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Subject: Note about a story...

Dear Buzz,

The Toronto Star story about "What did Fallujah do to Deserve This" may well be answered by a very insightful article by Pan Hu of Asia Times.

Quite literally, in keeping with "Dubya-ism," Fallujah was a calculated gamble.

The story is from 16 November, and is titled "Overwhelming Force." The article is a balance to Pepe Escobar's scorching column titled, "Masters of War." These stories are at atimes.com under the heading "War and Terror" in the left-hand navigation box.

Though I question certain of Hu's conclusions, and certainly see the parallels to certain Vietnam policies, I have to admit that if this gamble works (which I doubt it will), then the risk was worth the horrific price. The flaw in Hu's argument is that much of the attack was hate and revenge driven, fueled with well documented, indeed headlined, stories of religious triumphalism and a rather murderous evangelical zeal.

This is where we may fall down.

Again we turn to Asia times, and the one-of-a-kind column, "Ask Spengler." ( I don't know of any other service that has anything like Spengler.)

Throughout 2004, Spengler wrote several deep articles about Islam which I find are very accurate, mainly by asking Muslim students I have met at the University here.

I would refer you to "Islam: Religion or Political Ideology" (August 10, 2004); "Why Islam Baffles America" (April 16, 2004); and "Does Islam have a Prayer"(May 18, 2004).

After wading through all that, you might wonder what in the world do we expect to accomplish? You would be right to wonder that too. We may have already doomed our efforts by making Islam the bogeyman. This is like attacking a shadow that moves around. There is a clash of ideas, beyond civilizations, at work. This statement can be easily spun to mean different things to different audiences, but our "Ideas," and the Iraqis' "Ideas" concerning democracy, leadership, and national identity are quite different.

Buzz, we will need a political and diplomatic solution to Iraq beyond the military but are certainly trapped in the need for a military presence to insure the political and diplomatic process will work. It's a vicious circle.

And to think this entire, I mean the entire mess, was all started on the basis of a personal grudge, towering lies, and a thirst for revenge against all things Arabic/Muslim, we have gambled both the future of the Iraqis and our own nation on a hunch that great displays of force and horror will win out in Iraq.

Ummm, Buzz, we've tried that before, and it didn't work out very well. But, here we go again, hold on, turbulence ahead!

Thanks for BuzzFlash!! An essential!

Steve in Syracuse

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Subject: Bon Voyage, William Safire

Never was there a more ordinary incarnation of the editorial writer than William Safire. A master of the banal and borrowed, in 27 years he never failed to satisfy an appetite for the obvious. If only Robert Novak would follow him into richly-deserved oblivion.

Albert Clark, NY

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Subject: It's the filter!

Dear BuzzFlash,

The articles and editorials you have recently posted chronicling the theft of the election are chilling indeed. Even worse is the mainstream media's nonchalant attitude toward voter irregularities, and the possibility of large scale voter fraud.

Our beloved Dem party is self destructing. It is not for want of a powerful message, not because we have weak candidates, and not even due to lack of money; it is the filter!. As long as we depend on the corporate media to fairly interpret current events, scrutinize Bush and the Republicans, and present alternative viewpoints, we are doomed.

If the Dem. Party and the progressive movement is to survive (and let's face it, we're on life support!), WE MUST HAVE our own media outlets to compete with Fox News, and all the Fox wannabees on CNN, MSNBC, and the networks. In the meantime (in my humble opinion), the focus of our attention should be on (1) developing new ways to get our message out, and (2) on putting pressure on the current media outlets.

For example, why do DEMS put up with MSNBC and CNBC having rightwing propaganda programs (like Scarborough Country, Dennis Miller, and Republican kissups like Hardball)? We (the 48% of the voting public) potentially have the clout to affect changes at these networks if we have the will and the organization to do it. I firmly believe we could effectively put pressure on MSNBC and CNBC through organized boycotts. These two networks' ratings are pretty weak now. If they were to lose a majority of their Dem viewers, they would think twice about employing the likes of Scarborough, Miller, etc.

Progressives must unite and must act now. The internet is certainly the place to begin, but it is not the place to end. We have to reach the masses, and we need both television and radio to do it.

Thank you BuzzFlash. Your service to our cause and to America cannot be underestimated.

Sincerely,
Dan Van Neste

[BuzzFlash Note: ...we're hoping you mean overestimated?]

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Subject: "Bush's Guernica"

Dear Buzz,

A very thoughtful and well-reasoned editorial, laying out your points and supporting them well. The most haunting line is the plaint of the Iraqi father looking at one of his two hospitalized sons: "Look at that child. Does that child look like Zarqawi?"

In the same spirit, I would say: Look at our government. Does it look like the government of a democracy?

Jon Krampner

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Subject: Bev Harris has first-hand evidence of trashed voting results in FL

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: The Next Big Thing

Ms. Farrell's article really brought home everything I'm feeling right now after the disastrous reelection of that buffoon. A few of my friends have said they are moving, some to Canada and another to Puerto Vallarta….I wish I could afford to move right now…I am very afraid of what the future holds…Being from California, I feel we were punished and ignored for these past 4 years because we are a "blue" state…I shudder to think of the coming repercussions for again having voted the way we did. I don't even think having a republican governor is going to help us either…Arnold has snubbed the right wing by going ahead with embryonic stem cell research….

I will continue to read your articles at BuzzFlash because, although they paint a very dismal picture of America of the next four years and beyond, you do make me feel that I'm not going crazy and there are many out there that feel the way I do. Thank you.

Nina Porcella
San Francisco, CA

[BuzzFlash Note: Of course, misery loves company, and many of us are miserable about the election. Thanks for stayin' with us...]

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Subject: Hope

Like many of your readers, I was stunned and angry and shocked by the results of this past election. I volunteered for the first time in my life (I am 43) because I felt that this was the most important election of my life. I spent 12 hours on election day knocking on doors to try to get out the vote. I went home and watched the returns begin to roll in, first with excitement, then with growing horror as I realized that John Kerry was going to lose.

For the first week, I was angry with nothing to do with the raw emotions. Then, as I did after the tragedy of 9/11, I began the slow process of educating myself. I read about the problems across the country, and I read other people's reactions to the apparent theft of
another election. I found a lot of anger and frustration. But I also found something else. I stumbled on a book by Paul Loeb (ran across it from a link on BuzzFlash!): The Impossible Will Take A Little While. I also picked up Howard Zinn's book: Voices of a People's History of the United States. I started to read.

And I found hope.

And I started to think of all the little things I could do to keep myself sane.

I started a weblog (www.howlingbeast.blogspot.com); I wrote to my republican senator telling her that she also represented me, and that I had a few things to say. I am gradually getting back into surfing the 6 to 10 news sources I look at regularly to get away from the systemic bias of the network news. I found some wonderful new websites:
www.sorryeverybody.com for one. I started listening to more music. I started getting back into my life.

I am lucky. I have a healthy family, a stable job, and good friends. The next four years will likely not be terrible for me. But it will be for a lot of people. And I can stand up and say no, even if the jingoists shout me down. I can do what I can to shine light on the lies and deceit that come almost daily from this administration. I will do what I can. I want to be able to look my 9 year old in the eye and tell her I tried, and sometimes that's all you can do.

Thank you for your website. Thank you for helping to shine the light of truth into the dark world. You have been a lifeline at times, and I know I am not the only one out here that appreciates your efforts.

Keep the faith; it's only four years, and there IS more good in the world than evil.

Dr. Brett A. Fox

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Subject: Glitch in Utah

From the Utah bureau of the Associated Press on Nov. 13. Story not carried nationally:

Justin B.

[BuzzFlash Note: We added the bold face for emphasis...unbelievable!]

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Subject: The Daily Show?

Usually the daily show, sadly, stands out as the only reasonable news source on television. However, they haven’t even mentioned that there is going to be a recount in Ohio… kind of odd considering their election coverage was titled “Prelude to a Recount” and now they’re getting it, but not cracking any jokes about it. Seems like the fact that Cobb only received 24 votes in all of Ohio and he’s the one raising money for a recount… could be made funny.

-Alex

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Just now, 12:10 a.m. on BBC World [11/17/04], Dr. James Zogby was being interviewed for a few minutes about Condi Rice and he wasn't nice about her at all.  In fact, he felt, essentially, she was just a mouthpiece for Bush. It was only a few minutes, and the tone was neutral, but the words were NOT neutral at all toward her! Thought you all might like to know, for your info.   Now they have brilliant Dem. Jane Hartman (sp), who I like a lot talking about the CIA.  

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: United States of Canada

I am seriously for the blue states becoming Canadian. I am a blue state man living in a red state. Also for years I have thought of a more radical Issue. First there would be the eastern states of America. Then southern states of America. How can I go about starting on getting this on the ballot? The blue states becoming Canadian, that is. I am serious! If could move to Canada I would be there tomorrow.

Thank you,

Newton

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Subject: When?

When will the killing of Iraqis balance the dead at the World Trade Center in the scales of Bush's malice? Will it take a million dead or ten million dead? Will there be a few million dead Iranians and Syrians included for good measure? And when America and their leader are satisfied with the megatons of flesh and the rivers of blood destroyed through their vengeance, what then? Will Bush then have the power to stop it?

Will anyone?

D.L. Miller

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Subject: The Rats

Oh boy, is the news full of it today [11/15/04].

I turned on the news and got an earful of the "rats deserting a sinking ship." I have lost track of all the resignations at the higher level of our administration. There are so many, it is hard to keep count. The one bright spot is that the captain (mr. B) always goes down with his ship. HAAAA!!!! Our illustrious leader will get in the only lifeboat and kick out all the women and children to save his own sorry-assed neck!

And then I got on the computer and read the London Times article about the "enemy combatants" being flown to countries that condone torture, to be tortured. Then we have the "purge" (KGB style) of the CIA of all the "liberal Democrats." Business as usual in Bushland. I hope each of us who speaks our minds about the mindless enjoy Egypt, Jordan, et al.

We must continue the fight to save democracy!!!! I still urge each and every person to check out http://www.eci.gov.in/EVM/EVM_7.htm and pressure all our congressmen, legislators and election boards to do the same. It is too late for this year, but we might be able to stop a "Saddam style election" - 100% victory - in 2008 for Bush (whether it be W or Jeb). Just watch, it is coming unless we act now and keep the pressure on.

I feel privileged to be in a Blue area (about 5 southern counties) in a Red state (Texas) which brings up another point. This area of Texas debunks the Rovian theory that Hispanics switched to Bush. The Blue areas in Texas are about 85% Hispanic, so let Rove put that in his Hash Pipe and smoke it!!!!

KEEP THE FAITH, BABY!!!!

Jerry in Weslaco, Texas

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Subject: News Coverage

Dear BuzzFlash,

So, let me get this straight. While the U.S. television networks censor images from Iraq, the Arab-run Al Jazeera network shows them in their entirety. Just who are the true believers in "free speech" and "freedom of the press" anyway?

I'm confused. I thought it was supposed to be us! ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and the FOX NEWS Channel all say the images are "too graphic to broadcast." Maybe they are "too graphic to commit." Did they ever think of that? What is it about THE TRUTH that they are so afraid of?

Are they afraid that if America knew the truth about what was going on in Iraq, they'd rise up and send the Bush administration and these pseudo networks straight to Hell where they belong?

Long live free speech. Long live America. Down with George Bush and his corporate fascists.

Rob Moitoza
U.S. Navy Veteran

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Subject: Fallujah in ruins, and the troops move on

Dear Friends -

Tonight we mourn the innocent dead and wounded of Fallujah. And we are not at all alone. The rest of the world watches in dismay, and half of this nation's people mourn as well - at least those who get more objective news than FOX is presenting.

Tonight KPFK, one of the few more informative news sources, is quoting eyewitnesses fleeing Fallujah, describing cluster bombs burning the living flesh of civilians, countless war crimes against civilians, US soldiers dumping bodies into the Euphrates, and at least 1,600 Iraqis confirmed dead, with that being just the tip of the casualty iceberg. As the symbol of resistance smolders in deathly silence, the actual resistance continues elsewhere in Iraq and US forces move on to new battles.

This article contains even more vivid and disturbing accounts of what is really happening in Fallujah and elsewhere in Iraq:

Dogs Eating Bodies in the Streets of Fallujah (seattle.indymedia.org)

But should we just get used to our empire being on the rampage, especially if Condi Rice is taking over Powell's position as Secretary of State?

We can hope that Bush surrounding himself with his most intimate buddies and yes-wo)men will precipitate and accelerate an incestuous implosion of his policies that will bring the entire Bush Bunch to justice for war crimes of the highest order. But how many will die until this happens? And how many more if this doesn't happen?

As the voter fraud examination takes on official dimensions, we can hope for Kerry to un-secede and pursue the presidency that is rightfully his.

But if this doesn't pan out, we will need to get into the political trenches for the longer haul and make sure that the mid-term elections in 2006 bring enough Democrats back into Congress to make impeachment proceedings a true possibility. This may be our only chance to bring this juggernaut to a halt.

Be well -
Peter L.

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Subject: people of faith

FRIENDS…

In her column entitled "Slapping the Other Cheek" in the New York Times this morning, Maureen Dowd wrote about the "Christian avengers and inquisitors, hearts hard as marble," who, she says, seem like a "vengeful mob – revved up by rectitude – running around with torches and hatchets after heathens and pagans and infidels." In support of her thesis, she quotes from a letter from Bob Jones III, president of the fundamentalist college of the same name, to the president saying, "Christ has allowed you to be his servant" so he could "leave an imprint for righteousness," by appointing conservative judges and approving legislation "defined by biblical norm. In your re-election, God has graciously granted America -- though she doesn't deserve it -- a reprieve from the agenda of paganism. Put your agenda on the front burner and let it boil. You owe the liberals nothing. They despise you because they despise your Christ."

She went on to quote other leading Evangelicals who have said similar things since the election.

After reading this, I have decided it is time for us Biblical Christians to take Christ back from right-wing demagogues who lust for power and violate the teachings and example of our beloved Jesus in their rush to justify their hatred. It seems altogether possible to me that the Anti-Christ promised in the Revelation of John may well be embedded in the Religious Right and the Neo-Conservative movement of our time.

As a born-again, Evangelical Christian, I am deeply disturbed by what I am hearing these days. The biggest weakness that true Biblical Christians face today is that we firmly believe Christ called us to love others – even our enemies -- and to be tolerant of the attitudes of others and that has always prevented us from identifying anyone as a heretic. However, the situation has grown so fearful that it is time for people of faith to speak out boldly against heresy!

The Religious Right and the Neo-Conservatives do not seem to be reading the same Bible as we are. Their emphasis on hatred and intolerance and fear is so contrary to Biblical faith that it is time they be identified for what they are – heretics, persons who believe in ideas that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus. The truly frightening thing in all of this is that, because of the lack of understanding of Biblical faith in the secular press and because of a reverence for the political skill of the Neo-Conservatives, the Religious Right has been defined as the voice of all Christianity even though they clearly stand outside the mainstream of the faithful. And, the most disturbing thing about all of this to me, personally, is that their fearless attack on both the tenants of the Christian faith and on what has always been holy and good about the United States are forcing me to become intolerant of them and to hate, at least, their besmirching of Christ’s teachings.

The primary reason I and most other Biblical Christians voted against the current administration in last week’s election was because of their blatant immorality -- not because (as the press has erroneously indicated) they somehow stood for Christian values. There is next to nothing in either their style of operation or their specific actions that makes them seem anything but Anti-Christian to me.

I call on all persons who truly believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior to stand firmly against these evil forces that are taking over both our church and our nation.

May you enjoy all of the grace, peace, and love that God wishes for you, RONN

Forwarded by a BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: "Can't believe ya" Rice top US diplomat!?!?!

Oh well, why not? The president's cabinet reflects his life experience. Spectacular rewards follow spectacular failures. God forgive the president, and God help us all.

Condoleezza Rice Named Top U.S. Diplomat (AP/Yahoo)

Cory Hinman
Ann Arbor, MI

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Subject: election fraud

As an american ex-patriot who has been living in France for 8 years, I am happy to have discovered BuzzFlash as my link to what is really going on in the U.S. After the election, for the first time since I have been in France, I realised that while I do not miss living in the US, it will always be "my" country and at this moment, I cry for her. I feel frustration at being far away and not on the ground to fight for democracy. But your site inspires me to take whatever small steps I can for the future of the country and that includes sending the following letter to the N Y Times.

Thomas Calder
Paris, France

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Subject: goss consolidation of power

I was reading this article this morning and something kept gnawing at me. Here is Porter Goss, in his new capacity as director, sending out missives admonishing those who remain at the CIA that they must support the Bush administration. Over and above this transparent attempt at consolidating power, something struck me as very familiar about this behavior. As the article progresses there are numerous quotations from Mr. Goss and it was striking the way he was framing intelligence as a "business" in describing the "product" that he wished to produce.

New C.I.A. Chief Tells Workers to Back Administration Policies (NY Times)

Where have I seen this before? Then it dawned on me... Rupert Murdoch and Fox news! Does anyone else find this more than a little disturbing? I can see it now... new slogan for the CIA (or soon to be renamed FIN, for Fox Intelligence Network), "Fair and Balanced... We Present, You Invade!" How soon will it be before Mr. Goss begins developing the new "domestic intelligence product"? Will the Gulfstream 5 and 737 begin making domestic flights for profit?

Well, I sort of feel like terrorism is alive and well in America, at least for 49% of the population! What is a civil disobedient to do about this?

Just as I was about to click on the link for Canadian immigration, another thought occurred to me that might present a solution. It came, as these things often do, as a form of mental judo when you reframe the problem in the solution. In this case, I feel like we should take a cue from the enemy and utilize a "whisper campaign" made famous by Karl Rove and Bush Sr.

I hereby propose that Fox news and the CIA are one and the same and indiscernible. Think about it. It was recently in the news that Rupert Murdoch is considering pulling the base of Fox news out of Australia and transplanting it to New York City. Some people have said that there have been a number of clandestine meetings between Mr. Goss and Mr. Murdoch in anticipation of the move. It is rumored that a number of things were discussed along the lines of shared resources, such as Psy-Ops, as well as future collaborations for economic benefits and market inroads. High level sources quoted anonymously state that the CIA agent under the guise as a roving Fox news reporter would represent excellent cover and a benefit for both agencies.

It doesn't matter if this is true or not. If we all say it loudly and often enough it will become true! I dare say that there are a multitude of factoids floating around out there on the Internet just waiting to be congealed around this issue and provide overwhelming credibility! And... Oh my God... what if this really is true and I've broken the story of the century!? I've never ridden in a Gulfstream before...

Seriously, think about it. If we succeed in pulling this off we will essentially kill two birds with one stone. If every Fox news reporter or collaborator is viewed as a CIA agent, what happens to their credibility? No one will ever talk openly to these bozos again! If they don't cease and desist "investigative reporting" in numerous hotspots throughout the world I dare say the death toll of journalists which is already appalling will climb markedly. Conversely every broadcast from Fox begins to be viewed as the Psy-Op that it really is! Hopefully, Porter Goss and the CIA, in turn, will realize the danger in pursuing "fair and balanced" intelligence before Osama bin Laden ships a Russian nuclear firecracker to the Bush coronation in Washington, DC in January.*

*(I feel it necessary to state here that the above comments are merely satire and in no way represent any knowledge of any plot to harm the President or the United States of America. God Bless the USA. Thank-you.)

A BuzzFlash Reader, at
http://members.cox.net/thedoodabides...

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Subject: The Silence about the voting "irregularities" is deafening

I'm just wondering...where are all of the usual voices of dissent when it comes to the election "irregularities" during the 2004 election? Jimmy Carter, Michael Moore, MoveOn.org, Democratic Party leadership...? Why the silence? Has it come to the point where all the mainstream media has to do any more is mention the phrase "conspiracy
theory" to get the activists and critics to cower in fear?

One of those pseudo-intellectual know-it-all pundits the other day on TV said, "no serious person, at this point, would claim that the 2004 election was stolen or that there was fraud." Oh, really now? Says who?

Where was the serious analysis? Please point me to the answers that pass a smell test. Who has even tried to take a close look at the "irregularities" and answer the most basic questions to a serious person's satisfaction besides blackboxvoting....?

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: watch out for Rummy and foreign policy

Dear Sir or Madam,

I know you probably have like 1000 emails, but I had one request and that is to keep in touch with our foreign policy and present administration.

Keep track of what Donald Rumsfeld is up to with other countries. What is he doing down in Latin America with the Panama Canal? I haven't heard anything about him in the news since the Abu Ghraib scandal. I feel strongly that in Bush's second term, Rumsfeld will be assuming the combined roles of Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and Dick Cheney. I don't trust this guy. Remember that he thinks it is perfectly fine to torture
other human beings. What would our savior Yahshua HaMashiach (also known as Jesus
Christ) say about that?

Our administration is full of hypocrites. The one with any humility and belief in human rights resigned yesterday.

Sincerely,

a Republican from the blue state of Pennsylvania

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Subject: Imperial Hubris

Dear Madam:

After reading Anonymous' book, "Imperial Hubris-Why The West Is Losing The War On Terror," I've got even worse misgivings for this country. Time magazine just released a story about weapons of mass destruction being smuggled into the States via the Mexican border and how easy it would be to do just that. The American public may hear John
Ashcroft promise that "we are now safe from terrorists," but after a nuclear, or biological, device is set off at Disneyland or downtown Los Angeles, what will they believe? Our borders are as thin and weak as possible, just watch Lou Dobbs on CNN every night. If you read this book by an expert on our enemy, you'll see just how determined they are to kill as many Americans as they can. It doesn't look good.

Kit Wilson
Los Angeles

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Subject: Political Hackers take Florida, Ohio by Storm

I've heard no one mention a little detail embedded in the Exit Polling data in the pivotal states of Florida and Ohio. Did you know that John F. Kerry ( President without Portfolio) thrashed Bush among political independents in both states (59%-40% in Ohio and 57%-41 in Florida)?

This is not a small voting bloc. They comprise 25% of the electorate in the Buckeye State and 23% of the electorate in the Sunshine State. Yet Bush carried Ohio 51%-49% and Florida 52%- 47%. But a reasonable person could counter that Kerry was ruined by mass defections in his Democratic Base. Right? Not Really. Kerry received 90% of the Democratic Vote in Ohio, 86% in Florida. Sounds like winning formula to me and to the exit pollsters - until the results started coming in.

In order to square their results with the raw returns, the % of the Democratic and independent vote statewide in these two states were pared down, down, down by the Boys at Exit Central. It's the ONLY explanation. The GOP share of the vote was artificially inflated to 40% and 41% of the total votes cast in Ohio and Florida, respectively.

In Ohio, we first heard that the 92,000 overvote controversy was the result of a most odd form of accounting where results are mixed between varying precincts. Well, with Kerry lawyers ready to land in Ohio, a new explanation is now given by the Cuyahoga County Elections Board. The old "Computer Glitch" caused the 140% turnouts in the white bread townships and villages surrounding the City of Cleveland. Which explanation is it guys? Computer Screw ups or Enron Vote accounting?

Shifting alibis are the stock in trade of people who have been caught with their mitts in the cookie jar. In Fla., it's no secret that optical vote scanning machines were hacked in rural, heavily Democratic Counties, resulting in Bush increasing his total raw vote count in these jurisdictions by 35- 50% from his 2000 showing. Increases in Kerry's raw vote in these counties rarely exceeds the percent increase in Voter participation throughout the State.

In Ohio the same Mo is apparent. There are too many counties - nearly twenty- showing Bush winning 70-75% of the vote. In a heavily leaning GOP state, it would not seem so fishy, but Ohio is a battleground state. As was the case in Florida, aggregate Bush/Cheney raw vote totals make enormous gains in rural Ohio from 2000, while Kerry's raw vote totals are stuck in the mud,The Gore Zone. Put in other words, The New Voters in Florida and Ohio all seem to land in the Bush column. Little wonder the Exit Polls were so screwed up.

All Rovian explanations for this -- rural surge, the Black surge, the Hispanic surge, the 18-29 year old surge-- are directly contradicted by scores of polls, and the Exit Poll taken on Election Day. It's becoming clearer by the day that these "Surges" were "electrical" in origin. John Zogby, Lou Harris, Stan Greenberg, Warren Mitofsky and Opinion Dynamics, the most accurate pollsters in 2000, didn't become morons over night. And where is Moveon. org and ACT? These "democratic govt" groups are strangely quiet these days. HMMM.

Brad F.

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Subject: Religious fundamentalism

Hey Buzz,

I'd like to take this opportunity to extend a very special and heartfelt "Howdy" to all my good 'ol Bubbas and Bubbettes way down South there in the land of cotton! Greetings from a stereotypical pin head Yankee Librul. Can we talk? It seems certain prominent mouthpieces for the Republican Party (Zell Miller and Charles Krauthammer, among others) are spreadin' calumnious rumors about us, alleging that we consider y'all to be backward, narrow minded, Bible thumpin' bumpkins. I can only speak for myself to this issue, of course, and this egg-headed Librul categorically denies any such mindset.

At the same time, and by the same token, I think y'all might be willing to acknowledge that there is a somewhat higher concentration, or prevalence, if you will, of Christian fundamentalism in the South than in other regions of the country. Now, I'm gonna be entirely up front and above board at this point. I have very serious qualms with any form of religious fundamentalism, be it Christian, Islamic, or what have you. So, what exactly is the nature of my unease, you ask? Well, I'll tell you.

The most troubling proclivity that I have observed in fundamentalist Christians is their absolute certainty that they themselves are "saved," but, at the same time, their stubborn suspicion that others are not as worthy in the eyes of God. This attitude of mind smacks of a smug, self-righteousness of the kind that Jesus frowned upon and, indeed, even roundly condemned on several occasions and in no uncertain terms. It's an attitude of superiority, an in your face attitude, pridefully saying that "I'm better than you," like the tax collector, (or was it the Pharisee?), thanking God that he was not like other men. This "true believer" mentality can easily lead, I fear, to a fanatical world view which ostracizes and persecutes those who are perceived as "not saved." Clearly, such a holier than thou attitude is of the very essence of what Jesus conceived as sin - the very sin which he most consistently condemned, in fact - the sin of hypocritical, self-righteous pride. So, when I see fundamentalist "Christians" proudly wearing their religion upon their sleeves, while, at the same time, obstinately ignoring the central theme of the Gospel of Jesus, then, yes, I shall make it my mission to puncture that puffed up pride. I might even suggest that these "Christians" are cognitively challenged, just to get under their skin a little bit. So, does that mean, then, that I really believe that these "Christians" are cognitively challenged? Not at all. I'm just tryin' to challenge them - cognitively. I'm merely tryin' to bring 'em back down to earth. Tryin' to provoke them to think in new and different ways. Tryin' to save their immortal souls, as it were. Bottom line, I'm simply tryin' to do God's work. I actually hold out some hope for their eventual redemption and salvation. Which is more than we can say for Miller and Krauthammer and their ilk. Miller and Krauthammer, no matter what they might tell you, see fundamentalist Christians as hopelessly cognitively challenged. Which is to say they have nothing but absolute contempt for fundamentalist Christians.

Miller and Krauthammer and their ilk think that they can always find a new straw man to exploit the fears and prejudices of fundamentalist Christians which will distract these same fundamentalist Christians from recognizing their real interests. The latest straw man of choice would be, of course, "gays." (Or would that be straw girlie-man?) Unhappily, Miller and Krauthammer et al., it must be pointed out, represent no less than the reincarnated voice of the white aristocracy of the old South. That is to say, they are an incarnation of the Devil, the Devil whispering blasphemous temptation into the ears of these lost sheep. The old propaganda line whispered by the Devil was; "It's okay to feel the way you do about black people, and don't let those egg-head Northern Libruls tell you otherwise!" The new propaganda line is; "It's okay to be homophobic, and don't let those egg-head Northern Libruls tell you otherwise!"

Of course, Miller and Krauthammer et al. will say, no doubt, that my attitude toward fundamentalist Christians is disdainfully condescending, because I am implying that fundamentalist Christians are too stupid to figure out what their real interests are. Not true. I have an abiding faith that fundamentalist Christians will one day see the light and clearly discern, once and for all, both the will of God and where their real interests lie. Does this mean that I think that I have a better understanding of the will of God than fundamentalist Christians do? Yes. But fundamentalist Christians think that they have a better understanding of the will of God than I do. So we're even.

The difference between Miller and Krauthammer et al. and me with regard to fundamentalist Christians is that I am genuinely concerned for the immortal souls of this heretical sect of the Church. Perhaps I can best illustrate the distinction with an example taken from my own personal experience. My Daddy, God rest his soul, who was himself a preacher, by the way, was an unapologetic practitioner of the philosophy of "tough love." Whenever he thought I did wrong, he would say to me, point blank; "Boy, are you not right bright?!" Now, these were hard words to hear, no doubt. And I heard them often, too. But as I've grown older, I've come to realize that he was right. Sometimes right, at least. Not always, of course. But that's another story. Anyway, so, why the harsh words, you ask? Could it be that I needed such blunt language to penetrate my thick skull? Maybe so. The one thing that I have no question about now is that he had my best interests at heart, even if he might have been sometimes wrong in how he tried to advance that end.

Miller and Krauthammer et al., on the other hand, contemptuously and condescendingly believe that they will be able to pull the wool over the eyes of fundamentalist Christians 'til Hell freezes over. In other words, they really do think fundamentalist Christians are not right bright, and, additionally, when it comes to the best interests of these fundamentalist Christians, this consideration is far from the hearts of Miller and Krauthammer et al. (if indeed they even have hearts to begin with). They see fundamentalist Christians as pawns to be used to make political points and political hay, pawns to be used in the service of furthering the odious reverse Robin Hood agenda of the Republican Party. The only thing Miller and Krauthammer are interested in is lining their own pockets, and they've had a pretty good run these last four years, thanks in no small part to Christian fundamentalists. Yes siree Bob they did very well for themselves, as did the Pat Robertsons and the Jerry Falwells of this world. But did any of this great windfall bonanza from Heaven that befell all of these "Compassionate Conservatives" trickle down to the hoi polloi? ( I'm not talkin' the preachers here, I'm talkin' about their sheep, a.k.a., the salt of the Earth, a.k.a., your average, run of the mill member of these fundamentalist congregations. How did their standard of living fare in this glorious economic expansion? I shall leave you hanging with that pregnant thought.)

As has become my custom, I conclude with a scripture; Matt. 7: 15. "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." Thank you. God bless you. And God bless America!

Best regards,

G. Will Hunter

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Subject: We need to start public education NOW

My 50 something brother-in-law in Ohio voted this year for the first time in his life. Seems he saw the ad by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth and got himself all riled up about John Kerry throwing away his war medals. Prior to this election, he couldn't name the Vice President.

If the Democratic 527s want to do something to help take back the country, they need to start running public education ads NOW. I will contribute and am sure millions of other outraged Democrats will join in. Each ad should take on an issue, e.g. global warming, and state at the end what the Bush administration has or has not done to address the problem. I think this would be effective outside of an active political campaign. I think it would build a base of concern for the next election that would deflect the negative ads the GOP runs against Democratic candidates.

We particularly need to target Walmart as a driving force behind companies moving abroad and work to convince consumers to boycott its stores.

We need to tell the real life stories of people dealing with poverty and the lack of health insurance.

We need to expose Big Pharma and educate people as to how they are being manipulated to take dangerous drugs they don't need.

We need to help the ignorant understand civil liberties issues and our movement toward becoming a police state. ETC. ETC.

We need to avoid sensationalizing and politicizing these issues and go for a neutral, factual tone. We MUST educate the ignorant. It is our only hope.

Barbara Minich,
Illinois

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Subject: Republicans Steal Ohio, Dems Mum, Media Scum

More info on the Great Ohio Grand Theft Larceny: How the Midwest was Won (actually stolen).

1) Apart from the uncounted 150,000 votes in heavily Democratic precincts in Ohio, there is the issue of 50-80,000 unaccounted for absentee ballots. Many voters claim that they either received no ballot or were sent one after Election Day. Those post-election ballots received by Board officials after Nov. 2 will not be counted: Source Election Protection Coalition.

2) From the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Shifting explanations on those 92,672 discarded votes allegedly cast in the affluent suburbs of Cleveland: Provisional ballots gave Kerry fleeting hope (11/4/04 Plain Dealer).

3) Also from The Plain Dealer: Voters in Columbus are suing their Election Board for failing to enter new registrants onto voters' rolls and failing to report voters' changes in address status.

4) In the Cincinnati area, Hamilton County Board of Elections voluntarily exercised their option to purge 150,000 voters who had not voted in the past two federal elections. A move, not required by Ohio law, clearly intended to blunt dormant voters who they feared were angry at Lord Bush.

5) A deliberate strategy of not providing African-American precincts in Cleveland and Columbus with sufficient numbers of voting machines to accommodate the expected tidal wave of turnout. Many chose not to wait in 5 hour long voting lines.

6) According to the Columbus Dispatch and WKVO Radio, people impersonating Board of Election Workers called Ohio voters and directed them to incorrect polling sites.

7) DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe revealed that 250,000 flyers were sent to voters, mostly minorities, falsely informing them that their registration status was now invalid, no need to attempt to vote, folks.

Brad F.

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Subject: Kiss foreign policy good-bye

Does George W. Bush kiss all his cabinet nominees?

I have been trying to do a little research and can’t locate much, but I don’t recall that George W. Bush kissed Christine Todd Whitman, Elaine Chao, Ann Veneman, Gale Norton or Mary Matalin, for that matter, at their nominations? If anyone can help me out with this, I would appreciate it.

Which brings to mind, why did he kiss Condi Rice when he nominated her for Secretary of State? I am pretty sure he didn't kiss Colin Powell, but maybe he will kiss him good-bye. It has been suggested that maybe something is going on between them, but I don’t think so. It wasn’t like a passionate lip lock. It was a, "you have been a good girl, Daddy’s proud of you for obfuscating above and beyond the call of duty."

On Channel 4 this morning they said that Condi showed she could do the job because of the way she handled herself with the 9/11 Commission. That is the same sequence used in Fahrenheit 911. The one where she does her usual Bush duty by not answering any questions, but using all the questioner's time blaming anyone except her boss.

My personal favorite is when she says the title of the August 6 PDB wasn’t specific enough, "Bin Laden determined to Attack in US" or something to that effect. It was historical. Why would you give the president a history lesson in his daily briefing on security?

The woman can talk for hours without saying a damned thing.

You can be confident there won’t be any separation of powers with foreign policy now, since we have all those new Republicans in congress to agree with any invasion Bush might think profitable.

Well, she is correct there. Bush has certainly united most of us on the left.

After she was nominated she jumped right in and lied like a bed-sheet about what successful and wonderful things are happening in Iraq. Maybe Bush is just a kisser by nature; we all know that Condi is a butt-kisser extraordinaire.

There have been fewer than 10 women cabinet members and I wonder if they all got a kiss at their nomination. I am pretty sure none of the men have gotten kissed.

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

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Subject: Leadership?

Dear Buzz,

Where is/was the leadership of the Democratic Party on these E-Voting machines? One gets the inescapable impression that they are engaged now in some kind of a "rear guard" action, some colossal "CYA" operation, if you will. Sadly, it looks like, once again, they were not assertive enough, they didn't ask enough tough questions early on, or maybe they just didn't do their homework - whatever the case, we are now reaping the whirlwind. So, instead of raising Holy Hell from the rooftops about these electronic "instruments of the Devil," which is the response called for under the circumstances, they want to sweep the whole thing under the rug, because they got caught with their pants down and are em bare assed about it.

Well, I'm sorry, but that just won't do. We can't sweep these E-Voting machines under the rug, just to save some people in high places a little embarrassment. This is about saving our Democracy. Hello? We cannot accept these E-Voting machines! Wake up. We must insist on a system which protects the integrity of our electoral process! Why is this such a difficult concept for some people to get their heads around, Buzz?

And as far as this last election goes, we should be fighting like crazed maniacs to find out what happened with these aforementioned damnable machines. But instead, our fearless leaders are as quiet as little mice. The silence, in fact, is deafening. Well, Buzz, I got just one thing to say now to the "leadership" of my Party, and it is offered in the spirit of "tough love." Pull your heads out of your lazy, defeatist em bare assed asses, and do your duty!

Best regards,

G. Will Hunter

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Subject: Boycott Mainstream Press Nationwide

I'm a regular visitor to your site, and have also purchased many of your premiums. I am contacting all the liberal groups I can to try and attempt a nationwide boycott of ALL the mainstream press newspapers for 1-2 weeks straight. If we could pull this off, it would certainly impact these newspapers' financial situations.

The reason for the boycott of course is the continuation of self censorship for this administration, as well as conservative bias. As of today, I haven't seen or heard of one newspaper that is reporting on the voter fraud issue. How else can we fight back if we don't regain the support of the newspapers? The people have the power, we just have to learn how to use it. Will you help me in this endeavor with advice, contacts, publicity, etc?

I just can't stand to stand by and watch our nation go down the sewer.

Please help if able, anything at all will be appreciated!

Annette

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