Subject: Iraq election

I don't have cable t.v. (a member of the working poor). I get my info from the internet, various publications, books etc...Point being has anyone else noticed a lack of pictures of the "millions" of Iraqi voters?I have however come across a few pictures that, frankly, look staged to me. The pictures I came across showed a handful of people in lines or holding a ballot with a "what the hell is going on" look on their face, or cheesy photos of Iraqi policemen cheering "jubilantly." (Has anyone else noticed the sudden overuse of the word "jubilant" by the conservative-owned liberal media?)

I just thought, for a "landmark" election where Iraqis bravely turn out to vote in the millions, with the threat of more attacks, no less, there would be more pictures in the mainstream media, or anywhere, for that matter. I want pictures of polling stations with long lines, the vote started Sunday, if "millions" voted there would have been long lines, and the mainstream media missed all the photo opportunities? I don't think so. Maybe their wasn't much to see.

A BuzzFlash Reader
Austin

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Subject: COLORADO POLICE

The story of the Denver policeman and the anti-Bush sign is not the first time I have heard of Police threatening people with either pro Kerry or anti bush bumper stickers in Colorado. One story was about an out of state visitor being pulled over for having an anti-bush bumper sticker on his car. This is our taxes hard at work. 

A BuzzFlash Reader
Colorado Springs

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Subject: The Neocon Petri Dish, PNAC, Calls for Increased Troop Strengths. So, Exactly How Do They Think This Will Happen without a Draft? Just Asking. 2/1

This is going to be a faith-based initiative. All the Fall-Wells and Patty Robertsons and Jim-Bob Dobsons are gonna get all of their congregations to donate cannon fodder, singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" all the whole dang time. Now, the way this works is they hook up with some of them militias and mercenaries for combat training. They gots to go and do some missionary workings any ol' how so they gets to do it as part of the new Crusades and spill they blood for Jesus. The only thang the gubment gots to do is provide transportation and give 'em the go ahead.

Complementary yours,

Alamaine
Grand Forks, North Dakota, US of A

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Subject: The next big campaign

Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening to raise $50 million to use in a media campaign to support an initiative that will screw the Democratic majority in the California Legislature.

This is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate, yet again, the power of internet fundraising. Someone should tell the California Democratic party that we will stand up to Gov. Steroids, and fight back against his plan.

Governor Threatens to Seek $50 Million to Fund Initiative Campaign (news10.net)

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: Guess who "Focus on the Family" is speaking for now?

They just ask for it. I have to go to safety training at the zoo, but what fun I will have when I get home. Spongebob last week and here from their supposedly ex-Lesbian consultant: "The problem, though, is their definition of 'love' is carefully camouflaged to mean more than Cupid ever meant it to mean."

Dolly Parton, others compile CD benefiting homosexual group (Conservative Voice)

First they were led by God and now they are channeling Cupid. Well, I have to go, but when I get back I think I will be Venus or Mars, whatever.

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

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Subject: Social Security Privatization

In a New York Times article of Feb. 1, Paul Krugman proves conclusively that those who, like the President, would privatize Social Security, are either mathematical morons or misanthropic frauds. They use unrealistically pessimistic economic growth projections to claim that if left alone the system will fail to meet its obligations. At the same time they use unbelievably optimistic projections of the same economy to show how privatization can come to the system's rescue!

In short they require that if privatization is to be successful it must not be needed in the first place, i.e., the economy will be so robust that Social Security, with no changes, would be on a solid economic footing forever without privatization! Conversely, if the economy becomes so poor that Social Security is doomed to fail then it is perforce impossible for privatization to come to the rescue.

The simple truth is that with only minor adjustments the Social Security system will remain the economically sound insurance program it has been since its inception.

Robert R. Regl
Hattiesburg, MS

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Subject: Pell grants, it's the Pell grants, stupid! WHY ISN'T THIS BIG NEWS??????

Leave No Cartoon Behind

In late January, the new education secretary made headlines for criticizing a children's program on PBS which features an animated rabbit visiting a real family headed by lesbian parents. The Campaign for America's Future's Earl Hadley wonders where Secretary Spellings' priorities are. Working families around the country are struggling to pay for college. Two days before Christmas, the administration announced that it would enforce a change in the Pell grant funding formula that will eliminate Pell Grants for nearly 100,000 students and cut the aid for more than one million students. How about focusing on that?

Earl Hadley is the education program coordinator at the Campaign For America's Future.

What's today's word, class? Priorities. The new secretary of education's first act after taking office was to condemn a cartoon. Let's not worry about the achievement gap. Let's not worry about rising tuition. Let's not even worry about investigating the Education Department for paying commentators to promote its policies. No, in her first act, Secretary Spellings decided to take on Buster the Bunny - an animated character who happens to make friends with a little girl named Emma whose parents are lesbians.

PBS developed a series, Postcards From Buster, in which Buster travels to different communities around the country to highlight cultural diversity. In a letter to PBS, Spellings sharply criticized Buster's visit to a gay household in Vermont--saying that "many parents would not want their young children exposed to the life-styles portrayed in this episode."

Instead of protecting America's children from the "gay agenda," Spellings should have used her time to support legislation protecting 89,000 college students at risk of losing their Pell Grants, thanks to an eligibility change instituted by her predecessor. Pell Grants help low- and middle-income families send their children to college. She should have spent her time convincing the president to significantly increase the maximum Pell Grant next year, higher than the $100 he's proposing.

In the future, instead of writing letters, Spellings needs to use her influence to make sure that President Bush actually raises the maximum Pell Grant. In 2000, Bush, who calls himself the 'education' president, campaigned on increasing the maximum Pell Grant to $5,100. But his last budget left the maximum grant at $4,050. There's no reason to believe Bush is being sincere now, particularly when he and conservatives in Congress over the past few years have ignored bills proposing to raise the maximum Pell Grant. The president's recent proposed increase was a response to the outrage around students losing their Pell Grants. It's up to progressives to keep Bush's feet to the fire, if families are going to see this increase.

Instead of serving as a foot soldier for conservative censorship, Spellings needs to pay attention to the concerns of the majority of American families and students struggling to pay for college. Below are a few examples of why the education secretary needs to put students and their families first:

Amie K. - Texas: My brother, Ryan, joined the Army in order to be able to afford school. Our parents don't make enough money to put three children through college, but they also make too much for us to qualify for grants. Now he is in Iraq. He is risking his life for an education. How sad that the "best" government on earth leaves young people with very bleak options when considering an education.

Janelle E. - California: I am the hope of my family. Our goal is that I will earn a degree from the University of California and through time, lift us all out of poverty. The only reason I am able to attend the university is because I earned, through excellent grades in high school, federal and state financial aid help. My FAFSA report shows that my mother has a parental obligation of around $1,000 per year, but she is not capable of this much. Any cut in financial aid programs will be felt by me and other students. Without funding, we would in effect be kicked out of college.

The Campaign for America's Future has collected similar stories from across the country that show - often in heart-wrenching detail - the impact of Bush's failed higher-education policies. Maybe the education secretary should read some of these stories to help her get her priorities in order. Spellings needs to stop worrying about the social visits of animated rabbits and focus on ensuring that all qualified students can afford college.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: Money for US families of US dead, not injured, hush money?

It is not that I am against a death benefit [mine was $10,000 for Vietnam, wonder what that would be in today's terms], it is just that this sounds like hush money, or is it that over 1430 deaths on the US side are more valuable than the over 100,000 Iraqi side?

Karen/WI

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Subject: Army recruitment to school age children

Please let Joyce in NC and others know that those brochures her 13 year old daughter is getting in the mail probably did come from the school, or someone there with access to any student directory. In fact, a little known part of Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act requires public schools to give the government (military) the names, phone numbers and addresses of their students for possible recruitment purposes or forfeit federal dollars, so I’m told. So many of these things are indeed hidden in these bills Bush hurries through for a vote with little or no time to know what all is exactly in the bills, including all those little additional pesky items which suddenly become law.

Betsy
Texas

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Subject: Death benefits to die for

I see that Bush wants to increase death benefits to soldiers who die in combat to an additional $250,000. While I believe the current death benefit of $12,420 is too low, a figure of one quarter of a million dollars starts to sound like the sums that were paid to the families of Arab suicide bombers. Is this what we want: a volunteer suicide army? I can see the Pentagon's promotion department having a field day with this one: "Join the United States Armed Services -- we've got death benefits to die for!"

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: Talon News -their very existence a cry for help?

In the spirit of professionalism and out of a desire to help, I just sent this offer of assistance to the Talon News folks. It appears they need it. When I tried to send this letter to them--repeatedly--the Website malfunctioned and told me that 'a file was missing.'

C. Jesse Green
Lansing, MI

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Subject: Network hypocrisy

In re the refusal of major television stations to run ads protesting Bush's attack on public protection attorneys:

Hypocritical to the max. I clearly remember ads run in summer 2000 on ABC attacking Gray Davis and unjustly blaming him for the blackouts that Enron caused. In fact, my first suspicion that the blackouts were orchestrated were the ads (paid for by "Citizens for Energy in the 21st Century"). These were expensive, slick 30-second spots that ran endlessly. And it was not a campaign year!

Rosamond

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Subject: PNAC Neocons

Why don't you post the neocons' email addresses and ask your readers to write them and tell them to have their sons and daughters go fight in Iraq, Iran,syria,korea,cuba,venezuela,canada....

http://www.newamericancentury.org/aboutpnac.htm

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: Re: We're Madder than a Wet Hen at BuzzFlash!

In this connection, you might highlight your premium DVD "Orwell Rolls in his Grave."
I just acquired it and saw it. It is chilling and very much to this point!

Colleen Clark
Cambridge, MA

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Subject: An Open Letter to Senator Santorum

Dear Senator Santorum,

I was somewhat taken aback to see you as Chairman of the Senate Republican conference on Saving Social Security after receiving a non-committal letter from you this past week on the very same subject. Then again, your letter was a form letter. After reading the full text of the program that you presented at White Sulphur Springs, I can only come to the conclusion that you have enthusiastically grabbed on to the legendary third rail of American politics and have decided that it is your solemn duty to destroy the most successful social program in American history under the guise of saving it.

Without dwelling on all of the details of your presentation, I found myself fascinated by your characterization of the intellectual capacity of the American people. “TALK IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE: Your audience doesn’t understand financial jargon.” “KEEP THE NUMBERS SMALL: Your audience doesn’t know how trillions and billions differ.” “….Privatization connotes corporate takeover of Social Security;…this turns off listeners, who are very concerned about corporate wrongdoing.” “DON’T SAY ‘SOCIAL SECURITY LIFTS SENIORS OUT OF POVERTY’”: People don’t appreciate all that Social Security does, and believe that…many seniors still live in poverty.”

While it is tempting to go through the entire presentation and comment on each and every point in it, that is not the intent of this letter. By your actions, you have shown that you place ideology and corporate interests ahead of the concerns and needs of your constituents. As an almost senior, I am 62, voting in my own best interests means opposing your actions. The fact that opposing you is also acting in the best interests of my wife and children is a bonus.

You have abandoned working people in your blind loyalty to this misguided cure for a disease that does not exist. The only Social Security crisis that exists in America is the one created by the Republicans and their Wall Street friends. Social Security can be fixed without massive cuts in payouts and without the 3 trillion dollar price tag that Privatization brings with it.

If you will not change your position against American taxpayers and workers, I pledge that I will not only vote against you, but I will also work unceasingly for your opponent, whoever he or she may be. If you cannot be trusted to represent your constituents on a matter as important as Social Security, you do not deserve to be reelected to your office. It is a trust – and you are betraying it.

Sincerely,

William H. Barido III
Pittsburgh, PA

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Subject: discombobulated and still mystified

Hey Fellow Buzzers:

My last comment was posted in your Jan 20, mailbag, and here's another. I've got to let you know, I'm from Canuckistan (and I hope we're not on the list with Syria and Iran).

The decisions made by the Bush Adm. are global and affect all of us. And although I am not frightened (yet), the 30-06 may be coming out from under the bed for a good cleaning, just on the off chance I see an Abhrams tank pulling into my driveway. Anyway here is some info for you regarding the so-called liberal media.

I believe on Feb. 6 (CBC TV) a program will be aired called (i think) "Sticks and Stones." This is the docu that sent O'Reilly's shorts up his arse.

Also in ref. to Leslie in Evanston (jan 31 Mailbag) there is a docu pertaining to the Rwanda genocide on CBC, I believe also Feb. 6. If she wishes for more on this I recommend the highly disturbing book by Lt. Gen Romeo Dallaire, "Shake Hands With the Devil."

Next: On Feb. 5, a CBC program called "The Passionate Eye" will be airing the bizarre docu called Journeys w/ George. Alexandra Pelosi's trip with W during the 2000 campaign. This show had me doing Bong hits like a maniac. Does this man know how to work a room (or bus) or what?

Now for the scary stuff. The book list BuzzFlash has as premiums has been a wealth of info for me. I'm broke all the time so thankfully we have libraries. Lately I've read: "Fraud" by Paul Waldman. "The Best Democracy..." by Greg Palast and "The Hammer" by Lou Dubose and Jan Reid.

The way I see it, you folks have 2 choices. Either leave the U.S. and emigrate elsewhere. Or in the extreme case, take up arms and let the motherfuckers know you've had all you can take. The Democrats certainly aren't taking up your concerns. And the Busheviks aren't stopping. And if it isn't Ashcroft (now Gonzales) and his band of Nazis stripping away your rights and freedoms, you've got those insane Evangelicals trying to tie half your country to a flaming stake. For anyone interested check out Katherine Yurica's excellent site: the yuricareportwww.yuricareport.com re: Dominionism. Scary.

All for now. Remember you can always move to Canada. Keep up the great work BuzzFlash. I love your site and check it daily. Now speaking of buzzes, where the hell did I put my bong? Thanks folks, stay vigilant.

Tony Gouchie
Nova Scotia

[BuzzFlash Note: BuzzFlash doesn't condone the use of alternative substances to numb the pain caused by the Bush administration -- we take it straight, like a nose full of stilton or thousand year old eggs -- but we simpathize, empathize and wish you much luck in your journey.]

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Subject: 4 Networks Reject Ad Opposing Bush on Lawsuits (NY Times)

You're not kidding Buzz - Soviet Style government-controlled press is exactly what we've got now. I don't know why that headline shocked me so much. By now it shouldn't have. But it really brings home the fact that we've reached a brick wall with the media and it's become as scary as one can imagine. Absolutely no one in the MSM will defy the Bush administration - NO ONE! We basically have no media anymore outside of the internet and some foreign independent newspapers, so yes, Buzz, you're the one we depend on. And we've all got to continue supporting you as much as we can.

I feel that there are multitudes of people, even some democrats, progressives, etc. that I speak to that still don't quite realize what's really happening. That scares me even more. I keep hearing people saying, "Well, at least it's only for another four years"!! How do you even begin to explain to these people that in four years, we won't even recognize this country - I don't even recognize it now. What do they think - that when Bush leaves office everything will be hunky dory and we'll have our old Democracy back, just like that? Do they think the republicans are finished stealing elections? Do they think that there's not another neocon puppet just waiting to take his place (Jeb).

Who's going to speak up other than us? Are there enough of us? Whenever I speak of wanting to leave this country, people still look at me as if to say "now why would you want to do that? And they're serious, too. Serious, but unfortunately not well informed. I don't know if people will ever wake up. Aside from endless and needless war and death, now it's Medicare, Social Security, and they're talking about ending employer-paid health insurance, and we all know that's just the tip of the iceberg. If all of his policies and programs go through, I see no reason to stay here - I see no benefits to living here. Will people wake up when the nukes arrive - because losing their jobs, healthcare, retirement doesn't seem to bother them that much.

I read the letters in the NY Times and it seems that even their liberal readers are buying into this Iraqi election. The chimp is being praised up, down and sideways. I read about how hard the Democrats are going to fight this administration, but can they? How do you fight people like that? They're monsters. Recent history does not show the Dems as being great fighters. I'm having trouble even believing that all of this is happening to this country. It feels like a tidal wave now. It feels like it can't be stopped. I pray that I'm wrong and I'm looking for a miracle.

We BuzzFlash readers have to make sure that Buzz will ALWAYS be there by supporting them whenever we can. Thanks for listening.

Barbara in NYC

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During Bush's Misstate of the union address Wednesday night, please remember this quote:

"Indeed, it appears that the only entity Bush deems himself inferior to is God almighty." -- Morton Kondracke

Mike
Las Vegas

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Subject: The no network news diet

Hey Buzz,

I haven't watched the network news since Nov 3, 2004. I realized that the media was the primary reason that Bush was put back into office. The "Swift Boat Liars for Bush" were given free airtime on just about every nightly news network, spreading their lies about John Kerry. Even after much of what they were saying was proven to be untrue. Yes my fellow Buzz readers, it's time to poop or get off of the pot. We all know that Bush is pro corporation, therefore the corporate media is on Bush's side. The media is full of pushers, they've been pushing the Bush administration's polices for four years. It's time for us to stop supporting theses distortions, half truths and out and out lies, by turning the TV off.

BuzzFlash has become my main source for information. What do you think will happen to these companies if you turn their news off? The advertisers will go away, and they will begin to lose money. Try the no network news diet and I guarantee you that:

Your stomach won't get upset

Your blood pressure may go down

You will no longer get headaches

You will no longer have to use your BS detector

Kimberly D.
New York

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Subject: Bush handling of our money, it makes no sense

BuzzFlash,

Thank Heavens for BuzzFlash and the contributors to "Mailbag!" The truth needs to be told! BUSH HANDLING OF OUR MONEY, IT MAKES NO SENSE! The buck stops with George W. Bush and it doesn't make any sense how he handles our taxpayer dollars! America, to quote Mr. Bush, "we work very hard" and very long for our money. Yet our government under the great "mishandler" George Bush has thrown away our money in many ways.

Starting with a surplus that changed to a huge deficit, a larger than life trade deficit and a costly war we have reason to question Bush as more and more expenditures raises doubts on how he handles our hard earned dollars! We have reason to be concerned that our next generation will pay for his ineptness!

An old pattern is revisited. Bush and Company announced enthusiastically that Veterans benefits will be substantially raised! That is wonderful and long overdue. However before he takes credit for the results, let it be noted Bush first was against this move and finally gave in from pressure from Congress, who are the ones responsible for this happening! We have seen this move before when Bush was first against the Homeland Security Department and the 9/11 investigation and then for it, after too much publicity and pressure forced a change of his mind.

This morning on the news revealed by General Casey, there is a 4 million dollar gap between what Halliburton (there's that name again) estimates the cost to be and what the Pentagon has to spend. That involves money to feed and protect our troops in Iraq. Bush doesn't work "very hard" safeguarding our money when 8.8 billion dollars goes "missing!"The Inspector General for Iraq accused the Coalition Provisional Authority of (CPA) of poor management of these funds. Despite CPA Chief Paul Bremer's objections use of these funds could not be validated!

One of the recipients of 1.7 billion of this money was--you guessed it, Halliburton! Still completely unexplained, remains charges from the past, passed, but not forgotten! Henry Waxman declared, "Halliburton seems to be inflating gas prices at a great cost to American taxpayers." About this time last year, Pentagon auditors were investigating Halliburton for overcharging the military for the gas delivered to Iraqi citizens. The Defense Contract Audit Agency said Halliburton, winner of no-bid contracts, might have overcharged the government by 61 billion!

On December 12th, President Bush tried to skirt a real political storm by suggesting Halliburton should repay that money. Whether the money was paid back is not as important as why it happened in the first place. Will it continue to happen unchecked?

Recently we learned our troops were not properly equipped, as one soldier fanned the flame, and broke the invisible rule of not speaking out in public. Imagine how much of that money could have gone for helping our troops.

It is said, "Truth angers those who it does not convince." For those who are willing to let this kind of deceit go away without expecting truthful answers, you might as well throw your taxpayer money down the toilet! When an Administration is dishonest about one thing it gives us cause to question everything!

This Administration under George Bush has left us questioning many things. Another two day wonder, then conveniently forgotten, was the question of what really happened to the 750 million dollars approved by Congress and landing in the Iraq budget. This was discussed in Bob Woodward"s book, "Plan of Attack." Tommy Franks claimed "that only 178 million" was diverted for communications equipment, fuel and various other expenses.

Regardless of the money involved there exists a system of checks and balances on both the executive branch and the legislative branch of government. They exist for good reason. Why were they not used properly?

The House Appropriations Committee said many vague sources existed where they could not say where the money came from, or what the money was financing. Can Peter rob Paul without giving satisfactory explanations? Bertram Gross, author, explained, "The more lies are told, the more important it becomes for the liars to justify themselves by deep moral commitments to high-sounding objectives that mask the pursuit of money and power!"
 
Susan Carr

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Subject: social security

Bush's privatization plan is coercive and will not solve the problem with the system. Everything he has ever said about it is a lie. There is, however, obviously a crisis in this Socialist retirement scheme (inappropriately dubbed "insurance"). If you are sure there is no crisis, why not explain how all the unfunded liability associated with SS can ever be met??

Sincerely,

John Hackney
NYC

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Subject: News, Comments, Humor and Quotes

NRDC announced that depletion of the ozone layer over the arctic threatens the health of Europeans as far south as central Europe.

Coming Wednesday Night: "Runaway Bubble Trouble," an in-depth analysis, presented in text, charts & graphs, providing compelling proof of the existence of huge asset bubbles which are now expanding out of the control of the Fed. Also addressed in this article: why 2005 will see the 'economic day of reckoning' for shortsighted Fed policy
(geostrategymap.com).

(Wreckage was spread over a wide area which indicates an in-air explosion.)

Note: Gonzales avoids even answering Repubs questioning on torture.

The Bush regime is claiming the election in Iraq was a success. The turnout in South Vietnam's election was much higher, and look what happened there.

"The election was such a success, today Dick Cheney said, 'We're so close to that oil, I can taste it.'" --Jay Leno

"Lord knows we're all pleased that they're holding up their ink-stained index fingers to the cameras, and not the other finger that they could certainly hold up, given the fact that they still don't have electricity." --Jon Stewart, on Iraqi voters

"President Bush said today he wants another $80 billion in Iraq funding. So when he said Iraq isn't free yet, he ain't kidding." --Jay Leno

"Do you know they return to the polls for another round of voting later in the year? Six months they go back again. So it's basically same Shiite, different day." --Jay Leno

"We will export death and violence to the four corners of the earth in defense of our great nation." - Woodward's book, Bush at War.

RB

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Subject: Will US survive?

When I read commentaries like those of Paul Krugman and Seymour Hersh on the current U.S. situation, I am shaken by the erosion of so much that I thought helped define us as a nation: civil liberties, infrastructures, social safety nets, compassion for others, religious tolerance. And when I consider further the loss of world esteem, our disappearing manufacturing base, and the record (and growing) budget and trade deficits, a very serious question looms in my mind, "Will the U.S. itself be lost to this administration, its wars and its policies?" I am left to pray over a very troublesome vision of what could be in store for me, my family, my friends, my country.

Mary
H.I., AR

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CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE FEBRUARY 2, 2005 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG.

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