September 24, 2002

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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. The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are the not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. Thanks again for your email and your patience.

Subj: The Toothless Dogs of War

Dear BuzzFlash,

As of this writing, we've apparently witnessed the ultimate capitulation of the Democratic Party to the will of the White House puppetmasters.

Within six weeks, I strongly suspect, the United States will once again engage in a war that will mean glorious visual content for American television and jingoistic detail for American newspapers. The focus of the nation will not be on the sinking economy, or the slow erosion of civil rights or the increasing amoral corporatization of our way of life or even the almost complete domination of public opinion by an aggressive, vocal, highly-partisan and heavily-financed conservatism.

What can only be called an amazing turnaround in public opinion over war with Iraq by a determined cabal of warmongers in the White House should make any sane American shudder. What can possibly be in the minds of those people who would risk yet more angry fanaticism by people not afraid to die to bring terror to America. This mad rush to war can't possibly be just about politics, can it?

Of course it can!

The result of becoming enmeshed in a war before the election would be that many voters would feel unpatriotic by not voting for supporters of the "Commander in Chief". At the end of the day, Congress will have been wrested from the enemies of moral virtue and dissenting thought.

This, then, is the real war that the Administration is fighting. A nation that values global economic freedom, free thought and expression, as well as true human compassion offers nothing to those in power who see those things as unnecessary, immoral and weak.

Since 1980, this worldview has come to the forefront of everyday life. The Greed is good philosophy has only been appended with Just don't get caught.

The Emerging Democratic Majority is nothing more than a punchline to a joke we’ve used to feel as if there was still real choice in our two party system.

Yet for nearly two years, we've seen little leadership and no statesmanship by those Democrats we'd like to believe share our outrage at the scandalous hypocrisy, belligerence and deceit of this Administration.

Now we are at the brink of giving full Congressional approval of unlimited war powers to those who have no respect for Congress or concern for the consequences of a unilateral unprovoked attack on a country that sits in the middle of the most explosive region on earth.

Where are the Democrats? Where is the opposition? Presumably, they are watching the polls, fearful of sounding unpatriotic and unwilling to ask difficult questions.

The sad thing is that many people -- both Americans and Iraqis -- will die due to this lack of moral fortitude.

Then again, maybe not many Americans will die. Surely we have a vastly superior military in both weapons and manpower. Maybe in eight weeks, we'll be patting ourselves on the back.

“Good game, Guys!” “Wasn't it a wonderful war?”

Unfortunately for us, and for them, the Administration will still have to deal with the economy, the War on Terror, corporate criminals and the lack of morality in our land. What will be the next ploy they use to keep the Democrats silent?

But by that time, these toothless Democrats will probably have lost the Senate and the future of America will finally be in the hands of the philosophical heirs of Ronald Reagan. It will have taken 22 years, but, by God, they will have won.

Yet America, I fear, will have lost.

Mike LaMartina

Dear BuzzFlash,

I have watched with growing dismay as the chickenhawks in the Bush administration have pursued their agenda of "war at any cost." Mr. Bush has made it clear from the very beginning that he would be going to war, with or without support from the congress, the U.N. or even the American people. It is clear the Americans of conscience must stand up against his immoral actions.

There are countless reasons to oppose this rash and dangerous war. An unprovoked preemptive attack is clearly in violation of the spirit of the United Nations. If we move forward against the wishes of the rest of the U.N. the entire body will become irrelevant.

The Bush administration is also clearly engaging in a "game that moves as you play," refusing to take "yes" for an answer when it comes to inspections and changing its demands every time there is a move to meet those demands.

The United States, all the P.R., propaganda and "spin" aside, hardly has the moral high ground here. We have far more nuclear, chemical and biological weapons than any other country. We condone many of those former "rogue states" because they are convenient allies of the moment. We supplied Saddam Hussein with the very weapons and technologies that we now decry. We also continue to train terrorists on a daily basis, both here in the U.S. at the School of the Americas and in other camps from Colombia to the Philippines.

It is becoming increasingly clear that monied oil interests are in charge of American foreign policy regarding the middle east. Their policies are destabilizing the entire region and make us a terror target for many years to come. We are losing the respect of many of our closest allies because of their arrogance. And for what? So we can continue to drive gas-guzzling SUVs?

Yes, we were attacked last year. Yes, it was a criminal and appalling act of terrorism. But we must not let that event blind us to the risks of our government's actions today and how they will be judged by history. We must think clearly and put a stop to this immoral juggernaut.

-- Jason Smith

Subj: Cubans Barred in Visa Crackdown

Buzz,

Here in Fl. Cubans float ashore almost daily. And are welcomed with open arms. Yet Cubans that want to come here legally by a visa, can't get in. Are we insane or what?

Barbara Noble
No War - No Nukes - EVER

Dear BuzzFlash:

Last night I sent the following message to ALL 50 Senators using the U.S. Senate contact list at

http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm

To make it easier to write your senator, the list contains email addresses underneath the addresses of all the senators.

The message I sent out last night was this:

"For the sake of the nation, vote down the war powers Bush is asking for and vote down the Homeland Security Act.

Homeland security is the organizing arm of the Fourth Reich.

War Powers is all they need to begin World War III.

Don't let them. Please."

After sending a message, it is asked that you give your true name and address. This is a small thing to do to be heard in my opinion. Also, for anyone thinking that giving out one's identity in such a cause sounds scary, I would add: Cowards never prevail. Don't let yourselves be ruled by FEAR. United We Stand. It is what makes us great.

The only reason I don't publish my address on BuzzFlash is because the nuts out there would flood my mailbox with stuff I don't want to be bothered with.

sign me
Proud Democrat
Washington State

Dear Buzz,

Re: "Bush Seeks Sweeping Powers"
Re: "Resolution Likened to '64 Vietnam Measure"
Re: "Bush asks for 'blank cheque' to attack Iraq"

Can we start using the "Crazy" word yet? Seriously, a few descriptions of Dubya's state of sanity came to my mind:

Delusions of Grandeur,
Seriously Psychotic,
Fullblown Compulsive/Obsessive,
Paranoid,
Schizophrenic,
Asocial,
Sociopath

And that's only the ones I thought about just reading these three articles about his demands that Congress give him sweeping powers to go to war with anyone, at anytime, and anywhere, without ever having to answer to anyone. He intends to bring peace from terrorism even if it means killing everyone in the process. Now, there's a truly committed man, only maybe he should be committed.

Judith Foster,

Berkeley

Dear Buzz,

Since our government apparently is being run by polls, it would be great if you had a poll question of the week (dare it be every day). I never hear the source of shrub's overwhelming numbers and never have received a phone call asking for my opinion. You could come up with questions that are not skewed and even offer a "none of the above" option. Please think about it and thanks for a bit of sanity in what used to be a great country.

Peace,

Midge

Subj: To R from Get Busy in your mailbag

Dear R,

Thanks for the website (http://www.congress.org/) that you sent in and for your request to "Get Busy".

It's nice to email all my reps at the same time for a change. Good work. I've bookmarked it and even contacted them asking them to do a one stop email for ALL the Congress and the Senate for those times when the issues are broad enough that the entire country, if not the entire world is concerned. War, Patriot Act, etc., etc.

Maybe they'll do it.

Thanks,

Judith Foster

Q u o t e o f t h e W e e k

"Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind.... And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded with patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader, and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar."

- William Shakespeare

Dear BuzzFlash,

While I am a big fan of Mark Crispin Miller and loved "The Bush Dyslexicon", I think he invests George W. Bush with far too much cognizance when he says that the "shame-on-me" gaffe indicated a basic sense of arrogance and infallibility.

On the contrary, I think Bush is a very insecure man. His feelings of inferiority drive his entire history and world view. He is resentful, petty and incurious precisely because he feels forever in danger of being labeled the fool. Even his father has expressed amazement that he is President. (For that he owes eternal thanks to forces even darker and more powerful than those that surrounded his father.)

Bush's attempts to look confident are utterly transparent. Just look at his body language. The way he walks with that bolt-upright posture. The way he clings to the podium. I frequently see fear in the man's eyes (when there is anything there at all). It's all a bluff.

If anything, the "shame-on-me" gaffe was his sudden realization that he was admitting to being the fool.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: more on Bush's conduct at Emma E. Booker School

Dear BuzzFlash,

I subscribe to the Red Rock Eater News Service and receive a regular email of links. The latest contained this link http://www.visualjournalism.com/Files/reviews/bush911/page.shtml to a graphic (Danish ?) news story that was part of the 9/11 one year remembrance. I was glad to see another reporter become aware of and start questioning Bush's bizarre behavior (bizarre only if one assumes the bombings were a surprise to him) at Emma E. Booker School. Now if only that would happen with some _American_ reporters in the mainstream press ...

Anyway, I read to the end of the page and decided to click on the "comment here" link at the bottom and found some additional information that was really unsettling. (Scroll down to the Bush Cartoon Part 1 & 2 paragraphs) It involved comparing NORAD PR notes of official timelines for the jets that were scrambled vs. some time and speed calculations. Based on this, those jets were only flying at half speed to get to their targets. See what you think: http://www.visualjournalism.com/cgi-bin/igb.cgi

Thanks for the independent news which we support. Between this email and the anti-Iraq war ones I just sent to my Congressmen, I wonder how many secret homeland security, CIA, and FBI lists I've just been added to?

Thanks for being there,

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Who do we contact to get the Democrats to WAKE UP

Dear BuzzFlash,

I cannot believe the Democrats in Congress are going to buckle under to Bush and approve war against Iraq. What the hell's going on here? Are the Democratic representatives we elected just weak bellied swine, or is there a method behind their madness?

Don't the Democrats realize how many in this country are opposed to war, hate Bush, and want to see a change of regime here rather than in Iraq?

Are they being guided by these totally misleading polls that tell them that Americans support Bush's insanity and support first strike war? The polls are crap, and the Democrats should know it. People don't answer the phone half the time anymore because of all the telemarketers bugging them. I certainly don't. I wait to hear a message left. Telemarketers don't leave a message, so maybe the pollers should do so immediately, and maybe a few people will pick up their phones and answer questions.

Anyway, I've called all my reps and senators; I've e-mailed Daschle and even Republican Senator Shelby, who seems to have huge questions about our intelligence operations, but still the Democrat leadership seems to think that if they get this vote on Iraq out of the way, they'll be able to concentrate the public on crucial domestic issues.

What the hell have these Democrats been smoking or drinking? The minute they give any approval for Bush's plan to attack first and ask questions later, the Bush administration will go full bore into war, and all other issues will be erased prior to the Nov. 5th mid-term elections.

If Democrats want to get elected in the mid-term elections, then they have to stand up to Bush and tell him that we have no cause to invade Iraq--that his administration has invented them.

Right now I'm so angry at the Democrats in Congress with their jellied spines that I'd like to go up to every one of them and SHAKE some sense into them. They are letting everyone of us who voted for them down by refusing to take a stand against our unelected president's agenda.

Write to them. Let them know how you feel--how all of us disenfranchised Democrats feel--WE ARE PISSED and we want some backbone inserted into our Democrat electees!

Jo Ann Simon

Subj: So, Bu$h is Fonzy?

Dear Buzz,

The good puppy press has recently been comparing Bu$h to every great president the nation has ever had. But, having read Mark Crispin Miller's excellent piece, Bush The Fool: Shame on You, I know exactly to whom he should be compared. Miller didn't mention Fonzy by name, but do you remember the Happy Days episode where Fonzy was forced to apologize for something? He just couldn't get the word "sorry" to come out of his mouth, because he'd never, ever thought he'd been wrong about anything in his life.

Keep up the super work!

Best regards,

Dogfolks

Subj: Bev Conover's article

Dear BuzzFlash,

Anyone who thinks that Democrats votes will all be counted in November in Florida had better read the article on BuzzFlash, "Does Florida's latest election fiasco portend another Bush theft in November?" He will work with his brother in the White House, with the security that they know the Felonious Five on the U.S. Supreme Court will back them up, to steal Florida in 2002 and steal another Dim Son victory in 2004. They are already working across the country to tamper with voting devices to make sure that they get a GOP Congress. They have the U.S. Supreme Court waiting to take that over, too. I guess Jeb has to worry that if he is not governor, the next time his druggy daughter goes out and lies, steals, and forges, she may not be protected, and we can't have a Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, or Rumsfeld going to prison, can we?

a BuzzFlash reader

Subj: How to stop the GOP takeover

Dear BuzzFlash,

IF you think voting will help, remember that this is not enough. The only thing that will work is for us to get out and block the entrances to media headquarters and refuse to let the anchors in until they promise to report the news as it is.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear BuzzFlash,

Have you ever read The Crucible (A. Miller)? Have you read the history of the Salem witch trials? If you have then it should be of no surprise to you that Governor Bush's Daughter is getting special treatment. It is the way things have been done here for a long...long time! You see, it was the 'common sorts' that were being burned at the stake, of course if you confessed and repented your life would be spared (ala Dionne Warwick; this list could go on). However, wasn't it curious that when Governor Winthrop's wife was accused of being a witch the rules were changed and the witch problem disappeared. The 'common sorts' of today should be so lucky to have their addiction problems treated as a medical issue and not the draconian legal issue that it is today. Then Miss Bush would have done as much good as Governor Winthrop's wife. Do we continually fail to learn from history?

PD

Subj: Restore Liberty, Peace

Dear BuzzFlash,

Don't kid yourself. The terrorists won. Their assaults on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon stopped the most powerful nation in the world in its tracks. They provoked us into a reaction against Arabs which showed our much-vaunted liberties to be hollow. And they made al-Qaeda a symbol for the struggle against western-oriented Islamic regimes around the world. Osama bin Laden and his pals could not have succeeded without George W. Bush, who first stupidly called for a "crusade" against the terrorists, with all the history that word packs for Muslims. Then he pushed the draconian 342-page USA PATRIOT Act through Congress to give government agencies sweeping new powers to snoop and detain troublemakers.

http://www.populist.com/02.17.edit.html

Chewgababy

Dear BuzzFlash,

Those puzzled, afflicted and conflicted by recent Saudi Arabian TV ads promoting tourism (non-military, burkas for females provided at the airport by comely shrouded Arabian lasses) might recall a small story last year.

In order to promote better public relations with the miffed and disgruntled American populace after 9/11 an American entrepreneurial team rushed in to lend their PR expertise to the aggrieved Saudi princes. The head of this good neighbor enterprise (at a time when pointing fingers were bent away from the native land of the terrorists and their complete funding) was none other than (drumroll, cymbal clash)....

Neil (Silverado) Bush! Yet another breathtaking example of overwhelming chutzpah and profiteering by the Bush gang, on all sides, inside, outside, but always on THE side of oil.

P. Murphy

Buzz:

I am listening to c-span's Washington Journal as I type this. The Moderator, Pedro, started by reading an article from the Wash. Post..about Democrats having to pay a $240,000 fine for funding irregularities in 1995 and 1996.......then later in the show, he will read the story (I have heard this story this week until I am sick of it) about the Kentucky governor who had an affair with another woman...of course democrat. There is not a word about funding irregularities about Republicans...the worst of the lot. Also, nothing has ever been said about the Mayor (republican) up in the northeast who is running for a federal office (you know, the one who got a prostitute to get young girls 11 and 12 year old for sex acts!) It is as if this country is becoming such a Stepford Nation that even a publicly funded stations are leaning so hard to the right, there is no balance left at all!!!

Shirley....St.Louis

Subj: Who's in Charge?

Dear BuzzFlash,

Our intellectually challenged appointed President is the perfect foil for the cabal that is really running the country. They send him off to ROUND UP MONEY for Republican candidates almost on a daily basis....even as the World War on Terrorism is being conducted! Poor Georgie....in over his head.

I would have loved to have been able to listen in to the meeting in Texas in 1997 when Cheney picked the Governor of Texas to be the Candidate! What did they think were George's qualifications....that he wouldn't be capable of following the program and getting in the way?

Dot Fitzpatrick
Kingston NY

Subj: Contacting Congress Works

Dear Buzz and Fellow BuzzFlash Readers:

My congresswoman, Lynn Woolsey, is joining Dennis Kucinich in a coalition among a small number (for now) of Democrats to stop this unilateral war against Iraq. She was quoted in the NY Times, saying:

"The people in my district are saying, `Where are the Democrats, where is the opposition?' " said Representative Lynn Woolsey, another Northern California Democrat who said mail and calls from district residents were running 200 to 1 against a war with Iraq."

I am one of those 200 to 1 against war in her district. I called her office in Washington and added my voice to the chorus against war. And she LISTENED to us and is now actively working against the Bush Regime's determination to bomb the hell of Iraq for no good reason. SHE IS NOT AFRAID, unlike the vast majority of her fellow Democrats, to put her beliefs on the line, to put her COUNTRY before her own political interests. CALLING WORKED!!

THEY WILL LISTEN TO US, they HAVE TO. And RIGHT NOW, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, we must help this small coalition of peace-loving patriots, led by the highly respected Dennis Kucinich, to became a TIDAL WAVE OF OPPOSITION. A "coalition" will not stop a juggernaut.

I urge all of you wonderful Buzzheads to continue your peace activism and CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ON THE PHONE. And ask your family and friends to call!

Our representatives must HEAR YOUR VOICE...that makes you more real to them than an email or even a fax, which frankly, is very easy to delete or throw away (and no one will ever know). You can't count on a congressional aide or intern to carry your message of peace by email or fax....if you are speaking, they can't hang up on you!!! CALL AND INSIST ON SPEAKING TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. They work for US! Ask them to take your name and zip code. I even left my phone number and home address (they already have it anyway; I'm on their mailing list). It's a small effort to make to save our world from destruction at the hands of the unelected and unwanted warmongering group of hawks ruining our country.

We must use the best tool we have to fight this ignorant, arrogant and dangerous administration: OUR VOICES!!!

CALL YOUR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS **NOW** AND INSIST THEY DO THE RIGHT THING or you will vote them right out of office.

Thanks.

elaine from Petaluma

Subj: Mental Competence

Dear BuzzFlash,

Does anyone know if the president is required to undergo a yearly psychiatric evaluation? From what I've seen of George W. Bush's recent power hungry decision making, I have serious questions about whether he is mentally competent to be running our country. His actions are more akin to those of empire builders, such as Napoleon and Mussolini, than they are to the leader of the free world. He could have "little man syndrome" or other issues about his masculinity which are affecting his ability to make rational decisions. Is there a White House psychiatrist? For that matter, are there any psychiatrists out there who have an opinion regarding his mental competency?

Rob Moitoza
Seattle, Wa.

Dear BuzzFlash:

The "logic" used by John Major in the article below escapes my intelligence. We will use our "real deadly" weapons of mass destruction, namely the nuclear bomb, if Saddam uses his "alleged" weapons of mass destruction. So, those who have the weapons of mass destruction have the right to play with them and go to war, so that others perceived as "evil" cannot get the same deadly toys. These people who are deciding mine/the world's fate are not civilized and are not operating, in what I would consider "a sane reality".

Regards, B. Watson

Article from The Sun, dated Sept. 21, 2002

By TREVOR KAVANAGH

Political Editor

AMERICA will NUKE Baghdad if Saddam Hussein dares unleash weapons of mass destruction, it emerged last night.

The chilling warning to Iraq was revealed by former Tory Premier John Major, who led Britain in the 1991 Gulf War.

During that conflict, allied forces were armed with "battlefield" nuclear weapons and prepared to use them in a counter attack, he said. Saddam was privately warned his capital would be obliterated if he used weapons of mass destruction against allied troops or Middle East targets - including Israel.

Subj: Part of the all fronts assault

Dear BuzzFlash,

The signature tactic of the bush regime since their installation has been an aggressive all-fronts assault on everything: the environment, worker protections, civil liberties, the surplus, and recently, international law. They are now going after the few remaining shreds of the "free press":

http://www.ap.org/pages/whatsnew/coverquest.html

These are the actions of bullies. Bullies are almost always cowards, and weak in ways that are highly vulnerable to principled resistance. Hence the contemptuous posturing and shrill condemnations toward those whose duty it is to question the executive branch, from tom Daschle to the few genuine reporters left functioning. They blink in a real stare-down.

Sooner or later the adults will have to step in. I hope sooner...

Mary Anne, Aurora, Illinois

Subj: Why Cheney Won't Release Minutes

Dear BuzzFlash,

The link is accessible to member's only. I do not know the date of publication but assume April 2001 from the URL.

Adam.

2. ENERGY TASK FORCE CONSIDERS EASING OIL SANCTIONS IRAQ, IRAN & LIBYA:

A draft report by the White House energy task force recommends a lifting of import sanctions against oil producing countries that support terrorist activities around the world. The task force, headed by Vice President Dick Cheney, was commissioned by President Bush to develop a comprehensive national energy policy aimed at increasing domestic crude oil supplies and stabilizing rising fuel prices.

The draft report recommends easing the oil importation embargo on Iran, Iraq and Libya because those countries crude production "is essential in order to meet growing U.S. and global demand for finished petroleum products".

According to the report, " the sanctions against Iran, Iraq and Libya affect some of the most important and existing petroleum producing countries in the world".

The report concludes that the nation's energy security may depend on opening up these reserves for importation.

The Bush Administration issued a statement this week saying there is no plan to lift the sanctions "as of this moment". During the presidential campaign, Bush, Cheney and Colin Powell, now Secretary of State questioned the effectiveness of the sanctions and urged their removal.

Against this backdrop, Congress is gearing up to reauthorize a 1996 law set to expire this year that imposes sanctions on any international company that conducts oil and gas business with Iran or Libya. House Committee on International Relations Chairman, Henry Hyde (R-IL) has expressed interest in easing the sanctions to head off the growing threat of a new domestic energy crisis.

However, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Jesse Helms, (R-NC) is a staunch defender of the sanctions and may oppose any effort to ease them. The final task force report is due out by early summer.

http://www.tpca.org/memberonly/PTSA%20Updates/ptsa_042001.htm

Subj: Why is "The Left" limp?

Dear BuzzFlash,

Are all progressive, left leaning organizations and internet sites doing all they can do to build their mailing lists? How ambitious are they getting the message out to normal everyday Americans? There is an information battle going on in this country. A battle for its soul. We learned that the 2000 election was a huge mistake. Now we have learned something else -mistakes made now will snowball into larger mistakes made later. If you allow the direction of this country to be guided by a well organized minority within the Republican party, you open us ALL up to the consequences of their mistakes.

The Republican Party plays on the basic emotions of ordinary Americans. They manipulate and re-write history through well constructed stubborn undying spin. Spin that is affecting the opinions of good hearted people who are too busy living their lives to dissect all the information being presented to them from the media. The left has abandoned the entire medium of radio. All the music stations, all of the national talk hosts, NPR... nothing. No constant voice representing proudly the precious beautiful things we stand for. We love America just as much as anyone else! We love America for what it was, what it is, and we forever love America for what it CAN BE.

How long will we allow the debate to be driven by people who use fear, manipulation, who are over reaching, unrelenting, disastrous, emotionally driven? Do you know how convince someone of what you believe in? Show that you're confident in it. You going to be called names, made fun of, ignored (and that just the fun part). But in the end, your ideals will be accepted...because they are basic. So basic that even we take them for granted...

Organizations and groups of people who believe need to be more driven, more organized, more "on message" and more progressive in technique. The other side uses "space age technology to peddle stone age ideas" - and its working.

What we thought was just a hiccup in history is turning into a heart attack. The other side will wag a ZOO to win an election. The other side will demonize your basic belief and your best politicians until you yourself are to scared to brag about your best qualities. And its a shame because you do have history on your side ....if only you'd work harder to get your point across. Or work harder in telling us ordinary Americans what we can do to help.

Increase your audience, sharpen your message, educate and inform. Stop allowing marketing tricks and entertaining spin define the argument. And the only way to counter it is to do it better. We have got to stop arguing with people that will never agree with us and start reaching out to everybody else. Focus on that with optimism, confidence and never ending courage and I believe god will take care of the rest. America is a progressive country. ....I hope it stays that way.

E-man
New York City

Buzz,

I would love to ask the leaders of the Democratic party why they are going to give Bush permission to conduct an October surprise. He has played this country - and the Democrats - like a fiddle. If they don't vote on his war resolution then he can cry TRAITORS! Until November, and if they DO vote for it, he can start a war and dominate the press with his 'Wartime Leadership' until November. If Daschle, Gephardt et. al. can't think of a way to deflect these two scenarios then they don't belong in leadership positions.

Keep up the great work.

Phil Appleton

Subj: One September 11th question I have

Dear BuzzFlash,

I have lots of questions about September 11th, 2001, but the one that is foremost in my mind is this:

Considering all of the information, hints, tips & general intelligence available in the months before September 2001, why were there only 4 Military jets assigned to protect the entire East Coast & Washington, DC?

Someone made that decision. We have never skimped on the DOD or Pentagon budget, in fact they have so much money that they can't even account for 25% of it - which is about $75 to $100 billion dollars. So, they didn't decrease active patrols because of a shortage of funding & Rummy says that there are no recruitment problems & unlike Iraq, we don't have a spare parts problem. So the decision was arbitrarily made by someone. I'd like to know who made that decision. It had to be someone fairly high up because we are talking about security coverage of Washington, DC which as everyone know, includes the White House. Minor DOD officials would not have the authority to make this kind of decision.

Given the sheer volume & accuracy of the information that was in fact available (contrary to what we were told) I just don't understand why our security force was at an all time low, why the air traffic controllers were so unprepared, why NORAD was so overwhelmed, why our Military jets performed so dismally, why the airlines were not informed & why was there absolutely no warning ever issued to the public. I know America was pretty much absorbed by Gary Condit last summer, but I honestly think that if there had been any kind of a warning people would have paid attention.

Condi Rice - did she outright lie or is she just totally incompetent? Either way she should resign.

It is required by law for the FBI & CIA to keep the executive Branch, in particular the National Security Advisor, apprised of threats to America (real or perceived). Clearly, if they didn't inform her, then heads should roll. If she was informed, as she should have been, she must resign.

Much is being made of the fact that our Intelligence agencies failed us, that there was no coordination. Excuse me, but, for the past 226 years, the Executive Branch has been responsible - they are supposed to be the central clearing house, coordinate the Intelligence. Clearly there was a breakdown, but I think blaming the FBI & CIA is barking up the wrong tree.

Linda Kekumu

Subj: Bush, Ritter, and Patriotism

Dear BuzzFlash:

In his speech before the United Nations, George W. Bush warned that the United Nations could go the way of the League of the Nations if it did not show some backbone.

Rejection by the the United States, and the subsequent and very-much connected failure of other nations to abide by the principles of the League, resulted in the quick death of that organization. Does not the Bush Administration's current attitude toward the United Nations represent a repeat of history?

The United Nations, contrary to popular myth, has achieved numerous successes, including dozens of successful peacekeeping missions that are rarely publicized, as well as disease eradication and other humanitarian programs.

On a related front, it might be worthwhile to read H.W. Brand's recent biography of Benjamin Franklin, THE FIRST AMERICAN. Franklin was a leader of the antiproprietary forces in the colonies, battling the wealthy folks who refused to pay their share of taxes for colonial defense. Compare this to the situation of today, when the Bush Administration passes a massive and irresponsible tax cut for the wealthy while the rest of us must shoulder the burden of massive war and defense expenditures and service in the armed forces.

Of course, Bush and those who beat the drums of war typically did not serve and will not bear the costs. Yet, they portray themselves as patriotic, brave, even knowledgeable.

And what of Scott Ritter, a twelve year veteran of the United States Marines, who believes in the rule of law--the foundation of this country--and who has seen war personally in the Persian Gulf region, a self-described warrior who believes war should be a last resort? His patriotism and expertise are questioned.

Who here is defending the American way? And who in Congress will stand up and do the same?

Aaron Gangross

To our pathetic "liberal" media:

If Saddam Hussein is such a serious and immanent threat to our country, please ask W. why he spent the entire month of August on vacation and fundraising.

If Saddam is - according to this administration - funding terrorism, please ask why the US is still buying Iraqi oil.

If this administration believes buying illegal drugs supports terrorism - so much so that they're spending millions to run TV ads telling us so - why isn't the administration running ads encouraging Americans to conserve energy?

If Bush is the honest man you repeatedly tell us he is, why aren't you reminding America that our military is too deteriorated to fight a two-tier war? How can our military possibly battle Al-Qaeda, invade Iraq, fight terrorism at home, and continue on in Afghanistan when Clinton - according to Bush's campaign speak - neglected it for 8 years?

If the cost of war in Iraq was estimated at $50 billion two weeks ago and is now estimated at $100-$200 billion, why aren't you telling us why? Does the added expense have anything to do with a BBC report that in order to win support for the war, Bush is prepared to give Turkey weapons and debt relief? Qatar funding to build air fields? Russia and France access to Iraqi oil fields guaranteed by an ongoing U.S. military presence? And trade concessions for Jordan?

Chris W.
The Land of Lincoln

Subject: Bush backs 9/11 investigation

Dear BuzzFlash,

Before we bristle with optimism in hope of finally receiving some real answers concerning the events leading up to 9/11, we have to look at Bush's record in light of the other initiatives he has supported. A few examples are:

~ The Ability for you to Keep More of Your Money - on the campaign trail, Candidate Bush used the oldest trick in the book by promising tax cuts for all. As we now know, except for the super rich, many never did receive any relief whatsoever, and for those that got the $300 (thanks solely to the Democrats by the way), we either had to turn around and give it right back on the April 15th that followed. The even luckier ones, myself included, we end up paying higher local and property taxes to make up for yanked federal funding. Although, we do now have a better understanding of "trickle down" economics - we pay less tax at the federal level so we can pay much more right in our own hometowns.

~ Leave no Child Behind - latching onto Ted Kennedy's education legislation, mainly because his own nonsensical ideas embracing target schools and vouchers were soundly rejected, Bush signs a sweeping Education Bill. Forget that a child can practically make it to high school before the testing standards and non-performing school requirements allow any action. The plain truth is that Bush's signature was not backed up with any funding since he spent every last cent we didn't have on his defense toys.

~ Campaign Finance Reform - dragged kicking and screaming into the White House basement, Bush unceremoniously scratched his name on the McCain/ Feingold Bill. Drafted to take the undue influence from large contributors out of our political system, as well as eliminate some of the negative campaign ads we must endure, the legislation was forced upon the White House amid a spate of corporate scandals tied directly to Bush. Before the ink dried on Bush's signature, lawsuits were being forwarded by him to find many of the provisions of the Bill unconstitutional.

So, in looking at the Bush track record concerning initiatives that he has endorsed, it does not bode well that he is putting his support behind an investigation. In fact, his track-coverers are already out there pointing their fingers in any direction other than towards the ones who were in a position to collect and analyze what we now know were the very credible intelligence items gathered - his White House staff (Ashcroft, Cheney and Rice).

YT Cai

Dear BuzzFlash,

You are the first people I have found that use the phrase the Bush Cartel to label the organizational structure I believe is the most dangerous in the world.

I have used this exact phrase since the election debacle as it really became evident at that time that their sole guiding principal is that power and money are all that matter and...we, all us American's and all the people in the world around are all just cash cows to them, to be milked by the proprietor of the "Crooked W" ranch!

Keep exposing the truth.

Here another one I haven't heard used:

"With this administration every time they speak it's half lies, the other 90% are just untruths." -- Yogi Berra.

Have a nice day

A BuzzFlash Reader

Hi Buzz,

Has anyone thought about this.......If there is a draft......the men to be drafted would be serving under their "COMMANDER IN CHIEF" right???? Well then......since Bush IS NOT our commander in chief.....being as he is an illegal pResident..... than they would not be obligated to go to war for him...would they...WOULD THEY?????

Genie

PS ....HEY CANADA!!!! HEADS UP!!!!.....I think if there is a war on Iraq....you are going to have a population explosion!!!!

Subj: Question ?? from a Voter in Florida !!

Dear BuzzFlash,

Jeb BU$H has requested John Ashcroft, to oversee the Election on Nov. 5th?? Never in this Country's HISTORY has this happened!! Will someone PLEASE EXPLAIN to me (as a CONCERNED CITIZEN!!) WHY this is allowed to happen!! Why has NO-ONE in the Media reported this ???? !!!!!!!!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Hi Buzz:

I am just popping in to say that Senator Byrd's speech is a must read for everyone of your viewers....and...It would be really wonderful if everyone reading this would write and tell him THANK YOU for standing up for "WE THE PEOPLE" He seems to be the only Democrat in Washington that we have speaking for us.....I don't know about the rest of you ,but he is one big "PATRIOTIC HERO to me and mine......

Genie

Quote of the Day:

"One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better."

__Daniel Berrigan

Chewgababy

Subj: Psst . . .

...call the Republicans the 'Body Bag Party.'

A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear BuzzFlash,

I think that Mr. Miller has hit the nail on the thumb. I'd always thought that Poppy and Marmie must have been indulgent parents and here is the proof. Little George can do no wrong. Jeb can steal an election for him and Neal can rob the public blind. They make the Gambino's look like small town number runners. Keep up the good work.

Chris Wright

Subj: What Do George and George Talk About?

Dear BuzzFlash,

Surprisingly, the answer is here:

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/04/09/bush/index1.html

Gov. Bush himself has acknowledged some trouble in his past. In statements recalling then-Gov. Clinton's admission to have "caused pain" in his marriage, Bush has said that he did "some irresponsible things when I was young and irresponsible," but that's been about as specific as he's gotten lately. He wasn't always so circumspect about his reputation for womanizing. Ten years ago, at the 1988 Republican Convention, Hartford Courant associate editor David Fink struck up a conversation with George W. "When you're not talking politics," Fink asked the vice president's son, "what do you and [your father] talk about?"

"Pussy," George W. replied.

Linda

Re; Post about woman who wrote that it does no good to write letters

Dear BuzzFlash,

I must disagree with that woman and agree with you, Mary. We are scattered across America, but that is good. It shows that it does do some good. For instance, I am a retired woman who is pretty much shut-in. I write and talk to neighbors and people at stores etc. I live in a small town in East Texas very conservative; but it is surprising how much agreement I receive. One of my neighbors has never voted in her life but she is voting this year. STRAIGHT DEMOCRAT TICKET! Another young man I know has never voted; he has just become old enough, but he is registered to vote at my insistence and will vote Democratic. That doesn't sound like much, but that is grass roots at it's lowest level. Keep the faith! We have to continue! This administration scares me more than any terrorist. WE MUST HAVE A DEMOCRATIC VICTORY IN NOVEMBER! This may be the most important election in our lifetime.

Thank you and keep up the good work, I'm going to.

Sue McFadden
Mineola, Tx.

Subj: Where are the Democrats?

09-22-02

Dear Mr. Broder,

I am a Democrat, but more than that I am a citizen of the United States. I have wondered since the Supreme Court decision to put Bush in the White House where my representatives are, why all but a handful of our political leaders, news media, celebrities and so on accepted that travesty. When September 11th happened, I was no more able to accept Bush as President than before. Did you know that at least 11 countries warned this 'government' about attacks? When he jumped on AF 1 and disappeared for almost the entire day, I didn't lose respect for him. I didn't have respect for him before the attacks. I have lost all of my respect for his parents, who support his presence in our White House. However they served this country in the past, it is all undone by their acceptance of a cheater's way into the Oval Office. There is no prestige in taking the White House by stealth and trickery. There is no honor in waiting out 4 years to have another election, which may be fair and aboveboard or likely, not.

I'm not happy with the total news blackout. I don't want opinion and happy talk. I want facts, both sides of an issue discussed, no inflection of the voice in ways meant to sway me, no facial expressions indicating a personal viewpoint, just the news, so I can make up my own mind. I stopped watching television news when I realized that no one reading the news understood what was and is actually happening, but rather sold our country down the river for their bottom line. I stopped buying newspapers when I realized that each one I might buy is owned by conservatives. I will not willingly put a penny in their pockets. I love my country too much to help them kill it. Thank God for the Internet, or I would surely be a mushroom. And if not the Internet, then word-of-mouth. It worked for our founding fathers, and they changed the world.

I oppose the Bush doctrine of sending our young people to fight a war meant to put the US in a position to dominate the world in the most evil and base of ways. We were doing fine in world leadership by lending a helping hand, setting examples, working out treaties. To make war to take property and resources from all the weaker nations is wrong. My last surviving brother died in June this year. My family knows the heartache of empty chairs at dinner. I speak from the heart when I say, don't die for Bush, live for your family. I notice that all of these losers who want to send our military forces to war, dodged service themselves. Bush himself was missing from the Texas Air National Guard for 2 YEARS, but he is willing to sacrifice others for his own rotten gain. You can say what you want, but it is never wrong to avoid harm, it is never wrong to spare a life, it is never ever wrong to be humane rather than harsh.

I have been angry since the Supreme Court decision that has done terrible harm to the Constitution. I will stay angry and activist until that decision is reversed. The only courageous leadership I see is from Senator Byrd and he has my undying respect and gratitude. It is a shame that someone who has lived through two eras of bad governance has to be the one to take up arms against the latest enemy.

Marthe R.

Dear BuzzFlash,

Donald Rumsfeld:

"I have said, and the president has said, that the small group of people that run Iraq and have run it for a good many years have repressed the people, and in a very real sense the people of that country are hostages to a small group of dictatorial, repressive government officials."

Hey Don, I guess it takes one to know one, huh? By the way, watch the oil on the doormat.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear BuzzFlash,

Saw a great bumpersticker today, "America needs a regime change"

I think a lot of BuzzFlashers would agree with that.

Valerie Sloven
Orinda CA

Subj: True Then, True Now

Dear BuzzFlash,

Founding Father Quote of the day:

Of all the enemies of true liberty, war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manner and of morals,engendered in both. No nation can preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

War is in fact the true nurse of executive aggrandizement. In war, a physical force is to be created; and it is the executive will, which is to direct it. In war, the public treasuries are to be unlocked; and it is the executive hand which is to dispense them. In war, the honors and emoluments of office are to be multiplied; and it is the executive patronage under which they are to be enjoyed; and it is the executive brow they are to encircle. The strongest passions and most dangerous weaknesses of the human breast; ambition, avarice, vanity, the honorable or venal love of fame, are all in conspiracy against the desire and duty of peace.

--James Madison

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: "Shame on me"

Hi;

Nice job with the "Bush can't say 'Shame on me'" article. I just wanted to point out that Mr. Bush sees everything in "black and white" EXCEPT for the accounting procedures of his Texas oil company. Everything is black and white except his personal ethics.

He's boasted that he knows what he believes, and that he never changes his position, or his mind, and that he sees the world in black and white, and so on.

Thanks

D

Dear BuzzFlash,

I'm not sure if you can post all this .....but the Democrats have picked quite a winner here in Florida. It is a big and complex state but they have a candidate in McBride that can appeal to all of Jeb's "bubba" vote and still be very attractive to more liberal South Florida. (You know, even bubbas want good schools for their kids) From everything I have read, the guy is clean, motivated, and a real leader.

The best line came from an article in Sunday's Herald. McBride decided to go into politics and run for governor because he found himself "yelling at his TV all the time" - we've all been there, haven't we??

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/4131148.htm

The Miami Herald is running several days of articles profiling Bill McBride and his history. This will be an extremely close race down here, and you can be sure the Repubs will get nasty as they sense momentum moving away from them. Anything you can do to help make this McBride win will be most appreciated.

You know what the bottom line is for all of this??? We all have to vote-everyone of us. If all the Democrats in Florida (and everywhere else) vote in record numbers, we can stop this madness and turn it around. Please-urge people to vote!!

Randy Natalino

Subj: Contact your Representatives NOW! Tell them NO WAR WITH IRAQ!

Hi, BuzzFlash Readers

NOW is the time to let your representatives know that you don't want them to support Bush and Cheney's warmongering.

You can contact your representatives here. Just enter your zip code.

http://mygov.governmentguide.com/mygov/index.html

I just sent the following message to mine (Coble, Edwards, Helmes of NC).

"I'm writing you today to urge you in the strongest possible terms to do everything in your power as my representative to avoid war with Iraq.

Do not vote to give the administration the power it desires to be free to engage Iraq militarily.

Do not be party to a decision that will cost many lives, civilian and military.

Do not be party to a decision that will establish the US as a "strike first" nation.

Do not be party to a decision that the vast number of our allies oppose.

Do not be party to a decision that high ranking officials from previous administrations both Republican and Democrat oppose (i.e. Mr. Baker, Mr. Scowcroft, Pres. Carter, etc.)

Do not be party to a decision, the basis of which (i.e. the threat posed by Saddam and his supposed weapons programs) has been debunked by the very weapons inspectors who were previously in Iraq.

Do not be party to a decision that is curiously timed to draw the attention of the people and their representatives away from domestic problems, the economic situation, the 9-11 investigations, and the coming elections.

Do not be party to a decision that will allow the President to strike a nation under the thinly veiled guise of preventing the spread of WMD while in reality attempting to secure the oil reserves of this region. An action which if accomplished will directly financially benefit members of the current administration and the oil services and exploration companies and weapons manufacturing companies from which they came.

None of these are valid moral reasons to go to war.

Do NOT vote to give the administration the power wage a needless war for all the wrong reasons.

Sincerely,

Mark J.Smith"

Dear BuzzFlash,

I have noticed that you refer to the Bush "Cartel". Cartel is used mainly about businesses. The better term would be Bush Cabal, which means a conspiratorial group of plotters and intriguers. I think this more accurately describes Bush and the thugs who control him. Keep up the good work!

W. Thomas

Subj: The Children of Darkness

Dear BuzzFlash,

the Current "Sons of Darkness" are easy to recognize.

"The Children of Darkness have but one tool, that is the disruption of Peace" "This tool is applied in infinite ways, but it is always the same tool."

Jesus in his lectures to the "Sons of Peace" (the Essene) - the Dead Sea Scrolls -

A BuzzFlash Reader

Dear BuzzFlash,

Wouldn't it be something if there was a hawk equivalent of peace rallies? The hawks would stage "war marches" on Washington to rally support for their cause. Where they could be easily rounded up for conscription.

-Gunga Dan

Dear BuzzFlash,

My husband says he thinks that Bush is going to attack Iraq on November 4, Election Day. It would be interesting to see if he does that.

a BuzzFlash reader

Dear BuzzFlash,

Did you hear about the comment Bush made, reported today, obviously directed at Germany's Schroeder? Bush, at a rally in Trenton, N.J., did not speak about Schroeder, but was addressing the war on terrorism when he pointedly told the crowd: ``I made it clear to the world, that either you're with us or you're with the enemy and that doctrine still stands.''

This was reported late in the day, in the New York Times online version. The man is insane. His comments are full of hatred and to read about them makes me feel physically ill. That reminds me, is EVERYONE voting in the November elections? Good, just checking. Just imagine the look on son-of-poppy's face if we turn out in UNPRECEDENTED numbers...

Peace, all!

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Germany-Election.html

A BuzzFlash Reader

Quote of the Day

[U.S.] counterproliferation policy as far as I can tell looks like ‘bomb Iraq and we’re not sure what to do about North Korea.’

—Jack Mendelsohn, former U.S. State Department arms control official, on the Bush administration’s just-published national security strategy promoting pre-emption and counterproliferation.

Chewgababy

Dear BuzzFlash,

Whore press IGNORES Halliburton workers robbed of their pensions by Dick Cheney, et al....

If a Clinton or Gore had orchestrated such a blatant rip-off, limbaugh, russert, mathews, will, o'reilly, charon, safire, thomas, the new york times, the washington post, cbs news, nbc news, abc news, cnn news, msnbc, et al would be SCREAMING at the top of their lungs, for weeks and weeks and weeks on end...

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/24/opinion/24KRUG.html

• Halliburton has objected to my use of the word "confiscate" in summarizing changes in pension benefits to employees whose divisions were sold, changes described in a Sept. 10 New York Times article. Although Halliburton's actions were legal — I did not suggest otherwise — they had the effect of depriving workers of benefits they had been led to expect. In particular, workers who planned to take early retirement were informed that they had "severed" their employment relationship — even though they had no choice in the matter — and that as a result, if they retired early they would not receive the level of benefits suggested by their retirement plan statements. However much Halliburton may try to put a spin on its actions, its behavior remains, as one pension expert quoted in the original article put it, "scandalous."

LJBK

Subj: Lighting candles to banish the darkness

Dear BuzzFlash,

What a pleasure it was to hear President Gore give a powerful, as well as intelligent and thoughtful speech in Los Angeles. His and former President Carter's parallel commentary on the absurdity of waging war with Iraq should send a message to the world that intelligent political life is not dead in the United States, despite Junior's Herculean efforts to drive common sense, compassion and decency out of American government. When President Gore spoke of the folly of this crew's current rush to war at all costs, he did so with authority and carefully reasoned logic born of years of government and military service experience. By stark contrast, when Bush spoke today he did so from the shallow uneducated depths of his Texas frat boy, silver-spoon, pseudo-cowboy background. Whereas Gore rightly lamented the current faltering of the struggle against terrorism, and the reckless loss and squandering of the incredible amount of goodwill shown by the world to us by other countries in the wake of the September 11th attacks, Bush basically was busy further eradicating what remaining vestiges of that good will still existed. In an immature display of his usual ignorant pique, Junior today basically told Germany that since they wouldn't support him in slaughtering civilians in a senseless attack on Iraq, then they were standing with terrorists. Such idiotic, inflammatory and bellicose rhetoric, coupled with his willful thumbing of his nose at most major international treaties which, like the recently rejected germ warfare treaty, make the world a safer place, has reduced the United States' prestige and moral authority in the eyes of the world to the lowest point it has been at any time since after World War II. When foreign leaders like Chancellor Schroeder are elected primarily by vilifying United States' policies, you know that we must be doing something horribly wrong.

I therefore applaud the courage shown by President Gore (and also Senator Byrd and Representative Dennis Kucinich) in attacking this administration's dangerous assault on the constitution, and foolhardy direction which they are dragging the rest of us in their pursuit of unlimited wealth and power. By speaking out for what is right, not what is politically expedient, Gore, Byrd and Kucinich are patriots in the truest sense of the word. I implore all of them to continue to speak out and offer a rational antidote to the intellectual and moral abyss this administration is hell-bent on plunging our nation into. Someone must light a candle to show us a way out of the darkness. Such is the hallmark of true leadership.

Dan

Hi BuzzFlash,

Here's a link that you may not see, but nevertheless a good op-ed piece by Ike Kramnick, et al. that was in my hometown paper this morning. You may want to link to it ...

http://www.theithacajournal.com/news/stories/20020924/opinion/144691.html

In other news, did anyone else but me notice the Bush administration's somewhat arrogant response to the German elections on Sunday. When the results became clear (only 10 or so hours after voting ended in a result that was comparable to the "margin" in Florida) world leaders started chiming in with congratulatory statements to Schroeder. Among others, this group included the right-wing President of the Consiglio here in Italia, Silvio Berlusconi who was reported to have told Schroeder "good work."

In contrast to the leaders of Europe, Bush remained silent about the elections and their outcome, and Powell at a meeting in Poland at the time snubbed his German counterpart and made a *very* thinly veiled criticism of the outcome. It's become common courtesy for the leaders of the world's leading democracies to call one another when major elections have been decided. So much has this courtesy been used in the last 30 or so years that when a member of the G8 has elections, it's almost required. But Bush, et al. is in a snit about a comment a (now former) German minister of justice allegedly made comparing Bush's tactics to those of Hitler's (emphatically not comparing Bush himself to Hitler as it has been intentionally mis-interpreted by most of the press and of course by the Bush administration) and because Schroeder doesn't like Bush's war plans.

Just one more example of the arrogance in the current administration. If they don't get what they want (when they want it) they take their ball and go home.

Cheers!

Gianni in Italia

Subj: Iraq War and Sen. Byrd's speech

Dear BuzzFlash

I congratulate Sen Byrd for his brave stand in opposing the Administration's War cries. But I am disappointed with other Democratic Senators who are mainly silent on the issue. I want to shout at the top of may voice that I am not buying this war and I am saddened and dismayed by the silence of other Democrats in the House and Senate. I do appreciate the stand of Senators Diane Fienstein, Barbara Boxer, Nina Pelosi and Patrick Leahy and members like Barbara Lee and Dennis Kucinich. But other than this Democrats are no where to be seen. I want to remind the Democratic Senators and House members, Americans do appreciate moral courage and brave stand. So if they don't show moral courage and strength against the White House bullying tactics they will be marginalized at the elections. So they are not playing it safe by being silent and cowered down, rather they are being pushed to sidelines on the scene. So wake up and act now and show you have the courage this occasion demands. Otherwise history will judge you also responsible for the tragedy that follows. Remember what happened to those who supported the tax cuts, they have been marginalized on the both sides of isles and abandoned by the person whose tax cuts they supported. So please take a stand now, what is at stake is more than the elections.

A BuzzFlash Reader