September 27, 2002
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Subject: A recent letter to our local editor:
This debate of whether or not to invade Iraq seems to have boiled down to a single question - do you trust your government?
This week, during debates over this issue on a couple of cable TV talk shows, the pro-war argument had obviously evolved into issues of loyalty. On Hardball, radio talk show host Laura Ingraham summed up the basis of her support as being that she "knew in her heart" that the Bush Administration was right on this one. On Crossfire, former Florida Congressman Bill McCollum not only indicated his heart as being behind the pre-emptive stance of the White House, he also added his "gut" as a means to determine his blind support. Both loyal Conservatives, and very staunch George Bush supporters.
Unfortunately, anyone who does not share their allegiances are now labeled "unpatriotic Americans". The most egregious display of this undemocratic charge took place on C-Span's Washington Journal when Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) repeatedly labeled callers, and Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) as anti-American for simply disagreeing with the Executive Branch's approach to Iraq. Even George Bush has used this tactic on numerous occasions during fund raising speeches to intimidate those questioning the wisdom of his policies. At last, some Democrats are finally starting to stand up to these McCarthy-like means of stifling opposition.
Syndicated columnist James Broder attempted to hold out George Bush as a new kind of conservative, yet to be defined. To agree, you'd have to first buy into the premise that Bush actually crafts any of the policies that are introduced. But when it comes to his policies on aggression, the term "neo-conservative" already exists to describe the positions Bush espouses.
The plans to attack Iraq, and other oil producing nations, were formulated by people that have the Bush Administration's ear prior to the 2000 election. The resolution sent by the White House to gain war authority from Congress is so broad that we could attack any country in the "region" without further discussion. Seems rather far reaching to address the "immediate" threats posed by Saddam Hussein.
Unlike those whose hearts and guts are behind this radically different approach to installing a new world order, I'll continue to use my head and hold out for some proof that those identified as a threat are such, and I'll reserve my support based solely on that evidence.
YT Cai
Dear Buzz,
How scary is it that in response to the press asking who was more dangerous, Al Quaeda or Saddam Hussein, the shrub says "I'm trying to think of something humorous." ? Does he really think the path to Armageddon he's traipsing down is funny? Not to me.
M. Murray
Subj: Jones seeks federal probe of governor
Dear BuzzFlash,
Repuglican dirty politics as usual - there is no lie they won't tell, no slimy tactic they will leave undone.
Jones
seeks federal probe of governor (Davis) (California)
But Democrats dismiss the secretary of state's complaint as a Republican
election tactic. http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/ca/election/story/4549832p-5569117c.html
A BuzzFlash Reader
Dear BuzzFlash,
On the Sept. 25th. CNN Crossfire, Begala made the points below to former Republican Rep. Bill McCollum. McCollum was trying to defend the Bush Bozos against Daschle's outburst and his demands for a Bush apology on the Senate floor which came earlier the same day. Daschle was demanding an apology from Bush for saying that the Senate didn't care about protecting the American people and the statement was quoted in the Washington Post.
[BEGALA: There was another point he made apropos of the speech that Senator Daschle gave today. He suggested that perhaps at times the White House was seeking to gain political favor from this issue.
And I just want to layout seven different times the White House -- on the record, by name, White House officials including our president -- have said just that. In January Karl Rove says, As we've pointed out they want to use this (the poor Bush economy) to make political points. In March, the White House -- the president himself says, A Republican majority will make sure the enemy doesn't attack again. (More politicizing)
In June, a White House briefing on the election strategy says, Focus on the war. Again in June, the pollster for the White House, Matthew Dowd, says, This puts the Republicans on a good fitting. The chief of staff has said it's driven by marketing concerns. The president again and again has said, If I were running for office, this would be an issue. And now the other day, his famous comment that the Repub -- Democrats aren't concerned for the security. That's a pretty damning indictment, Congressman.]
There you have it my friends. Proof that Bush Bozos are politicizing a war on Iraq to evade obvious economic blundering -- compliments of Begala. Attention Bush Bozos: Open mouth, insert foot! Your own words are proof in the pudding that Daschle was correct in his assessment. Perhaps Daschle should have ended his tirade by correctly saying, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!"
~ Cathy
Buzz,
Now is the time for some brave "mainstream" media soul to expose Bush's National Guard service record. "Commander in Chief??" Give me a break. How dare he accuse the Senate of not caring about national security. HE is the one who doesn't care about national security or the people of this country!
In today's Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3237-2002Sep25.html) "More than a dozen Democrats, who requested anonymity, have told The Post that many members who oppose the president's strategy to confront Iraq are going to nonetheless support it because they fear a backlash from voters.
My God, this is insanity. Do these people live in such an isolated bubble in Washington that they really don't know that the backlash will occur IF THEY VOTE FOR WAR???? What is wrong with them? Are they that out of touch???
They are buying the Bush Propaganda Machine, which says that the majority of Americans support the war. Bullshit. How can anyone believe in polls, and how can they base a decision for WAR on polls?? I don't know of anyone who wants war. What we want is jobs, health care and decent education for our children.
Let Bush send his daughters to Iraq, send Noelle Bush, send Cheney's grandchildren and Rumsfeld's kids and grandchildren. That will prove to the rest of us that they believe that Saddam is enough of a threat to put THEIR families into harms way.
-- elaine in Petaluma
Subj: Sept. 11 video at Emma E. Booker School
Dear BuzzFlash,
Thank you for making this tape available to the public. It is chilling and telling and as a result, raises many questions, two of which I'll ask:
Is the Commander in Chief really the Commander in Chief? Obviously not, since Bush waits to hear from his subordinates before leaving the school. He did not take action long after he was told of the first plane hitting the WTC.
More horrific, though, is his calm demeanor, long after he hears the news. The terrifying implication here is that he knew of the plot beforehand. If he didn't, why would he have not feared, or even inquired, that planes might be hitting buildings across the country? Any president of the US would have immediately wanted to know the situation across the country -- and very clearly, Bush didn't.
Is there any way that this tape can be given to the major networks for analysis? Perhaps on Donahue?
Thanks again,
Jim Dee
Subj: Daschle, Bush and Iraq
Dear BuzzFlash,
Before you go off and get too hot and heavy and feel all galvanized because of Daschle's response to Bush's remarks, just remember this: there is no war. Let's not plant that seed in the minds of the masses, for them to take as gospel fact.
Vance
Burns
Tallahassee, FL
Dear BuzzFlash,
Turns out no one on the Harkin campaign spied on repug Ganske campaign meeting. A disgruntled repug was there and taped it, and disliked what he heard so much that he slipped it to a Harkin staffer. Yuk yuk yuk! Serves the bastard right!
http://www.theiowachannel.com/News/1687267/detail.html
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Another reason to resist war with Iraq
Dear BuzzFlash,
I am opposed to war with Iraq at this time, given what we, the public, know about the situation. But if I were ambivalent there is one thing that would push me right over the edge. That one thing is the culture of secrecy of the Bush Administration. Reporters are not allowed to follow events in Afghanistan; the White House claims Executive Privilege over and over; documents are no longer accessible under the Freedom of Information Act, etc. We can not allow this administration to make war and keep us all in the dark as to what is really happening and that is certainly what they would do.
ja in la
Subj: The Biggest Chickenhawk
Hi Buzz,
I thought your readers would be interested in the fact that even though Rep. Nick Smith (Congressman for Michigan's 7th District) is the loudest voice and biggest supporter for a bill that would reinstate the draft, he himself never served his country in the military. He chose, instead, to join the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary squadron of the Air Force, based in Akron, Ohio and served Northeast Ohio as an emergency services ground team. In other words, here's yet ANOTHER chicken-war-hawk, screaming for your children to line up to give their blood (and perhaps their life) to make sure our own Little Caesar wannabe avenges Poppy, secures the world's oil supply, and lines his biggest campaign donors pocket's with the contracts to fuel and arm his imperialistic power grab to rule the world..........hypocrites.
A BuzzFlash Fan Karol
Subj: "It's pretty straightforward"
Buzz you may have already linked to this article 9/15/02
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18841-2002Sep14.html
"It's pretty straightforward," said former CIA director R. James Woolsey, who has been one of the leading advocates of forcing Hussein from power. "France and Russia have oil companies and interests in Iraq. They should be told that if they are of assistance in moving Iraq toward decent government, we'll do the best we can to ensure that the new government and American companies work closely with them."
But he added: "If they throw in their lot with Saddam, it will be difficult to the point of impossible to persuade the new Iraqi government to work with them."
Colin Swales
Subj: Anti-Life
Dear BuzzFlash,
It is really quite simple - Bush - his handlers, advisors, supporters, and anyone who gives into any of their demands are Anti-Life.
We are not talking about just human life - it is all life they are out to destroy.
All we have seen from that group is aimed at the increase of hate, murder, destruction, pain and suffering, disease - all for their own short sighted greedy excesses.
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: A Quick, Quirky Senate Coup
Dear BuzzFlash,
If Missouri Senate seat falls to Republicans, Sen. Craig says he and Lott will try a quick pre-January coup. http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0925/p02s02-uspo.html
Rush and Faux News had created a scandal about Democrats illegally taping Harkin opponent, trouble is a Republican did it. http://www.salon.com/politics/conason/2002/09/26/bush/index.html
Gary "I know the difference between rain and someone p*ssing on my
boots and telling me its not raining." Denton
my
politics: http://elemming2.blogspot.com
Dear BuzzFlash,
For 8 years I've seen cars and trucks displaying a bumper sticker that reads, "My President is Charlton Heston."
Can someone tell me why it is that all the people who have that sticker on their car are the ones now telling me that I should support the President, because he's the President?
Some of my friends are Republicans. I really don't want to think that they're all just stupid or something.
-- Mel Walker
Subj: It's About Damn Time!
Dear BuzzFlash,
I am happy to read that newspapers, members of Congress, generals, and just regular folks are waking up to the threat that George W. Bush poses to this country.
This un-elected buffoon has no mandate to do much of anything!
HOO-RAY for Senator Daschle!! Give 'em hell, Tom!!
A BuzzFlash Reader
Dear BuzzFlash,
One thing overlooked in the coverage of Tom Daschle's extraordinary and much needed speech was Senator Inouye's comments. The gallant Senator, who lost an arm fighting the Nazi's in World War II, eloquently rebuked the war-loving bloodlust of those many chickenhawks in this administration who avoided personal danger by ducking military service, while other poorer and less politically well-connected young men and women were sent to a senseless slaughter called Vietnam.
Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, there are those who plan war, and there are those who engage in war. As we have always said in the subcommittee and in the Appropriations Committee, in order to avoid war, we should be prepared for war. We voted for a bill to spend over $356 billion. Does that suggest we are not concerned about the security of our people? And when we passed it unanimously--bipartisan, united--does that suggest we are not concerned about the security of this country? I am concerned about the security of this country. I am concerned about what history will say about this Nation 50 years from now. Did we brutalize people or did we carry on ourselves as a civilized people? As my leader from West Virginia stated, to attack a nation that has not attacked us will go down in history as something of which we should not be proud.
* * * * *
Amen, and thank you Senator for your courageous past sacrifices and your courageous current stand for our nation's sacred principles.
Dan
Dear BuzzFlash,
You have it Listed under this title: Trying to Stoke Some Coals and Run Out the Karl Rove Pre-Election Media Game Plan, Bush Tries a Hail Mary Pass to Tie Iraq to Al Qaeda. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3206-2002Sep25.html
Bush was in the Oval Office with President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia when he was asked whether Hussein was a bigger threat to the United States than al Qaeda. "That is an interesting question," Bush began. "I'm trying to think of something humorous to say."
ABCNews ran it on 9-25-02:
The SECONDS literally tick off after he is asked the question. You could SEE his little pea brain working/trying to work. THEN he comes out with that 'trying to think of something HUMOROUS to say.'
Excuse me, but I don't find anything funny about the 3,000 deaths we know were committed by Terrorists, not Saddam!
Or the 1000s of deaths we can look forward to when he gets us involved in War with Saddam
''Trying to think of Humorous to say'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That video clip literally made me sick to my stomach.
Bet the victims families really appreciated the Resident saying that.
THAT CLIP COULD BE REALLY USEFUL IN A CAMPAIGN
Keep up the good work.
Angie Anthony
Subj: Another Sleazy Move
Dear BuzzFlash,
While Bush has been focusing on the war in a public way, he has been busy behind the scenes dismantling one of the advisory committees to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This according to Sept. 3rd issue of Science Magazine. The CDC has let go of 15 out of 18 members of a committee that works with the agency on issues of health, pollution, chemical exposure etc., and replaced them with industry-friendly folks.
The replacements are a who's who of anti-environmentalists, including Dennis Paustenbach. Remember Erin Brockovich and her fight against PG&E for poisoning the local water? Well, Paustenbach was the "expert" who testified on behalf of PG&E!
L.H.
Dear BuzzFlash,
What will happen to BuzzFlash when the "government" decides BuzzFlash poses a threat to nationwide security? What will happen when the Bush administration feels BuzzFlash alerting the "sleeping giant," now the American conscious thought, is a form of terrorism and decides to shut BuzzFlash down? What will happen when all "BuzzFlash contributors" begin to get monitored for antigovernment thoughts, a "form of terrorism," and are whisked away overnight by the Bush "thought police" never to be heard of again? Extreme? Yes. But, in times like these, not really all that a far-fetched idea in my mind. Just wondering can their be any repercussions for this wonderful source of information called BuzzFlash for challenging the corruption currently in office?
A BuzzFlash Reader
Subj: Online: Editorial: Who taped the meeting?
A BuzzFlash Reader Letter to the Des Moines Register:
In reading through this long, tangled, and not particularly edifying tale of the tape and the transcript of the Ganske meeting, it looks to me as if something important has been missed. The fellow who did the taping says that he got his invitation on a Des Moines Partnership mailing label.
Now, this sort of thing has happened to me, in which a group that says it's devoted to business is engaged in politicking on the side. I find it troubling. In my case, the business organization receives federal dollars for promoting business development. Those dollars are making a pretty short trip from the Treasury into a couple of re-election campaigns, emerging in the form of mailing lists culled and compiled using federal dollars, as well as paper and postage to advertise fundraisers and other partisan events. The Des Moines Partnership gets city and county dollars. It sounds as if they may be using them in the same crooked way.
So, inside this great big stack of manure you call a campaign story, there might just be a pony.
I'd recommend that you do the business of the people of Iowa and focus on the issues that matter to them. Taping a political meeting won't make a bit of difference come the first Wednesday in November. But misappropriating city and county resources for a political campaign just might have some bearing on how the victor of this campaign will treat the dollars of taxpaying Iowans.
Sincerely,
A BuzzFlash Reader
Dear BuzzFlash,
Occasionally one must learn even from the mangled utterings of a shallow mind...
Recently Mr. Bush tried his best to get through the concept of learning from being lied and deceived... we should all take notice...
Fool me once - Ms Rice speaking about Sept. 11 claimed the administration had no intelligence pointing to potential use of airplanes in suicide attacks
Shame on the Administration
Fool me twice - Ms Rice claims detainees in Guantanamo "confessed" that Iraq trained Al Qaida...
Shame on US
Roger
Subj: Iraq Hearings in Senate Today
Dear BuzzFlash,
I was listening to some of the Hearings today while driving into SF, and heard one of the Senators refer to an article written by Broder (can't recall first name) criticizing Bush's stance on Iraq, etc., actually quoted from the article - twice - , and I was pleased to learn our politicians actually read these articles and editorials. He might even have read the article on your great site. Keep up the good work.
Regards, Natalie
Subj: Dem candidate to 'out' the chickenhawks!
Dear BuzzFlash,
This Dem candidate is totally pissed at Bush's remarks.
Check this out:
'Democrat Mike Feeley vowed Wednesday night to single out "every chicken-hawk Republican running for office" if President Bush doesn't apologize for making political remarks... '
And this guy is a Marine too!
Are the Dems finally waking up? Or were they just waiting and calculating the best time to move?
At this point, who cares?! This guy is calling the chickenhawks out bigtime!
Was it Gore's speech? ... Or Byrd and Daschle in the Senate? .. All our emails and phone calls??
Whatever the case, the Dems are back and they are taking the gloves off!
Woohoo!
This guy deserves to hear some support from us, email his campaign at: info@feeley2002.com
Send him something, it doesn't have to be long.. a simple 'thank you for standing up' is fine. Just do it!
We ARE making a difference, and when our guys speak up we need to let them hear from us, takes about a minute, Do It! info@feeley2002.com
Best
Kelley Kramer
-----------------------
(there's right-wing spin in the article, and appropriately, a few lies by Ari. But thats to be expected from the propaganda spinners controlling the American press)
Bush's Iraq remarks leave Feeley furious Political slight requires apology, House hopeful says
By Peggy Lowe, Rocky Mountain News September 26, 2002
Democrat Mike Feeley vowed Wednesday night to single out "every chickenhawk Republican running for office" if President Bush doesn't apologize for making political remarks about the possible war on Iraq.
Feeley, who is running for the 7th Congressional District, followed the lead of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, who earlier in the day harshly criticized Bush.
An emotional Daschle demanded that Bush apologize to the American people for saying that the Democratic-controlled Senate was "not interested in the security of the American people."
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/election/article/0,1299,DRMN_36_144104 5,00.html
---------
Mike Feeley's campaign website: http://www.feeley2002.com/
Quote of the Day
"And we're making progress. It's hard to tell whether we're making progress or not, but we are."
-- Dubya in Trenton, New Jersey, Sep. 23, 2002
From: http://thepoliticaljunkie.com
Chewgababy
Dear BuzzFlash,
U.S. Response II: White House Plans Stockpile of Gas Masks for Staff
The White House plans to establish a stockpile of gas masks to protect staff members and reporters in the event of a chemical or biological weapons attack, a White House spokesman said yesterday. The U.S. Capitol has already implemented similar precautions, White House officials said (see GSN, June 27; Deborah Orin, New York Post, Sept. 26).
A BuzzFlash Reader
BuzzFlash,
Somehow I think the Bush Administration wants to find a way to NOT try Moussaoui -- even if they have to fake incompetence by giving him "supposedly" classified documents. The Bushies did not expect to be in this situation. They expected all the hijackers to perish. But now they're stuck with one who will talk if given the chance. My guess is he either suddenly succumbs to an "aneurysm" in custody, or everything is deliberately "fixed" as a mistrial and he is swiftly and quietly "deported" to places unknown.
Even my 70-year-old mother, who is an uber-patriot and thinks 9/11 was America's shining moment, said "we've got to shut that Moussaoui guy up"!
BuzzFlash Reader
dear buzzflash,
anyone who thinks we will not have to start the draft again if we go to war is fooling themselves! and i think we should keep track of all the journalist, rich and politicians kids who find a way to get out of it like bush did and have that list on the internet for all to see. the bush twins joined the military yet? have they even done any of that volunteer stuff bush has been pushing on other people?
randi
Subj: "Dad" Comment Outrageous
Dear BuzzFlash,
**************QUOTE*************
"Last night, at a fundraising dinner in Houston, Bush made perhaps his most personal reference to the Iraqi plot to assassinate his father in 1993, shortly after George H.W. Bush left the presidency. "There's no doubt his hatred is mainly directed at us," the president said of Hussein. "There's no doubt he can't stand us. After all, this is a guy that tried to kill my dad at one time." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8647-2002Sep26.html
***************UNQUOTE*************
He finally sputtered the truth. All of the arguments "proving the case" have fallen flat-----the year-long attempt to show that ATTA met Iraqis in Prague, the drum-beating since Labor Day, the U.N. "reading", BLAIR's 50 pp summary of "nothing new". The litany of war-worthy wrongs have not risen to the level of justifying war deaths. So, in trying to RILE US UP he now blurts out, "He tried to kill my dad." Wellllll.......crime families get into their private wars all the time. Why do our young people need to die for a personal grudge match? And the unspeakable ARROGANCE of the Shrub family to treat this country's people like their personal property. Did Royal W. Shrub just set a new personal best level of RIDICULOUSNESS?
John Garza
Subj: The Hypocrisy Continues
Dear BuzzFlash,
It is very interesting that George Bush mentions that Saddam Hussein wanted to kill his dad and therefore deserves to be killed. Like, hello, Bush is threatening exactly the same thing and he is willing to sacrifice thousands of American soldiers to accomplish it! What part of hypocrisy doesn't he understand? Where are the media on any of this? How many body bags will it take before the media start asking the questions they should be asking now?
Bev
