the stuff:

More Proof Explosives Were There AFTER the Bush Cartel Invasion. The U.S. Army Even Left the Bunkers Open After Opening Them with Bolt Cutters.
10/28

By the way, is it just me, or do others find it interesting that we just now found out, from European intelligence services, about the Russians doing that? I mean in the story they say no way insurgents could have carried the stuff away because it would have taken several large trucks and a lot of activity.

That leads to the question: Is this just absolute bullshit (the Russian story), or was Bush so poorly prepared for this war that his intelligence didn't even notice the presence of Russian troops and convoys of trucks headed to Syria?

What lies will these people not tell in an effort to keep power? (just asking)

Chris Courogen

Subject: Kids Play Hooky So Voters Don't: Tap High School Students for GOTV Efforts

Common wisdom says that the outcome of this election will hinge on Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts. Right now organizations such as MoveOn, America Coming Together, Driving Votes, and others are struggling to get enough volunteers to accomplish their missions on election day. One major problem is that the election is held on Tuesday, a weekday, when a majority of voting adults must work. Many people struggle to find the time to make it to the polls, so forget about taking the whole day to volunteer.

There is an easily tappable resource for these volunteers, however: High schools.

Think about it. Tens of thousands of high school students, many able to drive, few able to vote - sitting in high schools across our country.

Does the outcome of the election affect them? You bet. But what can they do? The extent of their current empowerment is limited to taking part in mock votes held in
their schools. By encouraging and facilitating the voting of others, these young citizens will in effect be "voting." You don't have to be eighteen, you don't have to be able to vote, just be able to think, talk, and drive.

This idea has something for students, parents, and teachers.

For Students:

1. You have an interest in this, especially if you believe there might be a draft in the pipeline.

2. Make your voice heard, even if you can't vote.

3. Day out of school. What high school kid wouldn't be thrilled at the thought of taking the day off to drive around for a good cause?

For Parents and Teachers:

1. If you have to work, send your kid as a surrogate. Better yet, play hooky yourself and share the activity!

2. Your child will learn more about the way the electoral system works in this one day
than in a month of civics classes.

3. Your child will be working to improve the education system by sending a real "education president" to the White House.

Call it "Hooky for Kerry," "Hooky the Vote," or "Civics 101" - it really doesn't matter. What matters is getting in touch with these students, letting them know that they do have a voice in this election, and showing them how they can make that voice heard.

Rob Adams

Subject: Dangerous George

"If Senator Kerry had his way ... Saddam Hussein would still be in power, he would control all those weapons and explosives, and could have shared them with our terrorist enemies."

Could have?!? What a dummy.

George, our terrorist enemies didn't have access to them until YOU handed it to them! You answered their prayers better than Allah himself... No wonder they like you over there.

jj

Subject: EVERY Newspaper throughout the land should on Monday...

Publish the:

• Election Fraud Law that governs in their jurisdiction;
• Voter Fraud Law for their jurisdiction;
• VOTER RIGHTS ACT (of 1965 I think?)

ON their FRONT PAGE ...

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Trail of Errors

While there may be some confusion over when - exactly - the 380 tons of munitions "moved on," it is only the latest in a trail of problems of this type during the war. Beyond the folly of even going to war in the first place, there are the facts of the lack of security being established at a large number of critical sites in Iraq until after they had been looted. The Iraqi government offices that held the records of the abuses of the government, the offices that held the records of any possible evidence of nuclear and chemical weapon development, many smaller munitions dumps (some in residential areas) were left untended for weeks if not months. There were cases of several nuclear materials
storage areas being unguarded, where looting took place. In at least one report, (some of?) the materials were found in houses of local communities - putting the people at great risk. We all saw the video of the looting, often with US troops in the background taking no actions to prevent it. During the weeks following the fall of Baghdad I saw a number of large (some several acres) arms dumps with no troops in evidence, and many empty bunkers and storage racks.

The issue is not just this one dump - it is the total lack of planning for the protection of many areas in Iraq after the invasion. In some ways we were the victims of our own success - we went in so fast, with less resistance than expected, that our troops had trouble keeping up with themselves, much less secure every foot of the country. But we were also ill served by those who insisted on using the minimum number of troops to do the job, not allowing for the possibility - the necessity - of protecting such areas. Of the scenes of looting, we were told not to worry - "Freedom is messy" - and anyway, that it was really just one guy carrying one large vase out of one building. The current situation in Iraq is the direct result of the lack of planning by those people who truly believed the Iraqi people would greet us with open arms, dance in the streets and throw roses at our feet, and weep when we left in just 6 months. These people were so deluded they did not even conceive of the likelihood of an absolute disaster.

And now the President is saying it wasn't his responsibility to take care of such details, it was down at the platoon level - at the same time he calls any questions about the mess "disrespectful" of the troops.

Stephen M. Olds
Seattle, WA

Subject: And Yet Another Slimey Republican Trick

About three weeks ago I started to receive three or four 'autobot' calls a day from the RNC. My caller ID showed them as a 'private number.' One of them was even Zell Miller, eeek! Of course, I'm not much interested in what they have to say so I just ignored them and hung up for the first week. By the second week, it was getting annoying and I was also curious as to why the heck I was on their list, so I called them. I requested I be removed from their list and they said 'ok.'

The calls continued. I called them again today to find out why I was still receiving the calls and told them I would sooner poke my eye out with a stick than vote for Bush and I wasn't changing my mind. I was informed that it 'takes several weeks to be removed from the list.' Well doesn't that beat hell? The election will be over by then. Since they only started calling me three weeks ago, that means there is no way to be removed.

Oh yes, I'm on the 'do not call' list for solicitors.   Doesn't this constitute solicitation? Of course, who would expect this administration to follow Federal law at this late date?

Thank Heaven for answering machines!

Dianna in Ohio

Subject: Transmitter-gate

Why has the subject of Bush's hidden transmitter disappeared from the news? If this man used a hidden electronic device during the debates, he broke the rules and should be exposed. It indicates a deep character flaw in that he must believe the rules apply to other people, not him, and he can break them at will with no consequences. The American
people deserve the whole story on this before the election. Where are the journalists???

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: MSNBC - With 5 days left, attacks getting more personal

“A political candidate who jumps to conclusions without knowing the facts is not a person you want as your commander in chief,” Bush told supporters Wednesday.

Absolutely incredible that he said this. Incredible. Thanks, W. That should be Kerry's next and best commercial in the last week.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6351451/

jj

Subject: Broward County Ballot Theft

So, obviously the Bushies want to play dirty.

Here's something to think about, in Broward County 58,000 ballots disappeared from the US Post Office.

Now, let's examine how 58,000 of anything could just...disappear. Ballots tend to be on fairly thick paper, and comprise multiple pages. Let's say for simplicity that these ballots are four 11x14 sheets each.

Now, think about how thick your average 1000 page book is. That's printed on thin paper usually, not nearly as thick as the "hallmark card" quality of thickness that a ballot has.

Okay, so you have basically 240,000 pages of 11x14 thick paper. Because of the thickness of the paper ballots are printed on, we'll multiply the number of pages by two.

240,000 x 2 = 480,000.

Let's think about the size of this shipment. Imagine 480 books, each 11x14 in size, and each with 1000 pages, that is about the size of the shipment the post office received. Now, supposedly all of that just "got lost" or "disappeared." Even the idea of moving that much weight (have you ever carried a box with just 10 or 12 books in it?) involves an exercise in planning. Supposedly, though, they just "disappeared," and nobody is going
to call this the fraud that it is until it's too late.

Bush is the man who has to gain here, his brother Jeb is the Governor of the state, and we aren't supposed to think this was a theft?

This is election tampering on a grand scale folks. This is tyranny, and unless we show up at the polls in a flood of support for Kerry there is no way we're going to turn back this violation of every American's right to vote.

We must vote, we must make sure everybody we know knows the facts, and votes.

Update: I just went to the Broward County web site and took a look at their ballot.

http://www.browardsoe.org/voting/ballots/110204/GeneralSample-110204-english.pdf

It is 18 pages long. That means this theft is possibly on the order of four times what I originally thought.

CitizenRob

Subject: re: Mailbag, Phil in Vt, "Looks as if Mass. is going to have a triple header!"

I think we should call it the Trifecta!!!!

jj

Subject: Curt Schilling

Did anyone see the Boston Pitcher and his wife on the Today Show??? I did not either, but I have been hearing all day...that as he was leaving...he told the world, "Everyone be sure and get out and vote, for George Bush?"

I wasn't nuts about him before...after all, they took down the best team in the National League...year 2004...........but, that was a cheap shot!!

As I said before...if it gets Kerry elected...I will gladly give up the series, but with people like Schilling, not nice!!!

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

Subject: Kerry has as much chance of becoming President as The Red Sox have of winning a World Series

Hi BuzzFlash,

Let's see now; in 2004. . .

NE Patriots Super Bowl Champs; Boston Red Sox World Series Champs; Connecticut's UConn Men NCAA Champs; Connecticut's UConn Women NCAA Champs. All New England TEAMS!!!

Some blogger once wrote: "Face it, Kerry has as much chance of winning on November 2 as the Red Sox do of winning the World Series."

Soooo, It Looks Like - - - Kerry In A Landslide!!

Tom

Subject: F for Victory . . .

BuzzFlash,

Regarding the video of Bush's "one-fingered victory salute taped at a production facility during the later months of Bush's term as governor of Texas," . . . what Americans see is exactly what we Americans got from Bush in the White House.

Screwed and Tattooed by Bush . . . lasting for many years to come.

Thanks Bush and back attcha . . .

Thanks BuzzFlash,

Shirley Smith

Subject: What it's like in Florida

And the harassment is going on at all levels. I put a Kerry/Edwards sign in my yard a few days ago and discovered this morning that it had been covered up with a Bush/Cheney sign. Folks at the Dem Hdqtrs say that "scores" of people have complained about signs being stolen. When I called the sheriff's office, they refused to take my complaint and said to call the Republicans for removal. When I called the Repub Hdqtrs, some smart ass asked me if I had taken my medicine this morning and hung up. It seems that we can't even be safe on our own property from personal violations and hateful, hostile, directly violent acts.

Joyce Chumbley
Orlando, Florida

Subject: Please spank the NY TIMES!

Dear BuzzFlash:

I went to a spa today to decompress before the last push before the election, and yet my relaxation was ruined by the damned New York Times, the so-called "liberal" paper!

Their headline cast Bush as responding to "Kerry's charge" --- as if Kerry made up the charge, that Bush let weapons be stolen.

Please take the NYTimes to the mat for this, as you often do. I'm sure your headlines irk them, and that's the least they deserve. So much for their apology on helping to mislead our nation into war if they keep on misleading! I wish we could sue and/or fine them for such slanted misinformation.

Thanks.

Robyn Su
Quincy, MA

Subject: Bush flip flops

Why isn't more being made of the fact that Bush told Charlie Gibson the other day that he now supports civil unions? What is that doing to Bush's christian right base?

And the doctored photo that just hit cnn. I love BuzzFlash and was surprised it wasn't on your afternoon update.

Keep up the good work. We really need you.

Brenda Correll
Inkom, ID

Subject: voter disenfranchisement help

Dear Buzz,

Just heard about an Indiana case where a new young voter was purged from the roles on a technicality. I'm advising her to participate in the election by joining a phone bank effort and to tell her story when appropriate.

How about if all early voters who suddenly find they are not allowed to vote take the attitude "don't get mad, get even" and join, for instance, a phone bank or canvassing activity. Replace their lost vote with several others, in other words.

Pass it on.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Zogby!!

On Thurs nite Daily Show, John Zogby (he of the polling org. which is really the most accurate), responding to a direct question by Jon Stewart--"who will win?"-- announced in all seriousness and with certainty that--Kerry will win.

Many reasons--Bush's numbers are so bad, etc. He did qualify it, by saying that a candidate named "Not Bush" could win, too.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Zogby Predicts Kerry Win

Did you see it? On tonight's The Daily Show, Zogby predicted a Kerry win. He said that W was polling too low for an incumbent, but that "not Bush" polled higher than Kerry. (As a Deaniac, I find perverse pleasure in that fact.)

Bobbi Hoffman
Roanoke, Va

Subject: Does Bush have mouth cancer

Does George W. Bush have cancer of the mouth? He declined to take his annual physical in
August. During the debates his left lip was drooping and drooling. He has a nervous facial tick and bites his lip. His speech is slurred, he appears fatigued. As a nurse, I can say those are symptoms of oral cancer. His heavy use of chewing tobacco and alcohol makes him a prime candidate for cancer of the mouth.

Paul

Subject: Ultimate Responsibility

Commenting about the 380 tons of explosives that are missing from the Al-QaQaa facilities, former NYC Mayor and salivating Bush supporter Rudy Giuliani said, "No matter how you try to blame it on the president the actual responsibility for it really would be for the troops that were there. Did they search carefully enough?"

How can anyone in his or her right mind think that Bush is not responsible for this situation? President Bush is Commander-in-chief and bears ULTIMATE responsibility for all military operations in the war in Iraq. I find Mr. Giuliani’s and the GOP’s attempt to shift blame from the current administration to the troops to be contemptible and disrespectful of our brave men and women fighting in Iraq. Our troops serve courageously, with honor, and follow orders that come down the Chain of Command. The “actual” problem is there are broken links, weak links and, possibly, a Missing Link at the top of the Chain.

BB in Ohio

Subject: Zogby says Kerry will win!

Did you watch the Daily Show tonight? Jon Stewart asked John Zogby who will win and, without a moment's hesitation, Zogby answered that Kerry will win. Zogby's always been right on and I have more faith in him than any of the others, especially Gallup, since they've become another "born again" front.

There's a momentum that I've been sensing these past few days. So, I was happy with John Zogby's assessment. Then I read on AlterNet that Kerry's ahead by over 7,000 votes in the early voting in Nevada. Bush carried the state by 21,000 votes in 2000. He also promised the good folks of the Silver State that he was against the disposal of all of the nation's nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, just 90 miles from Las Vegas and situated on an active fault. Once he stole the election, he did a 360 on his Yucca Mountain stand.

Could that be a flip-flop? Now Georgie Boy has some "splainin" to do in Nevada. And the rest of the country is concerned as well because thinking people are just naturally alarmed at the thought of nuclear waste being hauled on our highways and railways from all over the country. Talk about your terrorists' targets of opportunity.

80,000 people turned out in Madison, Wisconsin to see John Kerry and Bruce Springsteen. More good energy for Kerry-Edwards. Let's keep it going. Get out the vote!

Judy Maclean
Colorado

Subject: Should be the BuzzFlash headline!!!

On the loss of 360 Tons of weapons...

One - the Minnesota TV station that was embedded with the troops played the video of the explosives which were STILL THERE when the GIs got there. All verifiable and many, many witnesses...

Two - David Kay confirmed this tonight on CNN. He was VERY clear and definitive. The weapons were there when the Americans arrived. Add that to what BUSH, Cheney and Rumsfeld said today and you've REALLY got them in lies!

Howard Lerner

Subject: aaron brown

Tonight on Newsnight, Aaron Brown had a clip of the ABC video shot on April 18th at Al Qaqaa showing barrels of explosives in a bunker. It showed a seal on the door which was cut by the soldiers. Brown had David Kay as a guest and he confirmed that the seal was an IAEA seal and that the barrels were certainly the high powered HMX explosives that have gone missing. There was no doubt in his mind.

Reuters also reports on this video and confirms the conclusion.

Sigrid Smith
North Haven, CT

Subject: Where did the missing weapons come from?

I’m just a little curious. Re the photos of the weapons from 5 eyewitness news show -- the containers are marked in English. Where or who did Saddam get these explosives from?

Rick Lockhart

Subject: BREAKING - Al Qaqaa Weapons "date of manufacture" circa 1989

Just started watching the raw videos, of those weapons. The GI reads the dates aloud, circa 1989. George H.W. Bush was president from 1989-1993, so this stuff was delivered, sometime during, or after 1989...the markings appear to be all in English...maybe US made...

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/29/politics/29bomb.html...

Iraq invades Kuwait, Aug. 2, 1990.

Operation Desert Shield begins, Aug. 7.

Here, the GI reads the "date of manufacture"???

http://www.king5.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer...

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Concerning the so-called "Security Mom" phenomenon

Hey Buzz,

News flash! Bimbo alert! That's right, compadre. The risible Rove Administration thinks that all women are air-headed Bimbos, with a capital B. (Or is that spelled "Bimboes"? Where's Dan Quayle when you need him?!) Oh, well. Anyhoo, the bottom line is this, gentle readers. The Rove Administration does not respect the intelligence of women. What I'm trying to say is it (the Rove Administration) doesn't think that women are capable of higher level cognition. In other words, it thinks that women are logically challenged; that women are highly susceptible to emotional manipulation. That the Rove Administration harbors this condescending stereotypical image of women is clearly betrayed by the cynical campaign strategy it is engaging in vis a vis this particular "voting block."

Just look how this same Rove Administration is trying so mightily to convince women voters that George W. Bush, a.k.a. Buff Daddy, is a big, strong, alpha male who is uniquely qualified to "protect" them. What is being played out here before our eyes is a subtly sophisticated, subliminal "head game" to scare women into submission. Nothing less. But why would the Rove Administration resort to a campaign of abject scare tactics, you ask? Because the record it has to run on is nothing short of abysmal, and it needs to deflect attention away from that fact. Simple as that.

This lying Rove Administration is trying to convince women voters that John Kerry will not "protect" them because it knows that on every real issue of substance, it loses. It hopes that by keeping National Security front and center, that by exploiting what it perceives as women's higher susceptibility to fear and emotionalism, women will forget about the Supreme Court, and "equal pay for equal work," and the minimum wage, and Health Care, and Education, and the Environment, and increasing poverty rates, and the declining standard of living of the middle class - and all the other issues that are important to them. In short, it must be concluded, the Rove Administration thinks that women are not right bright.

But I got another news flash just for the Rove Administration! Women aren't as dumb as y'all hope, guys. That's right. Women can chew bubble gum and walk at the same time. Unlike Buff Daddy. And, yes, women are, in fact, capable of higher mental processes; i.e., logical analysis and evaluation.

Which brings me to my final point, gentle readers. To crunch time, as it were. Ergo, it is time now, gentle readers, to subject the central argument of the Rove Administration to logical examination; i.e., that John Kerry cannot be trusted to protect America. If this argument were valid, then why would John Kerry have the support of people like General Wes Clark? And Admiral Crowe? And General McPeak? To name just a few of the distinguished corps of Generals and Admirals who are supporting John Kerry's candidacy.

First of all, it goes without saying that the patriotism of all of this military "Top Brass" is unimpeachable. Furthermore, they not only have a profound and intense concern about the issue of National Security, they also know a little bit about it. Some might even go so far as to suggest that each of them knows more about it than Karl Rove, Dick Cheney and George W. Bush all rolled up in one. They looked at George W. Bush, and they looked at John Kerry, and they decided to support John Kerry. Why? Because they think that John Kerry will be, in fact, stronger on National Security than George W. Bush. The question, then, in the final analysis, boils down to this; Whose judgment do you trust more when it comes to the issue of National Security? Do you trust the judgment of people like Clark, Crowe and McPeak, or do you trust the judgment of people like Rove and Cheney? Case closed, gentle readers.

Best regards,

G. Will Hunter

P. S. Buzz. First of all, I don't profess to be a computer expert. Not by a long shot. Nonetheless, I do have some nagging misgivings about these touch screen voting machines, based upon questions that have been raised by people who know more about these things than I do. For example; Who, pray tell, is programming the discs that are used in these machines? Do we know? Would it be theoretically possible to program these discs in such a way that the touch screen would indicate the selection of one candidate, but the vote would be tabulated for a different candidate? Would it be theoretically possible to program these discs to show a predetermined result? Given the well documented comments of a certain executive of one of these companies that makes these machines, I am not terribly reassured. And given the rather pervasive lack of confidence in the integrity of these machines, might it make sense to scrap all of these machines this time around, at least until these issues are definitively addressed and clarified, and move to a simple paper ballot?