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| February 24, 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: Libby's Constitutional Rights It takes a lot of nerve for Scooter Libby to state that his constitutional rights are being ignored at this point. Its only a valuable document when it is convenient to their purpose. Just like the Republicans to piss on the constitution one day, then hide behind it the next. Tim Krause Subject: Don’t Worry, Be Happy Don’t worry. Nothing to fear. UAE isn’t going to cause a problem with our national security. What a bunch of racists we are to even think such a thing. And we can all calm down since Karl Rove has crawled out from under his rock to say they will work to achieve our “comfort level”. I know I’m all reassured. After all this is the same administration that has been right about… I’m still thinking. Let’s see Saddam had WMD. Nope it wasn’t that one. Iraqis would welcome us as liberators. Nope it wasn’t that one. No one could have known the levees would be breached in New Orleans. Nope it wasn’t that one. I will be a uniter, not a divider, Mr. Bush said. I think he missed on that one, too. Hey, calm down people. This is all about free trade. The rest of the world will get all annoyed with us if we don’t let them buy our country piece by piece. After all it’s a little hypocritical to object now when they own so much already. I don’t see the UAE as all that evil. I don’t even care what color their skin is. (You know, that nice toasty brown white folks all across America risk skin cancer to achieve every summer?) I just think that it is just plain wrong for so much of what needs to be done in this country being bought, sold and run by other countries. Aren’t we the “can-do” people? Are we a Superpower that is so lacking in competence that we can’t even find an American company to run our ports? I don’t care if it’s an Arab country or a British company. I don’t care. American ports should be protected and run by Americans. If the business interests around the world don’t like that: tough. The well being of the people of this country comes before all other considerations. Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Getting Blues Involved Many progressives/liberals want to be involved in remaking our government. Where do we start? Here is one suggestion. Is it possible for all progressive / liberal blogs and web news sites to band together for the common good and develop an autonomous Blue web site (not operated by or in association with the DNC/DLC/PDA or any candidate) where information can be entered and referred to on organizations, organizing meetings, fundraising events, political rallies, web casts, and other Blue events that are organized and specific to U.S. House districts in each state? Those wanting to volunteer their time for the Blue side would find contact information for district organizations and candidates. This would require a highly moderated web site to block and/or remove dirty trick attacks by our adversaries (The REDS). Those posting to the site would by necessity, be restricted. Moderators would be volunteers and the focal points for all submissions. They would be required to crosscheck the credentials and references of organizations and individuals wishing to post information to the site. Hopefully, there would be more than one moderator in each district as an additional check and balance. This would be a great way for those who are physically restricted to be involved in throwing the Red Coated Bums out of office, as this activity could be done from home computers. Passwords and other means would be required to allow moderators to post and remove information pertinent to their assigned area. No one should have access to the entire site when posting or removing information. If a web site like this already exists, then there is a problem finding that site. I’m on the web constantly reading the entries to many, many blogs and have not seen anything like I’m proposing. On the Progressive Democrats of America website, they have volunteer position for “congressional district point people.” Mike Post [BuzzFlash Note: Readers?] Subject: Hypocrisy bites Bush bad! This excerpt I lifted from Katrina Vanden Heuvel's comment to Huffpost on the port deal with UAE. It strikes to the heart of Bush's shameless greed and his flagrant hypocrisy when it comes to the issue that he's forever yapping about: our security. What a piece of work is our president!
S.R. Subject: Change nothing I know how everything that I thought was shady that the Bush administration pulled, made me feel at the time. First...I subtly kicked things.....then the next time, I kicked a little harder....then I started the mild curse words....and it progressed from there until now....I am slightly maniacal!!! We all know what is going on...they are not fooling us one bit....when I first heard about this and wanted to actually 'DUEL' with the man who calls himself 'President"....and of course, does not care what anyone else believes, I figure the "I just found out" lie is his biggest! These republicans go back home and listen to their constituents rant and rave about it.....but, eventually they go ahead and do what the chimp wants. And, since all the Bushes are in business in UAE....they will retire there....pictures show it is a beautiful place....and none will ever have to listen to this country calling them the names I am gonna call them! And, Buzz....I agree with the Barbaras.....don't change a thing...we have to have something that no one can change....we like it just like it is! Shirley................St. Louis Subject: Bush/UAE I am not wondering so much as to WHO Bush is paying....but for WHAT favors he is paying..... A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Bush the Mad Man The president summed up his incompetence perfectly today. While defending the U. A. E. port fiasco, he said “This deal wouldn’t go through, if we were worried about the security of the United States of America”…. Well apparently he isn’t too worried about the security of the United States of America! He’s still pushing the deal through! When are the people of the United States going to demand the impeachment of this Mad Man? Edward Coombs Subject: What Are the GOP Up to Now? Dear BuzzFlash; I read your Mailbag for February 23, 2006. And I found many of the ideas interesting. It is likely the Carlyle Group is involved, and somehow 'global free-trade' will be bandied about by the GOP as some 'freedom' god told Dubya to bring to the peoples, blah, blah, blah... But what got me thinking was: what is Karen Hughes' involvement in this? Paul Wolfowitz's? John Bolton's? Haven't heard anything from these operatives in quite some time...it wouldn't surprise me if Hughes is in the Middle East 'educating' everyone about how bad Democrats are and how it is only the GOP who have their best interests in mind...and who knows what Wolfowitz and Bolton are up to either? A BuzzFlash Reader [BuzzFlash Note: Hughes recently defended Gitmo in the Middle East and Europe; Bolton [get your sick sack ready] was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on Iran's alleged nuclear ambitions; Wolfowitz, president of the World Bank, is fighting "corruption" by suspending loans and blocking debt forgiveness in third-world countries.] Subject: Re: The Dubai Ports Deal? Letter By Matthew Habben Hey, Buzzers, In Matthew's letter he writes "... the majority of our gasoline comes from the Saudis!" Just to clear something up, the majority of the oil (which is turned to gasoline) sold to the US is from Canada. As much as Saudi Arabia and Iraq combined. I guess this means you'll be invading us pretty soon. Whoops! Maybe I've said too much. I sure hope the NSA didn't catch that...Did I write that or think that?...uh-oh. Gotta go! http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/data... Joel Brown Subject: Bend Over, Here It Comes First a caveat: I hate that GWB has turned me into a "tinfoil hat," "black helicopter," "dark matter," conspiracy theorist. The DP World takeover of our ports is on the surface scary. But what is behind it? Many BF'ers have speculated that it's a way for repuglicans to "distance" themselves from W. True, but I believe that is considered a "nice byproduct" based on the Rovian theory of politics, but I don't believe the main thrust of the story. Many other BF'ers think that it is merely a distraction-also, not a bad theory. It reminds me of the old joke about the coed who calls dad to tell him she's pregnant but don't worry because the father is not a problem, he's in jail for dealing drugs...and more (forgive me I don't tell jokes well), only to say that none of that is true, the only bad news is I'm flunking Calc. (sound like the Miers nomination???, only to be replaced by Alito???). My fear is that something REALLY big is about to happen. Invading Iran? Invading N. Korea? WHAT???? Any ideas? John Meyers Subject: King
A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Still delusional after all these years Richard Perle is on Hardball [Thursday] and he just told Chris Matthews that the Iranians are probably behind the sectarian violence and perhaps even bombed their own sect’s mosque there. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11540978/ Rosamond Subject: How Much Longer? Mike Malloy always asks his listeners? How Much Longer Will The American People Allow This Destructive, Poisonous Bush Crime Family The Power They Have Seized Through Lies, Fear And War? And the answer is? When the American people's freedom is denied to eat, sleep and to have sex! If? South Dakota's Ban on most Abortions should go all the way to the Supreme Court and all abortions in America are banned or made illegal? Then that ruling will threaten people's freedom to have sex! And, I believe then and only then will we the readers of BuzzFlash see a real change in the leadership of this country of ours! Until then or those two other freedoms above are threatened? We all are just going to have to wait! Matthew Habben Subject: Re: A BuzzFlash Editorial: Dubai and The Bush Dynasty Deal with the Devil Look into the possible involvement of the Carlyle Group. The Carlyle Group = Daddy Bush and Donald Rumsfeld. Dubya always wants to feather his own nest one way or another. Why does Big Oil control soup to nuts? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlyle_Group Peace, Pat C. Subject: Hey, I have an idea (UH OH...) Dear Buzz -- Just read today's "Hypocrite of the Week" award, appropriately to the *ssh*le-in-Chief. My idea: Why not, from now on, present the George W. Bush trophy to all the OTHER Hypocrites of the Week who, inevitably, will follow? Think about it: hypocrisy, lies, greed, corruption, subversion of our Constitution...need I go on? -- are the trademarks of his monarchy...er, I mean (technically) his presidency. Think about it: George Washington is honored by the Washington Monument, and Lincoln by the Lincoln Memorial. Dubya deserves an "honor" (irony here, of course) of his own: a photo of his trophy with BOTH of his lying faces on it! This award will be equally suited to other hypocrites of both parties, but will especially make the "Repukelican lite" Democrats squirm when it's awarded to one of THEM! (Heh heh. Serves them RIGHT! No pun intended, but I'll let it stand. If they continue to cling to the edge of the RIGHT, there will soon be none of them LEFT!) Barbara Lee (Barb) Blazyk P.S. I mean a GRAPHIC, not a REAL trophy, of course. Buzz has better things to spend its money on -- but you're correct (I won't say "right"!); Dubya really HAS excelled in something, for once in his life. Too bad it's hypocrisy. He should have majored in it at Yale; he would have been a straight-A student! Subject: I Have To Wonder ... if I heard what I thought I'd heard out of the mouth of Dick Morris on "The O'Reilly Factor" while channel surfing last night. I SWORE I'd heard him use the term "racial profiling" with a smirk upon his face. Oh ... I get it: now it's the Democrats engaged in so-called "racial profiling" because six (if I'm wrong, let me know) ports will be run by Dubai of the UAE. Good grief: will these Repubs stop at nothing to dupe those too undecided or overwhelmed or--and, this is saddest--lazy to inform themselves? Lisa Navarro Subject: One more point re UAE: NOT a democracy One more point missed: Amazing how they cry foul at criticism of the port deal with respect to the UAE. And for bush to say it is hypocritical to let the British secure our ports, but not the UAE, that it is racism, Jesus! Britain is at least a parliamentary democracy. Bush just doesn't care about handing our security over to a rulership where NOBODY is elected! Now, what was the point about non-democracies we were supposed to remember? Oh right, that THEY CANNOT BE TRUSTED! Recall how THAT was always the test of which country's weapons programs were spied on. At least once in the late 80s an attempt by Iranian agents to buy banned materials was thwarted because "As long as these countries are not democracies...." But they can be trusted with our port security. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Is this happening in YOUR states, too? It seems to be a growing trend. Two days ago, I heard -- on NPR/WUGA -- that Georgia Power (the ONLY source of electricity in this state) has applied to the legislature -- almost all Repukelican -- for permission to bill its customers (i.e., everyone who lives anywhere except in a cardboard box under a bridge) hundreds of millions of $$ for planning, designing, and constructing a nuclear power plant. Oh -- and if, for some reason (ha ha) -- the plant is not actually BUILT, GA Power STILL wants to bill its customers for the "research, planning, and designing processes." Anyone smell a rat here???? But it gets even better .Yesterday, a day after GA Power announced its plans to charge customers out the nose whether or not it actually BUILDS the nuclear power plant it "intends" to build or "look into" building, the GA gas company that's already charging outrageous prices for natural gas, announced plans "look into" building a mega pipeline and, of course, pass the charges along to its customers. I just heard this about five minutes ago on WUGA -- and am outraged once again. I mean, THINK about it: these greedy b*st*rds are determined to rip us off whether they deliver or not. Plus, we have no voice in or influence on their grandiose "plans." Both companies are already charging much more than their services are worth (costs have escalated steadily over the last several years -- and now they're forming these profiteering construction "plans" to gouge us even more. Here in Athens, there are a lot of people who can't afford heat -- or even housing -- as it is. There's a real dichotomy here -- i.e., between rich UGA students who come from metro Atlanta and the poor [I'm marginally poor myself, but I've run into, back when I took the Bus -- the Athens public transportation system, which also keeps raising its fares -- people much poorer and more shabbily dressed than I was] -- and I'm sure they're even more likely than I am to be priced out of heat/electricity.) Meanwhile, the super-rich are getting even more (and permanent) tax cuts, while billions are being budgeted for Pentagon "weapons systems" and poured into a senseless, useless, self-destructive "war on terror." Oops, I forgot: the new term for the war is "The LONG War." Nothing like perpetual war to ensure a dictatorship and a way to control us rebels by "justified" but secret spying and martial law, right? I hope, for ALL of your sakes, that this is NOT SOP in YOUR states. But I have a feeling that we've turned into a predator/victim economy, on top of the fact that the *ssh*le-in-Chief has appointed himself King (if not God!) and our first and fourth amendment rights are being trashed. Barbara Lee (Barb) Blazyk Subject: Is Outsourcing the Presidency Next? Wait a minute! That's the Only Thing Delirious George Has Done Right! Yesterday Bush placed a challenge to all Americans: “Step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British company.” First and foremost regarding the Dubai Port deal, why can't we manage our own ports? You just don't outsource your borders/ports of entry. It’s that simple. It's time we stop selling off American interests to the highest bidder! But to knock delirious George off his Rocking Horse, the British company presently controlling the ports, Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation is a private company, while Dubai Ports World is a government owned and controlled company, the difference is obvious to a five year old. As well, somebody better inform Delirious George, Great Britain is our principle ally in the war he lied us into; Dubai is not. And did Delirious George already forget his words, “You are either with us or you’re with the enemy!” By the way, Great Britain has also been a tried and true American ally for decades and decades and wars and wars. Dubai? Not! Another thing, Delirious George, the UAE Dubai is not a democracy. And here’s a scary fact, most of the money for the 911 attacks was pushed through UAE banks, and the UAE has outright blocked USA efforts to track Al Qaeda bank accounts. And just to make everybody sh*t their pants, the International Atomic Energy Agency has said Dubai was the headquarters of the nuclear black market run by disgraced Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. The Khan network supplied centrifuge technology to countries including Libya and North Korea. So why in the world is Delirious George promising to force the Dubai Port deal? *Could it be the Bush family has a sweetheart relationship with UAE? *Could it be UAE is a principle in the Carlyle Group (the company which George’s daddy served as senior advisor)? *Could it be Dubai International Capital has invested 8 billion into the Carlyle Group? *Could it be his brother Neil’s software company was funded by UAE investors? *Could it have something to do with Bush’s Treasury Secretary John Snow selling his company CSX to Dubai investors for 1.5 billion? *Delirious George picked a Dubai Official to head the US Maritime Association. *Dubai at the moment is all over K Street writing checks to Lobbyists to get the Port deal passed. K Street Lobbyists love Dubai and have a profitable relationship. K Street, indicted Tom DeLay, indicted Jack Abramoff, Jack Abramoff and murder and Florida Sun Cruise gambling boats and Mohammed Atta and 911. Dots, dots, dots everywhere. Is Delirious George insisting on the Dubai Port deal because he wants to smuggle something into the country? Why doesn't Bush just end the WAR immediately and bring our troops home? IMPEACH. A BuzzFlash ReaderSubject: Whose Government? Georgie Porgie says that we don’t need to worry about the port deal that “my government” has scrutinized. His government? I thought it was “our” government. How dare this mediocre little nincompoop call it “his” government? It’s our government George. It belongs to the people of the United States. You remember us George? We’re the folks you have spent years scaring half to death. We were supposed to be afraid. Now guess what? Many people are fearful. You have frightened so many people so much for so long that they don’t trust anyone. And that includes you, now that you appear so determined to let your pals in Dubai oversee our ports. You do understand that this is not just a Dubai company? This is a STATE OWNED company. If there was any evidence that you had a clue about anything or had been right about anything your words might mean something. Only your ignorant and determined to remain that way base thinks that you know what the hell you are talking about. The rest of us will not feel safe until you and your merry band of incompetents goes back to Crawford. You can cut brush to your heart's content and ride your little bike all over Texas. Yee Haw, Georgie. Then maybe some adults can start to run this country. “Our” country. Not yours. Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Bush's Lunacy Hi, Buzz!! Barbara in NYC is worried that people who live far from terrorist targets may be in favor of the Dubai ports deal. I live in Kansas, where there aren't many good targets (and those we have are located in the back of beyond), but I can smell the stink from here. Barbara is perfectly justified in worrying about her personal safety as well as that of our country as a whole. I may worry less about being blown up than she does, but I am afraid for my country and all the things that make it great (our Constitution, our rights, our liberties, our democracy). Turning over our ports to a foreign government, regardless of racial or ethnic concerns (or even security concerns, for that matter) is simply a betrayal of our sovereignty. That the foreign government in question is a terrorist supporter, and that Bush is determined to make this deal, boggles my mind. It may be time to say "treason" a little louder. Barbara, I am with you; your (and our) safety is more important than anybody's profit margin. Jane Hawes Subject: DON'T DO IT AGAIN! Dear Democrats, DON'T DO IT AGAIN! you made that mistake with iraq. now the republicans say, well you voted for the war, too, and now you want to complain. DO NOT put yourself in that position again! if you say it is ok for the dubai deal to go through (and some kind of ugly happens) it will be just like iraq, bush will claim he was fooled by faulty intel and you guys went along! karen massey Hi, Liz Taylor's letter in the 2/23 Mailbag prompted me to share this one. One of my husband's friends is a major right-wing republican - one of those you can't even talk to - just hopeless. No matter what Bush does, he'll come back at you with how bad the democrats are. He said to my husband the other day, "if this port deal goes through, I will never vote for another republican in my life." HOLY MOLY. I also get a sense of hopefulness when I hear things like that. Barbara in NYC Subject: Bush's Narcissism Hi, Buzz!! I don't read the Rude Pundit very often; his diction is a bit over the top for my taste. But his latest column, about Bush's narcissism, is right on target, and may explain everything. Bush simply sees himself as the center of the universe; he doesn't understand (and feels threatened by) the fact that other people disagree. Granted, we all see ourselves as the center of our own little universes, but most of us eventually realize that it's not so, and that other people's needs, goals, and opinions are as important as ours. It's called "growing up," which GW hasn't gotten around to yet. This ability to participate in the larger human condition is also central to Christianity, which Bush claims to believe in. Jesus said there are two great commandments: Love God, and Love your neighbor. Loving your neighbor simply means taking as much care about your neighbor's needs as you do for your own. But GW is the center of the universe, and so he doesn't have any neighbors. Or so he seems to think. Jesus also said judge not, lest ye be judged, so I can't claim to know the state of Bush's soul. But I suspect that when he meets his Maker, he may get a surprise. Jane Hawes Subject: It Is My Belief that There Are Good and ... ... bad people in all religions, races, and sexes. With that being said, I would like to say that my opposition to selling six of the nation’s largest ports to a company owned by the United Arab Emirates, has nothing to do with their ethnicity or their religion. It's not racial profiling it's Connection Profiling.
Some Republicans are saying Clinton sold ports to China. That very well maybe true, but according to all of the data from the CIA and the FBI, Bin Laden and other Muslim extremists are the biggest threat to America right now. If there were a Muslim country without any ties to terrorists, I wouldn't have a problem with selling to them, but again this a about connection profiling and not racial profiling. Kimberly D. Subject: "Whose Bread I Eat; His Song I Sing" Or Else! The Bush Administration expects blind loyalty and it is valued over the higher loyalty of truth and decency. It is more important to them than competence, as we have readily seen in many examples since Bush and the NeoCons began their term of office. Without looking back, this corrupt regime sweeps truth under the rug and isn’t above doing the same with employees of our government who disagree with their viewpoint! ... Whistleblowers are the bane of this Administration, whose penchant for secrecy is well known.
The Bush Administration easily disposes of people or evidence under the excuse it or they can "cause serious damage to the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States." Robert H. Jackson once warned us, “Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters!” Susan Carr Subject: Republican Oil Man after Venezuela's Citgo As mentioned in the article below, Rep. Joe Barton, Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, has launched a massive investigation of Citgo. This is obviously yet another tactic by the neocons and the oil industry to destabilize the government of democratically elected Venezuelan Presidente Hugo Chavez. It is deplorable that this attack on Citgo comes after ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell have all boasted of the largest profits ever recorded in corporate history. It is very obvious that Rep. Barton has no intention of investigating the actual profiteers and price gougers, and is instead striking a strategic attack against one of the neocons' most outspoken and successful opponents. Continues here: http://people.lulu.com/blogs/view_post.php?post_id=18214 Elizabeth Pfeiffer Subject: "Fifth Columnists" If Lindsay Graham wants to investigate Fifth Columnists, let me say that I think that is a splendid idea. http://www.alternet.org/rights/32647/ We need an investigation of George W. Bush, his father, his brother -- we might as well throw in the whole Bush family just to make sure we don't let any traitors slip by. While we're at it, we should include the Carlyle Group, the law firm of Baker Botts (they represented the Saudi government against the families of the 9/11 victims) and anyone else who stands to profit from their relations governments who have exported terrorist tactics to this country and others. Why on earth Graham is talking to Alberto Gonzales is a mystery to me if he truly wishes to investigate fifth columnists. We need a special prosecutor. Joan Lamberth
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