February 10, 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.

BuzzFlash Note: Your Mailbag editor is taking a short trip. Look for your next Mailbag on Tuesday.

Subject: Bush's Budget

Dear BuzzFlash:

How can anybody have any doubts about whether or not Bush and his Republican sycophants truly hate the people who put them in office when we learn of some of the details of his budget plan for 2007? Of course, billions more for the war are needed, and once again, massive tax breaks for the wealthy.

It reminds me of the scene in "Fahrenheit 911" where Bush, at a super expensive fund raiser quips, and I paraphrase, "This is my kind of crowd - the haves and the have mores!" Probably the only honest thing we ever heard him say.

Meanwhile, under the guise of fiscal responsibility, he is proposing millions in Medicare cuts over the next five years, massive cuts in funding state and local law enforcement agencies' efforts to combat methamphetamine production and use, which is at epidemic proportions in rural America, slashing the education budget (so much for no child left behind) and just about every other domestic program that benefits the little guy he can get his filthy mitts on.

This isn't responsible budget reform - it's hatred and contempt for America at large. Our new Medicare system is a chaotic joke, Bush has successfully stemmed the flow of cheaper Canadian drugs into this country, citing safety as an excuse, is vigorously opposed to universal health care, and anything that would help anybody who isn't as obscenely rich as him and his special interest buddies.

Just come out and say it, George - you're nothing but a mouthpiece for the super-rich. All you want is your war, which you got, your paranoia fix in the form of wiretapping, and huge tax cuts for your slimeball friends who will reward you handsomely when you leave office.

It's hate. Hate for blacks and all minorities. Hate for the middle class. Hate for anybody who requires government assistance, regardless of the severity of the problem. Hate of anybody with a decent living wage, which is why he is doing all he can to ship our jobs overseas. Hate of anybody who doesn't share his faith. Hate of anybody who dares to disagree with him.

I honestly have little confidence that this tyrant will ever be held accountable for his terrorism and abuse of the Constitution. Even if the Democrats miraculously obtained a majority in the House and the Senate, which they won't, most are too cowardly and spineless to fight. It's a dark time for America and the sun won't be rising anytime soon until we revolt.

Scott
Fayetteville, ARK

I know it's tiresome but it was interesting hearing bush lecture people not to use violence as a behavior in response to things that bother them...

what does it mean when somebody bombs a large city and brags about 'shock and awe'??

it shows again that he and his supporters (and thanks to criminals like the NY Times) think the death and destruction they are carrying out every day is not real. To them, when violence is brought on by our armed forces it's like a cartoon - no real human impact.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Well, Which Drugs Do I Avoid?

I'm having this problem. I wrote to the CDC and I may have to start asking every medical professional and every malpractice attorney in the phone book. Somehow they are just not up on the latest laws. I'm having this conflict between S1873, the bioshield bill and the secret law that Bush just attached to some other innocent piece of "normal" legislation. The bioshield bill prohibits people from seeking legal remedies in the event of "adverse" reactions to medications listed on the secret BARDA list. The other secret law was not clear as to which medications or if all medications are on the secret list. Does this mean I have to stop all medications and does it mean if I develop a "reaction" or slip into a coma from something my family is left in the poor house. Hey, I'm just trying to understand this new secret law. Did we just put 5000 malpractice lawyers on the unemployment line or what?

Biodefense and Pandemic Vaccine and Drug Development Act of 2005 (Wikipedia)

Lasthorseman
Middleton, MA

Subject: The South

I think this sequence of Letters to the Editor of the Hattiesburg American is indicative of a growing progressive community in the deep south. First: A Letter on Saturday, Feb. 4. Then there was a critical response to that letter on Tuesday, Feb. 7. Then on Thursday, Feb. 9 there was a great reply (not by the author of the first letter) to that response.

I thought you might be interested in reading this sequence, so I’ve reproduced all three letters here.

Letter published Feb 4, 2006 'Gut instinct' is no way to lead:

The success of Hamas in the Palestinian elections is a direct result of President Bush's policy of unprovoked aggression, and was predictable by anyone with the most meager comprehension of Arabic history and attitudes. Obviously the president is not numbered among them.

Bush's inept management of foreign policy has dumbfounded those who were once our allies and aroused the hatred of almost everybody in the Arab world. He apparently is oblivious to this and has even boasted that he is a "man of action" who doesn't "over-analyze," but makes decisions based on his "gut instincts."

In the muddled jumble that is Bush's mind, the brutal attack on Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein would result in a flowering of democratic, pro-American governments throughout the region, indeed throughout the whole world. Instead, these asinine schemes have resulted in the multiple disasters we now have on our hands: the pending collapse of our economy, the quagmire in Iraq, chaos in Afghanistan, anti-American uprisings in Pakistan, and now a popularly elected terrorist Palestinian government.

Enough already with decision by gut instinct! The rumblings in George Bush's entrails have proven to be a poor substitute for rational analysis in the formulation and implementation of policy.

Robert R. Regl, Hattiesburg

Letter published Feb 7, 2006 Comments won't go unchallenged:

In a letter titled "'Gut instinct' is no way to lead," Mr. Regl opens with the premise that President Bush has provoked Arab enmity, and this translates into "the pending collapse of our economy." Wow, what a leap - a leap based only on ignorance and an absolute, abject hatred for anything espoused by President Bush.

Arab nations didn't like us before 9/11, so what has changed?

Mr. Regl has been permitted unrestrained access to the pages of the Hattiesburg American, but no more will his diabolical schemes go unchallenged. Mr. Regl has, as is provided for in the Constitution, unrestrained access to his opinion, but he is not permitted access to an audience which will not accept his malevolence unchallenged.

I, for one, will now confront every misconceived opinion, every vituperate regurgitation of venom Mr. Regl can espouse.

Enough is enough. And in regard to his nonsensical verbal spewings - such as "rumblings in George Bush's entrails have proven to be a poor substitute for rational analysis." - just what the hell is Mr. Regl proposing for his "rational analysis" of divining "entrails?"

Mr. Regl, you and your ilk do not serve rational discourse!

Donald B. Ramsey, Hattiesburg

Letter published Feb 9, 2006 Bush puts our nation at risk:

Mr. Ramsey ("Comments won't go unchallenged," Feb. 7), what you in your rabid defense of a failed presidency cannot seem to comprehend is that the number of "Arab nations" that didn't like us has changed from a small but vocal minority to an ever-growing majority!

What has changed is that, since the invasion of Afghanistan and the installation of a puppet leader, and the precipitous invasion of Iraq and overthrow of Saddam ostensibly because of his massive stockpile of weapons of mass destruction, the Arab nations of the Middle East see Bush as a tremendous threat to them and their peace, security and prosperity!

You castigate Mr. Regl because he speaks of the impending collapse of the American economy when he was doing nothing more than speaking the truth.

In March Iran will open an oil bourse (and if you don't know what that is, you had better learn - and fast) that will not use West Texas Intermediate as the benchmark; nor will they accept U.S. dollars as the currency of record. The new currency will be the Euro, and that spells nothing but trouble for the U.S. and its economy because, you see, the U.S. dollar is nothing but an IOU - with nothing to back it up.

For decades the central banks of the world have acquired and held vast reserves of U.S. dollars because that was the only currency that could be used to purchase oil from the members of OPEC. When that monopoly is taken away, the dollars' value becomes very fluid and will more than likely drop considerably!

Oh! And don't go looking to the rest of the nations in the world for either help or support when the dollar starts its freefall, because Bush and his "you're either with us or against us!" loudmouth has placed this nation - my nation - in the same position as Custer at the Little Big Horn with respect to the rest of the world!

Francis X. MacFarlane, Hattiesburg

Robert R. Regl
Hattiesburg, MS

SO LET ME SEE HERE, 4 YEARS AGO OSAMA MASTER MINDED THE TWIN TOWERS ATTACK, AND AT THAT SAME TIME SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO KILL SENATORS WITH ANTHRAX AND DID KILL SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE. SO HAS HAS THAT WAR ON TERROR BEEN GOING? GOT THOSE GUYS YET?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Dreamless Adrift the Undertow

You are a retiree and making the most of it. You suffer a serius illness. Alas, you've already used up your Social Security private account. You appeal to the government for assistance. The government's response is, "Sorry, but it's your own damn fault. You just didn't have what it takes to make it in our Ownership Society, so from now on you're on your own."

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: L.A. Plot

Hi BuzzFlash:

Does any one really believe that there was this great plot happening and that the Bush administration's underhanded dealings have prevented it? Kind of smells like dead fish from up here.

White House Briefing: Reporters Wonder About Timing on News of L.A. 'Terror' Attack (Editor & Publisher)

Marie-France Germain
Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Subject: Bush Asks Justice Department To Help Evangelicals

Dear BuzzFlash reader:

70% of Americans don't trust clergy with their tax dollars but Congress doesn't care...or listen.

The Bush administration is actually using our tax dollars and the Justice Department to help an Evangelical Christian university in Colorado fight for state funding. I don't like to trust this religious group who want to dismantle our democracy for a theocracy of their mold. How dare this President give them my tax dollars against my will!

Has any country in the world given more freedom of worship and prosperity to religious groups than America? They do well under democracy, but can't wait to destroy it. The system that made them powerful enough to buy off politicians and judges is democracy.

The private schools are sucking the funding from public schools more everyday. Bush drains money from them and gives it to religious cronies.

"In its brief, the Justice Department maintained that the U. S. Supreme Court has approved indirect funding to religious institutions." AU Feb, Pg. 3, 2006 issue.

What...is "indirect funding"? Without Congressional approval or the public knowledge? This determination is like the corporate power given status as that of a person way back when. It has no legal standing or acceptance under our laws.

Both the state and federal constitutions forbid religious funding of any kind. That's why we have a Separation Clause....spelled out.

Impeach him and fire those lawyers in the "In"justice Department.

A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: Rabbi James Rudin looks at this issue in The Baptizing of America. Watch next week for a BuzzFlash Interview with the author.]

Subject: No More Beating Around the Bush

George Bush was finally exposed to some direct criticism while attending Coretta Scott King's memorial service. For a president, he has a remarkably sheltered life.

We all spend time reading blogs, commenting and writing to Congress. But when was the last time you wrote to George? I've only written to him 3 times in 5 years.

I think it's time to give our President some feedback. Here's his address:

comments@whitehouse.gov

What the heck, here's Dick's, too:

vice_president@whitehouse.gov

Two simple rules: 1. Don't expect any miracles. 2. Be honest, but polite-you don't want to find yourself on some government watch list.

Catherine Goldschlager
Los Angeles, CA

Dear BuzzFlash,

I've so had it with the "progressives" who want magic change without paying any price. Frankly, at the moment I'm running a high fever, and might regret this later, but I've just posted a response on DKos about the AP hit-job on Reid in service of Holy King George. It's full of profanity and anger, but dammit it's true. Still, I won't be surprised if they strip me of membership after this.

I don't expect you to publish this, and I hope you'll forgive me if I'm just dumping junk in your ear, but lord in heaven if we don't change the way mass media functions in this nation we are all dead meat. We've got boycott, license challenges, and eminent domain as weapons. We've got the entire spectrum of American adult citizens against the effects of corporate media. We can expect nothing good as long as the corporations keep monopoly control of media content.

Allow me to quote my article, and I'm hoping you'll let me slide on this one if you find it personally offensive. Thanks. Here's what I told the DKos crowd:

[BuzzFlash is bleeping - but retaining the essence:]

Actually, the ******* left is a bunch of morons or just so happy to ****-off over the injustice of it all. Maybe both. I am so so sick of watching everyone being shocked and outraged and upset again! again! again! again! that the media is acting as a willful accomplice to the people killing the Constitution and people of the United States.

This was established years ago. Mediawhoresonline ring any bells anywhere? Go read the ******* diaries for the last 3 days. Go check all the liberal blogs. What do you see but complaint after complaint after complaint about the corruption of media. The Last 3 Days? Try the last 5 years. When the **** is discussing how to actually change this going to become a priority with you people? Is there nothing to come from this bunch of losers the "progressives" are proving themselves to be than moaning about this ****? Where's a plan? Where's an agenda? You think ******* letters to the editors and boycotts of KFC are going to change anything? Where the **** is the grass-roots challenge to the licensing of this ****. Where the **** is the outreach to the rest of America which also considers media a threat to the Republic and to common values?

It's nowhere. Nowhere. You'll all be ******* surprised when the 2006 elections confound all the polls that showed 70% rejection of Republicans turning into a clean sweep for them, that 80% of America just loves the idea of invading Iran in a month or two, that somehow, someway, the Democrats can't get their message across.

Excuse me. I've been flu'd for the past week and my patience is thin. But I can't believe you people keep being shocked just shocked at the obvious complicity of the media in overthrowing our nation. Get the **** over your joy-of-indignation, your ******* ********* delusions that getting Tweety or someone to apologize about something every few months matters, or that even cataloguing the lies matters.

We are in the end game, fools. Either come up with a way to change media--in the next two or three months--well before the election--or ******* surrender America.

But wait--I know the cost is so high. You might have to give up your FAVORITE ****** SCI-FI SHOW, or even more reruns of The Godfather and/or Sister Act, and America just ain't worth it to you. Here's the ******* consumerist/progressive motto: "Give me Tyranny, Just Keep Me Entertained."

And in your heart, you know it's true.

jim 

Subject: Leslie....2/8/06

I just had to let you all know that I know it was not Carter who made the remark about the WMD, it was the Rev. Lowery. After that, It was Ms. Angelou, then Carter mentioned that civil rights are not ironed out yet..."Just look at the color of the faces in the Gulf Coast after Katrina"....they slam dunked this idiot president...and for the sake of everything holy....I don't think it bothers him...does he think he is above everyone... Including God? What in the world will ever bring any of them down?

I think his Dad and his wife know when he is being insulted....but what is he? There is no one I have met in my life...and it is a little longer than his....that is immune to criticism! That, and all the things they have tied up so neatly....is what scares me, the fear that they may have even hijacked Patrick Fitzgerald. They act like that is no big deal anymore...and with Karl Rove's arrogance...I can't think they have anything. The greatest fear I have...is that they have real evil, plans for the elections...all of them!

Shirley...........St. Louis

PS: Please excuse the dither I have been in....on both the 7th and 8th Mailbags, I came in and out of fever ... some kind of flu.....too many times to even try to make sense ....on paper or anywhere else! I did miss the funeral for the most part...hope I can see it in its entirety sometime, and with the people of color...they at least know what President Clinton did for them and for us. Nothing frightening and unknown about him...no, he is not perfect, but, neither is anyone else!

Subject: In Difference, Hope

In this political atmosphere I have adopted a new outlook and policy of working on those things that I can influence.

I will no longer speak of the damages that are being wrought on this country at the hands of the Republicans and fail to mention those who let it happen. I will no longer speak of the President's latest ideological nomination to the Supreme Court without highlighting how many of those that should are not working on stopping it. From now on I am on a mission to expose the accomplices and capitulators that are in positions to stop these things from happening but sit idly by and do nothing. I long for the day when the truly strong and courageous people of substance and energy can rise to the top and begin to take action.

I realize that most of the time my comments will most likely never extend further than this blog, after all it is an election year and we do have to restore these ball-less wonders to office, but I will not be deterred. The status quo isn't working and I am liberal enough to admit it, announce the problem so that others may know, analyze it and start working on a solution to fix it.

In this instance I already have and this is my conclusion,

I call upon my liberal brethren; those people who value and are willing to fight for human rights, workers rights and civil rights, those whose political philosophy's draw them to the conclusion that those who would seek to uphold the traditions of the present framework are fools for expecting a different result from the same tired actions, people who follow the path of non-violence, appreciate and use our right to free speech, free press and religion, those who walk the path of non-violence and diplomacy at all costs, those who believe that human beings are not a unit of measurement to be analyzed in some cruel economic system, those who believe in the rule of law, that human beings can transcend dogma through rational God giving thought and especially those who welcome and embrace the greatness of the human race in all its different colors, sizes, religions and cultures and who recognize that just merely tolerating another often is not enough to keep tensions from spilling over into violence, that empathy, respect and compassion should be the ultimate goal of every rational human being for the benefit of each other, all other living beings and the planet.

Those of you with this type of courage and spirit know who you are and I respectfully ask that you focus your attentions where you can make the most difference.

The Indy Voice
http://theindependentvoice.tripod.com...
Wake Forest, NC

Subject: When Will We Ever Learn?

Not to spend all of our time and energy reacting to what the powers that be say and do. That's their game plan, they lead, we follow, and we fall for it every time. Makes it look as if we're only against, never for, which isn't true, of course, but appearances do count. Sure, we have to resist their actions, but what sort of world, that's what we need to be talking about, and it's long overdue. Here we are today, blessed with the knowledge and skills that could easily make this wonderful world a match for the greatness of its people. And once we the people start talking about that, there'll soon be no powers that be for us to react to, and good riddance, too. Yes we shall.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: "Misleading" Headlines

Your headline link: L.A. Mayor says he hasn't heard jack about supposed plot to blow up tower. Is Bush lying?" 2/10 (americablog.blogspot.com) is "misleading." Although this link states: "1. Los Angeles Mayor knows nothing about the supposed threat," It is not correct.

The original article which it quotes and links to says no such thing. Read it. Don't just blindly accept the headline. The mayor said "...he was BLINDSIDED BY President Bush's ANNOUNCEMENTS OF NEW DETAILS on a purported 2002 hijacking plot aimed at a downtown skyscraper...I'm amazed that the president would...not inform us of these details through the appropriate channels..." (emph. mine)

He didn't say he hadn't "heard jack" about the plot, itself. Just that duhduh didn't tell the mayor the new details before he announced them on national tv. Duhduh has spoken about this "foiled plot" before. At the very least, the mayor was made aware of it via prior news reports. Shame on you. We should hold ourselves to the same standards we taunt the right-wing media with - The Truth.

A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: Okay, our headline is slightly off. (We'll correct it). Actually, you're not quite right, either. The first half of your above "quote" is what AP said, not a direct quote from LA's mayor. See: L.A. Mayor Blindsided by Bush Announcement. And AmericaBlog's other link, to Bush Details 2002 Plot to Attack L.A. Tower (Washington Post), talks about the October references.]