December 14, 2001

Note: The BuzzFlash Mailbag is updated on an ongoing basis, with the newest material and comments on top. Again, we can only post a small percentage of what is sent to us. Thanks again for your email and your patience.

Are we better off now than we were a year ago? HELL NO!

PJ
The Lone Wolf

Dear BuzzFlash,

You just wrote that Bush delayed airing the Osama confession tape because he didn't want anyone to notice that he was refusing to hand over subpoenaed documents to Congress. Well, he (actually, John Ashcroft) also announced the secret detentions and trials the same day he signed the executive order which allowed him to keep presidential papers secret in violation of the 1978 Presidential Papers Act. Gee, you think it's just coincidence? (My vote is that it's a deliberate pattern.)

Jeff Schwarz

Buzz -

The 1998 letter from Bill Bennet, Paul Wolfowitz and others to President Clinton urging the military overthrow of Sadaam Hussein's regime raises a couple of questions - Why didn't Junior advocate it during his campaign? And why hadn't his administration initiated it, as of September 10, 2001?

leave_no_millionaire_behind

Micheal Pickney

Dear BuzzFlash,

Does it seem strange that this home video of bin Laden is being dangled before a convinced public on the same day that congressional hearings on Enron begin? Is this more masterful diversion from Rove and Hughes - the Penn and Teller of Washington? Give the public a bone to chew on and an enemy to hate while the Enron scandal tries to pick up steam? The Clinton pardons were an example of this type of diversion. Don't look at the coup - look at the Rich pardon - there's the real enemy.

And now - after waging a war based on solid evidence that we could not see, the administration wants to channel more unnecessary evidence through the pentagon to keep us focused on who the real enemy is. Just remember, they seem to be saying - when you start to get all hot and bothered about covert energy policy discussions with Enron and hefty campaign contributions to Bush from Enron executives and lost fortunes and cooked books and fabricated energy crises - have we got a home movie for you. We'll show you real evil - Enron is just a little quirky byproduct of some hyperactive capitalists and no fingers should be pointed - but bin Laden - now that's something you can sink your teeth
into. We weren't sure before, even though we told you we were, and even though we've been dropping bombs 24/7 for two months, but now, after seeing this tape, we really are sure. Oh - and also today Dick Armey is retiring. That's a poignant moment for America - a congressman from Enron's and the president's home state decides the time has come and he will not seek re-election. Is the scandal he's anticipating bigger than the one that Gary Condit believes he can leave behind?

I hope Henry Waxman continues to press. The most important thing this country can do - beyond waging war - is to create new energy policy and new energy forms and we need to know who is guiding our supposed representatives and we need to know what interests they are representing. America's energy policy should be about clean energy that relinquishes our dependency on oil - anybody's oil. It should not be about enslaving and tricking the consumers. The government policy should be for the people's interests and not for the interests of those who refuse to answer questions about something as public and as important to the people as energy.

But, it seems the most important thing we can do with American airtime is to discuss showing you and maybe actually showing you a 40 minute tape of someone the entire country already hates and already believes is responsible for the terrorism that is the basis for this new war. Oil dependency is not the basis for it - bin Laden is - some might say he's a symptom - but those are just East Coast elitists who are useless in a time of war. Keep your eye on our tapes and the war. Our energy policy and who decides it has nothing to do with our national security. Evil people are the threat to our national security and evil people exist outside of our borders and we have the tapes to prove it.

But still - a tape they've had for a month - to be released today - the day the unbroadcast hearings on Enron begin - is the timing strange? Just asking.

bcd

Dear Buzz,

So the U.S. just happens to discover a videotape of Bin Laden boasting about being the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks lying around an apartment in Islamabad, helpfully labeled"Nov. 9." (9/11=11/9?) Now, any doubt as to his guilt and the righteousness of our cause has been eliminated, wrapping everything up into a neat little package. It may very
well be true, in spite of Bush & company expertly milking the story nonstop for a week. But somehow, the whole affair reminds me of a line from Hitchcock's 'North by Northwest,' where one of the villains smells a set-up and comments, "I've never trusted neatness - neatness is always the result of deliberate planning."

-J

Dear BuzzFlash,

This is what I read each day. To Marlene Wagner, you are likely right about Livingston and
Armey connection. Larry Flynt said that Bob Livingston made Clinton look like a boy scout!

It would not surprise me if he had something big on Armey..I never trusted that man. Also, the timing of the BIG TAPE SURPRISE! It is very suspicious that it was timed with the protest at the Supreme Court.

Why are Buzz readers the only ones who make sense to me? Is it because we don't look through rose colored far right wing glasses??

Just asking!

Love you guys, keep it up!

Shirley, St.Louis

Buzz,

RE: BUZZFLASH ALERT: Guess Who Signed a 1998 Letter Urging Clinton to Get Rid of Saddam Hussein?

Wasn't this around the time that the news of Monica was just hitting the Drudge report? No wonder WJC was distracted. I blame the GOP for not letting him do his job without daily harassment for 8 excruciating years.

Nancy Ferndale

Dear BuzzFlash,

Re: National Defense Council

The site you reference states:

"Senate Democrats led by Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Russell Feingold of Wisconsin want to tie his hands as he battles the threat from Al Queda and its allies throughout
the Middle East. While they wrap themselves in the mantel of the Constitution, what they are really doing is putting partisan politics ahead of protecting the public."

I always thought that a mantel was part of a fireplace. Do you suppose they meant "mantle"?

I suppose their regular readers can't spell either, so it doesn't really matter.

Best wishes

Michael Robinson

Dear Buzz,

Tweezer MATTHEWS stopped by LETTERMAN 12-12 to plug his so-called "book." By now, that small tome, small in both size and content, has been pillaged by the so-called "author" for all his sales talks. I've heard several of his spiels on this particular tour and have skimmed the product at a coffee/book-bar because I would not put my money into Tweezer's pocket by buying it. Not only does this blowhard appear to believe that his every breath is important to everybody else, but he aspires to LIMBOsevic and O'Hor-ly size ego by identifying himself with CHURCHILL, no less, on the grounds that he ran away from Vietnam via the Peace Corps to the same part of Africa that CHURCHILL passed through. Anyway, Tweezer's disgusting performance as a right wing lackey over the past four years was on display on LETTERMAN, calling that class act, GORE, "get lost, Loser." Yeah, I've seen Tweezer preface one of his GRATUITOUS, VICIOUS, MALICIOUS gibes at the CLINTONs or GORE with, "The devil makes me do it." Below are two posts by others who saw the LETTERMAN Tweezer.

**************QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE**********
Chris Matthew's had changed his "This (9-11) has been a great thing" pyscho rant to hawk his book in New York. After bad mouthing the guests on his show for coming in over- prepared; his entire performance was clearly prescripted with breaks for audience applause. His great joke at the end was that he wouldn't be surprised if they found Al Gore in the caves over there. Well, I guess it's hard to keep saying 9-11 has "brought us together" if you cannot rise above a cheap shot that infantile.

**************QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE***********
Tweety was getting a rousing response to his Patriot routine before he took to his gratuitous bashing of Clintons and liberals. This was his 'america is great' speech, where he says we can thank the terrorists because kids are now saying they want to grow up to be firemen and nurses, just like the good ole days. The response was in stark contrast when he turned to his vindictive jokes. It reminded me of their (right wingnut) general tactics. They're betting that most americans will swallow their horse manure if its coated with patriotism. Then, when you're feeling all smug and self-righteous they spring the anti-Clinton, anti-democrat invective. Mmmmm, slimy but satisfying!

**************UNQUOTE UNQUOTE UNQUOTE**************

John Garza

Dear Buzzflash;

Does anybody there have the sneaking suspicion that this homemade tape was homemade at Langley? What an extraordinary bit of luck to find this thing lying about a house in Kabul, just like that. Hmmm.

K Edwards

BTW Buzz folks

.....the New American Century is a 501 (C) 3 tax exempt organization...isn't that nice? it is a Front agency for the rightwing...headed by William Kristol and others....for pocket change I guess....I looked it up on a charitable research site called Guidestar.com and entered the keywords in the name.....its just more of the "get Clinton".....but I am hoping if we can get enough of a groundswell of angry citizens maybe we can get an investigation of at least the depth of Teapot Dome on the Enrongate......and later go to
Funeralgate back in Texas and any other "gate" we can find.....lets kick some rethug butt......thanks Buzzflash...

mimi adams

Dear BuzzFlash,

I must share with the BuzzFlash.com that our fellow web warrior, Bob Fertik, at Democrats.com in Manhattan held a rare and fantastic inspirational political event at Cooper Union last evening on December 12th!

Ironically, the great roster of writers Bob assembled spoke on the same stage as Abraham Lincoln when he gave his famous bid for the presidency! The clever wit, passion, and insights of Danny Schechter, Mark Crispin Miller, Liz Abzug, Nohn Nichols, Tod Gitlin, Ellen Ratner, and the brilliant Paul Begala mesmerized the house for over three hours!

I am sure all the dedicated Democrats in the audience were inspired and reinvigorated at this fantastic event as much as me.

I applaud Bob Fertik at Democrats.com for his fantastic event and continuous effort to bring the best of Democrat progressive news to the web public.

Best,

Rayberry © Manhattan
Bush-Toons.com

Buzz/Flash --

RE: BUZZFLASH ALERT: Guess Who Signed a 1998 Letter Urging Clinton to Get Rid of Saddam Hussein?

I don't know what I'd do without you! This is too good. Don will probably not have to put a thing in writing this time, and he may just get Hussein too before it's all over. Reading today's news on your site, I am sure we are living in "Wag the Dog", or maybe it's "Wag the Mutt" this time.

Which studio do we think is responsible for Osama's new video???

Kathlene Biswas

Dear BuzzFlash,

Anthrax terror in US probably from god-fearing, moral, close-to-US military RW wacko in Utah...

December 13, 2001
THE INVESTIGATION
U.S. Recently Produced Anthrax in a Highly Lethal Powder Form
By WILLIAM J. BROAD and JUDITH MILLER

As the investigation into the anthrax attacks widens to include federal laboratories and contractors, government officials have acknowledged that Army scientists in recent years have made anthrax in a powdered form that could be used as a weapon.

Experts said this appeared to be the first disclosure of government production of anthrax in its most lethal form since the United States renounced biological weapons in 1969 and began destroying its germ arsenal. Officials at the Army's Dugway Proving Ground in Utah said that in 1998 scientists there turned small quantities of wet anthrax into powder to test ways to defend against biowarfare attacks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/13/national/13ANTH.html

LJBK

Dear Buzz,

WAXMAN HAS GONE HUNTING: Buzz, check out his web site!! Waxman has posted an
ENRON tip line on his homepage:

http://www.house.gov/waxman/index.htm
"Enron Tip Line. Use the tip form to let us know of any information that may aid the
investigation of Enron."

Spread the word!!

IS ARMEY CONNECTED TO ENRON??? Buzz, Need you ask. This from Roll Call:

Enron had recently hired Pat Shortridge, a top aide to House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas). Shortridge recently returned to Armey's leadership office following the closing of Enron's Washington office.

Talk about revolving doors!!

Your faithful reader,
bakho

Dear BuzzFlash,

In the "smoking gun tape" that was aired today, did Bin Laden look fatter and more stubby than in previous photos and videos? Or is it just me?

As we quote Bin Laden as having said that some of the highjackers involved in the WTC attack on 9/11 did not know they were going to die, the subtitles translated by us clearly show that Bin Laden said that the participants only knew they were involved in a "martyrdom operation." Has the word "martyrdom" changed its meaning? Or is it just me?

We have claimed that the WTC operation was planned for years and involved a high level of organization and loyalty. Are we to now believe that these people, who left behind wills and instructions to families, did not expect to die?

Does anyone else remember that Bin Laden was quoted as having said that the level of destruction was greater than expected several weeks ago, before the date of today's tape?

Does it mean anything that this tape was released on the day Bush withdrew from the ABM treaty?

Help me out here.

Homer Hooker

Dear Buzz,

Conservative Manchester Union Leader columnist criticizes Karl Rove for thoughtless remarks on economically devastated mill town before conservative think tank. Below is clipped from today's Union Leader "Granite Status Column." Please pass on.

WASSUP, MR. ROVE? If it's true, Bush's top adviser, Karl Rove, has some explaining to do to this state and to one of his favorite U.S. senators, Judd Gregg, not to mention a buddy, Gregg chief of staff Joel Maiola. And what about Sen. Bob Smith, for whom Rove appeared at a summer fundraiser?

According to the Washington Post, Rove "spoke jokingly of Berlin, N.H., where Bush delivered an education speech, as a 'critical intellectual center'" in a talk before the American Enterprise Institute in Washington Tuesday.

Good move, Karl -- especially since it's a city that happens to be reeling from the collapse of its major employer. If Rove thought New Hampshire folk can't -- or don't -- read the Post, he was wrong.

Democratic chair Kathy Sullivan called the comment "outrageous," demanded an apology and called on GOP Chair John Dowd to join her in condemning the remark.

A Dem press release quoted former Berlin millworker Paul Robitaille as saying: "Apparently, if you aren't part of Mr. Rove's business-class crowd, you're the butt of his jokes. Berlin is a town in crisis. We need help from Washington, not ridicule."

Ann Sullivan

Dear Buzzflash,

The Arizona House of Representatives recently defied a federal judge who demanded that Arizona fund education for English language learners and improve the education for those children. The House, figuratively speaking, spat in the judge's face. Arizona now risks loss of ALL its federal education funds. HEY, Arizona parents of gifted, special ed, magnet, do you hear me? Your kids will LOSE IT ALL, thanks to those who would not submit to the rule of a federal judge! When I called to speak to my representative, I was told that loss of federal money did not matter but that the representative deeply cared for the children, and it was believed that the federal judge should not order a state around. Well, excuse me but didn't I hear some recent event where we were all told to respect "the law of the land" when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling last December? Those same people now do not wish to respect the order of a federal judge. Is this a bit hypocritical?

MEV (no, I am not a teacher, I am a volunteer in the schools)

Dear BuzzFlash,

I just love the term "stringing along"---someone actually admits to dragging this thing out...

"...A well-placed Bush source described the process as "building to a strong climax," adding: "You know it's pretty damn good or we wouldn't be stringing it out this long."..."

Let's Go to the Videotape? Soon

By HELEN KENNEDY and THOMAS M. DeFRANK
Daily News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON

The White House again delayed yesterday the release of the so-called "smoking gun" videotape of Osama Bin Laden gloating over Sept. 11, saying translators were still working on it.

"The audio and the video quality are not good," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

http://www.mostnewyork.com/2001-12-13/News_and_Views/Beyond_the_City/a-135088.asp

Liz