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| December 26, 2005 |
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The BuzzFlash Mailbag The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. More reader opinion is at "Contributors." You can write to Mailbag at http://www.buzzflash.com/contact/mail.html. Guidelines for submissions are at BuzzFlash FAQ #18. Subject: President-Dictator of the United States It has finally happened, the President of the United States, George W. Bush, has declared himself officially, "Dictator of the United States." His Vice President concurs and his hand-picked lawyers have given him a permission slip that says he can do so. Mere laws no longer govern him. He declares that in a time of war, the Constitution, the Congress, and the Judiciary no longer have any authority to restrict him from doing whatever he thinks is needed to protect the American People. Of course, he also declares that the "war on terror" may go on for decades or longer. After all, like in George Orwell's, "1984," "Oceana has always been at war with Eurasia." And the United States has always been at war with terrorists. So "War is Peace." He also goes on to state that members of the media, Independents, Libertarians, Democrats, and even those in his own Party who dare challenge him are officially traitors. They give aid and comfort to the enemy. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are hereby rescinded. Habeas corpus no longer exists for those he declares to be "enemy combatants," even U. S. citizens in their own country. The fourth amendment to the Constitution, protecting us from unreasonable search and seizures is no longer valid. After all, the President says he now has the right to conduct unauthorized wiretaps and surveillance on American citizens in their own country, without a showing of probable cause. No longer does he have to be concerned about restrictions on torture and cruel and unusual punishment. So the Bill of Rights and the separation of powers are no longer valid. After all, the Constitution is just a quaint historical document. An anachronism, just like the FISA court and verifiable elections. So says our President-cum-Dictator. Although the President may be the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, he is not the Commander-in-Chief of the people of the United States of America. His oath was to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. In this, he has utterly failed. He has even failed to protect our country from terrorist attacks. His own 9/11 Commission declared so last week, giving him more D's and F's than A's and B's on protecting America. He even ignored his own CIA's briefing, on August 6, 2001, warning him of the impending 9/11 attack. If we do not take steps to impeach Bush now, the terrorists will have already won. It is time for a bi-partisan Congress to take the lead on this, just like the Congress in the time of Richard Nixon. If Congress fails in its responsibility to impeach and remove, we must do everything in our power to elect a new Congress next November. A Congress that is responsive to the will of the people and whose members pledge faithfully to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. If we do not, may G_d help us all. Sander W. Bellman Subject: 2006: The Year of Conspiracy Theories Rejoice O' Weary Conspiracy Theorists, Rejoice. This is the year of the Conspiracy Theory. Take your choice. The Abramoff Conspiracy will be playing the first week of the year. It will be starring a cast of hundreds. The Bushista-NSA Conspiracy is now playing. Is Ma Bell's progeny complicit? Is the sun hot? Starring: John Poindexter. The Patriot Act Conspiracy will be in town in about a month for a heavyweight bout. Starring the jackboots vs. flowers. The highly coveted Torture Conspiracy will soon be in a jpeg near you once the Pentagon releases the photos to the ACLU. Some say this will include a sequel called the Rendition Conspiracy starring 22 criminals roaming Europe who get their paychecks from the CIA playhouse. Bounties, anyone? And what about the Great Newspaper Conspiracy to keep bad ol' naughty stuff out of our hands -- all before the 2004 elections, this goes for Judy Miller and Matt Cooper, of course, but these were the B players; it is Risen (NYT) and Woodward (WaPo) who will really shine. And I thought it was just the likes of Gannon. Hey, almost forget about those Able Danger guys. The Sherlock question of the year will be: Whatever did happen to those two tetrabytes of information, anyway? Gotta be around here somewhere. Wait, I got it: I'll bet they are next to the four 9/11 black boxes from the WTC planes! They just found those too. My goodness. What a table full. Rejoice. And if you're not optimistic, rejoice anyway while we go down swinging. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Oath to Protect the American People Bush likes to say he swore an oath to protect the American People. Technically, the only oath he swore was to "Uphold the Constitution." Curtis Rhodes Subject: Fuzzy Math Let's see, troop levels were brought up to 161,000 prior to the parliamentary elections. Next year 7,000 troops scheduled to come home will not be replaced. But CNN is reporting that next year troop levels "could drop below the baseline of 138,000." Did someone get a defense department-issued calculator in their stocking? Albert Clark, NY Subject: Our Constitution Our constitution is the supreme and inviolable law of the land. The question of whether or not congress or any other body or individual gave these filthy puss bags permission to spy on American citizens in our country, is a moot point. Any law, regulation, permission, or whatever you want to call it, is completely illegal, and/or unlawful if it goes contrary to what's written in the constitution...period, end of discussion!! If not, why have a constitution? These bastards are no different than cancerous tumors ... they must be removed, the sooner the better, if not by impeachment, then by any means at our disposal for the future of our democracy, which is under grave threat. A Vietnam Veteran and BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Hear No Evil; Speak No Evil; See No Evil! Ever since Bush speeches and PR campaign, the newspapers and networks seem to have received their marching orders, or as the Bush Administration and Republicans say, "talking points"! Not among them is the REDUCED and/or downplayed incident reports out of Iraq by the networks and newspapers. The fact the AIR WAR has increased, and all across Iraq there have been demonstrations AGAINST what many called the rigged election, dominated by the religious factions of Iran! Bush's choice of Allawi came in 3rd or 4th. Cheney's fair- haired boy barely registered a blip! Yet Bush touts everything as successful or making "amazing progress"! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED ONLY [FRIDAY]! Is your TV network reporting this? If not E-mail them and ask why not!
Susan Carr Subject: The New Budget Bill Please tell me if I am right or wrong on this! I read The New York Times and Washington Post articles on the new budget bill the senate passed. Both articles mentioned stricter requirements for medicaid/medicare assistance for nursing home care for the elderly. They say the senate budget makes it harder to claim benefits if the elderly sign over or do not get fair market value for their assets from their children or heirs. Just for argument's sake, let's say I live and work on my father's "Family Farm." Dad, age 70, suffers a stroke and can no longer work and requires round the clock care (nursing home). I don't have the money or credit to buy the farm or dad's assets. Does this mean I have to sell the farm and all dad's assets and use that money to pay for his care and after the money is used up THEN we can get medicaid/medicare assistance? Do the elderly now have to liquidate all or part of their assets, homes, cars, stocks, etc. ... to pay for their nursing home care? Why should we have to lose the farm to pay for care that dad paid taxes (medicaid/medicare) for all his working life? I'm sorry but these Republicans have me a bit confused! They used the "save the family farm" argument against the Estate Tax or "DEATH TAX" as dumbya liked to call it. They then take steps like this to ensure only the rich will have estates or farms to leave their family? Someone please please please tell me I'm wrong and there is nothing to worry about and things will all work out for the best. Thank You. Rick N. Subject: The terrorism card Imagine you've got some neighbors on the city council who keep throwing gasoline on gang fires. You know, they never try to get at the root/cause of anything (e.g., ghettos and illiteracy); they just keep sending the cops to beat up and kill gang member families. Also, that bond money that was supposed to be used for beefing up a protective police force, somehow keeps ending up in the pockets of your Republican neighbors. And here's the clincher. These very same people who make the gang problem (or Iraq problem!) a thousand times worse, claim they're the only ones who are actually solving it. This is a little like when Republicans tell us they're stealing our health care and retirements for our own good – just as they expect us to thank them for killing our children and the planet Earth. We need to be crystal clear about this. The pugs have murdered our national defense. Period. The ports, airports, nuclear centers, planes, trains, etc., etc., etc. are under funded and abandoned to Bushing indifference and greed. Let's face it; Republicans don't give as rat's ass about national defense. Jesus was right: ye shall judge them by their fruits and the only reason we haven't been whacked about 20 more times since 9/11, is because the bin Laden's and the bin Bushians have some kind of thing going. What is it? Maybe we'll never know, but's it's probably all of a piece with that business of why only high profile Democrats got anthrax in the mail and the stupendously "convenient" death of Senator Wellstone (which, let's never forget, gave the pugs the Senate). Lots of unfinished business here, don't you agree? Lots and LOTS of unfinished business. So shame on the pugs for pretending they're protecting us. From what? From their greed, avarice, and brain dead religious fanaticisms? But even more importantly, shame on us for letting them do it! The place where Republicans are MOST vulnerable should be national defense. So can we briefly forget all the other stuff and just focus on what's actually/factually happening to our children in Iraq and Afghanistan. And for WHAT? For Cheney/Halliburton; for Texas energy companies? Dear God, our sociopath president was on bloody vacation before, during, and after 9/11! Not too much protection there, would you say? And now we know there was an absolute BLIZZARD of pre 9/11 warnings. Not one or two, but hundreds! So why weren't they paid attention to? A thought does spring to mind, doesn't it? Like the fact that George Bush Jr. was in a political toilet before 9/ll, but right after it. Wow! He suddenly became a Fox Snooze patriot who knew how to read kid books upside down. The overwhelming evidence is that 9/11 was allowed to happen. (and "allowed" is the verb of choice here). Maybe it was just incompetence since George has a PhD in incompetence, but maybe, just maybe, it was something much more sinister. It enormously clarifies things to ask "who benefited" from 9/11. Boy, does that question make you think! Keep thinking about pre 9/11 George and post 9/11 George. Keep thinking about the pre 9/11 neocons and the post 9/11 neocons. It's a little like asking who benefited from Senator Wellstone's death, isn't it? These are dark possibilities, hints, and glimpses, but when you add them to the slaughter of our young people in Bush’s Iraq and Afghanistan oil wars, we begin to see how obscene it is to credit these Republican criminals with protecting America from anything! Lastly, please help me out with this friends. I don't have any grand strategies, but surely we need to brainstorm about how Bush is giving away the American farm to people who are absolutely going to kill our ass if we don't act VERY QUICKLY to save our betrayed country from the treasonous Republican Party. William Epler Subject: Radiation monitoring by the feds I don't think I want the FBI tapping my phones, monitoring my email, or marrying my daughter; but I have no problem with the feds doing drive by or aerial radiation monitoring. They could mount such a monitor on a pedestal in my front yard for all I care. I have a real problem with them telling folks what they may or may not read at the library, but fissile material is a whole different situation. They have to start looking somewhere. Who am I to complain if they want to start with 20 something Muslim males? It makes more sense to start there than with the Daughters of the American Revolution. I'm sure they'll get around to the middle aged white guys eventually and come to me too. If someone in my city had a kilo of unshielded cesium or U-235, I should hope that the authorities would find it sooner, rather than later. Civil rights are something to cherish, but so is life. Radiation monitoring can be done remotely without kicking in doors. As far as I'm concerned, the more radiation monitoring done, the safer we will all be. David Honish Subject: Trust Me ... I'm Your King, Ah ... President I think it’s great that our esteemed president is allowed to do anything he wants to hunt down terrorists. Matter of fact, put me on the list of people that are completely terrorized. So bush tells us now that …"well, yes there have been some mistakes," no excuse me, "miscalculation" regarding Iraq. Well,"duh!" And it was so magnanimous of bush to invite a few Democrats over for a chat. I hope they didn’t say anything that would “up-set” him like Condi recently warned diplomats not to do. Of course it would have been nice if bush wouldn’t have mentioned beforehand that nothing that they were going to say was going to make any difference. Now we’re supposed to believe just because bush’s numbers were looking to actually break the unthinkable -30 mark that his new found contrition and mock listening to other voices will fool a few more of the foolish. And they will, until reality seeps out again for those of us looking for work, medical care, decent housing, schools and affordable basic services. But that’s politics. When you’re a "war-time" president you get to do anything anytime you want for as long as you want without ever having to do things like uphold your pledge to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights or abide by any of the standards of law that govern common sense or international norms. Not to mention having God on his side, bush even gets to "talk" to God. Ordinary citizens, we don't get those kinds of privileges. So remember to believe that those terrorists that bush has failed to capture in over 4 years are still out there, and be terrorized. But whatever you do, don’t do anything to upset bush, like ask him why those terrorists are still at large. You might find your communications taped, yourself being snatched off the street, thrown in some hellhole half way around the world for an indefinite length of time, beaten, tortured and maybe even killed. But don’t worry about any of this. Remember that you’re sacrificing for the good of American values, or what's left of them. If this should happen, it’s all because you have to trust bush because he says so. Therefore you’re a traitor if you might think that maybe one man shouldn’t have all that power. Don’t go around thinking that maybe you might have an opinion, too. And, hey, bush, if you're listening, please, if I'm not already on some kind of watch list, put me on it. There is so much more I think you should hear. Even if you don't give a damn. Michael Dibari Subject: May I point out ... As rumy & friends tout the claim that they are going to be withdrawing thousands of troops, shouldn't we all be pointing out that the 7000 figure quoted is a small portion of the extra troops that were sent over to secure the Iraqi election(s)? This is a partial story that is being reported over and over. The basic number of troops will not decrease--as a matter of fact, it sounds like there will remain an increased number as compared to what was there prior to the deployment of the extra personnel. The media really MUST stop being distracted by shiny objects and start focusing on the basic truths... I won't hold my breath... Liz [BuzzFlash Note: This, today: Military leader says troop level could rise (LA Times and Seattle Times). This from a year ago: Army Plans To Keep Iraq Troop Level Through '06: Year-Long Active-Duty Stints Likely to Continue, by Bradley Graham,Washington Post Staff Writer, Tuesday, January 25, 2005; Page A01. "The U.S. Army expects to keep its troop strength in Iraq at the current level of about 120,000 for at least two more years, according to the Army's top operations officer." And Seymour Hersh wrote early in December about air strikes replacing some of our troops on the ground.] I still don't believe it's Bush, but that it's Cheney and the Neo cons who run both the war and spy operation, and Bush gets to play president and get his speeches through an earphone and to be called "the most powerful man in the world" ... it's the only thing that makes sense, just like it made sense that Bush would be reelected, and impeachment would crop up in term 2.... some things are so OBVIOUS!! It also seems evident that one can no longer trust the media - American or otherwise - that it releases information in a pattern which is good for its financial well being and not to inform the public. Luckily the Internet makes it possible to peruse many different sources and often find the truth somewhere. Once it is exposed, the media follows like good sheep, and even releases information it had been withholding. It seems to me that bloggers are going to have to practice more real journalism, including having contacts in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Because most bloggers - and US media - concentrate on national things like Plame and internal spying, the Bushies can get away with incredible horrors out of the country like Guantanamo, like Iraq, like the plans to bomb Iran and Syria. Americans would hardly find the events so justified or acceptable if they saw the pictures of bombs coming down in 1000 lb. units on a town or village and destroying everything and everyone in their path, or of the children born maimed due to the depleted uranium, or of the innumerable "injured" we hear about in the dozens every day. The government keeps the lid on the media, and the media manipulates the reactions of the public. If the Turkish newspaper had not printed the story about Goss and Iran yesterday, and the German press hadn't picked it up, we may never have had access to that information. Accurate or not, it is a possibility that was denied the public by the US media. Like many others. Speculations over US attack against Iran: Jürgen Gottschlich, Der Spiegel The Bushies have managed to isolate the US to the point of almost total cut off from events in other countries, be it in South America, Europe, or the Middle East. If we only depended on US papers for the news these days, we would only have the Bush version. The fact that the Bushies are spying on communications like phones and Internet of thousands of people is only a prelude to attempts at stopping the quick and easy flow of information. And if people don't become outraged soon, they will find themselves in the same place that Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Rice are - in the last century, or, if the Administration goes on unchallenged, blown to Kingdom Come. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: EVIL Heating aid slashed; N.E. faces burden US spending was tied to Alaska drilling (Boston Globe) WHILE WE SPEND 6 BILLION A MONTH IN IRAQ! WE NOW TRULY KNOW THE MEANING OF THE WORD EVIL! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Dueling Senators on the Patriot Act “None of your civil liberties matter much after you’re dead.” -- Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a former judge and close ally of the president who sits on the Judiciary Committee. “Give me liberty or give me death.” -- Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), who has led a bipartisan filibuster against a reauthorization of the Patriot Act http://www.brendan-nyhan.com/blog/2005/12/sen_john_cornyn.html Jim Subject: The Untold Story of the Death of James Dungy When I first heard of the death of 18 year old James Dungy, son of the Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, I felt horrible. No matter who you are, no parent should have to lose a child at such a young age. There are no words nor prayers that one can offer that can correct such a tragedy. I'd crawl on one leg for miles if that could somehow bring James Dungy back to earth. I've also known for years who Tony Dungy is and even researched Family First and its subsidiary All Pro Dads, the groups of which Dungy is the chief spokesman for. You may remember Tony Dungy making David Duke like comments about the skit between blonde bombshell Nicolette Sheridan and wide receiver Terrell Owens. But as appalling as Dungy's KKK like comments were, they only tell a fraction of the story. Tony Dungy is the leader of an ultra right wing Christian movement that 90% of Americans would have an arduous time identifying with. He's an icon of the Far Right. But because Dungy is a right wing religious fundamentalist, the media will constantly portray Mr. Dungy as a man of "strong faith", "good morals", a "great family man." The testimonials to Dungy mostly come from religious zealots who worship Dungy because if the values of Dungy were exposed for what they truly are, the defenders of Dungy's internal stack of lies and human putridity would crumble faster than a stack of dominos lined up in gusty winds. You will not hear opposing views to the values of Tony Dungy because the media won't allow them. Recently you may have heard that Florida governor Jeb Bush was trying to force a program on high school students in which students would be taught that sex before marriage is sin, that homosexuality is evil, and that men are the heads of household. You may also have heard that Tampa, Florida has become a hotbed for hate and right wing crime. The man behind it all is Tony Dungy. If you visit the websites of Family First and All Pro Dad, you might believe that you are reading a benignly secular message that almost all liberals and conservatives could agree with. But if you purchase their videos, the message changes drastically. (Proving once again that right wingers must lie in order to sell their snake oil.) Family First and All Pro Dads are simply the Promise Keepers renamed, people who believe that men are heads of household, that women must submit to men, and that children should be raised in accordance with a literalist interpretation of the bible. (Violence, obedience, and repression) Contrast this with the family values of progressives, liberals, and moderates who believe that women are the equals of men, that household decisions are shared, that children should not be abused, and that a child's thoughts and feelings are always valuable even if those thoughts and feelings are different from those of the parent. Did the values of Tony Dungy lead directly to James Dungy's decision to commit suicide? I could put percentages on that but I don't for sure. I would assert that when you are raised in a household where violence against children is considered a biblical duty, where free thought is disdained, where women must submit to men, then self destructive behavior by children is far more likely than not to occur. I would assert that when serious emotional problems are detachedly dealt with as not praying enough instead of paying attention to the child, then self destructive behavior by these children is far more likely than not to occur. I would assert that when an eighteen year old child has to go to the hospital because he overdosed on drugs two months ago, that you as a parent need to do a hell of a lot more than conceal this information from the public and ignore the problem as just some youthful indiscretion. This may sound harsh as I am implying that there may be a strong likelihood that James Dungy would be alive today had he been fortunate enough not to have a right wing father but consider this. If an 18 year old son of a liberal Hollywood icon committed suicide or the 18 year old son of a single inner city mother committed suicide, can one have any doubt that the media would have attacked the "family values" of the parents? Here, we have an icon of the Far Right who for over a decade has headed a group that goes around telling everybody that he and his like minded ilk are the best fathers in the world, have the best morals in the world, have the best family values in the world, and always put Family First. Yes the word hypocrisy comes to mind but if we want children to have better lives, all of us must do more to promote real family values so that there will be less tragedies like this one. Big Dave From Queens [BuzzFlash Note: We feel you are definitely being too harsh. But your letter prompted us to do a little web research, and we did find that "Family First" and "All-Pro Dad" do promote conservative, father-centric religious views, sell James Dobson's books, and get Jeb Bush's endorsement for use in the Florida public schools. We offer our condolences to the family and to all who have lost a child.] Subject: A couple of cynical thoughts #1. Why was it that the NY Times decided, after sitting on it for over a year, to print the story regarding the bushite's latest abuse of power? Did they feel that this was finally the "enough is enough" point and the public truly had a right to know? Or could it be that on the heels of the Judy Miller debacle--where the same administration fed her false information, she wrote articles based on same info, and then the administration used those articles to boost their case for war--the NYT just could not afford to once again be exposed as a tool of the bush/cheney/rumsfeld cabal? #2. I just got finished reading Time magazine's "Persons of the Year" issue. In it was an article about how close bush I is to Bill Clinton--showing true concern about President Clinton's health, enjoying Bill's company on the links, etc. It sets all the pundits to wondering "what gives?" and they all seem to think it is because Pres. Clinton sees bush I as a 'father figure'. My opinion is: maybe this is more a matter of Bill's being the SON ghwb always wanted: intelligent, ethical, respectful, and successful in his own right. It's recently reported that dubya never calls his daddy and prefers to only speak to his mommy. Bill must be a breath of fresh air for the man who has been surrounded by corruption all george I's life (remember the Nazi-sympathizer daddy?). I'll bet Clinton has never once gotten drunk and challenged daddy bush to take it outside and go "mano a mano." Poor dubya. There is always going to be someone else who proves what an insipid, worthless piece of human trash he is. And this time, it's someone his administration has tried to eradicate from the start of their takeover. Liz Subject: Executive Order: Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Defense Bush signs sudden order of succession for Defense Dept.... hmmm............ http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051222-7.html A BuzzFlash Reader [BuzzFlash Note: Kinda makes you wonder who's Deputy Secretary of Defense. Oh, looks like we don't have one. We have an Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense, Gordon England. Wonder what he has to do to get the job permanently?] Subject: Re: Sunday's (as in Christmas) editorial, preceding headlines Dear Buzzers -- Yes, I'm BAAAACK! (Sorry to have disappeared for a few days, but I've had back to back editing deadlines that have kept me too busy to write.) Anyway, I could NOT agree MORE!! I, too, believe in some form of "god" (or "goddess") -- but NOT in the male chauvinist pig one that's been foisted on us ever since I was a little kid. (I'm talking about the one that "says" women should be subservient to their husbands, bear as many children as possible until their internal organs cease to function, and cheerfully listen to and heed the rules imposed by their churches.) Having the right-wingers co-opt "God" and claim that he supports all the atrocities they commit and all the absurdities they say makes my stomach churn. Yes, I DO believe that there is something beyond us. I hope we Buzzers are evolving into enacting it, though we seem to be temporarily blocked by this totally corrupt, crafty, and (unfortunately) powerful poor excuse for an "administration." Any religion that declares "our way or the road to Hell" -- just like any imperial regime that declares itself beyond the boundaries of the Constitution -- goes far beyond logic, compassion, and other values that we progressives share. Thanks for making my day! Keep up the good work. You really did rescue Christmas for me. Barb (Barbara Lee Blazyk) Subject: Article About BuzzFlash and Belief in God I very much appreciate the articles in BuzzFlash but I would like to comment on your editorial about BuzzFlash and belief in God. Your sentiments were commendable, but you left out your readers who make up a minority of the public who are not religious in the sense of believing any form of a God exists. We atheists, humanists, etc. are good people and try to be kind and do good deeds for our fellow humans but simply do not feel that our universe contains the image of a God. All we ask is that we be acknowledged and as we respect the rights of others to practice their beliefs, we would like others to know and accept us and know that one of the main platforms of the Humanists is respect for others, peace on earth and avoidance of war and conflict among the people of our planet. Sincerely, Pearl Volkov Ladies and Gentlemen (and I use that term as an affirmation of your obviously excellent philosophical/religious leanings), I read a fair amount of stuff in BuzzFlash, Common Dreams, etc. but your commentary today on the REAL meaning of Christianity/Spiritualism is absolutely superb. (No Bulls**t!) If I could have put on paper what my deepest and most treasured feelings about Christmas and/or the spiritualistic aspects that I hold dearest and are my most fervent and fondest hopes for our world, you have just saved me the trouble. I'm also delighted and very moved that I am not alone in these secret wishes of mine. Thanks so much for writing down what, obviously, some of us still feel/wish at this most special time time of our year. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and God Bless your whole staff! Jack Culleton Hey, I am an agnostic, atheist. I don't believe any of the religious nonsense. However, your descriptions don't belong to the religious alone. Atheists can be just as good or bad as the religious. Our country has formerly espoused the celebration of treating all people as people of value here and abroad. Now only the very rich have value. Even our soldiers have little value to the bushites. Keep the religious nonsense out of your buzz flashes. diane mccarthy Subject: Politics TVNL Editor's Comments: The news networks found the time to report on John Conyers today. The only problem is that they seemed to completely overlook his papers exploring the impeachment of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney and they chose to cover the bar fight that his wife got into. So let me ask you this: when news networks ignore the potential and warranted calls for the impeachment of a sitting president and report instead about a "girl fight" are we still supposed to trust them? So - when will your outrage against the media reach the level that it deserves? When do we tear down completely the current news establishments and start all over? When will we impeach, by any means possible, the corporate media? When will we treat the members of these institutions like the criminals that they are? If this nation ever wakes from its slumber, every broadcast news criminal will be scared to be seen in public for fear of retribution. And in my opinion - until that happens we don't stand a chance of defeating the enemies who have hijacked our nation. Think about it! Jesse, Editor, TVNewsLIES.org I noticed their was a 3.1 M earthquake in Wyoming christmas morning. Probably was Cheney opening his bag of coal! Ardyjay Subject: When is the Next Date that Bush "must review" his NSA spying PD? Just a small, but potent question for a BuzzFlash editorial: Bush brags that he has renewed his NSA-spying PD 30 times. Why not raise the key question? When/where will the next review take place? IF Bush renews his "NSA-spying PD" then impeachment will be that much easier & could be the occasion for formally introducing impeachment proceedings. But, if Bush doesn't renew his own Spying PD, then Bush would have blinked & thereby antagonized his base--revealing the weakness of the Bush/Bushevik "secret government " or the GOP's invisible government. George Subject: What's Done in Vegas Stays in the NSA For all those Las Vegas aficionados who really like the idea that what you do in Vegas stays in Vegas, take heart. Las Vegas was one of the known target cities for the NSA surveillance program. I sure would like to know the history behind THAT advertising campaign? C. Hardaker Subject: Thanks Beautiful. Just beautiful. After reading an incredibly stupid joke alluding to the so-called "war on Christmas" this morning, I needed the essay you wrote today. Thanks. We are all connected. Ellen Subject: Who's Got Your Back? Sexual Assaults and sexual harassment are still a significant problem in our country's’ Military Academies. That must make female military personnel feel so good about their fellow soldiers and their commanding officers. Gives a whole new meaning to “I’ve got your back.” It's mind-blowing that cadets need training so that they know it is wrong to assault and harass fellow cadets. If these men are smart enough to get into a military academy they must certainly know right from wrong. If they do not know right from wrong doesn't it seem a bit stupid to be spending a lot of money training them to be officers? Doesn’t it seem dense to release them on an unsuspecting world? Then there is the issue of commanding officers who punish the victims, not the criminals. Yes, sir, the criminals. Those pieces of tripe who are assaulting their fellow cadets are criminals. By not expelling these criminals from every military academy we now have officers in the field who are criminals. Before they ever land on foreign soil, they are criminals. Before they ever come in contact with females in another culture they assaulted women in their own service. What are the odds are that they are sensitive to the needs of a civilian population when they have shown their contempt for their own fellow cadets? These criminals belong in jail not in the military. The military mind seems to follow the same convoluted thought process as that of the Catholic Church when faced with criminals within their ranks. In times to come, that policy will come home to shame the military as much as it has led to the disgrace of the church. Cover-ups never last forever. And then fellas, it tends to all hit the fan. Rapists and those who sexually harass their female counterpart would perhaps be wise to think what might happen someday should they need to rely on female personnel who have been assaulted or harassed. For me it’s a no-brainer. It someone wants to shoot the SOB who assaulted me, have at it pal. He ain’t no brother of mine. Sex issues still plague military academies: Pentagon study finds assaults, harassment (AP/Chicago Tribune) Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Views from the trenches My sources of extreme right-wing opinion are two I secretly label "Fascist" cousins. (They are actually cousins, I hate to admit.) They are ardent followers of Rush Limbaugh and enthusiastic members of Free Republic.com. They assure me that Bill O'Reilly is now out of favor because of some "liberal" positions he has taken. I view him occasionally for his entertainment value and understand their point. He does sound piously reasonable on some issues but the hard line is always there. I have heard no negative views from them about Ann Coulter. Being to the right of Limbaugh, I can't see how they could be critical of her. Your description of an O'Reilly muttering on a bar stool is amusingly to the point! Paul Subject: BUSH=IMPEACHMENT 1 There's a law (FISA). 2 The law sets forth provisions for "domestic spying." 3 The law's clear, and carries criminal penalties. 4 If Bush didn't like the law, tough: it's the law. 5 Bush authorized breaking that law; and admits it. 6 Bush should be impeached by the House, tried and convicted by the Senate, then jailed for this High Crime. PLEASE DO YOUR JOB AND HELP SAVE MY COUNTRY! SUPPORT THE TROOPS: IMPEACH BUSH! Rick Hegdahl Subject: Fact into Fairytale We get spun, we get P.R.’d , we get placated, what we don’t get is the truth. Americans are becoming a very ignorant people thanks to a deliberately dishonest media. We of course deny this slur upon our national honor. Forget for the moment that in the world view we have neither national honor nor credibility. The rest of the world now sees us as thugs, liars and fools. Beware the right-wing Battalions of BS when you say such things. We are big and bold and the only super power on earth! We spit in the eye of them terrorists. Of course we want to fight them over “there” so that innocent Iraqis are the collateral damage, not us. You know - those Iraqis that we are intent on liberating no matter how many of them we have to kill. While Iraqi citizens take their lives in their hands to vote so that they can get us out of their country, Americans in large numbers cower under the bed begging the government to keep them safe. Civil rights? Who cares, just protect us. The Battalions of BS say you hate America should you voice any opinion that says America has done anything wrong. That’s like saying you hate your kids if you don’t want them lying, cheating, or stealing. Wanting your kids or your country to behave honorably is hating them. Fact into fairytale. Repeat again and again until every little pointy head out there in teevee land is nodding in unison. Expect to be confronted next day at the water cooler, in the break room or anywhere people gather with the “fact” that “them damn liberals hate this country.” They know this is true because they heard it on the teevee. If ignorance is bliss this has got to be a very happy bunch. Jeremiah 5:21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not. Being ignorant is never enough to stop the arrogance. So we stumble on, led by a moribund media and legions of the ignorant who believe anything they are told. Let’s hope reality is not too close behind. Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Conservatives Mention "I - Word?" Conservatives are muttering the Impeachment word? The mainstream media is printing the I - Word? HAH! There is only one way that this administration will see an impeachment. It would be as an instrument to prove the bush/CHENEY administration innocent of any and all evildoing. The Evil Michael J Fowler Subject: Shreveport "Abortion Clinic" Teaser Re: BuzzFlash tease line: Shreveport fire investigators today asked the public for help in finding the people who threw a firebomb outside an abortion clinic. 12/26 Dear BuzzFlash, Please refrain from parroting the right-wing jargon so typically used by mainstream "news." Could you please refer to a women's clinic that offers many health care services as a "women's clinic"? May I suggest that treating the loaded term "abortion clinic" as common jargon sets the term in a reader's mind to a purpose: To impart a certain perception and incite a certain reaction. While the news story you linked to uses "abortion clinic," you don't have to. Perhaps choose in the future to draw attention to the criminality of firebombing and also point out any incendiary terminology that one might well link to firebombing. Thanks. A BuzzFlash Reader [BuzzFlash Note: Good observation. Thanks. And from the story: "'This is not a crime to be taken lightly,'" Shreveport Fire Department spokesman Brian Crawford said. 'It's an arson crime -- and because of the nature of this crime, someone could also be charged with domestic terrorism as well.'"] Subject: Who elected this guy and gave him the right to WITHHOLD information? "The decision to hold the story last year was mine," Keller says. "The decision to run the story last week was mine. I'm comfortable with both decisions. Beyond that, there's just no way to have a full discussion of the internal procedural twists that media writers find so fascinating without talking about what we knew, when, and how -- and that I can't do." Bush Presses Editors on Security (Howard Kurtz/Washington Post) BUSH, A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: John Yoo, 12/26 (sent to the Washington Post) "John Yoo knows the epithets of the libertarians, the liberals and the lefties." How dare you run a "news article" that includes a pejorative term for progressives? Have I ever seen the term "rightie" or "right wingnut" in your newspaper? Of course not. You would NEVER show the far RIGHT of the political spectrum such lack of respect and complete contempt. I demand an apology. "Leftie" is a smear word and a pejorative and it does not belong in a "neqs article." Even one as obsequiously admiring of right-wing legal mind John Yoo, who finds nothing wrong with using the Constitution as toilet paper ought to contain some pretext of balance. Shame on you, once again. Joanne G Murphy Like Buzz reader, Margaret, I agree that we have got to all write people, outlets, stations, newspapers, c-span, and all other places to say when the NYT held the story for a year they have GOT to say they held it during the "election year"... the story wasn't just merely held for a year, but 'Bush pressed the publishers of the NYT to keep the story withheld during the campaign year ... for all the money the republicans were spending, which effected the district, county, state, offices which would go not to the republicans if they published the story. We've all got to email these people who don't refer to it as an "election year" when they say they held it for "a year." That's really a big deal. Look at the outrage now. Just imagine what it would have been like a few weeks before the presidential election if this story had broke back then. North TX Buzz Reader Subject: Warning: "Quick Believers Need Broad Shoulders!" - George Herbert Playing the security card again and again and again! The rules according to Bush are: Bush Republicans can’t talk about Plamegate, or answer any definitive questions on spying, or Alito is not allowed to answer any questions that he might deliberate on in the future, IF, and that’s a big if, he gets confirmed! When trapped by the truth, JUST REFUSE TO COMMENT and follow it up with a lot of lame rhetoric. George thinks even if he is mistaken, if he uses an impassioned voice, at the top of his lungs, it will convince others. That is the George W. Bush and Republican way of dealing with problems. Every chance you get mention 9/11, it was the only time the nation and the world was behind Bush. This was short-lived before the tide of reprisal turned against Bush. So, make America remember, George was a hero, BRIEFLY! At the Saddam trial, if fault is in anyway {like us supplying weapons, and past encouragement and moral support for Saddam} directed at the U.S, close the court to any outsiders, can’t have that being brought to public attention. Keep any negative reports of increased air bombing, or chemical weapons used by U.S. in Iraq, negative election stories, demonstrations, and deaths on either side CONTAINED or DOWNPLAYED! Bush claims strong progress BUT:
Are these Iraq factions on the brink or in civil war? In the election, it was clear that they voted for their own faction’s interest, not for unity! The Media WILL NOT come out and say this, but those of us who are following Iraq closely will argue the benchmarks meant little compared to the incidents since the elections, which have been UNDER REPORTED! Meanwhile, death and destruction go on daily at the same rate as before the election! While we were enjoying our Christmas, over 20 violent incidents were reported that day only, 18 involved death {2168 soldiers’ dead}. Avoid Global Warming and stem cell research conversations unless it’s directed at the Bush viewpoint! Do not admit mistakes, except occasionally and sparingly to give the image of honesty! REFUSE TO RELEASE ALL DOCUMENTATION IN ANY INVESTIGATION OR ON ANY BUSH NOMINEE, THAT FIND BUSH, HIS ADMINISTRATION, OR ANY OF HIS COHORTS AT FAULT! At the same time, DENY ANY CREDIBILITY of ANY DOCUMENT that proves Bush or Administration or Bush policy wrong or “fixed” such as the DOWNING STREET MEMO; and the U.K. BRIEFINGS. Only hire for government positions those that are most loyal and will keep your secrets or fall on their sword for Bush or Cheney if necessary Reserve the right to ALTER any government agency’s findings or reports with Bush-approved data Pay writers, journalists, newspapers to give Bush viewpoint {Armstrong Williams, among others}. Buy your own candidates, radio stations and newspapers in Iraq. Don’t disclose it is American military propaganda, the more covert the better. Insist on secrecy and maintain secrecy, using “National Security” or “Executive Privilege” {Cheney Energy Commission}. Orders to Republican spin doctors: Repeat Bush Message Discipline and government talking points daily. In times of trouble, use the FULL COURT PRESS by every available Republican, Bush Supporter, retired military and Joseph Lieberman! A Bush message a day keeps the truth away. Use the FEAR FACTOR, “Fight them there so we won’t have to fight them here,” liberally in every speech or television interview Mention getting rid of Saddam was good for the world frequently, but forget about mentioning why we left Afghanistan and went to Iraq, and the fact, Osama and al-Zarqawi are still free! Keep America dumb; remember they have short memories, so stonewall anything threatening to Bush or his Administration in all situations; what you can’t deny postpone as long as possible. When public pressure is great, or when you are in a LOSING SITUATION, change your mind and declare it was your idea in the first place! {9/11 Commission, Homeland Security} Torture and Rendition, crimes against Geneva Convention Rules, Spying on Americans, “Deny, Deny, Deny.” If they find you out, then “Defend, Defend, Defend, as the President’s Right.” Repeat, Repeat, Repeat, “I’m Protecting the nation” {in every other sentence}. New York Times and many other sources have proved the spying on Americans is much broader then Bush led us to believe. The usual response when they are cornered is: “We're not going to comment on news stories that may or may not focus on classified intelligence operations as part of the war on terror,” White House spokesman Allen Abney said on Saturday. “In a broader context, this administration has fought and will continue to fight the war on terror while trying to uphold the individual liberties of Americans.” The in-depth “Top 12 media myths and falsehoods on the Bush administration's spying scandal” (Media Matters): Read the truth about these falsehoods!:
... this article on Media Matters answers all the lies! We won’t hear much about it in the news, but the ever stalwart Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee and a veteran of the Nixon and Clinton impeachments, filed censure bills in the House against both Bush and Cheney, and a third bill calling for a Senate Watergate Committee-style special committee to investigate the impeachable crimes of this White House. We don’t hear about Rep Henry Waxman’s invasive reports outlining matters that should be brought to our attention either. The daily Bush Government talking points sent to networks and/or newspapers, do not want issues like these making news. After all the lies, scandals and corruption, I want to ask Bushies, why are you supporting Bush? Where is the deserved outrage? Are you drawing conclusions from premises that are insufficient or misrepresented? Either you do believe, or if you pretend to believe the things you know are not true, you must be prepared for taking responsibility for your beliefs. Ask yourself, are you indifferent, or gullible, or are you just too lazy to go through the ordeal of becoming informed of the facts, or like George, won’t look realistically at the facts because you do not want to admit you were mistaken! Are your shoulders broad enough to ignore the facts and to live with the Bush Administration’s misuse, and abuse of power, with little checks and balances or oversight in our government today? Silence signals complicity! Are you shoulders broad enough to carry the fact with Bush and the Republicans in power, our Democracy is in big trouble?!? Susan Carr Subject: War on Christmas I grew up in an area that was almost 100% Jewish, as I am. I remember the Christmas season as a wonderful time of the year. It really was a time to think about your fellow man and try to help those that might not be as fortunate as we are. My dad had a Christmas party for his employees every year. He gave out the Christmas checks at the party and had presents for all the children. It was a time we all enjoyed but my dad just seemed to glow when the time came to start planning the Christmas party. Even when both my parents fell ill and the future of their business was looking bleak, my dad made sure the Christmas season was still a memorable time for the people that worked for him, as a family, to make the business a success. Now all that being said, I don't care if someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, A Happy Holiday. Seasons Greetings or just have a nice day. These Grinches at Fox News have taken a joyous time of the year for everyone and are trying to force their religious values on us all with their made up "War On Christmas." It was NEVER a problem until these idiots proclaimed it a problem and their brain dead, non-thinking viewers spew the lies and venom they watch on a daily basis. It sickens me to watch as the media, the retail stores, the local governments and sadly, the typical uninformed American, fall victim to these morons that need something to stir up in order to sell more of their books. It now seems that this imaginary war will rear its ugly head every holiday season. I'm not one to call for boycotts, but I wonder what all these retail stores would do if non-christians decided to agree with Fox News and make Christmas strictly a religious holiday and stop buying Christmas presents. Bob Lambert Subject: The Real War on Christians Hi, Buzz!! Having done some thinking about the so-called "War on Christmas" during this season, I have to conclude that there is a "war," but not the one Bill O'Reilly likes to talk about. The real one is the perpetual conflict of popular culture against Jesus' teaching and his values. For instance, our politicians declare that they are justified in starting wars whenever and wherever they choose. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called God's children." These same politicians apparently think torture is justified because "we're at war." Jesus said, "Blessed are those who show mercy; mercy shall be shown to them." Dr. King looked forward to a time when people would be judged "by the content of their character." Our culture pretty much judges people by the content of their bank accounts. When our country was under attack and people were eager to do something in its defense, George Bush said, "Go shopping." "Buy-buy-buy," says the culture; "spend-spend-spend." Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal; but store up treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust will destroy, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Our Congress cuts taxes for the wealthiest, while awarding itself a pay raise, and at the same time cutting funding to help the poor. Jesus said, "Truly I tell you: a rich man will find it hard to enter the kingdom of Heaven. I repeat, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Our pundits and politicians make a great show of their Christian faith, as if quoting Scripture were a proof of righteousness. Jesus said, "Be careful not to parade your religion before others; if you do, no reward awaits you with your Father in heaven." Yes, indeed, Jesus and his principles are under attack, but not by "liberals." Religious leaders themselves often don't have their priorities straight. Christmas was on Sunday this year, and BuzzFlash reported on the megachurches who CANCELED THEIR SERVICES. In the Christian calendar, only Easter is a holier day than Christmas, and yet these "Christians" neglected to worship together. Pat Robertson called for the assassination of a democratically elected leader of a foreign country, and informed the city of Dover, PA, that God wasn't going to listen to their prayers anymore because of the way they voted in a school-board election. Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed up as sheep, while underneath they are savage wolves. Can grapes be picked from briars, or figs from thistles? A good tree always yields sound fruit, and a poor tree bad fruit." Here's a New Year's resolution for us: No matter what religion we practice (or even if we practice none at all), let's keep an eye on the culture and see what fruit it bears. Thanks, Buzz, and a happy New Year to all! Jane Hawes
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