BuzzFlash Mailbag for September 11, 2008

BUZZFLASH MAILBAG

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Subject: The Vietnam War and Our Heroes

There was no honor in the Vietnam War. There was bravery and comradeship, and adherence to orders, but it is a mistake to speak about the war in reverent terms. We need to feel sad for those conscripts who fell in battle, but not piously intone about honor. The criminal civilian command structure of our ruling class (oops, sorry) cynically ordered the US military to go and destroy the Vietnamese people. Sorry, NO honor. I am fed up with the framing. While I can sympathize with those who had to go because they were drafted (and I am sure they do not care about my heretical view), they could have gone to jail or left the country instead -- now that takes balls and IS honorable. They cannot speak about their involvement as being honorable. The war was an atrocious, crime ridden slaughterfest perpetrated by imperial thugs. We were protecting nothing, creating only horror, bloodshed and misery, and, excluding Slavery, this charnelhouse really ranks as our Nation's worst behavior ever.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Palin Doesn't Matter, Numbers Do 9/11

Wrong. What matters is who counts the votes--period. Republicans do. What matters is the imminent third fraudulent presidential election this century. The votes are everywhere controlled by Rethug corporate interests. We've heard of Diebolt and ESS that control the voting machines. We've heard of the corporate prostitutes styled as election "officials" who continue to routinely purge voter registration lists in critical states and at critical precincts throughout the country. But right now Exxon-Mobile which has just had its cronies in the Supreme Court eliminate its Valdez judgment to zilch has enough muscle to shut down the Federal government if it doesn't get its way to drill wherever and whenever it wants.

America is finished. Yet everyone is wasting emotion and enthusiastically going through another election ritual as though there's a real democracy here; that there's going to be a real democratic election and, believe it or not, change.

Am I the only one who sees corporate media justifying the upcoming fraud with their ersatz neck-and-neck polls created to closely follow the ultimate predetermined polling results no matter who votes for whom? Meanwhile they distract us with Sarah Palin, her idiocyncratic pregnancy, her God-willed pipeline, her stonewalled investigation, and her aptly named Bridge to Nowhere. Because, as sure as climate change will end life as we know it, oblivion is where America is headed and irretrievably fast.

This election is indeed a Bridge to Nowhere!

Will Wyche
Palm Springs

Subject: Princess Palin Return to Alaska

Update: The Story from FIXed News:

Over 1,000 supporters in an airplane hangar greeted Palin upon landing here this evening. The high-energy crowd was cheering as Palin and her husband descended the plane and were greeted by her children Piper, Willow, and infant son Trig. Even before the Vice-Presidential candidate descended the stairs she could be heard laughing—possibly in excitement—when the plane landed. When she got to the tarmac, upon seeing how large the hometown crowd was her mouth dropped in shock. Alaskans went crazy welcoming their Governor home as she quickly crossed the tarmac with her husband Todd and children and ascended the stage. Supporters waved signs that read, “Welcome Home Sarah” and “The Coldest State the Hottest Governor.” She looked ecstatic to be home as she began her remarks to her fellow Alaskans. She quipped, “Wow” and “This is just overwhelming” when she first got on stage. She began by thanking the crowd for their support since her selection and filling them in on what she has been up to over the past few weeks, “What a trip it’s been and I can not wait until you meet John McCain,” Palin said. “We started in Arizona and then went to Ohio and Pennsylvania and Missouri and New Mexico and Colorado and Virginia and everywhere we are going the response has really been overwhelming, but I kept telling people if you think it is exciting along those stops just wait until we get to Alaska!” She remarked that during a McCain-Palin administration the duo would pursue other forms of energy including drilling. She touted how advanced Alaska is when it comes to energy technology and working towards a different energy future for the country: “That energy independence for our nation is going to start right here in Alaska with that natural gas pipeline. And people all over the country, they’re hearing about it and they’re saying thank you Alaska for allowing safe responsible development of your resources to help secure our state, provide jobs here, but also for the betterment of our entire nation,” Palin said. “When the last section of that pipeline is laid and the valves are open our state–our state–Alaska will be a leader in energy policy and our state will have brought Americans one step closer to energy independence and one step closer to an America free of foreign suppliers that do not have our interests at heart.” In the middle of her comments on energy she interrupted herself and with a laugh said, “I feel like I’m preaching to the choir you guys already know this! Take the message to America! “ She spent a good amount of her remarks bragging about how she has been talking about Alaska all over the country and got a huge cheer when she told the crowd that she has been telling the rest of the country about an old Alaskan phrase, “they know that in Alaska like that old bumper sticker says men are men and women win the Iditarod.” The Iditarod is a 1,150 mile race across very rough Alaskan terrain where teams of “mushers” and dogs trek across the frozen tundra. Two women have won the race–the second, Susan Butcher winning it four times.

http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/09/11/alaska...

Video [5 minutes in]: http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=palin

Ok, you all tell me. Why would a member of the family values party leave a 5-month old child with special needs for several days? Upon her return, instead of taking the child from her daughter and cuddling and re-bonding after several days separation, she gave him a kiss on the head and continued along the welcome line to accept congratulations. I am a feminist who believes that women with families should be be allowed to pursue their dreams....but not at the expense of what is best for the family, especially a child who deserves special consideration. By the way, I believe that fathers are equally responsible for what is best for their children and the bonding between Dads and babies are equally important!

PS: Shocked at the crowd! (?) The plane sat on the tarmac for some time while aides came to the door and looked out to appraise the crowd....and they never mentioned to Palin about the size (1000?) supporters? Quite frankly, one might have expected a larger crowd given the "rock star" status anointed by the MSM.

Excuse the vitriol, but I am so-o-o-o-o exhausted by the Repuglicans hypocrisy, lies, and hijacking of what is best for America!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Remember Bush's Speech After 9/11/2001 Attack?

Hi BuzzFlash,

With the MSM showing what it was like seven years ago today, I was wondering how Bush started his speech to the nation after the 9/11 attack.

No cheating with a search folks on that question.

After all, people are still able to recite FDR's famous line, with the proper tone of voice and accenting the words at the correct places after Pearl Harbor was attacked: "Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date that will live in infamy ..."

Well, were you able to even think of Bush's opening words, even a few of them?

Here are his speeches on 9/11 to the American People and 9/20 to Congress.

Statement by the President in His Address to the Nation (9/11/2001)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010911-16.html

Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People (9/20/2001)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.html

Tom Wieliczka
Windsor Locks, CT

Subject: Fighting Back

The Democrats need to use sarcasm and black humor to fight back. McPalin is a fertile field for humorists. I would like to see democratic women talk about state ownership of their uterus, that this country was formed on religious freedom and we have a right to believe or not as we please. I have a right not to marry everyone I had sex with, I have a right to choose if I want a pregnancy or not. These jokes should be done by ordinary democrats, and the candidates need to stay above the fray.

Wanda Knipp
Myakka City, Florida

Subject: Canadian health care:

In 2004, he was voted "The Greatest Canadian" of all time in a nationally televised contest organized by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The miniseries Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story, was filmed between February and May of 2005 and aired on CBC Television in two parts on March 12 and 13, 2006.

and just who is this great Canuck,Why he's the one that started universal health care.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Douglas

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: FEMINISM IS LIBERAL

So Sarah Palin seems to think she is a feminist. Hello? Who the hell ever heard of a conservative feminist? Talk about an oxymoron! It is impossible to be a feminist AND a conservative. Feminism is and always has been liberal. I thought everybody knew that. Palin is also staunchly anti-abortion. There is no such thing as a feminist who is anti-abortion. This stupid b**** is very ignorant and confused. Only a liberal can be a feminist. Those women who fought for the right to vote, they were liberals. Members of the N.O.W., they are liberals. These conservative women seem to think they can have it both ways. They are not feminists. For God's sake, what have conservatives or the Republican party ever done for women? They are and always have been anti-woman. If it hadn't been for those liberal feminists who fought for women's rights, these conservative women would not have any rights at all. Palin is either a feminist or a conservative. She can't be both.

Shirley Dianne Jackson
Portland, OREGON

Subject: Palin Making Rape Victims Pay for Evidence Kits

This is to let you know that this morning USA Today ran an article about Palin and women paying for rape kits in Wasilla, and so did usnews.com. So it appears to be making its way into more corporate media.

Something else of interest - Palin's quote from the RNC, "We grow good people in our small towns . . ." came from a Westbrook Pegler, someone so anti-semitic he was banned from a John Birch Society publication. The quote was previously borrowed from Pat Buchanan in his 1990 book. Sources: gawker.com, Ben Smith at politico.com, and the WSJ.com.

Kathy Adkins

Subject: Are we that stupid?

The McCain campaign, like those of Bush before him, is based on the notion that the majority of Americans are stupid and ignorant. For example, in the last election, studies showed that Bush voters were most likely to believe that Saddam was behind 9/11, that Iraq had WMDs, and that the rest of the world supported our invasion of Iraq. Now, the same Bush cronies are running McCain's campaign, and, despite my earlier assumption that McCain might just be an honorable man with whom I disagreed, it is now apparent that he's just another sleazy politician who appeals to the worst in people. Silly me. Time will tell if their cynical view of the electorate is nevertheless accurate.

On a side note, isn't it ironic that the two chief defenders of "traditional marriage," are a man who cheated on his first wife and called his second wife a "c____t" in public, and a woman whose daughter's upcoming sacred union is based on the fact that she flopped over for the first redneck hockey player who proved he could score ... "Ordained by God"? "Sacred"? Give me a break ...

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: just my two cents

This is very important ... please forward this to everyone you know:

I hate lies. I hate when i am being lied to, particularly when politicians lie to me, because their lies become policies and laws that lead to human death and suffering, wrongful wars, sick economy, poverty, broken families, shattered dreams.

We are less than 60 days from presidential election. Our country is not doing all that great. Prices of everything are on the rise. $4 gas puts sad grin on my face every time i am at the gas station. I try to drive less than i used to. But we spend 10 billion a month on a war. Well, not "we" - them, those who started this war, Republicans.

Let me ask you this: if you take you car to a body shop, and they rip you off and damage your car instead of doing decent job - will you ever deal with these guys again ? I bet you won't. Why then anybody at all is considering putting Republicans in power for 4 more years when it was Republicans who screwed things up so badly for all of us during last 8 years ? Where is logic ? Where is the basic common sense ?

Same as you I pay taxes. I give my money to the government. Same as you. Now, what did this government, the Republican government do with my money? Remember I said I hate liars? Well, I was lied to. I was told Americans need to go to war with Iraq because of 9/11 and terrorists and mushroom cloud and bunch of other stuff, and all of it, I mean it, all of it was a lie.

The most precious thing I can give to a politician is my trust. When political party betrays my trust - I will never ever support this party again. They have been repeatedly spitting in my face and misusing my money, the taxes I pay, for the last 8 years. Thank you, Republicans, but no more.

4000 Americans dead. How many wounded? How many tens of thousands of Iraqis dead, children, women? How much blood spilled? How many deaths happened because politicians, Republican politicians, lied to us? Can these Republicans bring our soldiers back from the dead?

Remember Hurricane Katrina? Remember tax cuts for the rich, for millionaires and corporations? Remember the horror of 9/11? They had so many warnings, and they did nothing. Scandal after scandal, mismanagement, cronyism, shredding of constitution. Spying on us.

For 8 years Republicans lied to all of us. Should they be rewarded with 4 more years in power?

I look at McCain, this guy who wants only one thing - to become a president. At any cost. It is the second time he is running for president. He wants to be a president more than anything else in the world. And he has been in Washington for 26 years. And last 8 years too. Proud republican senator. Voting with his party. Voting with his president.

They keep describing him as a maverick, which couldn't be further from truth. These days he votes against his own bills, against all his former beliefs. A typical republican politician. But one thing he is consistent at - he repeatedly, many times voted against our veterans. He voted for this war. But against veterans. Some maverick.

Doesn't remember how many houses he has. But claims to be in touch with working folks. During convention his wife was wearing $300,000 worth of stuff [Vanity Fair's estimate]. She is in touch with us, too, of course.

Bush, you know, 8 years ago, promised change, education, prosperity, promised to clean up Washington, blah, blah ... He is a Republican, in case you forgot. McCain is a republican, who promises exactly same things using exactly same words without any intent to ever deliver on his promise. Did I mention that he spent 26 years in Washington as a Republican? McCain tries to pretend he is something other than a lying and deceitful politician. But I see lies. I told you, I hate them.

Remember how they sold us Bush? Many of us thought he is a guy who would be nice to have a beer with. So, how did it turn out?

I watched Republican convention, a delusional disconnected spectacle. Top leaders of the GOP were absent. No Bush, no VP. So this is the party that badly injured this country, and it is asking you to give it more time ... Nice ...

And this Palin person ... Are you kidding me ??? After 5 minutes under the national spotlight they dug up so much dirt on her that I'm afraid to turn on TV. Do we need someone with 0 experience to be one heartbeat away from presidency? Can we afford that? And they tell us she has foreign policy experience because Alaska is close to Russia. McCain himself said that. That is their main argument, seriously. They think we are dumb.

I live across the street from the hospital. I must be an accomplished doctor. That´s the logic.

I told you I hate lies. But election after election they try to fool us. They do not respect us. To them we are sheep, mindless idiots that will believe anything.

Palin = maverick? Oh yes. Tell us more. Please.

Palin = reformer? Of course, everything you say is so true.

But you know, in her first speech to the Nation (written by Bush's speechwriter) there were so many lies I lost count. She lied to us proudly, with passion.

No, she was not against this bridge to nowhere. This is a lie.

No, she didn't sell this plane on eBay. This is a lie.

No, this was not a luxury plane. This is a lie.

It was a 23-year old plane used for transporting prisoners.

And she lost $300,000 on this sale. No profit. Another lie.

No, there is no pipeline being build. It´s a lie.

No, she doesn't fight earmarks. She loves them.

What else was a lie?

Oh, yes, she says she is a true conservative.

But for years her husband was a member of AIP, Alaska Independence Party. It's not 'Country First' for them. It's 'Alaska First'.

Alaska Independence Party Vice Chairman, Dexter Clark, says this of Palin: "Our current governor who I mentioned at the last conference, the one we were hoping would get elected, Sarah Palin, did get elected . . . and there was a lot of talk about her moving up. She was an AIP member before she got the job as mayor . . . "

This is great. We are about to get a secessionist for VP. Dream come true.

McCain, thank you for putting our Country First. You picked a lying secessionist for VP. Thank you.

And there is more. She bans books in the libraries. [She raised questions about possible book banning], and later fired the librarian.] Wants to ban on all kinds of abortion, even in case of incest and rape. Against sex-ed in schools.

No sex ed. Is there a better way to make sure your teenage daughter gets pregnant?

They tell us this woman will shake up Washington. How dumb do they think we are?

8 years of republicans lying to us, and now they found Palin, who immediately lied to us, too, lied a lot, keeps lying every day, and they want us to turn off our brains and vote yet another liar into the office?

How many times will we let them do that? How many times can they fool us?

But one thing you may be sure about - McCain and Palin will put conservative judges on Supreme Court, and women of this country will lose their right to choose.

It's so creepy to watch another liar getting closer to presidency. We had lying Republicans ruling us last 8 years. Do we really want to elect two more lying Republicans?

I told you I hate liars. I hate lying politicians. I will never ever vote for a politician that lies to me. Will you?

MK

Subject: With A President Who's A Peacemaker The Violence Can Be Stopped

"How?"

"Through an inaugural address that goes something like this.....

Sisters and brothers, either we find a way to end the violence or it'll be the end of us. Why? Because perpetual war and global warming = doomsday, that's why. Fortunately there's a quick and easy way for us to stop the violence, which is for your president to work with Congress to dismantle Empire-USA plus turning things around here at home. The only quid pro quo is that we see to it that the violence ends, that there be no war no more, nowhere, never, not even one. And then what sort of world? It'll be up to us."

"That'll do it?"

"That'll do it."

"And then what sort of world?"

"It'll be up to us."

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: The Pakistani Government Favors 'Draining The Swamps & Then Take Care Of The Alligators' Whereas The U.S. Government 'Is Less Concerned About The Swamp Than About The Alligators' - Today's LA Times

"The essential difference being?

"The Pakistani government aims to stop the violence by getting at its root cause."

"And our government's policy?"

"Kill the bastards, period!"

"To stop the violence?"

"To perpetuate the violence."

"Why?"

"How else to justify these perpetual wars?"

"What'll end the violence?"

"Our electing someone president who's going to dismantle Empire-USA plus turning things around here at home."

"And then what sort of world?"

"It'll be up to us."

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: THE BEST WAY YOU CAN HELP THE DEMS

Article: since we all agree that PALIN is just a shiny distraction....

HOW ABOUT GETTING YOUR PAGE BACK TO THE ISSUES...

DROP ALL THE CUTESY SHINY THINGS AND BEGIN TO POST ONLY ON THE ISSUES>>>>>

i know it is FUN to make FUN... i do it too...

GOTTA STOP NOW... the PALIN JOKE is over....

HOW ABOUT A BIG STINKING HEADLINE ON YOUR PAGE:

FROM NOW UNTIL NOV 4 MCCAIN VERSUS OBAMA ! ! ! ... because this stuff is a distraction and we are ALL falling for it including me

marty comroe

Subject: NATIONAL CHECK IF I CAN VOTE DAY

I would like to propose making October 1, 2008 'NATIONAL CHECK IF I CAN VOTE DAY'

I would love to see all the progressive/liberal organizations, websites and blogs along with all the State and County Democratic Party's make this declaration and then text, email or phone all their supporters to nudge them to check their registrations. That night, I would love to see potluck house parties with a screening of a film about how the Republicans stole the past two elections. This is important because it is happening again. Just yesterday there were 2 news items. One from New Jersey in which 300,000 people who thought they were registered found out that they have been purged from the rolls and the other from Michigan in which Republicans were purging those who have entered foreclosures from the election rolls.

I feel by doing this we would accomplish 3 goals.

1) the practical aspect of making sure all the Democratic supporters who want to vote, will be able to. By doing this on Oct 1, there will be time to correct any errors. Most states have a 30 or 14 day pre-registration requirement.

2) If this is large enough it would obtain critical mass and the msm would report in which we could have spokespeople who once again highlight the voting problems to the American Public

3) it would put State and County Republican Auditors on notice that the Democratic Party will be much more vigilant this time around in protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

I am passionate about this. If you can help me, please so by spreading the word and writing to the blogs.

Peace.

[BuzzFlash Note: Great idea. Here's a report on the NJ mailing.]

Mike Collier

Subject: shutdown

Hi, Buzz!!

So the Repugs want to shut the government down over offshore drilling, do they?

As I recall, they tried the shutdown gambit once before, and it didn't work out so well for them. But, as someone has said, insanity may be defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

So I say, let them shoot themselves in the foot again. Then everybody will have to face up to the fact that the Repugs are all CRAZY.

Too crazy to be trusted with power.

Jane Hawes
Edmond, OK (still a red-state Democrat)

Subject: satiric poem on palin

The Nomination of Sarah P. (with apologies to Robert W. Service “The Cremation of Sam McGee”)

There are strange things done in the midnight sun By Republicans seeking votes; The campaign trails have their secret tales -- Indeed their own “Deep Throats.” The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was that night in the hall in old St. Paul: They opted for Sarah P.

Now John McCain, of Vietnam fame, was handed his hat by the Bushes. His gang changed their game, became the same -- and tried to save their tushes. Exxon John was dragging on, his campaign was as dull as Nebraska. For Hillary’s votes, they donned fur coats and off they flew to Alaska.

The economy tanks, while old John banks -- on beer and big cuts in taxation. As the gas price soars, the corporate whores are buying and selling the nation. Georgia’s got oil, attractive spoil; John’s guy knocks down hefty fee. They need to look clean, know what I mean? Voilà: there she is, Sarah P!

“We found her!” they cried, “a win for our side -- a babe who hunts and fishes!” The right wing crew confirms it’s true, the gal of all their wishes. They shivered and shook, took one more quick look, and snuck her to Arizona. “She’s got ‘God, guns, and gays,’” Karl Rove assays, “you found the ideal persona!”

John’s of an age. At his advanced stage he can’t remember his houses. The moola is Cindy’s, that pisses the Indies. Perhaps he’s forgotten his spouses! Up in Alaska no one will ask ya how many houses or just how few. Freezing weather? Palins huddle together in their snuggly exurban igloo.

John McCain fiercely dreams he’s John Wayne -- he wants to nuke Iran. With Sarah Palin, John ain't failin’ his crusade on Islamastan. “Shia and Sunni, they’re both kind of loony,” neither one can tell them apart. “Just kill ‘em all fast, with a nuclear blast -- plus elitists who think they’re so smart!”

John used to say, in that bellicose way, “First priority: getting Al Qaida. We need a guy of experienced eye – or a beauty queen snowmobile rider.” Sarah P. on Iraq is not deep – but she never asked to be veep. It was McCain, war on his brain, making the choice in his sleep.

Is there a scandal? One John can’t handle? You’ve heard of troopergate. Sarah loves sister Palin, so she’ll give her ex a flailin’. An independent state? “Let’s get away from the old USA, and their army of occupation. Oil drilling is fine, as long as it’s mine, to hell with your forty-eight nation!”

What now GOP, you oil oli-GOP-oly? Signs are that you’re ailin’. Swift boats are sunk, no thoughts are thunk, just a family soap with Palin! Asleep at the wheel, John’s lost his feel, the party sure is sinking. But Sarah’s young, with a silver tongue, let’s hear it for unthinking!

“Country first”: it’s well rehearsed, at the new post-disaster convention. She’d be a heartbeat away from holding sway-- watch your hypertension. Creation’s in for guv Palin, and choice she’ll surely ban. And don’t forget this governor’s threat: no sex ed in Alaskastan.

There are strange things done in the midnight sun By Republicans seeking votes; The campaign trails have their secret tales -- Indeed their own “Deep Throats.” The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was that night in the hall in old St.Paul: They opted for Sarah P.

September 3, 2008

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: McCain as maverick

Just read George Lakoff's BuzzFlash guest contribution about the McCain Maverick "frame." Lakoff, as usual, is on the money. Oh, if only the people running Obama's campaign would use his information. How I would like to see a large print of that famous photo (framed) of McCain, smiling goofily, hugging Bush--with large letters below proclaiming "Maverick McCain." And below this line, smaller letters pointing out "Even Tom DeLay never hugged Bush." A picture is worth 1,000 words--and maybe 1,000,000 votes!

James Kittle
New Canaan, CT

Subject: 10 Questions for Palin

Ten questions Charles ought to ask Sarah Palin. But he won't.

1) Before ordering a strike on Iran, from which nations would you seek support and why?

2) Do you believe in the principle of home ownership? If so, how would making institutions like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae smaller support that principle?

3) Did you or did you not request more earmarked money per constituent than Senator Obama last year?

4) How likely is it that TransCanada will build the pipeline you licensed, given that the US and Canadian governments are in negotiations with BP/ConocoPhillips regarding a different pipeline? Why?

5) Why won't Todd promote family values and announce he will stay at home with the kids while you campaign? Does it have anything to do with some evangelical leaders, such as pastor John Hagee, preaching that stay at home dads are doomed to hell?

6) Who has benefited from the Bush tax cuts?

7) How is your $3 million earmark request for analyzing seal DNA substantially different from the $3 million earmark for analyzing bear DNA Senator McCain has complained about at every campaign stop this week?

8) What would you do to promote a solution in Kirkuk?

9) What does the Vice-president do? What are the proper limits of executive power?

10) Did you advocate for special needs before you knew Trig had special needs? How? Have you learned enough over the last few months, with everything else that has happened, to become a competent advocate? How?

A. Scott

Subject: Palin's Return to Alaska

Ok, help me out here, please. While watching Sen. Obama on Letterman, I missed most of CNN's wall to wall coverage of "THE RETURN" of Princess Palin to Alaska. Was her 5 month old child with her on her trek around the country for the past week? I saw a couple of clips on the news this AM, but I have been unable to determine if the child had already come off the Princess' plane. If the child has been separated from Mother for nearly a week, the clip I saw of her kiss on his head while he was being held by Bristol struck me strange. One might expect a mother separated from a 5 month old for several days to take him for hugs and holding. Did anyone watch "THE RETURN" who can clear up if the child was with her the last several days? Thanks!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: lipstick

On a day that the McCain campaign slurs Obama with yet another deceitful and inaccurate advert on sex education, what grabs the headlines ...? An off-the-cuff remark about cosmetics and swine. Have all journalists following the election fallen for the neo-con con tricks? The coverage given to one Obama comment is both astonishing and alarming - especially when daily McCain lies are ignored. Has the American media lost its tongue? Or is it simply that their lips are stuck?

Marcus Moore
Gloucester, UK

Subject: SEVEN YEARS!!

Seven Years of Do-Nothing Politics! Seven Years of the Reublicans mocking and belittling every facet of American Life. Seven Years of sending our Young people to a War based on nothing but lies! Seven years, of seeing our Country fall into neglect, as our jobs are shipped overseas, and the economy collapsing. Seven Years of watching the President and the Republicans' leader grow more distant and out of touch from the Citizens of this country! Seven years of watching the Republicans mock and ridicule our Veterans, and anyone who stands up for the truth. We need to wake up America!!

Do we REALLY need another 4 more years of this, with John McCain?? It is so blatantly obvious, that he has not a clue about what the rest of us think, nor does he care. All he has been concerned about, during this Campaign, is his POW Status, and his looking good on TV. He loses his temper at the drop of a feather! His choice for VP, shows his lack of insight as well.

Obama, on the other hand, is focusing on what matters most to every Citizen in this country. To me, and many other people, the choice here is obvious. It's time we make this country into something we can be proud of again, and be able to hold our heads up, with dignity!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Of Pigs, Fish, and Elitism

Good lord -- the stench of desperation emanating from the McCain Camp is beyond absurd. Are the "spokespeople" for McCain, McCain himself, and Palin so desperate to win that they find it necessary to resort to such idiotic discourse as we've been witness to over the past couple of days?

To even intimate that Obama was comparing Palin to a pig or McCain to a fish is beyond the pale. I've been watching Morning Joe this morning and they are discussing this. Barnicle weighed in and rightly took the media to task for contributing to this debacle. For once, Joe made a good point that Obama needs to stop being so polite in his tactics and take the McCainites to task for being so ridiculous. I absolutely agree with both Barnicle and Joe in this instance.

I also viewed a video feed (on another website -- AmericaBlog) of the various female pundits for the McCainites making their ridiculous allegations yesterday. Every one of these females associated with McCain, including Palin herself, are taking the cause of equality and the women's movement back a couple of centuries.

As a female myself, I find their collective stupidity an insult and the thought that they can convince to vote for them based on their public machinations is a no-go. They think they are influencing people to vote for McCain but this woman thinks they sound like a bunch of ridiculous fools.

And what is this crap that Rick Davis is spouting that Palin will not meet with the press until they show her some deference? EXCUSE ME -- Palin is the one who agreed to get off the porch and play with the big dogs. If she can't handle the American press how are we to believe she can really step into the Presidency if needed?

Ms. Palin has decided to put herself in the direct line of fire by entering the world of national and international politics. If she can dish it out, as she demonstrated she can do with her acceptance speech, then she'd better be ready to take it. It's as simple as that. This garbage about her needing a few weeks to get up to speed -- what's that all about? Those of us who live in the real world don't have that luxury -- we have to deal with our lives as it happens.

If she can't do that, and if you're not going to present her in public until the press fawns all over her and dances to your tune is hogwash.

For god's sake, let's leave the animals out of this. We humans are more than capable of screwing things even more than we already have without invoking the dignity of pigs and fish.

Lisa Johnson
Tacoma, WA

Subject: Palin's church

I imagine you've seen this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k84m2orSOaM&feature=related , but at 1:40 in, the "pastor" speaks about Alaska being a refuge for hundreds of thousands in "the last days". She is standing right there at the time. There have to be a lot of independents who would be chilled by the firm knowledge that someone who actually believes end time theology could be a heartbeat away from the nuclear button.

Can you get out the word?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Just a few points about lack of understanding

by the democrats. They don't understand that most Americans are not politically literate. Americans like the followers that they are have to have talking points from others who tell them what to think. Sadly the republicans, Rove in particular, know this about our citizens. He is no political genius as the media likes to label him, he just knows what goes on and what does not in the mind of most Americans.

His formula for success as best I can decipher is P= Perception created by propaganda and out and out lies. L= Likability. Candidate requirement that supersedes all else. D= Distraction most important to sway voters' minds away from real issues. F= Fear mongering which feeds on the fact that most citizens are in reality cowards. M= Media ownership and support. Unashamedly and unabashed. This is the key ingredient that melds the formula of: P. L. D F M.

It's apparent our democrats have no clue. I'm so afraid that they are about to give our country back to those who are intent on turning our nation into a war mongering fascist state that will never be redeemed.

Lawton
Springdale

Subject: A poem for 9/11 and the future

Buzz,

Death is an equalizer those who died in the 9/11 attacks bleed like you and me

traumatic images of a tragedy scars us all unequivocally

yet it has been politicized repeatedly i shall not dwell on that though images flash

to those who have lost we share the gaping hole in our hearts embodied with your pain

we cannot console you and we cannot help forgive us for our experiences limit us

encapsulated within the bubble of our ideologies all that can be said

it does not matter republicans democrats independents

unite it's not blue america or red america it's the United States of America

Akhil Bhardwaj
Jersey City, NJ

Subject: HANNITY

Hannity is the most prejudiced man I have ever seen in my life. HE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HATE IN AMERICA, NOTHING GOOD ABOUT BLACKS EVER COMES OUT OF HIS MOUTH.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: sarah

sarah should go on the jerry springer show.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Barack Obama, A Man For All Ages

"Despite all the distractions and the taunting that he faces."

"No problem for him."

"Why not?"

"Inner peace."

"Based on?"

"His knowing what it'll take."

"Which is"

"Yes we can."

"And then what sort of world?"

"It'll be up to us."

"One equals one."

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Oil to Gas Timeline

What is the timeline for delivering a gallon of gas to my car after a new offshore oil lease is given away? I would be happy if new oil drilling was allowed next month, that I could get cheaper gas the following month. Any longer than that would be too late to save me on time. However, I also wonder whether the new oil would actually be sold domestically or end up delivered to overseas customers on the open market.

Shucks, maybe more drilling ain't what it's hyped up to be. It looks like more of the same old way of doing things in line with the status quo. That's no change at all for either candidate.

Richard Maida
Maynard MA

Subject: Pit Bulls

The comments about pit bulls with lipstick are fascinating! We're upset because the Republi-cons, by association, are giving pit bulls a bad name!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: the dumming down of america

i cant believe that americans are buying this farce called sarah palin a woman who hides from the media has the same lies to tell at every meeting and hides behind sexism and media bias. palin and mccain are a reflection of the people that support them mindless sheep who follow and don't have the brains to think for themselves and it seems to be a lot of them. we had eight years of an average fool as president now it seems that we i hope not are heading in the same direction we need change people please!

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Seeming contradiction

I don't understand the Republikans. They get all upset about Obama's "lipstick on a pig" comment because they think it refers to Sarah Palin. But they don't take offense at his "old fish wrapped in a newspaper" comment -- a clear reference to John McCain.

Rey Buono
Jomtien, Thailand

Subject: Sarah P.

"It's quite possible that Sarah's truths Palin in comparison to her lies"

This came to me in a flash (Buzz, that is).

Mark Miller
Atlanta, GA

Subject: It's the Media Stupid

I can’t stand the deja-vu-ness of it all. This is the Rove 2000 election equation, which went like this:

1. Inept GOP candidate

2. Media ignores glaring issues with GOP candidate

3. News channel pundits given ample time to mock/attack Democratic candidate or engage in political lint-picking

Directions: Add nos. 1-3

Result: GOP candidate wins by a squeaker.

And, here we are. Last night, while deeply engaged in the great lipstick debate, Anderson Cooper made the following remark: “We're getting tons of e-mails from people saying that we're attacking Palin by looking at her record.” This comment stuck in my ‘lil head. So, it seems the networks are sensitive to viewer response. And, the emails are coming from the conservatives. This is not a complete surprise. The right-wingers are constantly writing letters to newspaper editors, contacting news channels, threatening to boycott products, and generally having tissy fits until they get their own way. They’re like the two-year old who takes forever to get to sleep, so you tiptoe around at naptime ‘cause they’re gonna be really pissed when you wake ‘em.

Well, damn it, it’s time for the liberals to get cranky. Then, there’s today’s exchange between Chris Matthews and Joe Scarborough that put me in a mood:

MATTHEWS: Two days from now -- I want to ask you, what will we talk about two days from now?

SCARBOROUGH: Whatever the McCain campaign wants us to talk about, because the McCain campaign is assertive.

Ugh, Joe is probably right. Those of us on the left have to fight back. I mean, c’mon, we are battling for health care for our children, saving the planet from global warming, stopping a needless war, working for the poor/middle class - and all the good fights there are in the world. So, why don’t we have us some big ‘ol tantrums? Enough with the hand wringing. Enough with being on the defensive (like it’s always happening to us).

We’re all quarterbacking the Obama camp from our laptops (“Oh, if they were more assertive, brought up the inconsistencies …”). It’s not Obama, his advisors, et al. It’s how this is all being framed, people. That’s how we got Bush. It’s the media. It’s the media. It’s the media.

This time, we have to take action. Yea, we have to do more than read left-wing blogs, shake our collective noggins, and complain to each other about the brain-farting pundits. So, class, your homework is this: Write to the news channels. Tell them what you think of their coverage, what you expect to see of their show(s). Tell them when something stinks. Do this every week until the day of the election. This is your assignment. No excuses.

Here, I made it easy for you:

CNN: Go to: http://www.cnn.com/feedback/cnntv/

CBS News: Go to: http://www.cbsnews.com/ - click on “Contact” link at bottom of page

NBC News / MSNBC: Email to: letters@msnbc.com - or - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339/

ABC: Go to: http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3068843

We can do this!

Thanks to BuzzFlash!

Carolina Williamson

Subject: CNN Distorts McCain's Proposed Tax Cuts

Once AGAIN CNN went over the tax cuts of Obama's and McCain's -- tonight at about 8:45PM EST.

BUT CNN once again failed to report on tax cuts on income levels over $200,000

AGAIN CNN ONLY went up to income levels below $200,000 (not sure of the specific top income CNN went over - CNN only showed FOUR different income tax cut levels starting at the lowest level and then the next 3 income levels with respective tax cuts amounts of Obama's and McCain's plan.

CNN left out that McCain gives the wealthiest a $269,000 TAX CUT.

CNN has done this over and over and over. It's not a mistake.

It's not CNN just 'overlooking' this. CNN has had different reporters on different days reporting on the tax cuts, comparing Obama's and McCain's AND CNN has FAILED to report the massive tax cut McCain's plan will give America's wealthiest EACH AND EVERY TIME.

CNN is covering up that McCain's tax plan gives away $269,000 to America's wealthiest.

WP Chart: According to a new analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a joint project of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are both proposing tax plans that would result in cuts for most American families. Obama's plan gives the biggest cuts to those who make the least, while McCain would give the largest cuts to the very wealthy. For the approximately 147,000 families that make up the top 0.1 percent of the income scale, the difference between the two plans is stark. While McCain offers a $269,364 tax cut, Obama would raise their taxes, on average, by $701,885 - a difference of nearly $1 million

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/06/09/ST2008060900950.html

DMullaley

Subject: Progressive Analysis, Regressive Response

I never cease to be amazed by those I have come to think of as "pwogwessives" -- people who, like those who closely identify with the political orientation of The Nation and The Progressive, frequently have excellent critiques of real-world problems and who correctly identify the culprits ... but then turn around and campaign and vote for some of the very same corporate cutouts they identify!

It amazes me that people actually think Obama is some kind of liberal! He's no more that than is Hillary. Examine their voting records, and you'll find this is so. So ... why should we be excited at the prospect of Barack's Oh Bomb It, who promised AIPAC to do "everything" to prevent the government of Iran from developing nuclear energy capabilities, as some kind of alternative to McInsane and his dips**t running mate? C'mon, everybody, let's hear it for one of our famous peace candidates: "All the way with LBJ ... All the way ..."

But you never, ever learn. And in fact, you continue to support people--and their policies--that have given us the steady downward spiral that has brought us to our sorry, present pass: a choice of business flunkies who will conduct business as usual.

We don't get solutions by supporting those who have created--and continue to foster--the problems that are destroying our world.

Dan Raphael
Portland, Oregon

Subject: the semantic game

Repubs are very clever about framing the debate in language of their own choosing and then forcing their opponents to argue from their advantage. i.e. right to life vs choice...choice to do what? deprive a baby of its right to life? it should be a woman or man has a "right to privacy..." a right to be free of the government's intrusion into their right to make their own medical decisions ... does Miss Palin have a right to privacy? If yes, then every pregnant female has a similar right! it should be illegal to deprive a female of that right ... illegal to picket clinics and otherwise interfere with that right ...

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Sarah and John

Dear Buzzflash:

Short but sweet. So much about Sarah and John. So little about Barack Obama. That must be the nacilbuper plan. Throw a monkey wrench into the pot and watch the Democrats talk about Sarah and John all the time. What has happened to the talk about Barack Obama ... the man we want to be President of the United States?

Stephanie
Dearborn, Michigan

Subject: AM I UPSET?

THE SAD TRUTH of the matter is that the people of this country have lost any semblance of a social conscience. It is all about if we're doing well or even just ok, we as a people just don't want to rock the boat (gotta pay those bills). So we choose to ignore the poor and the growing injustice all around us. Until it happens to you personally, then you become one of the ignored. The politicians always are talking about patriotism. A true American patriot will stand up for our constitution and values (civil rights, no preemptive wars, Geneva Conventions, etc.) to create a better America and better life for all. Instead we have McShame being elected by corporate interests and religious zealots to further thier agendas while the country that we were raised in fades into the history books to be replaced by facsism and slavery. If these people get elected (again) we are done as a great country and beacon of light in the world! So yes I AM VERY WORRIED! The Question is, if these people are elected, Then what are true patriots to do?

R. Burger

Subject: Lipstick on a Pig

Oh my. Obama uses a tired old cliche of a joke (apologies to John McCain) and suddenly he's attacking Caribou Barbie. (only because she used the word "lipstick" in a speech and also happens to use the product) No, my friends, (again, apologies to McCain) Calling Caribou Barbie Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee in f*** me pumps, now THAT'S an insult.( I would have included Giuliani, but he in fact wears f*** me pumps.) The McCain campaign is out front saying that their campaign will not be about issues, so far, it hasn't been. It has been about spinning up the base with streams of lies about themselves and more streams of lies about Obama/Biden.

I find it hard to believe that the electorate would stand for a campaign that is not issue oriented. Working Americans have been the ones paying the price for the bust-out of America by the permanent republican majority, and any further continuation of republican rule would further insure that American wage earners are more f***ed than a stray dog in Chinatown. Thanks to the republicans' efforts, this race is more like a street fight than an election. They will win at any cost. Republican voter caging, intimidation and disenfranchisement effort are already in place in many closely contested states. If you cannot donate your money to the democratic election efforts, you should at least consider donating your time in your own local precincts to counter the republicans' illegal intimidation efforts. It did not take much for the republicans to steal the last two presidential races along with some key senate seats. All it takes is one or two counties in one or two states to perpetuate the republican drive to place the working and middle class into serfdom.

Mike Flagg
Washington, D.C.

[BuzzFlash Note: As George Lakoff sees it, campaigners must succeed in addressing issues as they relate to "character" factors: Values; Authenticity; Communication and connection; Trust; and Identity. "Obama needs to be Obama again, the inspiring figure who gives us hope, not the dull policy wonk."]

Subject: Thanks BuzzFlash

Thanks for finally taking the website Make Them Accountable off of your links.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Publications

I have been a faithful reader of your many articles published on BuzzFlash. However, many of your articles and insights need to be forwarded to my many friends, both Democrats and Republicans, around the globe. But, alas, they can not be forwarded by email.

It sure would be beneficial, in my judgment, to have your sources and writers provide emailing capability. So much of what you have to say needs to be more widely distributed.

I will gladly do my part, forwarding to a world-wide list of email addresses.

In the interest of truth,

EBH

[BuzzFlash Note: Thanks for your suggestion and for spreading the word to friends. We will implement the idea in the future. Till then, we hope you will copy and paste our urls or headlines into emails to your friends.]

Subject: McCain and the Bridge to Nowhere

Apparently, Senator McCain was opposed to the Alaska Bridge to nowhere long before he praised Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's acceptance of it.

Amazing. I think this would make an interesting story and as a taxpayer who happens to agree that we need to cut some of the pork-barrel spending, I'd like to know what Senator McCain's official position is on this topic now, considering the apparent conflict of policy values.

Take a look at him discussing this Bridge Project while at a town hall meeting in Minnesota.

[BuzzFlash Note: McCain has opposed the idea of pork but did not vote against the bridge funding. FactCheck.org has the story, posted 11/20/07. Palin was for it and changed her position after it became a lost cause. Alaska got the transportation money anyway, but used it elsewhere.]

Madison Paige

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