November 22, 2004

The BuzzFlash Mailbag

The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. Read the BuzzFlash FAQ for info on submitting to the Mailbag.


Subject: Bush fracas during Chilean visit

I am a Chilean citizen but read your paper daily. Most of us here in Chile share your views and that of like online papers such as Truthout, Whatreallyhappened, Commondreams, etc.
Bush´s visit to Chile has left - so far - most of us chuckling because of the overkill in the security measures taken by his entourage, which is also disproportionate to those of the other leaders. By far. Especially in a town almost empty because of the three day weekend.

Two Jumbos filled up with secret service people; 40 (yes, forty) cars in his caravan including two limos just alike so to inspire doubt as to which one he´s in, a huge ambulance, ominous looking vehicles with 6 antennaes; Two planes (Awacs); 200 9mm weapons introduced into the country; Snipers galore; An entire hotel cut from all contact to the exterior for blocks around it; Bush sneaking in and out of tunnels and back entrances: he even refused, and was the only one to do so, to receive honors in the square in front of La Moneda, our government house, because he would have had to walk 80 yards to get inside the latter.

He broke protocol a few times arriving whenever he pleased with disregard for the other leaders including Putin who was not bothered by it, apparently.

The gala dinner that was scheduled for tonight (Sunday 21st) and was to be hosted by our president with an attendance of 250 ministers, government people, and big Chilean entrepreneurs was cancelled by my president due to the insistent requirements of the US Secret Service (SS?) to check everybody bodily for arms with metal detectors and such. Since we did not want to subject our people to such manhandling the dinner is going to be a smaller affair of 20 people. Hours before this happened, before Bush was to arrive to the CEO Summit, everybody had to leave the room (from all 21 countries, mind you) so the SSs could check seat by seat with detectors and dogs.

Then he made his grand entrance after ignoring the host of the Summit, a Chilean, and read a speech titled "Peace and Prosperity in the World." Of course the irony of it was not lost on us, simple spectators, or the press. All this to great applause, half of it real, and half of it pre-taped.

As for the fracas that your paper mentions, reading the news article one may think that Chilean secret service and police just interfered without reason. The truth is that the protocol indicated (and this was made known weeks ago) that each leader was to go inside the dinner place with only one bodyguard. They all complied, except Bush, that tried to enter with six. Of course five were stopped.

Some papers said Bush had "imperial airs."

I think he was hiding as usual.

By the way: My president improvised in his second language (English) while Bush had to read in his native one.

Yours truly,

M. Escudero
Santiago, Chile


"A passion for trust. A quest for excellence"...that is what J. Kenneth Blackwell has written on his web site. Yet he did the Katherine Harris thing to a tee, for Bush.

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/blackwell/index.html

A BuzzFlash Reader


Subject: Colt's Coach Tony Dungy's Hypocrisy?

Dear BuzzFlash,

What with Coach Dungy's amusing uproar over the offensive and sexist nature of the recent NFL skit...

Dungy, others outraged over ABC promo (Indianapolis Star/Yahoo)

I thought that both you and my fellow readers would be interested in this:

Colt's Coach Tony Dungy's Poses With Hooter's Girls (hotsaucelive.com)

Does his moral outrage only go so far and only apply to others?

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed, and hence clamorous to be led to safety, by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. -- Henry L. Mencken

Yours,

Thomas Fiddler
Kentucky, USA


Subject: anderson cooper

Just got home, flipped on the tv, just in time to see Anderson Cooper talking with Paul Begala and Tucker Carlson about the changing cabinet in the administration. Paul Begala made the point that the administration was purging any dissent and replacing with "yes" men. Tucker, of course defended the administration in his usual condescending tone. Paul Begala had the last word and upon closing Cooper said, "spoken like a true democrat." Now, I didn't hear him say to Tucker, spoken like a true, spinning, misleading, neo-con like me. Cooper has never tried to disguise his political affiliation, which would be ok for it is his show. But his words and tone have always always talked down to those with opposite views. This little (very) rich boy is so out of touch with the people, that his snobbery is the only thing about him that shows through.

Bob Lambert
Northridge, CA


Subject: Letter to Disney company, re Sean Hannity

Dear Sirs:

I understand that Disney owns ABC Radio Networks on which Sean Hannity's radio program airs three-hours/day on nearly 400 of your stations.

As a patriotic American, I am appalled that your company has made the shortsighted business decision to actively promote Sean Hannity's crass efforts to enrich himself by insulting, belittling and slandering well over half of the citizens in this country -- all of which are your potential customers. The rightwing extremists that Mr. Hannity panders to are only a small portion of Americans.

Is it really Disney's wish to drive the mainstream majority of the marketplace away from buying Disney products by being associated with a gratuitously divisive personality such as Mr. Hannity? If so, this is not only bad business, it is also rather misguided loyalty on your part, as Mr. Hannity would be first to besmirch both Disney and ABC for being part of the so-called "Liberal Media" that he and his ilk enjoy using as a straw man when contrary view - or inconvenient facts - are disseminated.

While it is ironic (and certainly hypocritical) that Mr. Hannity airs his views via the airwaves of a company he pillars as "liberal" (aka objective), that is his problem. Your problem, however, is that you risk alienating well over half your potential customers when you promote a shrill personality who has made a career out of offending them. I believe that the more people who are made aware of your company's support of Sean Hannity (who is currently associated by most people solely with Fox News), the less people will be inclined to support Disney or ABC. I intend to make sure that people are made aware of the complicity between Mr. Hannity and your company to offend and belittle them.


Sincerely,

Dolores M. Dryden
Harrison, Ohio


Subject: Repubs

I was just reading 'Free Republic.com'...all I have to say to those folks out there calling for the "reporter" who caught the marine assassinating that poor wounded Iraqi and the other folks out there calling for annihilation of the Iraqis........

HOW VERY GODLY....NOT

suzy in tucson


Subject: Upper Hand

Dear BuzzFlash,

Republicans keep pushing their "Marriage rights" agenda, but how about if we usurp the debate? Here's my idea for enterprising progressives. Get this on the ballot in your town:

"Shall the government have the right to tell any U.S. citizen who they can or cannot marry?"

That would expand the debate and make it clear why so many of us don't want anti-gay initiatives to rule the day.

Rob Moitoza
U.S. Navy Veteran
Seattle, WA


Subject: Election reform

Hi to All at BuzzFlash,

After carefully reviewing the 2004 election results, & subsequent commentary, I have concluded that at least 90% of all reported errors were in President Bush's favor. This is a statistical anomaly of great importance, since machine errors are non-partisan in the real world. So, what happened?

Is there reason to believe that computers have developed artificial intelligence (AI), and they changed thousands of Kerry ballots into votes for Bush? Or did the machines just count every third vote for Bush as two votes, instead of one? What can we do to make sure this doesn't happen again?

My suggestion is to assign each voter an individual number. Let's say that we would use our Social Security #. Each voter would log in to the voting machine before casting a ballot. The program would record both the voter's selection & Social Security #, allowing the various election committees to post their results in a way that each voter could check to see if the vote was recorded properly.

How hard is that?

Respectfully submitted,

T.K.
Litchfield, Ct.


Subject: New Mexico: The Case of the Missing Latinos

Where are the Bush supporters in the New Mexican Latino Community? They gave Bush his victory there. The "adjusted" Exit Polls state that Bush was down 2% from his '00 showing among whites, who comprise 56% of that state's votes. Al Gore barely defeated Jorge statewide in 2000. Where does Bush regain the advantage? The Latino Community. The Exits conclude that Bush increased his support among New Mexico's Latino population by a whopping 12% to a grand total of 44%. They comprise 32% of the voting universe in New Mexico and that gain would more than bridge the gap Bush faced among whites in 2004. Bottom Line: Bush ekes out a 50-49% victory.

One Problem. WHERE ARE THE BUSHITE LATINOS? The top 3 counties comprising 137,000 of New Mexico's total Latino vote of 258,120 must show a big increase for Bush. He's 12% ahead of his 2000 share of the Hispanic Vote. Right?

Here's the data: There are 69,000 Latino Voters in Bernalillo County, 42% of the County's Vote. How did Bush do in comparison to 2000? 2000 results: Gore 49% Bush 47% Nader 4%. In 2004 the results were: Kerry 51% Bush 48% Nader 1%. Where is the Bush Hispanic Power Surge?

In Dona Ana County there are 38,040 Hispanic voters, they comprise 63.4% of the County's Vote. In 2000 Gore carried the County; 51% to Dubya's 46%, Nader 3%. In '04 Kerry received 51%, Bush 48%, Nader 1%. Anyone see a 12% Bush boost there?

In Santa Fe County, Latinos comprise 49% of that jurisdiction's vote. 31,850 Hispanics vote there. In 2000, Gore received 65% of the vote, compared to Bush's 28% and Nader's 7%. In 2004 Kerry defeated Bush 71-28%.

In these three counties that comprise roughly 55% of the Hispanic vote in New Mexico, we see a Bush net gain of 1.5% from '00 to 04'. WHERE IS THE MISSING 11%?

What's more, Kerry outpaced Gore's % support among Latinos by 2.5% in the BIG 3. The net victory margin for Kerry increased by 1% from 2000.

As the Velasquez Foundation Exit Poll of Hispanic voters nationwide has shown, there is no gain for Jorge Bush.

In Florida, the New Democrat Network exit poll showed Kerry winning among Florida Hispanics; 53% - 45%. The early network polls confirmed that analysis as well. They later adjusted their results to show Bush winning 56% of the Latino vote in Florida.

This Hispanic surge is a chimera. E Voting fraudsters targeted rural areas and then placed the blame, the horror, of four more years of this MESS on Minority communities -- supposedly whipped up into an anti-homosexual mania by Gay Marriage Constitutional amendments. Oh Brother!

Rural Votes were created in cyberspace and taken away in Big Cities. The Result: A 51 -48% Kerry victory was turned into a 51%-48% Bush "victory." There can be no other way. The numbers don't add up. And we're suppose to go along with Electric Electoral "9/11" and just keep our mouths shut and look the other way. That's the Road to Hell!

Brad F.


Subject: FDA's response to flu shot shortage questioned

A large percentage of the elderly face a serious threat to their lives if they contact the flu virus this season.

I traveled to the nearest VA hospital last week and obtained a flu shot. But my wife, who has a history of pulmonary problems and a collapsed lung has not been able to get a flu shot. The VA would furnish it if I were 100 percent disabled.

After contacting the national hotline, I was informed that Midland had sufficient flu vaccine. I moved from there last year, a Republican area, and the adopted home of Bush. It is about 700 miles round trip. I checked with the local county, city, clinics and hospitals, even Fort Hood (which only had vaccine for active duty personnel), and none to be found. I believe the vaccine has been given to young school children.

It seems this country is only concerned about making plenty of money, and not enough profit is made to satisfy pharmaceutical companies. And evidently the government isn't concerned enough about the health of citizens.
 
"FDA's Response to Flu Shot Shortage Questioned
Lawmakers Want to Know When First Hints Emerged on Problems at Lab"
By MARK SHERMAN, AP

RB


Subject: My letter to Mr. Olbermann re: Kerry's e-mail

I agree with you, but consider.....Kerry received a lot of money via e-mail from folks like me. He is in essence betraying his lack of interest in democrats who didn't support him with money, I guess. I do think he has decided not to raise much of a finger at all concerning the two most important issues we face as a country--

1. war, including an imminent one with Iran:

Diplomatic overtures to Iran do not appear to be part of the U.S. strategy, but Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage told the Arab world Friday, "We're talking about resolving this problem by diplomatic means."

"War is obviously not an option that we want to consider if we can help it," Armitage said in an interview on the Al-Jazeera television network."

Analysis: Echoes of Iraq in Case Vs. Iran (AP/Yahoo)

and 2. The very real takeover of our country by the wealthy, who have done everything in their considerable power to disenfranchise the little guy.

Remember when there was a vast, global protest against the U.S. going to war against Iraq? (Including untold numbers of people in the U.S.?)

The Bush administration called us focus groups. I really AM considering Canada.

Oh, if you get the chance, get your news company to show the ripped apart children, arms and legs blown off, eyes blinded, etc. that have resulted because Congress and the Administration didn't listen to the "focus groups." You can find these pictures on the internet in foreign news sources.

Respectfully,

Susan Yabumoto


I don't know at this point what the U.S. is headed for. But as long as G.Bush and D. Cheney are in power and this right wing agenda, America is headed for a disaster. These people are spreading hate and the freedom of speech. It's their way or the highway and that's a dangerous path to follow. Look at all the debt we are in. The Dems. have to rise up and take this country back.

A BuzzFlash Reader


There is no doubt in my mind G.Bush and the Republicans stole this election again. I believe on election day when they found out that J.Kery was winning they immediately converted the machines to their advantage.

A BuzzFlash Reader


Subject: Grading Bush even on a Curve shows continued failure!

Oh, Mr. Bush, you financial genius, you! Your money wizard, Mr. Greenspan, today announced he’s afraid the U.S. dollar is getting the short end of the stick against the Euro. Then there is the matter of that huge trade deficit which will raise our interest sooner rather than later. We also can’t forget the now 8.1 trillion debt. How nice of Congress to raise the limit so you can borrow more. How much interest will you be paying now? If your budget in 2005 gets approved like you want, that eight trillion could go skywards again. Does that mean Social Security is more endangered, or less money for health, education and many other services? I guess we can’t have it all, huh?

What about our system of checks (very few and getting worse) or balance, way to the right now. Love your new cabinet, Condi, Hadley, Gonzales (who writes great memos promoting torture) and the strictly impartial Mr. Porter Goss. Of course I forgot, you have all that capital to spend. Forget grandchildren paying, maybe we ought to say our great grand children’s future will answer for your fiscal irresponsibility!

Ah, but in the war on terror, according to you, that’s progressing, along with over 1200 deaths and major injuries to our soldiers and the slaughter of innocents. Our continued policy of bomb and blitz, kill and conquer, has reduced their cities and their mosques to rubble. That will win their hearts and minds! But what, us worry, after all, their oil is going to pay for it all! By the way, I hear they found what could be Al-Zarqawi’s hide out. Of course he has been gone for awhile, probably he was alerted by all the military’s prior plans broadcast all over kingdom come. Do you think he got out of Dodge? He did leave all that good info, on purpose I presume, because he is too dumb to get a headache. All he needed was to leave us a note signed LOVE, AL-ZARQAWI! How’s his friend, Osama doing, you remember him, the guy that sent planes into our world Trade Center? He is still tripping merrily through the poppy fields you promised to get rid of long ago. I don’t know what I appreciate more, that “strictly by the book election” (what’s a few people voting more than once, or disappearing ink, mean anyway?) in Afghanistan, or the legitimate puppet government you installed in Iraq!

I noticed Mr. Chirac and Mr. Blair agreeing to agree about all except Iraq. Too bad you were too busy to join them and Russia, when they talked to Iran, especially now when they are suspected of developing nuclear weapons. Please don’t start priming the pump or the public for invading Iran. We shouldn’t worry because you said last time it would only be a last resort. Now you are stretched too thin, unless you turn the back door draft of those who already served or medical personnel into a front door draft. I also hope you consider talking to North Korea, since you have been asked many times to help.

You know those investigations that you stonewalled until after the election, the CIA outing of Valerie Plame, who told Chalabi what, Phase 2 of that CIA report on 9/11 that blames your Administration, what’s happening with them? Did you ever punish Richard Foster with severe consequences for telling the truth to Congress? I remember now, your Republican buddies blocked that investigation with their majority. So many questions so few answers, but you have the wind at your back with the 51% that you claim gives you a mandate to do it your way!

Don't you just love the way protestors greeted you a couple days in a row, it wasn't with flowers that they give to liberators. I see how the world's still respecting you! What about the 6 countries, including your former buddy, Spain, who do not want to send anyone to be trained to assist in your Egotistical war in Iraq?

Just over a couple weeks since your so called mandate, and your progress is well noted by all of us who did not vote for you!

Susan


Subject: Early Voting Trend Backs up "Discredited" Exit Poll Projection of Kerry win

The evidence continues to mount up that Bush stole the election - BIG TIME.

In Iowa...

1) The Des Moines Register polled citizens who voted before Election Day. The result among this group - 27% of the Iowa Electorate - Kerry 52% Bush 41%. The Final AP results showed Bush defeating Kerry in Iowa 50 - 49%. Another Miracle for President Miracle.

2) Quinnipiac College surveyed early voters in Florida. The Result: Kerry 56% Bush 39%. The Final AP results: Bush 52% Kerry 47%.

3) ABC News polled voters who had voted early at either a polling station or by absentee ballot. In those 25 states (AL AK AZ ARK CA CO FLA GA, HAW IND IA KS ME NEB NV NM NC ND OR SD TENN TX UTAH VT and WVa), the result: Bush 51% Kerry 47%. The major 2 Party split: Bush 52% Kerry 48%.

NOT GOOD NEWS FOR BUSH. In 2000, Bush defeated Gore in these 25 states with Bush on 54% (24,464,219), Gore on 46% (21,029,219). In these 25 states, Bush was running 2% behind his '00 showing against Gore. In 2000, the Major party split nationwide was Gore 50.2% Bush 49.8 %

Subtract 2% off the Bush % share of the vote and add 2% to Kerry's share of the vote and you end up with a Kerry winning the national popular vote, 52.2 % - 47.8 %. Factoring in third party candidates -- as the exit pollsters did -- and you come out with a final tally, Kerry 51.6% Bush 47.4% Others 1.0%

The unadjusted Exit Poll projection for the Presidential Race Popular Vote: Kerry 51% Bush 48% Others 1%. The ABC Poll factored in the Democratic bias amongst early polling and the GOP bias among absentee voters. And as has been shown in North Carolina, the combined absentee/early voting numbers match very closely the final results -- except in the NC. Senate Race (Bowles v. Burr) and in the Presidential Race. Republican Burr won, thus helping Bush grab a greater stranglehold on the US. Senate while Cheney nemesis John Edwards was humiliated.

Despite all the pre-election polls, the Senator added not a single percent to the Democratic ticket. Not likely. Meanwhile, our "free press" has been ordered from on high to not breathe a word of this larceny to the great unwashed masses. Just chalk the whole thing up to internet conspiracists.

Brad F.


Subject: Photos as protest to the violence in Iraq

Dear Friends -

Americans are, due to a well orchestrated news blackout, seeing far too little of the true effect of what 'our' side has been doing to innocent civilians during the most recent assault on Fallujah.

The site reachable with the link below was created by an individual who compiled photos from many sources as a protest against that violence.

Yes, some will say we should then also show equally graphic photos of the victims
of terrorist bombings and attacks, and perhaps we should - anything to show the true effect of bombs and bullets on human flesh, whatever their source. But even if the attack on Iraq and Fallujah were a justifiable reaction to such terrorism (which it is NOT!) the manner in which this 'cleansing' of terrorists and insurgents is taking place is reprehensible by any standards of human decency.

Warning: The photos on this site are very, very grim . . .very unrelenting, but a very real reminder of the reality of war. I pass them on because photos like these have during past wars helped bring the realistic consequences of armed conflict into the public consciousness and perhaps contributed to their ending earlier. Please pass them on in that
spirit. May they help now.

http://fallujapictures.blogspot.com/

The passage below was written by Bob Potter, Vet for Peace, in reaction to seeing these photos.

The images from Fallujah were, just as you warned, disturbing. In fact I had some trouble sleeping last night, and as I woke up this morning the pictures seemed almost to come to life, as if I could smell the blood and the corpses as well as see what had happened in that devastated city. The neat alignment of the rows of agonized bodies reminded me of the first sight I had of the atrocities in the Nazi death camps, in a newsreel when I was eleven years old.

Will our grandchildren grow up with the images of this war (and its prisons, from Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo) engraved in their guilty memories? Is this the legacy we are leaving them?

I called Bush's comment line this morning and said I understood he claimed to be a Christian, and I hoped that was the case -- because Christians believe in a Last Judgment, when all one's actions on earth are revealed for what they were, and subjected to eternal justice.

As for me, if that's the case I will be judged for letting my tax dollars pay for this kind of slaughter. As for Bush, he will stand there with that blood on his hands, and judged for issuing the orders.

Thanks (I guess) for directing me to the site.

Bob

Be well,

Peter L.


Subject: Forwarded, a funi

The Democrats' mistake was thinking that a disastrous war and national bankruptcy would be of concern to the electorate. The Republicans correctly saw that the chief concern of the electorate was to keep gay couples from having an abortion.


Subject: Jane Hawes' Letter to President Bush

I would like to congratulate Jane Hawes (November 19th Mailbag, second item) on a thoughtful, powerful, spiritual message I would hope the President would prayerfully consider, but, like Ms. Hawes, I doubt he will even see it.

Jane Hawes is much more kind to the President than I. I have always considered him a Pharisee posing as a Christian. But, as Jesus says, "Judge not..."

Terry A.


Never, under the previous eleven presidents have we witnessed a worse administration in this country. Not even under the previous five Republican presidents who were either guilty of impeachable crimes, pardoning their predecessor, or both.

The whole country will wake up after the Bush regime tears it apart. I foresee four more years of disaster. Iraq will end badly, I am convinced, with Muslim terrorists swarming from every country in the region. It will be another Vietnam or worse. I don't believe any more countries would come to our assistance if we get our asses kicked badly. 

They are destroying the economy, environment, education, etc., and the fiscal irresponsibility will likely reduce the middle class to a minuscule remnant of yesterday. Our children and grandchildren will carry the burden of the irresponsible fiscal madness.

Someone worse than Nero rules in the USA today. I thought we were just about to relax and enjoy some semblance of reason and competence in government -- wrong! I feel for those who are young and face a future created by the Bush regime.

Click here: Church and State (bushflash.com)

RB


Subject: Boycott Christmas!

Hi Buzz,

This Christmas, what if Americans refused to shop and instead spent their money on supporting charities, environmental groups, and civil rights group, for example. That would send a message loud and clear to the corporate blood-suckers who think we can be distracted with pretty shiny things forever.

A Loyal Reader


Subject: volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed to act as observers and provide housing during the Ohio recount. Please help spread the word.

Thank you,

http://web.greens.org/c/cobb/supporters...

Alan Popa
Cedar, MI


Subject: Why a Democracy . . .

BuzzFlash,

Why should any Country try for a democracy or use the US as an example for democracy today? Bush says that he never reads anything and I have come to believe that the main reason Bush doesn't bother to read news or books is that he can't take any kind of rejection or criticism, probably without going into a blind rage.

Just today, I am signing and sending emails against the genocide in Sudan. This is a statement from Truemajority about the legislation in front of Congress:

Before the election, a bill pressuring the Sudanese government to end the genocide in Darfur passed both houses of Congress unanimously. Now the bill has to pass both houses again. The Senate has promised to act as soon as the House has. We can't let this issue get lost in the post-election crunch. The bill contains strong sanctions against the leaders of Sudan, including a freeze on their assets and an arms embargo against the government, as well as providing $200 million in aid to help the victims of the genocide.

Why can't our Congress do the same for the genocide happening in Iraq? Why can't they sanction Bush's actions?

I cannot help but feel that "who in hell will listen to anyone in the US about stopping a genocide, when the US is doing that very thing in Iraq and Bush has killed more people in Iraq than the figure quoted in Sudan." Even though I sent the letters, I am not convinced that our Congress or Bush and his Republican administration could care about stopping the genocide in Sudan, while we are committing one in Iraq. Who will listen when the Bush Republican White House Demolition Party has given the world an example of invading, killing and devastating a country for nothing other than power and greed and a Congress who has failed to stop them.

Now Bush wants to start implying that Iran has nuclear weapons or a program for nuclear weapons? Well, so does the US and that is why everyone in the world wants a nuclear program today because of the Bush Republican Administration and their propensity to attack other countries pretending to advance Democracy.

Anyone who had the inclination for criminal activities in our government, but was always held back due to getting caught, doesn't worry about that in today's America. It has become completely insignificant and crime has paid for many in the Bush administration and the bigger the crime, the bigger the promotions.

Tom DeLay, for instance, why would it be necessary for him to change the rules in Congress, that allowed anyone indicted for a felony to keep his job, if he wasn't sure his own actions would bring about indictments for felonies? How more brazen can it get when a person like Tom DeLay, who hasn't been charged and he says he has done nothing, yet, makes sure that he will have a job if he is charged? He knows what he has done better than anyone else, I guess. But, he is not afraid of being convicted, only of being charged. I can only imagine if a Democrat had made those same moves, what the screaming conservatives would have done by now, along with big media.

Why should any nation even pretend to want Democracy, if the US is supposed to be an example of how it works today? Our Democracy in the US is being held captive for not punishing those who have committed crimes against our Democracy over the last 30 to 40 years. Pardons and promotions and rewards for loyalty are given instead. How can any citizen in Iraq believe in the Democracy of the US after Bush has killed over 100,000 people in that Country based upon a lie? How can anyone in the world believe in the Democracy of the US when we have proof of fraud in the last three elections held here and nothing has been done about the fraud? What difference could a US Democracy make for Iraqis with the Bush administration in charge of their Country?

Just askin . . .

Thanks BuzzFlash,

Shirley Smith


Subject: Christians and Evangelicals

Dear BuzzFlash--

I am having a problem with your use of the word "Christians." You use the word "Christian" like it is a dirty word. There are a lot of your subscribers, me among others, who are Christians and don't like the un-Christian-like actions of most Evangelicals. I would greatly appreciate it if you would make the finer distinction between Christians (who are good, decent, tolerant, people who attempt to walk in the footsteps of Christ) and Evangelicals (who appear to be a large group of intolerant, hypocritical unChristian-like people who proclaim a way of life they do not emulate.)

Best regards,

Surya-Patricia Lane Hood

[BuzzFlash Note: You're right, of course. But it's "hard work," as our President likes to say, finding the right language to describe the extremists who pretend to speak for Christians. Our dictionary says "evangelical" refers to the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...and they are not all bad either, so where does that leave us? Maybe we have to say "so-called" or "supposed" Christians?]


Subject: What about Boycotting Major Media til Election story covered?

Everyone Threaten to Cancel Media?

The media is biased as you know. It is not covering Iraq, and it is ignoring this story: The thousands of fraud stories coming out about the 2004 election and that the fraud is leaning toward Bush.

I propose that en masse, everyone call: news mag subscriptions,newspaper subscriptions,

TV satellite, TV cable, Yahoo, MSNBC, and other portal news sites--everyone--email them and say, "If I don't see this story covered like the major story it IS--and fairly, and accurately, without minimizing its importance or the truth--I'm out of the media, I'm canceling my subscriptions, my paper and cable and satellite services. I'm giving you til Nov 30. I'm notifying your top advertisers that this is happening. Good bye ratings."

Reason: The electors need to see this. It's our only hope.

And on Dec 1, if we haven't seen a change, everyone cancel (or put on hold through December if it's too expensive to cancel and restart).

carolyn coughlin weissberg


Subject: Great site!

Dear BuzzFlash,

Thanks for being there. I get most of my news from your site. We have to be the voice or else, the enemy will devour us.

I liked the snapshot of Clinton entering the library and yes, Bush is pushing his way in like a 4 year old. Hasn't he done the same in iraq, went ahead without consulting others?
I am also proud of Black Box Voting efforts. I hope they will succeed. It seems we are a nation that puts up a lot of nonsense and just talks and no actions within. It is only shown to the outside world. Here we bicker and fight and no solutions.

Regarding the amputated soldiers likely to be sent to iraq in the future is maddening. Are we that desperate to send them in order to gain what? The silly land of iraq, or Pres. Bush's mad surge?

Thanks again for reporting.

Elizabeth


Subject: Amy Goodman's Left Hook for Cable TV

Buzz,

The following sent to Tucker Carlson,

Amy Goodman - the Most Important Journalist today!

You apparently said, Ms. Goodman is "hostile to America." What a sorry state of our nation when a journalist of high repute telling the truth of our government's mayhem and murder is labeled "hostile to America." Maybe if this savage administration stopped slaughtering innocent civilians, bankrupting our country, stealing elections, and destroying our civil rights, Ms. Goodman's truth-telling would be more benign. But FuriousGeorge is a war criminal, a mass murderer, so the truth Ms. Goodman tells is UGLY!!!

You feebly try to dismiss her because she puts to shame all of you men who suck up to your "conglomerate owners" and who "know so little about so much, commenting on every issue." But We The People aren't that dumb - we know Truth when we hear/see it.

Get used to it - Ms. Goodman is a powerhouse journalist who will roll over all you faux, tin-horn TV 'personalities.'

T. Quigly


CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE NOVEMBER 22, 2004 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.