June 5, 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.

Subject: A Troublesome Thought

Wednesday, George W. Bush admitted he was troubled about something. He was quoted as saying:

“I am troubled by the initial news stories...If, in fact, laws were broken, there will be punishment."

What “troubled” his “beautiful mind” was news accounts and eyewitness testimony that a group of our Marines had broken into two houses and shot 24 Iraqi civilians; and that among those victims shot in the head by our Marines were 5 children. Under the age of 5.

Where have we heard that promise of punishment before?

Although the question that I really want answers to is why this man, who proudly put his position of “commander-in-chief” above his oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, is ALWAYS the last to know what is going on with the troops he commands and the White House he leads.

Throughout Bush’s 5 years in our Oval Office; through the dark days after September 11, 2001; the Valerie Plame scandal; the bombing of wedding parties in both Iraq and Afghanistan; the absolute and total breakdown of our military rules of war regarding torture, we have been promised:

“THERE WILL BE PUNISHMENT!”

But the “punishment” never comes. The investigations are whitewashes, whether the 1,000% increase in gas prices by oil executives receiving millions in retirement benefits, or the inept handling of a hurricane, or the domino effect of so many mistakes that culminated in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. And each and every time we have been confronted with a crime of ever increasing magnitude, we are promised the guilty will pay. But here we are, in the last 2 years of his second administration with no solutions, no one taking responsibility, and no one punished for the criminal acts committed on Commander-in-Chief Bush’s watch.

The Bush mind seems to dart from event to event; like a small child in a toy store, a diversion here, a diversion there; never really thinking through the consequences of his actions and throwing tantrums when he doesn’t get the “toy” he wants. His is a surface “trouble”, like that child, it enters his consciousness briefly, and is easily shrugged off. Then he just flits on to the next “trouble” he must vow to punish.

But ours is a deep trouble, with consequences and despair and disbelief. We aren’t just “troubled” by the events that have taken place in our lives since 2000; we are horrified, we are repulsed, we are appalled. And we are shattered and in deep mourning for the lost integrity of our once proud country.

It is well known that a captain “goes down with his ship.” It is time for “Commander” Bush to be forced to acknowledge that his “ship of state” is sinking, and go down with it.

Carol Hagner
Richland, MO

Subject: Bush serves up his "reality"

There is a scene in the movie "Sophie's Choice" where, first, we see the horror of daily life for the Nazis' prisoners in the Nazi concentration camps: filth, degradation, starvation, beatings, torture, sadism and death. Then the camera follows as a woman prisoner is walked through a large wooden gate and enters the residential compound where the camp commandant and his German family live. It is a paradise of gardens, ample food, warm clothing, clean beds, radios, pretty dresses, servants, music, a normal life spent without any acknowledgment of the hideousness that exists on the other side of the high wooden walls that separate the two worlds.

I think of that scene often when I consider the agony of daily life in Iraq (for both the Iraqis and the Americans), and I contrast that horror with the obliviousness of our daily lives here in America.

We don't see the body bags coming home from the war. We don't see the coffins of the dead soldiers. There is no rationing, no draft, no sacrifice (except for the military people and their families). Instead, lots of tax cuts for the rich and lucrative military contracts for the Bush "friends." Bush is putting on a fabulous fantasy show for us. I guess he thinks if we are not forced to confront the reality of the war and what we are doing to all the innocent people in Iraq, including our own military, we will forget about it and just be glad he "spared" us the bad moments and guilt.

I hope we can overcome that absence of guilt, guilt we should feel for what is being done in our name over there -- to Americans as well as to Iraqis.

Bush has reduced the war in Iraq to just another TV "realty show" for the American public.

I hope most Americans are smarter than Bush thinks they are and are not tuning in to Bush's "reality" anymore.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: FINALLY

Okay, Bobby Jr is crying "Theft!"

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432334/was_the_2004_election_stolen

Now could somebody get on the Franken blog at Air America and tell Al?!?!?

This, from Mark Crispin Miller: "I am frankly staggered by the fact that Democrats like Donna Brazile, and Hillary Clinton, and Christopher Dodd, and Al Franken, and progressives like Mark Hertsgaard, and reporters like Manjoo, have all responded to the evidence of vast electoral fraud exactly as the perpetrators have themselves responded to it." [i.e. impugned the sanity of anyone even raising the question of voter theft/suppression. Take note of Mark's distinction between 'Democrats', and 'progressives'.]

Excerpted from this BUZZFLASH interview:

http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/06/02/int06005.html

I'd get on the blog myself, but I seem to be blocked from posting there, in all fairness probably because of the many times I've previously posted remarks to the effect that Al is a conceited ass whose relentless self-promotion impedes rather than facilitates the flow of factual information we in the reality-based community need to counter the right-wing lie-machine...

Cory Hinman
Ann Arbor, MI 

Hi Buzz and Buzzers,

Thanks for including my letter in your Homeland InSecurity editorial. I've only gotten angrier and angrier since I wrote that. What Chertoff really means when he says there are no important national icons here, is that there is really no one here worth saving. They feel the same about all Blue cities and states, as is evidenced by their allocation of money. Aren't they the ones always saying that we're aiding the terrorists when we speak out against our politicians? Well, I'm sure Al Qaeda is plenty interested in the fact that NY, Washington DC and other large cities are getting their terror funding cut. I wish this entire city would show up in DC, join with DC residents and storm the Capitol. I don't understand why we're not doing it.

One of our local politicians, Alan Hevesi, the State Comptroller, made a comment yesterday about the possibility of Senator Schumer putting "a bullet between the president's eyes, if he could get away with it." Wow. He's already apologized about 1,000 times, but it won't help. Wait until he tries to get on a commercial flight (and he better not get on any private planes either). Well, I'm not going to make a comment about what he said other than he shouldn't have said that out loud. I'm sure they'll take away whatever pittance they were going to give us, but you know what? Screw 'em. With or without their money, I will never feel safe with these people in office. Nor should anyone else. I would have thought that our local TV stations would be screaming non-stop about this. Well, not so. They're talking about it, but not the way they should be. What do these people care about, other than their freakin' paychecks? They live here, for godsakes!

Now, after reading Greg Palast's article - How They Stole Ohio - I'm over the edge. We all knew it was stolen. But reading the actual proof, the numbers, how they did it, it's almost impossible to absorb. I'm thankful to Greg Palast for all the research and work he's done on this. But the question is, what the hell are we going to do? These criminals aren't going to let the Dems take Congress no matter what. I just know it. It's five months to the election and nothing is being done. I'm really getting quite panicked.

I've felt for a long time that voting just isn't going to be the answer anymore. People are constantly saying we can get back at them at the polls in November. Well, I've never really thought so. What about 2000, 2002, 2004? Those elections were rigged. And now they've only gotten better at it, and to boot, the country isn't really paying much attention to this issue. At this point, I really can't imagine what it will take for the people to wake up. I'm afraid they're not going to if they haven't by now.

And what else is making my stomach churn this week (as if the above isn't enough). Well, Haditha for one - the shame. The lies and cover-ups. If I see one more interview with Blitzer trying to challenge John Murtha (what a laugh), I'll barf. Why doesn't Murtha just pick up Blitzer and hurl him out the window? I know he could do it. Probably with one hand. And today I find out that our senator Chuck Schumer voted for Hayden. Thanks Chuck. Even Hillary voted against him.

Enough ranting for now. Thanks for the heads-up about the Dixie Chicks CD, which I just ordered. It'll be good therapy to listen to it.

Barbara in NYC
(hiding in my bunker - no, just kidding!)

Subject: Homeland Security

You are correct in stating that blue states received a drastic cut in homeland security funding. San Diego, CA, has the marine base, ports, nuclear reactors, national monuments, but received a 50% cut. Los Angeles also received severe cuts, but cities in the red states with no ports or national monuments received increases. Go Figure.

Keep up your good work!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: If a Country Wants To Buy Oil, It Will Need Euros!

Why are not many more folks talking about this?

The reason we attacked Iraq is that Saddam was prepared, as soon as sanctions against him expire, to change the currency with which to purchase his oil from the $ to the Euro.

The reason we are preparing to go to war with Iran is because of the Iran Oil Bourse which in June 2006 (yes, this month) will change the currency with which to purchase their oil from the $ to the Euro.

And guess what, folks, Russia has announced that this month it will also change the currency with which to purchase their oil from the $ to the Euro!

This conversion by the countries which produce a collective 27% of the world's oil will have a disastrous effect on our $ and will throw our economy into total chaos.

So what are we doing: We are worrying about gay marriage and flag burning.

Heaven help us!

Emy de la Fuente
Miami, Florida

Subject: Reagan on the Penny

Dear BuzzFlash;

I read that "Congress" want to get rid of the penny. I also remember the GOP wanted to put Reagan on American currency.

Why not compromise?

Put Reagan on the penny.

That way, the GOP will get their boy on currency, and they will NEVER get rid of the penny.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Haditha

What IF...the attacks are our own soldiers' way of trying to FORCE us OUT of Iraq???

Think about that a moment...is it really so absurd?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear Buzz,

I am so happy to see you reviewing the Dixie Chicks' new album. I already bought it. I saw them on Larry King and feel irate that they are made to feel that their statement was not respectful of the office of president. Republicans still say terrible things about FDR and, as we all know, said terrible things about Bill Clinton when he was in office. When did they ever respect the office of the president? Only when it suits them!! And they are only using that now to quell dissent of their policies. I wish I could say that to the Dixie Chicks in person. BTW they (right wingers) were mad at them from the time of their song "Goodbye Earl" came out. They did not like the 'outspoken women' and were just looking for another reason to blast them.

BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Olbermann beat-down 

Last night Keith Olbermann eviscerated Bill O'Reilly so badly Bill's been Rude Punditized. Not the usual wry Keith mockery of the "Falafel King," but such a vicious (and richly deserved) bloodletting that this morning there was hardly anything left of Bill for Al Franken to savage - just a broken leg bone and some entrails. Watch the beat-down here:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/06/01.html

Rosamond

Subject: US Military Denies new allegations as BBC makes even MORE allegation

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=2032795&page=1  

New allegations of a massacre involving US troops in Iraq have emerged after the BBC aired footage of an incident in which 11 Iraqi civilians were killed.  Iraqi police said 11 civilians, including five children and four women, were shot and killed by US troops who then blew up the building.  

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5040258.stm

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DECB59FE-66CE...

Houston Chron reports that yesterday, June 1, US soldiers shot dead a pregnant woman, being rushed to the hospital to give birth, and her mother, whose car got into the wrong lane at a checkpoint.

U.S. Troops Kill Pregnant Woman in Iraq  

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/3918920.html

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: The Emperor Has No Votes

Dear Friends,

It is now impossible to argue that the last election was not stolen.

http://georgewashington.blogspot.com/2006/06/emperor-has-no-votes.html 

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Robert Kennedy's Article

This article has had a lot of time and effort put into it, on account of the research gathered to put into it, plus Kennedy's talks with voter workers and all who worked during the past elections. He seems to be a very intelligent and astute person.

I really do think we need someone like him to be a candidate on either the Democratic, Independent, or Progressive ticket for the 2008 election for Vice-President. He would be very good together on a ticket with a strong Presidential candidate. The reason that I say this is because according to something that I just read in my e-mail from Move-on org., Kennedy views would embody the 3 most important issues voted for by people who just recently took a poll on what they thought were the most important polls for the next election. They first three issues were to have new avenues of cleaner energy for the environment, doing something about really changing the health care system, and to bring back our system of democracy (which has been threatened big time by the deliberate manipulation of the voting systems by the Republican Party in the last 2 elections.)

Some people will ask, "What does this recent report of Robert Kennedy Jr. do at this point in time? It is news we know already." The point is that this report took a lot of time to collect and it is very specific and informative (more than anything that I have read thus far). The last two paragraphs especially underline just how, with the manipulation of the voting in the past, our democracy in the U.S. has seriously been undermined. Actually, this past manipulation of votes has seriously undermined every area of our whole lives. All ten issues are important to Move-on org., and they will still fight for the ceasing of the War in Iraq.

Valerie Davis
Alton, IA

Subject: Courage, Thy Name Is Dixie Chicks

LOL! This week's issue of so-called MSM Time Magazine styles the Dixie Chicks "radical." They're not radical. Rather, Time is reactionary. Likewise Fascist Faux News styled Bruce Springsteen's recent pro-democracy concert "Bush-bashing." So what do you call what Fox did to Clinton? Surely, not hypocrisy?

Will Wyche
Palm Springs, CA

Subject: Election Fraud Blitzed on CNN

BuzzFlash,

On Friday, June 2, Wolf Blitzer did a short news segment on election fraud in 2004 with Robert F. Kennedy Jr and the the press secretary for the 2004 Bush/Cheney campaign, Terry Holt. I would not have thought it possible, in such a short period of time, to violate so many tenets of good journalism. Blitzer starts out: "Why are you reviving these allegations, Robert Kennedy, right now, given the fact that they've been so thoroughly reviewed over the past 2 1/2 years and people have concluded that there's no hard evidence of fraud?"

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/02/sitroom.02.html

So the issue is RFK, not election fraud. And "the people" have concluded all's OK. He then goes on to dismiss the four pages of references in RFK's article as not providing the type of evidence he thinks is important:

I didn't see any hard evidence that there was someone, and if you're going to talk about a massive fraud, you have to have somebody, presumably, that's going to come forward and say, "You know what? I was involved in this campaign."

Yes, according to Blitzer, if Republicans aren't coming out of the woodwork saying "We committed fraud, put us in jail," then fraud couldn't have happened!

Well actually there are several who have admitted guilt and several that have even been convicted. But this and other falsehoods by Blitzer and Holt are never retracted, even after RFK points them out.

Most blatant of all, the assertion that a bipartisan commission concluded there was no fraud. Even MSM reported that the Republicans wouldn't even provide a room, let alone join, the investigation by John Conyers. But I forget that any crimes committed by Republicans more than 6 months ago are "ancient history."

The soft-on-torture liberal

Subject: Doom for the remaining 29% support level for Pres. Bush

CBS did a spot June 2 about the government snoop types wanting records of all U.S. internet surfing, and not just to find terrorists - to find criminality of all types.

My own unscientific polling suggests that, of the 29% who still support Pres. Bush, almost all are White 'christian' Fundamentalists who have been threatened with eternity in hell if they don't toe the neocon line. Logically, of those 29%, about half are males, mostly white.

My own experience with white 'christian' Fundamentalist males is that they have a pronounced propensity for really creepy porn, so probably have been visiting some pretty weird web sites.

As news spreads of the monitoring of internet surfing, Pres. Bush's support may drop off suddenly and dramatically, to about 15%.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Response to Shirley in St. Louis

Dear BuzzFlash and Shirley:

One thing I love about this website is the opportunity to dialogue amongst the regular readers, and our bunch is always polite and intelligent to one another, so please, if you will, post this response to my friend Shirley in St. Louis.

In a word, Shirley, touche. You are right about the affordability of Wal-Mart and economic conditions may very well have benefited yours and other small communities. During this week of the Wal-Mart shareholder's meeting down here in Fayetteville, a few unions did protest, albeit meekly. On a broader scale, thanks to Bush and the Republicans, NAFTA and GATT, the whole domestic industrial complex in America and the retail complex that collapses after the industry moves out of the country is the real enemy of all of us.

All corporations, bless their greedy little hearts, will take advantage of cost savings wherever they can, Wal-Mart being no exception. It's truly the greedy capitalist pigs that run the country who paved the way to destroy our infrastructure and send the middle class down to its knees gasping for air. We still have time to get up and fight, but it'll be a tough one if the next election cycle is as rigged as the last two.

Scott
Fayetteville, AR

Subject: It's not Bush's Fault!

A lot of people are saying that the 24 civilians killed in the Haditha cover up is the worst scandal of the Bush presidency. People are saying this one is worse than Abu Ghraib. I don't agree. This scandal isn't really Bush's fault. In contrast Abu Ghraib was an operation that had it's roots at the top. Bush wanted people tortured, but not murdered. In fact, I think there are a number of scandals that are worse than Haditha.

For example, the secret offshore prison scandal is far worse because it's something that Bush was involved with. The same is true for other failures like the trade deficit, the failed Medicare drug program, the 9 trillion dollar debt, the high price of gas, 2500 dead soldiers, Hurricane Katrina, the failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, his failed Social Security plan, the 2 stolen elections, immigration issues, troops on the border with Mexico, outsourcing jobs, high interest rates, insurgents, terrorism, the election of Hammas, bankruptcies, America's damaged reputation, NSA spying, CIA leaks, Halliburton, Stem Cells, drilling in Alaska, Mission Accomplished, no WMDs, Gitmo, 9-11, Osama bin Laden still free, tax cuts for the rich, FEMA, the high price of housing, Harriet Woods, all children left behind, record oil company profits, the nuclear crisis in Korean and Iran, and turning peace and prosperity into war and poverty.

Bush can't be blamed for everything. I say that global warming, bird flu, Cheney shooting, and Haditha are not his fault. Let's not blame Bush for the things he had nothing to do with.

I'm Marc Perkel - And I approved this message!

Marc Perkel
San Francisco, CA

Subject: What's in Jefferson's Cabinet?

Do you suppose poor old Jefferson had the WMDs hidden in his Congressional office?

Liz Walker
Hollywood, California

Subject: "An Inconvenient Truth"

Buzzers-

Friday Night we attempted to see Al Gore's new film "An Inconvenient Truth" in San Francisco but all showings were sold out until midnight.

Saturday saw it in Palo Alto. All showings were filled to capacity...the people were really into the film and clapped at the end. Gore did a great job.

As knowledgeable and interested in the environment as I am, learned a lot, including how it's not much of a mind-stretch to see how major world seaport cities could be under water in a decade. The information presented is dramatic, but not hyped. And of course the main culprits are the oil companies, i.e.: Bush Inc.

Please tell everyone you know to see this important film. For a city where it's playing near you see http://www.climatecrisis.net.

Suzanne
San Francisco

Subject: AP Misses Another Golden Opportunity

When Senator Kennedy declared his vote against Iraq war his best and said that U.S. presence in Iraq "inflames the insurgency" the AP reported this response from the RNC:

Tracey Schmitt, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, scoffed at the criticism, saying "Kennedy's pessimism does nothing to keep America safe."

Kennedy: Vote against Iraq war my best (AAP/Yahoo)

Of course, Kennedy was not being pessimistic, merely realistic. Too bad the AP reporter passed on this opportunity to ask the RNC spokeswoman to explain how starting a war or clinging to fantasy-based optimism about how well it's going helps make America safer.

The war in Iraq has made the world considerably less safe for everyone, at the cost of many thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of dollars that could have been far better spent developing alternative energy or fighting the root causes of terrorism (i.e. corporate/government greed and corruption that creates poverty and oppression).

Don Alejandro
Spencer, WV

Subject: Less Than One Thousand Al Qaeda

It's being reported that there is less than one thousand hard core Al Qaeda in the world. Yet Bush Cheney and Rumsfeld and their policies have created thousands upon thousands of anti-American terrorists. Now, that qualifies as real success that one can hardly disagree with.

Could not the CIA and M-5 British Intelligence have efficiently dispatched such a small group of America haters without the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and the wasting of a trillion dollars?

But then Halliburton would not have survived bankruptcy and oil prices would have remained stable and less costly!

Lawton Watson

Subject: Stalking the Dixie Chicks in Wal-Mart

Taking my cue from BuzzFlash, I decided the iPod could use the latest Dixie Chicks CD to round out an eclectic collection short on Country music. Since our independent music store folded after Wal-Mart came to our small Wyoming town, I headed to Wal-Mart. As my oldest son says "I feel dirty after I shop there, but sometimes I have to." The music section was easy to find but I grew increasingly frustrated looking for the Dixie Chicks. Country Music had place of pride with multiple displays of Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Reba, Alan, and others, but no Dixie Chicks. "Is this another refusal to stock a 'leftish' product?" I mused. I re-scanned the alphabetical bins. I was about to ask one of those associates with the blue "How May I Help You?" vests, what gives with not stocking the number one CD, when I noticed, down low, a violet card with the words Dixie Chicks on it. Strangely, it was behind four copies of "John Denver's Greatest Hits." Hmm, I said. I snagged my Dixie Chicks CD and re-deployed the John Denver CD's on top of some pro-war artists because it was clear that four John Denver CD's in a clump was not a shopper's error.

Wal-Mart is tops in product placement strategies. Why is the number one CD relegated to a low, obscure spot? Couldn't be politics. Since every cash register transaction is beamed via satellite to headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, why hadn't the computer picked up on an anomaly: Dixie Chicks zero sales in spite of being number one nationwide? I am a man on a mission now. I've got the Chicks' back. The CD's will be seen...and heard in central Wyoming. And I will wave to the security cameras.

Stephen Roberts

Subject: Army Dog-handler Gets Ninety Days for Abu Ghraib Abuse

Yes, it's token punishment but it's still ninety days more than President Bush has received for mass-murder and his other crimes against humanity. Let's see, extrapolating from the time that our Abu Ghraib torturer is getting for siccing his dog on just one Iraqi prisoner, our president should receive upwards of two thousand four hundred and sixty nine years in prison for every ten thousand Americans and Iraqis who've died because he lied to us about his reasons for going to war. That'll be a start, at least.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Who To Vote For Made Easy

We the people hold troops home now rallies in every congressional district (say, on three consecutive Monday nights in August) and we invite all those who are running for a seat in Congress to attend. Those candidates who support troops out now, we support them, while those candidates who don't don't get our votes.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Obsessed Montana Judge

So it is compromising national security to let the big secret out of the bag that the government is (illegally) wiretapping, and a criminal investigation about the leak of this information is therefore justified, but this little story about online "sting" type operations - by anyone, let alone a Montana "judge" - is OK? Who, exactly, do our great leaders think they are dealing with here? That's right - with a bunch of children who gleefully lap up any pablum placed before them.

Mom by Day, Terrorist Hunter by Night (ABC News)

Tim
Miami, Florida

Subject: The National Security Scam

Every time the naughty little Bushies get in trouble they have the same defense; National Security. They can’t tell us what is going on because it would endanger the country. If we’re dumb enough to believe that, they have some lovely ocean front property in Nevada. (There is sand. Slightly contaminated with nuclear materials.)

We keep getting scammed and some folks still believe the same old sewage. If they admitted to themselves what’s happening in this country they might have to do something about it. That would also require everyone to think for themselves. Think that’s gonna happen?

We shouldn't be allowed to use talking points from either party in our conversations. Talking points must be written by the same pinheads who write the dim-witted commercials on television. I make it a point to write down the commercials that most egregiously insult my intelligence or my ears and never buy their product. (Start with the moron who monotonously repeats “Bueller, Bueller ...". I admit I don’t know what the hell he is selling because I have already left that channel for parts unknown.)

Oops not the time to rant about all the things that are a constant assault on our intellect. Back to the National Security scam. One of such a very long list.

No one would argue that there are legitimate things that must and should be kept secret. The things that are supposed to protect our nation, not our pinheaded politicians. The only rule they are really concerned about is the one with the letters C.Y.A.; other than that they will “leak” anything they think might make them look good. If Washington D.C. was a ship it would have sunk years ago.

“Shhhh,” we are told. “Everything we say is being listened to by Al Qaeda.” No shisa Sherlock! Do you think they’re so stupid and unsophisticated they don’t know what we’re doing to catch them? Not every bulb is as dim as the ones we elected.

If our incompetent government spent more time chasing terrorists, both foreign and domestic, and less time watching Quakers and Vegans passing out peanut butter sandwiches, we would all be a lot safer. They would also have a lot more time to chase the “real” bad guys. Although I’ve always had my suspicions of that guy on the oatmeal box.

Marjorie Swanson
Kenosha, Wisconsin

Subject: Canadian Terrorism

I am an American who lives in Canada. I am well informed about the US Regime's activities.

Canada recently elected a "conservative" Government which has a Minority, i.e., it cannot do whatever it wants since it could be defeated at any time. This government has had contacts with the neocons over the years, notably Newt Gingrich. BuzzFlash recently carried a story about Frank Luntz, a GOP operative, having close contacts with the new Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. This "conservative" government pushes all the same hot buttons as the US Regime: terror, law 'n order, anti-abortion, anti-gay, but must also disguise much of its agenda from the Canadian electorate.

Keeping all the above in mind, then, one should examine any Canadian "terror" stories with a skeptical and cynical eye. And, in general, I would advise this as regards all Canadian political stories. This is particularly true since the recent "terror" operation was a sting, with the explosive material having been supplied by the police themselves.

There are some indications that Canadians themselves are questioning this story, particularly since MOST CANADIANS WANT OUT OF AFGHANISTAN. This may be one purpose of the sting, to get Canadians to move toward more involvement in the US War and Public Safety Rackets.

I hope this is of some use and I hope the US Alternative media will investigate these links of the neocons and the Canadian Conservative Party. It sure looks like we are in for a dose of good ole Regime propaganda here in the North.

Thanks.

Canada police used sting in terror arrests (Times of India)

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: News analysis: Typical NYTimes Article 

BuzzFlash:

This was an excellent breakdown of the spin that is now the current "journalism" as seen in the NY Times "the paper of record" (who is doing the recording, I wonder?) as well as in the WaPo. It seems there are few papers that will now "tell it like it is," rather than telling it like the Busheviks would have us believe it is. To have us think that Bush is asking for anything more than favor from his SOS is poppycock. And thinking that he is considering anything other than brute force again is beyond anyone with even half a brain. Keeping in mind that "I am a WAR president" is what seems to drive him, the only thing I believe he wants is justification for further aggression against our would-be enemies. Because, in truth, this man sees everyone who is not his friend as his enemy. And thus, an "enemy of the US." And with every aggressive act and insult and slight this nation has perpetrated during the past 5-plus years, there is no reason to think he is mistaken - this time.

Leslie
Evanston

Subject: The New York Times

All the news that's fit to avoid, or skew in a way that doesn't offend the White House.

Another example: Today's article about the Chicago convention about the 9/11 cover-up, attended by 500 skeptics. The headline referred to the 500 as "conspiracy buffs," even though the group included a physics professor from Brigham Young University who asserts that the twin towers and Building # 7 (which was never hit by a plane) were detonated from the bottom.

The Times has so far failed to even acknowledge the article by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in Rolling Stone. RFK, Jr. says the 2004 election was rigged for Bush, which of course makes him an illegitimate president. The Times won't even go so far as to present this as an issue.

It's a tragedy that a once great newspaper has sold its soul to Corporate America. The problem is, of course, that the Times is now part of Corporate America (The New York Times Company). We live in an era when independent and investigative journalism have yielded to corporate interests, thus dastardly acts by highly placed people must be allowed to stand.

Robert Lockwood Mills
Monroe, CT

Subject: Why Are You Not Highlighting Those Amplifying RFK Jr's Bold Expose?

Why are you highlighting this crap -- Several major liberal blogs are sharply critical of RFK Jr.'s reliance on exit polls in his piece on the stolen election of '04. 6/4 -- instead? Furthermore, your headline for the links says "Many liberal blogs..." Why don't you link to Thom Hartmann's excellent piece, or to Mark Crispin Miller's comments? Buzz, I am profoundly disappointed.

Richard Power
S.F.

[BuzzFlash Note: Guess you missed this one? Thom Hartmann: Stand Up for Democracy With Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. - A BuzzFlash Guest Contribution. This one's good, too: Bob Cesca: The Help Republicans Vote Act (Huffington Post).]

Subject: Stolen Election in Ohio

"Liberal" bloggers who refute RFK's use of exit polls to challenge 2004 election results in Ohio (and nationwide) need a lesson in statistics.

Several major liberal blogs are sharply critical of RFK Jr.'s reliance on exit polls in his piece on the stolen election of '04. 6/4

Individual exit polls may well be incorrect indicators of a local election outcome. When exit poll results are AGGREGATED, the probability of their being incorrect is greatly reduced.

The reason for this is that the individual differences between exit poll and election results are generally UNBIASED, meaning that the "errors" are random.

When random errors are aggregated, the average error moves toward zero-- neither candidate is favored.

The "errors" found in Ohio, and nationally, nearly always favored George W. Bush.

They are strong evidence that George Bush stole the election.

Robert Kennedy is right.

Rob Urie

Subject: Re Uncertainty surrounds reactor plans 6/5

Life is uncertain.

Jobs are uncertain.

Automobiles are uncertain.

People are uncertain.

And much technology is uncertain. So stop this "uncertainty" business about new nuclear power plants before anyone knows what's being planned. Reading between the lines of this article, uncertainty = "negative press," but what we really need are facts and truth, not opinions.

A few facts:

Commercial nuclear power plants are very safe; check the record.

The new reactor designers have taken the lessons learned and operation of earlier power plant designs and problems and incorporated many, many improvements, therefore less uncertainty in their construction and operating

The new power plant designs are “standardized,” eliminating much uncertainty about their performance between plants

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved two new designs, and has published a streamlined licensing process for new power plants, eliminating much of the uncertainty related to licensing without choking off dissenting views

Last June, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife visited the nuclear plant at which I’m employed in Southwest Michigan. He publicly supports commercial nuclear power as a needed factor in our energy production mix.

Commercial nuclear power plants are not nuclear weapons, a fact many anti-nukes may not understand.

Yes, commercial nuclear power plants are a potential target of home-grown and foreign-born terrorists, as are our water supplies, non-nuclear power generating plants, our electricity grid, our highways, our health care facilities, our private homes, our military bases and our electronic communications, among many others. And, yes, our buildings are targets, too. But I believe none of these others have a higher level of security than those in place at nuclear power plants.

As liberals, “left-leaners,” democrats, etc., we need to be rational about every issue, including nuclear power plants, if we really want to provide our country the time to fully develop the alternative energy sources we need in the coming  post-petroleum-based world. Commercial nuclear power plants, designed, licensed, constructed and operated under the present-day conditions will give that to us.

Bill Darbyshire
Galien, MI

Subject: Exit Strategy

I finally figured out the Exit Strategy that Bush has in mind. We announce that we have to pull out of Iraq because we need the troops to invade Iran. Or is it that we need the troops back home to enforce the Gay Marriage Ban?

Allan K.
Morgantown, WV

Subject: The Incompetent Press!

I would like to start a campaign to get people to write to ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, etc. regarding the coverage that the dead and injured soldiers get. I saw a report on The Early Show that really ticked me off on Saturday. They were talking about Kimberly Dozier and her progress from her injuries she received. The comment was: "We had one miracle, we wish we could have had three." I guess they forgot about the captain that was killed along with the cameraman and producer. The comment should have been: "I wish we could have had four." I am under the impression, maybe mistaken impression, that if enough people write and petition the press for more coverage for our soldiers, that it could possibly make a difference. I hope you read this and can help me. Thank you.

CBS: Wounded Reporter to Return to U.S. (AP/Washington Post)

Freida Flores
Miami, Florida

Subject: The Estate Tax Must Stay: Buckley v Valeo 1976

Theodore Roosevelt knew that concentrated hereditary wealth was a danger to democracy; I wonder why today’s Republicans choose to ignore this fact. This week the American people’s Congress is preparing to wreck their constitution in the interests of a very small and exclusive subset of their constituency: the fabulously wealthy. The proposed repeal of the estate tax would not only represent a monumentally crass bit of mercenary legislation, it would also shred the constitution - possibly beyond repair.

The Supreme Court’s 1976 Buckley v Valeo decision essentially equates money with free speech in regard to political matters; due primarily to the intrinsic difficulties in distinguishing political from economic behavior. I myself am torn on the propriety of the Buckley decision - it grates on my egalitarian view of social justice, but would seem to be supported by the libertarian principals of a free society. But in any case, this decision represents the prevailing jurisprudence in regard to the role played by personal wealth in our political system, and it therefore must be attended to.

To honor the mission statements laid out by our founders in the Declaration of Independence (all men are created equal) and the procedural framework outlined in the Constitution (... nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws), it must be recognized that the Buckley decision requires that some degree of economic equity among American citizens be fostered and preserved. How could one citizen be permitted to accumulate - or to be born with - an overwhelmingly disproportionate portion of free speech than any other?

I personally believe that a significant redistribution of our nation’s wealth is demanded by this precedent; but at the very least our legislators must not recklessly destroy a just and sensible measure that was instituted by a previous generation in response to the same oligarchic tyranny that threatens our republic today.

Ken Duerksen
Oxford, Ohio

Subject: Comment on the Analysis of a Talk at Lunch that Shifted the Stance on Iran

One point you missed in your analysis; Bush seems to be a king or a god in the NYT story. He never says anything directly, and his actions are reported second hand.

Scott Olson
San Diego

Subject: In spite of Rice's dismissal of Iran of oil threats, price surges above $73 

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/06/05/us.iran.oil/

Remember when we were shocked about $50? (09 August, 2004 - 2 years = +50%)

Oil Eyes $50 - Where Will It End? (Reuters/CounerCurrents)

(At least the $200,000+ earners got their tax break so they can fill their SUV's Mercedes' without a thought....whew.....)

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