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| March 2, 2005 |
MAILBAG ARCHIVES | ||
The BuzzFlash Mailbag The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. Read the BuzzFlash FAQ for info on submitting to the Mailbag. THIS IS PART 2 OF THE MARCH 2, 2005 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1 Subject:
The Social Security/bankruptcy bill
link
How interesting that Republicans who
support this Bankruptcy bill would advise
American citizens that they must "always
pay...bills," and should "never
take on financial burdens... [they]can't
bear." Yet when it comes to Social
Security, these same Republicans,who
have borrowed heavily from ordinary
American citizens to finance their debts,
tell us, "Oops, sorry, I won't
pay." Funny, isn't it? How ordinary
American citizens should be fiscally
responsible but Republicans in the Congress
should not? Why am I not surprised?
Subject: Raw Story Seeks "fright Mail" Excellent article on Raw Story about DeLay's illegal finance machinations. Raw Story has called for tips and copies of any "fright mail" sent to seniors. If anybody has one, this could be a great thread for unraveling GOP hidden agendas. Note that the more we hear, the more all these scandals are connected. Social
Security “fright mail” targeting seniors
helped fund GOP leader’s trips to UK,
Asia (rawstory.com) Subject: "Bracing for a Bush budget..." What's really funny about this article: "Bracing for a Bush budget that could kick around the poor 2/28" is that it's from South Carolina, who went solidly for Bush... I say TOO BAD... You wanted Bush now you have him, ENJOY!! I looked for a link to letters to the editor but couldn't find one..... A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Social Security Meeting In
Chicago Joan Chandler Subject: Social Security "crisis" Subject: Jim Pittman's Excellent Letter To BuzzFlash And WP Jim, that was a GREAT LETTER you sent to The Washington Post and to BuzzFlash readers! Thank-you Very Much! You hit the nail right on the head about our own Russian Style media, that we have in The Bush White House!! What is "Bush Inc" going to have to do for the media to say "enough already" and wake-up? Tom Wieliczka Subject: Artist Arrested For Repro Of Sistine Chapel Art On Mural... ACLU
Hopes to Keep Roseville Artist Out of Jail (ACLU of Michigan) All G. Bush is doing is spreading another weapon of mass distraction. He is having problems convincing the American people because majority of us know G. Bush will tell a lie. If president B. Clinton were presenting this idea about reforming Social Security to the American people, they would be more receptive. First of all, they know he will fight for all people, instead of a select few. Secondly, the ideas would be his instead of someone else telling him every minute what to say and not what to respond to. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Missouri's Governor....Baby Blunt Well, Governor Blunt is giving the man another chance. He will run one of the Department of Revenue Fee offices...ain't it nice to have republican friends right now? Democrats in this state...which also is run by republicans...are
screaming to high heaven This is the way of the country, anymore. Shirley.................St. Louis Subject: Calling fascism, well... fascism Subject: Gannon Subject: No
one is above the law, not even Tom DeLay Subject: Hillary Dearest Subject: State Dep't Human Rights Report The brief articles appearing in Canadian media on the recent criticism of Canada by the U.S. State Department's 'Reports on Human Rights Practices' should have carried the caveat that this is a highly political report that does not mention any abuses by the U.S. For a country that has recently invaded and occupied another at an estimated cost of over 100,000 civilian lives to complain that "police allegedly knocked a man to the ground for jaywalking" in Edmonton is simply mind-boggling. While they mildly cited the American-controlled regime in Iraq for abuses (didn't report death squads and such) they missed the Abu Ghraib torture story entirely. They shamelessly forgot to mention the arrest and torture of Canadian Maher Arar, which certainly violated that guy's civil rights - probably because they helped the RCMP do it! This is a self-serving report from a government that is arguably the worst violator of human rights in the developed world. Aside from massive abuses stemming from the 'war on terror' in 2003, 6.9 million Americans were on probation, in jail or prison, or on parole. That's 3.2% of their total population. One and a half million were in prison and almost 1500 languished on death row, awaiting execution. Dozens have been executed. There are 750 active and legal racist 'hate groups' like the KKK. The incidence of suppression of freedom of expression and media abuses have become common. Racial inequality is endemic, as is extreme poverty in many areas of the country. It's hard to believe they have the nerve to publish this tripe - or that any media outlet would report it without context. A. Grainger Subject: Does America Have A Conscience?
Lacking some unexpected dramatic event I am not sanguine concerning
the survival of our country in a form worthy of the respect of decent
men.
Bob Regl Subject: Why Do Bin Laden's Appearances Seem To Help Bush Strategy? We may indeed be headed for another "hit," but does this
fear and would that "hit" keep US troops in Iraq? The current
administration would certainly make such an argument. Subject: Weapons Of Mass Deception Is A Must See I just got my Weapons of Mass Deception DVD, where Danny Schechter
blasts the so called news media, and rightfully so. Any BuzzFlash
reader and anybody reading this letter will be sorry if they do not
buy and watch this DVD. Too bad the mainstream media will not know
about this DVD and look at themselves in the mirror!! I'm sending
a letter to all the so-called Big "News" Papers, The "News"
Networks and The FCC to open their eyes, 1500 deaths too late! Subject: There They Go Again.... Bush is already being painted as a hero/genius by the MSM, but then
what's new, right? BuzzFlash, from now on I rely on you, your readers
and Keith Olbermann for my news. I am sick to death of the right wing
slant to all other news sources. Thanks Buzz. Subject: I HATE it when you're right!! Subject: Scalia's Dissent On Death To Minors In a dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia disputed that there is a trend and chastised his colleagues for taking power from the states. "The court says in so many words that what our people's laws say about the issue does not, in the last analysis, matter: 'In the end our own judgment will be brought to bear on the question of the acceptability of the death penalty,'" he wrote. "The court thus proclaims itself sole arbiter of our nation's moral standards," Scalia wrote. Justices end juvenile executions (Chicago Sun Times) Hello? This is going to be your next Supreme Court Chief Justice?
God help the United States of America (and therefore the rest of us
too)! Isn't this the same Supreme Court Justice that supported overturning
the popular vote of American citizens for Gore in 2000 and stopped
counting votes for the "good of the nation?" Obviously Scalia
doesn't have a problem with being the sole arbiter of the nation's
political leadership! Come to think of it, Scalia DOES think he is
an arbiter of the US's moral standards when it comes to gay rights.
After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down anti-sodomy laws in 13 states,
Scalia complained in a dissent longer than the majority decision that
the majority of the Court's members, in a 6-3 vote, "held to
be a constitutional right what had been a criminal offense at the
time of the founding and for nearly 200 years thereafter." Obviously
Scalia is longing to take the US backwards to the 19th or even 18th
century. Subject: Just How Is The Us Dollar Really Doing Against Those Darn
Euros? Assume that in October 2003, I used the currency equivalent of 25 Big Macs in both US Dollars and Euros to buy oil (all market factors are identical) and I do the same in March 2005 (again, all factors for the purchase are identical.) 1. Is there a delta between the US Dollar and Euro purchase in 2003? Will there be any difference in the volume of oil that the 25 Big-Mac unit of each currency will purchase? 2. If yes, please describe that delta in terms of percentage, volume and total. 3. Please do the same calculations for the 2005 purchase. 4. Please describe any deltas between the US Dollar purchases in 2003 and 2005. What are the trends? 5. Please describe any deltas between the Euro purchases in 2003 and 2005. What are the trends? 6. Can we conclude that it is a better value to purchase oil in one currency over the other? Just for giggles and yucks, it might be fun to add Swiss Francs,
UK Pounds, Yuan and Yen to the mix. [BuzzFlash Note: We're hoping a BuzzFlash reader may be able to address this?] Subject: The Two Faces Of The Bush Administration Of course, in the United States the rules are adhered to all the time under the guise of “security!” Meanwhile he had the audacity to call our government, “transparent.” This from the most secretive President in our history! Many would suggest we research the truth, and deal with it, and not just the effect the Bush-Rove political machine presents to us! Out of Bush’s mouth he loosely uses the word freedom while the many facets of his Patriot Act plays more like “Big Brother” allowing the collection of information from businesses and libraries without showing probable cause and many other surveillance related provisions of the law that infringe on our rights. Bush touts the Election in Iraq as a success, the story is not finished and that conclusion is premature. At the same time Allawi, Bush choice to lead Iraq, is trying to cut a deal with the Sunnis to support him in his bid for Prime Minister, and suggesting the position of President could be open to them in a deal! So much for the people’s right to choose the man the majority of Iraqis wanted, let’s just run roughshod over their rights! At the National Governor’s Association Meeting he claimed worry about Medicaid. Many knowledgeable people believe the whole intent of Bush and his cronies is to get rid of Social Security and Medicare and his current actions are the first baby steps towards that goal. Bush hopes it will go unnoticed! It also is interesting that despite his claims of concern his new budget suggests 60 billion in cuts for needed services, as we support Iraq’s needs ahead of our nation’s welfare! In the usual Bush cover-up style, when it came time for the question part of this meeting the press was invited to leave! He certainly doesn’t want the sharp comments or questions unfavorable to his cause, especially on Social Security, to be made public. How interesting to note that the White House accuses Putin of controlling the press! The Bush arrogance allows him to feel he can dictate to the world what he feels is the correct viewpoint. Only one example out of many was at the Bejing meeting where the U.S. tried to cram their viewpoint down the throats of those attending by asking them to publicly renounce abortion rights. In Bush world it’s okay to push moral values as you invade Sovereign nations, using lies, exaggerations and lies of omission as your ammunition to start a war. Then slaughter innocent Iraqis and influence the media not to mention or downplay the 1500 American deaths and the 11000 injuries suffered by our soldiers! Also in Bush world do not punish high-ranking military officials,{except for a scapegoat or two} Rumsfeld, Gonzales or any higher ups accused of contributing to torture but make sure the little guys are held accountable for their deeds! In a disdain for human rights, and the Geneva Conference, its okay to hold "enemy combatants" or suspected terrorists for as long as you want without charging them until the courts say otherwise! They can always be sent to countries that have a known practice of torture to get the answers you want to hear without revealing the evidence held against them. In true Rovian manner, you can use terror threats, no matter how old they are, when you need a distraction or an advantage in a situation! Timing is everything! Yesterday when the Iraqis suffered the worst attack since "Mission Accomplished,” the distraction was the “two week old news” of Osama telling al-Zarqawi to concentrate attack efforts outside Iraq! Rabindranath Tagore said, “The tyrant claims freedom to kill freedom
yet to keep it for himself!” Subject: Sen. Lieberman Subject: Rumi It's great that you're offering a Rumi DVD as a premium. Just want to give you more precise information about his bio. Indeed he was born in Balkh in the Persian Empire, in what is now Afghanistan. But to call him just an "Iranian" poet is a bit misleading. Indeed he wrote in Persian. But he spent his adult life, 18 on, in Konya in Anatolia, now Turkey, which was then ruled by the Seljuks, pre-Ottoman Turks. The name "Rumi" in fact just means someone from "Rum" which was a name used for what had been the eastern Roman (Rum) Empire. He is revered in Turkey as well as throughout the Persian/Farsi/Dari speaking world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumi A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: N.Y. Times' Torches New Ari Fleischer Book Subject: America urges UN to renounce abortion rights
That goes for just about everything else. Africa and Asia can't support more billions of people. Neither can the rest of the world. Wars, famine and pestilence would erupt.
RB Subject: VA shake-up Subject: Christian Identity Movement ... World Church Of The Creator
Police
seek help after judge's family slain (CNN) Subject: My Pet Goat II - The Terror Alert Is Blinking Red For those of you who are tired of endless middle east news, here is another neglected story on terror right here in the United States. This is Bush's OTHER terror problem. To paraphrase Richard Clarke, the terror alert signs are 'blinking red.' And just as in the other episode, we wonder which mental vacation this trust-fund frat boy is on. Is it the 'My Pet Goat' story again? Maybe he's dreaming of being a cowboy, or of being a real soldier. Maybe he's just thinking about fishing at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport Maine. Or maybe he pulled a Yeltsin, and went back to drinking while helping corporate cronies. In any case, there is no surprise that a man who has been irresponsible when not being vicious to others during his entire life might remain indifferent to this crisis.
Notice the word 'terrified.' This is not manufactured. It's not a republican talking point. It's real brain-numbing, can't-sleep-at-night fear. And this woman is not alone. The Lance Armstrong Foundation helped fund a survey that reported that most Americans are actually "far more afraid of cancer than getting into a serious car accident, or being victim of a violent crime or a terrorist attack." http://www.aacr.org/1132bb.asp You can ask any of the 1 in 7 women who get breast cancer (up from 1 in 20) if they felt terror. Or any of the men diagnosed with cancer. Or you can ask any of their family members or friends. People are aware of this from their own lives, and the statistics bear this out. Rates of cancer in the US are getting worse. Here are a few numbers. The daily bombings in the middle east are bad, but aren't these deaths and injuries equally bad? Thousands of new cases each year, hundreds of deaths each day. [statistics available at: http://www.pancreaticalliance.org... and http://www.cancer.org/downloads...pdf] For many Americans, as indicated in the survey, they are MORE terrifying, because they are happening right here, to people we know. I think most BuzzFlash readers would consider this terror valid.
Where Is The Mainstream Media? As usual, the mainstream media is like Bush was when he was supposed to be serving his country--missing. When two snipers started killing people in Northern Virginia, there was wall-to-wall coverage by the mainstream media. The message that came across was that residents of the area were terrified that they might be next. But shouldn't there be similar outrage in the mainstream media about the cancer epidemic in the US? Don't most Americans now wonder if they will be next? When we aren't hearing about the middle east we get a steady diet of movie stars and celebrities. But even the celebrity aspect gets ignored. John Lennon was shot, but Linda McCartney's wife died of breast cancer. Lance Armstrong, Melissa Etheridge, politician's wives. They all get some coverage but then it goes away. Why is it that the corporate-owned media does not want to face this reality? Why doesn't the mainstream media cover this every day, like they covered the Scott Peterson trial, or Michael Jackson. Why don't we see round table discussions on PBS every week? Follow The Money. Bush has the same problem with this terror that he had with September 11. When you follow the money, you end up with people who he has financial alliances with. In that case, the killing was done by people with close financial ties to Saudi Arabia. In this case, the killing is done by corporations with close ties to the Bush administration and the mainstream media. The rates of cancer are higher in the US than elsewhere and rapidly rising. Most experts believe there are environmental factors. Common sense, and research suggest that the products which we use and are exposed to are increasing our risk. Here's an example of how the researchers view the situation.
Silent Spring Institute was founded as an alliance of scientists and activists to address these questions, searching for breast cancer prevention and improved women's health through environmental studies.
Even Bush's own government (forced by a law that his party has not yet repealed) admits that cancer is being caused by environmental factors.
Bush: President of the Middle East - Not The US. Let Bush be president of Iraq, or Syria, or Russia. Let someone else be president of the US. Taxpayer money goes to private security guards who are paid three times as much as as cancer researchers so that some middle eastern hack can be protected from the people who live in his country. "It pays quite well. There's a lot of contracts that pay anywhere from $350 a day to $1,500 a day," said Chris Boyd of Kroll-Crucible Security... Military analysts say the private security arrangement allows regular military troops to concentrate on fighting. But they are concerned that the lucrative pay offered by private contractors -- often more than $100,000 a year -- is depleting the ranks of the special forces. http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/04/01/iraq.contractor/ On the other hand,
Priorities: Bush's War or Stopping Cancer. Again, taxpayers are spending $5B per month for war in a country that did not kill any Americans before we went there. But the spending to stop cancer is just not a priority. Here's an example of spending for some of the top types of cancer. You'll notice that it's less than what goes to the private security firms used in the middle east, let alone to the major defense industry suppliers. NCI Cancer Research Spending, 2002 (Partial List: spending per projected 2004 New Cases and Deaths) Type Spending (millions) Prostate $ 291.0 Breast $ 535.8 Lung $ 237.9 Colorectal $ 238.6 http://www.pancreaticalliance.org/docs/ncispending.htm Americans WANT more money spent on stopping cancer. The same survey mentioned above also found that "A large majority – more than 75 percent – also favors increasing government funding for cancer research, with 63 percent saying they would be willing to double the current federal cancer budget." http://www.aacr.org/1132bb.asp Bush Priorities. But Bush's top priority, after lowering tax rates for the richest people and corporations so they can buy another BMW, is revealed in the state of the union address, not to mention his budget and legislative actions. He again revealed his contempt for ordinary citizens by blocking legal recourse from cancer victims who have been wronged by the murderous behavior of a corporation, and also by verbally slamming the victims of asbestos poisoning as 'frivolous.' Much of the litigation is settled in secret agreements anyway, to suppress information from reaching the public. (a tactic also employed with the September 11 victims). http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/defenseandsecurity/a/randon911.htm Just Who IS Bush? Bush's contempt for ordinary soldiers and victims of September 11 is well known. He refused to provide armor for the troops, and shortchanged their benefits. Although he danced on the graves of September 11 victims in the NY Republican Convention, he fought with the survivors, widows and family members, and blocked the request for a public panel at every turn. His contempt for ordinary Americans who are at risk for cancer is just as horrible. Bush and his friends were quick to label teachers as terrorists. Like everything else they say, it's more true of them than of the people they accuse. What would you think about a newspaper story about a man and his
friends who promoted activities that kill Americans? The Americans
are terrified. Doesn't this sound like Al Qaeda? Just who is this
insane man in the nation's capital? |
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