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| December 6, 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: DeLay Is Going Down DeLay's pathetic attempt to have his case dismissed went down in flames. Please read link. DeLay Could Face Trial Early Next Year (AP/Yahoo) Michael Pace [BuzzFlash Note: Some highlights from this report: "If the charges against him are resolved, DeLay still has a chance of returning as long as the House GOP caucus is patient. At any time, though, his colleagues could decide to hold new elections. District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who launched the charges against DeLay, said in a statement that he has not decided whether to appeal the ruling. Prosecutors have 15 days to challenge the decision. Priest, who is presiding over the case, said he would not set another hearing until the appeal decision has been resolved. ... However, the judge upheld charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Those charges involve an alleged attempt by DeLay to conceal the source of the campaign contributions by funneling the money through his own political action committee and then an arm of the Republican National Committee. ... Money laundering is punishable by five years to life. Conspiracy to commit money laundering carries two years." Subject: Follow John Murtha's Lead In 1993 the American historian Howard Zinn said, "There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people for a purpose which is unattainable." It's long past time for debate. We've listened to the administration's endless lies about the reasons for the war in Iraq. First it was WMD, a lie. Then it was because Saddam violated the UN resolutions, a lie. Then it was because we had to get rid of Saddam (we did and we're still there), a lie. Then it was because the Iraqis must have a constitution, then an election, then another election, more lies. The most insidious lie is that we have to keep killing Iraqis to honor those brave Americans who, tragically, have given their lives for what has turned out to be a pack of lies. All during this time we've been told that a civil war and chaos will result if we leave. The truth is that a civil war exists now and whatever follows our withdrawal will most surely be better than the chaos and misery we’re perpetrating on the people of Iraq every day we're there. This war-mongering administration has run out of excuses for satisfying its appetite for empire, and the American people are mad as hell and aren’t taking it anymore. I’ve joined thousands of other Americans and signed a petition on line at http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/76 urging my Senators and Congressman to follow Rep. John Murtha's courageous example and call for the end of Bush’s debacle in Iraq. Albert Einstein said, "It is the duty of every citizen, according to his best capacities, to give validity to his convictions in political affairs." Robert R. Regl Subject: Let's All Have a Red State Christmas! (parody) Once again, we’ve reached that time of year when all but one of the pages of the calendar have been torn off, revealing that long awaited month - December - which brings with it colder weather, darker drives home, and that special day we all love to celebrate: Christmas! And what is Christmas all about? Friends? Family? Yes, yes, all of that ... but more importantly, it’s that time of year when we buy lots of stuff for the glory of Jesus! YES! Stuff for your family, stuff for your friends, oh, and let's not forget, dollar store stuff for special co-workers and neighbors and regifted dollar store stuff for aunts and uncles who’ve invited us over at the last minute for some holiday praise! Let’s go over some of the stuff you should buy this Christmas for his greater glory: How about the gift that keeps on giving? A monthly gift pack from Hallmark! Yes, because you’ve pre-paid for twelve gifts (one for each month of the year) your wife can go to Hallmark and pick out a new gift every month of the year. She can get anything she wants! Carte Blanche! Imagine the possibilities! In February she could pick out big red hearts that say “I wuv you” on them! Uh oh, is it July already? Well nothing says “God Bless America” better than a 4th of July figurine for the fireplace mantel! And no one has a better selection of limited edition, genuine resin Turkeys, Pilgrims, and Injuns for your Thanksgiving Centerpiece! Your house becomes home when it’s decorated with Hallmark! Obviously this is just a warm-up gift! You know that you can do a whole lot better, so I offer the following suggestions: What about a wall-mounted 320-inch flat screen plasma home theatre with surround sound for the media room? You could even augment it by having theatre seating installed with cup holders in the arm rests and an authentic old-fashioned popping corn machine. That’s what I’m talking about! Why, your family would flip and your kids’ll be the most popular children on the block on those hot summer days when there’s nothing to do except watch the “Heroes of the Old Testament” DVD again. Imagine their joyful faces, all that popcorn grease dripping down their chubby cheeks while they shriek with laughter at those true-to-life images of Abraham and Isaac beaming off that giant plasma screen! And when that one’s done, they could pop in another DVD! Maybe a Disney cartoon, or how about that Wallace and Gromit movie? I hear that’s good, clean fun! Wow! That would be something! How about a Hummer for your spouse? Imagine Christmas morning after all the gifts have been opened. She grabs a garbage bag and starts collecting the wrapping paper strewn all over the living room floor. You click the remote control on the fireplace and “PLOOSH!” an instant fire pops up from behind the artificial logs, creating just the right amount of romance. While feigning surprise, you slyly reach under the tree blanket and pull out a small, exquisitely wrapped box and give it to your spouse. You hand it to her saying “You forgot one honey. Santa must have accidentally kicked it under the tree blanket while eating the cookies we left out for him.” She drops the garbage bag, giggles and snatches it from you. Her manicured finger nails expertly working the bow, she daintily unwraps it, opens the Tiffany-like box, and suddenly hot, stinging tears of joy well up and stream down her face when she sees the keys to her brand new Hummer lying in a soft bed of cotton, like two jewels from far off Bethlehem! You take her out to the driveway and there it is, that beautiful Hummer –a yellow one - festooned with a big red bow on top. That would be something, too! But let's jack it up a bit more! Your family needs a Bus Conversion Recreational Vehicle with four hydraulic pop outs, granite counter tops, an outdoor pop out, chrome-plated gas grill, (everything on this monster is chrome-plated by the way), and twelve, count ‘em, twelve, Flat Screen Television Sets, all attached to power-actuated slide-out mounts! Did I mention that it’s got 3 bedrooms, two full baths, and a jacuzzi on the balcony off the master suite? Praise the Lord! Why this rig even has a basement with a pool table and arcade quality video games! Let’s take a walk around this baby and see what she’s got. See all those doors under the windows? Open the first one: Check it out - - Two matching motor scooters. What’s behind the next one? Oops! That’s the door that hides the pop-out chrome-plated gas grill. Wieners anyone?!? And the next door? Hey it’s a garage, and look how big! We could park the Hummer in it! Let’s walk around the other side and step into the foyer. Wow have you ever seen such opulence? Careful when you pull in at Wal-Mart – you’re libel to cause a stampede! As you put up your tree and trim it and as you break out the lights and decorate your home with warm holiday cheer, think about all that wonderful stuff waiting to be bought in Jesus' name! You know that you want to buy more. What better excuse is there than Christmas? Have fun friends, and have a very merry Christmas and a bounteous New Year in Christ's Blessed Name! Andrew Lark Subject: Condi Rice Dictates to Europe Condi, how can you pretend to be moral authority and tell Europe what they can can do or think in regards to torture? Yet you do just that with your so-called "know-it-all moral smugness." I refuse to believe that we as a country have been blameless in our treatment of those we have captured and continued to question for years. I don't care whether this is a different day and age, or that these are a totally different kind of prisoner, and this is a totally different war, the Geneva Conventions still can apply and are not out-dated, just like our Constitution. The Constitution is to protect all Americans from tyranny, and the Geneva Conventions are for the continued civilization of all humanity. To violate these in any way means the total collapse of the whole world as we know it. If you continue to uphold the beliefs that you do, you contribute to that collapse. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Greenspan Recommends 'Significant Adjustments' to Medicare 12/6 If he were an honest man he'd have said, "Why not make these cuts, they won't hurt me." Instead we get his, "Sorry, but if America is to remain competitive in the global economy, there's no escaping Medicare cuts." He's wrong because there is a way. We the people change the world. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Democratic Landslide BuzzFlash's 12/5/05 headline story about a 2006 Democratic landslide is presented as eye-popping, wonderful news. A Democratic landslide is not necessarily a good thing, however. I suggest that readers take a look at :
There we have it, from the DNC's own chair. Is it not time for credible political leadership to stand up (NOT Nader, thank you) and publicly denounce the Democratic Party lacking in principle and courage, calling for a widespread voter boycott? Michael Green Subject: So Rummy thinks we're focusing too much on troops' DEATHS??? Dear Buzzers -- Can you BELIEVE this?? Let's look a bit more closely. First, other than minimal lip service, there seems to be very LITTLE attention paid to the more than 2100 (and those are the ones who "officially" died in active combat) troops who have died for a pre-planned war launched by outright lies and concealed information that contradicted these lies. Second, the deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians and (I'm sure) many more troops and other American troops and others who died or were gravely injured, suffered post-traumatic stress syndrome, etc., aren't even included in the "official" counts. The Iraqi people are "grateful" to "us" (not ME! I opposed the war from the second I heard it was coming) for invading their country and killing their kids? C'mon, Rummy: We've done more damage than -- even -- Saddam. (And, no, I'm not defending Saddam. I'm indicting this pseudo-administration and all of those who caused the needless, pointless loss of lives on both sides. Oh, I guess I should count the deaths that could have been prevented if warnings of terrorist attacks before 9/11 [were heeded]. Condi is as guilty as Rummy: "How could we know they were planning to fly planes into buildings?" Maybe the terrorists should have sent engraved invitations listing date, time, and addresses.) If anyone belongs in Gitmo, it's these liars and hypocrites. The fact that, unlike during the Vietnam War, when the American public got to watch actual soldiers dying on TV, these *ssh*les won't even allow flag-draped coffins to be shown, should tell us something. Something unpleasant and painful, but something we need to know. At last the American public -- well, at least more and more of it -- seems to be waking up. And it's got the powers that be in a panic. Which, of course, means more lies, cover-ups, and (quite possibly) additional terrorist attacks before the 2006 elections. How did we let it come to this? (I don't mean Buzzers; most of us are on the same page. I mean "we" as a nation. This is NOT what the founding fathers had in mind. I'm sure they're spinning in their graves even as I write this.) Barbara Lee (Barb) Blazyk Subject: Chavez Allies Winning at Polls Amid Boycott (The LA Times headline on yesterday's election in Venezuela) It reveals our president's plan for conquering that country. The plan is an exact copy of the one used to destabilize Haiti prior to invading that country two years ago, deposing its democratically elected president, Bertrand Aristide, and setting-up a puppet government. A nation's leader is demonized, his followers depreciated and stigmatized (no matter they constitute an overwhelming majority) and make sure there are enough traitors on hand to set up a puppet government once the troops arrive. Said conquest can't take place, however, until the American people have been made to believe that it's in their best interest, this conquering of another nation. That's the purpose of the above headline and the article itself. The LA Times in its role as official water-carrier for the powers that be. But will we the people fall for it this time? A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Bush's Christmas Greetings I read that last year the Bushes sent out something like 2 million Christmas cards. at the going postal rate that is almost 3/4ths of a million of our tax dollars. Of course, he gets a discount, but that would buy a lot of computers for our schools. Plus you get a free printer with each and every one of them. I would prefer the computers, but wait. After the "independent contractor" gets his cut, it might not buy but a couple dozen. Thanks anyway, Scrooge George. Terry Sifford Subject: Anyone Seen the Ethics Committee? There is supposed to be an Ethics Committee operating in the House of Representatives. With all the scandals, boondoggles, not to mention indictments, shouldn’t they be very busy little bees? Shouldn’t they be up to their fuzzy little eyebrows in investigations and such? Yet these folks aren’t doing anything. Not that doing nothing is all that unusual for a congressman. We all expect a lot of that. The doing nothing thing that is. Many wonder how elected representatives have the nerve to come back to their districts and ask people to vote for them again when there is little reason to do so. I know it’s being picky but some of us have this antiquated idea that a “representative” should actually represent, you know, like the people in their district. Ethics would be a good place to start. We like to think that our “Representative” is an ethical person. Doesn’t matter how many instances to the contrary that we see. Our Senator, Congress Person, or the guy in the White House that we voted for (not me, just using a for instance) is an ethical person. If there are crooks in politics it must be those bums from another state. Hey, California, how about that Dukester? Or Texas, how do we count the ways? The problem with the whole ethics thing is that politicians seem to have a different idea of what is ethical than the rest of us. Taking money from big business and then voting on issues that favor big business seems a tad unethical to me. Not to your average politician. That’s called business as usual. The ethics committee doesn’t seem much interested in ethics, unless it is a way to stick it to the opposition party. There also seems to be a fear that if I go after them, they will come after me. Which just might cause a person to think that a lack of ethics might be the reason for a lack of action by the Ethics Committee. Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Why is Neil Bush hanging out with Moon? Once a con man always a con man, but now he is probably the one being conned. You know a man by the company he keeps. The GHWB has had his picture taken with Moon more than once, and there is nothing any Bush won't do for a price. Speak up or they assume you agree!!! ABB Karen Webb Subject: Der Spiegel only -- reporting US hostage taken, death within 48 hrs. threatened According to der Spiegel, al Jazeera (I did not see this on their site) has a videotape of a man said to be a US security officer, Spiegel says blonde - I guess they saw the tape - has been kidnapped by a group called "the Islamic Army," threatening to kill the hostage within 48 hours if all Iraqi prisoners are not released. Irakische Entführer stellen USA Ultimatum Eine Terrorgruppe namens "Islamische Armee im Irak" hat eine weitere Geisel genommen. Die Entführer drohen mit dem Tod des Amerikaners binnen 48 Stunden. http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,388850,00.html A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Cats in Trees I was watching this morning ... and heard the story about firefighters not rescuing cats anymore. Well my husband is a firefighter in Georgia ... and his fire company does rescue cats and other animals (snakes ) from trees ... maybe it is just a southern thing ... Call to Save 'Baby' Ends With Cat Rescue (ABC News) Fyre Subject: Just a brief comment on this morning's Buzz Headlines intro Of course, as I (and many others) have pointed out an infinite number of times, we see through this BS. LBJ, et al., tried to sell us on the "light at the end of the tunnel" theory during Vietnam. The joke that went around, back then, was that the "light at the end of the tunnel" was emitted by an oncoming train. Is anyone surprised to hear/read that the Busheviks have hired a pollster (geez -- does that mean they've given up on God's direct communication/advice to the *ssh*le- in-chief? They must be getting REALLY desperate!) As for the pollster who sold his soul to these devils, if I believed in Hell (the fire-and-brimstone variety, not the kind we humans create for ourselves), I'd wish him a happy eternity there, preferably in one of the hottest residential districts. Barbara Lee (Barb) Blazyk Subject: Have We Become Too Complacent? Have we become so complacent that we voluntarily no longer bother to think for ourselves? Please, do not assume that I am advocating anything … I’m only curious. I don’t understand why someone hasn’t considered over-throwing our government. I don’t really know what is involved with that process, but I’ve heard that it happens to corrupt governments in third-world countries. Is that basically what happened in 1776? Could it happen again? John Braswell [BuzzFlash Note: "Over thow" peacefully? That's done through impeachment, elections,and on-the-ground activism. "Over throw" illegally? That sounds like a military coup, or invasion? Heaven protect us!] Subject: Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton today joined the extreme right-wing nuts to outlaw the burning of the American flag. Only a proto fascist doesn't understand that the supreme court has upheld the burning of the flag as free speech. Sen. Clinton co-sponsors anti-flag burning law (wcax.com) A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Fruit from the Poisoned Tree How surprising that the recommendations of the 9/11 Whitewash Commission have been ignored by the government. What did they expect, when their cover-up in the name of bipartisanship let Bush get away with criminal negligence from the start? Ha ha, you got punked guys! Welcome to our world. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: The Bush Brothers I was pleased to see that BuzzFlash is going after Neil Bush for his participation in the proposed tunnel between Alaska and Russia. Simultaneously, the "hidden brother," Marvin, is collecting millions through his dealings with China. Both are exploiting George W.'s position to their own advantage. BuzzFlash should take a look at the ENTIRE Bush family to identify and report the exploitation of a presidency. Neil and Marvin continue to get richer, while Jeb is posturing for the next Bush presidency. It's as though the family divided up responsibilities between holding political office and gaining material riches. While George W. continues to pray for salvation, both Neil and Marvin are leveraging their privileged family positions to obtain huge fees from countries and companies that want to do business with the U.S. Their recent employment comes very close to extortion. We can only guess what promises have been made by Neil and Marvin Bush in exchange for their big buck salaries. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: 9/11 Commission Recommendations Well, shucky dern....here we have those nice people who chaired the 9/11 Commission all fuming that this administration has STILL not implemented most of the recommendations they submitted LAST YEAR..... Well, DARN....HOW DARE THIS ADMINISTRATION put off any suggestions on how to keep the people in this country safe..... ...Uh...gentlemen, (and lady)...this administration has not been interested in any of your recommendations...why haven't YOU gotten the clue?! They got their 'new Pearl Harbor', and the 'justification' to replace Saddam Hussein (because he wasn't a nice guy, and all that). All you people did was spend taxpayers' money, and let this administration have its own way...(except that you actually were able to make Rice 'testify' under oath)... ...not to mention, made Bush and company look 'good'..... Shame. And all of you have taken your task so seriously. No fun to be used, is it? A BuzzFlash Reader [BuzzFlash Note: Reference is to "like a new Pearl Harbor ..." from page 63, Project for a New American Century's "Rebuilding America's Defenses: Strategies, Forces and Resources for a New Century," published ... September, 2000.]
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