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| May 30, 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: Memorial Day Remembrances The Trail of Tears, lynchings, Jim Crow, Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese Internment Camps, Mai Lai, Kent State, Contra Wars, Abu Ghraib, Haditha, unauthorized NSA surveillance, English only. A BuzzFlash Reader I guess if an outright UNCONSTITUTIONAL SEARCH OF THE RAYBURN BUILDING could not be accomplished with the blessing of a compliant News Media ... they had to find another way to REMOVE INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE from the offices of our lawmakers. I wonder what was so important that they would go to such lengths to get to a file cabinet? If I am wrong, then this is another TEST OF AMERICAN WILL whether or not we will put up with ANOTHER FORM OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL INCURSION OF CONGRESS. Will ANYONE in the lapdog Democratic party stand up and question this "FALSE REPORT"??????? A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Denny's Prayer First they came for the poor and the under-served, and took away school funding, health care services, clean air, water and food regulations and so many needed programs. And I did not speak out nor lift a hand to help them, because I was not poor nor under-served, nor did I understand hunger, poverty or want. Then, they came for the young men and women who, having been among the poor and under-served, were then sent as soldiers to kill and maim an innocent population in an unjust, illegal and immoral war. And I did not speak out nor lift a hand to help them. Nor did I wield my immense power to make laws to protect them with proper body armor while at war, or provide funding to help them with veteran care if and when they returned, because I was safe and my family was safe and none of us were affected in any way physically, emotionally or spiritually by the war. Then, they came for the truth-seekers, the dissenters, the whistle blowers, the activists, writers, actors, musicians and journalists who bravely stood up and used their voices to speak truth to power. And I did not speak out nor use my powerful voice to defend, protect or preserve their rights to free speech, because I was not a truth-seeker, a dissenter, a whistleblower, nor am I brave. Rather, I used my power to help punish and destroy any and all who would dissent. And now, they're coming after me. And the poor, the under-served, the innocent, the truth-seekers, the dissenters, the whistle blowers, the military, and the activists are not there. And even, God help me, the very journalists who have propped me up and spun my filthy deeds into the golden words I wielded like a sword to demean, degrade and denigrate the People are no longer left to speak out for me. After all I've done for them. Elaine in Petaluma Subject: Future Prison Overpopulation Dear BuzzFlash, I wonder if some day, when all the traitors in the government and the media are rounded up, there will be enough prison space for them. It would seem that anyone condoning or enabling treason would be guilty in some way. That would include most of the Congress and the media! Once convicted, maybe they could be housed in the Halliburton detainee centers now being built. Or better yet, at the Superdome, Gitmo, and Abu Ghraib! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Wonderful Day ... Kenny to the Slammer It took long enough, but he got convicted on every charge. What a pitiful sight...he was so hurt...Should have thought of that....even your donations to a crooked president cannot always keep you out....although...I have fears upon his outgoing...that Bush will pardon everyone who ever had anything to do with him. Even the Dukester! Here in St. Louis, the radio this afternoon did a call-in on the honorary seat at Missouri U. ... how they first tried to get the money attached to it, sent to Katrina victims...the University could not then...and now they tried to get it sent to Ken for his defense! Does anyone wonder what happened to all that money they stole...have they gone through that already? (I wonder if they are having a party in Tyrone tonight!!!? LOL Marjorie Swanson ... yes, you are very right..Tony sure is an improvement over little tubby guy! I remember him well, bashing the hell out of Bill and Hillary, after they had already been bashed into the ground. But, even then...they got to Tony...about his lies pertaining to the thefts on Air Force One...there were none...and Fox just made it up....along with a million other uneducated newspeople. They urged him and urged him...and he had told them that if it turned out that the Clintons had not taken anything...he would apologize on the air...and with a silly grin...he said, "Okay ... Okay...I am sorry I accused them of theft ... you happy now?" I wasn't, but he was trying to be cute. Just like he is going to get away with being cute now...with his sad sad bout with cancer...and his good looks. Why oh why...can I never just drop it? Shirley ... St. Louis P.S. Great news about Al Gore who won by 1/2 million votes in 2000....He is funny...and would make a great president! They love him at Cannes! I wonder what Denny Hastert is being investigated about...these people just cannot keep their hands out of the cookie jar. That is the very reason...they cannot tell which way they are going anymore...they don't know whether they want to side with the Dems or the Reps...you just cannot confuse yourself to that extent! Cheney would like to think he is alive...but, if he is...he is on something stronger than Excedrin PM...Old coot!!!!! Subject: Canada's National Post Newspaper Hi Buzzers: About that stupid, untrue "news article" regarding Iran that even got our idiot in office to jump in and comment publicly, making a fool of himself trying to look like he is on top of international affairs (gotta check these things out first, Stevie!) I just wanted to let you in the United States know what most educated Canadians have known for years. If you want truth, you don't read the National Post. It is such a trashy, prejudiced, bigoted, right-wing rag with the least credibility of any newspaper in Canada (including small town cash cow freebie papers) that, oftentimes, the Post is a giveaway paper. That is, it is thrown in with a fill-up at the station or dumped at your door without being requested. The point is, if you read it in Canada's National Post, you need more than a grain of salt, you need the whole mine! National Post apologizes for anti-Iran story (Reuters/Yahoo) Marie-France Subject: Why the Conservatives Can't Tell the Truth About Global Warming The reason is that once they own up to the fact that global warming is manmade, and that it's we Americans with our gas-guzzling SUVs who are the main culprit in this crime against all living beings, they'll put themselves and their so-called free-market capitalism at risk. Why? Because we Americans then will be open to whatever it takes to prevent the impending doom; including, but not limited to, doing away with war, switching from fossil fuel to renewable energy and developing a government that's truly of, for and by the people. This, of course, will mean throwing the conservatives out of power and good riddance, too. Thus by telling the truth about global warming the conservatives have everything to lose while the only thing they possibly can gain is a clear conscience, which, alas, at the moment has no appeal to them, since it's easier for them to lie. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Bush Could Have Been an American Hero Bush could have captured Bin Laden and been an American hero. He would have gone down in the history books as such. But his mind was so warped with the fact that he had to fulfill an agenda that he and his father, had carried with them since 1992 when Saddam Hussein attempted an assassination on Bush Sr. The entire Bush family, along with the key players in the first Bush administration, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, Perle, Powell, Armitage and many others ... all had but one goal in mind, no matter what the cost ... they would have revenge on Saddam Hussein. Documented evidence has proven that Saddam Hussein was the key discussion in the very first meeting of the Bush Security Council. In that meeting Bush, adamantly, told members to find a way to get Saddam Hussein. Then we were attacked on 9/11 and GWB did the right thing, and he had the world behind us...he went after the perpetrator, Osama Bin Laden, if Afghanistan. But the Saddam Hussein Vendetta was always there, so he used 9/11 as a crutch, and he lied, he deceived and he misled the US Congress, the US People and the people of the world, and abandoned the BIG effort in Afghanistan and went after HIS BIG FISH, Saddam Hussein. And he lied his way so that he could fulfill his vendetta. But, had he done the right thing, had he stayed in Afghanistan, in full force, and continued his pursuit of Bin Laden, odds are that he would have been captured, or killed...and George W. Bush, who worries so much about his personal legacy, COULD HAVE BEEN AN AMERICAN HERO, AND GONE DOWN IN HISTORY AS SUCH. Now he will be remembered as a fool, a fascist pig who used the government of the greatest nation in the world for his own personal agenda. He will be remember for the killing of thousands of innocent people, including who knows how many thousands of American soldiers and marines, and tens of thousands injured for life. Yes, Mister Bush, you had a chance ... and you blew it, and for what you have done, you should be punished in the severest way possible. You deserve nothing less. May GOD have mercy on your soul Mister Bush, even though, IMO, you do not deserve mercy of any kind. Mike Allen Hi Everyone,
I beg your pardon Bill, I'm 53 (one of those "stoned slackers" and "dopey kids") and one of Jon Stewart's biggest fans. I consider him an addition to my other very reliable news sources, BuzzFlash, Americablog, and other well informed sites who, in turn, keep me well informed. He is a very smart man. He really doesn't attract very many idiots - like the ones who watch you, Bill. And I only wish he did have an influence on the presidential election. Obviously not so much - look who's sitting (squatting) in the White House. Maybe we'll have better luck this year. (Try harder Jon!!!). And let's not forget Stephen Colbert. The right wing was so convinced he was one of them they had him host the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Now, who doesn't know what's going on, Bill? Who's clueless, Bill? Get it, Bill? Nah, never mind. Barbara in NYC Subject: Hastert Probe - Staged? Could the FBI break-in and Hastert's indignation have been staged to call attention to the corruption probe of a Democrat? It seems that all other targets of current corruption probes are Republicans, so this could be a way to publicly implicate Dems, too, so it's not just a "Republican problem." Just a thought. Of course, this is assuming that the Democrat wasn't set up. It does smack of that ... how often do you get videotape evidence? And money in the freezer? Come on. Anna Subject: Memories of Bush Enron and Video Dear BuzzFlash, I wish I had saved it, but somewhere--I'm sure at least a link in your archives--there is the videotape of Bush thanking Skilling (was it, or Fastow?) and Enron at an Enron party "because he couldn't have been elected Texas gov without their help." Wouldn't that bring back precious memories? It scares me to realize that there were things going on 5, 6 years ago that ALONE would have instantly ended the political career and public life of any politician you can name for the last 50 years. And they pile on more, and worse, everyday. Just went looking for it myself and found this: Bush and Poppy Caught on 1997 Enron Tape; Skits Make Fun of Accounting Scams and that led ultimately to this: http://www.click2houston.com/video/1843216/detail.html Jim P. Subject: Skilling and Lay = Bush and Cheney? The leaders of Enron have fallen. Jeffrey Skilling and Ken Lay have been indicted on a total of 25 counts and are setting up for the usual appeals. The only question now is how long they will get to think about their mistakes in prison. It was interesting to see how the other Enron executives turned on their leaders to try and save themselves because they knew the ship was sinking. The dynamic duo of corporate corruption is not unlike the dynamic duo of political corruption, Bush and Cheney. Lay and Skilling hid their many failures behind a wall of lies and cover-ups that made Enron appear strong. Bush and Cheney are allowed to hide their many failures behind a wall of poor journalism that makes them appear competent. Lay and Skilling were at the top of the company, but tried to say they knew nothing of the bad things happening below them. Bush has no idea what is going on below him and that would include a vice president with more power than any past vice president. Enron declared bankruptcy because of the corruption. Bush and Cheney may help to bankrupt America with their corruption. There is hope, though. Investigation exposed the corruption and deceit that was Enron, and Lay and Skilling were convicted by a jury of their peers. This is a small victory, but it is still a victory. Like Enron, the house of cards that is the Bush White House is waiting for someone to knock it down. Will it be Fitzgerald, the lies that led up to the war in Iraq, domestic spying, or is it possible that threats to Iran could play a part in bringing them down? It’s hard to know at this point, but it’s exciting to think it could happen. Bush and Cheney are only as strong as their base, and that base is slowly falling apart. Each time one of the Republican followers is indicted or placed under investigation they become one more possible threat to the top brass. Their corruption will come out because their greed will push them to go too far. This administration believes itself above the law and just like any other lawbreaker they will have their day in court. Maybe they could use some of the money for the war on terrorism to build themselves a plush prison so they can all be comfortable for the rest of their lives. Chris Mullett Subject: Separation of Powers or Turf Protection? I think the FBI did the right thing and in no way do I approve of this AG, but I think all in Congress are public workers and subject to all public laws. They are not diplomatically immune as they are servants to the public. They are not like the Vatican or the BIS in Switzerland; immune and unchallenged from everyone. When they are bad, they get in big trouble, across the board, no favorites. The laws these people vote for are putting lives at great risk; the illegal war, depleted uranium ammo, open borders, domination by deficit promoters. Many so-called Democrats voted for Tort Reform, Tax Breaks for the Rich, unlabelled GMO foods, austere bankruptcy reforms which demote the middle and working class even further. And remember NAFTA? We'll never recover until it is repealed. Nations cannot be run like global department stores. They have responsibilities to their people by law. There's a novel idea; the govt. was for us and no one else. Not only the rich and not another country. Robert Periano Subject: Thank you for JFK's speech on separation of church and state Thank you Buzz. It was so wonderful to hear John F. Kennedy's eloquent, measured, thoughtful voice in his talk on religious freedoms and separation of church and state in his September 1960 Houston Ministerial Association Address. It brings tears to the eyes that we had that caliber of humanity and intelligence and are now led by a trained monkey who could no more read a speech like JFK's than he could write it, or even articulate what it means. God, it makes me so sad, to realize how extremely far we've fallen, in my lifetime. JFK was, and made America, a light at the top of the world. And now we have, and have become, its darkest cloud. Thanks again. Suzanne Subject: General Hayden I would like to know how General Hayden received a Bronze Star (for bravery in battle), when it doesn't appear that he has any combat experience. Is there someone out there who could find out? Perhaps he had some covert combat experience? Perhaps he didn't earn the Bronze Star at all. This is important. Martha DeWolf Subject: "Can I buy you dinner, Tony?" That has got to be the goofiest exit line ever for the Bumbler-in-Chief to abruptly end an annoying news conference last night where the questions were getting a bit uncomfortable. Buy Tony Blair dinner? Isn't the White House going to feed him this time? Since when does Bush have to pay for buying people dinner? Chop off the last word and it sounds more like what Bush is really all about: "Can I buy you?" (That's the least I can do for your stayin' on the sinking ship with me, Tony-boy). There was a moment of hope when Bush actually admitted to a mistake (the "Bring it On" and "Dead or Alive" pronouncements), which he said he had"learned from." But then, his nastiness resurfaces to retaliate against the female reporter who put him on the spot: "You don't get to ask a follow-up question," he barks, peevishly. (So there! I"m the preznit. And don't you forget it!). What a piece of work he is. As he so bleakly reminded us -- he's in there for two more years. God help us. President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom Participate in Joint Press Availability (go to end of video: White House) A Buzzflash Reader Subject: Kezer When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better. -- Pauline R. Kezer Frank Subject: Judy Miller Thanks for keeping the Judy Miller/Al Qaeda story front and center. I thought I was as cynical as a person could be about the media, but my shock at this story not being picked up reveals a surprising degree of residual naivete. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: "Hastert Exclusion" Aborts Coup D'etat The Republican Speaker of the House has now drawn a line in the sand. Although he did not specifically mention all of the Bush Administration's assaults on democracy, civil rights and the Separation of Powers, he made it clear that the Executive Branch overstepped its bounds by meddling in 'Rule of Law' enforcement issues relative to the nation's highest elected officials. Close friends speculated that W's self-claimed rights to indefinitely suspend habeas corpus regardless of the size or description of said corpus, and to rend and torture, were particularly troubling to the Speaker. The Speaker forcefully admonished the President for sending his police, secret or not, into Congress' domain. That the "Hastert Exclusion to Executive Power" is bipartisan was duly noted. Cognitorex Subject: On What Authority Does Bush Freeze the Investigation? What authority does Bush have to freeze the evidence for 45 days? Is this a real legal power granted to the p-Resident, or just another power grab? I still say there is no way this little chimp-n-thief would ever ever help a Democrat unless it is a covert way to protect more RETHUGlican criminals. No way, no how, it just wouldn't happen in a million years. Remember this is the party that operates by the "win at all costs" it is no longer about right and wrong. KJ Lovell Subject: "The Bombshell ..." Don't blame Judith Miller or the New York Times. The Buzz headline on the story about Judith Miller having been told in August 2001 by a source, still unnamed, natch, that Al Qaeda was planning a major attack, sidesteps the point that Bush WAS told. What's obscure about the title of the August 6 PDB: "Bin Laden determined to strike within US?" The important questions, and they have nothing to do with Miller and the NYTimes, are 1. Why didn't the PDB raise an alarm in Crawford? 2. Where was George Tenet? 3. Why no reaction? 4. Do we even know that Bush himself even saw the PDB? 5. Who was suppressing the import of this PDB and why? 6. Why, at this late date, do we not know the answers to any of the above questions? Colleen Clark Subject: Rory O'Connor Article I have tried to get into the Rory O'Connor article and cannot ... always get the 'can't find server' comment. I very much would like to read it. Hope you can reconnect the link. The Burial of the 9/11 Story that Got Away (Rory O'Connor/Alternet) Sallie Beck Subject: Black Jack (Not Married With Children) Black Jack is a suburb of St. Louis...far north. I can tell you , we have been reading about this for a long time...and the funny thing is, it is not a prime location. I think some crazy fundamentalists moved in there and made up a new law. How do they know?...do they come to the door of each new tenant and ask to see their marriage license...like a cop stopping you for speeding..... Wonders never cease in America... Shirley ... St. Louis Subject: Electoral College Can someone tell us how we can organize a movement for all 50 states, to get rid of the winner-take-all rule. Seems to me that if it was split in the exact same proportions as the popular vote it would make more sense. It would end the red/blue state mess and make every vote count as it should. Would it take an amendment or legislative act from each state? Can we start a discussion of the possibility? Konnie Subject: The Boston Globe Conveniently Forgets ... In your headline suggesting that the Iraq War is not the first to be entered into under false pretenses, the Boston Globe cites precedents, however it fails to mention the Gulf Of Tonkin affair which escalated Vietnam from a police action into "war." Lyndon Johnson, a Democratic President from Texas, knew what he was doing then, just as George W. Bush, a Republican from Texas, knew what he was doing when he illegally invaded Iraq. The names and the party affiliations may change from decade to decade. The sickening corruption and insidious power of the Military Industrial Complex behind "the Office of President" remains the same. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Bush's Mistakes The President said he was misunderstood around the world. Yeah, right. He also stated Abu Ghraib was still a problem for us. His take on the problem is not that it happened but that it became public, I suspect. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Suppressing the Press First of all let me say that I am a Canadian who recently became an American citizen. I would have been proud to say this perhaps 6 years ago, but now with this administration's record of lying, twisting facts, using the media to promote whatever agenda they want promoted, invasion of rights and freedom, I sometimes wonder if I can possibly stay here. But, having said that I also realized that I have become more political than I ever thought I would be in my lifetime. I'm signing petitions, donating money, reading, reading and reading. And the more I read the more cynical I become. And being more political makes me feel better that I can be so passionate about the country that I live in. Unfortunately, for my Canada, they seem to be on the same path as we are here in America. We have a new homophobic right-wing Conservative, religious zealot leading my old country now. George and him get along swimmingly well. Stephen Harper will roll over and do whatever George wants him to do because Canada's borders are weak. He already overturned the law that changed the marijuana laws, he's pledged more money for the military and he's coming to visit in July. And now he's messing with the press too. Harper v the press (Globe and Mail) Tom Lowe Subject: Before 9/11 Lemme get this straight. In the summer of 2001 Condi was too busy doing favors for Enron in India to pay attention to the "Bin Laden Determined to Strike U.S." memo. That was how she was performing her function as National Security Advisor? And for this, she was made Secretary of State? In the Republican universe, if that's the level of incompetence that it takes to become Secretary of State, imagine how much it must take to be President. Ascot liberal Subject: Gore and Feingold, the Shepherds of This Lost Nation? BuzzFlash, I read what Feingold had to say about Hayden's nomination for the head of the CIA. I also watched the preview of Gore's movie, "An Inconvenient Truth." Considering the fact that I live in the W loving bible belt, it may be a while till I get the opportunity to watch the movie. After all, here in Kansas, people believe in "creationism." (I wanna mention here that during a conversation with my advisor, he once quietly asked me if I believed in evolution, before launching into a much justified tirade over those who want to teach ID in Science classes. What is shocking is the implication of the question - that some of my fellow graduate students reject science over some monkey brained scheme that itself speaks volumes about Un-intelligent design). Now what's interesting is the obvious similarities between Gore and Feingold. Both are sharp, incisive, principled, ethical, articulate, smart, and amongst other things - CORRECT. And they both have a cause, and both those causes are noble. One (Global Warming) threatens our existence as a species. The other (W) threatens our existence as citizens. Both are urgent, both need to be addressed, both need to be depoliticized, both need to be de-corporatized, both need to be prioritized. OBL does not pose half the threat both these do, and in any case, we don't seem to be pursuing him anyway. What never ceases to amaze me is how it seems that America has become a zombie, marching to the will of the rich and powerful, as they use fear as the poison to ensure that we do not awake. A lot is said about the blogosphere, and those who make an effort to inform the interested of the truth. The only problem is that truth hurts, truth makes you want to change status quo. And when you're high on fear, you don't want to be hurt. That is the collective folly of this nation. Katrina jarred us for a while, and for a moment this nation awoke. I sincerely, sincerely hope that it does not take another national tragedy for us to be jolted to awareness. Akhil Bhardwaj Subject: Separation of Powers John Turley on CNN: 1. Subpoena, not warrant, used in the past for Congressional legal problems. 2. They didn't need to raid Jefferson's office-they had ample evidence. (In my view possibly planted.) 3. Qui bono? Jefferson's office may have contained information that can be used by the repugs in 2006 elections. 4. Dawns on Hastert-he rolls over. (My view, not Turley's.) A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Ned Lamont. It's Shakeup Time in Ca. and Ct. Just sent another donation to the Lamont Campaign in CT after reading a list of the Bush policies and transgressions "kissin Joe" has supported. Let's all get together and stir up the Status Quo in Washington. At the very least send Mr. Lamont a letter of encouragement and support. Lawton Watson Subject: Denny Hastert Hi Buzz, Me thinks the "toad" doth protest too much! Why now HIS constitutional rights, when he wasn't there to protect ours? What is he afraid of now? Is he afraid that some "cold" cash may be found in some other freezers.....hmmmmmm. I say keep all of their feet to the fire. Onward with the FBI looking into just one of the corrupt officials ... and the videotape of this ONE accepting a bribe. Genie Subject: Towers Demolition It is clear from the Loose Change video and many other aspects that 9/11 truth has not been told. The "War on Terror" is based on false premises. Does BuzzFlash take a position on this matter? Thanks for your wonderful information index and references! May your site prevail for putting more truth and perspective into more people's lives. A BuzzFlash Reader [BuzzFlash Note: See It Gets Even More Bizarre: Judith Miller (Yeah, That One) Knew 9/11 Might Happen, But Bush Didn't! And She Was Told by a "Senior White House Official"! Through the Looking Glass Time! (analysis).] Subject: Immigration The minutemen are now installing a fence in Arizona- the press is covering this all important issue. Where were they when all the jobs LEFT the country? Who put up a "fence" to protect American workers? The press would have you believe that IMMIGRATION is the BIG issue. What about the loss of lives in Iraq - for an illegal war? Let's just BLAME the Mexicans. It will make us feel good. Then the government can LOOK like it is doing something. This has to be the BIGGEST diversionary tactic used by our government. If the American people actually fall for it - then they deserve to be deported to Dumbbell Country! Connie Dirig Subject: Now I Understand!!! Ha! I've got it! It's all a plan by the Busheviks! What's that you ask? They're just playing dumb (I know, it's hard to tell sometime) concerning global warming. Start a nuclear war to create nuclear winter. It's brilliant! Who woulda thunk it!!! Now it all makes sense. One cancels out the other and all is well with the world. My hat's off to the boys in DC. Well done. Keep up the good work. You've done so well up to now. You're on a roll. Bring it on. Randl Lieb |
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