March 15, 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.

THIS IS PART 2 OF THE MARCH 15, 2006 BUZZFLASH MAILBAG. CLICK HERE FOR PART 1

Subject: Where The Mind Is Without Fear

"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake"

-- Rabindranath Tagore

Considering our constantly eroding freedoms, increasing corrruption in all levels of the government, rampant racism, and the dogmatic path that America has been, this poem seems to be a breath of fresh air that brings reprise. One simply has to examine the political landscape of the United States to be completely appalled at its state, from the culture of cronyism to fake patriotism, to the lies and deceit that are planted on a daily basis, from the fake morality that is used to inflame the masses, to the outing of a covert CIA agent, it is natural to deduce that we are losing our world standing even as we speak. Katrina clearly illustrated the class war that exists on poor peopple, tax cuts prove that only the rich are loved, both factions seem to be deeply entrenched in their own bases. The difference is that the rich have a choice, the poor do not, and therein lies the corpse of democracy, for freedom to choose no longer exists to all Americans. It is clear that we live in a fragmented country, and the great divide of blue and red exposes an increasingly deep cleavage of dogma and dead habit sans reason, it is imperative that change must occur. The question is, who will emerge as the true champion of truth and decency, for a scan of our "elected" representatives only leads to a sense of despair. Perhaps we all need to take a leaf out of Tagore's book, but simply chanting this mantra wont help, it is time we do what it takes to take America back.

Akhil Bhardwaj
Manhattan, KS

Subject: Who Is Non-patriotic Now?

Just after 9-11, an assault was made on Americans by the Vice President of the United States. He branded as "non-patriotic" any of us who would dare to oppose the Bush administration for its efforts to justify a war in Iraq. I was one of many who did oppose it, and I took a lot of criticism from all those Republicans who were raising their proud voices and shouting "ditto" to those overbearing talk show hosts such as Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. To me I could only see one result ahead: the loss of a lot of American life, as well as Iraqi lives. And yes, it hurt me to be labeled as non-patriotic.

Now, I think those same people who leveled the criticism on us should look inward. They should now decide if they are going to turn their heads and pretend they don't see the obvious disregard for law and the constitution of this great country, perpetrated by the Bush administration. In my view, it would be far more "non-patriotic" to support those who would choose to thwart everything America stands for via our constitution and our laws than it could ever be to fail to support an unjust war in any country. Congressmen and Senators should look inward also and oppose any administration attempting to circumvent our laws and the framework of this nation.

Curtis N. Coleman
Myrtle Creek, Oregon

Subject: Censure

I just Emailed Senator Russ Feingold. I thanked him, and told him that Democrats have a lion in the Senate.

I told him that Democrats must take an iron-willed stand on Presidential lawlessness and incompetence. I told him I understand that some Democrats believe such a stand would alienate moderates. I told him those feeble Democrats are wrong. Voters, moderate voters, want to see leaders with the courage of their convictions. They want to see leaders who will stand up to global threats abroad…and who will also stand up to homegrown threats to liberty and the constitutional rule of law. I told him that Democrats who fail in this will be branded as wimps, unable to assume leadership in a dangerous world.

I told him it is clear that he understands. I told him his actions restored my faith in my party.

Roger Pike
Salem, Oregon

Subject: Bush: The Final Battle

For a long time I have been trying to work out in my mind what this administration and the last five years under their "virtual" control really compares to.

It has finally dawned on me. Does anyone else remember the sci-fi series from the early 80s, "V," about a group of aliens who landed on earth, and pretended to have the good and welfare of the Earthlings as their primary concern?

Eventually, it was revealed that the aliens from Sirius were humanoid looking on the outside, but they were ugly, ugly lizards inside.

If you don't believe me, check out this link. Read the premise of the series -- it's damned scary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_%28TV_series%29

Lisa J.
Milwaukee, WI

Subject: Democratic Party Hypocrisy

I am seething and close to foaming at the mouth. I was just checking my e-mail and had received a letter from DNC Chair Howard Dean. This e-mail was asking me to sign a petition chastising Senator Allard for calling Senator Feingold a "traitor" to this country for introducing Senator Feingold's censure action of George Bush (I'm sorry, I can't bring myself to address him as President or Mr.).

This infuriated me because of the lack of backing on the part of the Democratic Senators to refuse to back Senator Feingold.

Here is a copy of the e-mail I sent to the Democratic Party (via a form on their website):

Dear Mr. Dean,

I have a tremendous amount of respect for you; however, I was totally incensed upon receiving your e-mail today asking we "democrats/independents" to send e-mails to Senator Allard to tell him to stop attacking Russ Feingold. By the way, as a matter of information, Mr. Feingold is one of my Senators.

Instead, I would ask: Why isn't the Democratic Party busting the heads of the cowardly other Democratic Senators who refused to stand behind Senator Feingold?

I suggest that before you send out e-mails asking anyone to respond to Republican/Neocon attacks on Senator Feingold, you take those Democratic Senators who refuse to support Senator Feingold and give them hell for refusing to stand with Senator Feingold.

In fact, I further suggest that the Democratic Party leadership, such as yourself, step out and support Senator Feingold.

Lisa J.
Milwaukee, WI

Subject: Just losers!

We need a third party. I watched that Daily Show last night and was stunned at the actions taken by our elected democrats to keep Paul Hackett off the democratic ticket. Also, look what they are doing to Russ Feingold from Wisconsin. Good grief! We get a couple of guys who can fight like republicans and these morons we have for democrats in our congress try to castrate them! This is nuts! I'm fed up with this party. I would sooner vote for a rattle snake as a republican, but I will not vote for one of these cowardly dems either.

Diane A.
Miami, FL

Subject: The Constitutional Restitution Act

I read this headline: Money's Going to Talk in 2008: 'Entry Fee' for Presidential Race Could Be $100 Million (Washington Post)

Now, I also read that the Iraq war is flushing billions down Halliburton's toilet a month.

I think it's time for some new legislation.

If a PRESIDENT, SENATOR, GOVERNOR or CONGRESSMAN is responsible for a LAW, ACTION, or ACT OF CONGRESS that causes the nation to lose large amounts of money, they should HAVE THEIR PERSONAL FORTUNES CONFISCATED to cover the amount.

Let's face it. Most of our elected officials are millionaires at the least. So whose tax dollars pay for the war in Iraq, overspending to Halliburton, repairs to the levees in New Orleans, salaries at FEMA etc.?

Yours and mine.

I think it's time the people we elected do their fair share of paying for the mistakes they

Mike Curtis
Greenbrier, Ark.