April 3, 2002

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Re: Hollywood Sends A Message: Sign the Mine Ban Treaty, by Arianna Huffington

Excerpt: The stories told by Jerry White, "No Man's Land," and this week's "West Wing" should inspire us to do all we can to embarrass the president into action: He should sign the Mine Ban Treaty now.

Dear Arianna:

I may be inspired but unfortunately Mr. Bush DOES NOT embarrass! He is an immoral and arrogant moron who seems to believe that he has some kind of family entitlement to be the leader of our country. He clearly doesn't care in the slightest what we, or the rest of the world think! He is an obedient slave to the right-wing psychopaths who forced him on us, even though he clearly lost the election, and he'll do whatever they direct him to do. In my opinion, he doesn't even concern himself with his reelection because he believes that's the job of his political operatives, and if he's not reelected it will be their fault or Donald Duck's, but surely not his.

He has never taken any responsibility for anything in his entire miserable life and he won't change now! Trying to shame him will be an exercise in stupidity. The only hope we have, is in trying to shame and embarrass the mainstream media into honestly reporting the news, instead of recycling the press releases of Fleischer, Hughes, Rumsfeld, and the other master spinners of conservative R/W propaganda, and calling it news. Also, it wouldn't hurt to challenge and expose the shameful campaign of intimidation and veiled threats now being carried out by the likes of Lynn Cheney's ACTA, Bill Bennett's AVOT, and of course the religious nutcase, John Ashcroft. All this in the effort to eliminate any and all dissent and/or peaceful protest, which until recently was protected by our Constitution.

If the corporate owned media cannot be reached, and exposed for their despicable complicity in the mess we're now in, I fear that the land-mine insanity and all the other insanities now taking place and being planned for the future, will never even be debated, let alone stopped. I write letters to all of the media honchos and politicians but nothing seems to make a difference. Too many Americans are still behaving like mindless flag-waving zombies, but that's certainly understandable with the 24/7 propaganda and phony "patriotism" we're constantly bombarded with.

I really don't know what else we can do before the next election, but I'm open to all suggestions.

Sincerely,
A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear Ms. Lalumia:

RE: BuzzFlash Media Watch Special: The New Crossfire Debuts

While I agree with all of your valid points of criticism, I suspect (hope) that the wrestling match atmosphere was just part of CNN's campaign to hype and publicize the new format. Carville and Begala are two of the most intelligent and articulate spokesmen for the Democrats, so I certainly wish them well, and hope the show will become more of a serious debate on the issues, which until now has been nonexistent on TV.

Nevertheless, any diversion from the mind-numbing, right-wing talking-heads, is a welcome relief!

Sincerely,
A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: Read the UPDATE of Gloria's Media Watch Special on Crossfire.]

Dear Buzz,

Following is a letter I sent to the editors at Reuters concerning their story about the Treasury borrowing from retirement funds. I sent a similar one to the AP. Both news services quoted Paul O'Neill's justification that the Clinton administration also borrowed money from federal retirement funds. What they purposely did not mention is that, at the time, Robert Rubin was only trying to thwart Newt Gingrich's forced shutdown of the government. He was not trying to make up for lost revenues due to tax-cuts for the wealthy. It seems the GHP is treading on thin ice here. By using Rubin's precedent as an excuse for their own fiscal mismanagement, they are opening the door to revisiting this sordid episode in their past. Now if we can only get the "liberal" media to publish the real facts, instead of playing apologist for the conservative government.

* * *

Dear Editor:

In today's item "U.S. Acts to Avoid Hitting Debt Ceiling." The author does not mention two very important facts. First, he states several times that during the Clinton Administration, Robert Rubin also tapped into Federal retirement funds. What he does not state is that Rubin was forced to take this action during Newt Gingrich's infamous shut down of the government. This is a very important distinction. Rubin was simply reacting to the GOP's dangerous attempt to blackmail the President into signing a partisan budget. O'Neill, on the other hand, is making up for shortfalls in revenues.

The other significant fact the author did not mention is that when Rubin used this extraordinary measure, the debt-ceiling was only 4.9 trillion as opposed to the current 5.95 trillion. Although the article mentions that congress raised the debt-ceiling, it does not state that it was raised by over 20%.

Surely the author was aware of these very relevant facts, but chose not to reveal them. That choice reflects a conscious partisan agenda on the part of Reuters. Knowing these two important historical circumstances, completely changes the light in which the reader views the Treasury's current actions in comparison to those of the previous administration.

Sincerely,

Dave Collins

Dear Buzz,

My grandmother was in her twenties when the 14th Amendment was passed into law and she was granted the right to vote. The reverence for this sacred right was passed onto my mother. My mother instilled in her children the awe, majesty and absolute civic responsibility voting entailed. Participation in the democratic process was such an integral part of our family, that elections are some of my earliest memories.

I was born in the waning days of the Vietnam war. I remember my mom tisking about the meat prices in the supermarket, disappointed that all we could afford was boxed mac and cheese for the evening meal. My father would grumble about the long lines at the gas pump as well as the escalating prices for the fuel. The answer to these social woes? Go to the polls.

Election night was an event in our home. We would gather around the tv, munching on popcorn, watching the returns. My parents would never reveal who they voted for, emphasizing the importance of the secret ballot. (We were able to ascertain who they voted for by the political signs in the yard, but that's beside the point.) For us, election night was just as dramatic as any overtime sporting event. Even though we were children, my siblings and I felt that we were a part of the democratic process.

In my teen years, I took to political activism, joining such groups as Amnesty International and Greenpeace. Even though I wasn't old enough to vote, I could still be involved in causes that I felt passionate about. I wrote letters to heads of state imploring the release of political prisoners. In high school, I participated in an all school walk out, protesting the slashing of the art, drama and music departments as well as potential teacher layoffs. I made my voice heard. This is what it meant to be an American.

In 1990, I nearly wept tears of reverence, as I cast my very first vote. I was so proud to cast my ballot. I wistfully voted for Paul Wellstone. I felt as though I was participating in a sacred trust. I then took to the streets to protest the Gulf War.

The 1992 election was the first opportunity that I had to vote for a President. My friends and I had a huge party to celebrate the victory of Bill Clinton--even though the returns hadn't come in yet. We were so confident. We were so hopeful. We cast our ballots!!! We
WON!!!! Washington was sent a message.

The point of this windy email is that I am not an anomaly nor is there anything extraordinary or remarkable about me. I am simply an American citizen who participates in the democratic process. Oh yes...and I am 30.

My jaw went agape when I read Cathy's message in the April 1 mailbag. I resent Cathy's dismissive, sweeping generalization of people my age. While I agree that we need to encourage more people to get out and vote, please don't generalize people in their 30's and 40's as living in a Brady Bunch reality. To blame one single generation of people for national ignorance and apathy is quite insulting and irresponsible. I have spent my life in awe of the democratic process. I heed the call of civic responsibility. I love my country. My parents taught me well.

Sincerely,

Jessica
Minneapolis

Hi there,

I too sent a letter to the LA Times for its ridiculous review of Moore's Stupid White Men book. Thought you'd want a look.

* * *

Sirs,

This is regarding Larry Bensky's review of Michael Moore's book "Stupid White Men" in the 3/31 issue of Book Review.

I wasn't surprised to see a negative review of Moore's book in your paper, but I was disappointed. Bensky's doesn't spend much time tackling the issues raised by the book -- he spends most of his review attacking the idea of a populist dissenter like Moore. Maybe the ideas in Moore's book hurt his brain.

But the passage I most took exception to was this:

"It is hard to find very many folks, for example, still feeling daily outrage at the way George W. Bush became president, one of Moore's obsessions."

Maybe Bensky would like to visit my house, my work, my community, where many of us still refuse to accept this half-educated interloper as our president. Every day brings a new administration-led outrage, all leading back to the fact that the man wasn't democratically elected.

Wake up, please.

Ted Mills

Dear BuzzFlash,

The new Crossfire show on CNN with Paul Begala and Jim Carville Monday evening was great! The best show I have seen since over 9 years of Right-Wing press control! Now I know why the Right-wing press is so afraid of having a strong debating Democrat on the air. Paul Begala and Jim Carville, and even the soft spoken Daschle made mincemeat out of the arrogant elitist Robert Novak and the punky little Conservative Tucker Carlson! Several references to Bush being an un-elected president were made by Begala and Carville and Daschle even agreed! Wow!!

I am worried however that the Right-wing boot licking CNN won't allow the Democratic argument to prevail for long. People would become informed on the issues and start voting Democratic! Heaven forbid!

So if you watched Crossfire and liked it, let them know!! I think we should let CNN know loud and clear that this is what we want!

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/ Scroll to Crossfire program.

Nancy Nagy

A BuzzFlash Reader Letter to CNN:

Thank GOD you're finally putting a couple of guys on capable of 'speaking truth to power'!

My friends and I have been despairing of hearing truth and common sense spoken aloud ever again, what with the right-wing horseshit (pardon my French) machine that seems to have taken over the media since the pretender president took over the White House.

Novak & Bow-tie Man obviously aren't used to facing up to some real opposition - too bad! It's about time they earned their paychecks, & I'd say Carville & Begala have earned theirs already - big time.

My friends all feel the same way about what's been going on in this country, and I'm letting them know someone is finally giving OUR side of the story on air. I can guarantee we'll all be watching CNN again, at least when 'Crossfire' is on. Now I only pray there won't be a sudden disappearance of C&B after Mr. Rove picks up the phone & calls Mr. Isaacson...

I heard you've signed up Mr. Virtue himself, Wm. Bennett, the king of the blowhards to do commentary; just what the USA needs: another 'if you criticize Bush, you're anti-American' pontificator. If you want to keep things balanced, may I humbly suggest you enlist Michael Moore as counterpoint to Mr. Bennett's point(y head)? Now there's a couple of guys I'd love to see go head-to-head!

Regards,
Joe Strike

Dear BuzzFlash,

Unlike Gloria, I absolutely loved the new Crossfire. It was great to see liberals with some spine on the tube who aren't afraid to remind folks of the 2000 mis-election as well as the fact that Clinton and his administration did the country a lot of good. There is a dearth of
those who would even dare mention those things nowadays, so this show is a welcome addition.

I found the show full of sparks and firefights and I think that Carville and Begala are two absolutely wonderful FIRESTARTERS! I will enjoy watching, without a doubt.

aloha,
eyesopen in Hawaii

Hi Buzz,

Sharon Andrews' letter in the April 2nd mailbag states that aid was given to the Taliban in 2000 - it should read 2001, after Bush took over.

Mike Kress
Everett, WA

Dear Buzz,

Looky here, seems that the pResident's nasty colors are starting to bleed through. His voice tinged with resentment, and a testiness, God's Chosen One tried to beat back critics of his do nothing Middle East Peace Plan. What the hell is wrong with these people?
Did they not see that His Majesty took time out from yet another vacation in Crawford to spend an ENTIRE MORNING on the phone with world leaders? He probably had to give
up his morning plans of dressing like a cowboy and doing some cowboy-like brush clearing around the ranch!

Months and months of escalating violence and Dimbulb thinks pointing out his one morning on the phone shows how engaged he is.

~Antonia