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| January 12, 2006 |
MAILBAG ARCHIVES | ||
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. THIS IS PART 2 OF THE JANUARY 12, 2006 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1 Subject: Come Back to the Five & Dime, Sandra Day Sandy, You could always change your mind and stay until the criminal in the White House is removed. That might somewhat redeem your reputation after Bush v Gore. It might also give you some peace of mind instead of a legacy of abandoning the constitution, throwing women's rights to the wolves, and turning your back on everything good you have fought for. Do it for the girls, Sandy. We need you now more than ever. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Oh, BLEEP!! Alito is even worse than I already knew (and that was pretty BAD) Dear Buzzers -- After reading Sidney Blumenthal's article (George Bush's rough justice) in this morning's Buzz headlines, I don't even NEED a cup of coffee to wake up! As I said, I knew Alito was slippery, evasive, and dangerous -- but I wasn't aware of the dirty details. It's much worse than I thought. Let me reiterate what I've said earlier: ANY Democrat who doesn't stand up, loud and clear, against the shredding -- right now it's beginning to look more like a massacre -- of our Constitution -- will not only fail to get my vote in 2006 or 2008 (and, yes, that includes YOU, Hillary, Joe Biden, and a host of others who have wimped, are presently wimping, or will wimp out in the future) -- but I will actively campaign against you, both here in GA and on the Internet. (Unless, of course, you manage to shut down the Internet.) In a previous letter, I wrote that, if the executive branch (i.e., King George IV) is entitled to pick and choose his laws and do whatever he chooses, whether through lies/deception or simple secrecy -- not to mention self-pronounced imperial mandates -- why don't we simply abolish the other two branches of government and use their salaries to give scholarships to needy students or childcare benefits to mothers who can't afford to pay for it while they meet their mandatory (ever increasing) work requirements or to victims of Katrina (mostly the black and poor; funny, isn't it, how a Diaspora has occurred, so that they're now scattered far from the homes they can't afford to rebuild, which means they can't return. Sorry if I sound paranoid, but the "gentrification" of New Orleans is perfectly obvious. I should know, since here in Athens, GA, one apartment complex after another has been gobbled up and "condominiumized," meaning that the rich parents -- I mean the ones who buy their kids expensive, bow-decorated cars -- they (the cars) used to be BMWs; now they might be SUVs. The parents live in gated, sidewalkless communities in Cobb and DeKalb counties (in Atlanta), and readily pay for "condos" for their kids while they're here in Athens at UGA. As a result, rents here have doubled or tripled, and renters are subject to a 30-day notice if one of the above-mentioned parents decides to purchase a condo (which, they have been assured by the realtors, can be resold at top dollar -- as long as their kid doesn't trash it -- when said kid graduates from college.) I know this sounds like a digression, but it's actually a microcosm of what's happening all over the country. More and more of our (meaning the non-rich) rights are being eaten up by the rich, and we get shut out of the system. Back to Sam Alito. His views, as presented by Blumenthal, are as bad as any horror movie I've ever been dragged to (and closed my eyes at the gory parts). But none of us -- including our lockstep, conformist Democratic Senators, who seem, once again, to be about to cave -- can AFFORD to close our eyes to Alito. He's not only equivocating and evading, but (a) he's been "coached" by Sen. Lindsay Graham, and (b) is obviously lying about the memory lapse regarding his membership in CAP (the anti-African American, anti-poor, anti-women society he belonged to and made public statements about in the past. Even if he WEREN'T lying, I should think such a lapse of memory should cause concern about his judicial abilities. As in "Constitution? WHAT Constitution?? I can't remember ever reading it." OK, I've ranted again, as usual. But your (Buzz) editorial pushed my buttons, bigtime. Keep up the good work, as in letting us know much more than we find in the MSM. Barbara Lee (Barb) Blazyk Subject: Faxed Plea to Senator Durbin Dear Senator Durbin: As a lifelong student of American Politics and Government and as a lifelong registered Democrat, I want to thank you for your thoughtful questioning of Judge Alito during these confirmation hearings. However, in a time when checks and balances have all but disappeared, thoughtful questioning and your “No” vote will do nothing to stop the inevitable appointment of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court. We have only one option left to us to halt the further erosion of our Constitution and our Democracy – Filibuster. Please Sir, a filibuster must occur on this issue as it is emblematic of the hubris of this administration and its ongoing desire to curtail our civil liberties in the name of national security, defund programs for the growing numbers of the poor in favor of tax cuts for the “richest of the rich,” further undermine ecological progress for greater profits – I need not even mention a multi-billion dollar war based on lies in which so many of our, and their, hapless patriots/citizens have been killed or maimed. Again Sir, I implore you to take the stand, the only one left to us. We have nothing to lose, and our True American dignity to regain. Do we (you) have the fortitude to vote “No” in the only way that will count? If not, then my democracy is lost – My vote, my voice, my dreams for my children and our planet, truly count for nothing. Thank you, A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Buffalo and Yellowstone Is there some way you could ask the people to call the White House Comment Line to stop the killing of the buffalo 1-202-456-1111. Ask them to herd the buffalo out to zoos, or Native American casinos ... for display only, if they would want to adopt them. People in small town by here have the buffalo by a lake. Just have the buffalo, not a buffalo ranch like idiot Ted Turner. When I called, the volunteer at the White House said that it was a good idea. I called the Buffalo Field Campaign, to call the White House Comment Line and asked for the number. And asked if buffalo could be herded out to zoos, parts of the country that have never seen buffalo, and would cherish them, or people who would. And he said, yes, and that was a good idea. While back, seen the buffalo on TV and the people on snowmobiles were trying to keep the buffalo from going down the mountain where the ranchers were shooting them on sight. The big old guy was so confused because couldn't go down the mountain. It was very sad to see. Park bison to be killed (billingsgazette.com) Park Service Captures Yellowstone Bison (CBS News) A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: It's Illegal To Annoy ... but it's ok to murder in an illegal occupation, spy on US Citizens, hold people indefinitely, and on and on and on. It appears that the new law allows Annoying, as long as the Annoyer, is upfront about their identity. Which leads me to believe that the law is not intended to deter from annoying cyber messages, content etc., but rather making it easier to get ID's on those that use the internet anonymously. Does this mean that because I have not listed my full name throughout my art site, and an individual, say one that is a god-fearin Wal-Mart art print buyer, happens upon my art work and it annoys them, will I be charged for annoying cyber behavior? Or will the Wal-Mart art critiquer be charged for not having good art sense? Will those posting here to BuzzFlash soon be wearing orange jumpsuits because another individual reading Mailbag disagreed with its contents? Hence being so distraught and annoyed by truth that they can charge the truth teller with being an Annoyance? The word Annoying is such a relative term. But I suppose this works well for the private prison industrial complex and those that make orange jumpsuits, as well, and it perhaps, applauds the law. After all, crime is money according to the Private Prison Industry. Meanwhile, the entire Bush Administration ANNOYS the hell out of me ... do I have any recourse? I mean seriously, is King George , actually his real name? Signed, Picasso Van Gogh Kandinsky III Create an e-annoyance, go to jail (news.com) Jude Rouslin Subject: "Strong" Speech BuzzFlash, The MSM media constantly uses the adjective "strong" for any Bush speech. A "strong speech" should be logical, persuasive, eloquent, and truthful. And it goes without saying, grammatically correct. Bush has never given a speech that had any of these qualities. Yet, when referring to Bush, MSM restricts the definition of "strong" to a tone of anger. As long as Bush sounds angry, the speech is classified as strong. MSM not only censors itself, but also is condoning double-speak. Larry, Maryland Subject: Oh, So Now Roy Blunt Has Seen the Evils of His Ways and Repented, Eh? Dear Buzz -- Yeah, right. And pigs are flying in the sky as I look out my window. He's almost -- I mean, hey, let's admit it: even though he turns our stomachs, DeLay had such a huge ego and sense of entitlement that he held his ground until the bitter end. (Which, for him, seems to have come at last. Heh heh.) The similarities between Blunt, who aspires to DeLay's former job as House majority leader, are obvious: Both put their wives and children on their payrolls. Both took "contributions" (aka "bribes) from lobbyists. OK, so maybe DeLay was a bit more aggressive (as in collecting MORE illicit bucks) -- but are we going to sit still and let a "DeLay Lite" run the House? Until we REALLY fight (I'm not sure HOW, but some Buzzers out there must be more politically savvy than I am; I've always, as a rebel, been outside the system. Any "insiders" out there?) we WILL be stuck with a "DeLay Lite," which means that the big bucks lobbyists will continue their evil ways. The picture is looking pretty bleak at this point. Is there, realistically, anything we progressives can do to prevent this from happening? And, no, don't suggest simply voting for Democrats. We've all seen how effective THEY'VE been. Note: I'm not condemning them all: there are notable exceptions, including Russ Feingold, Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer, Henry Waxman, Barbara Lee (no, not ME; she's the rep from CA; we just share our first two names), occasionally Dianne Feinstein, Olympia Snowe, and several others. But, unfortunately, they're few and far between. And definitely outnumbered. (Apologies to any whose names I left out.) I will not vote for -- and will actively campaign against -- any Democrat who doesn't show me evidence of integrity and guts. "Going along to get along" will no longer cut it. (And that includes my GA Rep., John Barrow.) I've written to tell him so, directly.) I've also signed petitions, with added messages in my own unique (ha ha) style until my fingers are about to drop off! Barbara Lee (Barb) Blazyk Subject: Alito So, if Alito is not prevaricating now, didn't he pad his resume in order to get a job? And isn't that, too, prevarication? A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Guinea Pigs for Prescription Experimentation I certainly agree the actions of the pharmaceutical companies are abominable in testing on people in Third World countries. However, I don't find it at all surprising that no one puts a stop to this. In seven states right here in the USA, they use some of the kids in the foster care system for medical experiments. Like lab rats! These kids supposedly are HIV positive. The fact is, many are NOT! Even IF they all WERE HIV positive, there's no excuse for this! This is being done in Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Colorado and Illinois. Put “medical experiments on children in the foster care system” in Google and read what comes up. It will make you sick! Who is being allowed to do this? You guessed it – the pharmaceutical companies! And, guess who sanctions it? The U.S. Federal Government: Federal Govt Experiments on Children (indybay.org) Excuse me – isn't this what they did at Auschwitz? Just put “medical experiments on children” in Google and read what comes up there. When will someone make a film about THIS? J L Scott, Director of iCop Subject: The Today Show Here's an email I sent to the Today Show: Ladies and Gentlemen: Katie Couric's interview of Senator Biden is a good indication of her lack of understanding of what is important and what is not as well as her bias. Let's look at reality: 1. First of all, Mrs. Alito cried during the questioning of a GOP member of the committee. 2. Judge Alito is the interviewee, not Mrs. Alito. Hearings for supreme court nominees are rough affairs, always have been. It is understandable that Mrs. Alito would get upset. But if she can't handle it, and understandably so, then she shouldn't be there. 3. These are hearings for the Supreme Court of the United States of America, not to see who gets to host the Christmas party. Why are conservatives such cry babies, always whining about things having nothing to do with actual political issues? (And I'll repeat: it was not a Dem interviewing Judge Alito when Mrs. Alito broke down.) Why are NBC News and the Today Show so conservatively biased? Sincerely, James D. Garry Subject: Sold Out Government I have been working vigorously for the last two years, signing petitions, writing to Congressmen, telephoning Representatives, going to meetings, thinking I could make a difference. But recently, BuzzFlash has been able to convince me that it is too late. The government has been sold out. They will appoint Alito, they will do what they want. Nothing I can do will make a difference. So I do have to say I appreciate BuzzFlash for pointing out that Im wasting my time, and the cause is already lost. The Republicans have won, they will prevail always, and the democracy is dead. Thank you BuzzFlash for helping me see I could better spend my time growing flowers. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Mrs. Alito Starts Crying It was just plain heart-wrenching to watch Mrs. Alito break down in tears and leave the hearing room as her husband's questionable record on bigotry was exposed. The media certainly has seized on her theatrics to try and generate sympathy for the judge. I'm just wondering how many tears she shed for the disenfranchised poor of New Orleans after her husband's political party left them to die. I wonder how many tears she shed for the U.S. soldiers sent off to be murdered for a lie by her husband's political party. I wonder how many tears she shed for the thousands of iraqi civilians wiped out by a U.S. military that is being misused by her husband's political party. I wonder how many tears she shed for Ariel Sharon's family after Pat Robertson, a member in good standing of her husband's political party, gloated over his stroke. I wonder how many tears she shed for the children who are being left behind by the no child left behind act perpetrated by her husband's political party. I wonder how many tears she shed for those people tortured in Iraqi prisons by guards under their protection of her husband's political party. I wonder how many tears she shed for those people held without due process, separated from their families, under the provisions of the patriot act devised by her husband's political party. I wonder how many tears she'll shed for the women who will die after receiving a backroom abortion after her brave husband overturns Roe vs. Wade. Shed some tears, Mrs. Alito, but shed them for the demise of democracy in your country, not because your husband's biased opinions and corrosive value judgements are being questioned by Congress. Mark Kuhar [BuzzFlash Note: And doesn't her crying jag remind us, it's a good thing we're not nominating a woman to the Supreme Court? Obviously, they're too emotional, unstable, hysterical, subject to hormonal mood swings, soft ...! (Apologies to Sandra and Ruth!)] Subject: Bomb Found in SF Hey maybe someone should question Bill O'Reilly about this. He did suggest that the terrorists to go ahead and attack SF. Felix Polanski [BuzzFlash Note: Good point! At the least, his treacherous remark qualifies him as an enabler of terrorists, and therefore a prospective detainee.] Subject: Fantasy Confirmation Hearings Another Q and A I'd like to see: Alito: "I can't comment on issues that might come before the court." Senator X: "Since no law forbids you to comment, I assume your reluctance stems from the fact that you don't want your views on important legal issues to be widely known. Is that the case?" A: "No, of course not, I ..." X: "Well then, if the views you currently hold about issues like abortion, etc., won't prejudice your future rulings, why won't you tell us what those views are?" A: "Senator Graham said I wouldn't." X: "On the other hand, if your views ARE inflexible, and the opinions you expressed twenty years ago are your opinions today and tomorrow, then how can you fulfill your judicial obligation to judge cases impartially and on their individual merits?" "A: (Sotto Voce to wife) "Honey, start crying, quick." Albert Clark, NY Subject: Just Because I Am Not Paranoid ... ... does not mean I am not being read? Now I am in Madrid, Spain, however, it's pretty weird that every time my internet explorer sends an error message, shuts downs and reports to itself ... is when I am reading my BuzzFlash thru hotmail!!! Right now, I was happily in the middle of the Ray McGovern piece on Hayden and POUFF! Shut down and electronic report to msn. ??? Like I could care, or had something to hide! I just happen to be on EVERY SINGLE PETITION LIST TO IMPEACH, INCARCERATE AND MAKE A GLOBAL REALITY-SHOW OUT OF THE BUSHITLERS of all kinds. Here is for you, putrid parasite bushitlers: http://www.f**kthenewyorktimes.com/ You want some more in Spanish? Here you go: boletin@royo-villanova.net The murdering dictators can also take note that all the automated email responses from the whorehouse, from Allard, Tancredo, the marilyn wannabe, even useless Salazar ... GET THE SPAM TREATMENT!!!! I don't read them! So stop using public funds ... I could go on. Marisa [BuzzFlash Note: The url goes to a foul-mouthed but interesting rant.] Subject: Alito Lies
So ... what's worse? Alito is a right-wing neocon who will destroy American rights, or Alito is a right-wing neocon who will destroy American rights and who lies on job applications? A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: The Supreme Court Considering all the good it does for us, it ain't worth fighting for, so why not let the powers that be keep it? Don't they already have the White House and Congress in their back pockets, with plenty of room to spare for the suckers and other perpetual sleep-walkers? These Senate hearings are nothing but staged distractions to divert our attention from the war in Iraq, the budget cuts at home and the miners in Pennsylvania who died last week, because all the powers that be care about is that God-d**n bottom line. So instead of playing their game, why not we the people getting down to it and changing the world? Justice for real then, not this here let's pretend! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Letter to the editor It is a matter of fact to most news-conscious and freethinking web-surfers that CNN’s news website barely masks its right-wing bias these days. They will only publish news that portrays Republicans and Bush in a bad light when they have no other choice, otherwise they turn to mindless fluff to distract their audience from the Republican scandals that are ravaging our nation. Today (1/12/06), CNN’s QuickVote polling feature on the home page posed the following question: Are Democrats being too tough on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito? I have a counter-question for CNN which is similar in tone as well as intention: Does CNN ask pointed questions in their polls to push a right-wing agenda? Harris Bierhoff [BuzzFlash Note: We recently noticed an academic paper on the subject of slanted poll questioning: "Using the tools of discourse analysis, the model reveals that far from reflecting the beliefs and preferences of citizens, poll questions can instead tacitly evoke and sustain conservative and status quo ideologies. Hence polls can play a significant role in constructing what is admissible and legitimate in political discourse. " -- Lisbeth Lipari).] Subject: Diebold Machines in St. Louis My cousin and I have just been discussing the fact that Gov. Baby Blunt was just here throwing his weight around ... and that he was discussing our voting 'problems' and so, I started calling 3 days ago. I asked the question bluntly at first. "Are we getting the Diebold machines in the city"? and the woman who answered the phone said, I couldn't answer that, you would have to talk to the woman who answers the democrats' questions. So, I asked if I could please speak to her ... to which the woman said, "She is at lunch now ... but I can give you her voice mail." And I told her I would just call back. After a couple of hours ... I called again ... and asked for the same woman by the same name that she had given me ... and the answerer this time told me she is out and would not be back for the day. "But (once again) I can give you her voice mail." I said, no thanks, I would call back tomorrow, this has gone on now for three days. Today ... they were having a press meeting, but, she could give me the woman's voice mail. Is this a typical political trick ... evasion, or what? Shirley ..... St. Louis Subject: SHAME As an American living abroad, I am so ashamed of being an American these days that I am trying to pass as Canadian. Almost anything is better than being American these days. For God's sake, get off your duffs, Americans, and get RID OF GEORGE W. Bush!!!! He has ruined America's reputation for decades! Sincerely, American living broad where we recognize Fascism when we see it. We've seen it before. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Shutting Down Washington D.C. Based upon the responses in the Mailbag, the above suggestion seems to have taken hold. Some folks, like myself, will only be able to stay a day or so, but let the proceedings begin and we'll make it there, somehow. We can start in DC and then, in the good old American way, bring it to the boondocks as well as to all the nooks, crannies, and don't forget during one's coffee-break. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Mrs. Alito Dear BuzzFlash: There is an old saying ... if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. So, if Mrs. A feels she can't handle the hearings, she ought to go home and watch it on C-Span 2. Perhaps no one told her that this is an extremely important hearing and that there are a great number of people who want to see her husband NOT get on the Supreme Court. Stephanie |
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