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| June 27, 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: Who Needs Privacy? Don’t expect a significant number of Americans to care if the government is spying on them. For some it is an issue of safety first and to hell with civil rights or privacy as long as they think they are safe. Their lack of thinking this through is consistent with an American population that has been raised on sound bites and talking points. No time for deep thinking. Second and most disturbing is the seemingly endless taste people have for getting their faces on the tube and telling the world their life story. No matter how silly, sad, revolting, stupid, the love of a spotlight seems embedded in some people's character. For others the thought of going on some ridiculous program like the arrogant and asinine Dr. Phil in order to let the world know what a bunch of incompetent and downright stupid people we are is unbelievable. We were raised to not wash our dirty laundry in public. We were raised to have a little dignity. Why are people willing to go on television and expose their nasty little souls to the world? How sad that any human being would find a spotlight more important than their dignity. So when these people hear that the government is reading their emails, tapping into their phone calls or going through their bank records, they just don’t care. They don’t need privacy and think that those who do must be hiding something. People will parade their sad little lives on Dr. Phil, Jerry Springer et al., and not care that they have cheapened their lives and their problems for the ratings of some self-serving jerk who has become a multi-millionaire using people’s misery to enrich themselves. Don’t expect people to care about their privacy. Many don’t need any and don’t want any. They are perfectly willing to sell their souls for their 15 minutes of fame. Even if it means they are 15-minute fools. Marjorie L. Swanson Subject: Democratic Voters Ahead of Leaders on Pull-out from Iraq According to a Washington Post survey. No surprise, this. The public is always ahead of the politicos. Only in the past the politicos eventually caught up with us. Unfortunately this isn't happening now when on account of global warming and this perpetual war on terror, we're on the verge of "Will the last one to leave please turn-off the lights." Which means that we the people have to change the world or else. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Liberal Country Fan I loved finding this site...now we can get out two cents in...just like Reba! And I did...believe me! I was also pleased with Cher for sharing her new padded helmet for the troops. She is outspoken enough to say what we cannot at times, she said, she gets so "Pissed" when anyone says that we cannot be behind the troops if we are not with this president...and she showed many letters she had gotten from Military thanking her for buying the new pads for the helmets...with her own money...and the help of people who donate. It may have saved lives...with a jerk like Rummy who says, "We go to war with the army we have, not the one we would like to have!" What a jerk! Sometimes...I would love to say to the entire administration..."WHY DO YOU GUYS HATE OUR TROOPS?"""!!!! Shirley ... St. Louis, MO Subject: The Shortest Synopsis That Could Be Used To Describe Progressive Philosophy "THE GOLDERN RULE" Or, The Best One Sentence Platform for Progressives, Liberals and the Democratic Party The June 26, 2006 issue of The Nation magazine featured a piece by Bernie Horn entitled “Progressive Values 101" calling for a more succinct articulation of Progressive philosophy. It’s becoming obvious that simply pointing out the vast multitude of ways Bushites are jeopardizing the country, even highlighting the Administration's ongoing attacks against its most fundamental principles, is not adequate. Unfortunately, there are far too many battles being fought on far, far too many fronts, which risks dissipation of focus. Worse, a simple litany of the incompetence, cronyism, waste, greed, delusions, bias, injustice, lies and naked aggression, especially a long list, tends to turn off the listeners as being merely negative. The article went on to elaborate the author’s own boiled down version of what Progressivism is explaining the interplay of “freedom,” “opportunity” and “security.” It resonated with me, but still stuck me as far too complicated to sway those voters with short attention spans who bought wholesale into the Bush’s so-called “Compassionate Conservatism,” “Moral Values” and “War Against Terrorism.” Besides, the Bushites continually allege they too are for Freedom, Opportunity and Security (albeit with their own skewed interpretations). As usual, they have just redefined or shifted emphasis on the words. It has proven far too easy for those now in control to pervert the debate by demagoguery or shell games, especially whenever the slightest potential for ambiguity is present. Consequently, is there any way to set forth an even shorter litmus test of the Progressive versus the Bushite philosophies? It needs to be something which cannot be perverted. And, it needs to be something that holds up in 10-second commercials. Possibly. It’s an even more fundamental summation of Progressive philosophy than Mr. Horn’s three principles, one that encompasses nearly all that Progressives, old style Liberals and even the Democratic Party platform itself seem to stand for. It’s the “Golden Rule.” Nothing more. And, more importantly, nothing less. Think about it. Is there anything in Progressive philosophy that cannot be encompassed in the “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” phrase? Everything from caring for the ill, the aged, the young, the poor and the downtrodden to trying diplomacy before bombing fits well within it. It is the foundation for women's rights, civil rights, balancing of powers and judicial review. It’s a justification for impeachment, since the Golden Rule implies accountability. And, it does not preclude saving jobs, saving money or self defense. Even more esoteric concepts, such as leaving the environment we all live in pristine and protecting its flora and fauna for the future, in their essence, are within the idea that both we as individuals and our government should strive to be Good Samaritans. The Good Samaritan parable comes from the Bible (showing us once again that Middle Eastern tribes have much to teach us if we do not constantly declare them enemies). It also is a staple found in many religions and taught from Sunday School onward. Nevertheless, one does not have to be religious to appreciate its applicability for society as a whole, regardless of faith. Better yet, it is a concept everyone instantly understands and can easily apply to almost any proposal being made by any politician of any stripe. Best of all, Progressives can proclaim they want to apply the Golden Rule while showing how the Bushites want only to shorten it to “Gold ... Rule[s]” and “Do unto others ... [first].” It would be a supreme irony for the Bushites who warped religion to their own purposes to be brought down by a Biblical verse. In physics, they are still searching for the universal theory that applies. We are more fortunate in politics. There is already one available and it belongs to the Progressives. It's a golden oldie. C. A. Hillestad Subject: Honour "Did Cheney know of Pentagon general's redeployment plan when he said redeployment was "worst possible thing we could do?" Of course he did. Cheney makes a rattle snake look honorable." I don't know what it is about some people but somehow they always refer to non-human animals whenever they want to insult a human. What is "dishonourable" about a rattlesnake, one that will only attack (non-humans) when hungry or attack (anything) when threatened? And only when it cannot flee? Beyond snakes and their maligning due to early, Biblical, pre-Freudian sexual weirdness associations, there are dogs, pigs, horses, cows, sheep, goats, and all sorts of other beings that somehow have been given some relationship to some person, somewhat negatively. Is there something sexy about them as well? Why don't we just begin to categorise human actions and behaviours according to their sources and characteristics, that of being essentially and uniquely human and ONLY human? Generally, all non-human creatures are the prime examples OF honour and dignity. Of course, the easy way out has always been to defy and deny learning and increasing knowledge, preferring to refer to atavistic thoughts and lack of thinking processes, finding myths and fantasies preferable when confronting the rest of Nature. Reptiles, bugs, birds, and whathaveyou have this mystical hold over the superstitious and otherwise rumourly inclined, causing untold numbers of beings distress and duress because of peoples' unconscious projection of their fears and arrears mental deficits. The old man or old lady isn't good enough no mo' so we gotta go out to the barn? How about comparing apples with apples, bringing the old Nixonians' (e.g.) scumminess to light, updating references to their behaviours using tried and true paradigms? We have enough examples of uniquely typical human flaws to use without having to resort to pinning the blame on the donkey or the elephant or any other basically blameless critter. Alamaine, Ive [BuzzFlash Note: We like animals, too. But the rattle snake, in this case, is more of a literary, allegorical, metaphorical, mythical snake. Surely you don't want to deny us the power that using such references might add to our prose? We have compared this administration to Nixon's, but really, this one is worse, leaving us handicapped in terms of comparisons. And some readers get tired of Hitler/Stalin analogies, we suspect.] Subject: Great Classic BuzzFlash Headline OK, I have to admit I howled with laughter upon reading your headline about Bush hitting the big 6-0, and for the first time being older than his IQ. Thanks, BF, for a classic! Lisa Johnson Subject: Universal Healthcare by Plebiscite BuzzFlash, short and simple. When in history did the servants have things better than the masters? RIGHT NOW! The thieves on Capitol Hill raise their pay when the minimum wage remains static for working Americans. They have excellent healthcare and access to the best hospitals in the world. If they feel a pinch (or the breeze of a calendar changing) they just give themselves more of whatever. MY PLAN: Organize in all fifty states initiative petitions to place on the ballot that instruct every member of Congress by district to: Cast their vote as ordered by the citizenry of their jurisdiction to alleviate discrimination and elitism by immediately, on the first congressional session after the 2008 election, extending by law to all citizens access to healthcare coverage equal to or better than that of Congressional members and elected White House officials. This would create healthcare by, for and of the people—by mandate of the people who are paying the current elected servants of the people as manifested by certified initiative petition results by jurisdiction. The mandate, once passed, could only be rescinded by a two-thirds majority of the number of persons casting ballots on the initiative language to create universal healthcare for all Americans. Create Healthcare by plebiscite. Talk about turnout! Let’s give Congress the equivalent of an “offer they can’t refuse.” Are you with me? Rod Talley Subject: Dick Cheney Makes a Rattle Snake Look Honorable Don't insult rattle snakes. They only kill for food. I think Bush and Dick kill for fun and profit. Kellia Ramares Subject: Homegrown Terrorists Jim, Thank you for your fine observations. What if we took the Bushevik charade a couple steps further? Could we link the emergence of disgruntled Americans, to the War on Terror? The Republicans are probably COUNTING on it to justify the continued erosion of our Civil Liberties and the creation of their new 2 tier society, "Us vs. Them"? Spineless Americans are already allowing the Busheviks "carte blanche" to run the country for their own interests. Perhaps the next homegrown threat has some means. A whole new War campaign could be initiated with "Spy on your neighbors-send 5 to jail, get one free." Then we can start rounding up these low income individuals and start receiving some ROI on the secret Halliburton Hilton's they have been building round the country. The rest of us could be sold as indentured servants. Tim Krause Subject: New "Terrorist" Threat Now we have a letter (a pretty retarded one, at that, and if I were the terrorists they were pinning it on, I'd be insulted) ... ... placed in the cargo hold with bananas from Guatemala ... uh ... the colored-coded threat thingy didn't work after awhile ... ... the (ahem) arrest of the seven 'terrorists' in Florida didn't fly ... ... and now, THIS!? You can tell it's about election time, folks! ... to tell you the truth, if we DO get another "Pearl Harbor" event ... how do we know this one IS for real? Isn't this supposed to be the 'security' and 'we haven't been attacked since' administration?! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: White House Wants It Both Ways With Secret Info Hi BuzzFlash, Let me see if I've got this straight. Bush Condemns Bank Record Search Leak (Washington Post) The NY Times publishes an article about a "secret" program to track money laundering to or by terrorists. Suskind writes a book showing how Al Qaeda had already figured out that we were tracking them and knew they had adapted to change their methods - before the NY Times article. Bush, Cheney and Peter King get all pissed off at the NY Times for this article because it disclosed "classified," "secret" information that Al Qaeda already knew was taking place. Bush says in an angry tone, "What we were doing was the right thing. Congress was aware of it, and we were within the law to do so. The American people expect this government to protect our constitutional liberties and at the same time make sure we understand what the terrorists are trying to do." Wait A Minute! Uhhh ... isn't this the same NY Times newspaper that Cheney used a certain reporter named Judith Miller to get his "propaganda" out and make the public placid against the Administration? Ummm, is this the same Ticked-Off Bush and Cheney - the same guys that had no problem telling "Two High Level White House Sources" to reveal the name of a covert CIA NOC agent? Sooo, when the NY Times publishes something the Administration wants to keep secret, they go crazy; BUT when the NY Times publishes something classified that the Administration wants printed anyway to get revenge or to help their propaganda policy, the paper is thanked while the reputation of the paper is gravely damaged. Go Figure! Are these HYPOCRITES in The White House stepping in it over their heads or what? Tom Wieliczka Subject: What Redeployment Really Means Hi Buzzflash, I've read today's articles about the administration and Pentagon considering the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, while rejecting the Democratic proposal in Congress to do the very same. Yes, like you said it is quite ironic and perhaps hypocritical, but to me it means something far sinister. Quite clearly this is an effort to free our forces so that they can be used for an invasion of Iran. No one in the Pentagon would even consider an invasion of Iran with our troops stretched as thin as they already are, so certainly, this is the first step. What do you think? Alex Durnan Subject: Lakoff Gets It Right Thanks to Lakoff, Ettlinger and Ferguson for popping the bubble on the "incompetence" myth. George Bush, Dick Cheney, et al., are far from incompetent. On the contrary, they are screamingly competent. But they are indifferent to anything that is not on their agenda and that does not benefit them. The only factor missing in Lakoff's, Ettlinger's and Ferguson's analysis is how the so-called conservative agenda invites sociopathy, which is also part of the equation. Modern medicine and psychology are providing answers to age-old questions regarding human moral substance and behaviors. Recent studies indicate that 15% of the general population is comprised of people with personality disorders, which is much higher than previously estimated. The core essence of people with personality disorders, as opposed to those with mental illness, is that they lack a conscience. It will be fifty years before this information on human nature is integrated into the general population's awareness. We tend to think that all sociopaths are like Charles Manson and Ted Bundy. They are not. There are two primary types of sociopaths - there are the kind that like to hurt people by touching them (violent psychopaths), and there are the kind that like to acquire power hurt people without touching them. The second kind wear suits. Americans better figure it out soon. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: 2500 and Counting Buzz, 2500 dead soldiers in Iraq. Some argue it's a number, some say it's not. We hear slogans like "Cut and Run," "Stay and Pay," or whatever the next one is going to be. It's amazing how easy it is to trivialize human life, encapsulate the future of men and women in 3 words, in a number. Has anyone even stopped to ask themselves a simple question: Is your own life a number, is it trivial enough to be represented by 3 words? This is not a conservative issue, this is a human issue. For those who are parents, would you let your child be reduced to a statistic? To those who are not, think of a dear friend, does 1 represent him or her? 1 as in one more dead soldier, 1 as in another person who will never taste life again, 1 as in one more ruined family, 1 as in more tears and sorrow? This is not a game, this is not an abstract concept, this is real, this is about blood and tears. This is about men and women dying, Americans and Iraqis alike. This is about teenagers coming home in coffins, this is about mothers who will never see their children again, about fathers who will bury their sons and daughters. This is, in a macabre sense, the negation of nature, parents burying their children. How long is this going to go on, how long will we wash our bloodied hands of the matter, how long will Americans stand for this? I read an interesting article recently about the lack of Muslim outrage over terrorist attacks. Attacks a dilemma for Europe's Muslims (Scheherezade Faramarzi/Associated Press/Seattle Times) I don't quite agree with it (justifications given for not being vocal), but I do think the same charge can be leveled at MSM about the war in Iraq. What will it take for the media to stop regarding casualties in Iraq with contempt, with crocodile tears, with the kind of pseudo empathy that would enrage any rational human being? Perhaps the answer starts at home, it starts with us, it starts with recognizing that life is not a number, it's not a slogan. Just think about someone you care about, surely you don't want them represented by a single (1) stroke on your keypad. Make that three! Akhil Bhardwaj Subject: Man Coulter - Terra-ist! Bag It, Tag It And Get Rid of It! I just finished reading the article that Jim Ridout, Albuquerque, NM posted on BuzzFlash! Very well done. But I hate it when someone is more clever than me. So, I don't have to ever worry about this misadministration making me feel stupid. Jim Ridout: Home Grown Terrorists? Ann? KJ Lovell Subject: Cut and Run? Geeezzz! I wish dumbya would cut and RUN. It would save the trouble of CHIMPEACHMENT, and trials for WAR CRIMES. Run dumbya, run. Like Forest Gump, and like DeLay. Run like a rabbit. But alas, I feel dumbya will "stay the course" just like the Titanic did. Full speed ahead, and damned the icebergs. (Iceberg, Goldberg - they're all the same to dumbya.) KJ Lovell Subject: Sweets to the Sweet Why is there such concern over Rush Limbaugh's few hours' detention for possibly illegal possession of a prescription drug, Viagra, when everyone knows full well that it's a substance strictly intended for pricks? And while on the subject of angst, why are the White House and mignons so incredibly perturbed over the bank-records story in the Times and elsewhere and so publicly indifferent to the exposure of a CIA agent working to protect the people? Maybe it all reflects a double standard, but at least it is a standard. Wasn't it H.L. Mencken who once said, "The more I see of people the better I like dogs"? Norman Weinstein [BuzzFlash Note: We found that quote attributed to Gloria Allred.] Subject: American Role Models Who would have thought that two of the world's wealthiest men would end up being role models, and yes, heroes of a sort? Kudos to both Bill (and Melinda) Gates and Warren Buffett for standing up and speaking out not only with their mouths but with their actions. It is wonderful to hear that these two have banded together to make a difference for the betterment of humanity at large. These people truly exemplify the "family values" that we hear so much about from the neocons. The neocons could learn much from both the Gates' and Mr. Buffett. Lisa Johnson Subject: He ignores, he slams, he blasts ... How engaging, how leaderlike. What did we do to deserve a president like this? Bush Ignores Laws He Inks, Vexing Congress (AP/Yahoo) Bush Slams Leak of Terror Financing Info (AP/Yahoo)- Blasts 'Terror Funds' Report (BBC) A Buzzer, out of country Subject: You are the best! Well, you made my night! But...VIAGRA!!!! Oh, thank you God! It just does not get any better than this! Why don't you run a headline contest--'It's a fact! limbaugh is a big, fat IMPOTENT liar!"... Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Liz [BuzzFlash Note: Besides the Mailbag, we've got this: Post Your Comments on the Latest Rush Limbaugh Illegally Prescribed Drug Activity - Viagra or Bust!] Subject: Rush Limbaugh My question regarding Rush Limbaugh in the Dominican Republic with a bottle of Viagra (sans Daryn Kagan) is: What was he doing there? Hmmm, let's see ... it's a well-known travel destination for prostitution "vacations" ... hmmmm. Wonder what media outlets are going to look into that one? Julia [BuzzFlash Note: Probably not Fox.] Subject: George, Call Your Mother Dear BuzzFlash, Maybe if George W Bush confronted his own mother with his unresolved rage against her, he wouldn't need to sublimate by attacking the NY Whore Times whenever Karl Rove pushes that particular button. The Old Gray Lady has betrayed him, and in the fetid morass that is Bush's psyche, it's old "Bar" and her beautiful mind betraying him all over again. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Ward Churchill BuzzFlash, Anyone who has heard Ward Churchill on Democracy Now knows he is being misinterpreted and harassed. His point was that most US citizens don't give any thought to their role in supporting a corrupt administration that causes havoc around the world. This is self-evident from the lack of international news coverage on American TV and polls confirm that we are the least informed on international issues of any major power. "Find something to fire him, I don't care what" a politician said at the time the flap broke. And the University of Colorado obeyed like good "Nazis." They prove he was right. Too cowardly to admit that they are against free speech, they trump up bogus charges of "academic misconduct." This is the McCarthy era all over again. Colorado chancellor: Fire professor (CNN/AP) The soft-on-torture liberal Subject: The Flag Worshipping Amendment Has anyone actually read the damn thing? I haven't and can't seem to find it, but I did hear something unnerving from Arlen Specter, on C-Span, late last night. It was something about free-speech needing not to be offensive, or something to that effect. This was just part of a long and somewhat incoherent ramble by Specter, during which I also learned all about the males in his family and their heroic service for our country and that he is a Ukrainian, by heritage. Not that I care. Now, let me just say that I do not like offensive speech, generally, although there are times if I do not read Rude Pundit or something else equally crudely funny, I start getting depressed. But flag burning being offensive should not have anything to do with this proposed amendment. We have the freedom to be as offensive as we want to be. I personally believe that there is a time and place for "offensive," but any right to free speech must include speech we do not like. What if this business about free speech needing to be inoffensive is somehow part of this asinine amendment? Well, that is a very slippery slope. What's next bloggers? Diarists? Who is going to define what is offensive. Just how broad is this amendment? But speaking of offensive, I can think of a few right-wing radio hosts who aren't going to be able to afford his Oxycontin any more than the other one will be able to afford to have a closet full of black, after-five, mini skirted dresses. But that's just me. I find the hate speech and oft repeated lies of right-wing talk shows, whether on radio or TV, far more offensive than I do a breast, for example. I don't like watching flags burn either. For one thing I realize how crazy it can make some people, how hurtful it is. I find it hurtful, too, because I know that if it is burning somewhere it means that the principles and the Constitution of this country are in extreme jeopardy of being even more severely violated than the last time. Some people believe it is better to burn a symbol, than let it stand for a lie. I understand that mindset. Still, I think that Americans who truly believe that our nation is in as much trouble as I think we are, should fly the flag upside down. It is the universal sign of a ship under duress or in danger. Our ship of state would fit that description. But there must be no amendment that will outlaw offensive speech. Some people need to be offended. It is a damn sight better than shooting them. But, hey, if we are going to war against the offensive, I have my targets. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Is Viagra the cause of all the GOP insanity? Seems to me the Viagra detention of Rush Limpdick illustrates the problem with these fools. Viagra gives these nuts a false sense of power and manhood. Since they are finally able to get it up again, they think they can fight the world and win. Hence, Viagra is the cause of the Iraq Invasion and all the GOP insanity that has ensued since Bush and Rush and Dick and have had their phallic problems. Alice Subject: Limpbaugh and Viagragate I'm sorry...but it really has to be done...
We always knew Limpbaugh was a spineless, more interested in covering his own prodigious backside, terrified of any of his critics being in the same room with him, coward. Now we know...this man has no d!*k. (CONTENTS CENSORED BY AUTHOR HIMSELF - but I'm sure you all get the idea....) J. Peurala Subject: Kalashnikov backs weapons control
Sw Subject: The Real President Hi Buzz, Friday at a book signing here in Nashville I was thrilled to see the real president one more time. He's getting very favorable reviews from the local press. He was thrilled at how many people came to the book store. The store ran out of books. He made a little speech and thanked everyone for coming and told us how supervised he was at the number of people who came to see him. Then he gave a stern warning about the condition of this planet and how important it is that we act NOW to save the planet from global warming. I talked to many people who want him to run again. He insists that he will not. He believes he can do more outside of the constraints of the White House. I agree. The power lies with the people. This is where this brilliant man is headed. The end result will be pulling the power right out from underneath the corrupt administration and their polluting; money grubbing energy buddies. I think this is what he has in mind. I am writing this to tell everyone to give up the idea of him running for president again and support him in what he is doing now. If we do we WILL win. Al Gore is a true patriot! And we the PEOPLE have the power. Buy his book! Support him! Let's pull the power right out from underneath the corrupt bas*ards! To contact The Honorable Al Gore Jr, write to: 2100 West End Avenue, Suite 620, Nashville, TN 37203. Or call 615-321-5417. An Inconvenient Truth (BuzzFlash Store) Nancy Lynn Nagy Subject: Defaming the Constitution for Political Gain "GUT AND RUN” Prithee, dear sir, why art thou proposing Constitutional amendments that promote hate and bigotry? Why? Because the cloying scent of these red meat amendments doth inflame the plebeian viscera and serves to swell the base. I see. Premeditated use of fanfare and pageantry in pushing certain constitutionally derogatory amendments allows you to inflame certain segments of the population to gain advantage in upcoming elections? Verily, my liege. This is so. What policy name exists for this plan to defame the Constitution for political gain? We call it “Gut and Run.” Cognitorex Subject: SPP and Immigration There are no bigger stories in our lifetime than the intertwined SPP [Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America] and immigration. I hope that BUZZFLASH encourages expanded comment on these. Bush's quiet subversion of our constitution through SPP and other actions such as widespread amnesty for all illegal entrants into our country and to those fitting new categories who have yet to appear on our soil is-- TREASON! Imagine the result to the USA when Bush and his globalist peers establish a Canada-USA-Mexico nation under a single government? We will no longer be an independent nation. We will become a 2nd world community with pressure to fall into the 3rd world to compete with even cheaper labor. There are plenty of lawyers looking for a huge fight and the glory and notoriety that ensues. Where are they now? A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Limbaugh Detained at Palm Beach Airport (AP/Yahoo)
In brief, Rush Limbaugh filled a prescription for Viagra made out to someone else. You or I would go to jail, but for Rush, it’s no crime (?) Just protecting his privacy? Sounds limp to me. Albert Clark Subject: Wow! George Lakoff Analysis Piece I just finished reading this particular piece about Bush's "incompetence" and it was a real eye-opener. It was a very interesting take on the underlying reasons for what this administration does and says. It made me realize that one of the things I despise so much is this administration's inherent dishonesty about, quite literally, everything they have done and said. They are, simply, thinking with their reptilian brain and somehow managing to pull it off with the "religious Bible-believing" Christian line tossed in to appease some otherwise truly scary people. Don't get me wrong -- not all Christians are bad people. There are a few who truly try to live their day-to-day lives using the teachings of Jesus (particularly at the Sermon on the Mount) as their daily guidelines. I certainly do. However, my Christian beliefs are closely entwined with my humanist beliefs (I really think of them as being interchangeable), and my other concepts of godliness are unorthodox -- based on my life experiences as a baby-boomer, 60s hippie/flower child, soldier, patriot and defender of truth, justice and the American way. The past five years have been a bad nightmare -- except it's been 24/7/365 since these clowns stole the 2000 election, and then the 2004 election. I'm so sick and tired of hearing these "professional, educated" talking heads and elected representatives acting and talking like there is nothing they can do. What crap! They COULD do something IF they really wanted to. It's so disheartening at times to realize we have such a bunch of wienies (and I'm not talking Oscar Mayer either) being our lawmakers. I may have to buy another gross of barf bags. Lisa Johnson Subject: The Hearings I cannot imagine, in good conscience, how anyone can discount the reasons for this administration going to Iraq...after watching those hearings. I watched all of it. Dorgan, Feinstein, and the Jones (republican congressman) who asked to be there. Everyone...all...admitted that they created the reasons for going in. There was one, and I cannot remember his name, who agreed with the others...but bashed the congress and senate for not asking more questions...he stopped short of blaming them for the war! IF this is not enough for the republicans...nothing will work. These men validated the Downing Street Memo...the lies told by all in the administration...and many named Cheney as the ring leader...which I think we all knew! Larry Wilkerson is spreading the word...I would imagine for Powell, who is much too embarrassed to come out himself. Anyone with a whit of sense could tell that he was lying at the UN hearings. If this does not warrant impeachment...what will??? S Shirley ... St. Louis Subject: UN's Drug Addiction Report I'm surprised that you didn't post a stronger headline blasting this June 26 "Financial Times" article that you linked to: "World Is Beating Drug Addiction, Says UN". These kind of laughable lies look to be straight from the desk of Karl Rove. "Much lower levels of drug addiction than 100 years earlier"?!?! I doubt even the DEA would go along with that. If it WERE true, that would mean...what...for the several-thousand-times as many drug-enforcement cops as there were on public payrolls in 1906? "Today the characteristics of cannabis are no longer that different from those of other plant-based drugs, such as cocaine and heroin."????!!!! Wow, there's a product of incisive cutting-edge research! I'm guessing the real lesson here may be that the Bush Gang has so completely cowed the UN that it, like so many other once-trusted institutions, is now issuing as its own faith-based reports that were actually largely written by the White House. Bill Frey Subject: Tapes To Die For :):):) any terrorist group that did not know the united states is following the money and have been for a long time, has got to have a collective IQ of a cucumber! :):):) over the years i have heard people in the bush administration say many times that they are following the money! :):):) i have seen terrorism experts on these talk shows saying the same, should we put those experts in prison too? :):):) i'm sure over the years gw has said it as well. :):):) anyone have tapes or transcripts? :):):) the times story was not news. diane anderson
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