February 3, 2006

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: Fueling the Rhetoric

The sight of Democrats shooting themselves in the foot is a common sight. The sight and sound of Democrats attacking each other and their party is also a common sight. In all honesty there is a lot to complain about.

The Democratic Party and the DLC often fail their constituency. Democrats and Independents who usually vote with them have the right to complain. What is getting to be more than a little disquieting is the fact the Republican talking points are all too often repeated by Democrats. I guess that’s from the “let’s hit ourselves over the head just like they do to show we are tough on our party plan.”

Progressives need to be tough on our elected representatives. We need to let them know when we are displeased. As in not going to vote for you ever again you schmuck displeased.

What we do not need to do is help the Republicans kick our party around. The Republicans constantly say that the Democrats have no ideas. Of course Democrats have ideas. What they haven’t done is gotten all the ideas together and made a comprehensive platform for the party. Time to do that folks.

It might be helpful to point out that while the Republicans have a lot of ideas, they don’t have a lot of “good” ideas. Common sense should tell us that having ideas is not quite enough. Maybe we should insist on good ideas. Leading us into chaos might not have been one of their better ideas.

When a Democrat says something you like, stand up and cheer. When a Democrat takes a courageous stand, let them know you appreciate their courage. If they are really listening they might come out of hiding and dare to speak. If we offer some positive reinforcement, we might find ourselves with a little leadership. Right now it would seem that any prominent Democrat that says anything is playing whack a mole. When the right gets tired of slapping them around, the left takes over.

This behavior must fill the Republicans with joy. They can take time to wash some of the corruption from their party because Democrats are doing their Democrat bashing for them. I know most liberals are nice, helpful folks, but in this case it might be that we have carried it just a tad too far.

Marjorie L. Swanson
Kenosha, WI

Subject: Abramoff, Enron, and Giving Equally

Dear BuzzFlash,

It just hit me why the "Abramoff gave money to Dems" lie seems so familiar. The same story was used with Ken Lay's giving to Bush. The Republicans spun that to death, ignoring that Ken Lay's contributions were the most from one individual Bush ever received, and that Lay's "money to both parties" went about 85% Republican, and the rest Conservative Texas Democrats. That last part never got much coverage.

I guess it's the recent start of the Enron trial, plus a friend telling me about "The Smartest Guys in the Room." But wouldn't this be a good time to dig up that video that was on the web three or four years ago? The one at a party, whether Bush's or Skilling's I don't remember, where Bush is saying "My election as governor would not have been possible without you" to either Skilling, Lay, or Enron. I seem to have lost the link. Might you still have it?

Jim P.

[BuzzFlash Note: We don't have the video, but here's a site about his campaign contributions: http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo... And as Greg Palast wrote in 2004: "Ken Lay and his Enron team are the Number One political career donors to George W. Bush. Mr. Lay and his Mrs., with no money to pay back bilked creditors, still managed to personally put up $100,000 for George's inaugural Ball plus $793,110 for personal donations to Republicans. Lay's Enron team dropped $4.2 million into the party that let Enron party." We also found these archived personal notes between Lay and Bush interesting: http://www.thesmokinggun...]

Subject: Dancing with Dick Cheney

I’ve noticed lately that bloggers and political commentators tend to wrestle with the question of whether Bush is an unwitting accomplice or a mastermind play-acting a fool. All seem to err in the “Stupid Bush” camp, but more to keep an arm's length from conspiracy theory than to give honest appraisal of what is known. An incredibly disturbing fact can be divined from the way the war on terrorism is being handled.

If Bush, sitting in his sandbox fantasyland, truly felt freedom could march over terrorism and end all radical tyranny, then he would be able to at least realize his plans aren’t working. After seeing what an incredible failure one of his biggest legacies has become, he would no doubt seek resolve. He would seek a new solution.

Some might argue that this would involve swallowing his pride in front of the nation, but we already know the media would throw up a blanket and shield him from any criticism.

He could have a sit-down with advisors and military experts and determine a new course of action. With the help of Fox News beating a drum to keep all other outlets in line, they could have 49% of Americans believing this new plan has been the plan all along by the weekend. By next week they could declare it unpatriotic to think of or even acknowledge that there was an old plan.

So I think it’s time we stop giving any benefit of any doubt to Bush. His actions speak louder than his awkward fake drawl. He knows having Bin Laden on the loose gives him a boogeyman on a stick to shake in the faces of middle America any time he needs to rape them of civil rights or stuff his hands in their pockets to feed his machine. I think everyone needs to own up to the fact that our President didn’t fall ass backwards into this treachery – he is a willing partner ...

Adam Sharer
Mifflinburg, PA

Subject: We can't make this s--t up

Dear Friends:

After Tom DeLay was forced out as House Majority Leader, three candidates emerged to replace him. They were Roy Blunt (Missouri), John Boehner (Ohio), and John Shadegg (Arizona). They held the vote today. Blunt had the most votes. But the ballot was disqualified because MORE VOTES WERE CAST THAN ELIGIBLE VOTERS! This is not a joke, folks. They held a second ballot. Guess who won? Boehner, FROM OHIO! Could Moliere have written a better play than this? Thought you'd all find it amusing.

House Majority Leader Vote Today: "The first count showed more votes cast than Republicans present at the Conference meeting." How appropriate. 2/3

Love and kisses,

Bob Mills (conspiracy theorist)

Subject: Rose Colored Glasses?

I drive all over the city for a living. Recently my hours changed and traffic reports have become important. Unfortunately, the best traffic reports come from local AM talk radio. Rabid, Right Wing, talk radio. I am amazed. The last time I listened to the local wingnut hosts was several years ago and as you can imagine, Democrats are "evil," "vile," "have NEVER done anything to benefit society, only "pull it down."

Since listening the last couple of weeks, I'm amazed. Not only the occasional "slightly left of Limbaughreillyrove" callers have been criticizing "Our Glorious Leader," but so have the Limbaugh wanna be hosts. They don't criticize the real problems (Iraq, the religious takeover, warrantless spying, etc.), they criticize King George's response to the deficits, those evil illegal aliens (well, when they talk about it, it SEEMS more racially based than anything else).

Is there hope? Am I just projecting? Has anyone else noticed this?

Quick note to Deborah Owen: Your Smirking "school yard" bully ... and smile my good boy smile at the teacher" comment hit home. The image that came to mind--Eddie Haskell!!!

John USAF, Ret
Las Vegas, NV

Subject: Off the Scale

The anger and disgust of BuzzFlash Readers since Alito was confirmed. Hot, hot, hot and rightly so. Seems when we rev-up to take another loss, hope builds up in us ("maybe this time, just maybe") and, then, the inevitable let-down. Same thing happens with peace marches. Then, there follows a refractory period, during which we recharge our "batteries" and ready ourselves for the next great exercise in futility. How to get out of this rut? We the people change the world, that's how. It's called learning from one's mistakes.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: RICO?

While I may still vote for the occasional local Republican, I think it's about time to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the national Republican Party under the RICO act.

Bob
Berwyn, IL

Subject: Re: John Boehner Is Bad for America ...

And Tom DeLay was ??? Fact is, there are NO republicans that are good for America and damn few Democrats.

Chris Maukonen
Orlando, Florida

Subject: Debs

It is extremely dangerous to exercise the constitutional right of free speech in a country fighting to make democracy safe in the world. ...

These are the gentry who are today wrapped up in the American flag, who shout their claim from the housetops that they are the only patriots, and who have their magnifying glasses in hand, scanning the country for evidence of disloyalty, eager to apply the brand of treason to the men who dare to even whisper their opposition to Junker rule in the United Sates. No wonder Sam Johnson declared that "patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." He must have had this Wall Street gentry in mind, or at least their prototypes, for in every age it has been the tyrant, the oppressor and the exploiter who has wrapped himself in the cloak of patriotism, or religion, or both to deceive and overawe the people. ...

Every solitary one of these aristocratic conspirators and would-be murderers claims to be an arch-patriot; every one of them insists that the war is being waged to make the world safe for democracy. What humbug! What rot! What false pretense! These autocrats, these tyrants, these red-handed robbers and murderers, the "patriots," while the men who have the courage to stand face to face with them, speak the truth, and fight for their exploited victims-they are the disloyalists and traitors. If this be true, I want to take my place side by side with the traitors in this fight. -- Eugene V. Debs - The Canton, Ohio, Anti-War Speech. June 16, 1918

Frank K.

Subject: Terri Schiavo (distant memory until now)

Watching Keith [Olbermann]'s "longer than usual" segment on the husband of Terri Schiavo, Michael, I noticed Keith's last statement was: Until last year, Michael was (pause) a republican.

Made me think, you might want to consider offering his book as a premium. It will come out in late March. Boy, Keith's feature on this would make a GREAT DVD. Keith said something I had never heard before. That Bush flew back to D.C. to sign the Terri Schiavo bill, which "he did at 2 a.m. outside his bedroom door." He also featured Tom DeLay, Catholic Jeb Bush, Bill Frist, etc. [and] the frenzy which they started, which TOTALLY dominated all other news, often for the entire day on the cable news. Sure wish Michael Moore, or "The Progressive Coalition" would produce a DVD montage of all this, since 87% of Americans polled totally disagreed with the antics of the republican/neocon actions in their "family values" hysteria. Show it for what their "family values" really means: intrusion, changing the laws against families, and total control of everything, everywhere, no matter what.

Betsy

Subject: Impeachment

If the United States House of Representatives, regardless of the party in power, does not impeach the President and Vice President, and the Senate, regardless of the party in power, does not convict the President and Vice President, the form of constitutional government in place for over 220 years will no longer exist. The current President and Vice President are involved in high crimes, misdemeanors and treason. They refuse to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States of America. They are using the Executive Branch of government against the citizens of the United States that will, if it is not already occurring, stifle political speech, make a man unsafe in his own home, and not guarantee the rights afforded by the Constitution and its amendments. The Congress is the last best hope for saving the republic. If it is not recognized soon, our way of life will forever be lost. Free elections are probably already a thing of the past.

Ronald D. Wilkinson
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Subject: The End of the Internet

Oh no you don't, powers that be! But even if you do take over the Internet, that won't stop us (we the people) from doing our thing and changing the world. There's no denying, though, that with the Internet this is going to be a hell of a lot easier for us to pull off than it'll be without it. And we'll get there much quicker, which will be crucial (what with the war in Iraq, global warming and such) to our (humankind's) making it into the next century. So seeing that we're at one of these everything to gain and nothing to lose historical moments, wouldn't it be best for us to begin changing the world while the Internet is still available to us? Right now, that is.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Letter to "Daily Show's" Jon Stewart Re: Hugo Chavez

I have not been able to locate an Email or snail mail address for Mr. Stewart or The Daily Show; can someone help me out so I can send this thing?

Dear Mr. Stewart,

I am a long-time fan of “The Daily Show”, and of yours - my kids got me your book the other X-mas, and I caught your live show last year in Indianapolis. However, some of your comedy of late has been falling flat for me. Jokes need to have their facts straight to be funny, and lately you have been launching some scurrilous attacks on Hugo Chavez of Venezuela that have caused me to turn the channel. I firmly believe that our government is softening up the American herd for an oil/natural gas war in South America, and much of the press we see regarding Venezuela and its leader I feel are illegitimate propaganda attacks on a small, poor nation that is trying to wrestle its way out of century-old American corporatist rule.

I am aware that there is a law on Venezuela’s books from the 1930's that prescribes four-year jail terms for dissident journalists (this was the “joke” that made me turn you off the other night), and I’ve heard that the Chavez government has threatened the implementation of this law. If true (and who knows; with the media we’ve got today) this would be unfortunate and should be strongly opposed. But remember, Chavez has survived a military coup in 2002 and subsequently a sham “popular” recall effort - both funded demonstrably and with profusion by American oil companies and the American government itself (check it out). This is the kind of irresistible economic pressure that either destroys indigenous governments of small countries - installing superpower puppets - or turns them into repressive regimes in pure self-defense. Such is the United States’ policy toward Venezuela.

Significantly, no newspapers or other media outlets were shut down by the Venezuelan government during either the coup or the recall election, and I challenge you to provide one explicit example of political oppression perpetrated by Chavez’s government. All such criticisms that I have seen in the press have been embarrassingly vague, lacking any content but inflammatory adjectives.

I am also aware that Chavez has been smeared as an “anti-semite” by the American right-wing for recent statements regarding “the decedents of the people who killed Christ.” Once again, please look into this more deeply - find the whole quote. In this speech he was clearly taking the progressive, populist “Woody Guthrie” line here that it is the entrenched wealthy rulers of countries and their pet clerical bureaucrats that crucify reformers (he equated in the next sentence these same people with “those who drove Simon Bolivar from Venezuela” - not a lot of Jews in that crowd of catholic cavaliers, I don’t think).

In short; keep laughing at his rotund figure, his jerky gesturing, etc. But please be sure if you get more serious regarding policy that you are not playing an unwitting role in our next “march to war” on a small resource-rich/cash-poor nation. Thanks.

Ken Duerksen
Oxford, Ohio

[BuzzFlash Note: We don't have Jon Stewart's contact information, either.]

Subject: True Majority

Are you aware that TRUE MAJORITY immediately after the Alito vote on Tuesday asked us to send a thank you to all the 25 who voted for cloture--and then added a request to send a thank you to each of the 42 who voted no on Alito on Tuesday? This results in a thank you to the 15 of the 19 Vichy Democrats who thought we are such fools as to think their "no" on Tuesday was anything but an insult to our intelligence.

I see you have support for TRUE MAJORITY in today's BUZZFLASH. Have to be careful who you trust these days! Can we still trust you?

Edith Conrad
Asheville, NC

[BuzzFlash Note: Interesting. (We'll try to overlook that last remark.) If you regularly read BuzzFlash, you know we aren't congratulating those who voted against Alito but failed to support the filibuster - see, for starters, Lincoln Chafee -- Faux "Moderate Republican" (There Ain't No Such Thing in the Senate Anymore, Just Poseurs) -- More Than Merits Being Named "BuzzFlash GOP Hypocrite of the Week." Did We Tell You That His Brain is Made of Swiss Cheese Too? Today we link to True Majority because we agree with them on global warming. Don't you?]

Subject: Can't Find Anyone To Run

Edwards/Sanders 2008

They are both gold. No one can come close to them not even Kerry or Dean. And it is not just my opinion but many others. It is just that I am the one to speak up. These are not your beltway boys. For 20 years since Carter it has been a nightmare; we believe these two men will bring the peaceful gentle time back to America.

Edwards has had more experience than bush and Carter did with their one term as governors when they became president. And more experience than Nixon with his five years as congressman when he became president. And Edwards did try to talk Kerry out of conceding and did go against Kerry about NAFTA in the primaries. He was a trial lawyer for children, not murderers or thieves and, like our mayor, who is lawyer, will fight for us, not just a great speaker but mesmerizing when you hear him speak in person. TV does not do him justice. Family man. Against NAFTA, like the people and the unions, and both his father and him, textile workers and union members. And not the beltway boys.

Sanders is Independent but far better than McCain who Kerry wanted for vp. He has been Rep for Vermont since 1991 and when Independent Senator Jeffords retires in 2006 he will be the Senator from Vermont. The Democrats are backing him for Senate race because he votes Democratic which is more than I can say for the demorats. And because Democrats know they'll never win against him in the Senate race in Vermont, since the people of Vermont love him. I know from my brother-in-law who has lived in Vermont for a long time that Sanders is for the people, fights for the people and his signature is the elderly. Most people in Vermont seem to be Independents because so is my brother-in-law and his son. They were both for Dean, but it is Edwards/Sanders my brother-in-law and son want for 2008, as does my nephew from Iowa. Check out Sanders' website. Not a beltway boy.

We will vote for Dean and Kerry though. But never will we vote for Gore, Hillary. Or Bayh and Biden who voted for bankruptcy bill. Yes, know voted against Alito, but if cheat on you once, should never trust them again. And they hurt Americans by taking away the bankruptcy, their only option the way things are today.

Please, consider Edwards/Sanders for they are the best you have, no one is better than these two men. No one better than them to stop this 20 year nightmare since Carter.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Democratic Opposition

I find it interesting that only now BuzzFlash is stating how ineffectual the Democratic leadership is in being an opposition party. I wrote to BuzzFlash before the 2004 election and told you that the Democrats will not lead, they will not oppose, and they will not fight for your (and my) interests. I was ignored. You still thought Kerry et al. actually stood for something. Well, who was right?

Now are you smelling the coffee? Nader did not lose Gore the election: Gore lost Gore the election. Actually, Gore won the election, but he conceded because he is a Democrat and does not fight and does not stand up for anything. Just like Kerry won the 2004 election.

I am sure you will support the Democratic Party in the 2008 election, and I am sure they will let you down again.

Jason
Kansas

Subject: Modest Proposal for Gaining More Civility in Congress (or else!)

In light of President Bush's call, in his State of the Union address, for a more "civil tone," and "a spirit of goodwill and respect for one another," I propose a modest beginning for the Republicans in that direction.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am really sick and tired of hearing Republicans consistently refer to the Democratic Party as the "Democrat" Party, describe Democratic proposals as "Democrat" proposals, and substitute "Democrat members" for Democratic members.

If the Republicans are really serious about regaining even a modicum of civility in Congress, they could begin by stopping the misuse and abuse of the name of the Democratic Party?

And it really irritates me that I never hear members of the Democratic Party object to the continued, purposeful and disrespectful use of the name of the party. At the very least, Democratic members of the House and Senate ought to politely interrupt their Republican colleagues and gently point out that it's not the Democrat Party, but the Democratic Party. They certainly ought not to surrender to the Republican disrespect.

Either the Republicans respond positively to this request or the Democrats should start saying things like:

"The Republic Party is misguided."

"The Republic budget proposals are spendthrift."

"Republic members of Congress are tools of corporate interests."

Stephen McArthur
Montpelier, Vermont

[BuzzFlash Note: Thom Hartmann recently reminded us that the "Democrat" Party thing was a GOP strategy cooked up in the Gingrich days, because "Democratic" polls more favorably.]

Subject: Government Website

I'm concerned about BuzzFlash linking to official government websites. I understand that they have been caught inserting tracking cookies into the computers of those who visit the sites. The government already knows too much about us -- let's not assist them by allowing them to track what we visit on the internet.

Thanks,

Sue
Vero Beach FL/Hendersonville NC

[BuzzFlash Note: The reality is very many web sites track your journey on and through their site, as well as where you were before you got there and where you went when you left. Most sites use the information in aggregate to understand trends. It's possible that some use it for more nefarious reasons. There are a number of sites that disguise your IP address while you surf the web. One program that does it is called "Anonymizer." We've never used it, but we read that it works. [http://anonymizer.com/] Here's an article on anonymous IP surfing with some links to sites that offer it:
http://www.livinginternet.com/i/is_anon_sites.htm Hope that helps.]

Subject: Evan Bayh Welcomes Rove's Tactics

http://bayh.senate.gov/releases/2006/02/02FEB06PR3.htm

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Re: Friday's Top Five BuzzFlash Headlines

Talk is all good, but the more important issue is the tainted voting machines. And how about the laws Ohio passed just the other day driven by the Republicans on voting issues? Where is the outcry?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: The Power of Fear

Will Americans once again cower under their beds as Bush and Karl Rove set out to scare them? Were it not so terrible it would be hilarious that a large percentage of the American population thinks that this incompetent bunch of nincompoops can protect them.

If you insist on being frightened all the time there are far scarier things to worry about than terrorists.

We are all concerned about getting health care to everyone in this country and yet Doctors are the 3rd leading cause of death in the US, causing 225,000 deaths every year. http://www.mercola.com/2000/jul/30/doctors_death.htm

Worldwide each year, 1.9 million people die due to physical inactivity; 2.7 million people die as a result of low fruit and vegetable consumption; 2.6 million people die as a result of being overweight or obese; 7.1 million people die as a result of raised blood pressure; and 4.4 million people die as a result of raised total cholesterol levels. http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/twninfohealth011.htm

625 people died in terrorist attacks in 2003 the last year I was able to find statistics for the total. Maybe because the administration doesn’t want us to realize that the thing we fear the most is not the most fearsome thing to fear. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60660-2004Jun22.html

Of all the things we have to fear, terrorism is way down on the list. Yet enormous amounts of our nation's wealth, its time and its attention are focused on the “war on terror.”

Nixon's "War on Drugs" began in 1971 and continues to this day. Have we won yet? The number of drug deaths in the US in a typical year is as follows:

·Tobacco kills about 390,000.

·Alcohol kills about 80,000.

·Sidestream smoke from tobacco kills about 50,000.

·Cocaine kills about 2,200.

·Heroin kills about 2,000.

·Aspirin kills about 2,000.

·Marijuana kills 0. There has never been a recorded death due to marijuana at any time in US history.

·All illegal drugs combined kill about 4,500 people per year, or about one percent of the number killed by alcohol and tobacco. Tobacco kills more people each year than all of the people killed by all of the illegal drugs in the last century. http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/basicfax.htm

Don't we need a little perspective?

Marjorie L. Swanson
Kenosha, WI

Subject: Trust Bush?

Recently President Bush gave his State of the Union speech. I would assume that much discussion and planning goes into this speech, as it is the most important chance a president has to speak to the American people. One of the highlights of Bush's address to the nation was a vow to reduce America's dependence on Middle East oil by cutting imports from there 75% by 2005.

According to Knight-Ridder News, the next day Bush's energy director and national economic adviser came out and said "the president didn't mean it literally." I truly don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Dissent is the highest form of patriotism. -- Thomas Jefferson

Daniel Patrick Schamle

Subject: For Those Who Wonder How the Nazis Did What They Did

I am so sick of people getting bent out of shape whenever the Busheviks are compared to Nazi Germany. Their objection is often that such a comparison does not do honor to those who suffered and were murdered by the Nazis. In other words "how dare you think that THIS compares to that."

Can we stop doing that, please, and realize that 12 million people do not need to be murdered in order for such a comparison to be valid? There was a lead up to the concentration camps of the Third Reich - it did not happen overnight. There were signs - a police state slowly took over. Civil liberties were whittled away in broad daylight. That is happening now.

For God's sake, the mother of a slain soldier was roughed up and thrown out of the Capitol for a tee shirt that simply stated the number of dead American military. That's all it said - it stated a FACT, and she was thrown out.

Ready to wake up yet? This IS Nazi Germany - maybe not 1944, but definitely 1934, and we have the lessons of that horrible chapter in history to ensure we put a stop to this now.

Christy Tramdaks
Springfield, PA

Subject: The New Majority Leader

Here comes another Republican sleight of hand trick, so the new majority leader is Boehner instead of Blunt, just what does that prove? When you have a gang of liars, thieves and pirates banding together to rape and pillage, running amok, what difference does it make who the leader is? They’re ALL guilty as sin!

Cary
Cedar Park, TX

Subject: Jon Stewart on Chavez

During The Daily Show item, "Whites Collared," it states that you get a 4 year prison term for criticizing Chavez in the press ... another lie, or is there substance to this?

P. Hertel
CANADA

Subject: Bush and After Effects of 9/11: Fear Mongering

Whistle blowers are saying (CNN)that bush, over objections, told the EPA to issue a statement saying that the air and debris surrounding the collapse of the Twin Towers was safe for workers to proceed with clean up. If proven, this alone should get him impeached if not run out of office.

Will Bush's evil reaches ever know any bounds? What is wrong with this so-called born again christian?

9/11, terrorism, Al Qaeda, Iran are the words bush will use to help re-elect the GOP congress this November. Same old story but it's worked so well in the last two elections. Bush simply believes Americans are cowards, and fear mongering will keep the republicans in control in the house and senate.

Now that the republicans' strategy is clear, it would seem an easy task to counter by the democrats. Simply develop a clear plan to protect America and pound on it until the message is loud and clear. This should be priority with everything else secondary. The GOP has been successful using this scheme, so why not?

Lawton Watson
Springdale, Ark.

Subject: Time for Conservatives To Decide What They Really Believe

I wasn’t sure exactly how to write about this... I think the best way to start is with the facts...

NEW BEDFORD, Mass.02/03/06 - A young man dressed all in black went on a rampage at a gay bar with a hatchet and a gun Thursday, wounding three patrons in what police said appeared to be a hate crime. One victim was in critical condition.

Police searched for 18-year-old Jacob D. Robida, who was wanted on charges of attempted murder, assault and civil-rights violations.

According to court papers, Robida's mother told police that he briefly stopped by the house less than an hour after the brawl and was bleeding from the head. In Robida's bedroom, officers found Nazi regalia and anti-Semitic writings on the wall. 

As I sit and write this, my thoughts are turning to people I know who continue to make excuses for the Anti Gay rhetoric of the GOP.

As a collective entity, the Republican Party has spent massive amounts of time and energy and money demonizing  LGBT Americans. Saying from both the podium and the pulpit that Gay and Lesbian Americans are a "threat" who are "attacking" families and children. Calling for their followers to "fight" some phantom "gay agenda," and to "defend traditional values."

George Bush and his conservative surrogates like to paint a simplistic picture of the world where you are either in favor of "freedom" or you are supporting the "terrorist killers." Likewise, the GOP has said loud and clear from the podium of their last four national conventions that if you believe that all American citizens deserve equal rights then you are "anti family."

The same people who criticize public dissent of the Bush Administration as "Motivating terrorists to attack us" continue to verbally attack LGBT people and will dismiss the hate crimes that follow as the "lone acts of disturbed individuals." The hypocrisy exhibited on the right is beyond belief.

Conservatives will say with great indignation, that I can't possibly blame them for the actions of one individual. Yet to think that the flood of anti-gay rhetoric coming from people in power, people in authority (both political and religious), has no effect, means you are either willfully blind, or deliberately dishonest.

Do I blame Karl Rove, Rick Santorum, James Dobson and their like for the actions of Jacob Robida in New Bedford, MA? No, conservatives cannot be blamed for his actions, but their rhetoric IS partly responsible for his motivation.

In Germany in the 1930's, Hitler and his National Socialist Party ranted against the "Jewish threat," and mobs of young men then took to the streets of Berlin, smashed windows, burned stores and homes and beat up men and women. THIS IS NO DIFFERENT.

To my conservative friends (and yes I do mean friends) who continue to excuse the anti gay HATE spewed by conservatives and the Republican party, you either really do hate LGBT Americans, or you are deliberately lying to yourself and others.

This is no longer about Right or Left, it's about right and wrong. This isn’t about are you for tax cuts or gun ownership, it's about do you agree with people who believe that one group of Americans are lesser human beings than others.

This debate is no longer about public policy. This is about whether it is ok for our government to vilify an entire group of people for political gain, and then not be held accountable for the consequences of that vilification.

Just like President Bush likes to ask - "Whose side are you on?" It's time to decide.

David
San Francisco, CA

Subject: Democratic Party Treason

There needs to be something done to get the Senators that didn’t support the filibuster against Alito out of office. These Senators listed below split with the Democratic majority and the leaders of the Democratic Party and sided with the conservative right, and that’s DEMOCRATIC TREASON.

If there ever was a time that the Democratic Party needed to stand up united and stand firm on an issue, this was it, and we would have prevailed. The Republicans are weak [although it seems now that they're stronger than the democrats] and if they dared to eliminate the right to filibuster, it would have been another major mistake that could be exploited in 2006 elections. What are the scared-to-lose-the-right-to-filibuster Democrats waiting for? If there was ever an issue to lose the filibuster over, this was it.

Now the democratic senators have single handedly let the Supreme Court be an ultra conservative court.

THE BELOW SENATORS DO NOT BELONG IN CONGRESS and we need a campaign to get them out.

Senators that didn’t vote for filibuster of Alito: Akaka, Hawaii; Baucus, Mont.; Bingaman, N.M.; Byrd, W.Va.; Cantwell, Wash.; Carper, Del.; Conrad, N.D.; Dorgan, N.D.; Inouye, Hawaii; Johnson, S.D.; Kohl, Wis.; Landrieu, La.; Lieberman, Conn.; Lincoln, Ark.; Nelson, Fla.; Nelson, Neb.; Pryor, Ark.; Rockefeller, W.Va.; Salazar, Colo.; Harkin, Iowa (Didn’t vote but needs to be included)

Richard Cristdahl
Grass Valley, CA

Subject: I Can Picture Boehner Selling Popcorn at a Baseball Game

Hi BuzzFlash,

I just read this "Public Integrity" article about Boehner and Tobacco Money on The House Floor.

New GOP House Leader Has Many Old Ties to K Street (publicintegrity.org)

Boehner must have thought he was selling bags of popcorn at a Baseball Game.

Problem is, Boehner was On The Floor of The House of Representatives, acting like a PROSTITUTE for BIG TOBACCO.

I can hear the conversation on The House Floor now.

Boehner would be yelling "Get Your Tobacco Money Here, $10,000 Bucks" ... "Get Your Tobacco Money Here, $10,000 Bucks."

"Over Here" yells a Bought Off Member of Congress!

"Great!" yells Boehner. "How Much Can I Buy You Out For?"

"$100,000," says the Bought Out Representative.

"That Much, Huh? You've Got It," says Boehner. "Just remember that The Tobacco Bill is Coming Up For A Vote and You Know Which Way To Vote - - OR ELSE!!"

Then Boehner gets back to Selling Out America, with the Next Member on The Floor of The House Chamber.

"Get Your Tobacco Money, Here, $10,000 Bucks" ... "Get Your Tobacco Money, Here, $10,000 Bucks."

Yes-sir-ree, Big Business Republicans. You "really cleaned-up" your POLITICAL BUYOUT Scandal with your choice for the New Majority Leader!!

Oh, one last question for Boehner and Hastert: Who Stuffed the Ballot Box with More Votes than there are House Republicans on the first vote? Just curious.

Tom Wieliczka
Windsor Locks, CT

Subject: White House "Apology" to Cindy Sheehan

Time to file a wrongful imprisonment, police harassment, political profiling, and First Amendment suit against the Capitol police, and name names. And then demand that the Congressional representatives who gave an invitation to Cindy raise this on the floor and in the national press - and do so on a daily basis until the sniveling media report the event correctly. They got Al Capone on mail fraud. I suppose we have to get the closet fascists on some such.

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