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| April 18, 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: Harry Reid Immigrant Smear I got the below letter from Harry Reid...saying the obvious, that Republicans turn reality on its head and they lie. But the lie is so breathtaking, even for the thugs, and Harry says he's spoiling for a fight, so I wanted to suggest BuzzFlash do one of their exclusive interviews to spotlight this one.
Robyn Subject: CNN.com - New Bush aide tells staff now would be a good time to leave Bolten was immediately killed by a stampede of humanity fleeing possible grand jury indictments. His burial is scheduled as a private ceremony at an undisclosed location and time. John L. Johnson Subject: Maybe We Need To Lose It All With all the protests and what not, the Christian Progressive Liberal has this thought at the forefront of her pea-sized brain: MAYBE...WE NEED TO LOSE IT ALL. Now, I'm not saying to be pessimistic about what's going on in the world these days, because we are not living in "interesting times" as the Chinese would say, but, rather, since the forcing of the Bush Administration upon Americans who remember true democracy, we are living in "Orwellian" times. You know, when right is WRONG; the truth is a LIE and a lie is the TRUTH. NewSPEAK. We've been hearing it for the last six years. And the Democrats' response to this more than golden opportunity to cash in on all of the gift-wrapped foibles of the Grand Old Perverts party? Deny cloture on the Alito nomination; House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi slings her own party members under the bus when they try to do their jobs in ferreting out corruption, a Congress for Sale, introduction of House Resolutions to withdraw troops from Iraq, and isolation of a House Member crying racial profiling by the Capitol Hill police; And Chuck Schumer's slinging of progressive candidates in Democratic primaries because he doesn't believe in them (see Paul Hackett in Ohio and Rosalind Kurita in Tennessee) and he favors more Vichy Democrats in order to gain a majority in the Senate. Excuse me, but if we've identified them as Vichy Dems now, what makes them think that they are going to vote caucus lines when it counts? They have been feeding at the corporate pig trough too long and have gotten too fat and comfortable to do the jobs we sent them to Congress to do: REPRESENT OUR INTERESTS. So, when we lose the freedom of speech, the right to freely assembly and protest, the right to civil liberties and the right to be in atmospheres free of harassment, coercion and intimidation because of race, ethnicity, skin color, religious/national origin, gender or sexual orientation, we will remember what it used to be like when we had it all. Maybe...we need to lose it all, to remember just how friggin' good we had it. And maybe the threat of losing it all and becoming a fascist dictatorship will be enough to spurn us who are apathetic, believing the likes of a Joe Lieberman or a Harold Ford, Jr., are the only means of regaining a majority (especially with their history of cozying up to the enemy and providing him protection, often times to our detriment) into some type of raising hell action to take back our country. If we're not going to fight back, then we need to LOSE IT ALL. Leutisha Stills Subject: Touchy, Feely Bush! Have you noticed that every time Bush meets with a foreign leader he has to touch them? Usually a hand on the back or shoulder. I mention this because other foreign leaders never do this. Their deportment is always dignified, befitting their high office, but not Bush. Putin does not touch nor does Blair, but Bush always touches. I cringe with embarrassment every time he does this, knowing the whole world is watching. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: The Neo-Con Canadian Movement (Sweet Jesus!) Every now and again i find myself up in arms about the state of the world. I admit however that as a so-called "arrogant Canadian" I quite often like to believe that our country isn't only above America geographically but also politically. I love referring to Canada as the nation above America. However, I am absolutely beside myself with regard to a neo con hack by the name of Rachel Marsden who happens to write for the worst neo con rag in the country, The Toronto Sun. I invite everyone to pepper her website with the type of venom that she spews so regularly. What makes Ms. Marsden all the more despicable is the fact that she has been charged not once, but twice with stalking men. If you need any more proof, you can see the proof in a "Fifth Estate" documentary that aired last year. You should have seen the look on her face... After asserting that anyone accused of a crime should be "outed" he asked her about her two stalking charges... She was dumbfounded and looked shocked that she was 'called on the carpet" for being a threat to society. All I'm saying is that: If this is what Canadians expect for conservative journalism, my country is screwed. NB: The Canadian Prime Minister just censored an author who is a government employee for speaking on climate change and the Kyoto Accord. Article written by Susan Delacourt April 14, 2006. The price of gas has risen by 20 cents per litre since a conservative government was elected. The Conservative government has axed 15 research programs related to the Kyoto Climate Change Protocol. The Conservative Prime Minister has threatened all government employees with possible dismissal or reprisal if they speak out against the government. Canada used to be good. Now we're just good and screwed. Help! Brian in Toronto (Also a former Progressive Conservative) Subject: Pat Roberts Hi, Buzz!! I agree that Sen. Pat Roberts is a threat to our country. Democrats in Kansas are mobilizing, though; we will be canvassing here on April 29, along with Democrats all over the country. I will be among the canvassers here in Emporia. We all want to ride Sen. Roberts out of Washington. I don't like the idea of riding him into Oklahoma, though; I grew up in Oklahoma, it's a great state, and it doesn't deserve Roberts. Maybe Texas would be the place for him? He could chew the fat with W at Crawford. Jane Hawes [BuzzFlash Note: We veto Texas, too. How about we send them both to Elba?] Subject: Pro-war Senator Gets Bit**y Letter to the Editor/Indianapolis Star: "Their country is teetering on the brink of chaos, and they are still dithering." This was a statement made on Sunday by Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., on ABC’s This Week in regard to the Iraqis' failure to form a viable government. A lot of our public leaders in both parties are making sounds like this lately. I find the tone and content of such statements to the Iraqi people to be offensive, petulant, and irresponsible. Remember; no Iraqis (other than current Ambassador/PNAC signatory Zalmay Khalilzad and capricious political confidence man Ahmed Chalabi) ever asked us to: invade their country; oversee the destruction of their infrastructure; or introduce the worst measurable standards of living that their country has seen in modern times. But we went ahead and did these things anyway. Bayh’s vote in the Senate enabled our wholly unwarranted and horrifically destructive invasion and occupation of Iraq, and yet he and many others equally complicit now have the gall to scold the Iraqis for not immediately bringing law and order to their ravaged country - something that we have consistently failed to do since the initial invasion. Instead of wagging unaccountable fingers; it's time for all Americans to take responsibility for what we have done. We need to: A) leave Iraq entirely and immediately, as our presence there is only exacerbating the violence; B) pay the immense amount of treasure (yet to be assessed) that is required to compensate the Iraqis for our crimes against them; C) offer up to international justice to the people (elected officials; corporate leaders; media sycophants; military brass) responsible for our belligerent and destructive actions of the past five years; and D) try to learn something for once. Ken Duerksen Subject: The Prez Sez The prez sez he don't want to be a WAR PRESEDENT, but it's great to be a war Vice Prez. You see "Dead Eye" got himself 340,000 stock options in Halliburton. It was worth about $20 a share when we started the war, and thanks to government contracts is worth $77 a share now ...that's an increase of $57 a share. $57 X 340,000 = $19,380,000 And with 2370 killed, Cheney made $8177.22 for each dead American. Roy Brophy Subject: Bush Joined at the Hip to Rumsfeld Just as Bush cannot recruit anyone to fill the vacancy left by "Heck of a job Brownie" at FEMA, I doubt they could field another candidate for Secretary of Defense. Who would want to ruin their career by boarding neo con's scandal racked ship when everyone is fleeing? Iraq is very likely past redemption. Taking responsibility for someone else's failure is not a career move. Who could they get that would be flat out crazy enough to start a war with Iran even if they hadn't lost Iraq and abandoned Afghanistan to Taliban? Only Rumsfeld is dotty enough to blindly march ahead with the PNAC wet dream. The PNAC and the other neo-cons have a fatal flaw. They never foresee a response from those they are hell bent on conquering. When there is a response, and there always is, they are completely incapable of responding effectively. Carol D-W Subject: There Is Hope Hello BuzzFlash, I was stunned to see a show on Nickelodeon the other day while channel surfing. It was a documentary about KIDS organizing to PROTEST THE WAR! They were making signs and talking about how even though they can't vote yet they can still protest the government. If THAT is making it to "mainstream" TV, there is indeed hope for change, and maybe sooner than we think. It only takes critical mass for a shift to happen. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: To Terry in New Castle Thanks for sharing the saga of Greg Mortenson in yesterday's Mailbag. And thanks to Greg for "Three Cups of Tea" as a living proof that it can be done; we the people changing the world, that is, at least it looks, from what Terry describes, like that's what's happening in Pakistan. Will the lessons of this exciting development be applicable to the rest the world? No reason why not. Sure, the details of change will vary from place to place, but the basics remain the same; first there's a shared vision of another world; secondly, the popular will (spirit, energy) that will propel us there; and finally, there's the matter of some sort of plan. It turns out, though, that at this point in time, for we the people to change the world, the winning plan is for there to be no plan. No problem, though, because we the people change the world, with everyone playing her or his unique and timely role; that's when all the nitty-gritty details will be worked-out. Anyway, with what Terry has told us about the achievements of Greg Mortenson (and co-visionaries) in Pakistan, we already have a running start. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: The "Outing" of Valerie Plame Why is Bob Novak's name hardly ever brought up, when it was he who outed her name in his column? I thought that was against the law. He and his editor ought to be prosecuted. Instead Judy was tossed in jail for refusing to reveal a source. None of this makes any sense. Gail Cade Subject: Orwell
Frank K. Subject: Israel Asserts that the "Axis Of Terror" Is Starting WW III Just a quick question: If Palestine, Iran and Syria are the Axis of Terror, then what do we call the US, Great Britain and Israel? How about the "Axis of Fear and Loathing?" How about the "AXIS of Everything That's Wrong With the World?" Maybe we could call them "The Axis that Killed the World." (I forgot... they have to cause Armageddon before we can use the last one.) Shan't be long, I'm sure. Here's my take: The world is ending. The backroom scientists have undoubtedly told certain world leaders that Global Warming is irreversible and now they're simply jockeying for a position. Conspiracy? Not anymore. It's over everyone. It's too late. All I can say is: If America thinks that a wall around it's nation will protect it; go right ahead. When the walls are through being built, the polar ice cap will simply melt and fill it with water anyway. Instead of melting pot, you'll have a swimming pool... almost as big as the one at the Bush compound. The American dream. God help you all if Bush attacks Iran or supports further Israeli action. If America can't see the danger of pissing off the Iranian Shia and the Iraqi Shia then sadly more soldiers will need to die horrible deaths to prove that America is fast becoming Berlin 1939. Where are the American people? What happened to American spirit? Why can't you save yourselves? It's no longer about saving Americans... It's about saving the world. Americans are simply sitting and watching as the new Nazi party raises its head in America. How long before the brownshirts are marching? Brian Subject: Should Ex-Generals Speak Out? Hi BuzzFlash, Consortium News has an article that asks "Should Ex-Generals Speak Out?" Great Question! With the EVER GROWING INEPTNESS being displayed by this White House - especially with the talk about NUKING IRAN - one would sure as hell hope the Generals Give A Piece of Their Minds to Bush and Ask Him "ARE YOU NUTS? HAVE YOU LOST WHATEVER SPEC OF BRAINS YOU EVER HAD?" After YELLING that in Bush's Face (something he has never seen), the Generals should promptly resign and say "I CANNOT TAKE ANY COMMANDS FROM A MADMAN" - on TV!! Now where did I put those building plans for our Nuclear Fallout Shelter that we had before the Cuban Missile Crisis? Oh, well, I'll just have to start practicing that "duck and cover" drill, under an old school desk we have in our basement! Tom Wieliczka P.S. Dr. Justin Frank is the author of Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President (2004). He is a Washington, D.C.–based psychoanalyst and professor of psychiatry at George Washington University Medical School. With Bush continuously talking about NUKING IRAN (and God knows where else), it would be a very good idea for people like Dr. Frank to get through the “weeds” in Bush's small brain and dissect what the hell is going on in there. We need to send Bush to an analyst, real fast, so we can have somebody find out "what voices" Bush keeps hearing. Oh, by the way, I found some revised Cuban Missile Crisis Fallout Shelter Plans. Time to get to work building it, before "Psycho Bush" starts WW III with "the button". Here are the plans: http://www.terrorismsafetyalliance.org...] Subject: Dear Mr. President I just listened to the new song by Pink. Everyone should hear this song and I believe it should be played (LOUDLY) within hearing distance of the WH. If you haven't heard it, you should!! Here's the link: http://www.bolt.com/PinksPage/audio/566192 Renee Subject: When Competition Can Kill What is the measure of an overblown ego in leaders of a nation?? Unfortunately, we could find out when two arrogant men are given the position of power, we could see World War III! We are inextricably bound up at the highest levels of both governments of the U.S. and Iran, and at the mercy of two individuals, George W. Bush, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, each taking turns playing steam roller and road, or hammer or anvil. Each determined to out threaten each other, and carry their country downward despite the consequences. Victory achieved by force or threatened force always rests on an insecure foundation and like a volcano erupts and can draw other parts of the world into its hot center where all could be destroyed. George W. Bush did that when he invaded Iraq, and tripled terrorism around the world by his ill thought out actions. Now he wants to repeat it with Iran as he covertly starts the ball rolling with Contingency Plans that like in Iraq could be put in operation at a whim when HE decides diplomacy has failed. This morning Mr. Bush announced he’d back Rumsfeld’s ineptness and failures because “HE IS THE DECIDER.” His decisions in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Israel-Palestine, all in chaos, show us what incompetence begets! His decisions on Social Security, health care, the environment, and Katrina don’t instill confidence in Mr. Bush’s or his Republican cronies' judgments! He emphasized Rumsfeld was doing a “fine job” (CNN) like he once did in Brownie!
And:
Between these two pea-brains-in-laws, each one creating a rationale for any actions they may take, however flimsy the reasoning or evidence ... more death and destruction waits in the limbo of their power hungry minds, endangering their own countries, as the rest of the world holds their breath wondering which fanatical maniac will go off half-cocked and make the first deadly move! Susan Carr Subject: I'm getting scared George Bush said, "I hear the voices, and I read the front page, and I know the speculation. But I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense." Bush: 'I'm the decider' on Rumsfeld (CNN) I am starting to think Bush has mental problems. He is starting to scare me. Diane Anderson Subject: Letter to ABC and Time Magazine "Time Magazine’s" Joe Klein just stated on ABC’s "This Week" that the use of tactical nuclear weapons cannot be "taken off the table" by the US in its negotiations with Iran. Following a refreshingly shocked reaction from the show’s host, George Stephanopoulos, Mr. Klein further expanded the latitude he would extend to our government by saying: "...when you’re dealing in a negotiation, you can’t take stuff off the table before it starts." What about "stuff" that would categorically cast one as an inhuman monster? Since Mr. Klein already in his first statement explicitly identified the unspeakably horrible option of nuclear weapons as a tool he considers valid for use as geopolitical leverage, it is not any great leap to assume that his second, more general, pronouncement would license similar applications of systematic torture, poisoned gas attacks, or slitting the throats of children in front of their parents. "Time" should be ashamed of the reptilian morality exhibited by its representative, while modest kudos go to ABC for the obvious abhorrence with which its host responded. Amazingly, Klein at one point in the discussion attempted to come to logical and moral grips with his own hawkish bluster by saying that of course "we shouldn't really use" nuclear weapons - but he failed. What in the world does he think "on the table" means in terms of an international diplomatic confrontation? I find it very difficult to take this man seriously; and concerned editors and producers should be aware that this attitude accrues to the shows and publications with which he is associated. Ken Duerksen Subject: Re: Would Someone Explain to Rumsfeld the Difference Between a Bowel Movement and Utter Failure? This man is too old, sadly, to even understand what the people of this country are worried about. He was so up when this war started ... lied so much ... he did not know the difference between the truth and a lie ... just like all his cohorts in this administration. He has been taught well, by Bush and Cheney! Shirley ... St. Louis Subject: McCain's Real Agenda McCain isn't just courting the right for his 2008 run. He has a more immediate goal, one which will all but guarantee him the presidency, and it has a great chance of working. We know McCain detests the religious right. We know he despises the president, who sank him in S. Carolina with a vile smear campaign. Surely the man who considered running with Kerry is as horrified by Bush as anyone with a mind, certainly anyone with knowledge of military matters. He has a plan to blunt Bush's influence while simultaneously saving him from impeachment. Something to please both reds and blues equally. It involves some truly nasty behavior, but he thinks the goal is worth spending some quality time lolling around with swine. If he can pull it off, we'll all be in better shape. Here's the plan. McCain sees the pressure building on the White House. As dismal as Bush's numbers are, Cheney's are worse. He was booed at a baseball game, for God's sake. Sooner or later, Bush will have to throw someone to the wolves, and who better than sneering Dick? He can plausibly blame his health, he's seen as the architect of much that people are angry about and would thus be a rod to draw lightning away from Bush, and he's rumored to be of less influence than before. If Cheney goes, it's a golden opportunity for Bush to buy back some popularity. That's why McCain has been sucking up. Only the far left would oppose a McCain vice presidency. At last, someone with brains, experience, interest, concern and, perhaps, conscience. As Bush's likely successor, McCain would also be the man to hand out pardons. With the bully pulpit of the vice presidency, McCain could be his own man. He might just turn some of this grotesquery around. In 2008, McCain would be the Republicans' only choice, Evangelical or not. He would be welcomed by most independents and many Democrats. He would be the guy who saved us from some of Bush's horrors, a war in Iran, perhaps. Barring severe missteps, and it's likely his worst day as veep would be better than Cheney's best, he could probably slaughter any Democrat. Eric Allstrom Subject: "Unknown Unknowns" Hi BuzzFlash: Do you believe Don Rumsfeld had the nerve to quote Abraham Lincoln, "This too shall pass" when talking about the criticism he's facing from 6 dissenting Generals? This is the same Don Rumsfeld who said: "There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know." Now if that convoluted soliloquy didn't prove that Rumsfeld's mind is a mish-mashed mess, what will? Since George W. Bush informed the world today, 4/18/06, that he's the "Decider-in-Chief", when it comes to the fate of Rumsfeld, I expect we're in for 3 years of more UNKNOWN UNKNOWNS. Carolyn in Tennessee |
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