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.

THIS IS PART 2 OF THE NOVEMBER 2, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1

Subject: Hey Cheney Open Your Mouth and Insert Your Foot

From Salon: Quote of the day

We haven't seen much of him. You'll notice there haven't been any Bin Laden tapes running on the air where he's out broadcasting messages, frankly, because we think he's probably in a deep hole someplace, in hiding. --Vice President Cheney, on Oct. 22.

Way to go Dick! I wonder if Bin Laden "hides" in that same "Undisclosed Location" you keep using??

Tom Wieliczka

Subject: In my mailbox from the RNC

An 8 X 4 pamphlet, wide horizontal rainbow swaths with a picture of two men (dressed with no distinct features) on top of a wedding cake under a heart. Above which is written: "Ginny Schrader Supports Gay Marriage."

Then you open it up and there is a picture wallet sized of Schrader with this header: "Ginny Schrader: out of the Mainstream...Ginny Schrader is out of the mainstream. And her agenda is just too radical." An almost page size young man on each side, hands holding each other's, smiling. In between them is the written text prefaced by a down arrow in fuchsia: "Supports Gay Marriage, Opposes Defining Marriage as a Union Between a Main and Woman, Opposes Cutting Taxes for Middle Class Families, Opposes Permanent Repeal of Death Tax, Opposes War in Iraq, Repeal America's Patriot Act, Slash Funding for Missile Defense." Followed by in Bold White Large Text, "Vote NO on Ginny Schrader. This pamphlet was paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. 320 First Street S.E.,
Washington, D.C. 2003"

I've lived at my current residence in the community of Falls Township, PA, for 18 years and never, not once have I received such a radically anti-gay, white power, political piece of mail...the fact is, some of it contains total lies...some of it is true, but taken out of context.. and what the h*ll is wrong with someone supporting equal rights and equal protection under the law as clearly embraced by the Constitution?

I say get the f'ing government the h*ll out of our private lives. Period. But then these guys will have to really understand these issues and be able to articulate a "position" or a "plan of action" instead of gay baiting and the rest. Really grotesque, welcome to the America of the 21st century.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Osama Tape - Trick or Treat?

Dear BuzzFlash,

Yet again, the late Friday news brings news from the Bush Administration. Osama on tape, talking about our election. This "tape" from Osama has Karl Rove's fingerprints all over it.
Yeah, I know, too late, maybe to influence the election. But think about it. Doesn't this tape follow the example of the Bush?

This "message from Osama" in my opinion is a hoax, perpetrated on the unwitting sheep of Americans who start bleating "BAAHH, I'm Scared, I want Georgie" whenever they see, hear, or smell a whiff of Osama in the wind. Here's why I think so. Add to the list if you can think of more reasons to consider this tape a hoax.

1. Consider, over the last FOUR years - when does the Bush administration send out "Their NEWS?" Friday night. That's right folks. Leaving all of us "dumb" folk in some kind of mind bending narcoleptic state - waiting until Monday morning or later, could it be until after ELECTION DAY this time, until someone figures out that uh, maybe we should question this tape? And who for example, at ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN or whoever, knows anyone real from Al Jazeera? And who exactly is it at the CIA (with a name) that verifies that this is a "REAL" Osama Bin Laden tape? How CONVEENIENT that this tape comes out on a Friday. I say, maybe we should ask a shitload of questions and verify before we trust this tape as the real McCoy.

2. When was the last time the U.S. news put out anything Al Jazeera said on their news anyways? Al Jazeera's been pretty much banned, bombed, killed, told to shut up and get out of town, thank you, wherever they do their reporting. Uh, who exactly at Al Jazeera is the U.S. all of sudden talking to? Could it be SATAN (spoken like John Lovitz) Or is it KARL ROVE dressed in an Osama Bin Laden Halloween outfit? Um, didn't it take Michael Moore in Fahrenheit 9/11 to point out to us that the people at Fox "called" Florida? What "network" let this tape out of the "box" first? And wow, it was verified authentic not less that 2 seconds after it was let "out."

3. John Ashcroft and Tom Ridge have been hiding in Dick Cheney's undisclosed location ever since he's been out on the campaign trail. Their scare tactics re TERRORISTS ARE GOING TO TRY TO INFLUENCE THE U.S. elections were discredited this week. NO EVIDENCE. What makes this tape any more credible? And why do all of these usual suspects suddenly feel free to dance now out on the campaign trail? What a sales job, if you ask me.

4. When we knew he was alive, Osama disclaimed having anything to do with 9/11 - why do it now - right before the U.S. election? Questionable. Bogus. FOR THE FIRST TIME - the news announcers spouted - OSAMA TAKES CREDIT FOR 9/11. I still think it's Karl Rove in a Halloween costume. I think Osama was once alive, but is now either dead and/or buried under a shitload of rock at Tora Bora. Bush won't let us know what he knows. All the better to scare you my dears.

5. Osama throws out a few points to disparage Bush. I think Karl throws the masses a few bones. Are we supposed to think this tape is real because Osama "criticizes" Bush? He did not. "Osama" said anything Karl Rove would have said - read Joshua Green - Karl Rove once sent out fliers calling his own candidate a sodomite or some such nonsense, and it backfired on his opponent. Like we're not supposed to already know about Bush not being straight with us about Iraq? and/or that "he didn't do anything but sit and read a book when the U.S. was attacked?" Any moron that's been alive since 9/11 would know these things already - what, are they supposed to mean something more significant now that "Osama" has said them? It stinks I tell you.

6. Tom Ridge does not raise the threat level. I give credit to BuzzFlash readers to figure that this tape is a hoax on that one alone.

7, 8, 9, 10 - you write it. I think the whole thing smells like a trick by Karl Rove on Halloween.

Eileen Metz
Pittsburgh, PA

Subject: many empty seats during bush's visit

many, many empty seats during bush's visit to the "Great American Ball Park" in Cincinnati, Ohio. it was much more obvious watching the event on c-span. bush looked a bit rattled when he realized the stadium was no where near capacity.  capacity is 42,059.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story...

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Statistical perceptions

I think it's important to remember when we read casualty statistics that Iraq has (or perhaps I should say had) a population roughly one tenth of ours. When we read the Iraq Body Count number of 15-16,000, let us remember the U.S. equivalent of that is 150-160,000. The most recent estimate of 100,000 Iraqi civilian casualties translates to a U.S. equivalent of one million. Yes, 1,000,000. That's a one with SIX zeroes behind it. Just think about a war fought on our lands that reaped one million civilians dead.

To turn the matter the other direction, think about the Iraqi perception of coalition casualties. Nine marines have the impact to them comparable to 90 from our viewpoint. When 'insurgents' or 'rebels' or 'freedom fighters' kill 15 Iraqi police men, they perceive that as we would 150.

Kathy Gustafson
Brookings, SD

P.S. Has BuzzFlash considered adding a bulletin board or chat room (maybe with a subscription fee) where readers could discuss news with each other?

[BuzzFlash Note: We have considered it, but we don't have the staff to monitor it or the bandwidth to spare. After Kerry takes the White House, we're going to be looking at what we can do on the site for the next four years, and we're sure this will come up in the discussions.]

Subject: Snopes confirms Tx Elect votes 4 Kerry going to Dubya!!

Claim: A Texas woman who cast her vote for all Democratic candidates discovered her ballot marked for Bush/Cheney.

Status: True.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/ballot/travis.asp

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Al Gore in Denver

Gore spoke to a full house of MoveOn activists and others last night in downtown Denver. One of the most interesting things he said was that Bush was at the very least negligent pre-9/11 regarding the PDB August memo et al. If he wasn't negligent, then he was "reckless," Gore said. But, he obviously wanted to use the word culpable or complicit, but he couldn't quite bring himself to do it in public.

In another vein, the Bush camp's response to comments by Gov Rendell were so predictable. The Bush campaign called Rendell's comments "disgusting."

"For John Kerry's surrogates to suggest that Osama bin Laden supports President Bush's reelection is disgusting," Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt said in a statement. "This just demonstrates once again that for John Kerry, the war on terror is about political opportunity, not victory."

But when they tout the terrorists as supporting Kerry, that of course isn't disgusting. Once again, the Bushites project, project, project, project, a never-ending stream of floo-flloo crap.

Mike Arvey
Colorado

Subject: Cronkite said a mouthful

CNN LARRY KING LIVE Bin Laden Releases New Videotape Aired October 29,
2004 - 21:00 ET
.....
CRONKITE: What we just heard. So now the question is basically right now, how will this affect the election? And I have a feeling that it could tilt the election a bit. In fact, I'm a little inclined to think that Karl Rove, the political manager at the White House, who is a very clever man, he probably set up bin Laden to this thing. The advantage to the Republican side is to get rid of, as a principal subject of the campaigns right now, get rid of the whole problem of the al Qaqaa explosive dump. Right now, that, the last couple of days, has, I think, upset the Republican campaign.

Mentioned at

http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO410B.html

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Election Omens

Some omens for the election:

1. On Saturday (October 30), a powerful windstorm blew through our neighborhood in a Republican area of Southeast Wisconsin. Before the windstorm, there were about 6 George Bush for President signs and 3 Kerry signs. After the windstorm was done, all that was left were 2 of the Kerry signs. The Bush signs were all gone!

2. The Packers defeated the Redskins in the Redskins' last home game before Election Day. When the Redskins lose the last home day before Election Day, the incumbent party loses the election for President. This has been true since the 1936 election.

-A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: November Surprise

I just heard on NPR everything is ready for the bombing of Fallujah for not producing insurgent leaders, whether they could or not.

Their only hope is the insurgents give themselves up. There will be incredible blood-letting of collateral damage aka civilians.

George W. Bush will do anything and kill as many Iraqis as is necessary for election.

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: Millions of readers!

Dear Buzz,

Congratulations on 5.3 Million readers! It's nice to know millions of readers are getting the truth because of you! God bless you in all you do!!

A Loyal Buzz Fan Forever.

Sharon Carlton
Bellevue, Nebraska

Subject: BuzzFlash

Thank you so much for four years BuzzFlash. In those four years I have visited your web site at least four times a day. Tomorrow is the big day and I wish you and the rest of the world the president we all need and that's John Kerry.

You made a lot of difference, again, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Janneke Ekkelenkamp
Enschede
The Netherlands

Subject: thank you

Dear Buzz,

Thanks for today's interview with Gore Vidal but, more importantly, thanks for all the hard work over the last four years. I know it's been drudgery at times, but you will be rewarded tomorrow night with a Kerry blow-out.

I hope you'll be around to defend Kerry when he needs it, the Freak Republic and the VRWC are already plotting their attacks on Kerry (they are pursuing the line that Kerry was dishonorably discharged).

Anyway, thanks again, you are very much appreciated!

Regards,

Don Babets

Subject: Now Ohio can go Kerry

Re: Republicans Want to Shop Around for a Bushevik Federal Judge Who Will Allow Them to Deny Voters Their Legal Right as Americans.

Of course they do - but because Dlott didn't rule until today, there is no chance the decision can be overturned before tomorrow.

Rosamond

Subject: My blood is boiling

Dear BuzzFlash friends,

I read one reader in your 10/29 mailbag talk about the rethugs calling her at home. I am also on the national "DO NOT CALL" list and over the past 3 to 4 weeks have been getting calls that claim to be from a survey group, that is really a front for bush people. I informed them that I was on the do not call list and not to call. That same week, I received at least 20 more calls.

Also the bush brown shirts have been dropping by my door about once a week (always at supper time) with the "we're concerned patriotic Americans hoping you will vote for George
Bush on 11/2" line. I have the slammed the door on them a number of times and all they do is ring the bell again, demanding to know why I am not voting for Bush.

Every single Kerry/Edwards bumper sticker I have put on my car has a life expectancy of about 3-5 days. I find them crumped up and stuffed under my windshield wiper blade or
tossed in a ball next to the driver's door. A friend I was talking to said every Kerry sign he has placed on his lawn has either been ripped down or shot at.

Another friend was telling me he was volunteering at a Kerry phone bank, and what bothered him the most was the fear of the people he spoke with who lived in subsidized housing. They were told that if they didn't vote for Bush, that they might be evicted from their apartments and lose their benefits.

I've given up thinking the American sheeple will wake up, wise up and rise up. This is not the America I gave up 4 years of my life to serve.

And scarier still, I live in one of the most intelligent liberal parts of the country.

I could go on and on, but my blood pressure has already gone up 60 points

On November 3, God help us all!!!

Ray
Cambridge, Mass

Subject: I just got a call from Laura Bush

She was encouraging Republicans (Gary is registered R, but will vote D) to vote for Dr. Tom Coburn and then lied on about some things Bush supposedly has done. The tape started a bit late, so maybe she was having second thoughts.

I was just wondering if she was calling because Dr. C, who is an OB-GYN, has been following Dubya's orders and practicing his love on the Bush women.

I watched the program about first ladies and heard her say she is a modern woman and does have her own opinions, but won't express them. So there is not one solitary thing this woman could say of value. Well, maybe if she said Dubya was pulling out of the race.

I don't care for women who won't express their own opinions.

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: Sundance Channel [Monday] night!

Let everyone know!

Sundance Channel

08:00 PM
Eastern-
Uncovered: The Whole Truth About The Iraq War

09:00 PM
Eastern
Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties

10:10 PM
Eastern
Bush's Brain

Just last week [James] Baker said, "I fixed the election in Florida for George Bush." That was the substance of his remarks to an audience of Russian big wigs as reported to me by my somewhat astonished colleagues with BBC television. -- Reported by Greg Palast, December 8, 2003

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com

Subject: Calls to Oklahoma from Florida

Dear Buzz,

I live in Oklahoma. I got several phone calls that were recorded messages to vote for Republican candidates in Florida. Then I got a call paid for by the Florida Democratic Party to be sure to vote.

How many times do I get to vote in Florida?

I guess I can head there after I vote at my regular place in Oklahoma.

Margaret

Subject: Kerry in Orlando

BuzzFlashers...

What a morning down here in Orlando. We were looking out the windows at work this morning and noticed an increase in traffic and a lot of security. Being the curious ones that we are a bunch of us headed across the parking lot to see what was going on.

As we approached St. John, we found out John Kerry was inside attending Mass. A group of us, around 30 or so, stood around waiting to see if we could see him as he exited the facilities. After a little while the activity level started to increase and out he came. We were all yelling Kerry! Kerry! Kerry! We did not really expect for him to come over to where we were standing, knowing that he had a scheduled event elsewhere in Orlando. To our absolute surprise he came out and instead of jumping in his vehicle, he headed straight over to where we were standing and shook hands with each and every one of us.

It was a very powerful moment that solidified my support for him even further.

I just want to share my observations and the thoughts I had walking back across the parking lot to work.

First, he did not need to come over to where we were; in the great reality of life there probably was not enough of us there to make any great difference and in addition he had a scheduled event close to the airport that he probably was running late for. He heard us yelling his name and came anyway. On top of that to get to where we were standing he
had to jump across a drainage culvert to get to us, another indication in my mind of his sincerity, it required an effort and he willingly made it so that we could meet him.

Second, what I also saw was a man who had been privately practicing his faith. His attendance at Mass this morning was not greatly advertised if at all here in Orlando. It also did not appear to be your standard political photo-op based on the minimal amount of press coverage that was there.

My summation - I saw a man this morning with his faith in his heart and not on his sleeve and what looked like an honest belief that WE are all important.

I will go to sleep tonight confident that I had the opportunity this morning to shake the hand of the next President of the United States.

Bob In Orlando Florida

Subject: Great Interview

Dear BuzzFlash:

Thanks so much for the Gore Vidal interview. I love reading his stuff so much and I was really excited and very pleased to see an interview with him on BuzzFlash!

I have donated to you in the past and I would do so again but I am one of the people who has “benefited” from the great policy of outsourcing and money is pretty tight. When things pick up again, expect a donation from me!

Steve P.

Subject: Fraud hits in Google News, GOP vs DNC

Dear Sir/Madam,

DNC fraud gives 78 hits

GOP Fraud gives 1700 hits at noon central time

Perhaps of interest,

Bert Menco
Evanston, IL

Subject: One Sunny Day in '05

One sunny day in 2005 an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."

The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here."

The old man said, "Okay" and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."

The Marine again told the man, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.

The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same U. S. Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."

The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?"

The old man looked at the Marine and said, "Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it."

The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See you tomorrow."

MAKE IT HAPPEN - Vote

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Movement: Return Helen to front row!

After Kerry's victory.....a movement should begin to return Helen Thomas to the front row, center, and be given the honor of the first question.

Thank you,

Sara Weeks
East Nassau, NY

Subject: Bush appeals to Democrats in Ohio

Bush bans Democrats from his rallies, has them arrested if they try to get in or sport a Kerry button or anti-Bush T-shirt, now he's appealing for our votes. What chutzpah!

Ellis L. Bert
Dallas, TX

Subject: New Prediction: "Desperate Housewives" will give Bush the boot!

I got a whole new prediction! After watching Good Morning America's segment on the IMMENSE popularity of "Desperate Housewives" today, it suddenly occurred to me. The GOP have systematically created a nation of bored women under house arrest languishing restlessly in the suburbs with only bon bons and Jerry to keep them sane!

It is these women, stuck with crazed midgets and dirty diapers all day instead of having an interesting career that would match their IQ points, that will bust Bush's chops. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

Jane Stillwater

Number of U.S. service members killed since the beginning of the Iraq war on March 19, 2003:
1114

Number killed since President Bush declared an end to "major combat" on May 1, 2003:
973

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: A Thousand Thanks

BuzzFlash,

No matter what happens tomorrow we won't give up. Thanks to you and the other hundred web pages, you have all given us hope and kept us sane.

To all the people who voted for Bush I hope you have the courage to send a sympathy card to all the families who have lost a loved one in Iraq. I'm sure you can explain why we needed to go to war. Of course you can take your choice of reasons; WMDs, bin Laden, or maybe it is because killing Muslims is something that your god wanted.

To all the fat cats that have made money on this war, I hope you have decency to set up a foundation that will help the children of the dead and injured GIs and please don't forget the Iraqi people who must once again put their county back in order. And then there are the soldiers that have lost their jobs. I'm sure you can find them a job if you haven't shipped them all overseas.

And last but not least, thank you Bush/Cheney for showing our children it is all right to steal an election, it is all right to lie, it is all right to murder, it is all right to not care what happens if our country is destroyed because of the debt, it is all right to not care if people don't have a health plan, or jobs or a place to live. Just as long as you and your buddies make a killing. (pun intended)

Jane

Subject: Respect For Life

Bin Laden: 3,000 dead.

Bush: 101,100 dead.

Ken

Subject: Bush's Bait-and-Switch -- "You Want a Terrorist?..."

We've been getting "mixed messages" from President Bush since he couldn't capture Osama bin Laden at Tora Bora in November 2001. Once he realized that playing the old-time Western movie sheriff -- putting a 25-million-dollar bounty on Osama's head and vowing to take him "Dead or Alive" -- wasn't going to work, he turned his sights to Saddam Hussein. At least he knew where Saddam was. He wasn't going to "run and hide" like that dangblasted Osama.

That's it. We'll attack Iraq!

But, just as the Iraqi war was being launched by Bush, his press secretary, Ari Fleischer, slipped and revealed the war's secret codename: "Operation Iraqi Liberation" or "OIL." Yesssss! That's right -- We'll use their own oil to finance the reconstruction. How can it go wrong? We'll rewrite the political map of the Middle East and help out our Israeli friends.
We'll throw in freedom and democracy, too! The Iraqis will greet us as "liberators" from the evil yoke of Saddam and they'll throw flowers in our path! And we'll be home by Tuesday!

Talk about overweening arrogance, ignorance, and incompetence. And yet George W. Bush is still out there trying to peddle the war on Iraq as part and parcel of his inchoate, boundless, borderless war on "terrorism."

Please take a deep breath, Mr. Bush, and repeat after me -- "Iraq is not Afghanistan, Saddam Hussein is not Osama bin Laden. Iraq is not Afghanistan, Saddam Hussein is not Osama bin Laden. Iraq is not Afghanistan, Saddam Hussein is not Osama bin Laden..."

And then please go back to Crawford, Texas and forever rest your befuddled brain.

David Wyles
Venice, CA

Subject: Re: A Fresh Start for America

It has been a long hard struggle for all of us, from Repub's contract on America and the conspiracy against President Clinton to the stolen election of 2000 to the end of four of the worst years in America's history.

It is indeed time for a fresh start for America with another JFK who I truly believe will be a great president and take this country to a more bright, safe and better future by far than what we have witnessed these past four years. I have faith that the best man will win this time, and hope that Dems will gain in Congress so that President Kerry won't have to face what President Clinton had to deal with. The Democratic Party is the party of the people, not just for the rich and powerful. I also believe that conservatives, independents, and the undecideds will vote for Kerry in large numbers, because the future of our country is indeed on the line. Let's make this an election not just for us, but for our children and grandchildren. They deserve much more than what Bush has done to their future.

A Fresh Start for America, By John F. Kerry, The Boston Globe, Monday 01 November 2004

RB

Subject: Thanks!!

I just wanted to say thank you to the staff of BuzzFlash.com for all their hard work and your readers who made it easier for the rest of us to gain independent knowledge over the last year and a half. John Kerry will win the election tomorrow and you should take some credit for your efforts.

Michael Kennedy
Toronto, ON

Subject: The Day After Tomorrow?

About an hour ago my sister asked me what I was going to do after the election is over. You see she is worried about me staying in all the time, prowling the Internet for any political things I can find, in my quest for understanding how I might help in defeating Bush. And truly it has been an all consuming endeavor. I mean with just reading up here at BuzzFlash, The Conceptual Guerilla, and a slew of other web sites can take a lot of time away from things that also need attention, like, my health. I used to be in pretty good shape pre-March, but now have turned into a Web-Potato, an angry chain smoking, coffee swilling Lefty, suffering from carpal tunnel from pounding away at these keys, and calling people to find out how and why they were voting like they were. (My younger brother is a Bushie and a ditto head.)

My answer to my Sister was that I will continue to be active in politics in my own way, because I feel that the majority of the problems in the Democratic Party was our (and I'm speaking for myself here) complacency in the status quo. While we sat on our laurels, the Republicans were out there driving and striving to turn people to their way of thinking, which when applied with their spin meisters was wicked effective. I can't count the number of working people I have encountered that believe that the Republicans are better for them than the Dems are. And this is our fault! All it takes is for one of us to point out that the Republicans have never been for the common man but instead for the Corporations and a return to a feudal system of Lords and Lackeys.

Now I am a working stiff, an engineer in the Merchant Marine, a Union Member of The American Maritime Union and also the Seafarers International Union, the latter was my entrance into sailing, and the former is where with hard work and self study I have become an officer. To kind of make my point about working guys and gals and the Repubs., most of the Officers who sail and went to a state funded school like Kings Point Academy, or Mass. Maritime are mostly Republicans. These people are vehemently against any kind of welfare for poor people, even if it would help them become better members of society, a kind of your own bootstrap thing. I would sit there in the officers' mess hall and listen to this drivel, biting my tongue, till I couldn't take it any more. When I ask them where they went to school, invariably they would say a State Funded school, and then I point out their hypocrisy of taking WELFARE to better themselves while now trying to deny it to others. Needless to say they don't like this at all, I mean any kind of introspection for these people is anathema to them. Also they are mostly my Superiors and it makes the rest of the trip kinda hinky.

Don't really know where I'm going with this except to say we must keep up the pressure, even after this election is swept by Kerry. (my forecast) Peace out.

Greg Shepard
Florida

Subject: Sleeping Well Tonight

It’s November 1st, 7 PM and really dark up here in Canada. Tonight, my student union is playing “Outfoxed” for free. I’m going to watch.

Listen, I’m going to bed sleeping well tonight. Not just because Green Bay beat Washington 28-14, but because I’m feeling very good about tomorrow. The left looks more organized than ever, BuzzFlash keeps setting records, Michael Moore puts out an elegant piece aimed at everyone.

I grew up in the 1990s, when neo-conservatism rose to power in Canada (I’m from Ontario, for the benefit of all Mike Harris “fans” out there). I was really worried about the future, even though I wasn’t out on the streets – actually, I agreed with a lot of it. Thank God for University, indy media and progressive web sites like yours (also big cheers for the Daily Kos and rabble.ca), I not only know how important the well-being of the greater community is, but that more and more people are now realizing it as well.

That’s all. Good luck down there tomorrow.

Joe

Subject: Bin Laden

I read a funny in a news magazine today....said, that Bin Laden....alive and well and
looks like he has been hiding out in St. Tropez.

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

...One day until freedom...I hope..and pray...get out and vote!!!!!!

Subject: the most important vote of my life

Dear Buzz and friends,

This coming Tuesday I will cast my vote with pride and hope.

When on January 20, 2001 I joined the VoterMarch inaugural protest in Washington, I vowed to never use the title of “President” when writing or speaking of George W. Bush and to fight his administration agenda, which was no mystery to all of us. I have done my work and kept my promises the best I could, I wrote many letters to editors, some have been published - others I trust have been read - I got many nasty e-mails, my name was trashed many times in some Bush’s lovers web sites, I was told to go back to France when I protested the Iraq war and been called crazy when I said that Bush should be impeached.

My first choice for a presidential candidate was Howard Dean, his stand against the Iraq war and his courage for speaking out was the hope I was looking for. I worked on his campaign as a volunteer in Iowa. This was my very first campaign, a week I will never forget. I was among the oldest volunteers but energy is ageless, beliefs and hopes were our connections. I live my life trusting that everything has its purpose that there is always a reason for each happening such as the 2000 stolen elections that brought us closer and woke up the Democratic party. Howard Dean’s campaign and its fall has been a victory energizing the party, bringing forward may new voters telling the young that yes, they do have a voice, telling all of us that we have the power.

During the past four years George W. Bush has been successful in manipulating many vulnerable minds and hearts and since 9/11 his politics of fear have been constant, in fact they are the only consistencies of his administration. I try not to pay attention to the polls, they enrage me. How can so many people support a man who is responsible of over 1,000 American who died for a war that did not have to be? Let alone, if they choose, the hundred of thousands of innocent Iraqis? Let alone all the economy, our civil rights, the promises not kept, the refusal to admit any mistakes. What is happening in our country? People are being fooled, a strange wind of madness is blowing over America.

I do not have a crystal ball regarding the outcome of the presidential elections but I know that we, my friends, will all be together in spirit on November 2, and this alone is quite powerful. If we lose I will have to believe again about a reason that I do not know yet, besides the power of fear, I will have to believe that, no matter what, we will keep strong and will grow stronger. If John Kerry wins, our biggest nightmare will be over but we will still have the dark shadow of the Bush administration, the war in Iraq may turn into a civil war, how many more of our soldiers will die?

November 2, 2004 will be my fourth time voting as an American citizen, a time I will never forget as the most important vote of my life.

Monique Frugier

Subject: Vote Suppression

Dear BuzzFlash,

Can anyone explain to me why people who suppress votes aren't arrested and prosecuted for violating some federal law? Why wasn't Nathan Sproul arrested? Why is he still out there? When fliers appear telling people that they will be in trouble if they vote,
threatening them in any manner, or giving misinformation, why isn't someone tracking them down and arresting them?

It MUST be illegal? Isn't it.

Francia Dejasu
Rehoboth, MA

Subject: bin Laden's Full Transcript is "Emergency"

New articles on CNN.com, Fox News, Washington Post (full transcript) show bin Laden's real motives from his latest video with more translation from Al-Jazeera. WoW!

Bush's "Protection Of The American People" (POTAP) is a complete misnomer. bin Laden's goal is to bankrupt the U.S. period. It could be stopped. The thrust of the translation clearly goes against Bush's (only) policies.

Kerry will come out the hero as he comes to understand bin Laden's goals because his mind is not set in stone.

The pieces of the bin Laden puzzle are starting to come together for me, and should for you. It is not a matter of "giving in" to bin Laden at all. This is why Kerry's ideas and policies are a good start for his success as President and the well-being of the American people.

I just feel you will want to post responses to these new additional translations from what bin Laden is saying.

Bush's excuse for being president and exacerbating the fear of POTAP is now completely without merit.

Ron Habegger
Crete IL

Subject: Gore Vidal

Dear Buzz,

I haven't even read your interview with Gore Vidal yet, but I know it will probably be one of the best yet of all the incredible interviews you have done. Besides Daniel Ellsberg, I can't think of a more brilliant and inspiring choice than Mr. Vidal as an interview subject
on the eve of this important election. I really just wanted to thank you, in advance, for interviewing Gore Vidal, and for everything you have done and will continue to do to inspire and enlighten the rest of us. You ROCK Buzz!! I am so grateful for your web site. Big kudos to you personally and to your marvelous staff.

Pray now, because the hard work is behind us and only God and the angels can push us to victory. The adventure begins November 2.

elaine in Petaluma

Subject: Letter from New Zealand - Good Luck!

Dear BuzzFlash,

Well the time is finally here. I'll admit to some high anxiety. It almost seems unfair when one considers the global impact the current president's policies have had, that we aren't all eligible to vote! But there you have it. It goes without saying that I know who all the BuzzFlash readers support, and there are many of us there with you in spirit. I
hope and pray you all get the result you want, and the good amongst you deserve. Best of luck, I'm taking the day off work and will be parked up with my coke, popcorn and baseball cap, for tomorrow....we are all Americans.

Debbie Reid (NZ)

Subject: Happy Pink Slip Bush Day!

I'm off with my vintage "We Remember Florida" decal stuck in my car. Effen BROWN SHIRTS in Ohio better remember to smile for Michael Moore's cameras!

Go, team! We're gonna Kial Bush! (Kerry in a Landslide!)

R. M.

Subject: Repugs Voting Flip-Flop

BuzzFlash,

In 2000, the Republicans called Democrats traitors for not accepting ballots of military personnel that were illegally submitted. In this election they want to protect Democracy by denying the vote to Kerry supporters who registered on paper that was too thin. Isn't it convenient to have such flexible principles ?

Court OKs Voter Challengers at Ohio Polls (AP/Yahoo)

Larry,
Maryland

Subject: Eligible Voters

Dear BuzzFlash,

As I read about Republicans challenging voters who they say are not eligible to vote, I wonder; How can voters be ineligible? The only reason a voter would be ineligible in my mind is if they already voted. If a person is a citizen of the United States and over the legal age of 18 years then they are an eligible voter in my book. What other criteria are there? Where do these Republicans get off going around intimidating and challenging voters? This seems to me to be completely un-American.

Bo Stencil
Washington State

Subject: No E in my vote

E Entertainment Television is running a four hour Kennedy bashing special that started this morning with a Vote E logo.

I've e-mailed them I won't be watching E any longer.

Is Roger Ailes an owner at E or, as I asked them, is he in charge of their programming?

http://www.eonline.com/On/Guide/index.jsp

Carolene English

Subject: I have a good feeling about this day

Buzzers,

My husband & I just voted. Spent about 25 minutes in line--longest we've ever had to wait. We actually were in line with an undecided voter--he was the son of our former neighbor. I think possibly my husband and I swayed him away from the dark side. This guy, Josh, said it was going to be a hard decision because his wife works at Head Start and if Bush gets back in, she would probably lose her job because he cut funding for Head Start and they are planning on putting Head Start right in the elementary schools rather than separate. But, he said if he votes for Kerry, that Kerry will take away all the guns!

My husband really lit into him about that statement and told him the only guns Kerry is concerned with are assault rifles. (My husband's had a lot of practice with this argument because he argues with his best friend about this.) Just before I went in to vote, Josh was saying that if you look at Kerry's voting record concerning guns, he's always voted against them. I piped up and said that you can't go by voting records because the legislators tack on so many riders on those bills, some having nothing to do with the original bill, that you don't know that Kerry actually voted against one of the riders and not the original bill. He kind of looked at me like he didn't think of that before. Duh! Another Kool Aid drinker no doubt.

When my husband and I got back to the car I stated that Josh's indecision comes down to his wife losing her job vs. getting to keep his guns, and I know what choice I'd be making. My husband said that if Josh voted for Bush and his wife lost her job, at least he'd have his guns to shoot her boss!

I have a good feeling about this election. My 15 year old son was watching the coverage on MTV this morning and I joined him. It was refreshing to see this from their point of view rather than watch the same ole same ole tired souls saying the same thing over and over. There seems to be an energy in the air today. If people wanted the current administration back in office, I don't think the turn-out would be as good. We just have to win back the congress, and win it all back in a big way!

Travis from Collinsville

Subject: great editorial, but I would add one more thing

Hi,

Great editorial, but I would add one more thing. It is well known that Reagan fiercely believed in dismantling the legacy of FDR's New Deal, which provided a social safety net and many regulations to keep people's money safe. Bush subscribes to the same belief system. His war in Iraq and the billions we have now and will continue to pour into it (while, not-so-coincidentally, his cohorts make huge bucks), ensure that we spend less on that social safety net and the maintenance of various corporate regulatory laws.

In my opinion, a big reason Bush & Co. went to war was to spend down the gov't budget and force things like Social Security to be dismantled or privatized. This administration is cunning in its goal to have a class system based on Social Darwinism, to have a plutocracy rather than a democracy. I'm sick about it.

Barbara G.
Washington State

Subject: After Hours shenanigans

My letter to "After Hours" on MSNBC at 12:30 A.M.:

Just woke up having fallen asleep with the TV on. I thought I was having a nightmare! There was President Bush, loud and clear, followed by Frank (Bush) Luntz, and a couple of other people continuing to stump for Bush. DeeDee Meyers seemed to be afraid to speak up, so only Ron Reagan was left to get a word in edgewise for Kerry. No speeches by Kerry were being transmitted, of course. After Hours is a regular Bushfest-- still pushing for NBC and parent company's interest, GE, for their man Bush. I'm going back to sleep so I can get up early and vote for KERRY!

Susan Lynch
Phoenix, NY

Subject: Elementary school in Latino precinct in Arizona receives bomb threat

A heavily Hispanic precinct received a bomb threat today in an elementary school. How nice of the GOP to send such a message to an elementary school. Who else would crawl lower than a snake's belly to prevent poor Hispanics from voting?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: The Osama Surprise

Bush may think he can direct us to be respectfully silent about Bin Laden, but I choose not to be. We received, after all, the October surprise -- Bin Laden coming into our living rooms looking like the horrific ghoul that he is! His purpose was thinly veiled. He wants Bush for another four years, so that his hoards of inflamed, perverted terrorists will continue to grow. We should not have had to suffer the insult of his countenance on our screens added to our injuries from 911. He should have been long dead or at least imprisoned by now. George Bush could not accomplish this most important mission--Kerry will! Beat Osama at his own game--Vote Kerry today and grow fewer terrorists. Then we truly will have a safer America!

Susan Lynch
Phoenix, New York

Subject: my voting experience

Hi Buzz,

I went to vote this morning in a heavily republican suburb of Chicago. It was 9:45. No lines, new polling place. No problem. The poll worker cheerfully told me I was voter number 193. Good mid-morning turnout in a small precinct, in a small town, in a state where the results are a foregone conclusion.

I got in my car to finish my errands for the day and tears were streaming down my cheeks. Not tears of joy, or grief. They were just like the tears I shed right before I gave birth to my second son. The nurse helped me name it at the time...overwhelmed, caught up in the moment. Anticipation of a long day with a certain but unsure outcome.

On my way I drove past the home of one of my older sons' friends. He is a marine who recently volunteered to go to Fallujah. He and I have kept in touch since he was ten years old. He came to my house, at my request, after boot camp, in full dress. He was an impressive sight to see. But he was stationed in Maryland and looking for more. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was lured by action, duty, and mostly the extra pay. I did what any supportive friend would do and wished him well.

When I saw him earlier in the summer, I gave him the 'register to vote' spiel, and he said he was and was voting for Bush. Why? Bush gives him things. When he visited again before he left he had softened a little, as in he didn't want to discuss politics. He was putting thought into it at least by then, and was coming to terms with what it all meant. Moving past the knee-jerk Daddy Bush thing.

Driving past his house I saw the American flag proudly displayed, the Marine star in the window, and a Kerry sign in the front yard!

My son is in France for the semester and tells me he is having trouble sleeping. Why are our children burdened with such a heavy load? Before he left he was honored to have dinner with Wes Clark and about a dozen others. He's noticed the French are coldly polite when they realize he is an American, until he mentions that he did not vote for Bush. Then the warmth and welcome flows.

What shall we tell the children if Bush is given four more years? Tears of overwhelm flow...

Lexie

CLICK HERE FOR PART 3 OF THE NOVEMBER 2, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.