November 2, 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: Why did they let him get away?

On bin Laden resurfacing:

All these years.

All these years we could have hunted that man down for the 3000 murders he committed.
We could have hunted him down at Tora Bora. But our leaders were too busy planning to invade another country with no ability to harm us.

Even after Tora Bora, we could have spent the next years chasing him relentlessly and bringing HIM to justice. But the President was "not that concerned about him."

All these years. Wasted.

Now he's STILL there, taunting us. Will President Bush's response to this new message be to invade Iran? Or Syria? Or Mexico?

Bush promised to bring bin Laden to justice. But he's still out there.

If, after all these years, President Bush magically produced bin Laden on a silver platter this November 2, 2004, it would STILL be too late. This President can never be forgiven for abdicating his responsibilities to all the Americans who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

GS Gordon
Dorchester, MA

Subject: Something to think about (Lifted from democraticunderground.com)

John Doe, a known murderer, kills your entire family. But first, imagine he had sent you a letter, stating he was going to kill your family.

You report the threat to the chief of police who... promptly goes on vacation and assigns no one to investigate.

Imagine you find your family murdered, and the entire hideous crime is caught on a security camera, which reveals the murderer to be, none other than John Doe.

Imagine the chief of police vowing on television, for the cameras, to bring your family's killer to justice.

But instead of pursuing their killer, he focuses all of his attention on catching shoplifters at the local WalMart.

Imagine the police chief is running for re-election, and on the eve of the election, John Doe appears at your door, taunting you because he has gone unpunished.

QUESTION: Do you vote to re-elect the chief of police?

Barry S.

Subject: So many things to keep up with

These people are legion...they have made this (s)election their life. You just have to wonder at the energy involved in this crusade of theirs and think how much good could be accomplished if they channeled it into real compassion, the financial kind, which is all so many in our society need to give them a leg up and on the road to being proud citizens. But no...it has to be acceptance of the boot heel on your neck or nothing according to these frauds. Compassion be damned.

Now we are trusting Repuglican mailing lists as "proof" that someone should be kept from voting. How do we know they didn't intentionally screw up their mailings in order to claim "foul" to disqualify 35,000 people? They supposedly used a postal master list....how accurate was that list? How well did they follow it? They should not be allowed to be the arbiter of who gets to vote based on mail that came back undeliverable. Maybe they are coordinated with the Florida postal officials who CANNOT FIND 58,000 ballots one week out from the (s)election! People could have moved in the last year or six months and not felt the need to contact the post office, but they might still have registered to vote at their new home. I find it so ironic that you can't VOTE outside your precinct, but you can CHALLENGE (read intimidate) outside your precinct...jeeeez....they can come from far and wide to stop you from voting, or making that provisional ballot count. What's wrong with this picture?

I agree about not having Limbaugh on for 11/2, but we also need to write to FAUX "News" about, at the very least, not having Bush's first cousin calling the race for him in the middle of the night and having all the other stations that have been doing this for years falling right in line behind him again this time.

"Socialize the cost, privatize the profits" is the Bush Repuglican mantra, and once again we are picking up the tab for them. The cost of this "war" on a tactic, prescription drugs in the new Medicare plan, Social Security privatization. Just like King George the Lesser's eminent domain trick to build his baseball stadium and have the unwilling taxpayers pick up the tab. Just like Neil Bush in the Silverado Savings and Loan scam, Jebbie's million dollar loan in Florida he failed to pay... we pick up the tab and the Bush family gets richer.

I watch C-Span every morning and I used to think that it was pretty unbiased and allowed everyone a voice. Recently however, it occurs to me that they sound more like a White House polling company with some of the absurd, tortured phrasing of the questions and the sticking to the topic no matter what. Like they have to get the answer from a certain amount of people to determine how they are going to spin a certain policy decision. The way they have (unlike in the past) a different exchange for the Kerry callers, as if to identify them (scary?) for future mailings (or worse?) and the way they now seem to question callers for Kerry about their positions (which throws them off their point and eats up their time) but let Bush supporters ramble on with statements that they know have been proven false. What's up with that? More Repuglican guests than Democrats, more "problems" with Kerry callers and then when they lose them they go to another Bush supporter instead of another Kerry one. How is that balanced? I see bias everywhere lately, it is the new norm. So very depressing. I keep letting them know, but so far for naught.

So now we have it! We don't need a draft even if Bush is selected again...we can just edit-in troops!! Need more soldiers in the field...just photo-shop them in! Perhaps that way we'll be allowed to see the pictures of their coffins when they come back.

I am so sick of hearing how "together" we were after 9/11, said wistfully, almost as if they wish we could have more of them to keep us all "together" again.

Does it scare anyone else that we are depending on Bush for "flu" vaccine while the P.N.A.C. has a section that states that biological warfare that can "target" specific genotypes could be "a politically (!) useful tool" ? How about Asians, or Hispanic or Blacks, or Gallic genotypes? Let's target people who are not to our liking....like the African continent...our new source of oil after Iraq.

I have ranted enough...I will continue to write letters and make phone calls to try to stem this never ending onslaught of zealots to see that John F. Kerry is truly ELECTED by a landslide that these "win by any means" folks have never seen.

Thank random chance for the birth of you BuzzFlash owners...you are really a light in the dark and someday you will be written about in the same reverent terms as Howard Dean who gave the Democrats back their voice after the Great Suppression of voices after 9/11.

Sue Bailey
North Kingstown, RI

Subject: George Bush lacks the will to protect the American people against Osama bin Laden

I am sending this letter to every news media person I can:

George Bush does not have the will to protect the American people against Osama bin Laden. It has been three years since 9/11 and this mass murderer is still on the loose, waiting for an opportunity to become a serial killer mass murderer.

Bush said Mission Accomplished but Osama is still free and we are diverted to Iraq according to Bush’s plan, a stupid plan by a dangerously incompetent President.
George Bush cannot protect us against terrorism. He tried to stop a videotape of Osama bin Laden. Other than interfering with a free press, the bulwark of democracy, he ought to be fighting against the real OBL and not his image. George Bush thinks controlling the press is okay because he controls the American press.

John Kerry is going to go after the right guy, OBL, and stop this humiliation of the American people and the bought and paid for press of George Bush.

George Bush controls the American press by using it. He gets his spot and then he or his people say whatever they want no matter what they are asked by the interviewer. George Bush has destroyed one of democracy’s greatest weapons for defense against tyranny and terrorism, a free press. Don’t let George Bush do it again to us by doing it to you!

Margaret Waid

Subject: New Tape IS Rovian October Surprise

Dear BuzzFlash:

How short is public memory? The latest tape from Osama Bin Laden has received ample airtime on the cable news networks, repeating on CNN about every half hour or so. Yet I remember a Bush administration that pled with news networks shortly after 9/11 not to air any video from Bin Laden. Their rationale was that he could be using the news channels to pass messages and directions to his sleeper cells here in America.

I guess that fear is forgotten as long as Karl Rove sniffs any potential Bush bounce from the tape.

Frank Rodriquez
Norman, OK

Subject: Interesting side note...Why did OBL not mention us attacking Iraq...cause he was happy we did him a favor

Just wondering. Why did Osama Bin Laden not mention, in his gripes about the USA, that he was angry about our attacking Iraq? OBL was glad we took out Saddam as Saddam was a thorn in OBL's side. They were enemies, not cohorts. Proves again that Bush attacked a country, Iraq, that had no links with OBL.

BuzzFlash Addict

Subject: Letter to the Editor - Osama and the Election

It's hard to tell how Osama bin Laden will affect the election since his October surprise appearance just 4 days before the polls open. Osama apparently wants to affect the election - but in what way?

The conventional wisdom is that Osama helps Bush because in the past whenever there have been terror alerts Bush's numbers have gone up, and Osama is the ultimate boogie man. On the other hand - the very fact that Osama has surfaced and is looking fit and healthy is a stark reminder that Bush failed to capture and kill him like he promised to. And - I hate to agree with Osama on this - but if Bush had ordered fighter jets into the air instead of doing the photo op reading "My Pet Goat" to kids - then those planes might have been intercepted before they could hit us.

So Osama hurts Bush because he exists and speaks and reminds us that
Bush has failed to get him.

Perhaps we can guess who Osama wants to win by figuring out who will benefit him the most? Does Osama want Bush or Kerry to win? It's been 3 years since 9/11 and Osama is not only free - but he's well dressed and looking fit and trim. Looks like he's doing very well under Bush. America is bogged down in an unrelated war and has become a symbol of
fund raising for the terrorists. High oil prices are making the bin Laden family very rich. From that it would seem that he would want to keep Bush.

Furthermore - Osama says that neither Bush or Kerry can keep America safe and that if we don't attack him - he won't attack us. It's like he's trying to make a deal. Bush has been playing down Osama in the last two years saying, "truly am not that concerned about him." Perhaps the reason America hasn't been attacked is because Bush made a deal? I would think Osama would want a president who was not concerned about him.

So - what is Osama's hidden message? Perhaps he wants you to vote for Nader? Who can tell?

I'm Marc Perkel - And I approved this message!

Marc Perkel
San Francisco, CA

Subject: Spinning Polls

Hi, BuzzFlash.

It occurred to me this morning that from here on out we should completely ignore everything we hear about who's ahead in what state and by how much.

Republicans clearly value power above all else, so what's to stop them from spinning the numbers in these last few days to influence whether people vote, but without even resorting to the unseemly tactics of voter challenges and the like?

For example, I'm in Ohio. I'm a single mom with a job and a daughter who's involved in sports. My days are always busy. So let's say I hear on the news Monday night that Kerry's stretched his lead in Ohio by a good, though not insurmountable, margin. In the hectic pace that is my day, might I think, "Geez, I'm so busy. How am I going to find time to vote? Do I even need to? After all, I heard Kerry has this state pretty much wrapped up."

By contrast, my Bush-supporting counterpart thinks, "Holy cow! Even if little Brittney is late for soccer, I've GOT to get to the polls! We could lose this thing!"

We Kerry supporters need to keep thinking that our own vote is the decisive one, and we need to remind all our like-minded friends and family members of the same thing, no matter what they might be hearing on CNN.

Sincerely,

Cathy Vance

Subject: 8 more Marines dead, FOR WHAT?

Eight more US Marines were killed in Iraq, probably with a car bomb from the explosives the Bush administration failed to protect after the invasion.

Millions of Americans are asking: WHY ARE OUR BEST PEOPLE BEING KILLED IN IRAQ? These soldiers and support people are nothing but targets in a shooting gallery.

It didn't have to be this way. The UN inspections were working and they would have discovered that Iraq did not have WMDs. Instead over 1,100 US soldiers are dead with no end in sight. 7,000 to 29,000 US soldiers have been maimed and injured in this war. Possibly as many as 100,000 Iraqis have been killed.

So we ask Mr. Bush: FOR WHAT? Saddam did not have WMDs. Saddam did not have a
connection to 9/11. Saddam did not have terrorists in his country. So why are our young soldiers being slaughtered on the battlefield in a misguided war of incompetence?

If Bill Clinton could be impeached for lying about sex, there must be grounds for impeachment in this deadly serious case of incompetence in Iraq. Somebody is accountable and that is the person at the top. Bush must pay for his gross negligence and wanton disregard for human life.

Michael Reinholz
Seattle, WA

Subject: Another Coalition of the Willing

Dear Folks--

The United States has yet again found a coalition of the willing, but this time not even the UK is among the willing. This coalition forms annually to support the US embargo against Cuba. And this year the coalition includes: Israel, Palau and the Marshall Islands. While the four votes is somewhat larger than in some earlier years (one year the US received
only two votes), earlier supporters of the US position have included more states sufficiently large that their locations could be determined without resorting to the use of a magnifying glass. The final vote was 179-4, in favor of the condemnation of the embargo.

Luckily for the coalition, votes in the General Assembly are not binding unless, of course, the US is on the winning team.

Alison Brennan

Subject: Osama bin Laden Tape is NOT Great News for Bush

Shame on the media for suggesting that the tape is good news for Bush. Osama bin Laden is still out there. Doesn't that suggest that the Bush administration failed to find him? Osama bin Laden attacked the United States, not Iraq. Doesn't it point out that the Bush administration took it's eye off the REAL threat to the US and that he is still alive and well and able to attack again?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: bin laden is back

You know, I watched a bit of the new bin Laden tape on Thursday night and I'm not surprised at seeing our nemesis rise up just before the election. I think it would have been a major missed opportunity for this guy to stay silent just prior to the election, so I am
wishing that this is the only message we get from him.

But it makes you wonder about the American electorate -- here's our sworn enemy, someone who's taken this country into a totally different world of military, economic, political and social hardship, and he's still poking us in the eye. It's like he needs to keep reminding us that he's still out there, and in a way, he does. This is why I'm upset (to a certain degree) with all those people out there who blindly support the administration in it's War on Terror.

Our enemy is still out there, making a point of keeping in touch with us. Why? Why, is he still here among the living? Why didn't Bush and the rest continue going after him? Bush has admitted that he isn't concerned about bin Laden, and then when reminded of his statement, denied it. So I don't know if he's really concerned about bin Laden or not. Politically, Bush has to maintain that he's still going after him; militarily, he can't since it appears that we don't have the resources to do so, so Bush has to make noises like we are. We haven't had him in our sights for quite a while and I don't see that happening in the near future.

The War on Terror is a failure; we've lost it at this point. Do you think we can maintain the tempo we've established in Iraq for an extended period of time? I don't think so, but I'm willing to listen to what you have to say to convince me otherwise, and then you can
explain how we're going to fix our Guard and Reserve forces who are almost broken now.

Bush screwed up by shifting our aim from bin Laden to Hussein, and Bush's attitude from the very beginning of his administration is to not admit any mistakes. If you think he's going to go after bin Laden now, which would be an admission that he screwed up by
going after Hussein, you've been a registered member of the GOP for a long time, I bet.

So, the way I see it, bin Laden poked George Bush in the eye and is trying to start something. Bush would like to respond militarily to show that he's still got "stuff" and to make a political statement -- but he can't. And we've got many thousands of voters out
there who will back Bush and his policies, even though they suspect that he's really hosed this country, because if they were to back Kerry they would be admitting that Bush was wrong about something.

Pig-headed, that's what this administration and its supporters are -- plain pig-headed.

We have lost the War on Terror because we're too stubborn to admit that we didn't know what we were (and are) doing.

Roma

Subject: Hold off reacting??

Please offer comment in your coverage to the offensive quote by the White House:

"You would think there would be maybe 12 hours to let the American people absorb this," said Dan Bartlett, the White House communications director....

Bin Laden Video Adds Fuel to the Partisan Fire (LATimes, 30 Oct 2004)

Delay our reaction?? How can the public, especially John Kerry, stay our intense outrage?

The electorate is reminded daily of Bush's inept war planning and the resulting human loss:

Witnesses: Iraqi Forces Fire on Civilian Vehicles South of Baghdad, Killing or Wounding Dozens (AP 30 Oct 2004)

US Military Fatalities: 1,100+

US Military Wounded: 7,532+

Scientists Estimate 100,000 Iraqi Deaths (AP 28 Oct 2004)

Brain injuries high among Iraq casualties (Army News Service, Nov. 24, 2003)

Reporter saw insurgents loot Qaqaa arms depot (IHT, 29 Oct 2004)

...All of this because of Bush's colossal mistake and incompetence as our leader. When Bin Laden appears on our TV screens, we are reminded that...

Bin Laden is alive, Bush confused the real enemy with Iraq, and, more shocking, Bush really didn't care about the true enemy: "I don't know. I don't really think about him very much. I'm not that concerned."

And, now he has the audacity to call for a cessation of public criticism!


Mary C. Wright
Franklin MI

Subject: Hey from Seeds of Doubt

Buzz,

A huge debt of gratitude to you for all you have done to keep us informed and sane these past 4 years. When Bush goes down you can certainly take a big piece of the credit.

Check out www.seedsofdoubt.com - a gathering of political photo-toons and other anti-Bush distractions.

Enjoy!

All the best,

zendaba

Subject: Osama's Terror tape, GOP response

If a "senior GOP strategist" has the gall to call Osama bin Laden’s latest terror tape "a little gift" to George W. Bush, what does he call 9/11? An unprecedented charitable contribution to the GOP?

Statements like this, read in the context of divisive Republican policies over the last four years, raise a serious question: are George Bush's supporters more interested in fighting the war on terrorism, or in exploiting terror for partisan gain?

David Hyde
Seattle, WA

Subject: Bin Laden tape "A Gift"?

To the Media:

I'm outraged. How can you not be reporting the GOP and administration's sick and vile exploitation of the most recent video from the worst mass murderer in our nation's history, Osama Bin Laden? Bush/Cheney campaign representatives statements.

When will we start calling this cynical campaign onto the carpet for playing politics with national security. They simply cannot be trusted to have the people's interest at heart.

Luke Lozier
Berkeley, CA

Subject: Osama Tape NO GIFT

Today a Bush campaign spokesman said that the recent tape from Osama Bin Laden was a "gift" to the Bush campaign.

I'm disgusted that the Bush campaign would refer to the televised reappearance of the murderer of over 3,000 Americans as a "gift."

This was no gift and the Bush campaign should RETRACT this statement immediately, and you should ask them to do so.

Reasonable minds can differ about whether President Bush has prosecuted the war on terror intelligently. But all of us must agree that to refer to a videotape from Osama Bin Laden as a "gift" is immoral, unethical, and a slap in the face to the survivors of those who were murdered.

Glen Burris
Oceanside, CA

Subject: An old saw: be careful what you wish for

Dear Buzz,

In W's case, a second term might not be nearly as desirable as he's currently thinking. That's because so many of us are wise to his lies and have found the courage to say so. I do anticipate that both he, and the US of A, will have a mighty bumpy ride should the unthinkable happen.

Pamela of the Poconos

Subject: OBL tape "a gift"

As I'm sure your aware, a senior BC04 strategist has called the latest OBL tape "a little gift." That seemed kinda crass, and a little repulsive -- 8 marines died today and
the administration is happy that Public Enemy #1 is still causing trouble. This would have been a big issue had Kerry said it, same as it is when Bush/Cheney said it.

I'm sure you'll follow up on it.

Thanks,

Daniel

Subject: Vote war, vote deficit,vote pollution, vote Bush!

The MOTTO of signs I have put in my town is this (and you are welcome to
Banner it at BuzzFlash): VOTE WAR, VOTE DEFICIT, VOTE POLLUTION, VOTE
BUSH!

Only a few more days before we can (hopefully) take a deep breath of
fresh air...

concerned citizen,
jlc

Subject: A Vote for Bush...

Dear Buzzers,

For the past month or so I have been repeating a mantra to myself, just wishing that I could say each time I knocked on a door, or write, each time I saw a bush-cheney sign in a window or on a lawn. But after yesterday, I have said it in the store, at the library, and on the phone. I am going to put a sign in my window and a sticker on my car with my own personal slogan. It is:

"A Vote for Bush is a Vote for the Terrorists"

Remember when BushCo was using this against Kerry? So far I have had few negative responses.

Leslie

Subject: Bases in Iraq

During the debates Sen Kerry mentioned 15 airbases were under construction in Iraq and Mr Bush's expression was "horrified" that Sen Kerry mentioned it. Is it true? And if so, why don't we hear more about it? 15 bases in Iraq and how many being closed down in USA. I know many closed in CA and more planned for closure. You mentioned in today's BUZZFLASH Alert bases being constructed to protect Saudis--therefore my question.

Susan S.

Subject: The Bin Laden Tape

The bushies say they don't want to give a television platform to terrorists. This is the explanation for why they tried so hard to stop Al Jazeera from broadcasting the latest video production from the apparently fit as a fiddle cave-dweller Osama bin Laden, who apparently understands the spirit of Halloween and decided to come back to haunt dubya. Yet the same bushies desperately WANTED to get ABC News to air the odd, somewhat fishy-smelling and unauthenticated video from "Assam the American" ranting that blood will run in our streets, yeah yeah. In fact, they wanted it so much that they leaked the story to Matt Drudge and even gave him a transcript (says ABC News). The bin Laden tape is truly embarrassing to bush, as Osama taunts him for his seven minutes of inaction in the Florida schoolroom, so it's obvious why they didn't want this one to air. Don't you just love the hypocrisy? And not one media outlet has noticed it to report on this "policy?"

Sue

Subject: Oh him again . . . Ho Hum !

BuzzFlash,

I just don't get it. These ads out in Florida and another video regarding Osama bin Laden should be a boost to Kerry. They are a reminder that Bush attacked another country while allowing bin Laden to escape Afghanistan. I still remember reading about our military being told to cease fire and in the distance they could hear helicopters and knew that the Taliban were being lifted out of the country into Pakistan.

When I heard about the latest Osama tape, it was all I could do to keep from yawning. If people would just judge Bush on his record . . . how could they even wonder who in the hell they were going to vote for? We have got to change our voting system. It is time our Country is run by a majority instead of a minority in this Country. People who are hesitant and still can't make up their mind if they want a perpetual war on other countries...perpetual war on our environment...perpetual war on all of our past policies concerning all Americans.

Seeing Osama in the headlines again should be a reminder that Bush cannot and will not tend to his duties in the White House. Why is this such a surprise? And, why do people think Bush is ever going to go after Osama bin Laden? He is a friend of the family. They financed his failures in business. Bush is "Loyal." The Saudis were the young men in the pictures from 911. Bush allowed over 100 members of that family to leave without talking to the FBI when no other planes were allowed to fly.

Why are people so bent out of shape when it comes to crime in this Country and yet, they don't seem to mind it when the US invades another Country and to this date, has killed 100,000 people, which is the latest number coming out and the most believable. If we are such a Christian nation as we like to brag about, would someone please explain to me why people have not kicked Bush out of office before now... and instead, still support him or are wondering if they should support him in this election.

To vote for Bush is a confirmation that Americans want more of what we have had for the past four years of the Bush administration. The surprise is the people who still back Bush after all he has done to this Country and those people who still don't know who to vote for. A sickening, sick surprise.

Thanks BuzzFlash,

Shirley Smith

Subject: the doctored troop photo rises from the dead

they may have been busted for using the photo-shopped troop photo on the bush site, but like frankenstein's monster it's come back to life in a GOP banner ad

http://us.a1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/re/republicannatl/102204_728_90_wt_frankie.swf

David Kirschtel
Seattle, WA

Subject: It's Halloween and the Bushes are scary.

Besides saying the Osama tape is "a gift" to Bush. A kind of a 527 for Bush. The same idiot GOP guy said that "anything that makes people nervous about their personal safety is good for Bush."

If the idea is to scare people into voting Republican they should get an A for best use of scare tactics in an election.

To bad they get an F for working and playing well with others. The F stands for F--- Off world and we don't care if we get you into a nuclear WW III in order to keep the warmongering neocons in power.

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: GOP calls Osama tape "a little gift"

He called it "a little gift," saying it helps the President but doesn't guarantee his reelection.

And that little gift Bush received and ignored on August 6, 2001 meant over 3000 lives. I hope he is properly grateful to Osama and doesn't offend him by ignoring this message.

Dubya, make sure and tell him thank you for the campaign aid since we all know Osama wants Bush to win because Bush always plays into the hands of the terrorists. He can't help himself. He escalated the war in Iraq last week in hopes Osama wouldn't like it and attack. I wish he were only bent on going after the Bushes.

A gift, and Bush said he had hit the trifecta after 9/11.

See tape as boost for Prez (NY Daily News)

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: Why are Bush's people happy about the Osama tape?

The New York Daily News reported today that officials or strategists at the Bush campaign were calling the new Osama tape "good for us" and "a little gift."

I can't understand why anyone at Bush's campaign would be happy about the tape. Its appearance serves mainly to remind us of a gigantic failure of the Bush administration: its failure to capture or kill the man who masterminded the murder of 3000 Americans.

Rather than having a president who focused on capturing Bin Laden, we have a president who stated in 2002 that he was "not that concerned about" Osama Bin Laden, and then focused on a disastrous invasion of Iraq rather than finishing the job against Osama's terror network.

Would the Bush people also regard a terrorist attack as being "a little gift" for them?

Mark Mahin
New York City

Subject: Bush and bin Laden

Bush did more than fail to get his man. The Taliban offered bin Laden up twice, the second time unconditionally. Bush spurned the offers, as he did to Saddam's offer of a face-to-face over WMD's. How does that square with his assertion that every avenue short of war was pursued?

Sincerely,

Sean Cunningham

Subject: Could they get any more disgusting?

You rightly ask if they could get any more disgusting, saying Osama's
threat is a "gift."

No, they could not. What next? They'll praise an actual hit on our people? It's hard to believe we have an ounce of outrage left, after four years, but somehow they always manage to spark more.

btw, I don't think the national media caught it but my son and I held up an 18 foot banner today at the Red Sox victory parade that read:

"One Curse Down, One to Go. Re-Defeat Bush Nov. 2"

MOST people loved it. I'll try to find somewhere prominent to hang it before Tues.

robyn su

Subject: Where is America's common sense?

Here we are, Bin Laden back on TV, lost explosive material, and now up another 70 billion, and the republicans want to re-elect a President who did NOT go after Bin Laden who took down the World Trade Center. I just can't believe the American people are that dumb.

Ron A

Subject: My Sole Protest Today In Front of GOP Headquarters.

After the video of Osama bin Laden appeared yesterday, I found my anger at the Bush administration grow as all of you know as well as those who do support both he and his policies. How was I going to effectively deal with my anger was the question I had in me last night into this morning. It was then I found poster board and markers and made up signs stating, “Dead or Alive” Osama is Alive, Bush!” and on the flip side was,
“Bush, No Osama? Go Away!” It was then, I decided to go down to a Republican campaign headquarters located in Miller Place, NY and picket them as a sole protester to their candidate. I walked alongside of a road known as 25A which is one of Long Island’s busiest roads.

I felt many feelings as I did this. I felt empowered where I felt that I was making a difference to let those who have forgotten Bush’s empty promise to capture Osama “Dead or Alive” and remind them just days before this election. As I walked and saw open windows of vehicles passing by, I chanted, “Justice for 9/11...Kick Bush Out!” I was
greeted by numerous cars honking in both agreement with me as well as disagreement. Others opened up their windows to give me the thumbs up and I received many smiles. One guy approached me in his car and we had a real shouting match going and he said that this verbatim, “Liberalism is a mental defect” to that I added, “No, liberalism comes from the root word liberty which means true freedom and said if anyone had a mental defect it was he for believing in George W. Bush.” Man did that feel great. He blamed Clinton for everything we were going through right now and I stated, “I am so sick and tired of you Republicans blaming Clinton for every little thing and demand accountability by Bush himself for his failures!”

I also felt fear as a group of men came out of Republican campaign headquarters and looked over at me, most likely wishing that I was not there and if they could, would make sure that I did not have my first amendment rights. This may be an over reacting feeling to their presence as they looked over at me, but we all know how much freedom of
speech has been confronted in these past four years.

It was at one point, I saw a woman approaching me and my eyes not being what they once were could not make out who and low and behold, it was my older sister who is Republican and was working inside of that campaign headquarters. When she saw my sign, she said, that she had faith that Bush would get him and that there must be reasons we do not know why he has alluded capture. I told her how close Bush was at one point, but pulled the necessary troops away and deployed them to Iraq. I then stated how we went after the wrong man in Saddam Hussein and where over one thousand of our soldiers are now dead and where Halliburton with its no bid contract was serving dirty food to our soldiers, and she then stated, “they probably did not mean to do so.” I am so sick of such
blind ignorance in this country. Fact after fact I threw at her and where she could not answer it back. Later on as she was leaving, we both came to a truce where she even offered me a ride home, but I was not ready to go home. I asked if she were going to tell our other Republican siblings of my day’s activities, and she said yes. Oh goody! I can almost hear their reactions, “Poor deluded Mary.” No, they are the one’s I feel who are deluded by following such an idiot!

So, I walked for one hour more bringing the sum total to my sole protest to three hours right in front of their headquarters. Did I change any people’s minds as they traveled that busy road? Who knows? But, I felt the need to push it right back in their faces.

Do I feel better right now? Yes I do, because it meant fighting the very thing we all have been fighting for these past four years. But, yes, there is still that anger left inside of me that Americans can fall prey to ignorance and accept that. Did I care what others thought of me since even sole demonstrations are not normally seen in this modern day? No, I did not. After all, St. Joan of Arc was thought to be the radical of her day and if she did it, so can I. Perhaps, she worked right along side of me today giving me the strength to do what I needed to do.

Democratically Yours,

Mary!

Subject: bin laden tape

In the next two days, Kerry should state emphatically and straight to the public as he has all along, "I have once again seen the terrorist OBL putting on an odious and despicable show on the latest video whose timing is obviously calculated. Mr. Bush blustered shortly after 9/11 about how he would hunt OBL down, but he couldn't catch OBL despite hundreds of billions spent in the war on terror, and it is unlikely that four more years of Bush's mismanagement of the nation will result in OBL's capture. Especially since Mr. Bush said he doesn't worry about OBL anymore. And by the way, Mr. Bush denied in our debate ever saying that and accused me of making it up. Mr. Bush has also been in denial about the cost of the war and his other programs and has forestalled public investigation of 9/11. The truth is that Al Qaeda politically endorsed Bush in March because it feared John Kerry's justice for terrorists. They knew I would go after OBL and Bush won't. Maybe it's time for Mr. Bush to fully explain his historical business ties to the Saudis and the Bin Laden's. It's time to make OBL accountable for terrorism and Bush accountable for not bringing him to justice."

A Buzz Reader

John & John can guarantee their election today!

Subject: Best. Comeback. Ever.

Dear Buzz,

Posted on Democratic Underground this morning, by "Wife of a Wes Freak":

I was reading the newspaper while standing in line and the lady behind me said, "He's getting crazy again, huh?" Now, let me preface by saying that not only was OBL on the cover, but so were Bush and Kerry. Of course I said, "Who, Bush? He's always been crazy." She looked at me in shock and said, "No, Saddam!" The man in front of me turned around and stared at her like she was an alien. Right then and there I KNEW he was one of us, and she was voting for the dark side. I said, "Ma'am, that is Osama Bin Laden, not Saddam Hussein. Osama Bin Laden, who orchestrated the 9/11 attack on America is still free. Saddam Hussein, who did not, is in jail." The man in front of me smiled, so knowing I had back-up, I proceeded.

"You and I are voting side by side today, Ma'am. I wouldn't dream of telling you how to exercise your rights as an American citizen, but in good conscience, I must say one thing: Your confusion frightens and concerns me. Remember who attacked us when you place your vote. Osama is still alive, and looking quite healthy, while over 1100 of our sons and daughters died to capture a man we had all along. Saddam is not Osama, and George Bush
is not Jesus."

Elaine in Oregon

Subject: You made a difference

However things turn out on Tuesday, I think you have helped change the political climate for the better. You have earned the right to be proud of your role, and I'm sure tens of thousands of other loyal BuzzFlash readers would join me in thanking you for your efforts to bring back the sort of America we can be proud of. Thank-you.

Albert Clark, NY

[BuzzFlash Note: Our READERS are making a HUGE difference. Thanks back at you! We're in this together.]

Subject: Giuliani on Meet the Press...arghhhhh!

Rudy Giuliani has just told Tim Russert that when he made the remark a few days ago blaming the troops for not finding the now missing explosives, he really wasn't saying that the troops were to blame; he really was saying John Kerry said the troops were to blame and wanted to now be clear about that.

And of course, Russert didn't challenge him.

Arrggghhhh!

Linda M.

Subject: Letter to the Editor - Osama's Hidden Message

Many people are speculating about if the Osama bin Laden tape has a hidden message in it. What is bin Laden trying to do?

Bin Laden is telling America that he won the battle against Bush. He is showing that he is alive, he is healthy, he is strong, that he is confident, that he is in control, that he is still a threat, and that he isn't afraid of George Bush. He mocks President Bush for reading "My Pet Goat" giving him more time to kill Americans. He is confirming Bush's statement that
Bush is truly not that concerned about him.

Bin Laden is asserting that he is powerful and that Bush doesn't scare him. His message is - Bush has failed and that Bush is a weak leader.

And the sad thing is - Osama is correct.

I'm Marc Perkel - And I approved this message!

Marc Perkel
San Francisco, CA.

Subject: Powell: Bush failed in Iraq

Colin Powell believes U.S. is losing Iraq war (Salon.com/truthout.org)

Secretary of State Colin Powell has privately confided to friends in recent weeks that the Iraqi insurgents are winning the war, according to Newsweek. The insurgents have succeeded in infiltrating Iraqi forces "from top to bottom," a senior Iraqi official tells Newsweek in tomorrow’s issue of the magazine, "from decision making to the lower levels."

This is a particularly troubling development for the U.S. military, as it prepares to launch an all-out assault on the insurgent strongholds of Fallujah and Ramadi, since U.S. Marines were counting on the newly trained Iraqi forces to assist in the assault. Newsweek reports that "American military trainers have been frantically trying to assemble sufficient Iraqi troops" to fight alongside them and that they are "praying that the soldiers perform better than last April, when two battalions of poorly trained Iraqi Army soldiers refused to fight."

If the Fallujah offensive fails, Newsweek grimly predicts, "then the American president will find himself in a deepening quagmire on Inauguration Day."

Barry S.

Subject: videos

Michael Moore to Have 1,200 Cameras at Polling Places in Florida and Ohio. Seems to me that everyone with a video camera who can take off work for a few hours on Tuesday should do the same throughout the country. Republican efforts to suppress the Democratic vote are said to be widespread and organized. Having someone at the polling place with a movie camera would, if not to act as a deterrent, at least provide irrefutable evidence. (Take someone big with you. People don't like to be photographed breaking the law.)

Joyce in Arizona

Subject: Dish Network

I urge everyone who subscribes to Dish Network to call and let them know how obnoxious and offensive we find their partisan decision to show the film Stolen Honor the night before the election. Their number is 1-800-333-3474. Their menu makes it difficult to get to a person, but you can do so by selecting "programming" and then selecting the option
to talk to a representative.

When I called, I expressed my displeasure that they were showing this pack of lies at all and asked if they also planned to show Fahrenheit 9-11 simply to be fair to both sides. The response was, of course, no. I also told them that I had long since been aware that no behavior was beneath republicans in their quest to win, but that I was disappointed
that Dish Network had chosen to help disseminate these lies about Kerry.

I will be in the near future switching back over to a large dish system, and my programming will absolutely not come from Superstar or any company in any way affiliated with Dish Network.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: "Send in Tom Brokaw!"

Did anyone see Tom Brokaw's "special" interviews with the two candidates tonight?! They were "special" all right...after a condescending and accusatory-toned interview with a surprised yet smiling John Kerry, where tough question followed tough question and tough follow-up, not only did Brokaw never follow up with Bush...he let Bush change the question into the question Bush wanted to answer...then Bush would answer that question! I could not believe it.

Did anyone else see what I saw? If Brokaw were the least bit concerned about how he looked, you would have thought that would stay on the editing room floor, yet there it was.

It was the most embarrassing excuse for "journalism" I have ever witnessed. Edward R. Murrow is spinning and spitting right now. If poor Walter Cronkite saw it he probably expired on the spot.

I am sure, however, that Jack Welch was very pleased.

Afterward, if you will, please imagine Tom and Jack in a large echoing room, exchanging dialogue from a terribly funny old Bill Hicks bit about satan being "rewarded" by his enslaved minions... "Send in Tom Brokaw!"

John L. Johnson
Laingsburg, Michigan

Subject: in America

READER:

On the Larry King interview with Walter Cronkite, Cronkite predicted that "we're probably not going to know (the election result) until very probably early spring."

In order to get a handle on American tactics for trying to control a vote, the best example is the recent election in Venezuela, where the American oil companies and the Venezuelan elite who rake in big bucks from the oil, went head to head against Chavez and the legion of Peons in that country. Chavez had been passing down the oil revenues to his people so that their lifestyles improve. The greedy elite and oil barons wanted him out.

For months leading up to the election, there was constant propaganda flowing against Chavez. The election ballots were so difficult to read that Chavez had to run a campaign so that his people would understand that if they wanted Chavez returned to office, they had to vote "no" for Chavez! The people had to get up at sunrise, in order to get to the voting stations on time. There was intimidation at the voting stations and LONG line ups. Carter reported that the people of Venezuela stood for many hours in the hot sun, in order to vote. As it was, there was still discrepancy about how much Chavez won by (58% was reported). In other words, it took an overwhelming majority win to keep Chavez in office.

This kind of maneuvering is now going on in America. And it will take some patience and courage to stand in those lines and vote. It is going to take a lot of investigation of computer fraud to keep it on the up and up. A large majority vote will help stop this march towards fascism in America.

The other technique which has been mentioned is that FEMA will be conducting a "security exercise" on voting day. This involves people who are dressed in anti-biological clothing with flares, waving people in specific directions. That matter of FEMA conducting an exercise on voting day has to be dealt with at the highest levels immediately. The public has the right to know if this form of intimidation is going to be used on voting day. People should get out to vote. Take whatever time is required in order to vote.

It should be a fascinating look at fascist methodology, taking place right before your eyes! Time to watch your own government at work.

John E.

Subject: Shocked, I am Shocked!

I was at a meeting the other day when we decided to send packages to our military for Christmas! I was shocked to hear one of the items needed by our military is toilet paper? Toilet paper, toilet paper? I'm so angry...why of all things toilet paper? This is the pits. This is a slap in the face toward our military. This administration has the nerve to say Kerry does not support the military? They have to be completely insane.

Voters should be ticked, really ticked! Where is Congress and the Senate asking for an accountability of money spent on the war? Why with all the money being spent on this stupid war cannot we provide our military with the basic everyday needs? This is an outrage! All this while Shrub probably sits on a cushioned toilet in the WH with plenty of TP.

Geez Louise, something has to give. The only answer is to vote for Kerry/Edwards. It is time to give dignity back to the military. I am so angry and frustrated now, just in total shock! Toilet paper of all things. Just cannot voice my anger enough right now. I am angry and shocked!

Nancy M.

Subject: Barbara's world warning

Dear BuzzFlash,

A quote from Barbara:

What will the repercussions be when the world figures out just how incompetent the Bush administration has been? How will people all around the world feel when they realize Bush did not secure 380 TONS of highly explosive munitions that is now in the hands of terrorists?

Barbara, the world figured out long ago that Bush is incompetent. As an American living in Switzerland for 14 years, I am keeping an eye on America from a world viewpoint. Guess what? The world doesn't buy Bush-shit.

Businessmen who should be ecstatic for the windfall from the corrupt frat-boy think that he was involved in 9-11 from the get-go. His lies don't fly without the spin-dry cycle of the world media. The problem is that the world is wondering what the hell the Americans are doing to keep their heads in of the tumble-dry. Every American except one has said that we must vote for Kerry, even if we have some hesitancy. (My favorite was Kucinich,
then Dean, then Clark, but I'm willing to follow the voice of reason.) And guess what, I just learned that this evening she (the one American Bush supporter) will not vote because she can't decide. I'm taking that as a victory because a non-vote for Bush is one less vote for the Beast. Swiss people ask me how I think the election will turn out, and I answer: Kerry will win, and Bush will not lose!

Please, don't humour the Beast with signs of go back to Crawford. We are talking prison. At least for aggravated assaulted on hurting our brains.

Get out your video cameras, you will need them. l never liked Eminem, but I respect his courage to demonstrate that it has come to the point that he has to say what he has said. I support his viewpoint. America, can I support yours? Is BuzzFlash a flash in the pan? Prove me wrong. Get out the VOTE!

Get out your cameras. Document everything.

Oh, by the way, do you think that the OBL video was another invention by the Rove? Attack the opponent's strengths, and let the opponent attack the weaknesses of the idiot but find a way to turn it into a strength. It worked for Dan Rather. OBL must be a piece of cake.

What kind of world can I look forward to on December 14th?

Larry, a diehard BuzzFlash contributor

Subject: Re: Whatever the Results of the Election, BuzzFlash will be here.

I will be first in line to vote for the Senator. I cannot wait to see egg on G. Bush's face on Wednesday morning. J. Kerry will unite everybody. With G. Bush it is more of the same.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Alquaqua

Why is this bunker still standing? The site was identified by the UN and IAEA as bunker for the most dangerous explosives, but it looks to be in perfect condition to me. Not a bump or scratch on iT? I thought we had run out of targets??

Steve D.

Subject: Important letter from a soldier in Iraq

The text below is not my writing. It is a letter from a soldier from New Hampshire, currently serving in Iraq. It was published in the Concord Monitor. I'm asking everyone on my list in the media to please seriously consider this heartfelt writing when you blast your electioneering in the next three days. (What? Do you really think that I think you're REPORTING? C'mon!)

Tell your friends. Better, you think about it. Think about facing yourself on Wednesday morning. If Sprague can't "contact" you, then some piece of your personality in serious difficulty.

A Matter of Survival
By George Sprague
Concord Monitor | Letter
Thursday 28 October 2004

When I was home in New Hampshire on leave last month, a lot of people approached me to tell what a good job we're doing here in Iraq.

I appreciate the support, but I don't need the media or those people to tell me what I see every day. We are not getting the job done.

People ask me, "How's it going over there?" Cities have been overrun and are in a state of lawlessness. My job brings me into the streets. I see these things as they happen. They aren't just headlines for me. All we are doing here is treading water, and at this rate we can't keep afloat much
longer. I'm just a simple man, but I can see that everything this administration has done with Iraq has been dead wrong.

We appreciate your support, but we can't see those yellow ribbons from here. I ask that you let your vote show your support. I don't know what you go to bed thinking, but I go to bed wondering not how many more years of this administration I can handle but how many more days I might survive.

George Sprague
Balad, Iraq

Donald L. Feinberg
Naperville, IL

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