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| December 14, 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. THIS IS PART 2 OF THE DECEMBER 14, 2005 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1 Subject: Tortured Arguments About Torture Why is this argument still going on? Is the government of the United States of America so clueless, so inept, and so stupid that they cannot see that these endless discussions of torture have soiled our reputation and damaged our credibility around the world? Why is the Vice-President skulking around Congress like some evil troll trying to keep them from enacting a law that is firmly and finally against torture? The New York Times now reports that the Army has approved a new, classified set of interrogation methods that may complicate negotiations over legislation proposed by Senator John McCain to bar cruel and inhumane treatment of detainees in American custody. Why now? Why classified? Doesn’t the constant use of classified information in this country when it is not necessary exacerbate the perception that we are doing evil deeds behind closed doors? New Army Rules May Snarl Talks With McCain on Detainee Issue (NY Times) Forget the Hollywood scenario about some stalwart (inject your favorite action hero) catching a Terrorist who is about to implement some action that will result in the death of millions of innocent people. He must have that information. He has to, reluctantly, torture the needed information from this terrorist. Makes for an exciting movie, but would be doubtful in reality. The Presidential Daily Briefing stated that Bin Laden wanted to strike in the United States. Field offices of the FBI were sending up warning flags pre 9/11. Why would the powers that be suddenly become competent now? Why is the “Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act" written by Rep. Ed Markey of Massachusetts being blocked? This bill would forbid “renditions” to nations known to torture. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/thomas We need to have a law that states unequivocally that we do not now and will not in the future torture people. The longer this insane discussion goes on, the less credible our rhetoric becomes. This subject needs to be ended now. There needs to be no doubt any American official from the White House to the local Dog Catcher will be subject to the full weight of the Justice Department if they allow, initiate or condone torture. It is such a simple thing. We don’t do it, we don’t allow it, and we will prosecute anyone who does. Not just some grunts who may or may not be following orders. This has to stop here and now. The consequences of inaction will be dire. Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Bush = Enemy Recently, and according to CapitolHillBlue.com, the man-boy who calls himself Commander-In-Chief referred to our Constitution as "just a goddamned piece of paper!" I cannot express how sick this makes me, or how offended I am by that remark. Not only does it reveal his utter contempt for our nation, its founders, its people, and its LAWS, but it also reveals the fact that the man who preaches to us about democracy and about how much he loves America, has absolutely no idea of what the Constitution is, or means. How we can have a mean-spirited, spoiled brat cretin like this as president is beyond me. I served in 2 branches of the military. I swore 2 separate times to defend the Constitution with my life, and I did so. Now, the President of the United States calls this hallowed and all important document, "just a goddamned piece of paper." I'm tired of asking where the outrage is from the likes of Coulter, and O'Reilly, or even Blitzer for that matter. The fact is, that all of them are sick, lying hypocrites, diseased, and utterly disgusting people who care not one iota about what America really is/was. They are the enemy of Americans, and so is this President. Anyone who can disrespect the very document which has defined our nation since its birth, and served us as a people in equality and justice, cannot be considered anything but an enemy of our nation. To President Bush: Rot in hell sir. You are not worthy of us. How dare you, you spoiled rotten little coward? You are a pathetic waste of human flesh. You are the laughing stock of all humanity. You will be remembered always as an utter failure, and an inhuman monster. And you lead NO ONE, Mr. "commander in chief." Not by a long shot. Joshua Martin Subject: CNN: Iranian drove to Iraq on day on which borders closed with fake ballots. Truck with allegedly fake ballots detained (CNN) The trucks plates and driver were Iranian.... oh yea, the Iranians decided to drive fake ballots into Iraq on the day that all the borders were closed, extremely carefully controlled ... gee, he must have wanted to get caught really badly. The Americans are looking into it, so we can breathe a sigh of relief. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: it would have been absurd for anyone to go to Iraq today with fake ballots the place is dead, it's been both on BBC and German TV, the borders are closed, streets are closed off, there is no one in the streets.. and an Iranian decides to drive there today with fake ballots... and CNN happens to be the only media outlet informed. THINK! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: The Cost of War THE COST OF WAR (12/14/2005) According to several sources* the tragic costs of the war in Iraq, to date: Funding: $226,516,427,912 Cost per U.S. citizen-----$974 We could have funded global anti-hunger efforts for 11 years. We could have immunized every child in the world for 74 years. We could have funded worldwide AIDS programs for 23 years. Additionally: We could have hired 3,725,313 music and art teachers. 48,458,805 people could have received health care coverage. 2,350,863 affordable housing units could have been built. The human tragedy caused by this invasion, to date: More than 2,100 Americans have been killed. More than 15,000 American soldiers have been wounded. More than 280 civilian contractors have been killed. More than 30,000 Iraqi policemen and civilians have been killed but some have estimated more than 100,000. How much more can we endure to survive as a nation? www.costofwar.com www.iraqbodycount.net James D. Cook Subject: To Sen. Joe Biden John Dean may not speak for you or John Edwards, but he does speak for nearly every democrat I know, most of the time. The only ones he doesn't speak for are those who put their own political career above the lives of our children. Your kiss up idea isn't working. If you would remove your lips from Bush's butt long enough to pay attention to what is happening out here you would see. The nicer you are the meaner they get and then they use it against you, you ignorant twit. Aren't you tired of hearing, "It is your fault because you agreed with us. You let us wreck this country and Iraq." You are a classic enabler and you need help, suck-ups anonymous. Stand up and save our children or draft every child or grandchild of every congressman? Since you care more about courting and marrying Bush's base than making yours honest partners, I have nothing but contempt for you or John Edwards and I have met John and supported him last time, but I have learned my lesson. Get the kids out of Iraq and then shoot yourself in the foot. Make that both feet or you could just line congress up and shoot each other. You guys are going to put Alito on the court, aren't you? Give him what he wants on the court and he isn't going to give you a damn thing. Karen Webb Subject: Spiegel ahead of CBS & BBC? Poland STILL using Training Center for Interrogation http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,390295,00.html Poland STILL using Training Center for Interrogation of al Qaeda prisoners. (Although Der Spiegel, on the basis of the Al Masri case should certainly know better than to omit the word "suspected" (Al Qaeda prisoners) Translation: Secret CIA Camp in Training Center? Is the CIA still using a Polish Intelligence Service training center for the interrogation of Al-Quida prisoners? This is suggested by a "Stern" magazine report. Hamburg - In it's latest issue, the magazine reports that there are indications that the Americans are using the Intelligence Camp near the town of Kiejkuty as their base. According to information from a high ranking Polish intelligence officer from Kiejkuty, a number of Americans have lived for several months on the premises during the past five or six years. At that time, an area of about 3 kilometers (2 miles) long and 1.5 kilometers wide was even cordoned off for an isolated area within the camp: a 100 meter long, ca. 50 meter wide, surrounded by barbed wire and a three meter high wall. Regular Polish secret service employees, unlike the Americans, had no access to this area. American cars with tinted glass windows parked on the camp grounds, the same type of cars that had previously been described to "Stern" by employees at the Szymany airport as having always driven out to the CIA airplanes that waited at the end of the Szymany Airport runway with engines running. The secret service camp Kiejkuty is about 10 kilometers from the Szymany airport in Northeast Poland. In 1968 the Soviet army planned the quashing of the "Prague Spring" at this camp. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Let Facts Be Submitted to a Candid World I was reading through one of our old documents, and it reminded me of how up to date this still is. Even then, random torture was frowned upon.
A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Two Days to Stop the Patriot Act Hi, The White House is pressuring Congress to reauthorize a new version of the Patriot Act that is worse than the original law and doesn't include needed reforms. This could come before the Senate as soon as Thursday. A bipartisan group of senators has agreed to fight the Patriot Act by filibuster if necessary. This is a huge moment. Senators from both parties are standing together to protect freedom and liberty -- and they're ready to fight. Can you sign this petition to show them and the rest of the Senate that you support filibustering this bad bill? The Patriot Act has to be stopped until it includes reforms. http://political.moveon.org/patriotact/ Thanks! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: NAM Supports Confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito To Serve on U.S. Supreme Court Hmmmm... what a coincidence: this NAM is directed by former Michigan Republican Governor John Engler ... such a corrupted web of deceit these repugs have built. I can hear them saying in private: "Screw the citizens, screw what's best for the Country." "Constitution? We don't need no stinkin' Constitution - we got the political power!" How arrogant these people have become. And where are the democrats while this bid'ness is being done? Dem Orgs are sending us plenty of emails ranting about the repugs, asking for money, etc., but the democrat members of Congress aren't doing much of anything..... Bill Darbyshire Subject: A Christmas Gift Brightly Wrapped With A Lump Of Coal In it!!! A Christmas gift packaged brightly with all the bows and ribbons, but Iraq is the lump of coal in the package. This is the re-gift we heard once before, now being presented again to Americans... Throughout the media are statements that congratulated Bush for a sentence or two of admitting mistakes and candor. A closer look, out of the other side of his mouth, shows he has not changed his mind one iota and this is just more repetitive Rovian psychological rhetoric gauged to boost ratings. It is NOT okay that he lied, exaggerated, misrepresented etc., etc, and he doesn’t deserve kudos for finally using a few words of intermittent, overdue honesty! In his speech this morning Bush said he listened to the military and the Iraqis, but the truth is, using pressure Bush makes the military and the Iraqi Government LISTEN TO HIM and carry out HIS directions! The reality is the opposite of what Bush claims, the truth is that his war has created more terrorism in Iraq and escalated it the world over! His speech claims he knows the insurgent mind, but is it because {abuse, bombing, empire-building, chemical weapons, rendition} so much of what they do can also be attributed to Bush himself. Bush’s planned legacy and cockeyed optimism of changing the face of the Middle East, {Bush, thanks to my legacy, I’ll go down in history as a hero} and spreading democracy is unrealistic in a region that does not accept it. The elections and WHY a majority of votes will mean SQUAT is a question we should look at closer because the media WILL NOT! There are too many difficulties the elections will not solve, which can break Iraq apart and lead to civil war. Question One is “WHY” are they coming out to vote? The answer, they All want a say. BUT!!! Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani along with the majority want a clear-cut theocracy {greatly reflected in the Constitutional referendum recently passed}. Much of the Shiite Party is backed and supported by Iran, who also puts in the big bucks to influence outcomes. This is NOT an improvement and inhibits civil and women’s rights! The Kurds will go along “for the moment” because of their big share of oil revenues which will benefit them, but it is no secret their aim is an independent state which will cause uproar in Turkey. Once they get their votes they will sooner or later turn to independent action. The Sunni Minority are left high and dry for benefits or a “real say” in the way the government is run. Their population is plagued by deaths due to the government-backed death squads. Each and all of these can lead to more problems, each and all of these can raise the ugly head of civil war. Some say it is already occurring. So what comes next? How long will the U.S. play backbone for the new government? Most are perfectly willing to let us do their job for as long as possible. Past history has recorded the extreme pressure used by the U.S. to reach new benchmarks for Bush’s benefit, but not always best for the Iraqis. This also marks any new regime, and U.S.-backed candidates as being seen as puppets of the U.S. Others in the Muslim world see this as a mockery that gives little credibility to a really “free” Iraq, which diminishes their support! It is time to withdraw. Throwing another 100 billion or a total of a proposed 500 billion at Iraq is a waste. The biggest waste, however, is the further loss of lives in Iraq and for our soldiers and the total destruction of homes and cities in Iraq. Worse yet, is Iran next? Will backing Israel’s taking action against Iran be the new Bush “excuse” for invading Iran, or the propaganda war leading to wanting to “invade the next Bush target, possibly Syria? Is this a sad repeat of a situation like what has happened in the Israel-Palestine debacle that has gone on for decades? Susan Carr Feldman's argument that the Democrats need, above all, "moral clarity" on Iraq, is dead on. Presidential hopefuls like Hillary Clinton apparently believe they can please everyone and the war will just go away in time for the next election. Perhaps we can convince them they are wrong by some concerted action. I'll call it Empty Envelopes. I am part of a small but growing movement to withhold campaign funds from all Democratic candidates who fail to back Murtha on Iraq. Because my family donated way beyond our usual level (and a bit beyond our means) in the 2004 election, we are now on dozens of Democrats' solicitation lists. We send back the donation envelope with the message that no funds will be forthcoming until the candidate(s) clearly supports Rep. Murtha's proposal for withdrawal of our troops from Iraq. One and one and fifty make a million. $100 and $100 and $500 make a million, too, and that message will be heard. Please join our Empty Envelopes* campaign. *Exceptions, of course, for the handful of heroes. Peggy Bruton Subject: To: Smike 12/14/05 ..."cut and run from Osama" !!!!! Brilliant. Now, for Bush's remarks about 'accepting responsibility for (ahem) FAULTY INTELLIGENCE ... If the intelligence was 'faulty ... I am Donald Trump's mother! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Patriot Act Threatens Religious Freedom The Patriot Act threatens religious freedom and the American way of life. I don't know why Americans who have fought and died for freedom and liberty have to waste their sacrifice as Congress legislates away the freedoms and principles that this country was founded upon. Under the patriot act the government can send spies into your church and issue secret warrants to track people who oppose government policy. We didn't elect these people to vote in communism so please let your congressman know that voting away our freedom and liberty is wrong. I'm Marc Perkel - And I approved this message! Marc Perkel PS: Marc Perkel, the founder of the Church of Reality is now listed on the American TSA list as a terrorist suspect. The TSA (US Transportation Security Administration) maintains a "selectee list" which lists people who are flagged for heightened security screening. This list, which has not caught a single real terrorist, is used mostly as a political enemies list against activists who are speaking out against government abuses of power. "In some ways this is a badge of honor", states Marc Perkel, First One of the Church of Reality. In this environment of repression of non-Christian religions in America, if you aren't on the TSA list you aren't getting your message out. I consider it to be an acknowledgement that I'm doing my job." This selectee list is not the worst list that the TSA has. Marc is not on the no fly list which would have prevented him from flying at all. This is just a harassment list that the US government keeps to intimidate activists. As a result, the United States of America is now on the Church of Reality list of nations who are hostile to Realism and Realists and the US is a nation that is moving in a dangerous direction towards oppressing religious freedom. Subject: Can I Vote Myself Off This Island?? I guess we’re all familiar with those television programs where a group of intrepid participants are dropped on an island somewhere and given various tasks to perform and challenges to meet. They build shacks of grass, spear fish for food and chase pigs through the forest. It’s all very entertaining and the people involved act as if it’s real, but we know behind the cameras there are crew-men photographing the action and it’s all quite under control. Taken together these shows are referred to as “reality tv”. Of course, we all know it’s a special kind of simulated reality where it’s all managed by a production company and no harm will come to anybody. How ironic it is to wake up and find we have all been unwitting participants in another kind of simulated reality show, a kind of Un-Reality game show, orchestrated by the White House. Our island has no dwarf exclaiming “de plane, de plane!”, but we have our own mental midget who proclaims “WMD! WMD!” We’ve been given our tasks to perform, searching for Weapons of Mass Destruction, for trysts with Al Kaeda, for uranium cakes and RPVs. Men wearing press badges cheer us on. We keep hoping to achieve our professed goal but it seems to keep moving further away, off in the distance over a shifting terrain of redefined objectives. Finally, many of us unwitting contestants in this game show from hell are starting to wonder, are we being tricked here? Where is our prize, the triumph over terrorism? Are we getting any closer to that end? To get some answers to our questions we decide to go to the source, the game-show directors. We struggle through a jungle of dissimulations, a tangle of twisted tales. Finally, out of the jungle a citadel emerges, from whence the crafters direct this ‘marvelous game’. The trail of dissimulations and distortions has lead us to their citadel of deceptions -- this edifice to greed and suzerainty. There, haunting the parapets of power, The Gargoyle, Cheney waits. He looks down on us unmoved, a pitiless stare surrenders no compassion for our cares. He regards us with disdain. We only serve (him) to buy exorbitant gas and lay down our lives for oil. One brave (or wanton) soul shouts out: “Where is the dwarf? Throw us the dwarf!” The Gargoyle speaks: “Who speaks to ME thus? I am The Cheney, master of this place. Do you have stocks? Do you have bonds? Do you have Gold?”. We answer with trepidation: “No, we only have our votes.” With this the Gargoyle’s head turns slightly, seemingly evaluating a novel notion and then his head snaps back and he says:“Votes? Votes? We don’t need your votes!” And leaning forward to gather emphasis, he articulates: “GO FUCK YOURSELF”. Then he turns and disappears from sight, descending noiselessly, behind the rampart. Just then a door opens in the stonewall and a pudgy man bids us to enter. He says his name is Karl and he’ll help us find the truth. He leads us down dark hallways and descends a winding stair. We meet a man named Challaby. He proudly proclaims he lead our leaders down the right path. He tries to sell me a watch but, I decline the offer. Getting up my nerve, I ask Karl “Where is the dwarf?” Karl says: “Oh he’s in the basement playing fuze-ball …or in Texas, counting flies.” Karl leads us on and we arrive at a banquet hall. Karl says: “They saw the same intelligence we did”, pointing to the partiers all around. The members sit at tables, food and gifts piled high, and with wealthy men they confide. While a smaller number wait the tables, sadly, their hands are tied. I notice that the partiers are wearing blind-folds and turn to ask Karl what game did they play. But I see Karl moving quickly down a corridor, disappearing ‘round a corner. We are off in swift pursuit but showing startling alacrity, he manages to elude us. Back down the corridor, from the banquet hall, we hear the partiers raise their voices in song praising the “Red State Brigade” (it’s perversions to perform). We meet a man named Fritz who asks us if we know where Karl is. We say we can’t help him and that we’re trying to catch him too. By now we were all scattered and I feel tired and trapped. I just want to get out of this place but I don’t know the way. Well, no doubt you‘ve guessed by now, I never woke from this nightmare game-show. It still goes on day after day. We still have our Dwarf, he struts his stuff; the Gargoyle looms and the pudgy man still adroitly maneuvers through the shadows. And I wonder about this path we are going down. Will it take us where we want to be? Are we building a nation or just digging our own trap in the sand. Getting in was easy, getting out will be harder to achieve. And what will it cost us in time and trouble and in lives? I hear them singing in the banquet hall now: “A million barrels of oil on the wall, a million barrels of oil” - their perversions to perform, their perversions to perform. John Walker Subject: I am considering a new seasonal greeting Merry Commercialization of Jesus' Birthday. Have a blessed self-righteous Christmas. Jesus wants Bubba to have a Roboraptor and Susie to have a collection of Bratz dolls that make the happy hooker look like a nun. Speak up or they assume you agree!!! ABB Karen Webb Subject: A Smile For The Season Every year since we've been afflicted with President Low-Watt, I've been doing Christmas carol parodies for my family's holiday card. This year's goes like this: Hark, Fitzgerald's jury sings Though Al Qaeda stayed on Afghan soil, In the wee hours Cheney sits and broods, Ellie Remore
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