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| March 14, 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: Getting It Right (That Is, Correct) Hi, Buzz!! What a pleasure to see that Senator Feingold is introducing legislation to CENSURE W for his manifold sins and wickedness. Further joy floods my soul at the news that Rep. Conyers and 30 other Congresspeople are sponsoring a resolution to look into IMPEACHMENT. You go, guys! Speak up, speak loud, and speak often! I, for one, will back you up. Another group that's doing something right: The Michigan bikers who are shielding mourners (at soldiers' funerals) from the pathological Phelps crowd. He's from Kansas, but he's not one of us; we find him, if anything, more disgusting than others do, because we had to put up with him for so long. Our solution: Newspapers simply quit covering his antics; when he realized he wasn't getting any attention anymore, he took his act elsewhere. Picketing the funerals of soldiers who gave their lives in their country's service (no matter how much we may take issue with the form of that service) is beyond disgusting, beyond sick, beyond anything I can think of to describe it. I salute the bikers who are putting their bodies on the line for the soldiers' grieving survivors: You are worthy human beings. Jane Hawes Subject: What a Joke! So Senator Feingold is going to introduce a resolution CENSURING George Bush. Well, ladedah! Who gives a damn! What is the point? How ridiculous can you get! After 5 years of crimes, preceded by a stolen election, now one Democrat - no doubt unsupported - is asking Congress to CENSURE the criminal-in-chief. Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld - THE AXIS OF EVIL - should be IMPEACHED and IMPRISONED FOR LIFE!!!!!! Not censured, for god's sake!!!!! These people and their owners are destroying the country in every way that you can imagine. We will be left with nothing if the day ever comes when they finally vacate office - of course, I have my doubts they ever will leave. In today's NY TIMES BOOK REVIEW there is a review of 2 books on global warming: THE WEATHER MAKERS by Tim Flannery and FIELD NOTES FROM A CATASTROPHE by Elizabeth Kolbert. It seems that 2005 was the hottest year on record and the atmosphere now has more carbon dioxide than it has had in 650,000 years. The author of THE WEATHER MAKERS says that if we don't change our behavior re: the environment in the first half of this century, climate change will bring about the end of civilization. And what is Mr.-doesn't-believe-in-science doing about this coming collapse and catastrophe? Not one damned thing. I'm 60 years old and I'm glad - quite happy, in fact - that I'm closer to the end now than the beginning. The thought of being alive as things begin to get worse and worse makes me want to vomit. I thank goodness I have no children. I couldn't imagine being young today and bringing children into this horror of an existence. Personally, I don't believe for one second that things are going to get better. I see the situation in this country as worsening because, for whatever the reason, the owners of this country WANT things this way. And it doesn't make any sense. Don't they live on the same planet that you and I inhabit? Don't they breathe the same air? Why would they want to destroy the world? If the US population is bankrupt because of no jobs and no money, who will be left to buy the products produced by the Fascists who own this country? Henry Ford was a rabid anti-semite, but he understood one thing very well: if he didn't pay his workers enough, they wouldn't have money to buy his cars. It doesn't take a genius to understand this. I am so tired of fighting what is going on, like trying to stop a tidal wave. It is unbearable. A BuzzFlash Reader [BuzzFlash Note: Try to cheer up. FYI, Field Notes is available from BuzzFlash. "Field Notes from a Catastrophe." What Americans Should Really Fear is the Disastrous Break Down of the Earth's Eco-System, Which the Bush Administration is Aiding and Abetting. Read this Book.] Subject: BuzzFlash using the enemy's "frame" Why do you continue to use terms such as "centrist"? The term doesn't mean anything of the kind. It actually means pro-big-corporation, big money, politics. For example: "We don't have to inform BuzzFlash readers that the battle over the future of the Democratic Party is still going strong. Only now, with Howard Dean as DNC Chairman, the conflict is between the official Democratic Party organization and the more centrist leadership on Capitol Hill." Call them what they are: corporatist, big-money whatever! Just don't use their terms. They are NOT in the center of political thought in this country. Alan Subject: A Soldier's Truth Llewellyn King's consummate Washington insider newsletter, White House Weekly, never disappoints when it comes to straight and unvarnished reporting from the White House Press Pool. In the March 8, 2006 issue, the press pool reporter describes an account of what happened when the White House press plane touched down to refuel at Shannon Airport in Ireland on its way back to Washington after Bush's recent trip to India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Upon deplaning and repairing to the airport bar, the reporters encountered a group of returning GIs from Iraq on their way back home to Colorado. After a few beers and whiskeys, one of the returning troops spoke on behalf of his colleagues when asked what they thought of Bush's war in Iraq. The soldier said, "Well, sir, in the shitter it says, 'Bush can suck my d**k.'" Upon shouts of approval from his fellow troops, the soldier added, "And sir, if you want to find out about morale in the Army, find out the truth, you'll always find it in the shitter." Ken Subject: Bad Coaching and Lousy Players Yeah, and we can't afford even one more defeat, not if we're to survive (let alone change the world), what with global warming, the Iraq war and such. Which means that we the people have to retake Congress next November. How do we do that? By seeing to it, that's how. What has retaking Congress got to do with changing the world? One victory, that's all it'll take. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Dubya's Dubai Deal Hi Buzz, Let's not be suckered into believing that bush knew about the DPW scheme only a day or so before it was blown open in the media. This all smells of deep subterfuge - 9/11 style. We know that there was virtually no security review by responsible agencies. Incompetence? The possibility that there was complicity at the highest levels to usher this deal past the normal regulatory process needs to be examined by an authority totally independent of the executive branch. A good detective knows that you must follow the money: Consumer -> big oil -> arab royalty -> ??? Is the Carlyle/UBL Group trying to make money in a circular fashion? How corrupt is big oil? War has certainly been good to them so far. But things haven't gone exactly according to plan. The emerging alliance between Iraq and Iran spells big trouble for big oil. Can Iran be nuked w/o tainting the crude beyond commercial value? Which way does the wind blow in the ME? What pretext could be used to justify a nuclear attack? An invasion and occupation of Iran is not practical - with whose army? The Iraqi mess will serve as an example to high level schemers. Time is running out and America's right-wing love affair with dubya ... is on the rocks - flight suit or no. By the end of the year he could be yesterday's highly impeached ass. Congressional cover is stretched membrane thin. Common criminality is oozing out all over. A 9/11 style second honeymoon? The nukular prez - got a nice ring to it. Tim Mooring Subject: Reregulation as Opposed to Deregulation Some State Public Service Boards responsible for regulating the prices of necessities such as home heating are no longer in existence. Our governments were sold a phony bill of goods called deregulation. They were sold that bill of goods with the promise that deregulation would bring increased competition that would result in lower prices. Pre deregulation days, Niagara Mohawk was the provider of natural gas for heating and electricity in our area. Their prices were controlled by the Public Service Commission. They had to apply for rate increases and show that their costs of doing business had increased before being granted a rate increase. They always made a profit but it was a controlled profit. Since deregulation various others were allowed to sell natural gas which these "others" bought from Niagara Mohawk. It boggles my mind how our government officials could be sold such a bill of goods. The idea that adding another middleman in the production of goods and services would result in cheaper costs defies common sense. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: The Bush Family In the recent BuzzFlash editorial a comparison was made between Bush's administration and a family business. The real point is that the Bush family operates as a crime-family in every aspect. If you read accounts of how the Gotti family operated, and go back to see how the gang wars between the NY and Phila wars were run, it's all there. The real driver of this family is NOT "Pappy." It is that pop-eyed vacuous [Barbara] that has driven all of the weak depraved men of the Bush family to the point of totally destroying 3 countries....two are already in ruins, and the U.S. is next. George in PA (where the machines select the winners, not the VOTERS.) Subject: FEMA Trailers Somebody's missing something here. Mobile homes "rotting" ... ? Who got the kickbacks to buy such lousy stuff in the first place. Follow the money and demand that the manufacturer take them back. Take them to court for fraud and profiteering. If they aren't sent to jail, at least force them to refund the money. Just more swine feeding at the GOP trough. 11,000 FEMA trailers unused (AP/Independent Record) Stanley Jayne [BuzzFlash Note: As far as we know they are not literally "rotting," but are sitting there useless. However, some of them are apparently sinking.] Subject: Hey gang, send out the cheerleader in chief He's baaaaack! I just heard him on NPR say that he is going out to tell people, "that having Saddam out of office is worth anything and everything." I am assuming he won't be suggesting that the USA would have attacked Iraq just to rid the Bushes of Saddam. He has his work cut out for him. Convincing the world that all the deaths of our soldiers and the deaths of thousands upon thousands of Iraqi citizens is worth it, just to get Saddam out of office. A civil war is worth it and having dozens killed daily is also worth it. Letting George have his own way is worth as many deaths as it takes. Karen Webb Subject: I just connected a few more dots. They all spell "CONTROL" Dear Buzzers -- Early this morning, I heard an NPR broadcast the "Ave Maria" FL crusade against contraceptives. What appalled me most was that COLLEGE kids are pushing for this legislation! I'm afraid that the underlying force here can be summed up in one word: CONTROL. I should know: I grew up with extremely controlling parents. As a result, I can smell CONTROL from a mile off, even with a cold/stuffed-up nose. The neocons are trying to control not only the country but the entire world in the military and economic sense. They live in those isolated think tanks where they feed on each other's egos and build these castles -- oh, wait: I guess I mean detention centers -- in the air. (Remember that infamous line: "We create our OWN reality"? How true. But Earth to neocons here: What you're creating ain't REALITY, guys, spin it however you will.) The religious right, as a sinister complement to the neocon wing, is dead set on controlling our PRIVATE lives: what's taught -- or NOT taught -- in our schools, what kind of (GASP!) sexual behavior should be outlawed and punished (as in "abstinence only" until marriage, and, even then, no contraception allowed. Gay men with AIDS DESERVE to die, of course (irony intended); they're violating God's laws. Bullsh*t!! I'd probably have to brush up on the bible at this point, but in the course of being an English major, I've read so many translations that it's perfectly clear to me: each translation was commissioned by a power group that wanted its own point of view "sanctioned" by the "holy word." That goes at least back to the King James version. Actually, the bible reads like one of those Chinese restaurant menus -- you know: choose one from column a, two from column b... Of course, the control freaks are both so much OUT of control and (simultaneously) IN control that I'll probably end up in an orange jumpsuit, be hauled away, and stuffed into one of those tin shipping crates where they "don't torture." (Like HELL they don't!) Can anyone with an IQ above that of a carrot BELIEVE them?? I'd have to go back and do some rereading, but I remember most of the contradictions. I think Jesus Christ -- and, no, I don't consider him my lord and savior (I'm spiritual, but not religious in the conventional sense), but I'd rank him up there in compassion and social activism along with Gandhi and MLK -- conflicts with most of the Old Testament prophets of doom and destruction. (Though maybe the OT guys were right: our country certainly seems to be on the path to BOTH doom and destruction these days. The wanton destruction/rape of our environment -- motivated by sheer greed -- seems to be accelerating the process. And the religious righteous but wrongs don't give a sh*t: they think they'll be raptured up, naked -- PLEASE spare me that sight!! -- into heaven. Aside here: their concept of heaven sounds, to me, more boring than study hall used to be!) To finish the control point here: the conversion of the neocon control freaks and their religious right equivalents converges perfectly (I mean this tactically, not ethically!) with the *ssh*le-in-Chief's, et al.'s, plans to create an all-controlling, centralized executive branch -- a monarchy, in essence -- to nullify our Constitution. Sorry about the long rant, but I really NEEDED to say this. When the dots suddenly connect and reveal the "big picture," it's hard to pretend you don't SEE that picture. I saw it this morning. I didn't enjoy the sight. But I can't -- and neither can you Buzzers -- afford to look away. Barbara Lee (Barb) Blazyk Subject: Funny General Abizaid says that American opposition to the DP World Port deal was "ARAB BASHING"... "I am very dismayed by the emotional responses that some people have put on the table here in the United States that really comes down to Arab and Muslim bashing that was totally unnecessary." I would love to know what he had to say about General Boykin. "I knew that my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God, and his was an idol." "because we're a Christian nation, because our foundation and our roots are Judeo-Christian... And the enemy is a guy named Satan." Didn't the Administration DEFEND Boykin?? Monica S. Subject: Protect Choice in Your State! Dear Buzz: Included is a web site whereby women (and men) can make their views known on the "right to choose" to the governor of their state. Just fill out the form (on the web site) and send the email. It is as simple as that. The message is already written. http://prochoiceaction.org/campaign/gov_noabortionbans_0306_alternet Thanks a million! Dolores M. Dryden Subject: Time to Set the Traps Dear BuzzFlash, As the Republican Congress starts to scurry and look for a way off the Bush ocean-liner turned garbage scow, it's time to meet them at every twist and turn with their VOTING RECORDS! Regardless of how they spin Bush, they can't blame him for the damage they have done with THEIR votes unless they want to come off as gutless toadies...oh, wait a minute....SNAP! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Toll-free Numbers for Senate Kos has the toll-free numbers to call Democratic Senators to back the Censure of Bush. 888-355-3588 888-818-6641 John Subject: Bush's Strategerie If you're all hat and no cattle, and every single one of your domestic and foreign policies are failures, when a "nuclear" problem like Iran comes along, you're in deep cow poop. You have no credibility at home, even less around the world and none at all in the Middle East. If Bush and Company were actually diplomatic or appointed people who weren't just cheerleaders for the administration's doomed policies, we might be in a strong position to negotiate with Iran instead of threatening them with dire consequences. And what's it going to be? Our military resources are stretched way too thin for that option. So once again we'll what- nuke them? That'll teach those infidels never to do that again! Just like we taught Saddam not to have weapons of mass destruction, by using WMD's against Iraq and it's people. Looking back on Election 2000, people would ask how much harm can Bush do in 4 years?!?! Judith Shelby Subject: Your Characterization of The Bee as Mediocre As a devotee of great newspapers (and of BuzzFlash), I am puzzled by your characterization of the Bee (the McClatchy papers) as mediocre. The Bee actually does some very interesting investigative journalism (see, for example, its recent series taking on the Forest Service over unsafe conditions for contract labor). Its Washington bureau does a decent job in analyzing what's going on in Washington. Also, The Bee is unfailingly critical of the Bush administration on its editorial pages. Kathryn McDonald [BuzzFlash Note: Thanks for your insights. Their Minneapolis Star is decent, too, from what we've seen.] Subject: Extradition of 911 Hijackers Who stopped the extradition process of the 15 out of the 19 hijackers? The papers were served by the Saudis. According to a Lebanese ambassador (interview on PBS "This is America" with Dennis Wholey, who spoke to four middle-east ambassadors in a two part series) said the Saudi Govt. served extradition papers on 15 of the 19 hijackers, since those 15 were Saudis. Someone had to know, and someone had to block the FBI from checking this out. When these papers are served on anyone by any country, you can bet that it gets investigated even though the U.S. may not take action on the process for whatever reason. http://www.thisisamerica.net/this_weeks_show.html Mike Murphy Subject: What Invisible Line Was Crossed? Dear BuzzFlash: Isn't it interesting or downright fascinating how the long overdue revolt against Bush seemed to blossom overnight for a huge number of Americans? Those of us who were opposed to the meathead ever getting in office in the first place, not to mention the horrible reign of terror that followed, have been unable to understand just how much can go wrong before the rest of the country and Washington decide enough is enough. Tim MGraw and Faith Hill have joined with the Dixie Chicks in their opposition to Bush, and this may very well appeal to a lot of rural types who are historically more traditional and conservative than the urban population. The main piece of evidence that seems to be the potential breaking of the straw on the camel's back, the Dubai port scandal, has struck a very loud and sour chord with most Americans. After the press, for once, revealed the al-Qaida ties to the UAE and Bush's cozy relationship with Dubai, a whiff of treason has begun to permeate across the country. And literally nobody buys Bush's excuses for letting New Orleans die. How sad it indeed is that a city of the size and historical importance of New Orleans could be reduced to a fifth or so of its pre-Katrina population, thanks to refusal to allow funding for proper levee maintenance and over development of wetlands to the south that served as a natural barrier for hurricane winds. It is doubtful that Bush, being the oblivious moron that he is, is aware of the plummeting polls. His cowardly staff is probably hiding this information from him to escape his tirades. And we're pretty sure he doesn't read the papers or watch TV news, according to him. Lest we become prematurely optimistic about W.'s predicament, remember that a carefully planned stunt can change a gullible idiot voter's mind in a hurry. Any slack in the attack on him will allow Bush wiggle room to commit some other atrocity, so we must beat him down and keep him down. Scott Subject: Kerry Supports Feingold Censure Proposal I just spoke [Monday] to a Kerry staffer in the last half hour and was told that Sen. John Kerry supports Feingold's censure proposal. Way to go, John! Traci Martinez Subject: Questions To Ask Before Voting in 2006 & 2008 To the American Voters, Before voting I recommend that we all ask ourselves a variation of that question made famous by President Reagan (The Great Communicator?). "Are America and the World better off today than they were in 2000??" Honestly answer the following before you decide. Are we safer? Has Healthcare improved? Is it more affordable? Has poverty decreased? Have civil rights improved or become more widespread? Has Terrorism decreased? Has government become more open? Is there integrity in our leadership? Has the environment improved or been protected? Have we become more united? Are civilians or corporations reaping the benefits of policies enacted by our current leaders? Is America more admired and viewed as just? Is government responding to the needs of its citizens? Do we need to make serious changes? Then ask yourself which party is responsible for the way things are? Then vote accordingly. Jim E. Subject: "Habeas Schmabeas" This is the summary: The right of habeas corpus has been a part of this country's legal tradition longer than we've actually been a country. It means the government has to explain why it's holding a person in custody. But now, the war on terror has nixed many of the rules we used to think of as fundamental. At Guantanamo Bay, our government initially claimed that the prisoners should not be covered by habeas – or even by the Geneva Conventions – because they're the most fearsome terrorist enemies we have. But is that true? Is it a camp full of terrorists, or a camp full of our mistakes? Reporter Jack Hitt unveils everything we know about who these prisoners are. In interviews with two former detainees, he finds out the consequences of taking away habeas, for them and for us. This is the most depressing thing I've heard lately. This very convincing story claims very few of the people being held at Gitmo are terrorists, and the Administration is continuing to hold them because they don't want the public to find out they royally screwed up and tortured a bunch of Afghani dirt farmers. A bright spot-----Chief advisor to the British king was impeached for doing this in Britain-----in the 1600's. Brenda Subject: Mad Cow, Alabama
Now, why am I thinking that if we had a government that didn't have a death-wish by Grover Norquistian bathtub drowning, maybe there would have been strict regulations in place that would have prevented these THREE cases of mad cow in the United States? And however many more to come? And if we had a party in charge that believed in regulations and the rule of law, as opposed to believing in the American Idol Deregulation, which pretty much means believing in lawlessness? As in Enron, and you know, all the rest of them. Oh, but that would be a nannystate, and we don't want to be pussy girlie nannystaters, do we? No, we prefer the every man for himself, social Darwinian (although we don't believe in Darwin), survival of the fittest, cull the weak from the herd (unless they're brain dead and on life support), muy macho, I don't need no stinkin' regulations culture of life and death from preventable diseases. (Pound on chest here, making simian noises). People who don't believe in government--all the neo-con anti-wonk krypto-anarchists--should get out of government. Puh-leeze. A BuzzFlash Reader Jesus God! How many John McCains are there? He is starting to look pathetic and desperate for the presidency. I almost feel sorry for him. Kate Subject: Russ Feingold's censure resolution Dear BuzzFlash, First, huge thanks for doing the work of the fourth estate that the mass media have abdicated. I cannot go one day without reading your website! That said, I am writing to ask you to offer a link to Sen. Russ Feingold's brilliant and courageous speech today as he presented his resolution of censure against George Bush. I watched him on c-span and was thrilled that he had the courage, on the floor of the US Senate, to call Bush what he is -- a liar and a would-be dictator and to demand that the Congress hold Bush accountable. PLEASE encourage your readers to support Feingold's effort by calling his office or by signing the Senator's call for "citizen co-sponsors" for his resolution. The link is at www.progressivepatriotsfund.com People do not have to contribute money to sign on in support of this effort. Thanks again for all that you do! Cynthia Subject: Why We Must Support Ned Lamont vs Lieberman If you are from Connecticut or would like to get rid of Joe Lieberman in the Senate from other states, it is imperative that you listen to The Randi Rhodes Show of March 10th, 2006. Sam Seder, who is normally on The Majority Report right after Randi, filled in as host. An hour and a half into the four-hour show at 5:30, Sam deals with NeoCon Senator Joseph Lieberman and his “Real Democratic” opponent named Ned Lamont. If you missed the show or want to re-listen to it, go to http://www.whiterosesociety.org/Rhodes.html and scroll down to the bottom of this website page and click on the March 10th show. And if you wish to re-listen to any Air America shows without any commercials, you can join Air America Premium for a fee. The website is: http://premium.airamericaradio.com/ Sam Seder plays many news clips of Lieberman being interviewed by FAUX’s Sean Hannity. Hannity, for those who already listened to Sam Seder on March 10th, know that Hannity told Lieberman “he will come to Connecticut and do Fund Raisers every day if needed” and Hannity offered to do anything else in order to get Lieberman re-elected. Sam Seder then interviews Ned Lamont for roughly a half hour. Finally, after the interview with Mr. Lamont, you will hear Sam Seder continue to talk and play other news clips about all the things Lieberman believes in, until the end of the show. It will be the most encompassing show you will hear about “The Real Lieberman.” And, it will allow you to finally hear a Real Democratic Senator in The Democratic Party. Needless to say, there is no love lost between Sam vs Lieberman! Way to go Sam Seder! Unfortunately, the news media refuses to dig into these political positions like Sam did and display the Republican Likeness of Joe Lieberman. All the media wants to report is the large lead in the polls by Lieberman. The media does not want to tell the NON-Political Astute Citizens of Connecticut the real background of Senator Lieberman. Well, it’s about time the media did their jobs and reported the facts to the citizens of Connecticut. Listen to the show I mentioned above and you will hear the facts for yourself and then you will know why you should help Mr Lamont in any way you can! Mr Lamont’s website is: http://www.nedlamont.com/index.html Ned Lamont announced his candidacy at The Old State House in Hartford, CT on Monday, March 13th at 4PM. I already have contributed to a Real Democrat and I have been in contact with The Ned Lamont Campaign, where I have offered to doing anything I can from my wheelchair, via the Internet, to help his campaign. And for those of you in New York, it’s time to get after Senator Schumer who is supporting Lieberman in the DSCC. Democrats have to stop shooting themselves in the foot if they ever want a “True Majority” in either house! The Following is a synopsis of Sam Seder's interview with Ned Lamont. Too bad the news media didn’t listen to Air America and report about the comments by Sam Seder and the answers by Ned Lamont to Sam’s questions. Ned Lamont on Air America – March 10, 2006 Pre and Post Interview with Ned Lamont by Sam Seder on Air America Lieberman Says Democrats Have to Stand Up More – and yet …
And the best comment was picked-up by David Sirota blog "Working for Change" with a statement in today's Hartford Courant. To put it simply, "Lieberman's campaign manager admits that Lieberman is totally out of touch"!! http://www.workingforchange.com/blog/ No Kidding! Like I said, Lieberman Must Go NOW!! Tom Wieliczka CLICK HERE FOR PART 2 OF THE MARCH 14, 2006 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG
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