Subject: Which is worse, a symbolic vote, or not supplying the Armor to the Troops?

Troops are dying from lack of equipment and armor.

Throughout the campaign Bush taunted and mocked Kerry with the litany of 'I first supported the 87 Billion for the Troops, before I voted against it.' This however wasn't the complete truth.

Kerry's vote last year against the administration's $87 billion proposal to fund troops in Iraq and pay for Iraqi reconstruction has also been the focus of Republican attacks. "My opponent and his running mate voted against this money for bullets, and fuel, and vehicles, and body armor," Bush said September 2, 2004. Kerry actually supported all those things, but as part of a different version of the bill opposed by the administration. At the time, many Republicans were uncomfortable with the administration's plans and the White House had to threaten a veto against the congressional version to bring reluctant lawmakers in line.

In a floor statement explaining his vote, Kerry said he favored the $67 billion for the troops on the ground - "I support our troops in Iraq and their mission" - but faulted the administration's $20 billion request for reconstruction. He complained that administration "has only given us a set of goals and vague timetables, not a detailed plan."

Kerry wanted budget cuts equal to the spending going on in Iraq, or a rescinding of part of the tax cuts to the wealthy to pay for the funding. Also the 20 Billion was a gift to Iraq and Kerry wanted it to be a loan, paid back by oil revenues. Finally Kerry wanted Halliburton to be accountable for the funds received and give an audit of the funds use. Hardly unreasonable especially since current events suggest that these measures were prudent.

On September 2, 2004, the State Department said that only $1 billion of that money has been spent in the 11 months since the bill was passed.

The House Armed Services Committee released statistics on December 9, 2004 showing that while many Humvees are armored, most transport trucks that crisscross Iraq are not.

The committee said more than three-quarters of the 19,854 Humvees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait carry protective armor, which can vary in quality. The most secure are factory-armored Humvees, and the Pentagon has received only 5,910 of the 8,105 that commanders say they need. But only 10 percent of the 4,814 medium-weight transport trucks have armor, and only 15 percent of the 4,314 heavy transport vehicles.

The kits to add extra protection to vehicles already in Iraq are being produced by the United States Army Matériel Command, where officials said they were scrambling to speed up the work and complete the most recent order from Iraq before the previous goal of March 2005. "We're trying to ramp up and accelerate the process, and there is a possibility we might meet the requirement prior to that time," said Tesia Williams, an Army spokeswoman.

At the same time, she defended the Army's efforts to date in armoring the Humvees used in Iraq. According to figures supplied by Ms. Williams, the Matériel Command first received orders for 1,000 kits in November 2003, followed by orders for 2,870 in December; 800 in January 2004; 2,090 in February; and 1,516 in April 2004. More orders received last summer brought the total order to 13,872, of which about 75 percent has been filled, she said.

Armor Holdings also produces armor for new Humvees, and the company said it told the Army last month that it had the capacity to increase its production to 550 vehicles a month, compared with the 450 vehicles it is handling now.

Insurgent attacks on the vehicles with homemade bombs and rocket-propelled grenades are accounting for as much as half of the more than 1,000 U.S. deaths and 9,000 U.S. wounded in Iraq, according to Congressional estimates.

FAILURE TO PLAN MEANS LACK OF EQUIPMENT: Before the war, the White House was anxious to garner support from the American people for the invasion. As a result, the administration concentrated solely on a best-case scenario in which U.S. troops would be greeted by a grateful population and the conflict would end quickly with little expense or effort. As a result, the Army today doesn't have the equipment it needs. The Pentagon, for example, originally said it would need 235 armored Humvees in Iraq. In reality, it needs 8,105, or thirty-five times the amount it predicted before the war.

So I ask this question. With half the fatalities coming from the attacks on US vehicles, this is common knowledge. With the campaign accusation of Kerry not voting for the money to keep our troops safe. With the Administration knowing that initially virtually all vehicles in Iraq were without adequate armor and the desperate need for this armor. Why is it that, almost two years after the invasion and almost a year after the funds were authorized, the troops are still dying from lack of NECESSARY equipment?

Troops are dying. Bush made one of the main reasons NOT to vote for Kerry was his vote 'not' to support the troops with necessary equipment. Yet Bush's Administration has Not honored Bush's promise to give the troops whatever they need to do their jobs and bring them home safe. Bush said this was a priority. Yet a soldier had to ask a question to Rumsfeld to expose the lie, that is the horrible truth, that the Bush Administration is NOT doing all that is necessary and appears not to even care about our troops. If Bush was truly upset with this obscenity, someone's head would have rolled. The blasé attitude of Bush that he wasn't aware of the situation sounds similar when Americans died 3 years earlier on 9/11/01. How many times will he use this excuse? "I didn't know."

Where's the Responsibility? Where is the Accountability?

Time will tell all the Truth.

Sean Lewis

Subject: report on election problems

It's essential to our American democracy to thoroughly report on the 2004 election problems. This ongoing, unfolding story includes the privatization of our election system; election fraud through manipulation of voting records and machines; severe vote suppression targeting minority voters; partisan election officials tampering with the vote; and an ongoing cover-up.

Currently, there are at least four important stories regarding the 2004 Presidential election:

1 - 12/15 NYTimes: Lawmaker Seeks Inquiry Into Ohio Vote - asks the Federal Bureau of Investigation and an Ohio county prosecutor to explore "inappropriate and likely illegal election tampering"

Proof of Ohio Election Fraud Exposed (Affidavit, Conyers letter) (truthout.org)

2 - Representative John Conyers held a second forum on the Ohio election problems on Monday, December 13th, concerning new evidence of election irregularities and fraud in Ohio. The many participants include other Congressional Representatives, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and key lawyers and witnesses in on-going election lawsuits.
12/13 Conyers/Ohio hearing video file (Fraud Uncovered Government Watch)

Transcripts: http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/voteforum2.html

3 - Democrat John Kerry has formally requested that county election officials allow his witnesses to visually inspect the 92,000 ballots cast in Ohio in which no vote for president was recorded. The request is one of 11 items that Kerry is asking for as part of the recount that Ohio's 88 county boards of election will begin this week, according to a letter sent to the election boards over the weekend.

Kerry lawyer asks for visual inspection of some Ohio ballots (Ohio News Network)

The investigation involves enough votes "to possibly change the outcome," according to an interview of lawsuit participants, with Laura Flanders on Air America on Sunday

http://www.airamericaradio.com/shows/lauraflanders

Entire text of letter: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/12/13/16140/513

4 – Alliance for Democracy Co-Chair Cliff Arnebeck filed a "Contest of Election" Lawsuit in Ohio Supreme Court early on Monday December 13th. Representative Conyers sent a letter requesting injunctive relief of the Ohio electors - i.e., that they either step aside or vote provisionally pending the outcome of the case.

http://www.thealliancefordemocracy.org/

Rep. Conyers et al.: Urgent request to Ohio Governor (et al.) to delay, or treat as provisional, choosing electors until recount is complete.

Kerry-Edwards 2004, Greens, and Libertarians have added election tampering to a civil suit filed against the state of Ohio over problems with the state's recount.

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/kerry_ohio_suit_1215.php

The 2004 Election Fraud story is too important to neglect. Please give these developments the coverage they deserve, and uphold your responsibilities as a journalist committed to newsworthy and thorough reporting. Thank you.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: A Weakened Country and Its Guns...

I have been following the exploits of this administration since its appointment in 2000. I laughed back in that day as to how someone so fake, so full of himself could become president. I read any info I could find, mainstream or otherwise, on the actions of this administration. A lot of what they have done is unbelievable to say the least. Lots of rhetoric and double standards. Then getting thrown into this war with Iraq under the most ridiculous circumstances.

But as I continue to read and watch things "progress," it seems as if there is a pattern to this administration's actions. With every move they make, they encourage and spread ...division. They make America more dependent on foreign oil. They continue to make decisions that weaken this country's economy. They strive to make the American people weaker while dividing us and making us fight amongst ourselves when they take no personal risk. They isolate us from the world and make us hated as a people. They dumb us down, and show us cleansed news and cleansed images, and feed us tampered elections to keep up the facade of democracy.

Why do they do it? Is it just a matter of circumstance and bad luck that their best intentions are backfiring? Or is it that they intend to weaken this country in all aspects? Is it just an accident that the decisions they make consistently degrade us as a nation in some way? Or is it their true intention of making us ripe for the kill?

It has happened before in the past. A nation's leader betrays his people. Another war, another invasion, another ending to a country. Given the history of democracies, is it really so far fetched to believe that what is being done to us as a people by our "leaders" is according to plan?

As paranoid as it sounds, it's something to keep in mind considering the history of the man-made world. Maybe it's not such an evil thing to own a gun, or multiple guns. We as a people just may need them in the future to save ourselves from our government...

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Triple Bonus Money

A lot of coverage is being given to the new triple bonus offered by the Army, Guard and Reserves. However, there's been no mention as to how the money will be dispersed. If my memory serves me correct, a third of the monies is offered up front. A third midway through the enlistment, and the final payment upon completion of the enlistment. My question is: what happens if a soldier is killed before completing the terms of the enlistment?

Chris

Subject: Do as I say, not as I do

Marty Seifert, chairman of the Minnesota House State Government Finance Committee, wants to test folks to see if they smoke. He will introduce legislation next month imposing higher premiums, co-payments or economic sanctions for people getting state assistance who don't quit smoking.

Maybe Seifert should also introduce tests for smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, alcohol, mental problems and lack of exercise for him and his fellow legislator buddies. Surely, the state of Minnesota covers health insurance for the legislators. Minnesota should NOT have to lay out health coverage for representatives who: • smoke • drink • partake in many steak dinners • seldom exercise • demonstrate mental disturbances like imposing cruel laws on others

State smoking ban looms (St. Cloud Times News)

Cathy

Subject: DNC chairman

Dear BuzzFlash,

Will you make an endorsement for DNC chairman? If you do and it is Howard Dean would you please point your readers to DraftHoward.com so they can sign the petition? The reason I am asking this is because our party needs stronger leadership in Washington and Dean is not afraid to say he is a democrat like the DLC establishment. Thank you.

Deborah H.

Subject: Baghdad Burning

What Iraqis really want for Christmas is on this blog. Perhaps it should be sent to Dubya?

http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: interesting about Gibson

Mel Gibson is pretty conservative on some issues. One thing that was seldom reported, however, is that he said he did not believe Bush is a good moral man. He believes Bush was wrong to send us into Iraq, and wrong on many counts. This was on a mainstream daytime news show, but it was shut up real quickly in the media, and his movie was suddenly silent after that too. He is no Bush supporter, if the truth be known. Yep, he is pro life, yep, he is against the death penalty. He is not in any package. If the news more widely reported that he did not trust Bush, I wonder what the effect on Bush would have been? I wonder if the Religious Right would have been splintered over that.

mev

Subject: Letter to Rep Pelosi, Sen Reid

Dear BuzzFlash,

Just wrote this, plan to send it to Pelosi/Reid (with c.c. to a lot of other Dems and moderate Republicans as well) sometime today, but I'd like to share it with you:

Jim P.

Subject: 'PUKE TV

Why are these freepers all over the US broadcasts? You can spot them immediately, for one, they are usually the ugliest and/or most boring...

Dennis Miller

Patricia from Raymond

Usher

Britney Spears

the Simpson's Jessica/Ashlee (did you read that cursing rant after the lip sync fiasco?)

OutKast

L L Kool J

Denise Huxtable's husband

Harriet with the spiked hair (On Oprah of all places)

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - from the mind of a gay 'puke. I have never seen it but I saw the opening in a news special. He makes fun of adam and eve in the garden for the opening.

Ellen

Brian McKnight

Did anyone notice the "special" after the Cowboys game -- FREEPER FEST

And I USED to like USHER!

PJOnes
Mesquite, TX

Subject: draft

Hey! There seems to be little room now for doubt about the draft -- it's sure to come, providing that the little man, ummm, continues to wield authority.

And I, like you down at BuzzFlash, understand just how worthwhile the draft is, how happy so many people in the special skills categories (up to 44, I am told) will be to sign up and participate in the glorious victories of our leader.

Therefore let us all read and learn exactly what the prerequisite physical and mental standards are, so that, when we are called upon to support this glorious military effort, we shall be able and fit enough to qualify for induction.

read 'em at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf2/i61304p.pdf

read 'em and make a copy so that you all can work toward rehabilitation (well, it'd be rehab for me!)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Pictures from Iraq

Just one question.....

Where are all you so called Pro-Lifers when you see this and hear about another person executed in the Good Ole USA. What happened to Give me your tired, weary, hungry? I watched an animated show in between movies on TCM Sunday 12-19. Did anyone see this? There were mice celebrating Christmas at a Choir Rehearsal. The director was telling the children in the choir why all the Men disappeared. They didn't even know who Men were. It was pretty interesting that what happened to men is that they kept having wars and fighting each other. They kept building bigger and better bombs and guns and the Rest is History!!!!!! I believe it was titled "Good Will Towards Men."

Thanks for all the Info you are able to send out!!!

Kelley

Subject: a thought about donald rumsfeld and sensitivity

my thought:

when we found out he had a souvenir of the destruction from the world trade center--in his office....that should have been a clue.

karin
los angeles

Subject: Moral Values

The Republican Party is now being touted as the party of moral values. It may well be if your definition of moral values doesn’t undergo close scrutiny.

Two of the top dogs on right wing hate radio have demonstrated not moral values but blatant hypocrisy. I am speaking of course of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly. Limbaugh has reigned supreme among the right wing radio hosts with a steady stream of anti democrat garbage that is mostly innuendoes, little white lies and out and out bald-faced lies. Limbaugh also set himself up as an opinioned judge of moral values but was later temporarily removed from the airways after it was proved that while heaping scorn on drug addicts he was also a drug addict.

O’Reilly is known to have sexually harassed an employee, and is believed to have given a cash settlement to buy that employee's silence and to keep the issue out of court, yet these two verbal charlatans are not only still on the air but are supported by members of the so called party of moral values.

In the Republican controlled House of Representatives, the GOP through sheer weight of numbers with no thought to fairness, changed its rules so that Majority Leader Tom DeLay would be able to hang on to his house leadership position even if he is indicted as part of an investigation into alleged campaign finance violations that helped Republicans win legislative races in Texas.

Ohio Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell is the man in charge of Ohio’s election and also worked as chairman for the Bush campaign. Anyone except the party of moral values would call that a conflict of interest. It will prove interesting to note what political plum will fall into Blackwell’s lap for services rendered in the 04 campaign.

Last we have the president of the United States who not only lied to the voter but to the world when he took us to war with Iraq over non existent weapons of mass destruction. When this fabrication became apparent, he changed his story and stated that Saddam Hussein was involved in 9-11. At the time this dishonesty was proven incorrect, Bush sang out the refrain that Saddam intended to acquire weapons of mass destruction and thus war was necessary. Over 1000 Americans dead, over 100,000 Iraqi dead and it’s far from over. That’s a lot of death for one man's alleged intentions, yet the self-styled party of moral values returned this established fraud to the Presidency of the United States of America

The Republican party has a propensity to reward wrong-doing with approval as long as it benefits them. If depression era bank robber John Dillinger, were still alive, active, and could pull one of his famous bank jobs and donate half the take to the Republican Party, then I feel confident the party of moral values would petition the Pope to elevate him to sainthood, and yes, Jerry Falwell would bless the attempt.

John N. Garner
Denton, TX

Subject: Let's bring our boys and girls home ---- NOW!!!!!!!!

I wrote this after reading about the problems our returning soldiers and their families face and the lack of response by our leaders in Government.

As we celebrate this Holiday Season, it's my hope that every American will demand and be willing to pay the cost of providing modern and safe equipment for those who serve.

Even more important is to bear the cost of first class medical care for those returning home crippled for life and monetary support for the families that will provide them with the love and care necessary.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a New Year that ends our military involvement in Iraq.

Jim Townsend
Shawnee, OK

Subject: Not One Damn Dime Day!!!

This was forwarded to me...and I thought it would be an easy way for us all to make a statement about how we feel about the state of our nation and the world.

Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20th, 2005 is "Not One Damn Dime Day" in America. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" those who oppose what is happening in our name in Iraq can speak up with a 24-hour national boycott of all forms of consumer spending.

During "Not One Damn Dime Day" please don't spend money. Not one damn dime for gasoline. Not one damn dime for necessities or for impulse purchases. Not one damn dime for anything for 24 hours. The object is simple. Remind the people in power that the war in Iraq is immoral and illegal; that they are responsible for starting it and that it is their responsibility to stop it.

"Not One Damn Dime Day" is to remind them, too, that they work for the people of the United States of America, not for the international corporations and K Street lobbyists who represent the corporations and funnel cash into American politics.

There's no rally to attend. No marching to do. No left or right wing agenda to rant about. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" you take action by doing nothing. You open your mouth by keeping your wallet closed. For 24 hours, nothing gets spent, not one damn dime, to remind our religious leaders and our politicians of their moral responsibility to end the war in Iraq and give America back to the people.

Please share this email with as many people as possible

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Liberal Flag

BuzzFlash:

Just a note to Bob Spencer re: a liberal flag. There already is one. The gay community has been proudly flying the rainbow colors for years now. Imagine America with that beautiful symbol of inclusiveness flying everywhere throughout its towns and cities. My God! The Christian Right would think gays had multiplied overnight! Furthermore, try to imagine their confusion trying to figure out how that happened.

Steve in Reno

Subject: Acorns sprout into a Burning Bush!

Let me see, ACORN - the alleged "liberal" advocacy group - went all around "Amurka" filling out and submitting voter registration forms to Boards of Elections. Accusations abound that some of these forms were bogus. In this report regarding election irregularities in New Mexico, scores of new voters, mostly Hispanic, went to their respective voting precincts and found out that they really were not registered.

A Guide to Irregularities in the 2004 New Mexico General Election (Robert Glenn Plotner/helpamericarecount.org)

They instead were forced to cast provisional ballots. A republican judge in New Mexico throws out these provisional ballots on the basis of infantile technicalities, thus disenfranchising the Votes of thousands of Hispanics in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, not to mention what went on around the whole state. Any connection?

http://vote2004.eriposte.com/swingstates/newmexico.htm

In Colorado, Sec. of State Donetta Davidson (R) was calling for a grand jury to be empanelled to investigate the allegedly illegal voter registration activities of the group, ACORN. Republican Election officials and lawyers were demanding action be taken at once. Then Ms. Davidson secretly meets in a Republican-only conference of Election Board officials and informs them that Attorney General Ken Salazar (D), now a Senator-Elect from Colorado, was more than capable of handling the ACORN case.

Who prompted this spiking?........

In Pa. Acorn employees provided a great photo-op for Curt Weldon (R- Pa). Outside of a jail, he was deriding the practice of Democrats trying to enter jails with the intent to register prisoners for the coming election. As he was bloviating, the ACORN folks came strolling by Weldon's news conference with voter registration applications in hand - allegedly obtained from prisoners at the jail. What serendipitous timing for Mr. Weldon. What a morality tale in action! This little bit of street theatre was mentioned by a very proud and very confident Karl Rove in an interview conducted by Fox News talking heads "Hannity and Colmes" just prior to the election.

Source: " Rove predicts Bush wins by 4 more years". ........

Then there was the bizarre letter from an "informant" sent to the head of the FL. Republican Party. "Mr .X" -that is the name I will give him - refers to ACORN workers in a most unflattering light. "X" however made several factual errors leading the logical mind to deduce that the Bush campaign created this phony missive and thrust it into the hand of the Chairman. Source: Salon Magazine. It can be googled.

Brad F.

Subject: Bush Conference

He TOTALLY BLEW the 'puke talking point...Said Happy Holidays! 'Pukes are FUMING! They have been on message for weeks now and their fearless leader drops them HARD at a rare news conference.

Best part of the entire conference. Proves that Bush don't even believe the crap the 'pukes push to their lemmings.

PJOnes
Mesquite TX

Subject: Bush's low ratings

I understand that the three running for person of the year were...Bush, ??? and Michael Moore. I would bet that the magazine got threats if they gave it to Michael Moore...what do you bet??

The other thing...his low ratings...of course, he is still the idiot he has always been, but why the hell did they vote for him? I have always thought...and if you are around the hard right wing republican for very long....they just can never admit that he has done anything wrong...so my theory is that...most people who vote for him...do it because they have to prove that they believe everything he says! .I know one who still thinks that they will find WMD even after Rummy saying to the interim president of Iraq...that we were sorry that we found no WMD...most of the republicans that I know...won't even listen to Bush or Rumsfeld now...if they admitted that the entire thing was made up.

It is totally disgusting...but, they are going to have to pay like all of us.

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

Subject: The New Democrats

There seems to be a concerted effort by the DLC (and the New Republic people) to hijack the new-found energy of grassroots, progressive Democrats. In order to capitalize on the energy, structure, and potential of the newly mobilized progressive movement, these jackals are trying to take the party in a direction that is antithetical to the morals and values of everyone, such as myself, who worked like dogs this past election to get our party back on its feet. These permanent pundits and election-losing lackeys, these boot-licking (sorry-couldn't resist) spinmeisters for power and money are attempting to frame the Democratic resurgence as one of global aggression, with the "evil empire" now being "totalitarian Islam."

Now, I do not in any way mean to play down the very real threat of actual terrorism; what I AM saying is that this sort of revolting authoritarian manipulation, this vile use of a very real threat to divide, conquer, and co-opt (read: enervate) a truly populist groundswell of energy and activity, while expected from the right, is sickening beyond words when it comes from those who are supposedly of my own party. But most importantly, these guys' knee-jerk, vitriolic dismissals of Michael Moore, MoveOn.org, and especially Howard Dean, tell me all I need to know of the true nature of their work, i.e., that they want to capture the energy and spirit of the most powerful political movement since the first Progressive revolution and turn it to the support of entrenched Washington/military/corporate power interests.

I can only attempt to convey how revolted I am by these 'realist' vultures, supposedly of my own political party, backed by big, big money, and their attempt to feed off of an authentic, dynamic political movement. I did NOT work so hard, for over a year, attending precinct and county conventions, block-walking, phone-banking, networking, and bake-sale-ing (now THAT was a great, fun idea; thanks, MoveOn!) to have these bottom feeders steal and invalidate my efforts. They try and draw a direct connection between those who don't agree with them and communism, they attempt to define who "we" are, and then they have the (really, really tiny) balls to say that you're either with them (and therefore America, and Democracy), or against them, in which case you're either the enemy, or impotent. Truly, tactics worthy of McCarthy, or the current residents of the White House. I have only one thing to say to these parasites, and let me try and make this perfectly clear: your days are done, you power whoring, ‘centrist’ Neo-Cons in disguise. You do NOT represent us in any way, and you never will.

Those of us who were inspired and energized by MoveOn.org, the candidacy of Howard Dean, and other exciting, motivated progressive candidates and organizations find the utter contempt these slimeballs show for Mr. Dean and the authentic grassroots movement beyond the pale, and we will not support a party that is so pathetically dismissive of us and our efforts. The left, and the Democratic party, desperately needs a new identity, one based on the true morals, values, and aspirations of intelligent, caring, progressives of all shapes and colors (even, if done with principle, progressive Republicans). This cold, repulsive power-grab is not it, and if I could, I would bury (politically) these guys and their backward-looking power-whoring forever.

But I can't. Therefore, I want to make it crystal clear that I DO NOT and WILL NOT support, in any imaginable way, the PNAC supporting DLC, or even the DNC as it stands today. On the contrary; I support, with all the resources at my disposal, the true grassroots progressive Democratic movement inspired and led by true progressives such as Howard Dean and the people at MoveOn.org. We cannot recreate the party if those desperately clinging to power succeed in enervating our efforts, and if they think they can just step in and appropriate what we've built, then they've got another thing coming.

Thanks for listening.

Steven Blaisdell

Subject: Where's the Konservatives' Outrage over this?

As you of course recall, anytime one of us progressives criticized the attack on Iraq, we were called on the carpet by the Konservatives for "providing comfort and support" for the insurgents. And yet, at today's press conference, King Bush II of Amerika came out with this wonderful piece of encouragement for the Iraqi insurgents:

Bush basically has come out and said "yeah, your attacks are having their intended purpose, keep it up." This provides more 'aid, comfort, solace and encouragement' to the 'terrrists' in Iraq than a dozen peace marches here in the States ever could have. What if a Democrat had come out and said "yes, the attacks are having an effect?" They'd be savaged by the radical right-wing nutjobs of our fair Kountry. Personally I find Bush's comment nearly as galling as the "bring 'em on" smack he uttered during his other press conference, however many years ago that was. The level of hypocrisy amongst these pigs knows no bounds. We should be outraged.

Jess Vermont
Chicago, Illinois

Subject: Hungary

You state: Last of Hungary's troops leave Iraq. Some coalition. 12/21

Are you trying to antagonize George Bush? Surely, you know how he feels about people forgetting Poland. Here, you're doing it again. Emphasizing the departure of Hungary, and forgetting all about the heroic contribution of Poland to the coalition. Here we are, the three great allies: the United States, Great Britain, and Poland together again. Just like the old days that never were.

Douglas M.

Subject: Mailbag

Dear Buzz...

What do I have to do to get me one of them Freedom Medals?? I want to be there when GWBush hangs it around my neck, all proud and presidential. Then I can look him in the eye and say, "Thank you sir...but no Thank you. This medal has lost whatever meaning it was intended to have, the day you began handing them out to misbegotten, incompetent buffoons. These leadership underachievers, all hell bent on prosecuting your illegal, immoral war, have made it clear that this award is as worthless as your promise to be a uniter, not a divider." How incompetent do I have to be to get one??

A Proud American at War

Subject: to-do list

Some Things to Do Before the Inaugural:

1. Get that abortion you've always wanted.

2. Drink a nice clean glass of water.

3. Cash your social security check.

4. See a doctor of your own choosing.

5. Spend quality time with your draft age child/grandchild.

6. Visit Syria, or any foreign country for that matter.

7. Get that gas mask you've been putting off buying.

8. Borrow books from library before they're banned -Constitutional law books, Catcher in the Rye, Harry Potter, Tropic of Cancer, etc.

9. Come out - then go back in - HURRY!

10. Jam in all the Alzheimer's stem cell research you can.

11. Go see Mount Rushmore before the Reagan addition.

12. If you're white - marry a black person, if you're black - marry a white person.

13. Take a walk in Yosemite, without being hit by a snowmobile or a base-jumper.

14. Enroll your kid in an accelerated art or music class.

15. Start your school day without a prayer.

16. Memorize, a la Fahrenheit 451, the real sex health facts and figures to pass on to future generations.

17. Learn French.

18. Attend a commitment ceremony with your gay friends.

19. Take a factory tour anywhere in the US.

20. Try to take photographs of animals on the endangered species list.

21. Visit Florida before the polar ice caps melt.

22. Visit Nevada before it becomes radioactive.

23. Visit Alaska before "The Big Spill."

23. Visit Massachusetts while it is still a State.

24. Stock up on condoms and birth control pills before they are banned.

25. Pass on the secrets of evolution to future generations.

From a BuzzFlash Fan

Subject: Compare - Kofi Press Conference vs Bush

DAMNED! The stupidity of America is highlighted even more so when gentle, intellectuals like Mr. Annan take to the national stage to address criticism. Mr. Bush gave his version the day before. Now, guess which one is being pushed out.

MORAL BATTLE: KOFI ANNAN FIGHTS FOR U.N.'S FUTURE (Yahoo/Georgie Ann Geyer)

PJOnes
Mesquite TX

Subject: At last!! One democrat grew enough balls to stand up for what's right!!

At least Rep. John Conyers is still in there fighting to get to the bottom of the all too obvious voting fraud in Ohio. Not one dime has been spent by the democrats for a recount. All of the money is coming from the Green Party? Now what's wrong (very wrong) with that picture? What happened to the millions of surplus dollars that Kerry had after the election (-cough-)? Why is Kerry not putting that money where his mouth is and putting it to good use in the investigation and recount? Why is Kerry not outraged at what happened? Why is he "thwarting" the investigation? What happened to "Help is on the way"?

I'm sorry to say that I'm beginning to think that Kerry was in on the whole thing, in cahoots with Bush so to say. He rolled over like a dawg. Tucked tail and ran to hide.

And the DNC has the nerve to send out emails asking for contributions and support to get ready for the NEXT fight?!! I'm sorry, but THIS fight isn't over yet, or is it? DNC, get Kerry off his butt and use the money he already has to fight NOW, not two years from now!

Buzzflash, it used to be that you had 2 pages of emails in the mailbag! What happened? Have that many people stopped writing? Or are you not printing them because they are from outraged people with more to say than: "Real Men Don't Dye Their Hair." "With all the trivial matters surrounding the war ..." (TRIVIAL?) "I want my CIC to be bold, steadfast, decisive and deceptive, not some light-in-the-loafers caricature." (Hey, Turk Meister, get a grip! First of all, he's not a Commander-In Chief, he's a chimp and a pimp! But at least you got the "deceptive" part right.)

OR "Have they removed the curtain from the statue of justice yet?" OR "There needs to be a Liberal Flag. Something we can identify with." (I've got an idea most will be able to identify with. How does a white flag of surrender sound? Because that's what Kerry did! Gave up!)

We need to see more emails that show just how pissed off we are (or should be)!! Get people fired up!! Put the truth out there so it can be seen damnit!! The media sure isn't going to do it!! I like seeing comments from people like this: "....Seems you forgot to include FASCIST/DICTATOR in your Bush description...." Thank you, whoever you are!!

Cecilia
Montgomery, AL

[BuzzFlash Note: We include as many letters as we have time to format and that give our readers something worth reading. Our mailbag and contribution policies are in the FAQ.]

Subject: Merry Christmas America -- Is this what you voted for?

Huge National Debt – Currently, each citizen's share of this debt is $25,716.36. The debt is currently increasing by 2.56 billion per day. The feral government is now borrowing 17% of its income each year to cover deficits. Interest payments on the national debt total more than we spend on law enforcement and many other programs. George Bush inherited a surplus. Because he cut taxes while vastly increasing spending, we now have a huge deficit each year. Even with some of the draconian cuts to domestic spending for the most vulnerable he is now proposing, we will likely see deficits well into the future, and that’s without his proposal to borrow yet more money to privatize part of social security.

Cutting Social Security – Even Bush admits his plan to allow younger citizens to invest part of their Social Security into private accounts will not solve the problem. Hmm, wasn’t social security created to assure older Americans of at least some standard of living that was not subject to the whims of the market and capitalism? Didn’t we have old ladies surviving off cat food because their entire savings had been wiped out by the private system?

Privately, Bush officials have admitted that his proposal will not make social security solvent without increasing the retirement age and greatly cutting benefits.

If the tax rate on the top 2% of Americans were restored to levels they were at when Bush took office, that income would more than compensate the potential social security shortfall.

Bush’s Chief of Staff recently said that there is no Social Security guarantee for younger Americans. No Guarantee? Then how is still social "security"?

Chipping away at Medicare and Medicaid – Several reports lately have detailed inner White House and Republican discussion about drastically scaling back first Medicaid, the government healthcare program for the poorest and disabled Americans and then Medicare, for older Americans who most often cannot get private health insurance.

Would Bush really deprive the disabled, the poor and the elderly of healthcare? Isn’t he a "compassionate conservative"?

Texas, the state where Bush’s healthcare policies are now fully in effect, has the highest rate of uninsured people in the country – over 25% with little or no access to healthcare. What was Texas Republicans’ response to this crisis? In 2004, they kicked hundreds of thousands of children off CHIP, the state healthcare program for children.

Failing to Secure America – Recent government and private studies have concluded that three years after 9/11:

First responders are still not prepared for another major attack

The public health system would fail under a biological or chemical weapons attack

Ports, nuclear plants, chemical plants and other vital infrastructure are still not secured

Our airlines are still vulnerable to attack.

Why? Because Bush has not asked his buddies in corporate America to do their fair share in keeping America safe. If big business had taken the amount of money they contributed to the Bush campaign and instead spent it on securing their facilities, America could already be one of the safest countries in the world.

Can any America see an end to the situation in Iraq? Support for the war is now at its lowest level ever, as more and more Americans, even if they originally agreed that the war was the right thing to do, are coming to realize how incompetently the administration has handled it.

How many more Iraqis and Americans must die? How many new terrorists will we create?

Merry Christmas America – You’re getting what you voted for.

But hey, at least the gays won’t be able to get married.

Please sign me...

"A BuzzFlash Contributor"

Subject: Progressive Flag

I liked Bob Spencer’s (BuzzFlash writer) idea of a Progressive Flag…some ideas…

It has to be red, white and blue (for obvious reasons)…and with a star. I was thinking about a blue background, with a white star in the center of a circle. The Circle would stand for all-inclusiveness of the American spirit, etc…can’t figure out about the red part though. Improvements are welcomed. Just a thought.

Betsy

Subject: RE: Brooks' Make No Mistake OP-ED piece

Hello.

Regarding David Brooks' OP-ED piece entitled Make No Mistake, at The New York Times: I stand in awe.

Mr. Brooks has blown away any possible competition for the Earnest Twit of the Year Award. No one else can spout such blatant nonsense with such fervor, or do so with such self-satisfied joie de vivre.

The amount of space given to Mr. Brooks in the NYT, and the amount of time dedicated to his pronouncements on Public Television, is one of life's great mysteries, so far as I can tell. Is it entertainment value, or what?

When will print and electronic media return to informing, rather than entertaining us?

John F. Williford
Richland, WA

Subject: Thanks for the link to Bernie the BUM!!!!

BuzzFlash:

Thanks for the link to the Bernie Kerik story in the New York Daily News:

Kerik's e-mail messages fuel mess: DOI to get memos offering inside info on city contracts and a mob probe (NY Daily News)

Oh yes, this is the same Bernie (I second Rudy's "Thank God, George W. Bush is President") Kerik, who spoke at the GOP Convention and sat in the sky box during Giuliani's Convention speech applauding and whooping it up with the Repug big wigs.

This first class, dyed in the wool bum is not only the friend of the brave and noble Giuliani he is also his business partner and both men have made a fortune off of the death and misery of 911 victims and their families.

THIS IS THE SORT OF VERMIN THAT GEORGE W. BUSH CAVORTS WITH AND THESE ARE THE SORT OF CREATURES WHO ARE LEADING OUR COUNTRY INTO THE ABYSS, WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carolyn in Tennessee

Sharon

Subject: RE: A reader's response to Kerik

All I can say is "Whoa!" The reader that opined that Kerik may be out of the picture because of Rudy Giuliani (both have had mistresses and mob ties, not to mention Giuliani's Time Magazine's 2001 Person of the Year when George W. Bush may have believed *he* was more deserving)....

Again, "Whoa!" Not that I find this offensive. But, I *do* find it intriguing. I mean, think about it: President Bush being petty and vindictive enough to possibly ruin the political career of Giuliani because of the aforementioned foibles as well as Giuliani's far-less reactionary right-wing opinions on abortion and gay rights.

Hm...Verrry interesting!

Lisa in Boston

Subject: ...charges of attacks on Christmas

Buzz,

Thanks for your website. Regards your link: "WorldNetDaily does the bidding of conservative legal and advocacy groups by playing up their press-release charges of attacks on Christmas and Christianity 12/21"

Here is a letter I wrote to Bartcop.com yesterday suggesting a preemptive attack by the Christian fundamentalists:

Bob Maginnis

Subject: Wa Judge's phone number who doesn't believe in democracy

of counting all the votes. So now there is a time limit on democracy. Election 2000 threw out democracy at the federal level via the US Supreme Court, now the County Court is throwing out state level democracy in the Governor's race!

253-798-7562

All I got was an answering machine of the Judge's assistant.

Karen/WI

Subject: Re: who is awake???

Hey BuzzFlash,

Great, really great site. At least with The Truth. But the BIG question which the country can't figure out is What is the connection to 9/11 and Iraq? Hey, when our country is so dumb and blind to the simplicity of this question, and the bodies that come rolling back home daily, after an Idiot's decision, I guess they (we) deserve no less. Not to mention the spineless individuals wandering around the halls of congress in pretense of "serving those who elected them." And, the filth, greed and ignorance expressed by the American media, for denying the public the facts, makes anyone (with just a little brain power) wonder, is the bank account, personal family wealth, job security more important to any responsible news agency or editor than American Constitutional freedom, and the Bill of Rights? It really is starting to look a lot like that old biblical kingdom Sodom, as it verged on it demise... But, you guys, keep up the work, maybe somebody, just somebody that counts (and can make a difference!!) will read, understand, and get up off his or her ass and do something about it all!!!!

George Bowling
(an "expatriate" and ex Vietnam Vet long since residing here in europe and watching a chess game that is being played miserably)

Subject: Smoking Gun: Secret Bush Executive Order authorizing Torture referenced by FBI

http://www.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/FBI.121504.4940_4941.pdf

White House already spinning that FBI agent was mistaken. Shill press will bring it up for a few days and then bury yet another impeachable offense by Born Again Bush. Der Führer can do no wrong. He is defending der Fatherland from evil ragheads.

Brad F.

Subject: Bush uses the banned, anti-Christ greeting Happy Holidays.

From sea to shining, under God, sea they are threatening to boycott department stores and businesses for allowing their workers to use the blasphemous "Happy Holidays" because it is banning the "reason for the season" and Bush, the Christian-in-chief says, "Happy Holidays" to begin his press conference. If you can't use it at Taco Bell, you can't use it in the White House.

I demand a boycott or an impeachment. I think we need to get rid of that Easter egg roll at the White House as well. Let's have a mock crucifixion instead, or a real one. Let's at the very least verbally crucify him for leaving Christ out of Christmas. Let's hang him in effigy for lack of efficacy. Heads should be rolling at the FBI for allowing this breach of character. No, not that FBI, the Faith Based Initiatives department.

We need some leadership here or Laura could say Season's Greetings. The twins might "don their gay apparel," deck the halls and fa-la-la in the Lincoln bedroom. I didn't mean fa-la-la with each other or even same sex fa-la-la ing. Lesbian incest is much worse than oral sex with interns. It is their upbringing and all those anti-Christ greeting card companies who are at fault. Hallmark should be bankrupted.

Read what others have to say about this Bush boner at:

http://www.itaffectsyou.org/blog/index.php?p=241

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: The Sun has Set Again

This past weekend "The Prince of Darkness" emerged from his pre-election crypt. On the George Stephanopoulos show Richard Perle came out from behind his black, shroud-like cape to spring to the defense of his neocon accomplice - Rummy. Flashing his fangs and hissing at the hand wringing naysayers, the bloodsucking buffoon was up to his old tricks by trying to entrance the weak of mind.

It certainly didn't take very long for this harbinger of death to return and terrorize the countryside after these crazies had to be entombed until his minion George Bush was placed back in power. With Perle's reappearance it is likely the sun has set on Syria and Iran, with life about to be sucked out of countless more unsuspecting victims. May God have mercy on their souls.

YT Cai

Subject: Turn off the sound on the next Bush press conference and see what happens.

Yesterday morning I had the sound off in the bedroom for most of the press conference and I could have sworn he was telling amusing anecdotes about the strip Scattergories they played on Thanksgiving at the ranch. Unfortunately I had the sound on for part of it and what he considers smile worthy nearly brought me to tears.

Rummy is doing a slam bang job at the DOD. Who cares if he told soldiers about to go into the front a string of lies that would gag a maggot? It isn't money, it is the logistics of getting the protection produced to which the manufacturers said they could be doing a lot more, but the DOD did ask for it.

The part about the fact that people even die in tanks, so what the hell, why spend all that money when you could die anyway. Why indicate he wasn't aware there was a problem when parents have been writing to everyone, but the White House launderer, saying that they are having to buy their kids Kevlar vests for birthday gifts and they aren't cheap? They have been doing it for more than a year.

He nearly giggled while discussing how the insurgents have killed thousands, well hundreds, of innocent Iraqis. This coming from the guy who is responsible for killing around 100,000 innocent Iraqis. We will never be sure because we don't keep count. When we do it, it is called collateral damage.

He talked about training Iraqis to take over and then having them object to wiping out their countrymen or for being even slightly uneasy about standing in recruitment lines where they are likely to be killed or being transported across the country for training without even a pea-shooter or armored protection. He talks about their morale when his own troops are at a historical low in that department.

Then there was the part about Bernie being such a fine example of what is needed in a Homeland Security boss and what a fine job he would have done. He is proud of his vetting process and says "we just need to continue asking the correct questions," indicating all the correct ones were asked, but the press had to butt in. The only important one was will you support any and everything Bush wants you to.

Just because his view of relaxation at the tax-payer funded pad for WTC workers included a couple of Police Commissioner Mistresses. Bill Clinton was impeached for lying about oral sex at the White House, but Bernie probably used the missionary on-duty position.

NO harm, no foul making millions because of your government influence in the market. If everyone in the White House can profit from the war and 9/11, why shouldn't the NYC Police Commissioner?

He grinned through the entire thing. With the sound off he could have been amusing us all about Barnie, the terrier, chasing Willie, black cat, up the Christmas tree or about Spotty, the spaniel, relaying messages from God during presidential séances, or Ofelia and her calves, Ellie and Logan, named for aides to the former governor, ravaging the "rioting bluebonnets" in the yard at the ranch.

Is there anything he doesn't consider amusing or is it just a nervous tick to let us know he his lying through his teeth again?

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: Torture memos

The New York Times "reports" the new torture memo story without mentioning the Bush executive order discussed by the ACLU (below).

New F.B.I. Files Describe Abuse of Iraq Inmates (NY Times)

FBI E-Mail Refers to Presidential Order Authorizing Inhumane Interrogation Techniques (ACLU Press Release)

These two stories could be posted together!

Sigrid Smith
North Haven

[BuzzFlash Note: We were irked that the Chicago Tribune story, too, left out the part about Bush's authorization and the use of hoods...guess they were speed reading the memo?]

Subject: it is leaking out...will the mess be cleaned up?

THE ACTUAL FBI MEMO REFERRING TO A SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDER AUTHORIZING THE USE OF TORTURE
 
TORTURE SCANDAL (what reallyhappened.com)

Torture Scandal Continues to Fester (Alternative Press Review)

"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." -- 8th Amendment to the US Constitution.

President Bush has acted illegally in signing an order authorizing the use of torture.

John E.

Subject: bush* stands behind his people

Dear BuzzFlash,

People, whom bush* stands behind have a funny way of falling off a cliff. bush* has stood behind many people (Tenet and Kerik come to immediate mind) and they all have "disappeared" from public view.

If I were Rumm, I would be nervous. Please see my cartoon at http://radfringe.tripod.com/

My discussions with people on both sides of the aisle have reached a consensus--Rummy will be gone after the Iraqi Elections. Most likely he will leave because of "health reasons" or because he wants to spend more time with his family.

D. Hippauf
Lehman, PA

Subject: Just One Senator Needed to Reject Ohio's Fraudulent Electors on January 6

What about the taller one from Massachusetts? If he won’t do it, why should anyone else?

Turk Meister