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| September 29, 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. Subject: Comment on the Last Passion of the Democratic party Key portion:
We need to stop waiting for leadership. Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman didn't wait for Democratic leadership. Rosa Parks didn't wait for Democratic leadership. Lyndon Johnson didn't LEAD the civil rights movement, he FOLLOWED it. When the people lead, the leaders will follow. STOP WAITING. WE are the leaders we have been waiting for. Linda Wymore Subject: Tom DeLayed? I woke up this morning, looked outside and smiled, thinking this was going to be a great birthday. As soon as I turned on the television, I received my first present. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was indicted on one count of criminal conspiracy by a Texas grand jury in relation to a campaign finance scheme with two political associates. CNN stated, “In accordance to the rules of the House,” DeLay has stepped aside as House Majority leader while an investigation into his actions is conducted. DeLay stepping aside is welcome; I’m just surprised that “The Hammer” wasn’t hiding out somewhere hoping for divine intervention. I guess God or even DeLay’s cronies couldn’t change the rules for him this time around. While this “skunk stinks to high heaven,” as so eloquently stated by DeLay’s attorney Bill White, this can only be viewed as karma. Tom DeLay is also known for his compassion and timing. When DeLay was visiting a shelter in Reliant Park after Hurricane Katrina he jokingly remarked to some of the young boys sitting on a cot, “Now tell me the truth boys, is this kind of fun?” He followed up with, “You are becoming famous all over this country and even the world.” Yeah Tom. It’s like Mardi Gras all over again. I’m not sure what “The Hammer” is going to do now that he is absolved of real responsibility in the House. He must be feeling quite impotent since his heyday when he proclaimed, “A woman can take care of the family. It takes a man to provide structure, to provide stability.” DeLay will be riding a political roller coaster—indefinitely. Hopefully his wife won’t be joining him, because it can’t be healthy if she’s barefoot, pregnant, and breast feeding. Besides, who’s going to scrub the toilet when he’s out defending his great name? DeLay needs to relax and take in a deep breath of Washington’s fresh air. He is a firm believer, no pun intended, that "It has never been proven that air toxics are hazardous to people," but maybe he’d be better off holding his breath for a while considering he thinks his right wing Christian convictions and shady dealings are good for the nation. The White House has come out and stated that DeLay is “a good ally” but that “the president's view is that we need to let the legal process work.” As if the President has ever valued the rule of law! Yet there is a glimmer of hope, since President Bush floundered on Katrina, “the first female suicide bomber struck in Iraq,” and gas prices are over 3 dollars a gallon. The President may not be able to handle the political firestorm and consequently withdraw support for DeLay. We’ll see in the coming months if DeLay fades off into the sunset like former strongman Newt Gingrich, or if he can ride out this hurricane. Today is a great birthday indeed. It finally looks like I’ll be able to have my cake and eat it too. Remi Kanazi Subject: "Don" DeLay Indicted The Republicans have long portrayed themselves as the law and order party, but it acts more like the mafia than a legitimate political party. They have placed loyalty to the “family” above serving the common good and respect for the rule of law. They have sought to rule by intimidation, even going so far as to threaten judges whose rulings they disagree with. They have sought to bribe those they could not intimidate. They have stifled the ethics process in the house in order to shield their members from the repercussions of corrupt behavior. Thankfully this contempt for the rule of law and common decency is finally beginning to catch up with them. Jack Abramoff’s ‘pay to play’ political machine that funneled millions of dollars in laundered contributions to conservative groups is being disassembled. Senator Bill Frist, the republican majority leader, is under SEC investigation for insider trading. A white house procurement official has been arrested on corruption charges. And now house majority leader Tom DeLay has been indicted for criminal conspiracy. The conservative spin machine has already shifted into high gear to confuse the issue. To this end a Republican talking head on CNN based his defense of DeLay on an assertion that “no reporter is going to be able to clearly explain what DeLay has been charged with.” Apparently this is an application of the same conservative logic used to refute evolution and global warming: ‘If it’s too complicated for me to understand then it isn’t real.’ So let me explain it now in simple terms. This indictment means a grand jury has been convinced that; A, a crime has been committed, and B, Tom DeLay helped plan the crime. It should be noted that a grand jury indictment is not a criminal conviction. A conviction requires a finding of guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is why conservatives are now trying to manufacture doubt about this indictment. Unfortunately for them, the only doubt they can produce is of the unreasonable variety. Only a fool would accept the argument that something isn’t real if it’s hard to understand. Reasonable people know that where there is smoke there is usually fire. The conservative defense of DeLay rests upon the assertion that one of the most powerful politicians in the country knew nothing about a PAC that he set up in his home state to expand his congressional majority. What reasonable person would believe that? Theo McCarthy Subject: Chris Matthews I watched Chris Matthews on Hardball on Wednesday, September 28. The whole program was about the Tom DeLay indictment. It was simply unbelievable. The entire premise of Hardball that evening was that the DeLay indictment was solely a "political prosecution" engineered by Texas Democratic prosecutor Ronnie Earle "strictly for political purposes." Wow. I was completely shocked. It used to be that Jack Welch's front men like Matthews and Tim Russert at least tried to look objective. No longer; every last pretense of objectivity has been shucked like so many stalks of corn. It's a brave new world in the Welch/GE/NBC Republican lovefest. They don't even try to hide their love of Bush and the Republicans any longer. DeLay plays Hardball: House Majority Leader responds to conspiracy indictment, criticism (MSNBC) Donald P. Russo Subject: Lynndie England Gets 3 Years in Prison Let me get this straight, Lynndie England gets 3 years in prison for posing prisoners at the Abu Ghraib in compromising positions, meanwhile to date, no one in the “BUSHIT” Administration or Republican Party has been held accountable for: ---Lying about WMDs and a Saddam Hussein/Osama connection, which sent England to Iraq in the first place, and is responsible for the deaths of nearly 2,000 American soldiers and over 14,000 wounded. Meanwhile no general officer has been held accountable for the Abu Ghraib affair. ---Divulging the name of a CIA operative thus endangering the lives of hundreds of CIA informants and operatives worldwide? --Ignoring and or bungling the rescue of Katrina victims resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 souls. --Selling political offices to lobbyists and corporations by receiving favors, junkets, and other illegal tributes. Yep, sure sounds right to me. Take a young, dumb, ignorant private soldier and string her up as an example for all America. Meanwhile the incompetent executive branch, the cowardly chicken hawks in Congress and Republican elite, the corporate opportunists, and the compromised politicos go Scott free. Sounds fair to me! This whole situation makes me question myself and America. This very government that sent her to Iraq and put her in a very compromising situation, now not only deserts her, but prosecutes her. Imagine the message this will send to our troops in Iraq. I realize Lynndie England may not be a stellar American, and I believe she is truly sorry for her actions, but are we really this corrupt, this insensitive, and this unjust that we would punish a lowly soldier for the sins of our own government and our own doing; for we surely are, if we allow Lynndie England to be strung up for our meek compliance, our intentional ignorance, and our refusal to object and or intervene on her behalf and stop this divisive war. Remember: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good (wo)men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke Regards, Robert M. Thacker Subject: Credibility I'm concerned about how some of the news sources you are quoting affects the credibility of BuzzFlash. I am specifically referring to your headline from the National Enquirer about W's alleged drinking problems. We all loathe this man, yet we must remain credible in our arguments against his regime. John Subject: DeLay I am a serious assassination "buff" and am concerned that W. is here to install the WWII victors, the Third Reich, back to power over the US. I got up to do a dance when I heard that DeLay was indicted. Imagine my gyrations when the rest of the bums get indicted (go Patrick Fitzgerald!!!). So, my concern is that DeLay came out against using the military vs. US population. Hey! Trent Lott had to go too!! The difference between a Democrat and a Republican?? Well, Tom DeLay's airplane didn't crash. Be afraid my patriotic friend, be very afraid. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Bill Bennett BuzzFlash, Hearing Bill Bennett's repulsive remark, I couldn't make myself believe he made such an idiotic statement. Why should I be surprised??? (I'm asking myself.) According to Mr. Bill, we are to believe that aborting a certain race of fetus would make a better world. Contradiction is something the neocons are very good at doing. So, excuse me Mr Bill Bennett, you were only being the best at what you neocons are excellent at doing. Picking and choosing of who is to live and who is to die, by your rules, and the color of their skin. You Mr. Bill and your ilk have the nerve to call yourselves Pro Life. Who do you think you are kidding? You sicken me! Angie Subject: John Roberts Here’s the thing about John Roberts. His ducking, weaving, bobbing, and refusing to answer questions from the Senate judiciary Committee shows his contempt for the Constitution and the Senate. It also shows he’s hiding something. Robert Bork lost his seat on the Court because he told the truth and showed himself to be a radical. I think we have to assume that Roberts was so deceptive because he knows that if he told the truth he’d never make it to the Court. Senator Pat Leahy is making a big mistake in voting for Roberts simply because Roberts promised to give more respect to the Congress than the Court has shown over the past ten or so years. What Roberts means is that if the Republican-dominated Congress votes to strip the federal courts of the power to hear cases involving matters like privacy, abortion, or any other boogeyman of the right. This would kill an independent judiciary in the United States, and if Senator Leahy has made a tactical retreat in order to fight a future and more openly radical justice, then he really has outsmarted himself. I hope you point this out to your colleagues. We really are at the point where the Republic is in serious danger, and you elected Democrats have to do something forceful, and you had better do it soon. John Kennedy said that if you make peaceful evolution impossible you make violent revolution inevitable. I sure hope he’s wrong because the chances of reform seem to be slipping away, and in a revolution people like me are the first to be shot. Save our Republic. Impeach George Bush. Glenn Edwards Subject: Ann Coulter Defending DeLay on Larry King Well, Karl sent Ann Coulter to Larry King-- the one commentator disliked even by her supposed allies on the right. After saying she didn't know what the charges were (read the indictment, eh?) she spent the rest of the time screaming incoherently as she is always wont to do. The lowest commentator on the chain of command on the right gets sent to Larry? This tells me, and DeLay, one obvious thing-- if they send Ann out to defend you, they are washing their hands of you. Bye, Tom. Richie Not-Rich Subject: There is a God!!! Today...I was surprised by news that I never, ever thought I would hear. TOM DELAY WAS INDICTED!!!! I never really thought it would happen.....and I hope he is convicted and put out of that office...he deserves nothing less!!!! Shirley St. Louis Subject: FEMA/Houston heat/Death toll climbing Do they ever get ANYTHING right? It's over 100 degrees here, there are plenty of indoor venues to set this up, and they make people stand out in the heat? This is after the death toll is climbing in the Houston area from Rita--not from the hurricane, but from people who died in their cars from the HEAT!!!! Heat forces closure of FEMA office for the day (Houston Chronicle) A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: What If When reviewing the aftermath of Katrina and Rita, we come to some frightening conclusions: 1. We cannot depend on government to help us after a catastrophe 2. Political cronies descend on your town for photo-ops 3. You are on your own Resigning ourselves to the fact that we will be on our own in a catastrophic event is paramount. The government was tested in both hurricanes and they failed miserably. A supreme question has commonly surfaced: If government failed the people in Katrina and Rita, what response could we expect in a nuclear or bio-chemical incident? The answer is provided in points one through three above. We would essentially become new century pioneers. Cathy L. Subject: RE: The Last Passion of the Democrats: A Must, Must Read BuzzFlash Editorial I take comfort in reminding myself what things were like around 2 years ago. Remember the god-like power these filth had around 2 years ago? They still own the soul of the national media, but sites like yours (and the Internet in general -- and blessings upon it!) have kept us in communication. This editorial is beautiful, filled with conscience, righteous anger . . . and hope. Now we have hope again. Keep the faith, my friends. And thank you for this editorial. Solidarity, W. Christopher Epler Subject: Scott McClellan's Press Briefing Today So.... "It's terrorists killing Iraqis. It's terrorists attacking innocent civilians." This is Scott's reply to a reporter's question about "What's the President's read on the sectarian nature of the violence in Iraq right now?" When the reporter follows up with "So you just don't recognize the sectarian nature of it?" And good ol' Scott repeats the party line: "No. It's the terrorists that want to take Iraq into civil war. That's what their goal is. They want to bring chaos into this country." http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/... Clueless in Washington. Still thinking they can get a democratic government out of a tribal nation like Iraq. Sunnis killing Shia. "No, it's the terrorists, DUMMY!" Saddam Hussein was in league with Al Qaeda....yes he was, HE WAS!!!!! Maria Lichter Subject: Protest March They're tune-ups for that glorious moment when the last chain is broken and, hand in hand, we the people change the world. There's the same rise - "I've never felt so meaningful, so important, so totally alive" - The identical sense of empowerment that gives solidarity its name - and the same hint that another world is possible. The difference is that after a march there's the downer of having to come back to earth, whereas in changing the world the march continues on and on and on. A BuzzFlash Reader Mail: Missing Martin/1978 Tell me, what did you see? When your soul had reached the summit, When you walked the hostile way, Tell me, where is the love? Where are all the faithful soldiers? It’s quiet now, I cannot hear Tell me, where is the power? Sage Garland Subject: Questions for Bush? President Bush says that he believes differing theories of evolution should be taught because exposure to differing ideas improves one’s education. How true. Then someone should ask him why he wants to exclude sex education from our schools and teach only one method of birth control – abstinence. Shouldn’t our children know all of their options? Should our foreign aid options also be limited by this faith based “theory”? And concerning the teaching of intelligent design, should we also teach the theory that God sprang from the mind of man and that the function/need of God has indeed "evolved" over time thus underlining evolution theory? How does this theory relate to intelligent design? Has the intelligent designer planned its own end? OK, OK. Should this theory be taught in a science class or a religious theory class? Brooks Ballard Subject: The Last Passion of the Democratic Party I discovered your web site in 2000, right after the JERK! in the White House stole it from the true Americans in this country. Since then I've come to depend on your great insight in the news. I didn't realize how much the mainstream media lies. As soon as I'm out of debt, I will be a contributor to BuzzFlash. Our debt is very deep. But I just wanted to say until I am able to become a paying member to your site I appreciate having a place to go for news that is true and fair. I don't know what many of us citizens would do without you. I am committed to helping you continue, because I read your articles every day. Thank you, for being there, even for those of us whose finances are keeping us from being true donors. A BuzzFlash Reader [BuzzFlash Note: There's more than one way to support us. Thanks for writing.] Subject: Earle said 12 of 15 politicians he's prosecuted were Dems; one of DeLay co-replacements as majority leader reportedly gay DeLay and other Republicans are lying when they call DA Earle partisan. In a 60 Minutes interview, Earle himself said that 12 of the 15 elected officials that he has indicted were Democrats. See 60 Minutes: The D.A. and Tom DeLay (CBS News) Another point: DeLay's indictment makes three top Republicans either indicted or arrested lately -- Abramoff, Safavian, and DeLay. Others like Rove and Frist are in the midst of investigations. Most every major Republican politician, fundraiser and lobbyist are connected in some way to at least one of these ... Rep. David Dreier of California is sharing some duties with Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri as a replacement for DeLay as House leader. Dreier is reportedly gay. See The Outing: David Dreier and his straight hypocrisy (LA Weekly) and Anti-gay congressman David Dreier, said to be gay, 'lived with male chief of staff' (Raw Story) It wouldn't be a problem if Dreier were openly gay but he's not - he has even authored anti-gay legislation. And the republicans target gays to rally right-wing voters. So this is more hypocrisy, but in another way, it's a funny situation. It's kind of fun to watch this gang self-destruct. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Re: The Last Passion of the Democratic Party Buzz, you're right. "The Last Passion of the Democratic Party" is a must read. Very moving. And your conclusion about how "terribly painful" to wait for them to find their passion sums up my frustration. Man, right now there couldn't be more scandals. We have corruption cases with Republican leaders in the Senate & the House plus Rove & the administration in the White House. And there are the reconstruction disasters in Iraq and the Gulf Coast. It's time for a democratic house cleaning. But I too worry that the democratic party is simply not ready to inspire and lead. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Open Your Eyes, America!! With the indictment of DeLay, the house leader of the party in power, many things are being revealed about the way he operated. As more of this information becomes evident about his activities, it causes me to wonder what the rest of those in power are doing. Now is the time to call for independent investigations of the way our elected officials do business!! Davesdad Subject: DeLay To the Editor: Tom DeLay wants us to believe his indictment is a result of partisan zealotry on the part of Harris County District Attorney Ronnie Earle. DeLay was indicted not by Earle but by a grand jury, made up of his own neighbors and peers in Texas. Earle merely presented evidence. If the grand jurors had thought Earle was politically motivated and/or that the evidence didn't warrant an indictment, they could have opted not to indict DeLay. In their collective wisdom, they chose otherwise. Robert Lockwood Mills [BuzzFlash Note: Some background on grand juries ... http://www.udayton.edu/~grandjur/stategj/funcsgj.htm] Subject: Same Old DeLay DeLay is fighting back with his mouth. He says that the indictment is nothing but a partisan attack. There is evidence that DeLay is dead wrong and the media needs to research DeLay's accusation. Prosecutor Ronnie Earl has a little history too. Earl is a democrat, but we find that over the years he has prosecuted [12 democrats and 4 republicans] for TX election law violations and corruption. Indicting DeLay says that at least one of the co-conspirators in the money laundering caper fingered DeLay under oath. Cathy L. Subject: The Last Great Passion Maybe there is a political party with great passion that falls on apathetic (pathetic apathetic) ears--The Green Party stands for what the Democratic Party used to. Can you believe NOT ONE democrat has moved to start the impeachment process? The "democratic party" is non-existent. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Truman – “The Buck Stops Here!” Cheney – “F**k Yourself!” As the title exemplifies, politics in these United States has changed dramatically since the days of President Truman.
Truman, a great President who understood that ultimate responsibility for running this great country was squarely in the President’s bailiwick – and he didn’t shirk his responsibility or attempt to “pass the buck” when problems arose in his administration. In today’s political atmosphere, where times have changed drastically since Truman’s days, Vice-President Dick Cheney pretty well summed up this administration’s attitude when: On Tuesday, Cheney, serving in his role as president of the Senate, appeared in the chamber for a photo session. A chance meeting with Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (Vt.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, became an argument about Cheney's ties to Halliburton Co., an international energy services corporation, and President Bush's judicial nominees. The exchange ended when Cheney offered some crass advice. "F**k yourself," said the man who is a heartbeat from the presidency. Cheney Dismisses Critic With Obscenity (Washington Post) Yep, times are changing, and the attitude in Washington is different as the “Buck” seems to stop anywhere and everywhere other than where it should –– at the desk of George W. Bush. The problem is, there are so many “Bucks” being passed around in Washington these days that we have to wonder if Karl Rove is running at top speed to keep up with a never-ending shuffling of the “Buck” – and so far, it hasn’t stopped anywhere it should – however, we can take some pleasure in knowing that the “Buck” is drawing ominously closer to the Commander in Thief – where it eventually has to stop by simply following the chain of command. If we take stock of the latest situation in Washington, it appears as if the Presidency is under siege, as Bush’s house of cards appears to be falling faster than the buildings did in the great San Francisco quake; what we have left is an administration in total disarray, top governmental positions are being abandoned at a pace never before seen in American politics, and President Bush is faced with diminishing polls and support within his own party. Let’s take a tally of the recent “Bucks” that have, or are in the process of being passed, manipulated, and spun into everything other than the truth. Karl Rove – The President’s chief political adviser – Under Investigation for CIA Leak Bill Frist –Senate Majority Leader - Under SEC Investigation for insider trading Tom DeLay – House Majority Leader - Indicted for Conspiracy Michael Brown – FEMA Director – resigned under fire for gross incompetence. David Safavian - OMB’s administrator of federal procurement policy – resigned & arrested, alleging he lied to investigators and obstructed an investigation Lester M. Crawford - Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration – resigned Robert C. Bonner - Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection – resigned. “He and the Bush administration have been at odds over his support for using civilian "minutemen" along the U.S.-Mexico border to assist border patrol agents.” U.S. border protection chief resigns (CNN) CRONYISM – America is watching as Bush makes appointment after appointment to unqualified political hacks and friends – as demonstrated by another unqualified individual who is to lead the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security. See the remarks made in regard Julie Myers, and read what “qualifies” her for the job. http://michellemalkin.com/archives/003576.htm CRONYISM II – America is also watching the White House as contracts for Iraq, Katrina and Rita relief appear to go, almost unchallenged, to Bush’s political friends and corporations that supported his rise to power. It seems that Bush has an uncanny ability to allow his friends and political cohorts to profit from the misery of war and natural disasters – thus the Russians refer to him as “The Master of Disaster.” The above is a “short list” of the political and moral/ethical tragedies that have occurred under Bush’s Presidency – and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. In fact, as America wakes-up and examine this Presidency in detail – even more corruption and pure, unadulterated incompetence are becoming evident on a daily basis. Republicans that are up for reelection should take note – America is watching – and if everyone in the House and Senate do not act to curb this insanity immediately, in a non-partisan manner, there will be many Republicans who will be looking for employment in the private sector after 2006. My Mother has always reminded me, even when I was a child, “That when you lie down with dogs, you get fleas.” If there is truth in those words, then it would be advantageous for all of those whom have been in contact with George W. Bush to immediately seek medical attention and report to their nearest Veterinarian for a flea dip and treatment with Frontline or another proven method of killing fleas. On the other hand, Impeachment is probably the only treatment that will cure this infested and corrupt administration. William Cormier CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG |
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