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| January 26, 2006 |
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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: HOT OFF THE PHONE I just got off the phone with Ryan in Senator Kerry's office in DC: Kerry is now publicly in support of a filibuster and he is currently working with colleagues in the Senate to get the necessary support - 41 votes. We must call him and say YES and he must go for it ON THE FLOOR even if he thinks he does not have the votes. Senator Kerry's offices: (202) 224-2742 Sheila Subject: Alito - Help the Senators make the connection There was an article in Raw Story saying that Dems weren't ready to filibuster because "Democratic senators haven’t felt a groundswell of opposition from constituents,"and "We’re getting more calls in on NSA spying than we are on Alito.” Democrats break silence on Alito: Filibuster unlikely, frustration high (Raw Story) We also hear that Alito is favored in the polls BUT would NOT be if people thought he would overturn Roe v Wade.
We need to help the Senators make the connection - even where other callers haven't. Either WE THE PEOPLE have rights and protections under the Constitution, or the Government - and in this case - the President - has all the rights. It's not JUST about abortion. Under Alito, do we have any doubts that rights would shift from WE THE PEOPLE to the President? Either THE PEOPLE have 4th Amendment rights to freedom from search and seizure, OR the President has rights to spy and search whenever he wants to. Do we have any doubt that Alito would support the President's right over the People's right? Either THE PEOPLE have the right to be innocent until proven guilty, and a right to due process and a trial by jury, and a right not to be tortured while under detention, OR the President has the right to declare a person an "enemy combatant" and on his say so can render you to a secret prison where you may be tortured and killed and where you have no right to due process. Do we have any doubt that Alito would support the President's right over the people's right? And of course there is the abortion issue. A vast majority of the population support a woman's right to choose, and we KNOW that Alito has taken a position that he thinks it should be overturned, and helped craft a policy of overturning it incrementally. There is nothing that suggests he has changed that position in any way. Either a woman has the right to determine what happens with her body, or the Government has the right to decide what she will do. Do we have any doubt that Alito would support the Government's right over a woman's right? We need to call again - our Senators and those "Alito 8" and help them make the connections. http://www.democrats.com/alito-8 If people are calling upset about NSA spying, they are for rights for WE THE PEOPLE, rather than for unlimited unchecked powers for the President - which Alito would support. If people are FOR choice, but are not calling about Alito, it is because they have been convinced by a very careful PR campaign that Alito has an "open mind" about the issue. The Senators don't believe this. They should act on their knowledge that THE PEOPLE want to maintain their right to privacy - over abortion and NSA spying - and not let unlimited rights transfer to the President. Linda Wymore Subject: Toll-Free Phone numbers to the Capitol switchboard Today this headline appeared on your site...... Here are three toll free numbers to use to reach the Senators' offices.....I know they work. I've used them all to call not only my own senators, but many others as well..... 888-818-6641 888-355-3588 800-426-8073 Leslie Hi Buzz and Buzzers, I'm very puzzled by some recent letters accusing BuzzFlash of being only negative, and even more bizarre, fear-mongering(!) It almost sounds as if some people are blaming BuzzFlash for the bad things that are happening in this country. This is not a fairy tale (think only good thoughts and good things will happen!). Does it occur to people that when BuzzFlash is reporting depressing news, it's because the news IS depressing? If you can't deal with that then watch Fox. Everything's just dandy on that planet. Don't confuse fear-mongering with a modern day Paul Revere - he was warning the people, not trying to scare them. BuzzFlash is merely telling us the truth and we'd better listen and do something about it instead of complain that the news isn't happy enough. It reminds me of the Bush administration accusing the media of only reporting the bad things (duh, there was nothing good to report!). When talking about the demise of democracy if Alito gets confirmed, anyone who thinks that's fear mongering has got some serious reading to do. Wake up and please understand the ramifications of what's going on. We have plenty of reasons to be afraid, and not wanting to listen to those reasons will not make them go away. Isn't it true that the Democrats have triangulated themselves in going along with the republican crap? If and when the Democrats do something valiant, please wake me. When something good happens, you will always see it on this site. Right now we are in a most precarious position. Do not blame BuzzFlash for the fear that people are experiencing. It is not BuzzFlash that has made this country scared. We are going through bad times and thank god someone is there to explain exactly what is going on - bad or good. To accuse them of fear-mongering is inexcusable. Sorry, but that is terribly unfair. We should always keep the faith and keep up the fight, but we must also completely understand what we are dealing with. It's better than lying to ourselves. Chicken Little the Sky Ain't Falling (Mailbag, 1/24/06 Part 2) Barbara in NYC P.S. Occupation Dreamland was awesome. Highly recommend it. [BuzzFlash Note: Thanks for your defense. One other comment. The "Chicken Little" writer quoted FDR's "nothing to fear but fear itself." Today, we feel Bush's team is pushing and exploiting fear; and that is exactly what FDR was warning America about back in the heyday of fascism and fear mongering.] Subject: We Need a Savior I’ve come to the conclusion that by the time George W. Bush leaves office we will no longer be able to call ourselves The United States of America. By then we’ll be downgraded to “The United States of What’s Left.” When you think about all of the dismantling that’s gone on over the last 5 years, it’s hard to be optimistic about our Nation's future, especially when you consider the following: The United States Armed Forces, while fighting wars of choice, has been driven to near collapse. Our citizen soldiers have given their lives for a lie. The Social Security lock box, that held the future for millions of baby boomers, has been robbed so that the rich could get more tax breaks and become even richer. The deficit has exploded into the stratosphere and is now above $8 trillion dollars and rising at the rate of $2.28 billion per day. US jobs are moving overseas in record numbers and there is no hope of them ever returning. Real income for the middle class and working poor is stagnant or falling under Republican rule. The cost of healthcare is an abomination and those costs have not been corralled, managed or even addressed by a government that is controlled by Republicans. The Department of Homeland Security, which is the entity charged with protecting Americans from disaster, is so impotent even Viagra wouldn’t help. Their FEMA Director couldn’t even pick out his own wardrobe, much less assist Hurricane victims. Our government is breaking treaties and agreements that have defined our country's commitment to the environment, justice and peace for 5 decades. Our President controls the largest arsenal of military munitions in the history of mankind and he can’t even pronounce the word Nuclear. Our government spies on its own citizens then calls it “Terrorist surveillance.” Our government tortures people and pays others to torture people while claiming to be the beacon of Justice for the world. Our government is in the process of realigning the makeup of the Supreme Court so that it can dictate morals according to Christian religious dogma. Our government is attempting to take away a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her own body, and they will send a man to do the nasty deed. And that’s just a brief overview of what’s gone wrong in our country since George Bush took office. So where do we go from here? Democrats need more than a good presidential candidate in 2008, we need a Savior. Carolyn in Tennessee Subject: Letter to Chris Matthews This is a letter from my husband to Hardball. He usually doesn't do this sort of thing (I write Letters to the Editor all the time), but he had had enough!
Brad Harrison Subject: Alito BuzzFlash: Good for you! You're the only one continuously hammering the Democrats re: Alito. As of [Wednesday] morning, 23 Democrats in the Senate (50%!) had not announced or DECIDED their vote. They worry about protecting their hineys in the next election, and not standing up to Bush, like Leahy, Kennedy, and Boxer have done. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. Signed, A Patriot (registered Independent) Subject: (sent to Abrams Report) today i saw bush say in reference to domestic spying "we must know the terrorist intentions before they act." DID HE FEEL THAT WAY WHEN HE GOT THE PRESIDENTIAL DAILY BRIEFING TITLED OSAMA BIN LADEN DETERMINED TO HIT UNITED STATES? HMMM, also today i saw bush say we must take osama bin laden's threats seriously. NOT TOO LONG AGO I SAW BUSH SAY HE WAS NOT THAT CONCERNED ABOUT OSAMA BIN LADEN. which is it? kate Subject: Kerry to Filibuster.....???? Buzz you are DREAMIN IF you expect the prize winning Kerry, Flip Flopper of all time to Filibuster... this guy is ALL HAT and NO CATTLE constantly. PLEASE don't let him run for PRES in 2008. Hillary, as bad as she is, I'd rather have her as a PRES. candidate, even though the DEMS are making a huge mistake if they let her run for PRES-it's handing the PRES. to the GOP. Margaret Miller Subject: No More Opposing in the Opposition Just wanted to let Lucille Gould know that there are PLENTY of people out here who believe Bush L.L.C. was directly responsible for the events of 9/11. Don't feel alone..do research...you will find out that some of the greatest engineering minds in the world have laughed at the official version of those events. I'd like to know who Ted Olson is keeping company with, of the female persuasion, since his shrew of a wrong-wing wife was supposedly on one of the flights. That was a nice touch. Maybe the witness protection program or lots of cosmetic surgery and she's still with him, ha ha. Not so funny for the families of other passengers. Also, did anyone see C-Span this weekend where they wanted the names of bloggers (people called with websites too) that people liked or visited a lot? I was tickled and even tried in vain to call in with BuzzFlash.com's name just to give you guys some free advertising and shout to the world how great Buzz is, but ended up just e-mailing it. I did hear after that another gentleman call in with it. Yay!!! I had to laugh that most of the others Peter wrote down diligently for whatever reason, but not Buzz's. He just mumbled a "thanks" and right on to the next (Bush supporter) call. What a joke. Then I started to think about it and I thought, are they really just interested in our visits on the "internets" or are they trying to identify places to spy on with the NSA or Pentagon programs? Since the article about how rightward slanted their programming of guests was (in Fair or the Nation I think), I have felt vindicated in my opinion that they have very much become a polling place for the White House and Republicans. I just want Buzzers to be aware that we may now be under surveillance along with other sites mentioned that day. I say let's impeach Sensenbrenner and Pat Roberts, and we should all send "signing statements" in with our tax returns saying that we have abided by the law, except when we haven't. Hey, they can't jail us all, right? Don't you just love that these criminals believe there are limits on the judiciary but not on the executive? Look for Duh-bya to "protect" us next by canceling elections and throwing anyone but radical evangelicals into "re-education" camps. For your own good don'tyaknow. The fact that the GAO has published their report SHOWING that the election equipment we are using is easily hackable, and nary a peep out of our so-called media just boggles the mind. Alaska Democrats have doubts about their election in 2004 but can't get information about it from what used to be public documents because Diebold says they can't!!! Get used to it folks, WE have become the security risks...if they told us they'd have to kill us. And finally, I have another really great idea to combat the disgracing of our REAL veterans and war heroes. Let's everybody, at every chance, slur the hell out of G. H. Bush and his supposed "brilliant" war career and exploits. Let's cast doubt on everything he did there and every medal or recognition he received. Make him look like they want Cleland, Kerry, Murtha and any other real war veteran to look. That they can say what a wonderful thing it is to serve your country and we should all shut our mouths or we're "harming our troops' morale" on the one hand, while backhanding them about the service of ex-service members' phony medals, with purple band aids to boot, is just the most demoralizing thing I can think of for currently serving soldiers. Just knowing that when you get home anyone can question your patriotism in spite of your real service must be a real comfort to them. What happened to our country? Sue Bailey Subject: All of us Buzzers: It will take all of us. Forget the party, but band together and take back the country. Sure, I voted for Kerry. I knew he would lose, and I knew he would not fight for those votes, but I listlessly voted for him anyway. At least I could say I tried. The thing is that I have had enough rhetoric from Democrats. It seems that John Kerry doesn't care. Believe me, neither does Edwards. I was a Wes Clark supporter because I was tired of rich men who didn't have anything at stake giving into the GOPs. Oh, Karl Rove took care of Clark through the media because he was put on notice that as soon as Clark got out there, he was leading the pack. It scared the daylights out of Rove that Bush may actually have to debate a four star General who is absolutely brilliant. How would the depraved Republicans mock CLARK'S war wounds at the GOP convention? What great public relations that would have been for them to criticize the most highly decorated wounded veteran in this country. So, the Democrats did Rove's bidding and listened to the media as they chose the candidate who probably made a deal with Bush to let Bush have the White House. Has Kerry kept his word? Will he filibuster Alito? He won't. Then you will know why I say what I do. Why do you think Rush Limbaugh only attacked Wes Clark during the Dem primaries? There were nine others he could have gone after. Don't you want the candidate that the GOP hates, instead of the one they like? Why did the Democrats let the right-wing Peggy Noonan pick Kerry for them? Isn't that cute how the Republicans like to give us advice on which candidate we, as Democrats, should support? Oh, Rush Limbaugh was great after Kerry got the nomination. He said Dems would regret overlooking some other candidates. Why do Democrats play into the hands of the GOP all the time? If you are concerned about your Constitution, then when Bush does a coup and stays in office after 08 (and he will, especially with the shadow government Cheney is putting together, along with Alito), you and I must drop everything and head to Washington. That's it. There is nothing to lose anymore. Remember the French revolution. Wes Clark supporter who voted for Kerry in '04 Subject: Sam Alito Ever since Sam Alito was shown on TV and in the Senate Judicial Committee hearings I thought ... Why does just even the sight of this guy bother me so much? Well, it finally registered today, his manner, looks, and actions are a mirror image of one of the most despicable people I've ever seen. KEN STARR. Dave Landis Subject: Letter to the Editor, Newsday. On Alito and the need for filibuster To The Editor: On the first day of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings Samuel Alito, in responding to Sen. Biden's question, said the reason discrimination cases reach appellate courts is that they are weak. According to Alito, the strong cases settle at the trial level, the questionable cases settle also, but for less money, and the weak cases are dismissed by the trial court, and those are the ones that reach the appellate courts. The reason Alito concludes they are weak? Because they have been dismissed at the trial level, thereby setting the stage for appeal. Conclusion: Because only the "weak" discrimination cases reach the appellate courts, those cases deserve to be dismissed. In other words, according to Alito, it is the job of the appellate court routinely to affirm the trial court's dismissal of discrimination cases. This shabby reasoning speaks for itself. If decisions of the trial courts are routinely affirmed, then there should be no need for appellate courts. The reason appellate courts exist, in reality, is that district courts sometimes make mistakes -- but not in Samuel Alito's world view. No Senator followed up on this or on many other important issues regarding this candidate. It is imperative that the nominee be brought back before the Judiciary Committee for further questioning by real lawyers. I urge the Judiciary Committee to recall Samuel Alito in order to get to the root of his lazy approach to decision-making and to determine conclusively whether he is the royalist -- or fascist -- he appears to be. I urge all Senators to filibuster this candidate and to prevent any full-Senate vote unless and until his philosophy and personal history -- including his membership in the Federalist Society -- are fully and honestly disclosed. William E. Betz Subject: Kerry's Boston office told me they "do hard work" ... and DON'T have time to know about or discuss BuzzFlash and it telling Senator Kerry to FILIBUSTER ALITO Buzz, I am SO PISSED at Kerry's Boston office, I could SPIT NAILS!!! I spoke with Kerry's DC office, and told them about BuzzFlash calling for Kerry to filibuster. I asked the spokesperson if they ever heard of BuzzFlash, and they said "NO," so I informed them of your web site, and asked them to check it out, and FILIBUSTER ALITO. I then called Kerry's Boston office, wondering if THEY ever heard of BuzzFlash, and the lady replied: "I do HARD WORK all day and DON'T have time for that!!!" Sounds like Bush, eh??? Sounds like the REASON that KERRY ain't getting his MESSAGES. .. So I called their Fall River number, and a more mature woman who had INTERNET ACCESS (thank God!) said she would check out BuzzFlash, the article, and DEFINITELY call the press people in Boston concerning their "HARD WORK." To her I say, "Please Do, and THANK YOU!!" The list of ALL of Kerry's offices are in the URL. They NEED TO KNOW about you. http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/home.cfm I just thought you might like to know how SERIOUSLY these HARD-WORKING people for Kerry are taking the threat of a PERMANENT Rapeublican Majority... Best, Arn Gunnutes [BuzzFlash Note: It seems they've changed their tune - see top letter.] Subject: Democratic "leaders" Dear BuzzFlash: I could write a tome but won't. Suffice it to say that I am very glad you've begun targeting the complete failure of Democratic "leaders" to lead. We can bi**h and moan about Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, and the MSM all day, but what we really need is someone (or some twenty) to fight for what Democrats believe in. I busted my butt for Democrats in the summer of 2004. I gave money. I baked cakes for bake sales. I wrote. I phoned. I walked the neighborhood and collected dimes and nickles. I'm still at it, but I'm being pimped. I've been waiting more than a year for Democratic "leaders" to "get it," but no! They're still kissing the GOP's ass. Enough! Lissi Subject: Harriet Miers Do any of us have to wonder any more...if Harriet was a decoy? These rightwingnuts are a lot more devious than we might have even imagined! We really cannot do one thing about her ass being kicked out by the rightwingers.....they will just say that we did it! (and she may be in on it) This entire administration and the way it is going.....was a plan from the very first, sorry.....but, I include 911 in that! I mean really.....how much do we really know about it? Did any of us see the warnings.....the admission....anything? I will never believe any of them again...about anything....from the first in Fahrenheit 911, when McDermott said...."Fear Works"! Yes, it does...and it has worked just fine for the criminal Bush and his minions! I hate to say we are whipped and give up...but, hey...we have gotten ulcers over this jerk and his chickenhawk buddies, so? I know just from that movie...that none of the democrats read the Patriot Act, before signing.....and there was a good reason....from one day to the next, it changed, and they dropped it on the desks at 3 or 4 AM.....and they come in and pass it! This entire administration has done everything this way...because of 9/11...and I'm sick to death of hearing them accusing anyone of being unpatriotic if we question one thing. I really don't think we listen any more...I don't...I know from the first...at least had the feeling, but the point is made to their like-minded Chickenhawks! God help us all... I am still making calls to the Dems. left to vote....I have been gone all day today... Thanks Buzz. Shirley.................St. Louis Subject: Not Hillary Democrats must not have Hillary Clinton as a candidate in 2008. Not because she is a woman. Not because she is a liberal. Not even because she seems to be standing around with her finger in the air in a continual attempt to test the wind. No, Democrats must not have Hillary Clinton as a candidate in 2008 because she will unite the splintered Republican Party as nothing else can. Many Republicans who are disgusted with their own party will more than likely sit out the next election unless the candidate is more to their liking than many being named at this time. Far right ideologues will not settle for less than a Bush type candidate and more moderate Republicans simply cannot stomach any more of the big government, big spending, corrupted people who are running their party. About the only thing that could bring all those folks together is another Clinton to hate. Just as many liberals voted for John Kerry even though they were not really happy with him as a candidate out of their loathing for Bush, Republicans would unite in their Clinton hatred. Republicans are giving the Democrats the old head fake. “Oh, we don’t want to run against Hillary. She has raised so much money.” What they are not saying is, “and our people hate the Clintons enough to vote for a Republican they wouldn’t otherwise support. Go ahead, nominate Hillary and unite our fractured party for us. Make our day. Ha, ha, fooled you. Again!” Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Look at How the Bush White House Is Talking 'down' to the Public as if They Were Serfs Just one more example of the bush white house air of arrogance, arrogance where they depict the nation's citizenry as paltry serfs to be looked and talked down to. Our forefathers tore off the yoke of one king george, must we their children have to do the same? Sadly, it's beginning to appear so, that the yoke of king george's oppression must be cast off a second time, using the tools at our disposal -- our Constitution and our Bill of Rights. Don't we owe that to our nation's forefathers, especially since so many of them shed their blood and lives to ensure our nation's future freedoms? And don't we the present owe that to our future posterity? Are not free citizens, whatever their political persuasion, on the same plane, the same as the purported royalty of king george and his court? Free men with rights equal to the king? Verily, we say aye! Where oh where does it say in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, where the citizenry, because of their political beliefs, are to be addressed and treated as if they were serfs to be trodden under the heal of kingly abuse? Where oh where does it say, that the citizenry are denied the right of probable cause? Denied the right to feel secure in their homes? Denied the right to feel secure upon their persons? Where oh where is such said in our nation's founding documents? Our nation's founding documents are documents of liberty and freedom, not documents of serfs bowing to a royal master! Now I'll step down from my soap-box, I've said my citizenry piece. :) See how the 'king' addresses his 'serfs': http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060122.html A BuzzFlash Reader If you are a God-less, evil liberal, as I have been for many years, here is how to shape up and learn some family values from those who are leading the Grand Old Party. Family value number one: lewd sex acts are morally repugnant except when you can financially profit from them. Apparently, the Political Action Committee of Acting House Majority Leader Roy Blunt’s biggest donor was none other than a “world class phone sex operator.” Blunt PAC's biggest donor made fortune from phone sex (Raw Story) Family value number two: sex acts out of wedlock are morally repugnant if you are Bill Clinton or are a Republican who is in Tom DeLay’s way. Mike Scanlon (a partner of Tom DeLay’s buddy, Jack Abramoff) has admitted to extracting details of former Republican Congressman Robert Livingston’s extramarital affair, when the former Congressman was about to take over for Newt Gingrich as Speaker of the House. Livingston was consequently dumped in favor of Tom DeLay’s choice, Dennis Hastert. Family value number three: being an American patriot in 1776 meant fighting an oppressive King to gain a President who would preserve freedom and justice, while being an American patriot in 2006 means to relinquish freedom and justice to an oppressive President who is transforming himself into a King. If you follow these very important family values of the Republican Party, you, too, can be a very dignified and respectable “conservative” member of society who has denounced his evil liberal tendencies. Harris Bierhoff Subject: Wire Tapping Internet Invasion The reason they did not tell the judges and the Congress is because they were tapping the Congressmen and Congresswomen and their families and their staff and the staff families and reading their e-mails. And they are still doing it. Tony Blair has been listening to the Members of Parliament and wants to make that legal, too. Bettie Tripp Subject: The Reason For War What happens if you or anybody talks to the american people about the real reason for war in the middle east? (PETRODOLLAR VS PETROEURO) James L. Dantley Subject: History Repeats on Alito BuzzFlash, The editorial by the RudePundit was absolutely on the mark and very pertinent to the Alito appointment. Filibustering Alito: The Clarence Thomas Factor (the rude pundit) In hindsight Democrats paint themselves as angels, but in foresight they make the same mistakes over and over again. (Of course, Republicans don't pretend to give a s**t either way.) On the Thomas nomination, they had the ammunition to destroy him. On the last day of the hearings (a Sunday), three people who didn't know each other testified that Hill had told them about being harassed by Thomas years earlier. There was no way Hill could have set that up. But Hatch saved the day by generating so much noise on Monday that the truth was buried, the Democrats turned into sheep ... and Cokie Roberts slapped in the face. Please, Democrats, make the correct choice in FORESIGHT this time. Larry, Subject: Congress Go Home! Dear BuzzFlash Readers: Congress might as well go home because they have no power or are a voice of the people. We can't afford them since we are bankrupt with their illegal wars, homeland destruction, and robbery. I cry for my county as I watch Congress give powers away not theirs to do so. It is a sad time for America and its former democracy ruined by lying, corrupt, greedy, fool leaders. We have been betrayed. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Spinning Is Lying Spin is the usual buzzword to cover up the fact that those in power lie to us on a regular basis. The media goes along with this neat little play on words by tut-tut-ting anyone who objects to some politico telling us lies. “Just spin,” they say. Business as usual. Shows exactly which direction their moral compass points. Nope, nothing to see here. Nothing unusual. Dishonesty in all levels of government. The Media being spun like a top by whoever is best at getting their ear. Lies being passed along as just another political tool. Dishonesty as the norm. There have always been dishonest people, and there always will be. The difference is that we used to think it was wrong. Public opinion of congress is low, but then so is public opinion of media. We don’t seem to have much respect for any of the self-serving, dishonest people that inhabit our seats of government or our newspapers and television screens. Walter Cronkite once was considered the most respected man in America. Is there anyone in the media respected enough to claim that title now? Of course a certain segment of the population that has oatmeal between their ears and will believe anything they read or see on television thinks everything is just fine and dandy. That is unless it conflicts with their own preconceived ideas. What is at stake here is our reputation as a country with a people who respect the truth. Spin? Nonsense, that is just parsing words to make it seem that lying is acceptable. Dishonesty is an evil that permeates this country from top to bottom, front to back and inside out. If a lie supports our side we may feel a little uneasy, but will allow it to stand. Thus, we are a part of the problem. Honesty is not always comfortable. Honesty is sometimes unpleasant. Calling someone a liar is considered impolite. Isn’t lying the ultimate lack of manners? When someone lies to us, they are totally disrespecting our right to be told the truth. Lies will not let us “know” anything. We must stop accepting “spin.” We must insist on the truth. We can not know what is happening in our world without the truth. It is in our own best interest as Democrats, Republicans, Independents, or whatever. The truth does not just set us free, it keeps us free.
Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Alito and the Democrats As I've posted here and on other sites for over two years now "the Bush administration could not have run roughshod over America without the enabling acquiescence of the Democrats in the House and Senate." It's been so obvious, but until recently most have been silent to this fact. It seems they are finally waking up to reality. Progressives need strong candidates to challenge the likes of Feinstein, Lieberman and Nelson. Lobbyists and political contributions (bribery) have lumped the Democrats and Republicans together, and they have basically said to hell with the voters. They realize we have no alternative. They are compelled to maintain the "status quo." We are subject to a two-party system today that is similar in their views of what's important in America. They are pro "Corporate America " only. Everything else is secondary or not even on the radar screen at all. A filibuster challenge to Alito is essential to the survival of American Democracy and the future of the Democratic Party. This is our party's one and best chance to show our citizens that they are above the corrupt politics that rule Washington today and will take a stand for America. I also agree with BuzzFlash and the NYT that Harry Reid should step down if he is not willing to foster and lead the challenge to Alito with a filibuster. We must find a backbone somewhere and Reid is in perfect position to show America that Democrats really stand for something other than just going along with the corrupt powers that rule in our nation's capitol today. We should all call Reid's office and let him know where we stand on the Alito issue. The Alito issue and the 2006 election results will determine the fate of the Democrats and the future of America. I've called my Senator's and Reid's office and demanded a filibuster, have you? Lawton Watson Subject: Re: Harry Reid: Lead a Filibuster or Resign as Minority Leader Dear BuzzFlash, Good luck with that plan. Am I the only one that noticed that just enough Democrats ALWAYS abandon ship so that the Republicans get their way? I think the S.O.B.'s are taking turns selling out... and that includes our Minority Leaders in both houses! Russel Schmidt Subject: Re: Harry Reid: Lead a Filibuster or Resign as Minority Leader Dear God, who will save our democracy? I agree completely with the NYT and BuzzFlash editorial. These are depressing and disheartening days. Where are the real patriots in our country? M. O'Brien Subject: Time for a Change Our current Democratic Senators and Representatives seem unable to do their jobs. Horrible things are happening to our democracy. Where are the current office holders? No where to be found. I hope there are many party challengers to them in the upcoming election so we can send a message. I could never vote for the monarchist Republicans, so I hope I have a choice other than the current spineless Democrats. Spike Heels Subject: What Were You Expecting? I only have two questions. They're very quick and concise. Hopefully you can answer them. First, and be honest now, what exactly were you expecting from your democrat senators? Token opposition? Sure, they can do that. Talk is cheap after all and won't cost them campaign contributions from their corporate mast...er, donors. A filibuster? Please! Don't be silly. Your senators need that money for their next campaign and, as is well known, Alito is very, very corporate friendly. Second, don't you ever get tired of getting kicked around? I mean, ever? Your democrat senators do this constantly - and yet you keep voting for these slimeballs year after year after year. ... actually urging other people to vote for them. Sure, you voted for John "I can fight the war better!" Kerry last year - so no doubt you'll line up to vote for Hillary (or whatever lump of war-mongering coal the DLC deposits in your stocking) in '08. I know that. You know that. Certainly Dean and Pelosi and Emanuel and others who dwell in the stratospheric heights of the democrat leadership know that. All I'm asking is, after you've worked so hard to get these morally and ethically bankrupt pigs installed in office, and they turn right around and kick you in the gut over and over again, whether it's passing NAFTA or bankruptcy "reform" or enabling a ruinous war in Iraq, don't you get just a little tired of it? At all? Chris Kirkham Subject: Conclusive Proof I have wondered for a long time now if Bush has a brain. Here is conclusive proof that he does not: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4650452.stm Click on the link, and check out picture number nine if the link doesn't take you to photo number five. Lisa J. [BuzzFlash Note: Photo number changes over time; link is to an image at the Peace Art Project exhibition in Seoul, South Korea.] Subject: One Last Attempt at Reason, an Open Letter to Our Elected Congress and Senate This is one last attempt to open your eyes to reality. I know that nothing We the People said or did has changed the way you have conducted "business" in Washington, D. C. while in OUR employ, but I would like you to look at your present political career in a different light. You are in danger. Political danger, and not from the voters who gave you their trust along with their vote. YOU are in danger of legislating yourself out of work. You are in danger of becoming obsolete in this new autocratic presidency that George W. Bush has created. Even now that you are obsolete, you can still represent a threat to Bush's absolute control of Government. The Judicial Committee interviewing Alito voted 10 to 8 to pass his nomination on to the full Senate. Two votes. Along "party lines," they said. If three Republicans had retrieved their consciences, there would be no Alito nomination. And that is too close for Bush's comfort, especially now that the People who hired all of you are getting restless. You represent a threat to his absolute control. You are making rumblings of possibly, perhaps, maybe, getting around to investigating Bush's illegal activities of wiretapping. Now, there is no danger that this "investigation" will ever produce significant inroads on Bush's claim to autocratic autonomy, but it is annoying and consumes time his "spokespeople" could better use to refurbish the created image for a Prep School Easterner from Connecticut as the "good ol' cowboy" with the fake Texas accent. During the past 5 years, your Advise and Consent power has eroded to simply rubber-stamping everything Bush asks for - from war to Supreme Court Justices. YOU weren't the ones to determine that Bush's nominee, Harriet Miers, was not qualified. That was done by conservative lobbyists. THEY convinced Bush to withdraw her nomination. So, why are you still necessary? Lobbyists fill your position of advising the administration on everything from how to run a war to what to charge for fuel to suitable candidates for the Supreme Court. If Bush could simply dispense with you, the way he dispensed with the Fourth Amendment, he could streamline government and bypass the now necessary nuisance of having to listen to you before he did it HIS way. No more State of the Union Addresses mandated by the Constitution. No Checks and Balances from the Senate and Congress. No campaigning. He can just go straight to the money source. You have lost your place in our Democratic/Republic government. Look at it like a hostile "takeover" of a company. Are you going to fight or are you going to give up? A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Your Great Site Just wanted to compliment you on this site. Its very informative........eye opening, really. You should know that Im a Rush Limbaugh conservative, but I scan your site often, seeking balance and a more complete understanding of the alternative point of view. You should also know I am rarely swayed, but I still appreciate the info. Frank Sutter Subject: Re: This morning's (1/26) "Filibuster or Resign" article Dear Buzzers -- I'm afraid Buzz has OD'd on my frequent emails, since neither of the two I sent yesterday made it to the Mailbag. Or maybe it's just that I keep repeating the same points. Well, I'm sorry, but they NEED repeating. If the Dems are planning to sanctimoniously vote "No" on Alito, with lots of blathering speeches but without a filibuster, they will, in all essence, be siding with the enemy. As the article points out (and I have pointed out), Alito is a shoo-in without a filibuster, and the Dems seem to be wimping out, as usual. I'm beginning to think that THEY, just like this *ssministration, believe that we're too stupid to see through their tactics. Well I (we) have news for them...and it ain't GOOD news. As for Harry Reid, I have a special message for him: Although I don't believe (unlike our Emperor) in torture, if I DID believe in it, I'd send him to Gitmo or have him "extraordinarily rendered" to some Uzbekistan or some other country that DOES agree with our Emperor to find out which eight Democratic (misnomer here) Senators oppose the filibuster. I wish we could send a petition to the Dem Senators stating that "I intend to initiate and/or support a filibuster on the Alito nomination." If eight signatures were missing from the signed petition, we're smart enough to figure out which Senators should be targeted for defeat the next time they run. Barbara Lee (Barb) Blazyk Subject: Fresh Air Thank you for keeping my head straight. I have donated many times and will continue to. After the World Trade Center attacks I stopped all forms of media coming into my home. NYT? get it away from me!! Boston Globe? LIARS! Network TV news? Yeah, right. I wasn't completely Ostrich-Head-In-The-Sand but pretty nearly. I stayed tuned to NPR during the Anthrax Autumn. I was rigid with fear that Chimpy's WAR was exactly what Al Qaeda expected and he was giving them everything they wanted. Nobody was telling the truth about anything and I knew it. I could taste it. I remember saying to my sister on 9/11, I was SICK that such an imbecile was in office at this moment. She said she thought there was much much more to it and she wouldn't be surprised if they knew more than they were telling. One day I picked up a copy of STUPID WHITE MEN at the Airport to read on the plane and later, because I liked it, I looked up MICHAEL MOORE's website and he had a link to YOU. And I was hooked immediately. I have turned so many people onto Buzzflash I've lost count. You've done so much, I can't begin to tell you - instead I'll just keep putting money where my mouth is and help you continue your incredible service to mankind. Peace! Robert Hannan CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE JANUARY 26, 2006 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG
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