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| July 6, 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: Change the course (in Iraq), and change the conversation (here at home) Dear Buzz, The Bushites and Congressional Republicans want to talk about: the Pledge Protection Act; the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act; the Public Expression of Religion Act; the Marriage Amendment; the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act; the Human Cloning Prohibition Act; Reform of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (all about guns); a ban on Internet gambling; Permanent Tax Relief for Families (well, just for rich families); and the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act (more about guns). No kidding, that's the House Republicans' "American Values Agenda." If it weren't so sick, it would be hilarious. But it is sick and it IS their agenda. Why would a bunch of elected officials want to talk about these "issues" when our country is heading over a precipice? Because they cannot talk about the issues that matter to this country and to the world. They need to change the conversation and distract us from holding them accountable for the mess we are in at every level. So they talk about gay marriage, flag burning and other distractions. But, we NEED to talk about the anti-Constitutional activities of the Bush administration, war crimes committed with the approval of this administration, the human and monetary cost of the war in Iraq, global climate change, the scary trade deficit, the insupportable federal budget deficit, the escalating federal debt, the 46 million Americans without health insurance, the betrayed poor of New Orleans, and Republican fraud, graft, greed, cronyism, corruption, incompetence and criminality. We must change the course in Iraq, and change the conversation here at home. Make the Republicans talk about the real issues, not just the red-meat-for-the-"base" issues. It is unhealthy to feed paranoia and prejudice, but that is exactly what the Republicans are willing to do. They are willing to divide this country to win elections. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: The Boob's Birthday Hi, Buzz, Today is Bush's birthday. Do you think Marilyn Monroe would have sung for THIS piece of work? I think not. Liz Walker [BuzzFlash Note: Thought we'd share a link about one of GWB's birthday gifts: http://www.dsfanboy.com/2006/07/05/nintendo...] Subject: The Final Word on Iraq The only way Iraq would have worked out (from the administration's point of view, discounting any strategic or ethical considerations) is if Bush had been able to install a tranquil puppet regime within less than 6 months. If he had been able to get a Pro-American and tranquil Iraq government going within 6 months (and preferably far LESS than 6 months) then he might have gotten away with it. Once it went beyond that amount of time, and with all the violence between IRAQIS themselves demonstrating chaos, it became what is apparent to all rational humans; an unmitigated strategic and human DISASTER for America. Administration parrots can spin on and on about the "virtues" of this moral and geo-political catastrophe, but the mere fact of its having gone on in this noisy way for more than 3 years now means it has failed and caused geometrically more trouble for our country than we had before. Add to that the simple though inconvenient truth that it was unnecessary to begin with and actually has ended up making our world situation gravely worse by undeniably and obviously dissipating our military strength, wasting a criminal amount of money that might have been deployed in the critical fight against the true antagonist, and throwing away any and all good-will once enjoyed by the United States. But you see ... Bush et al. never expected this to go beyond the 6 months because they knew full well from the the start that IF it went longer in an atmosphere of chaos such as presently exists, they would get no political credit for the "Victory." The very fact that they knew it had to get done and resolved expeditiously in order for it to be politically successful, and that it has not gone as they planned, demonstrates not only their ruthlessly cynical and criminally cavalier attitude toward their own troops (cannon fodder), but also their utter ineptitude. Rove, understanding the cluelessness and gullibility of too many Americans, had the original "plan" to substitute an easy "take-down" of Saddam Hussein in place of the more elusive bin Laden, so that Bush would appear to have put his foot on the neck of "those who attacked us on 9-11." Thus would Bush have raced in triumph to an unprecedented LANDSLIDE in 2004, astride not only the oil patch named Iraq, but all of America, too. When it turned into exactly the disaster they were warned of, Rove just hunkered down and smeared his way through as best he could to eke out his 1% "Mandate." Americans should punish the men and the women and the party that manipulated their fears and ignorance for no purpose other than politics and money, and having done so have guaranteed more danger and insecurity to the United States while killing and mutilating thousands and thousands of Americans and Iraqis. Sadly, no matter how it ends now, it can never end well. Jay Diamond Subject: It's the Occupation, Stupid! BuzzFlash: The time is long gone to continue characterizing the disaster in Iraq as a "WAR." There hasn't been a war in Iraq since Bush trumpeted "Mission Accomplished" two years ago. It is NOT a war; it is a never ending and brutal OCCUPATION. To the advantage of the Right why do we persist in perpetuating this Rovian frame? No one ever WON an occupation; one can only END an occupation. There is no SHAME or lack of PATRIOTISM involved in calling for the end of a brutal occupation! "Cut and run" = END the occupation! BuzzFlash: STOP permitting the phrases "War in Iraq" and "Iraq War" in your post titles and in your posts! Re-frame everywhere as the "the Occupation of Iraq." Bill - A supporter Subject: No Need To Look for Bin Laden? I read in our paper today...that the search for Bin Laden has been called off? Anyone else hear this...or read it? Shirley ... St. Louis [BuzzFlash Note: You got that right! Here's our coverage:
So Much for "We'll Get bin Laden Dead or Alive" 7/5;
Surprised The CIA Has Closed Its Unit Hunting Down Bin Laden? Don't Be -- The Groundwork Has Been Laid By The Bush Administration For Four Years 7/5;
Larry Beinhart: Beyond Astonishing; The CIA has shut down the special unit that was tracking Osama bin Laden - A BuzzFlash Guest Contribution; Subject: Killers Melanie Morgan wants to gas The New york Times exec. editor for reporting the financial story. Pat Robertson wants to kill the Venezuelan President who was elected in a democratic election. Who did Ann Coulter want killed? Who did Bill O'Reilly want killed? There are others who don't come to mind, so when Jonathan Alter says that you should vote for republicans if you believe the Iraq (bush) war is a success, I would like to add and IF YOU BELIEVE IN AMERICANS KILLING OFF AMERICANS OR OTHERS WHO DISSENT FROM THE NEO-CON BIG RED MACHINE, THEN VOTE REPUBLICAN! I'll take diplomacy first, war as a second choice. So I'll vote against the BIG RED MACHINE! A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Alaskan Oil I keep not hearing the best arguments for keeping the oil in Alaska in the ground, not drilling it. If you had millions of dollars in the bank earning 20% interest, would you withdraw it? That is what the oil in Alaska is like, money in the bank that keeps earning high interest. When they first suggested drilling for the oil, it was at $20 per barrel. Now it is hovering at $60-70 per barrel and will be $80-100 soon. Why take it out of the ground? It is a really cheap strategic petroleum reserve that costs nothing and earns interest. Perhaps that is the reason. The corporate interests in this country don't like it when they don't get paid for something the public can provide for far less. Lee Hirz Subject: Ken Lay, Scooter Libby There is something tremendously appealing to people about conspiratorial paranoia. Ken Lay lies dead. Should Scooter Libby start to check his pulse or should he sing like a canary before is found dead in some hotel room of self-inflicted wounds? Irwin Wingo Subject: Contact the DSCC about Lieberman To BuzzFlash, 7/5/06 Joseph Lieberman plans to "cut & run" from the Democrats if Neil Lamont wins the 8/8 CT primary. Despite Lieberman's announcement that he will set up a 3-way race by running as an "independent" in CT, Sen. Chuck Schumer (Chairman of the DSCC) continues to support Lieberman. Please contact the DSCC to demand a statement from Sen. Schumer and the DSCC that they will support the Democrat who wins the 8/8 CT primary. The DSCC needs to get lots of calls and emails today. Here the info: DSCC 202-224-2447 info@DSCC.org 120 Maryland Ave. NE Washington DC 20002 I just talked to a young man in the DSCC office about canceling my recent contribution to the DSCC because Schumer and the DSCC will not commit to the Democratic candidate in CT. I was told that I couldn't get a refund for my contribution. I said I would not contribute again and said that DSCC funds would suffer if Schumer does not change his position on Lieberman. People should also call Sen. Schumer and others who support Lieberman on the free Capitol line, 1-888-355-3588. Judy Subject: "War on Terrorism" Service Medal I can't even remember how I happened on this site -- however, it was through reading some of your links that I found it. There is a "new" service medal entitled the "War on Terrorism" Service Medal. What's most interesting is the "Background" section and the chronology listed there. Requests for designs for the new medal proceeded in 2002 -- before Bush invaded Iraq. It was approved for production in March 2003. Coincidence? I'm wearing my tin foil beanie (mine has propellers on them -- the super, duper tin foil beanie model) today, and the thought occurred to me that this means that Bushco knew their "War on Terror" was going to be around for a long time. There is also a report that a marine from Akron, Ohio is returning his "War on Terror" service medal for his duty in Iraq. He considers it "eye candy from Bush." Interestingly, the marine says he is not "anti-war" but is pro-peace. Here's the link to the info about the medal: http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/gwotser.shtml Lisa Johnson Subject: Downloading the Internet What do you expect from a guy who wants to build a multi-million-dollar bridge to nowhere? Further proof this guy lives under a rock somewhere and only slithers out when it's "earmark time"... guess we can kiss net neutrality goodbye ... because "all the commercial stuff" interferes with Stevens' staff downloading the internet!
DJW Subject: Did Bush kill Ken Lay? Here is an interesting quote from Tony Snow regarding Ken Lay's death:
Funny, none of my "acquaintances" have died in the past 6 years. Maybe 'cuz I don't know the "right people"... Anne Silberman Subject: The Sudden, Unexpected Demise Of Kenny Boy I didn't know Ken Lay was in ill health. Not to sound cynical or suspicious, but is there any possibility he knew too much about how the Bush political machine has been financed and was rubbed out? Naah...couldn't be...could it? A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: The Death of Ken Lay I wonder if the current president will be at Kenny Boy's funeral? He seems big on loyalty to himself, but not so good on loyalty to those who have been loyal to him. At least Kenny Boy won't have to live with the awful prospect of having the current president as his cell mate in the future! Terry Adcock Subject: Mailbag 7/05/06 To the Buzzer who called to question, those of us who are having trouble thinking of Lieberman as a DEMOCRAT anymore...for me, you must go all the way back to 2000...thereabouts. When he bragged to being the first senator to stand in the well of the senate and denounce Mr. Clinton for his behavior. Now, that might go over well with some democrats...not me, look back at the difference between the administration of Bill Clinton and George Bush! Peace...surpluses...jobs...Peace (yeah, I know)...health coverage was not taken from the unfortunate...there were three classes under President Clinton ... The poor, who were given the chance for Welfare to Work, where they worked at whatever they could get and kept their health coverage...and food stamps. So they were contributing to the tax system...and their kids were getting health coverage. We were rebuilding our country...instead of Iraq...over and over and over! The middle was making about the same thing as now...but, paying 50% less to live. Gas was 1.00 a gallon as opposed to almost 3.00 now. We are middle income...and we cannot even afford medication, even still working. And yes, I did vote for the Democrat, Al Gore that year, whom everyone knows made a huge mistake dissing from his campaign, Bill Clinton, and likely chose Lieberman because of that...they all at that time...were brainwashed into thinking that what Clinton did, was the absolute end of the world...they know better now! The same applies to Joe Biden...never, will I vote for him for president...never. I am a left winger of the first degree...have always been a democrat...but, Joe Biden...called Bill Clinton "brain dead" when, AFTER he was out...he pardoned Marc Rich...who in the hell even remembers who Marc Rich was? But, for at least two years after Clinton was out of office...the republicans still bashed him to death... There is still that need...anytime anyone starts telling the TRUTH about Bush...they, the right wingers, all go back to, "Yeah, but that was all Clinton's fault." End of story...sorry...but some of us forgive but we never forget. I will never give either of them the time of day. Too many democrats tried to cozy up to the republicans...and that is why this country is so bad off right now...they never even tried to keep us out of war...until it was way too late!! To the Buzzer who questioned Keith Olbermann and Melanie Morgan? Melanie is a female Rush Limbaugh, from what I've heard...I have never heard her...I suppose she is out of my air space, but, she had said some awful things about the NY Times...for finding fault with the Banking scandal about the Bush administration tracing Banking records...supposedly for Terrorist plots. She made the remark the first night...and he admonished her...then the second night she said, that -- I am paraphrasing -- "If they were found at fault, she thinks they should be executed." End of quote...! For those who wonder...I watch Keith every night...he is definitely...on our side...the side of the SANE! And he always provides a laugh...he is funny, too! Shirley ... St. Louis Subject: Empty Rhetoric But No Solutions! Since when does "Status Quo" mean Progress? Since we continue to believe in George Bush and sticking with what he believes. Kim Jong Il has built more weapons, failures or not, and in three years, talks have led nowhere. The Road Map To Peace is in pieces, the never fully-conquered Taliban have been back as Afghanistan gets worse and violence increases, Iraq is still a mess and the puppet government seem quite incapable of stopping Iraqi deaths and those of the coalition. So Bush still urges patience, and empty rhetoric doesn't provide any solutions anywhere. Our jobs, our civil rights, and our ports are given away, while at the borders the illegals and whoever else just keep on coming! The oldest empty promise -- Osama...Dead or Alive! Empty promises provide no solutions! Susan Carr Subject: Disappointed With Senator McCain I supported Sen. McCain for six years, voting for him in the 2000 Primary. Disappointment was a letter answering my concerns about Social Security problems. He states: "According to the Social Security Board of Trustees' projections, beginning in 2027, Social Security outlays will exceed income, and, by 2042, the disparity between Social Security income and outlays will exhaust trust funds and cause the program to become fiscally insolvent." He surely knows better. His letter does not mention how the US Congress will pay the IOUs written on Social Security surpluses, which at this date, are $1.9 Trillion. Another $1.9 trillion surplus, due in the next few years, Congress will borrow to use as General Funds, making it close to $3.8 Trillion owed. This surplus was to make it solvent to 2042. Congress says income will equal output in 2018 and Alan Greenspan said this could happen in 2008 unless the US can stop the slide of the dollar and large deficit spending. When income equals output, Congress must honor these IOUs. Congressional IOUs to all trust funds, on this date, are $3.9 Trillion. Verification can be made by going to Social Security Debt and US National Debt Clock on the Internet. His letter also states, "a recent budget deficit of approximately $412 Billion." What budget? Deficit for FY 02 was $421 Billion; 03 was $555 Billion; 04 was $595 Billion; and 05 was $554 Billion. To date this FY year, is $483 Billion and if continues at this rate, will be $635 Billion for FY 06. Did he forget to add the IOUs? I cannot support any member of Congress not presenting the whole truth. Respectfully, Colonel Colin J. N. Chauret, USAF Retired Subject: Mexican Standoff This administration has now become the Monty Python of Government, minus the comedy. North Korea fired six missiles on the Fourth of July, which apparently were as potent as perhaps Mr. Kim Jong Il's reputation for his sexual appetite. Mr. Bush on the other hand, has saber rattled since 9/11 about the axis of evil, and if memory serves, North Korea was third on his list. How much more prominent can one get? There are only three winners in Olympic competition, in a horse race, and most any event that comes to mind. That would make North Korea a Silver Medallist when it comes to threat and terror. Yet this administration now sends out the talking heads to explain to we stupid Americans, that North Korea is not a real threat. They do not have the capacity or technology as yet to hit us with a missile. But just in case, we readied our 'not so ready for prime time' missiles which by the way cost taxpayers billions of dollars, to counter the non threat. What third dimension are we living in? Do they truly believe that we are stupid enough to swallow the line that we live in a safer world? That even though North Korean missiles can't fly like Dorothy, a little bit of their material can't be bought and brought across the Canadian border? Estimates of the people guarding the Alaska/Canadian border are zero. Once you get to Alaska, you're pretty much home free. Estimates of those guarding the Canadian/American border are about two hundred. Yet we need a seven hundred mile fence and the misuse of our precious National Guard to keep out all those people without whose labor we could not put food on our table, unless of course every person is willing to grow their own vegetables, buy and milk their own cow and slaughter their own beef. As elections near, we have difficult choices to make. We are no longer respected as voters who have a say in their government. We are pitted against each other through religious beliefs and constantly changing cultural values, which have nothing to do with representation for the betterment of the whole, and those carefully calculated tactics make it easy to divide us, not just from each other, but even from our own convictions. We as a people haven't changed. We have the same values we were raised with. The spinmeisters have just gotten more sophisticated in casting doubt and knowing which buttons to push. Fear of everything is the number one issue. Fear has become king. Any government throughout history who lost its capacity to govern fairly, used fear as its ace in the hole because it never fails. Keep them scared and you keep control. If we are to survive as a nation intact, with all the glorious will and determination passed down by brilliant eccentric patriots who if they had lost would have been hanged, then we must be patriots as well. Fear has no place in a free society either from without or within. The true patriot is the average man who speaks his truth, not only to himself but to anyone willing to listen. Marta Cooper Subject: Are the Busheviks Playing the "Coded" Anti-Semite Card?
I think you guys hit the nail on the head. I believe for the Dems to make any serious inroads in the upcoming elections, they are going to have to face the "Rove problem" head on. They need to call this guy on his lack of morals and ethics and make sure that the voters hear them loud and clear when they do. This slug has gotten away with far too much for far too long. Enough is enough. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Kenny Boy Hi Buzz, What do ya think? Will Bushie and Laura attend "Kenny Boy's" funeral ? Just wondering... Genie [BuzzFlash Note: So far, he hasn't even made a condolence statement, although his dad did. And as reported by the Financial Times: "Asked about the death, Mr Bush's spokesman, Tony Snow, rejected the characterisation of Mr Lay as a friend of Mr Bush. 'No, the president has described Ken Lay as an acquaintance, and many of the president's acquaintances have passed on during his time in office,' Mr Snow said." Subject: Regarding Margie Burns: Demolitions were neither necessary nor sufficient to bring down the World Trade Center 7/3 Dear BuzzFlash; Did you folks bother to read the reader's comments at the end of this article? You smart folks at "Buzz" are puzzlingly obtuse about this subject and I suggest some personal homework. The reader's comments are very thought-provoking and show the author's take on the event is not well researched or investigated at all!! BuzzFlash folks need to read Stephen Jones paper (he is a physics professor) who very scientifically, and thoroughly, argues his case. I am not saying that there are no terrorists in the world; however, upon doing some personal research and investigation of this event, rather than swallowing the "official story," you good folks will find that it has tremendous holes, and many, many unanswered questions at the very least. Oh, and Buzz, when u folks do decide to critically investigate this event, please leave your biases at the door, and put the thinking cap on!!! P.S. Kerosene does not burn hot enough to melt steel PERIOD, and Every INCH of steel in those towers would have had to have melted at the EXACT same rate (in time and temperature) to have fallen how they did, which was "into their own footprints at free fall speed." Three steel structures fall exactly the same way on the same day, when never in history has a steel skyscraper fallen because of fire, EVER!! On 9/11, three buildings fall in the SAME way on the SAME day, C'mon!!! You might want to start with David Ray Griffin's excellent book, titled A New Pearl Harbor, wherein he highlights all the many unanswered questions surrounding that day, and all the impossible coincidences that occurred. Please Buzz, you guys believe in science and physics and would surely WANT to do your OWN research before you would believe anything this administration tells you, wouldn't you??? Not to mention, that Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, and Aaron Brown all mentioned how the towers fell looked just like a "controlled demolition," hmmmmm. Thanks so much for your time. Vicki Matheson Subject: Stolen Elections The DNC should use its strength in the polls to start a campaign inviting anyone that participated or will participate in any election fraud in the last three elections and the upcoming 2006 election, to come forward to receive amnesty from prosecution from investigations that will result when Democrats win control of the House and Senate this fall. The DNC should announce that there will be vigorous and thorough investigations and that violators of campaign fraud laws will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Note to Cheryl Robinson of Linden, Michigan I agree with everything you said in yesterday’s Buzz Mailbag. I am dancing around my computer with joy (and at my age and size it is not a pretty sight) that I am not the only liberal who feels this way and says so. I have been terrified for months as liberals seemed to go out of their way to portray anyone who disagreed with them on illegal immigration as “racist.” Seems a terrific way to anger some moderates or other liberals who don’t agree with you. Is chasing away potential voters a winning tactic? Many of the people who think as we do are not in any way shape or form “racist” and get really angry when they find themselves so portrayed. Like Cheryl Robinson of Linden, Michigan, I watch Lou Dobbs every night. Many times I don’t agree with him. (Big deal I don’t agree with my husband, children, and grandchildren all the time either. Although, of course, I am always right.) When Lou Dobbs interviews someone like (gag) John Bolton I just pick up my own private little censoring device (a remote control to those of you who don’t feel the need to feel all-powerful) and “click,” I move on. I hope more liberals will take the road Thom Hartmann has taken in the excellent article included in today’s BuzzFlash. Illegal Employers. You can trash the employers to your heart’s content and not offend many voters. Thom Hartmann. Reclaiming the Issues: "It's an Illegal Employer Problem" 7/6 A. Aiming at big money and big money folks who think themselves above the fray is great entertainment. B. These people are so offensive to most of us we don’t care if they are offended and anyway when it comes time to vote; we outnumber them millions to one. (Diebold and electronic voting is a whole nother topic.) C. Even the dimmest amongst us understands that without jobs there is no reason for folks to come here illegally. So I hope that liberals can resist insulting people that are otherwise on their side by not calling them racists. Otherwise, Karl Rove will have outsmarted the left again. And if there is not enough brainpower in all the left to counter Rove’s predictable tactics then we are really in deep doo-doo. Marjorie Swanson Subject: Talk, Talk, Talk Talk is cheap---armchair war will not win this country back. There is a mad man leading America to its destruction and the rest of the world can see it. It will take more than cheap talk to change the outcome of the decider's bungles. We celebrate the defeat of King George every July 4th, and I am not opposed to doing it again. John Braswell Subject: An Inconvenient Truth Inspires a 3rd Party Al Gore said in his documentary: An inconvenient truth is one we hold at arm's length because if we acknowledge it, then the moral imperative to make big changes is inescapable. Here is my fantasy -- there is a third party, it is viable, and it is named The Inconvenient Truth Party. (We'd first have to educate people on the acronym TIT, but we women could easily do that!) All members, and candidates, in The Inconvenient Truth Party would expose every untruth, half-truth, spinned (spun) truth, driving the lazy media crazy. We'd guide the media to truth. Instead of politicians feeding the media disinformation, The Inconvenient Truth Party would be all about guiding us towards matters of importance. The TIT Party would focus totally on matters that deserve excessive attention. A BuzzFlash Reader Subject: Returning Vets You hear so much these days of soldiers retuning from Iraq not being able to find jobs (Decent jobs that pay a livable wage). This war should never have happened. It's all about money. So many people getting rich off of destroying millions of lives. So people like me get accused of not supporting the soldiers. If these people who keep promoting this war were so supportive, they would make sure that any returning soldier could find a good paying job and show them how much they appreciate them. Just maybe a few of them would decide that life is still worth living. Tim McGhie
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