BuzzFlash Mailbag for December 29, 2008

BUZZFLASH MAILBAG

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Subject: Randi Rhodes

Finally! Randi Rhodes has been brutally spot-on for all the years I have been listening to her. She has paid brutally for her honesty. Between BuzzFlash and RR, I have stayed horribly on top of the American tsunami. I hope that BuzzFlash will collect from her her very well and simply worded explanation of every new dark storm they send our way.

And then, I am getting ready to move out of the country to a place where internet is not an option. I want to thank you for your fantastic site here at BF and for keeping those of us who are awake informed and on top of which way to click, call, write vote, spend our limited resources.

I am a teacher - I was a teacher. That's now over in more than one way. I leave it to you, the young, the willing and the Next to bring in the New with the help of the last Hopeful man I have sensed in the last 30 years. . . Mr. Obama. Stay on him - stay with him - stay behind him. He is the Last Best Chance.

Read BF and LISTEN TO RANDI RHODES.

Reallytired
New Mexico

Subject: Gaza And The Warsaw Ghetto

same place

different time

while the world stood by

genocide

live

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Palin Photo

Wish you had that Palin Gun photo in a button or poster. Love it!

A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: Others have written to beg us to get rid of the image. They can't stand to see her.]

Subject: TO CNN re Auto Worker Wages

We’ve heard lots of numbers thrown around. $73? $45? $28? CNN has been throwing out the $45 and $73 without hesitation. However, those numbers are very misleading and the MSM is NOT telling what the numbers they throw out really represent. Well, here’s the answer – from an autoworker:

“Auto workers make around $28 an hour plus benefits. The $73 an hour is the total cost for labor past and present retired and not retired divided by total number of actual hours worked. I posted this because I hear that number thrown around and would gladly take $73 an hour and take care of my own benefits. That’s $45 an hour for benefits. Very misleading. Really just a lie.”

http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/chrysler...

Julie

Subject: Resisting The Republican/Borg Collective

Hi Buzz & Friends,

The best way to insure that President Obama's big tent approach to government has a chance of success is to make the republicans feel such a hot fire of public opinion that they'll be ready to take any hand that is offered in friendship. Obama can be the good guy while the rest of us pile hot coals at their feet. For that matter if a few cinders wind up in the shoes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid - that's OK too.

I remember reading some hogwash about what progressive websites were going to do now that President Obama has been elected. I don't think that BuzzFlash, its editors or its readers, see a problem. Their role is more critical now than it's ever been.

Americans want President Obama to succeed. If that involves tossing some anti-American republicans onto the fly ash slug-heap of history, then I've got my pitch fork ready to lend a hand.

These are not yesteryear's republicans. They're about as American as Benedict Arnold and are bent on the destruction of this country. In their absolute conceit they apparently believe that Americans won't notice that in passing draconian bankruptcy laws for average Americans - it was a matter of "morality", but on the other hand - and out the other side of their mouths - bankruptcy might just be the "best solution" for American auto companies. They'll vote for giving corrupt bankers, who've wrecked our economy, 700 billion dollars and claim that it is in the best interest of the American public, while 14 billion dollars to keep our manufacturing base from collapsing under the weight of the economic mess that they've created is "socialistic". Every American, no matter how ignorant, can tell the difference between 700 and 14 and I've not met an American yet who couldn't read his or her paycheck.

This country was founded by people seeking to escape just the sort of abuses that we've seen for the last eight years. If this were the Revolutionary period of our history, today's republicans would be turncoats. It's doubtful that they'd be doing any actual fighting - subterfuge and deception is more their game. They'd be selling out Americans to the Brits while pretending to be patriots and would have wound up hanging from tree branches like so many Christmas decorations.

The only American jobs these creepy people care about is their own. Here, like for their corrupt banker friends, fat paychecks, big bonuses and other perks for themselves, are justified to "attract and keep top talent". It doesn't take a genius to figure out that we can do entirely without such "talent".

Remember when the republicans were pushing to privatize social security? It wasn't a matter of if they could do it - the talk then was about how much it would cost to convince Americans that it was in their "best interests". Such was their contempt for the intelligence of working Americans. Imagine if they had succeeded. We must never forget who these people work for - whoever will give them the most money.

The American people are paying attention now. It's the republican/borg collective that just doesn't seem to get it. Let's put the dunce cap on them, sit them in the corner with turnips in their mouths and get on with repairing the damage that's been done to our country.

Even the foreign auto makers know that an America in deep recession and buried in debt is not good for their businesses.

When the Poet Laureate of the World tossed his shoes at bush, the "president" claimed he had no idea what the fellow's problem might be. That would be the same if he had wiped out half the Iraqi population. He's been wrong about just about every single thing. Asked about how he would be judged by history he said "who knows, we'll all be long dead by then". Wrong again dummy. History's judgment is in and he hasn't even left office yet. Talk about being a total dip-shit.

It's an exciting time to be an American. We have a real President, an honorable Vice President and a progressive agenda that will reclaim the legacy that is rightfully ours.

When Eric Holder's nomination to be Attorney General comes up in the Senate, you can safely bet that the republicans will be in total opposition. They know that he's a threat to their entire collective.

It's time to take the phasers off stun and have at them.

Tim Mooring
San Francisco

Subject: The RNC Neo-Confederate Racist Humor

Republican National Chairman candidate Chip Saltsman sent out a song on CD to supporters. The song, called "Barack the Magic Negro, which is sung to the tune of Puff the Magic Dragon," makes the point that, unlike other black people, there is nothing obviously humorous about Barack Obama. Saltsman is well-known and respected as a leader in Mike Huckabee's presidential compaign. The RNC spent 18 hours in silence, hoping the incident would not be reported, but as attention grew, the Committee issued an obligitory "We are appalled. . . ." etc. etc., hoping to distance itself from Mr. Saltsman's attempts at humor.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/27/negro-christmas/

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/rnc-candidate-distributes-controversial-obama-song-2008-12-26.html

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/candidate_for_rnc_chair_sends.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/26/rnc-candidate-distributes_n_153585.html

http://www.huliq.com/2623/75087/congress-member-sends-barack-magic-negro-controversial-video-gift

Alice Haines

Subject: No comment from Obama on Gaza attack

Neither Obama nor his staff have commented or condemned the horrific bombing of the Gazans by the Israeli military, yet BuzzFlash is silent on this fact. I have always been suspicious that Buzzflash is so pro-Obama and pro-Democrat that they won't even maintain journalistic standards. So, is this what we get from the Obama administration? More war, unflinching support for Israel with no outcry from the supposed "alternative" media?

So, why bother reading or supporting BuzzFlash? Fight Ignorance, my ass!

Kathleen Groody
Davis, CA

[BuzzFlash Note: We have 8 stories currently on the conflict, which isn't being "silent" in our view. Why not share your knowledge of the issues here, instead of second-guessing us?]

Subject: THAT woman from Alaska

Would you please stop displaying pictures of THAT woman from Alaska. I have seen enough of her to last a lifetime.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Internet filter ALERT... should tag this story

http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20081226...

Uproar in Australia over plan to block Web sites (AP) [excerpts]

Consumers, civil-rights activists, engineers, Internet providers and politicians from opposition parties are among the critics of a mandatory Internet filter that would block at least 1,300 Web sites prohibited by the government — mostly child pornography, excessive violence, instructions in crime or drug use and advocacy of terrorism.

... But ethics professor Clive Hamilton, in a column on the popular Australian Web site Crikey.com, scoffed at what he called "Net libertarians," who believe freedom of speech is more important than limiting what children can access online.

Mark My Word

Subject: Viagra to Afghan warlords

You'd think PETA would get involved here on the side of the poor goats.

BuzzFlash is Not Making This Headline Up: "Viagra the way to an Afghan warlord's heart...THE CIA is using Viagra to entice Afghan warlords into supplying information on Taliban movements and supply routes." 12/27

nickmadnus

Subject: Palin

Please get her photo off your Page 1.

Larry Gaylord
Normal IL

Subject: Purple People Eater Bear

Hallelujah! It looks as though Al Franken may displace Norm Coleman as Senator from Minnesota. It seems rather ironic that it would be a purple people eating bear that would be the spokesperson for the recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision.

I refer to Alan Page, the Minnesota Supreme Court Justice who apparently wrote the decision. For those who aren't aware, Justice Page is the former football player from the great NFC North. Page played with the Minnesota Vikings from 1967 until 1978, and finished up his career as a Chicago Bear

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Page).

Of course, as a born and bred Packer Backer, I regret that Page never played with the Pack, but you can't have it all. That was back in the day when real NFC North teams played in the snow. There are now only two "real" teams in the NFC North, and that would be the Packers and the Bears.

At any rate, good on Alan Page, the Purple People Eating Bear.

Lisa Johnson
Tacoma, WA

Subject: "Man" dressed as santa kills six

It was not a "man"--some random "man"--a stranger "man"--who shot six people. It was the "estranged husband" man, the "former son in law" man, a "man" known to all who were killed. The words "man dressed as santa" is inciting in that it skewers the beliefs of many in the safety even sanctity of Santa (I am Jewish so it's not me) and helps to make people afraid of yet one more possibility of good turning bad in their lives. Also it perpetuates the "myth" that we are more in danger from strangers (a man dressed as Santa) than from those we know and sometimes love. BF knows better than that.

cathy myrowitz
parkton, md

Subject: Negotiating With Our Enemies Is The Road To Peace

"Instead of?"

"Stoking the fear that underlies all messianic violent movements."

"Stoking fear how?"

"By invading and occupying someone else's land."

"But will our enemies agree to negotiate?"

"We'll know once our government asks."

"Then why isn't our government asking?"

"The last thing President George Bush wants is peace."

"Based on?"

"During wartime people tend to behave more like sheep."

"Otherwise?"

"Without an excuse to keep people down, the possibility of a mass uprising."

"And then what sort of world?"

"It'll be up to us."

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Happy Kwanzaa

I have been thinking about Kwanzaa, Muntadhar al-Zaidi and shoes:

http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/12/26/creative...

rhonda winter
san francisco, california

Subject: It's Up To Us, Obama's Delivering On A "New" New Deal

"Based on?"

"That being what it'll take to change the world."

"And if we don't rise up?

"The abyss."

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: HOMOSEXUALITY BAD. BIGOTRY GOOD.

I see once again that idiot Pope is denouncing homosexuality for the umpteenth time. Why is it that you never hear the Pope say anything about how bad and sinful it is to be a hateful, homophobic bigot? Is he trying to imply that homophobia and bigotry are good things? I guess we should expect this from a Pope who was once a member of the Hitler Youth.

Shirley Dianne Jackson
Portland, Oregon

Subject: warren

Hi, Buzz!!

I note that Rick Warren has removed an anti-gay item from his church's web site. Does this mean he will now accept gays as members of his church?

I'm not holding my breath.

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

Subject: When does this stop?

Why is it that we keep bailing out companies that make junk? We are asked for bailouts continuously. We got walked over by the Senate, the House, and the President to pay for this useless $700 billion bailout, which has not helped the economy. Then there is the issue of Chase with the billions it got. We are told, by their management, that it is none of our business how they spend it. When is this nonsense going to stop? We are told that Social Security has to go private, and that we can't have health care, but they manage to fund this atrocious war and ask for an astronomical bailout. It even sounds trite that I am asking all of this, doesn't it? It's become cliche. Why should Americans have any confidence in its government?

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: The New Western White House

I bet the Obamas are buying a home in Hawaii. It will be the Western White House. We'll see them slipping away to Hawaii when it is cold. Not a bad idea.

A BuzzFlash Reader

[BuzzFlash Note: Maybe, but it would look bad in these times of retrenchment.]

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