BuzzFlash Mailbag for October 4, 2007

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Subject: Political Whores

It is only 7:16 am PDT and I am ready to request a new supply of barf bags as I watch C-span (the House Live). It is "open business" and Reps are allowed to speak for a set amount of time.

Twice now (in less than five minutes), two of the "southern" "Right-Wing" reps have stood up to "defend" Rush Limbaugh. One of these political sluts actually ended his righteous screed with "God bless Rush Limbaugh."

They are also positing that the "liberals" are making more out of this than need be -- yet again displaying their intellectual and moral dishonesty. All of this, of course, stems out of the MoveOn.org questioning Petraeus' motivations prior to his much bally-hooed "September Report."

Looking at the facts objectively as put out by the WH itself, it was clear that the Petraeus Report was going to be written and edited by the WH. With the way they have distorted facts before, it is not at all surprising that the legitimacy of Petraeus' Report would be subject to intense scrutiny. The WH itself confirmed that fact.

Then, we get to Rush. I've done additional research on this fiasco and have reached the conclusion that Rush's overall mission WAS to smear the integrity and credibility of those military troops who have shown not only the courage to face combat every day but to speak what they perceive to be the truth. To hear a boil-butt chickens*it denigrate these brave military troops is like rubbing salt in an open wound.

I believe that Congress was wrong to introduce and pass the condemnation against MoveOn and likewise think that to try and stifle Rush's oxy-induced lunatic rantings is just as wrong. Freedom of Speech is guaranteed to one and all -- no matter how abhorrent or obnoxious that speech might be.

However, for those who were so quick to vote to condemn MoveoOn, while not adhering to those same standards with regard to Oxycontin Rush, is hypocritical and intellectually dishonest. Of course, it should be no surprise.

The same gang that keeps moving the goalposts on the field on Iraq, and the crazy, insane justifications for taking unilateral, pre-emptive military action on Iraq, are the same ones who keep blabbering their political rhetoric of "Do as we say and not as we do."

The America I grew up believing in, grew up having faith in, and spent six years of my life on active military duty honoring, protecting, and defending, no longer exists. That America was based on what my parents, a WW II veteran and his wife, grew up believing in -- the America that stands up for what is humane, what is just, and what is morally correct.

The Amerika we have become, particularly under the dominance of the neocon Republicans, is one I am totally and utterly ashamed of, do not recognize, and simply cannot, and will not support. Would I sign over six years of my life on active for Amerika? Absolutely not. Would I recommend anyone thinking about doing so to do it? Absolutely not. When the very things that we have a legal and moral obligation to defend no longer exist, why defend it?

All of the political whores (roughly 99.9% of the politicians) are treasonous traitors to Old Glory and the "Christian Principles" they claim to espouse. I sincerely question how these political whores can look at themselves in a mirror and be truly proud of the person they really are.

My father often told me that there is only one person who can take my personal integrity from me -- and that is me, myself. At the end of each day, I need to be happy with me and proud of the person I am.

I really believe two of the most "evil" institutions ever foisted upon humanity are organized politics and organized religion. The examples are glaringly obvious each and every day.

Up with America and down with Amerika!

Lisa Johnson-Tschudy
Tacoma, WA

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Subject: Blackwater Hearings

Last night, I watched the Blackwater hearings in re-run ... I was aghast at what those mercenary soldiers make ... and how much they are paid over and above the plain old grunt soldier from our country ... who just joins ... has to worry about coming home in one piece and having his medical covered. The CEO .. a Mr. Prince ... makes and admitted to well over one million a year ... and likely closer to a hundred million. And a gorilla, a Rep. Westmoreland from Georgia did nothing ... no questioning of the bad guys at all, he simply bashed every democrat on the panel from the first word to the last. If that had happened when the republicans ruled the roost ... he would have been shut up in short order. Waxman did get him in the end ... when he tried to sound off again ... horning in on someone else's time ... and Waxman told him, "no, they would not yield ... you had quite enough time ... calling democrats names ... he had enough!"

He told the head of Blackwater ... all they things about how we were trying to admonish Rush Limbaugh for calling our soldiers "Phony soldiers ' (of which Rush went back and erased and now says he never said it in the beginning ...) But Keith Olbermann has it before it was erased, if anyone is interested. Westmoreland then went on to tell him that there were people on this panel who actually voted against funding the war ... and did not vote to sanction Moveon.org ... It made me sort of sick. This man should have had a foot shoved in his mouth.

Shirley ... St. Louis

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Subject: Charlie Savage's Book

While waiting for Savage's book to come, from BuzzFlash, I have been reading reviews and then I watched him on Colbert where he stated that the idea for this all-powerful chief executive was put forth at the beginning of Bush's first term and it will continue long after he's gone.

I have often wondered, when is the congress going to legislate an end to this obscene arrogation of power? If I heard right I don't think they have any intention of doing so, and that doesn't surprise me since they can't seem to get anything right.

They need to acquaint themselves with the Constitution and remember their oath of office. They are all in dereliction of duty, and I don't remember reading in the Constitution that rolling over and playing dead is an honorable way of living up to that oath.

Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy

Ruth Gottlieb
Laguna Woods

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Subject: What Is Happening To America???????

What is happening to this country???? Back in the 80's and 90's, we were on the road to peace ... the Berlin Wall had been brought down, and we were still a great prosperous nation. We pretty much respected human dignity and life, and our presidents were masters at diplomacy, and working problems out with other nations.

Now, here it is, Year 6 of The Bush Regime, and I've never seen this country in such poor shape! Our current president has the intelligence of a flea, with only one thought on his mind. To be *King Of The World* He is nothing but a *playground bully*, and refuses to be diplomatic, in any way. If he can't have it his way, he throws temper tantrums, and acts very childish. I have been very embarrassed at his tacky behavior, when meeting other nations' leaders.

Our vice president is very arrogant, and thinks he is too good to meet with us *commoners.*

Our elected tRepresentatives and senators will not meet with us, or listen to us, and when we try to, they have us arrested.

Our police force, who are SUPPOSED *to protect and to serve* US, are now no more then glorified gang members, who are using the taser with wild abandon, instead of being reasonable people.

Our schools, whose original purpose was to EDUCATE our kids, have now become prisonlike, with the insane *Zero Tolerance* policy. This crazy idea is hurting our kids, and denying them education opportunities. Even the taser abuse has come into our schools, and God help any parent, rushing to defend their kids ... they are arrested as well!

What kind of Americans are we, to let all this happen??? We all moan and grumble about it, but from our armchairs! We will not get up and fight for our rights! Our forefathers must be turning in their graves right now, to see what lazy wimpy people we have become!!

Does anyone remember this country's history?? Names like Nathan Hale? Paul Revere? Patrick Henry? THESE are the TRUE patriots of this country! They FOUGHT for their rights, and were not cowed by adversity.

NOW it is time to fight, people!! FIGHT for our Constitution, it's MORE then *Just a G'Damned Piece of Paper.* This document represents the values which created this country. That is why we have it! It is the very FOUNDATION of America! So is the Bill Of Rights!

DO NOT LET BUSHCO KILL OFF OUT LIBERTY AND FREEDOM!!!!

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: The Tobacco & The Health Insurance Industries' Support Of the President's Veto Renders Them Accomplices To The Crime Of Mass Murder

For the umpty-umpth time, of course, but in this instance, assuming President Bush's veto isn't overridden, without doubt on the death certificates of each and every child that subsequently may die for want of health care, where it asks for the cause(s) of death, the tobacco and health insurance industries are sure to be cited, along with President Bush for having vetoed the children's health care bill, and Congress for upholding that veto.

Will they get away with their crimes? Not if we see to it that Congress cuts off all funding for the Iraq war, whereupon, empowered by our victory over the powers that be, we go on to change the world.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: Moron Is As Moron Does

George W. Bush has shown this country once again he is not only a sociopath elitist but is truly an insensitive moron. He does not care what Americans need and he does not care what Americans think, feel or want. Today he surpassed himself by vetoing the SCHIP health insurance bill for children.

The bill, which was passed by both houses of Congress, who by the way are supposed to represent the people, would have provided supplemental health insurance for families who lacked the money to have their children covered privately. Bush of course does not have to worry about health insurance for himself or any family member. He is covered by the very type of government health insurance program he refuses to extend to the needy people in this country.

Perhaps he should give up his coverage and pay for all his medical expenses out of pocket. Perhaps he should visit low income areas and stay with children at night while they cry themselves to sleep without the medicine they need to get better and sleep comfortably. Perhaps he should go to a clinic for his medical care and see what a poor person has to deal with just to remain healthy. Perhaps he should visit a pharmacy and check on drug prices when not covered by health insurance. But, we all know he neither has done, nor will he do, anything to disrupt the "silver spoon" life he has led and continues to lead at the expense of our country.

For the first time since I saw the movie "Forrest Gump," I understand the words "stupid is as stupid does." And, I am sad and embarrassed to say, our President is the very definition of those words. His actions and inactions regarding every facet of American governance is a national embarrassment. Never before has one man of any title so disrespected the American ideals built into our Constitution and so diminished our positive influence around the world.

He stole the election process and he stole the American dream. Now he steals from the poor to give to the rich.

George Gerber
Doylestown, PA

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Subject: Clarence Thomas On "Sixty Minutes"

Sorry, but I just cannot watch that man speak. Every time I see him he starts off with the same line with self-pity dripping all through it. Ugh, he is not even good at making an argument to explain what he is talking about. The fact that he hates affirmative action and thinks that affirmative action is wrong just boils my blood. I have always thought that affirmative action was a good thing. It acts as reparations for the years that the U.S. tolerated slavery and segregation. It has a good side effect of building the middle class in America, and making America stronger and more culturally diverse and tolerant.

We never said that people who benefit from affirmative action do not have to be talented and skilled. We just say they have to have an equal chance to get their foot in the door and prove what they can do. Any man who sits on our Supreme Court should be able to look at issues with a look to history and the future, not just his own narrow view and experience. Too bad Clarence Thomas will never have that skill. He will live a much poorer life without it.

He may dine with the leaders and lawmakers of this world, and he may make speeches to various groups, but his life will be mainly the sound of his own voice and the sound of his own failure in his ears.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: USS Liberty

I saw a bit in the Buzz about the coverup of the downing of the USS LIberty by Israel, and it was gone very quickly, before I got to read anything. How come I can't find it anywhere on your site now? It certainly represents the kind of neglected news you're supposed to cover.

A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: You probably saw this article at BuzzFlash.net, where the content changes as readers vote items up by "buzzing" them. Hope this es what you were looking for: U.S. helped cover up Israeli attack on USS Liberty in 1967 / New revelations in attack.]

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Subject: Jon Stewart Dismantles Chris Matthews

Matthews accused him of "trashing my book." Stewart said he was actually "trashing your philosophy."

COMMENT: According to fop pundit Chris [The Prince] Matthews, it's all about phony hype and dark manipulation of others that you should do to promote yourself over them like a politician does, to get what you want in life. But a few skeptical questions caused Matthews to come mentally unglued. So it's three cheers for Jon Stewart for taking Chris Matthews to task for some very sick Machiavelli-style thinking.

[Batter-up]

The "Hardball" host was there, like so many others before him, simply to hype his new book, "Life's a Campaign." Stewart was after him right from the start. He described the book as claiming that "people can use what politicians do in political campaigns to help their lives. ... That strikes me as fundamentally wrong." Rather than a self-help book it is really a "self-hurt book, if you will," he added. "Aren't campaigns fundamentally contrivances?"

[Strike one]

Matthews agreed, but said you could still learn from successful politicians - like them, you sometimes have to "sell yourself" to get a job or manipulate people to get ahead.

"But there has to be some core of soul in there," Stewart replied. "There's nothing in this book about, 'Be good, be competent.'"

[Strike two]

Matthews said THAT book had been written before - and it was the Bible.

But Stewart, when he is on his game, can be quick and erudite, and now he pointed out that Matthews' new book had also been written before - and it was Machiavelli's "The Prince." Matthews claimed his book was better than "The Prince."

[Strike three]

Stewart then twice called Matthews' book "a recipe for sadness. ... If you live this book, your life will be strategy, and ... you'll be unhappy."

Matthews, finding himself on the receiving end for a change, invited Stewart to "Hardball," and "we can play this both ways."

Stewart replied, "I don't troll," drawing gasps from the audience. "You are unbelievable," Matthews said. "This is a book interview from hell. This is the worst interview I've ever had in my life. This is the worst. You are the worst." Matthews accused him of being another Zell Miller but Stewart said that, unlike the former senator, he would not challenge Matthews to a duel.

[And then Matthews gets benched for good]

Sputtering for an explanation, Matthews charged that "you are afraid of me" and there must be something in his book "that you fear."

"Like fascism, I fear fascism," Stewart responded.

Jon Stewart Dismantles Chris Matthews (Editor and Publisher)

http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload...

James Scott
Everett, WA

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Subject: The UC Davis Student's Bus System Demonstrates That Socialism Works - California Gold, KCET Public TV (Last Week)

It's a great story, with the student-owned and -operated system making money and now up to fifteen red buses, all of which are re-activated former British double-decker buses and all of which have been converted to run on natural gas. What's more the company now serves the needs not only of UC Davis students but of residents of the nearby city of Davis, with UC Davis students & anyone age sixty or beyond getting on for free. The students who worked for the Davis bus company that were interviewed in the TV program expressed enthusiasm for what they were doing and seemed to take pride in their company, what it stood for, as did riders from outside communities that are serviced by the UCD bus company. Noteworthy is the fact that UCD students are especially dependent upon their bus system since they're not permitted to have cars on campus and mostly get around on foot or on bicycles.

Shows that socialism works. What about the socialism of the former so-called communist states of eastern Europe? That wasn't socialism since those were nothing but pretend to be worker-run systems which in reality were top down tightly controlled state enterprises.

Why in Davis and not in Eastern Europe? More timely; if at UCD, why not everywhere?

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: Thank You For Fallujah Comments

All I can say is this: I seem to remember there was a news report some time before the four contractors were killed. It was reported that Iraqis were upset about something and were having a demonstration when there was gunfire into the crowd. If I remember correctly, about a dozen or so civilians were killed. This was prior to the four contractors and the invasion of Fallujah. What I was wondering is - was there a connection? Thanks Buzz. Thanks everyone.

Ted Hazelton
Okla City, OK

[BuzzFlash Note: Wikipedia actually has some details that may address your question. Go to the section, "Events before the battle," where it recounts that American soldiers had occupied a school; protesters gatherered; and the soldiers fired at the crowd, killing 17 and wounding over 70. This apparently happened almost a year before the Blackwater ambush.]

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Subject: Wrong Headed And Mislabeled

The blockheads over on the right side of the right wing just can't seem to understand that what they think and what they believe is not only not patriotic, it's not Christian either.

They live in their narrow little world alone and afraid of the big wide world around them. Anyone that deviates from what they perceive as the correct path, which to them is the only path, is the enemy. That explains why so many of them hate liberals, progressives and anyone even remotely connected to the Democratic Party. We're all evildoers, every dang one of us over here on the left.

Being as how I am a patriotic American that believes in free speech and other constitutional stuff like that, I believe they have a perfect right to blabber their foolishness all they want. They have a perfect right to let louts, bullies and bullshippers like Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Hannity and the like do their thinking. As free citizens it's their right.

As another free citizen it is my right to think they are a bunch of nincompoops. I have to respects their rights, I do not have to respect what they do with those rights.

If they do not have the common sense or decency to know in their hearts that what America means is freedom for everyone, then when they wrap themselves in the flag they are a travesty of what they think they represent. They confuse "nationalism" with "patriotism." That's a bad and scary thing. Because a while back there were a whole lot of German people that got confused about that, too.

Ditto with the religious stuff. They have a perfect right to believe in their own narrow little idea of what constitutes a Christian. I have a perfect right to say they are nothing of the kind. Christianity doesn't limit you, you pinhead; it opens up whole new worlds of love, kindness and caring.

I don't know if I am a Christian anymore. I'm not sure what I believe about religion. But I do damn well know for certain that the clueless bunch right and left that spew hate, know nothing that is worth even contemplating. We've seen their like in every generation. And in every generation they fouled everything they touched.

Media can label them as the Religious Right if they want. That doesn't make it so. They are the Religious Wrong and always have been.

Marjorie Swanson
Kenosha, WI

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Subject: Bombshell Media Putz Winner of the Week: the New York Times Political Coverage (With Primary Putzdom Honors Going to the News Editors Covering Domestic Politics and Bush Foreign Affairs Policies -- and Bill Keller, and "Punch" Sulzberger)

Why ridicule the NYT or the MSM generally? Designating political omissions as "mistakes" or relegating significant news items to Page Z-55 instead of Page 1? The MSM is a corporate conspiracy of silence. And conspiracy not only violates the First Amendment trust, but is usually criminal as well.

And: Right Wing Media Circles Wagons; Unprecedented! 10/4

LIMBAUGH: Oh, come on!... I don't know a single Republican or conservative, Mike, who wants to pull out of Iraq in defeat.

Okay, great! So why should any Republican or conservative object to being drafted and shipped (along with their wagaons) to Iraq under Chief Rush's command? And let 'em have at it!

Will Wyche
Palm Springs, CA

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Subject: 'Slow avalanche' gobbles road, homes in upscale La Jolla - CNN.com

"Gravity pulling on the incline is pulling down masses of earth and those masses of earth have houses on top of them," Abbott told the paper. "It's a geologically bad site and should not have been built on to begin with."

Strange ... but an excellent metaphor for what has become of the entire American real-estate market.

And now that we can scapegoat this "gravity" thing ... who knew about that?

John L. Johnson
Laingsburg, Michigan

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