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| November 17, 2005 |
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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: State Power and Conservative Ideology It is increasingly apparent that there is an important ideological conflict going on in the modern conservative movement between supporters of increased state power and supporters of limited government. The conflict pits the Bush Republicans against traditional conservatives. While both groups give lip service to the term limited government and use the same “conservative” label, they are very different creatures. The Bush Republicans advocate a “neo-con” approach to state power that critics fear is a potential creeping fascist ideology disguised as conservatism. Secret prisons, torture and unlimited detention in prisons without trial are all examples of policies supported by the Bush Republican that outrage both traditional conservatives and civil libertarians. Traditional conservatives rely on the rule of law instead of personal rule by a strong leader or leadership group. The Bush Republicans seem to believe that anything the Bush Administration wants to do should be permitted because they claim that they should be trusted not to abuse the power of their offices. Traditional conservatives believe that the system of checks and balances should be strong enough to survive good or bad White House or Congressional leaders. The Bush Republicans seem to view the checks and balances system devised by our Founding Fathers as obstacles to imposing their views on our government and nation. The falsely named Patriot Act should have been opposed by traditional conservatives. However, many traditional conservatives have been reluctant to break with the Bush Republicans over this measure. Traditional conservatives since the Reagan era had come to see the Republican Party as the vehicle to put conservatism in control of the federal government. They allied themselves with the “neo-cons,” the so-called Christian Right and greedy Corporate interests in the quest for power via the Republican Party. Under Reagan, the traditional conservatives were the dominant faction in the coalition. Under Bush, they have become increasingly silenced and voiceless in policy decisions. Only the conservative label remains in vogue. Fear of being branded as dreaded moderates or, worse, liberals, has helped keep traditional conservatives from fighting the Bush Republicans on policy decision after policy decision. The huge budget deficits and exploding national debt are as frightening to traditional conservatives in the Republican Party as they are to liberals, moderates and conservatives in the Democratic Party. Conservative Democrats like Congressman Lincoln Davis (D - Tennessee) have been effective in gaining support from both traditional conservative Republicans and Democrats of all ideological stripes. Congressman Harold Ford (D - Tennessee) seems to be doing the same in his campaign for the US Senate seat being vacated by Bill Frist. Fiscal conservatism has become a very important element in Democratic election successes. Restricting the invasions of privacy and erosions of freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights is another element of the appeal of many Democratic candidates to traditional conservative voters. It is clear that traditional conservatives need to start ignoring the Democratic or Republican labels when voting. Issues matter. Policy positions and actions matter more than empty words. Traditional conservatives should be looking at the actions and beliefs of the Bush Republicans, “neo-cons,” so-called Christian Rightists and greedy Corporatists and deciding if these are the kind of people that should be using the “conservative” label! Stephen Crockett Subject: "Quarterly Reports" Bill Frist is trumpeting his "bill" requiring Li'l Georgie Fauntleroy Bush to provide the Congress with "Quarterly Reports" on the progress of the situation in Iraq. I would go a step further: With the irresponsibility of actions by this administration, their fiscal irresponsibility by wasting billions on an illegal and immoral war, pulling funds from NYC, Katrina, and the poor, starving and uninsured in our country, Congress should require Bush to go to Capitol Hill once a week and provide "State of the Country" updates. Non-partisan facts and figures should be required, and Congress should force the Bushistas to be totally transparent and truthful. They need to tell Bush he does not have a "blank check" anymore for anything and that he is accountable not only to Congress, but also to the American people -- who have been grossly neglected by the neocons over the past five years. The smell of a people's rebellion and revolution is in the air -- and the day of reckoning is coming. This "aged hippie-flower child" can hardly wait. I will be helping to lead the charge. Folks, we must all speak up and out. All of our Congresspeople have websites and e-mail services. We have GOT TO tell these representatives that their duty and obligation is to US -- not to partisan politics, not to lobbyists, and not to corporate interests. We must SPEAK UP! We must STAND UP! We must DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY! Lisa J. Subject: What Have You Done Mr. President? Mr. President, under your leadership there are more people in the world that hate us. Admittedly before you came to office there were lots of people who hated us. Many without reason or out of envy or just out of misguided ideas about who and what we are. Many of the ever growing number of people who hate us now think that they have good reasons for hating us. They say we attacked a country that had not attacked us. They point to America’s shame at Abu Ghraib and the continuing dishonor of Guantanamo Bay. They speak of secret prisons, “ghost detainees” and other things that are not honorable. High sounding speeches full of patriotic clichés are not going to restore the honor and reputation of our country. Attacking those who disagree with you or question you is not going to restore your honor. Americans don’t want to believe that their president is a bad man. Maybe you just got a lot of bad advice or weren’t paying as close attention as you should have done. Whatever the reason, you are the one in charge. The one who is responsible. America is in trouble. You were the leader who took us to war. You are the one responsible for over 2050 of our people getting killed so very far from home. Don’t play the blame game sir, you are the president, yours is the responsibility. People around the world don’t trust us much anymore Mr. President. Surely that cannot be a good thing. Trust and honor among countries must be important to a successful diplomacy. The things that have gone wrong under your leadership have made us hated and reviled around the world. After 9/11 the world stood shoulder to shoulder with us. God help us all if we need that solidarity again. Worldwide you have been as much a divider as you have here in your own country. Even those of us who did not vote for you are disappointed in you sir. Red or blue state, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Green Party or whatever, we all want to be proud of our country. Your administration has shamed us before the world. That’s what you have done Mr. President. Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Thank You to Mary Mapes, Richard Clarke, General Wes Clark, Dan Rather I wonder why people who support Bush think that all those who question Bush are wrong. I doubt that Mary Mapes, Richard Clarke, General Wes Clark, and Dan Rather all got together to try to discredit Bush. Here's just one of many pieces of proof that Bush lied us into war. In General Wes Clark's book, Winning Modern Wars, page 120, here is what he says.
A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Love Your Headlines -- Don't Change A Thing! Dear Buzz, I've said it before and say it again (and repeat ad nauseam if needed): Love your headlines. Do not change them -- they are a big part of your charm. While I can see how a newcomer (hi, Gene!) can be stunned and maybe put-off seeing such in-your-face boldness of expression, for dedicated Buzzers your incisive, biting and often ironic headlines, and the selection of stories they represent, are the reason we start our days with your site. You tell it like it is and are not afraid to reveal your point of view. It is a breath of fresh air, as I see it, especially given the politically (= conservatively) correct push to make the U.S. media "fair and balanced." ("Fair and balanced" being a euphemism for presenting GOP-generated propaganda instead of -- or alongside, at best -- uncomfortable truths.) Hold no punches, keep on buzzin'. Gratefully, Elizabeth Subject: They Knew A BuzzFlash reader from Alabama asked why Congress didn't know the truth about Iraq's lack of WMD before the invasion. I think that, by and large, they knew full well about Saddam's capabilities or lack thereof, but also knew that supporting the administration at that time was the politically expedient thing to do; to oppose in that climate would have been political suicide. They can now rightfully claimed they were duped by the administration, because they were; but that's only a half-truth. Mark F. Subject: Democratic Plan for Broadband in Every Home Within five years? Not soon enough! Why not now? Then we can move from this representative democracy fiasco to the real McCoy with every citizen having a direct say in what's to be done, once we get politicians out of our way. Good riddance, too, because, when one's very own welfare is on the line, nobody's gonna sell-out to the highest bidder like politicians do. And what an opportunity it's going to be for we the people to change the world. There couldn't be a better example of technology coming to our rescue - and in the nick of time! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Raging in Alabama I could not agree more with "Raging in Alabama." However,this person questions the reasoning of the powers that be, when we all knew better. I must disagree that we all knew better. I am a Nam vet and have seen more than some people. When I tried to explain the pure impossibility of an Iraqi attack, I alienated many friends and family members. Bush, Rush, Cheney, Savage, Rumsfeld, Rice, Powell, etc., etc. ... had them all convinced the sky was falling.They failed to see that the logistics of camels flying were insurmountable. To this day, I bite my tongue to keep from saying I TOLD YOU SO! Dale Edwards You do realize Bob Woodward avoided being subpoenaed and by doing that obstructed justice -- great legacy for a sold-out, burned-out reporter. Karin Subject: Question Bush is beginning to remind me of the English King Canute - you know the one who thought he could stop the tide coming in by just telling the sea not to come in (he got very wet!) It's just like that in the case of China, where he is hoping to maintain the power of the USA in Asia. He has two chances of maintaining the American influence in that area - none and zip. It is an economic certainty that China will become the world's leading economic power within the next 10-20 years. And the main reason for that is that they don't outsource. They make things at home in large quantities and sell them round the world, whereas the USA has reduced its manufacturing industry to an insignificant part of its overall economy - it can't even make a helicopter for the President (the French are providing it)! So Bush's attempt to stem the tide of Chinese expansion are doomed to failure (like everything else). Oh! and a little PS. If Bush keeps badgering the Chinese to change their internal politics, he might just get them pissed enough to stop buying US Government bonds (China is currently the largest buyer of that paper) - then the effluent will really hit the fan. Adam Murza [BuzzFlash Note: Today's history lesson ... Wikipedia says Canute's hold-back-the-sea claim actually was meant to show that even kings' powers have their limits.] Subject: Re: Filling Prescriptions
Thank you for responding to my email. I appreciate your clarifying Target’s position regarding this matter. There is, however, one small problem: it is not acceptable. All Target customers should have access to all legally prescribed medications, including Plan B. Period. “In the rare event that a pharmacist’s beliefs conflict with filling a guest’s prescription for the emergency contraceptive Plan B,” I believe that pharmacist should be relieved of his/her duties and encouraged to seek employment elsewhere. This my opinion and that of many of the people to whom I have communicated our correspondence. Target is losing otherwise loyal customers because of your unwillingness to stand up to religious intolerance regarding a woman’s right to decide the fate of her own body. Thanks again for your response. Rodger French Subject: Top Commander Denounces Call for Iraq Withdrawal Deadline (Washington Post) Top Commander Denounces Call for Iraq Withdrawal Deadline By Ellen Knickmeyer Washington Post Foreign Service Wednesday, November 16, 2005; 3:32 PM Re: this paragraph
So how will he feel when no date has been set and 300 of his soldiers have been lost--better that he lost 79 more. what an idiotic statement from this Maj. General. let him suit up and go out there on the front lines. ugh karin dicker Subject: Gall of the President's Men If there is one thing that you can say about the Rove era Republican right, it's that they have done their homework in the area of twisting the tactics of the left and using them in clever new ways. Bob Woodward admitted that someone at the White House told him about Plame's ID before the story broke, but didn't come forward because he's "in the practice of protecting sources." Of course what he doesn’t say is that protecting sources is supposed to mean otherwise powerless whistle blowers who fear for their well being because of the power held by those who they feel compelled to snitch on, like in … Watergate. In this case the tables are turned 180 degrees, and now he’s come to protect the powerful from the less powerful. If only he weren’t a man of such principles, Karl might be in jail right now. How ironic. In a similar sense, the whole debate about intelligent design takes part of its attack from the lefty concept of multiculturalism. Back in the 60’s the postmodern multicultural argument went on to say that there should be a more inclusive view of the world, and that because a concept isn’t regarded as some sort of dogma, doesn’t mean that it’s wrong. Or in other words, just because an author isn’t one of 4 or 5 dead white guys, doesn’t mean that he/she shouldn’t be read. In the hands of Bush, this sort of thinking gets rearranged into: Intelligent design is part of an ongoing debate about evolution, and therefore should be part of the required reading in biology class. The problem is that the debate over whether or not western lit is the only tradition worth studying is a healthy one, while in scientific circles there is no real debate over intelligent design/evolution. (There’s a great article in "Harpers" this month that says it way better than I do. I urge you to go out and subscribe.) Bush/Rove, what a beautiful example of the “me” generation. To think that there was once a time when people looked up to Bob Woodward. Well, at least when Robert Redford played him. SE Subject: Dick Cheney Random Fact Generator http://dirtyliberalwords.blogspot.com/ We need a little dick cheney humour about now. Ardyjay Subject: O'Reilly Why doesn't O'Reilly just realize he is in a hole....and quit digging? Oh, forgot....pardon.... O'Reilly always is right......right? Shirley..........St. Louis Subject: Why They Hate Us Americans may not understand that the Executive branch of our government has the power to "seize anyone, anywhere in the world and imprison him forever at Guantánamo without any process or charges whatsoever." (17 Myths About the Graham Amendment-Center for Constitutional Rights). But if Americans don't, people around the world do. Let me share a quick story about a man I met in Costa Rica last year. He was a Belgian Jew of Egyptian descent who owns a small beach side bar in Costa Rica. Returning from a trip to Israel he had to change flights in the US. You can imagine what this man's passport looked like. Because of all the places he's been, he got flagged by customs and was pulled aside for questioning. He told us that by the tenor of the questions he was being asked, cold dark fear gripped him and he began to think he might never get home. After several hours he was released. This man was a sweet funny guy who had us in stitches over this story. He said he likes Americans, but he will never again come to America, not even to pass through. It is simply too frightening. Can anyone believe it took less than five years for us to go from being free and admired to being feared like the old Soviet Union? Kristi Warriner Subject: Can someone explain why the people like Dobson and Perkins, etc. are not outraged by torture? and killing of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan? ... not a peep from the Christian right wingers. What God do they worship? The one that only speaks out on Supreme Court judges? Karin Dicker Subject: Not Woodward, Too! It is becoming increasingly difficult to trust and respect journalists. With their big names, big salaries and big egos they seem all print and no integrity. Many of them are so allied with their inside sources that their loyalty is to those sources and not their readers. Bob Woodward has been the poster boy for journalistic integrity. He is ostensibly a principled giant for not revealing the identity of Deep Throat. About that … Was it necessary to conceal the identity of Deep Throat for all these years? In just what way was the public served? We know how Bob Woodward was served, in that his reputation for protecting his source is now larger than life. In fact, protecting sources now seems more important than the stories themselves. How odd. You have to ask yourself how much validity there can be in reporting coming from people who are an integral part of the landscape of which they are reporting. If Bob Woodward was the ethical giant he would have us think he is, he should not have been attacking Prosecutor Fitzgerald while being a part of the whole leak mania himself. Seems self-serving, at best. Woodward has become just another Washington insider making his little rounds on the talk shows and shilling his book. SOP. Did you ever wonder if the perception of Woodward wasn’t more Robert Redford playing Woodward than the reality of Bob Woodward himself? Don’t we all live in media fantasy land after all? Woodward has been disappointing for some time with his seemingly unfettered access to the White House. Does anyone who‘s just the least bit critical of said White House have access? Nowhere is the “my way or the highway” mentality more in evidence than the Bush White House. The whole Plame outing is about their maniacal determination to destroy anyone who dares disagree with them. Were Woodward still the investigative reporter he purports to be, he would be investigating the sledgehammer tactics used against Joe and Valerie Wilson. Can we have Robert Redford back? Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Ode to W (Ozymandias MMV) AWOL from the Texas Air Guard
72 Greg Kosanovich Subject: Limbore Greed Vs Democratic Compassion Hi BuzzFlash Readers, A caller to "Democratic" Air America Radio Network just called in with a great idea vs the idea that Rush LimBORE had. Instead of sending "Greedy" Rush LimBORE Fifty Bucks for his Worthless Letter to the troops, "Compassionate Democrats" should send Fifty Bucks or more of phone cards to the troops. That way, the soldiers that have to fight during the holidays, while Bush is back in Crawford, can call their loved ones back home! Tom Wieliczka Subject: The "Pot-Smears-Kettle" Veterans Day Speech Veteran's Day is a big deal at our house. My step-dad spent 37 years in the Air Force, and my life-partner is a disabled US Navy vet. So I was curious about what the Prevaricator & Deserter-in-Chief would have to say on the day we honor their service, and that of so many others, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. It was supposed to be a blockbuster speech, directly rebutting his critics, and attempting to inflate his dismal approval ratings (haven't they yet learned you can't blow up a balloon full of holes?). I found it interesting that he criticized Democrats for rewriting the way we got into the Iraq war, but asserted that he received bipartisan support for removing Saddam from power (how's that for revisionist history? Military action was to be used to force compliance with UN mandates to disarm, after all diplomatic means were exhausted, not for regime change), and that Congress had access to the same intelligence the administration did (only if they were in pipeline that ran from the Office of Special Plans to Herr Cheney's office). But the biggest whopper was when he claimed that a Congressional investigation had found there was no manipulation of intelligence, that it was just erroneous, when in fact the executive order establishing that commission specifically told them not to consider how policy makers utilized that intelligence. I realized that the law of unintended consequences had once again reared its ugly head for ol' Bushie. Because any reasonable person who heard (or reads) the speech cannot help but notice that it drips with the hypocrisy and arrogance that defines his administration, and that cannot bode well for either his approval ratings or Republican dynastic fantasies. "We the people" are getting pretty damned tired of it. Comments in italics are mine: the rest, however, is pure pot-calling-the-kettle-black Bush*t: "Evil men obsessed with ambition and unburdened by conscience must be taken very seriously, and we must stop them before their crimes can multiply." (He wasn't talking about TreasonGate, IraqGate, Abramoff/Scanlon, Cheney's "I have no financial interest" Halliburton, Tom "I AM the federal government" DeLay/Bill "it's no worse than Harken Energy" Frist, etc., but those are what popped into my head!) "In fact, we're not facing a set of grievances that can be soothed and addressed. We're facing a radical ideology with inalterable objectives to enslave whole nations and intimidate the world." (The speech writer must've been looking at Bush's portrait and thumbing through PNAC literature when he wrote these lines.) "Like the ideology of communism, our new enemy teaches that innocent individuals can be sacrificed to serve a political vision. (Valerie Plame, former Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki, Richard Clarke, and Sybil Edmonds are just a few names that come to mind.) "And this explains their cold-blooded contempt for human life." (Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, and secret CIA "black" prisons, and thousands of innocent Iraqis anyone?) "Like the ideology of communism, our new enemy pursues totalitarian aims. Its leaders pretend to be an aggrieved party representing the powerless against imperial (non-born again, therefore heathen) enemies. In truth, they have endless ambitions of imperial domination, and they wish to make everyone powerless except themselves (isn't that the neo-con vision?). Under their rule, they have banned (smeared or censored) books and desecrated historical monuments (the pay-to-play White House, and documents like our Constitution) and brutalized women (wanting to overturn Roe; no family planning aid to foreign countries if they even mention abortion). They seek to end dissent in every form, to control every aspect of life, to rule the soul itself (smear campaigns, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, right-wing rule of SCOTUS, anti gay marriage amendments). While promising a future of justice and holiness, the terrorists are preparing a future of oppression and misery" (deciding those "quaint" Geneva Conventions repeatedly broken, the Patriot Act, FBI trolling innocent Americans' private financial, medical and library records, the dismantling of the social safety net for working families so the richest 1% can have even more tax cuts). "By fearing freedom, by distrusting human creativity, and punishing change, and limiting the contributions of half a population, this ideology undermines the very qualities that make human progress possible and human societies successful (funny how he can spotlight this in other nations, but in the good ol' US of A, it's standard operating procedure!). The only thing modern about the militants' vision is the weapons they want to use against us (Patriot Act, National ID cards, CAFTA, job outsourcing, tax cuts for the rich while obliterating the middle class). The rest of their grim vision is defined by a warped image of the past, a declaration of war on the idea of progress itself (Trying to destroy social security, reverse Roe, drowning government in a bathtub, campaigning to write discrimination against gays and lesbians into the US Constitution, bulldozing the wall between church and state). And whatever lies ahead in the war against this ideology, the outcome is not in doubt. Those who despise freedom and progress have condemned themselves to isolation and decline and collapse (We're seeing the beginning of it, and they know it -- why else would so many staunch supporters be jumping ship? They realize they have to lose the Bush albatross if they want any chance at re-election!). Because free peoples believe in the future, free peoples will own the future" (and if believing it makes it so, I choose to believe in a future where "we the people" demand and actually get to witness this administration held to account for its high crimes, misdemeanors, outright treason, and other brazen breaches of the public trust). "The time has come for responsible Islamic (Christian) leaders to join in denouncing an ideology that exploits Islam (Christianity) for political ends and defiles a noble faith" (Some leaders are speaking out, but not nearly enough. Those who do challenge the morality of the war are threatened by the IRS with losing their tax-exemption). "With the rise of a deadly enemy and the unfolding of a global ideological struggle, our time in history will be remembered for new challenges and unprecedented dangers. And yet this fight we have joined is also the current expression of an ancient struggle because those who put their faith in dictators and those who put their faith in the people. Throughout history, tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that murder is justified to serve their grand vision, and they end up alienating decent people across the globe. Tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that regimented societies are strong and pure, until those societies collapse in corruption and decay. Tyrants and would-be tyrants have always claimed that free men and women are weak and decadent, (Scanlon emails on the strategy required to scam the Native American tribes he and Abramoff represented, Tom DeLay's "I AM the federal government!") until the day that free men and women defeat them" (that day is coming, Georgie -- sooner than you think!). "We don't know the course of our own struggle will take or the sacrifices that might lie ahead. We do know, however, that the defense of freedom is worth our sacrifice." (Progressives understand this, which is why we believe in social and economic justice, ideas anathema to robber barons such as the Bush/Cheney "trickle-down" cabal -- it's also why I think we're going to succeed in excising the malignancy from the White House.) "We do know the love of freedom is the mightiest force of history, and we do know the cause of freedom will once again prevail." (more and more of our fellow citizens are beginning to work toward that end, George, so be afraid -- be very afraid -- hopefully, we'll get to sit in judgment of you before "history" gets its chance -- be sure you wear that smug look of yours for the mug shot -- it'll be perfect for the history books!) President's Veterans Day Speech (jewishworldreview.com) To all our veterans, I extend my deepest thanks for your service to our country. To Congressional Democrats, it's long past time you started calling this administration on their incompetence and their complete disconnect from OUR reality. You're the party that's supposed to be standing up for middle class America, so start acting like it, while there's still a middle class. Pull those tails from between your legs -- find (and unleash) the pit bull within. Challenge Congress to ban electronic voting machines that do not produce a paper receipt so that "one person, one vote" actually means something. Stop whining about being "framed" as soft on national security, and instead of spouting platitudes about "supporting the troops," figure out a way to BRING THEM HOME! Start talking impeachment, not only because it's so richly deserved, but because it's the only way to begin to repair our international reputation and moral standing. Otherwise, shut up and go home for failing "we the people." I urge other progressives to flood the MSM, White House, and Congress with emails, letters, phone calls, and faxes raising merry hell each and every time they support corporate interests over the welfare of our citizens. We have to pull back the curtain to reveal the scared, hapless little man whose delusions of divine imprimatur and general incompetence make him a danger to us all. Put up freeway banners, billboards, blogs, to help those who are steering our country over a cliff, at break-neck speed, feel our outrage. Maybe even our ridicule. I think if we want our leaders to show some spine, we will have to show them how. This is the era of the "depends on what your definition of is is", or in Karl Rove's case, "How do you define 'know'?" when questioned in a Texas deposition. Telling them to show some spine leaves it to their interpretation, and that hasn't worked for us so far. They have had the example of Boxer, Waxman, Levin, Conyers, Lee, and a precious few others, but it clearly hasn't registered. But there are many more of us. Let's start thinking outside the box for ways to express our anger and outrage so loudly that the message is undeniable and cannot be dismissed. Let's start a new American Revolution, without guns, fueled by the power of our proposals on economic justice, preserving our natural resources, healing our planet, finding alternative sources of energy to wrest us from the grip of foreign oil (creating jobs in the process). Challenge Bush supporters where you find them. (Though, I must admit, my few Republican friends have lately had precious little to say. Even those adept at regurgitating the party spin are starting to discover how hollow it rings.) Focus on our common wants and needs as Americans, and ask them how this administration has made them better off. Ask them about the so-pathetic-it-should-be-criminal Katrina and Rita disaster response. Talk about how America is better than this, and deserves better from its elected officials. And if they're still listening, don't be afraid to bring up mom and apple pie issues, values stuff, the beliefs and ideals we share our American heritage. Somewhere in all the rancor of the past five years, we've forgotten that we're all in this mess together, and it'll take an impressive majority of us to drag us out of it. Scaring people works well for Republicans, so let's try a little of it ourselves. Talk about Homeland Security's failure to secure chemical and nuclear plants (or, as I prefer to call them, a million 9/11s in a box), or inspecting cargo containers, even though we've spent billions of dollars on the agency that is supposed to coordinate all that in order to prevent, or at least deter, the next terrorist attack on our soil. Ask them if they really trust FEMA 's response in the event of a nuclear accident or attack. Talk about the immorality of the richest nation on the planet increasing the poverty rolls for four years in a row while cutting spending for social programs for the indigent in order to allow further tax cuts for the nation's wealthiest. Talk about whatever chafes your butt the most about this administration. There's a plethora to choose from. Challenge people to actually say out loud what they believe America should stand for, and I'm sure you'll be able to think of countless ways in which current administration policies undermine those values. Every chance you get, challenge the direction in which the Bush regime is pushing this nation. Look for opportunities on commuter trains, subways, city buses, your local watering hole. In light of recent scandals and indictments, I'll bet you find more agreement with progressive views than you might expect. Though fear often causes us to not act like it, and despite all the political wrangling, I believe the majority of us still believe in truth, justice, and the "American way." It's just a shame the current administration doesn't. Karen in OK is right: If you don't speak up, they assume you agree. Donna J. Wade Subject: "The Truth Is Brought by a Lame Messenger!" The Bush Administration is more interested in promoting what they call ‘believability” then in telling the truth! Americans are sick of the excuses and the spin of the Bush Administration to avert accountability and justice. “They looked at the same information I did,” “Rewrite History,” and “Bombshell” are just a few recently coined words used in the Republicans' message discipline to convince a skeptical American audience that has lost confidence in their honesty. This time it will not work, no matter how many times they “catapult the propaganda” designed to mislead, and cover up the corruption. The Administrations showcase of deception is a hard sell because of plenty evidence, documented material, and tapes made to the contrary. Congress DID NOT see the same information CONTROLLED by the Bush Administration and the Pentagon. Bush, Cheney, Rice, Powell all lied, the dissenting opinions WERE NOT presented to the Congress. The repressed truth has come back to poison this Administration’s words. Via AmericaBlog - From Rep. Henry Waxman's Iraq On The Record, The Bush Administration's Public Statements on Iraq: "Of the 51 misleading statements by Vice President Cheney, 1 claimed that Iraq posed an urgent threat; 22 exaggerated Iraq's efforts to develop nuclear weapons; 7 overstated Iraq's chemical or biological weapons capacity; and 21 misrepresented Iraq's links to Al Qaeda." "We do know, with absolute certainty, that he is using his procurement system to acquire the equipment he needs in order to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon." - Vice President Dick Cheney The Vice President of the United States is demonizing dissent and quashing the public's right to know if its government hid vital evidence from congressional oversight, from the United Nations, from the world in an effort to more quickly invade Iraq. The Global War on Terror paradigm that the Bush administration sold to the American public was based on the idea that we were protecting ourselves from gathering dangers. If, in fact, we were aggressively pursuing a radically dishonest foreign policy, then Good Americans have got to know.” Also notable is a post on http://www.democraticunderground.com/ -- “The Spies Who Pushed for War.” It's an article about the Office of Special Plans that was published in 2003 by the Guardian newspaper. http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,999737,00.html “Bombshell,” the spin word that Libby’s attorney used, and then was profusely tossed around by the media, may have fallen loosely from the lips all day, but it doesn’t excuse or get to the heart of Libby charges which are still valid. Leave it to Keith Olbermann, the best anchor on MSNBC and all the networks, to uncover the “WHOLE” truth! Wells left out one little word and Olbermann caught it! Keith’s article deserves full reading! There is a reason why so many tune in to “Countdown” with Keith and, unlike the rest, his information is reliable!
It is important that Americans do not abdicate their responsibility of thinking for themselves and doing the research instead of merely accepting the “Rerun” of Propaganda and trickery that the Bush Administration perpetrates on the uninformed! Susan Carr |
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