August 23, 2002

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Dear BuzzFlash,

Afghanistan: The War that Rove Lost

Our brave military didn't fight the war in Afghanistan; Karl Rove did!

That's why THOUSANDS of al Qaeda have escaped, along with bin Laden, Omar and Zawahiri --- the TOP THREE bad guys!

We fought a casualty adverse war and tried to BUY a victory! (How IRONIC.)

We used less than 3000 of 44,000 available special operations troops and failed to secure the borders.

It was a small "hammer" and absolutely NO "anvil."

It was an ABJECT failure and I will NEVER believe that it was the military's choice for a strategy for destroying al Qaeda. When the military finally defends itself, and tells the real story about White House control of this war, it may well be the straw that breaks this administration's back.

Now we are losing "the peace" by waiting on the international community, in JUST this ONE case, to provide the support to rebuild the country. We didn't learn ANYTHING from our FIRST experience in Afghanistan.

I can hardly wait for the NEXT Bush "victory."

Regards,

John E. Haag
Columbus, Ohio

Dear BuzzFlash,

While it was just a difference of style between the loser Bonehead BARR and his winning wingnut opponent (no difference in wingnut agenda), the satisfaction was unexpected to see his teary eyes stinging in defeat. Of course, Faux Propaganda Network focused on how "noble" and "gracious" he was in going personally to congratulate his winning adversary, making sure to contrast this with Representative McKINNEY's performance.

Yet, despite that this makes THREE, count'em, THREE of the "managers" of the FAKE impeachment to bite the dust, plus a fourth, HUTCHINSON, whose rear was saved through kicking upstairs------Dems can take only momentary satisfaction. First of all, Bonehead's replacement is EVERY BIT as wingnut, while his demeanor is less of a target. Secondly, Bonehead will have endless opportunities out there------more time to pursue his lawsuits against his betters, opportunities to be PAID by Faux Propaganda Network, and probably an APPOINTED position in the Shrub Mal-administration.

This last item brings up a theme that has subsided in notice over the years: It was Poppy BUSH who kept losing elections, only to be APPOINTED to ambassadorship to China, and to the U.N., and to veep. The Shrub family pattern is to DEFY the decisions of the electorate, the royal prerogative to DEMAND to rule. It took a good whupping after four long years of arduous democracy to toss his rear out-----only to have Shrub attempt to reverse this. Shrub, in the family tradition, LOST the vote, but managed to impose his unwanted self anyway. And he pursued his noblesse oblige thing by extending the family favor to the loser ASHCROFT, appointing him (and HUTCHINSON). Despite all the dog wagging Shrub will pursue, wrecking the country in the process, it appears he is likewise headed for one-termer status. Unfortunately, there is an unlimited supply of Shrubbites----Jeb, then what about Billy, George P., ad infinitum, to impose the family tradition.

John Garza

Subj: Just which "illegitimate leader" are we talking about here?

Dear Chicago Sun-Times, Thursday August 22, 2002

I am wrinkling my brow to understand this. Your article says "The United States has issued its strongest attack yet on Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, describing him as an illegitimate leader who won power by fraud and saying it would encourage his people to 'correct the situation.'"

Our own "illegitimate leader who won power by fraud" is trying to tell another "illegitimate leader who won power by fraud" that he is illegitimate and that his people should endeavor to "correct the situation," ie, pursue a "regime change."

And how does he think he has a leg to stand on to do this? In either Zimbabwe OR Iraq?

Our "illegitimate leader who won power by fraud" has been as out of control as Mugabe, taking the "farmland" from the American middle class and giving it to his friends. There has been a wholesale transfer of wealth OUT of the Social Security and Medicare accounts INTO the Carlyle and Halliburton connected "defense" expenditures, in addition to the "tax cuts."

Lose a little in your 401K's? "Live with it!" Losing your job while your company's CEO jumps out of the plane with his golden parachute? "Too bad, just LIVE with it!" Feeling the frightening heat this summer, or flooding, or fires? "Too bad, our energy friends have no use for any of the world's treaties or conferences, there's just really nothing we can do, guess we'll all just have to LIVE with it!"

And now, neither the Secretary of State and all the Generals, nor the bi-partisan Congress, nor the people of this country want to go to war against Iraq, certainly ahead of cleaning up our own terrorism problem FIRST, but from his Crawford ranch Bush tells us we'll all just have "to LIVE with it!"

Time for all of us to maybe think of how to "correct the situation?"

Linda Cecsarini
Markham, IL

cc: Senator Richard Durbin
Congressman Jesse L Jackson

Dear BuzzFlash,

Rush Limbaugh the Science Nut-Ball.

I listened to most of Rush's 8-20-2002 show and just recently stopped laughing for long enough to write this little note. Rush had the following "scientific" theories:

* The fact that scientists have discovered atmospheric warming on MARS means that humans DO NOT cause warming on earth. Simple. (He said that there were no SUVs or BBQ grills on Pluto. (I'll definitely take his word for THAT. Especially given my doubts about the origin of a creature such as Rush.) Did the OTHER 7 planets warm as well?

* That because the "brown cloud" appeared over Asia, that that means that America doesn't make that much of the worlds pollution. Apparently he believes that our pollution stays right here above the U.S. of A.

* He also wondered why we haven't heard anything about the "ozone hole" lately, the implication being that it was tree-hugger BS. He said that we couldn't destroy the ozone layer if we tried, because "the SUN makes ozone" and "we can't extinguish the sun." Uh huh...I see...lay back on the couch and tell us more Mr. Limbaugh.

* On a show a couple of weeks ago he said something about "why is there so much oil in the middle-east when there weren't even any dinosaurs there?" I kid you NOT!

Are his listeners REALLY this ignorant of science? Pathetic!

** P.S. - A QUESTION: Is there any chance that he doesn't believe A WORD of this shit that he spews, and that they all just sit back and LAUGH at their ignorant listeners at the end of every "SHOW?"

John E. Haag
Columbus, Ohio

[BuzzFlash Note: We're sure he's laughing at them . . . all the way to the bank.]

Dear BuzzFlash,

A Sleeping Giant: The Bush White House in 2001

President Bush has said, on a number of occasions, that the terrorists on 9-11 "awakened a sleeping giant." This is, perhaps, one of the most accurate and forthright comments he has yet made on the subject. America did indeed sleep prior to 9-11 and the administration slept as soundly as anyone.

Let me take you back to the summer of the year 2001. A lot has happened since then but I'm sure that you can remember if you try. We, and the press, were spending a lot of time talking about Chandra Levy. Other than that bothersome (and until recently covered up) CIA briefing on August 6th about bin Laden attacking America and hijacking planes --- what else was going on? What was our government doing in the months before September 11th, 2001?

A search of the White House web site can be most revealing. Where was terrorism on the list of priorities for the president, his advisors and members of his cabinet? What was the press focused on last summer? What was capturing the imagination of the American people?

The National Security Council is headed by the National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice, and has been responsible for coordinating the activities of agencies including the FBI and CIA since the Truman administration. On July 22, 2001 Ms. Rice, when asked about terrorism, focused on National Missile Defense and "rogue nations." http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/07/20010722-7.html

On June 22, 2001 the president mentioned "terrorism" in a speech but, like Ms. Rice, only references it to support his National Missile Defense policy:

Bush: It's time to come together and to think about a new security arrangement that addresses the threats of the 21st century. (Applause.) And the threats of the 21st century will be terrorist in nature, terror when it comes to weaponry. What we must do -- freedom-loving people must be willing to think differently and develop anti-ballistic missile systems that will say to rogue nations and leaders who cannot stand America, or what we stand for: you will not blackmail us, nor will you blackmail our allies. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/06/20010622.html

The president spent the month of August on the ranch in Crawford. We were told he was reading about John Adams and thinking long and hard about stem cells. He gave a prime-time speech on August 9th (3 days after the CIA briefing) assuring us that the American Zygote population would be protected from terrorists in white lab coats. Thank GOD. The press was keeping themselves busy in Texas investigating the president's golf swing. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010807-2.html

The rest of the month was spent clearing brush on the ranch until, on August 29th, the president gave a speech on "National Defense Priorities" where the subject of terrorism never came up. Instead he was selling National MISSILE Defense by talking about "rogue nations." http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010829-2.html

On August 31, according to the White House, "Security" was FOURTH on the list of the "president's priorities for the fall:" Economy, education, opportunity and FINALLY SECURITY. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010831-3.html

Security was further defined as "job security, health security, and of course national security." http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010831-15.html

As icing on the cake, on September 10th, 2001 John Ashcroft denied additional anti-terrorism funding for the FBI for agents, translators and analysts. "Traditional" terrorism didn't make it into his top 10 priorities. He was concerned about sex and drugs instead.

The American giant slept indeed in 2001.

John E. Haag
Columbus, Ohio

Dear BuzzFlash,

...today's jaw dropping environmental idea from resident junior is that we remove logging restrictions to prevent wildfires. Prevent Forest Fires > Cut Down The Trees

...next up: Prevent Stupidity. Remove the Head.

Steve Warren
San Marcos TX

Subj: We're All Being Duped

People,

Please, stop and think for a moment. Do you think ol' Dubya is seriously going to launch and invasion of Iraq right now? Take it from me (for what it's worth) he's got no such plans at the present. The only thing he's trying to do, and thanks to all of us he's succeeding at, is trying to frame the debate leading up to the November elections. He doesn't need an "October Surprise" if he can so easily change the debate in this country from the economy and corporate crime (of which he's knee deep in poo poo) to the potential war in Iraq. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm adamantly against invading Iraq too. But, we need to stay focused on what's really important here and the issues that really affect us. I mean seriously, do we really think he's going to go against Poppy and Company's wishes and shuck their advice when it comes to doing anything? We all know who pulls the puppet's strings here. Don't let them divert our attention from the issues that can drive the final nail in the coffin this fall and return our government to it's rightful owners... We the People! Let's all keep talking about the economy, corporate fraud and Bush's role in it, the failure of his 'War on Terrah', the failure of his doing anything to help relieve the situation in Jerusalem, his war on the Bill of Rights (except the 2nd, that is), and Iraq as far as how he plans to pay for it (draining Social Security), etc., etc., etc. I really think he's just trying to divert our attention right now. That's it. Don't let him do it!

Fight The Power!!!

Thanks,

Eric D'Angelo
Savannah, GA

Dear Buzz:

In 1975 a movie was made starring Robert Redford called "Three Days of the Condor". It was about the CIA and a rogue section of it. It has a very timely premise, considering what we are reading about today in the newspapers regarding Bush's foreign policy. Very interesting indeed. I recently rented it. By the way, who was head of the CIA in 1975?

Anonymous

[BuzzFlash Note: Survey says . . . George Herbert Walker Bush (with apologies to Family Feud)]

Dear BuzzFlash,

MSNBC reports that Donahue's program has fallen in the ratings.

I'm not too sure about that and wonder if that report is an indication of an excuse to cancel the program in the coming months... a ploy to silence yet another liberal voice. So here's a suggestion: Let's all email MSNBC and let them know that we watch the Donahue show. Would MSNBC ignore thousands of emails supporting Donahue? Hey, MSNBC could consider those emails as a free ratings survey. The program, Touched by an Angel, was threatened with cancellation not long after it started. There was an outcry from the public. That outcry worked. Ha, the cancellation was canceled. The program continues to run with high ratings today.

Many times, I see mailbaggers claim that we were slow to act on various atrocities of the election and Bush antics. Let's not do that again. This signal from MSNBC is an opportunity to act quickly before another liberal voice is silenced.

This is the producer's email address of the Donahue show: donahueideas@msnbc.com. It was the only address I could find. Please keep your emails brief... maybe something like... Thank you for airing the Phil Donahue show. I really enjoy it. (Make up your own). Brief statements are more likely to be read and counted. And just imagine thousands of these emails popping up at MSNBC. Got'ta go now and write my brief email to MSNBC Producers!

~ Cathy

Hi Buzz,

I have just written a snail mail letter to Al Gore in which I state my intention of voting for him whether he runs or not. I think many Americans have done the same (write him a letter) and I think we should all continue to let him know that we believe he is our rightful President.

But it isn't just a matter of rectifying a horrible wrong that has been done to our nation and to the Constitution, or even to set past wrongs right, though both should be part of the reason to get Al Gore back. There is a very serious and even dangerous precedent set if we don't actually make his return our most serious mission. The laws, which were carefully and thoughtfully enacted by our forefathers have been broken, ignored, ambushed, discarded and revised by persons who have no constitutional basis to do so.

If we, the American People (who this country was founded FOR!) allow this little "slip" in our historical evolution to sink into the past without doing something about it, then why should anyone follow the law? What's to stop the next self-appointed group of "leaders" from deciding what laws they will follow and which ones are not convenient for them thereby giving themselves permission to summarily ignore them?

What has happened to our country is that we have witnessed a coup of our government by powerful people who move with planned speed capitalizing on their "Trifecta" and who hide their intentions behind the darkness of secrecy and who bank on the ignorance and gullibility of most Americans.

It's not that Americans are stupid, though I'm sure Bush and Co. and especially Cheney are sure they are, it's that most Americans are not interested in politics or anything else that doesn't touch their lives directly. This is all demonstrated by the fact that most don't even bother to vote, much less keep up with real issues. The soundbite is their truth because it's "catchy" and it makes them sound like they know what they're talking about without having to deal with facts. The Republicans are very good at implementing the science of soundbites. They did it to Clinton for his entire presidency. After all is said and done and the Clinton's have been exonerated from one charge after another, the average American is convinced that they are crooks who got away with something. And we all saw them do it to Al Gore. And to great effect!! No wonder they are so disdainful of us.

I think Al Gore should be reinstated as our President and that the Supreme Court Justices should be fired for incompetence and new ones appointed with the litmus test being, "Do you swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to guard it against ALL enemies, foreign AND domestic, without exception, so help you God?"

And there should be protracted and thorough investigations into all the circumstances that led to this shameful coup done by Congress and by independent investigators and by investigative agencies and journalists. And the guilty should be punished by the very laws that they cavalierly ignore and openly break now.

We can't afford to have this precedent marring our future history. Now it's our obligation to make sure we keep the principles and ideals of our forefathers in place for our descendants. Even more than an obligation it is our duty.

If we allow this to pass as just a little bump on our road into the future, then we deserve to lose our rights AND our nation to those who would take it not for love of it, but to enhance their own personal wealth and power.

Judith Foster, Berkeley

Dear BuzzFlash,

I saw this story a few days ago, and it just festered. Bush cutting down trees. Then immediately today's big headline ... He says that Trees cause forest fires, let's cut more trees. Is that not the biggest howler you ever heard? Can he really think people will buy that load? Quote from the story....

"To Bush, "liberating" his oaks from cedar is an act of environmental protection. The non-native cedar robs native oaks of water and light, he says. Eradicating this type of cedar would save a lot of Texas ground water." This is total BullShit...... Here is the link to the above quoted story: http://www.detnews.com/2002/nation/0208/11/a04-558868.htm

Here is the link to the

Native Tree index
Family: Cupressaceae
Common Name: Redwood North American
Native: Yes

http://www.treeguide.com/Species.asp?Region=NorthAmerican&SpeciesID=553

Cedar is NATIVE to Texas, I challenge the IDIOT to claim it isn't so. I invite you all to go to the Dallas Nature Center, and have a nice walk through the lovely stand of Cedars they are so proud of. The Nature Center is devoted to a piece of land that managed to never be cleared or farmed in any way shape or form.

Cedars may well "crowd" oaks, but they were here a looooooong time before Bush.

I am not a "native" Texan, and I would never call myself one (unlike some folks), but I do love trees. Bush is also a moron for vacationing here in August, that TRULY must be the penultimate sign of his stupidity.

Sparks
Dallas, Texas

(I wish I was on vacation, and I would go to Kennebunkport in a nanosecond, 'cause I have a brain)

Dear BuzzFlash,

Thought I would share a letter that I sent to several Westcoast newspapers concerning Bush's visit in the Norhwest. Here it is:

GET CURIOUS, GEORGE

Mr. Bush,

Please go back to your tree barren Texas ranch and leave the last vestige of our grand old-growth trees alone!

Stop sacrificing our ancient forests at the expense of beauty and a healthy ecosystem under the guise of preventing forest fires.

Eliminate subsidies to Timber Barons who destroy our National Parks and Living Treasures by converting them into Corporate Tree Farms with our tax dollars.

Your campaign donors should harvest trees only on these already mismanaged forests. Long before timber companies intervened, our forests managed to manage themselves for thousands of years with God's help. Put down your tattered copy of Curious George, George and read some information on the ecology of a healthy forest. There are only approximately 10% of old growth trees left. Why don’t you stick to reducing forest fires on the 90% already being "managed" and desist from cutting the remaining ancient trees under the pretense of fire protection. Your Bush Fires and Slash And Burn Policies are a clear and imminent threat to the health of our forests!

Steven Cornett

Dear BuzzFlash,

ABCNEWS.com : Embryo 'Adoption' Joins Two Families http://abcnews.go.com/sections/primetime/DailyNews/embryo_adoption_020822.html

far out!

I figure bush is using this just as a means to go more toward anti-abortion. what will happen if the doctor accidentally destroys these embryos, will he be charged with murder? if the power goes off is the electrical company now an accessory to murder? this is getting really stupid.

Henry

Hi Buzz:

A few observations:

1.) A few weeks ago I was watching Book TV. A bigwig from Regent Book was on. He was very proud of the fact that Ann Coulter had already been on 500 radio and/or TV stations selling her book. Two weeks later C-SPAN began plugging Coulter's upcoming appearance on Book Notes. The clip they showed (and showed and showed) was of her whining about bias.

2.) Like all the other conservative hypocrites (and lawbreakers), Bob Barr will likely wind up as a mouthpiece for FOX. Anyone who saw Gretta interviewing Mrs. Trafficant knows that FOX is already counting the days until Jim gets out of jail. Between FOX and Bush, we'll never get rid of these people. And they talk about Clinton relishing the spotlight?

3.) A few months ago the White House was evacuated - except for the pRresident and Mrs. Bush. Supposedly Bush was told about the evacuation the following day, 12 hours after the event. Um, was this used to take our minds off Harken (or whatever story was hitting the news), or doesn't the most powerful man in the world bother to watch the news during "war" time.

4.) In 1986 George Bush quit drinking, became Born Again, and started attending a Bible study. I, too, am a Christian. How can you possibly claim to be Born Again while participating in greedy business practices, especially those which you're bending the rules to benefit yourself?

5.) Chris Matthews talks about Gore not knowing who he is. Yet Chris is two different people, one in writing (liberal), and another when he hosts his show (a Christopher Hitchens clone). Last week he was shoving the war down our throats, demeaning the liberal on his program, calling him naive. Now he's against the war? Which is it, Chris? Did you spend too much time watching FOX on your sickbed, imagining how a war would boost your ratings?

Anyway, here's a message from the Bible for all those holy people mentioned above:

Look here, you rich people, weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh in hell. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment

Eph. 5:3-4

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Mary C.
An observant voter

Dear BuzzFlash,

I was listening to a reporter describe a peaceful protest that led to mace or tear gas being used by the police. The reporter was pushed by a 'baton' , 'maced' and through it all described protesters and 'men in business suits' going up to the police and asking 'why are you doing this?'

This reporter was from 860 AM, he stated he didn't know what provoked the police to do this, he described officers 'taking their name badges off and putting them under there vests' The police were in riot gear, and gas masks.

The time was about 4:45pm PST, I live in Oregon and was going home from work...

I was out of range of the signal and have heard no more. He did say something about 2-3,000 protesters and said this was around 5th and Taylor a block from the Hilton.

Diana

[BuzzFlash Note: You can read more about the protests in this article on the NYT: Protests Mar Bush Appearance in Ore.]

Hi Buzz

Can anyone tell me ...WHAT MAKES DUMBYA RUN?...I heard on TV tonite that he runs a 7 minute mile...hmmmmmm is that from one airport to the next?

I was a teenager when Roosevelt was president (a GREAT president...my dad worked on the WPA and for the CCC ROOSEVELT PUT THE PEOPLE TO WORK). I ALSO had 2 brothers serve in WW 2 and lost a cousin and a brother-in-law in THAT war......Well, during that time we all heard Eleanor Roosevelt criticized for traveling so much......For one thing, she was doing good things in her travels, and the other...compared to Dumbya she looked like a stay at home.....

Let me ask something Please....Does it say anything in the constitution about the president getting a vacation for 30 days WITH PAY....hmmmm.....JUST WONDERING..

I thought that he got paid to run the country from Washington DC......and getting back to his running.....I think he is in the air more than on the ground....out running around spewing his VENOM.....Maybe, just maybe, someone should tell him that he can try to run away from himself.....but not from "WE THE PEOPLE"....In other words Dumbya....YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CANT HIDE and will someone tell me one other thing.....Are "WE THE PEOPLE" paying for all of this RUNNING!!!!! and who is paying for him to go RUN to these REPUG FUND RAISERS....?????? PLEASE GOD...."SAVE AMERICA"!!!!!

Genie