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i just heard the bush's will be doing a story time children's hour at 1pm. it is now 10:37am. i predict they will put at least two black kids beside them, the bush's will be instructed to touch, even hug them and smile at them a lot. :):):) shorty

[BuzzFlash Note: The photo we saw had african-american children and a dog. Does Karl Rove read BuzzFlash?]

Dear BuzzFlash,

Wouldn't Clinton And Clinton be interesting for 2004? In either combination.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Sent to the NY Times:

Subj: You caught Bush lying but you won't admit it!

I just read your piece, C.I.A. Chief Prospers From Bond With Bush. (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/17/politics/17TENE.html) In the article you say that you learned from Andrew Card that George Bush, at the urging of his father, cultivated a close and face to face working relationship with C.I.A. Director Tenet. If I am reading your essay correctly this relationship began even before Bush took office in January 2001. If that is the case then how is it possible that Bush was unaware of the dangers presented by Al Queda? How is it possible that he did not know that there was a possibility that terrorists might use hijacked planes as weapons? How is it possible that Bush was in the dark about the activities of Osama bin Laden? Somebody's lying here! Is it the New York Times? Is it Andrew Card? Or, is it George W. Bush?

John Moody
Studio City, CA

Subj: Lott of Trouble

Dear BuzzFlash,

I find it curious that the White House almost seems to want Lott all-the-way gone, not just dropped from his position in the Senate. I wonder if, politically speaking, it would be better for Bush to have the Senate in Democratic hands for a while -- it would certainly give Bush an excuse for things (economy, terrorist fight, etc.) still going badly, no matter how lame an excuse it is.

Mel

has anyone looked at the voting records of the senators who could take lotts place? compared them to lotts? OH JESUS GOD! I CAN'T STAND IT! I JUST SAW LESTER HOLT SHOW A TAPE OF BUSH SR. TELLING THE ENRON PEOPLE HOW GREAT THEY HAVE BEEN FOR THE BUSH FAMILY! JESUS CHRIST! HOW MUCH CAN WE TAKE!!!!!!!! I HAVE TO GO AND CALL PEOPLE TO TELL THEM!

BYE,

RK

Subj: CONNECT-THE-DOLTS

Dear BuzzFlash,

The only way to undermine the Rove plan to trick voters into thinking Bush is progressive for abandoning Lott is to make an indivisible link between Trent and Jeb.

Trent wasn't the one caught banning blacks at the polls in 2000 and 2002; Jeb Bush was.

Please use the work of Greg Palast as a means of connecting Lott to the Bush Boys.

Further, why not remind people of what Bushitler said to Mrs. Coretta Scott King while accepting a portrait of MLK Jr.:

"Mrs. King, thanks for this beautiful portrait..." (Pause for effect) "I can't wait to hang it." (Bush grins like a Cheshire and gets an audible laugh.)

[There is a flash animation version accompanying the actual audio of this comment at toostupidtobepresident.com, http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com/shockwave/MLKDay.htm]

Please don't waste these golden opportunities.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subj: Incredibly . . .

Dear BuzzFlash,

Just prior to 3 PM EST today (12/17) CNN aired parts of an Enron Tape made 5 years ago. It was to roast someone who was leaving. It talked about cooking the books. It included both W and HW complimenting the guy, and expressing the hope that he would stay in Texas.

The fact that is was a spoof was mentioned before and after the showing.

The fact is I cannot believe they did it at all AND surely it will quickly be pulled from the airways?

Pamela of the Poconos

Subj: Lott analysis RIGHT ON!

Friends,

More exposure of the Karl Rovin' plans is needed.

You are right on in your analysis and I do not see it so clearly expressed anywhere else on the Web

GREAT WORK!

Seriously, A daily systematic "pulling the curtain away" analysis of the Republicans is long overdue and, my opinion, would win the fight.

Thanks,

Pete

Subj: Plundering the public wealth, the new obscenity

Dear BuzzFlash,

I don't want to minimize the importance of Republican's purging themselves of racists in their midst. I'd like to see them do so, not merely as a means of damage control, but sincerely.... which would mean rejecting support from such insidious groups as the Conservative Citizen's Committee...

HOWEVER, let us not overlook the real reason Republicans are so eager to step all over Lott (apart from personal ones). Lott jeopardizes the only thing this administration really cares about: the plundering of the public wealth for the benefit of the ultra-rich. Bush needs another four-year term not just to oversee the permanent income tax cuts and estate tax repeal but to implement all kinds of pro-business measures that will come at the expense of public revenues and public interests.

The Democrats need to show up this administration for what it is: a conglomeration of individuals who see politics not as the pursuit of progress for the common weal, but as naked plunder, a means of scrambling for as much money and spoils as they can possibly extract.

The biggest problem with Republicans therefore, is not that they condone and even at times encourage racism (they do) but that they are buccaneers who will drag down the 98% percent of us that are not superrich -- regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

Deborah Diamond-Kim

Subj: Compared to his Opponents, Why did only Wellstone's Plane Have Icing Problem?

Dear BuzzFlash,

Along with his fellow colleagues and political opponents, Senator Wellstone along with family and staff attended a funeral for a state politician on that fateful day. It was reported that most Minnesota politicians traveled on similar small engine planes to same destination out of respect and all experienced same weather conditions. The question asked is, why did only Wellstone's plane suddenly have an icing problem? Why was there no black box found? And why is there no independent monitor to deter widespread targeted crashes and cover-ups inside NTSB, FAA and FBI agencies as they are in charge of such investigations?

In addition, why were there no black boxes found in other Democratic leaders and candidate such as Dem. Mo. Gov. Mel Carnahan's plane crash and JFK, Jr.'s small plane, the Saratoga Piper by these same agencies? Especially since these three occurred within election campaign seasons?

* * *

NTSB Suspects Icing in Wellstone Crash

By LESLIE MILLER

Associated Press Writer

December 17, 2002, 7:34 PM EST

WASHINGTON -- Federal investigators believe icing may be a cause of the plane crash that killed Sen. Paul Wellstone and seven others after determining the engines and propellers were working properly.

The National Transportation Safety Board issued a progress report Tuesday as part of its investigation into why the chartered King Air A100 plane crashed and burned about 2 1/2 miles from the Eveleth-Virginia Municipal Airport in Minnesota on Oct. 25.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story
&u=/ap/20021218/ap_on_go_ot/wellstone_crash_4

Subj: Hats off on your farewell to the Wellstone Staff

December 18 2002

To: Buzz Eds
From Ms Daisy Lynn C in Minnesota

I just read your note to Paul Wellstone's staff.

Well said.

But it made me cry some more,

But it made me feel proud, too.

For all of us.

Loss is far and away the worst of all the four letter words -

And we're still staggering here in Minnesota

But we ain't givin' up,

We carry on

For peace and justice

For Paul

Forever

For the sake of all the peoples on the planet.

Thank you for reviving our inspiration with your kind words to Paul's staffer.

Merry holidays to all of you.

Subj: Thought you'd like to make a note of a quote by Gore that was CUT

Dear BuzzFlash,

From the 60 Minutes interview on Sunday....while this was being "purged," we were permitted to hear Leslie Stahl ask the burning question about whether Gore plans to grow a beard or not....

This cut statement is:

"I want to contribute to ending the current administration."

I think that's a pretty powerful statement--and isn't it convenient that it was purged???? (The purged version is what is linked from BuzzFlash---I first got wind a different version as a passing mention over at DU, then saw the "unpurged" version via an email from a Gore list that I subscribe to. When I checked the CBS version, it had, indeed, already been purged.)

Subsequently, after posting this info to DU, some people came up with some "unpurged" versions which follow:

BBC report of the interview

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/americas/2578277.stm

The Seattle Times, in fact, it is at the start of the third paragraph.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/134596673_gore16.html

The full quote:

"I've decided that I will not be a candidate for president in 2004," Gore tells Lesley Stahl. "I personally have the energy and drive and ambition to make another campaign, but I don't think that it's the right thing for me to do.

"I want to contribute to ending the current administration. I think the current policies have to be changed. I think that my best way of contributing to that result may not be as a candidate this time around."

I find it totally outrageous that CBS should censor its own report! And CBS has been supposedly bucking some of the "kiss Bush's ass" trend in recent CBS Evening News reports and on 60 Minutes. Right!

Gloria

Subj: Bush and Lott

Dear BuzzFlash,

The whores in the media are doing Karl Rove's bidding again, as usual. They are praising Bush for his leadership and compassion to the African-American community and for his admonishment of Trent Lott's racist statement at Strom Thurmond's birthday party. What a courageous stand our fearless leader took ---- five days after the fact! They neglect to mention that Bush was present at old Strom's birthday party and so was Dick Cheney. Why didn't Bush show how indignant he was there and then, instead of five days later? It's all for show. That's the answer. There is nothing real or sincere about anything Bush does. Rove props him up, tells him what to say and sends him out before the cameras. How can people not see thru George Bush, in spite of the media whores? Are they really that dumb?

Gigi

Re: Unconscionable and Downright Evil: Bush to Poor, Pay More Taxes

Dear BuzzFlash,

I wish someone would speak out on behalf of us senior citizens. If you look carefully at the latest COLA increase for 2003 of 1.4%, after a monthly deduction of $4.70 a month more to Medicare, the 1.4% increase drops to less than 1%, or about $10 a month to the average Social Security recipient. The COLA, which is based on the CPI, a basketful of 15 items, does not track the cost of healthcare, drug prescriptions, nor energy costs. Need I mention the rise in auto insurance?

And speaking of autos, can Bush, or any member of Congress, tell us what it costs to replace brakes on an auto? Or to replace old tires? No, instead of addressing the needs of the elderly, Bush is steadfastly in favor of cutting taxes, such as stock dividends which he now considers double taxation. What about bank dividends? The interest that are minuscule nest eggs provide, isn't that double taxation? Two years ago, I counted on the $500 or so, that my bank CD provided, to make the necessary repairs on my car. Thanks to lower short term rates, I now receive less than $200 on the same amount in my bank CD.

If anyone is over taxed, it is not the top 1% of our working class. We seniors also pay taxes, on our property, our state's sales tax, our utility bills, even our phone bills are taxed. Did I mention the rise in cable service? Or are we seniors not allowed to view cable tv? I have yet to hear Bush, or any member of Congress, address the financial plight of us golden agers. Many of my friends who are over 65, continue to work because they can't afford to retire. And others who did retire, are now seeking part time employment, just to make ends meet. What Tom Brokaw referred to as "The Greatest Generation," has now become the Forgotten Generation.

Lord help us, for being at the mercy of this passionate conservative.

Thomas Sklarski
Garfield, N.J.

Subj: OK, OK, I know you've probably seen this....

...but I just have to send these because I don't want to take the chance just in case you did miss it!

From today's Bartcop.....check out the last paragraph........ buzz may have a fan in formerly high places... Gloria.

*****************

I visited my PO Box today.

I used to check it every other day, back when...

Surprise, there was something in there this time besides tumbleweeds.

There was a magazine (Entertainment Weekly) a letter with a generous contribution and a key that meant there was a larger container in another drawer waiting for me.

Thinking it might be a 750 hand-blown of Chinaco Anejo, I opened it right there.

It was from one cool dude named Mike Jarvis.

The box contained Al Gore's new book autographed, "To BartCop - Al & Tipper Gore."

I thought that was waaay cool.

Mike also included quotes from a conversation he had with Al and Tipper where they said bartcop.com was the funniest damn site on the whole Internet - bar none.

They went on and on about how they read it all the time, and how BuzzFlash.com and dailyhowler.com were the only place to get real, unfiltered news.

*************************

Subj: YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK, MAKING BUSH STRONGER AND STRONGER, HIS DADDY RICHER AND RICHER

Dear BuzzFlash,

Trent Lott argued we couldn't afford the cost of a Martin Luther King holiday, but we can afford all this you want:

SEA-BASED RADAR:

http://raytheonmissiledefense.com/matrix/pdfs/dis/sbx.pdf

http://www.raytheon.com/products/ekv/

http://www.raytheon.com/products/sm3_leap/

http://www.raytheon.com/products/cobra_dane/

http://www.raytheon.com/products/sbirs_low/

http://www.raytheon.com/products/standard_missile/

http://www.raytheon.com/products/thaad/

http://raytheonmissiledefense.com/matrix/pdfs/dis/hpd.pdf

Ronald N. Harold

[BuzzFlash Note: Raytheon also made the airplane that crashed and killed Paul Wellstone.]

Attn: All Texans!

I'm looking for solid data regarding the "favors" that Gov. and (p)resident G.W. Bush granted to Enron before it's collapse into bankruptcy. I heard in several interviews that it amounted to some $4 billion, but I'd really like a break-down.

Any information you can point me to is much appreciated!!!

Linda
San Jose

Subj: Election 2004

Hey Buzz,

Now that President Gore has bowed out of Election 2004 and we're stuck with a field of Corporacrats devoid of spines, we may finally see a third party get more votes than one of the "major" parties!

Mike Kress
Spokane, WA

P.S. This is the greatest site on the net. I've noticed that soon after you post commentary and editorials, I find those views discussed within a few days on TV. I think you're making a difference, subtle as it may now be.

Subj: Dow Chemical and John Engler

Dear BuzzFlash,

Rumors flying about Engler replacing Whitman at EPA. Having lived down stream from Dow my entire life and having witnessed 12 years of Englers disregard for citizen participation, the appointment would be a disaster. Check out the sweetheart deal between Engler and Dow.

Michelle Hurd Riddick
Saginaw, MI

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16445-2002Dec5.html

Subj: Democratic Nominee

Dear BuzzFlash,

Since Al Gore's announcement, we have been trying to think of a democrat who has the same philosophies as Gore.

May I suggest Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio? You have featured this guy several times on BuzzFlash for his manner of telling it like it is. Personally, I think Kucinich has the pizzazz to come forward as a dark horse. After all, who ever heard of dark horse Bill Clinton before he made his presence and ideas known to the country!

~ Cathy

Subj: Pat the Brawler Reads BuzzFlash?

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/4756884.htm

Prediction: Lott stays.

1. Nickles and Frist have NAACP ratings almost as low as Lott's. And Santorum, the best choice to put a new face on the GOP, is backing Lott.

2. 20 GOP senators were just re-elected--don't have to run until 2008

3. If I am a U.S. Senator, I am WAY more afraid of what Lott can do to me than what Karl Rove can or might do. Plus, I don't really give a SHIT who is majority leader--as long as I can prove I voted for him.

Steve High

Dear BuzzFlash,

With great fanfare, George Bush signed The Homeland Security Bill and embraced it as his idea. Since then, he has methodically chipped away at it. Rep. David Obey, the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee was just on C-Span talking about how Bush has not appropriated the money for first responders, inspections at our ports of containers, modernizing the F.B.I. communications equipment, providing additional funds for states for protection, security at our borders, etc. Bush will not allow this money to be appropriated because Rep. Obey said he has to make room for his tax cuts.

Last night Gary Hart was on TV and said we are not any safer today than we were before 9/11. The Bush White House has chosen to ignore the Hart-Rudman report. Will it take another 9/11 for people to wake up to the ineptness of this White House? Or will they continue to follow mutely like Stepford Americans?

Gigi

Subj: White House vs. Lott

Dear Buzz,

Your scoop on the invisible hand behind the drive to oust Trent Lott has finally gotten me to consider a statement about Lott that was floated about the time the long-knives were unsheathed. That was the proposition that Lott was responsible for Jim Jeffords bolting the GHP.

As I recall, Jeffords left because idiot boy was screwing him on support for education legislation. That is, it was BUSH who caused Jeffords to split.

I guess they might as well dump all the trash on Trent as he exits.

Bob Shields
Seattle

Subj: Clear Double Talk

Dear BuzzFlash,

Bush is trying to make it appear that he is staying out of the Lott debacle.

On one hand, Bush condemns racism. On the other hand he says Lott should remain as senate leader. Put the two together. Bush condemns racism, but says a racist should be the leader of the senate. The democrats should be all over Bush for that like bulldogs on a meat wagon!

~ Cathy

Subj: The Corporate Fraud guys are all getting off

Yet another big executive who stole $24,000,000 pleaded guilty yesterday and what was his prison sentence??? Well, the Conservative Judge said, just give back the $24,000,000 and pay a $2,000,000 fine and you can go back to the country club for your 12:00 tee off. He is about the fifth guy who has gotten off with little or no prison time. MUCH MORE ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE GIVE TO THESE CROOKS WALKING AWAY FROM COURT WITH ONLY THEIR WRISTS SLAPPED.

Phil

Subj: New Grassroots Movement to Draft Al Gore!

Dear Buzz,

I read the following letter below in the December 17th Reader Mailbag. There are people who are now setting up a new grassroots movement to draft Al Gore. They are first going to run a full page ad in Al Gore's hometown paper, which they have done before for other reasons. If you want your name on this ad please send your name, city and state to draftgore@aol.com. The group is in the process of setting up a PayPal program for contributions to pay for the ad. It is not necessary to donate to have your name included on the ad.

It's just getting started, but they would like to get the ad out there as soon as possible. Help us make a strong initial showing and spread the word to your friends and family! This is the name of the person I was in contact with:

Monica Friedlander (CA) DraftGore 2004 draftgore@aol.com

Please post this if you can.

Thanks, Nancy Lynn Nagy (TN)

Why isn't the BushCo/Enron "funny" tape being treated on the media as being equally damning as LOTT's Strom-remarks?

Parallels:

1) The Enron tape and LOTT's comments were both ostensibly facetious in the context of celebrations.

2) Both refer approvingly to actual infractions (fraudulent accounting practices; segregation).

3) Both plead for for continuation of the infractions (BUSHes say, "Don't go, you've been SO good to the BUSH family"; LOTT says "if only").

4) Both refer approvingly to shared beliefs and to wink-wink/elbow-elbow KNOWLEDGE of the infractions. (Bush the First says he KNOWS what Bush 2nd said on the tape, circumstantially inferring they know of the content of the rest of the tape.)

5) The argument LOTT first used afterwards, just-trying-to-make-100-yr-old-feel-good, has yet to be used by both Bushes but fits.

-----------what's the DIFF???!

John Garza

Subj: The Scheme

Dear BuzzFlash,

If Lott walks, a democratic governor will appoint a democrat to take his place?

Yes, that would make the senate 50/50, but don't forget, the Bush cronies have been courting southern democratic senators to cross over for quite some time. We can bet that Bush already has cross-over commitments from the courted ones in anticipation of Lott exiting the senate as a retaliatory act.

~ Cathy

Subj: Gore No More?

Dear BuzzFlash,

We shouldn't count Al Gore out.

Personally, I think Gore feels that any democrat will be stoned to death by Bush, his cronies and the media. The guy lived it all during his campaign and after.

Gore has a perfect opportunity in 2008. With Bush and his mob tactics retired, Gore will be able to run on the failed policies of the Bush administration. I really think that Gore knows the underhanded tactics of Bush and his cronies are indefensible in another run for the 2004 presidency. Nixon waited 8 years and landed the presidency smack dab in the middle of the Vietnamese war. So much for keeping the same party because we are at war y'all ! The Nixon strategy could happen for Gore in 2008. With Bush's war mongering, surely we will be in the middle of some war or two. And yes, I think Gore loves his country so much that he would take on a near-impossible job of picking up shattered pieces and bring democracy back to this country. In fact, Gore will be the only human being capable of doing that!

~ Cathy

what the hell was that about? trent lott just said on msnbc the he has talked with the white house and that they understand this has become a very un-fair thing. helloooo, it is the right wing who has been asking him to step down and stirring the pot! what the hell is he talking about when he says the white house knows this has turned into an unfair thing? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

diane anderson miami fl.

Subj: New Job Prospect for Al Gore

Dear BuzzFlash,

Al Gore for Democratic National Chairman!

~ Cathy