BuzzFlash Mailbag for October 8, 2009

BUZZFLASH MAILBAG

[Editor's note: We received a lot of letters commenting on the new redesign of the front page. Some loved it, others didn't. We invite your comments and feedback on the new redesign. The more specific you can be in your praise or criticism, the more helpful it will be. Thanks.]

 Want to join the conversation? Share your thoughts with other Mailbag readers by clicking here. You also may comment below; post articles yourself at BuzzFlash.net; or send urls for BuzzFlash to post to: www.buzzflash.com/contact/newstip.html.

Subject: new look

Dear Mark:

After using your new format, I find myself missing the old one. I especially liked the feature that allowed one to access news items "in the last 2 hours," etc. Having to scroll down the entire site each visit is getting annoying.

I also liked the "fading" of the titles of the stories one had already read.

The new format may be a change, but it is not an improvement; au contraire.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

arktikwolf

[Editor's note: We did quickly add this feature back allowing you to access recent new items. You can find the feature under Headlines and News.]

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Subject: Web site redesign

Please revert the main page back to the previous design. This new design is terrible. I use the Firefox browser and have set three tabs as my homepage. One of these has been BuzzFlash for many years now. However, if the site remains the same I will be forced to find another news site.

Jedoba
Fort Worth, TX

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Subject: New format for the Web site front page

I recognize that the previous format was basic, but I could skim it quickly for articles of interest. Now with the gray box format, I have to stop and read each box. That is not worth my time. I will no longer be visiting BuzzFlash daily, or contributing to it, unless you revise the front page design.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: New format

For several years, BuzzFlash has been my first in the AM go-to site. I simply cannot follow the new format comfortably. And, when I go to a link, I must hit the "back" button, rather than just clicking off, or I lose Buzzflash.

The old format was eminently easy to follow and read.

I have contributed what I felt is my share through the years, and am sorry to feel that I may not easily continue to peruse my favorite blog.

md4choice
Florida

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Subject: buzzflash new format

the new format sucks. i loved the old format. it was easily navigated and gave a good breakdown of recent news stories ALL on one page. it was especially helpful for finding stories for debunking the right wing idiots on political message boards!

bring back the old format, or give an option that allows users to opt into the original format.

michael
vandalia, ohio

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Subject: New Format

This change is totally wrong. It makes BuzzFlash unreadable. I want my old format back!

Jim
Lower Burrell, Pa.

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Subject: your new site

Takes too long to load. Too busy and you must have made the new site for the younger people in mind. Us older folks prefer simple and you made your new site waaaaay to "busy" to navigate. Put back the old one!

Alice Nuffer
Media, Pa

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Subject: New Home Page

I have used BuzzFlash as my homepage for several years. It will not be for much longer.

It loads way, way,waaaaay, too slowly.

The previous page allowed me to look at a fairly large number of items at once... the new format.... NOT.

As many have commented: white on grey? Ridiculous.

I'm a 40+ year computer person, so I have been there, done that. The new format sucks. Sorry, but it sucks.

Ditch it.

I am not opposed to change at all, but change that moves backwards is Conservative change.

My comments and they are meant to be constructive Mark, not negative.

Jim Kubiak
Hudson, WI

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Subject: What a mess!

I hope you withheld payment to whomever made a disaster of your Web site. And, if you actually think this is an improvement, I seriously question your judgement.

• Only three videos at a time are now visible. How is that an improvement? Scrolling through them (tediously), one has no idea how far down the list one is, or how many are left.

• And why are videos even in the "lead" position where your headline should be?

• What the hell is "BUZZFLASH buzzflash"? Is that code for "A box with a continuously moving, distracting scroll?

• What's the difference between "HEADLINES AND NEWS" AND "WHAT'S THE BUZZ?"? Why the ALL CAPS headlines? Why the ALL CAPS in the links? Caps are for beginning sentences, first letters of proper nouns, and occasional emphasis. Typography 101.

• What's with the acres of pointless, wasted white space?

• Dropout headlines on gray? Why not a nice, vibrating, fluorescent color if you want to really make sure people get a headache from trying to read the type?

• In a few places, type is piled up on other type (Mac OS 10.4.11; Safari 4.0.3).

Let me know if you correct this visual and organizational train wreck or go back to the old, site style. Until then, goodbye and good luck.

Nick
Ashland, Mass.

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Subject: new look

I don't like it, can't find a thing and it is way too busy. I am now changing my home page to something else.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: The New Look?????

I will just repeat what I did yesterday... if you want to get grumpy about he "New Look" and for one reader, after 7 years??....if you actually think you can do better elsewhere, likely....Buzz was not getting much help before. I am just repeating folks...for your grouchy ideas...in this country right now, money and the lack thereof...is what is making the difference...so send to Buzz... put your money where your typing fingers are, make donations... I admit, to us, with half the money coming in and everything going up....it is hard... but, just stop the bellyaching....it is what it is...and I for one, would rather come here, than read or watch anything else.

Lib
S.Hampton, Mo.

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Subject: New Format

Unfortunately, you've lost a reader. Your new format - the separate gray panels with white printing - are hard to read just because of both of those elements. The separate panels create a busyness that's distracting; the white-on-gray is harder to see. Who thought that was an improvement over black-on-white? Oh. A graphic designer!! Should've known. I really like your site, I even just sent you some money not long ago, but it just unusable for me now.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: BF new format

I can adjust okay to the new format, but I do not like the blue and gray shading because it is not as easy to read as the black on white. My eyes are not as good as they once were.

Creed Ballew
Arkansas

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Subject: new Web site design

Arghhhhhh!!! The redesign fiends have struck again - this time to my beloved BuzzFlash - a site that, besides delivering the goods, was enormously easy to navigate and read at a glance. "Too easy" said the fiends. "Let's make them scroll. Let's make them squint. Let's make them squeeze the information out of us. Let's turn a beautifully simple site into a word marsh."

And so they did.

Louis
Benicia California (San Francisco North Bay)

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Subject: BuzzFlash's New Layout

"The incompetent with nothing to do can still make a mess of it." Laurence J. Peter (1919 - 1988)

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: BuzzFlash new format

Hard to navigate. May have to stop reading the page. Loved the old format.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: new format

I can't read your new format, white text on dark background. I always skip Web sites with that setup. I'll miss you.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: New Layout

I don't like one damn thing aobout the new layout. Too damn hard to read, the scrolling on the side is distracting.

New & Improved AIN'T.

PlacitasRoy
Placitas NM

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Subject: New Design

I love ya Buzz BUT your new design is, well, not so easy to navigate as the old one. What people don't seem to understand anymore is that not all change is good. Sometimes things are perfect just the way they are (were in your case). Why spend contributions on something that doesn't really deliver anything significantly better? You could have been paying an extra staff member you had to dismiss instead of creating a new look that is marginal at best and intimidating at worst. The white on gray is awful and hard for my aging eyes to read. The old black on white was perfect -- like a newspaper. As a Mailbag contributor said, "we're not all 25 years old."

Oh, well, not a huge problem in the scheme of things although I no longer look forward to clicking on BuzzFlash.

Steve Moore
Camptonville, CA

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Subject: Website

The new format on BuzzFlash is awful. What was wrong with the former? Made for much easier reading.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: Unreadable new Web site

Whoa the old one was better- abit much but this is unreadable i am totally turned off -its unclear and ugly used to read you 2 times a day buy from you no more will I visit am so sad you are doing this change who wants you to self destruct?? sorry for this negative feedback but my intention is to help.

MS
gainesville fl

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Subject: HATE YOUR NEW WEB SITE

I absolutely HATE your new Web site design. It S-U-C-K-S. I love reading BuzzFlash, but I won't be back because it is annoying to try to read it now. Why mess with something that was just fine?

Xxxx
New York

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Subject: The NEW DESIGN

I hate the new design. It is far less accessible that the previous design. This one is way too difficult to deal with, and

I hope you do not make this new design permanent because I want to see BUZZFLASH succeed.

TaurusRose
Topanga, CA

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Subject: new look

Very simply, I hate it. That being said, I know I will get used to it and will probably complain to go back to this new format when you change it again a few years down the road.

My main problem has been addressed by others but I would like to put my two cents worth into the conversation. Previously read articles MUST change color. I can not believe a web designer would not do that automatically or at least bring it to the person making that decision. I will not spend my time opening an article only to realize I have already read it. I can live with the background and the colors but I would also like to see the articles dated as to when they first appeared on the site.

Bob Lambert
Northridge, CA

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Subject: New Webpage

At first glance yesterday, it looked very nice. But now, after using it for a while, I have to agree with those who don't like the white-on-gray. It's very hard to read, especially for those of us with older eyes.

Cyn
Philadelphia, PA

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Subject: New Look

Regardless of the naysayers, I think the site "looks" great! While I prefer the newspaper feel, I realize I am "old school" and things change. And I do like change so I look forward to this new edition and the upcoming tweaks that I'm sure will be made. Congratulations and good job!!

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: Redesigned Web site

I hope you didn't pay a lot for this re-design. I agree with Paul England - good that you don't have to scroll back up on the 3 columns, but you can't see the links you already read - this is a major design flaw. The old way was clear and crisp and readable, and usually in sequence. I buy from Buzzflash as much as I can and it is a great site, but this change does nothing to improve the site and is now awkward and inefficient to use.

Will
Boston

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Subject: Your New Web page Format

Congratulations. Please put it back the way it was. Your new format, with the colors, boxes etc. is graphically appealing. To my eye and ease of sight, you lose. The previous format was 100% better/easier to view. kind regards,

Kevin Gillette
Newport Beach, CA

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Subject: what the hell is this?

I realize that once in a while an overhaul of the site may be deemed essential, but this is awful. Not dates, no clues as to where the stuff comes from. Just a stinkin' laundry list of articles. I have to read the entire site to find stuff.

Go back to the old format. Jeez.

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: Mailbag 10-7

Tim Mooring and Shirlee: your letters are great! I am so sick of hearing the Obama-bashing which never stops. And I hear idiots everyday in Wal-Mart and elsewhere bitching about the mess "Obama got us in". I have to bite my tongue because no one can reason with ignorance.

Creed Ballew
Arkansas

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Subject: How to Win in Afghanistan

I don't believe in foreign policy by opinion poll. The American public isn't that smart. First they're for it by huge margins (remember the Iraq war?) and then they're against it it by just as wide a margin. There's a lot at stake in Afghanistan and it's not just about exacting revenge for the 9/11 attacks on our country. Religious extremism is our foe and the 9/11 attacks were just one example of what can happen when such a malevolent force is allowed to take root anywhere in the world. It must not be seen as a war on Islam. Islamic extremists are not that much different from Baptist extremists or Zionists. At the highest level this is a war on ignorance and the enslavement of the human mind. The most important weapons in our arsenal are therefore not fighter jets or bombs but schools and instruments for the dissemination of information. If we lose this war then we truly are a bunch of jackasses.

I'll give you an example that should make the case for this argument extremely clear: cell phones. So far we've let the opposition use this OTS, cheap technology against us. It's cost thousands of American soldiers their lives as they've been used to trigger road side bombs just as our military convoys pass by or over them. So far we've let the enemy use our technology against us much more effectively than we've been able to use it against them. Cell phones are cheap. Let's turn that to our advantage. We should use civilian contractors to quickly build up the cellular infrastructure in Afghanistan and pass out Moto's like they're going out of style. We're not talking about iPhones here. We can buy a trainload of basic cell phones for the same cost as operating a single squadron of F16 fighter jets for just one month of in-theatre operations in Afghanistan. In particular young children should carry one of these devices on their person at all times. When the Taliban comes to their village, just find a quiet spot and dial 911. The good guys arrive, perhaps posing as simple villagers, goat herders - whatever - assess the situation. Some arrests are made, some rehabilitation is done and an informant or policeman is born. The same infrastructure will blossom into internet access, laptops, the web, etc.

If we want to de-fang the opposition - pull their incisors out by the root - then the frontlines shift right out of Afghanistan to Israel - where we put an immediate and permanent stop to the "settlements" movement there. This is not the wild-wild west it's peoples lives, property and a nation's pride and territory. It's just as much an issue of religious extremism as Al Qaeda or the Westlake Baptist Church in Kansas. We need to kick ignorance in the teeth wherever it tries to rear its ugly head, whether it's Afghanistan, the West Bank, Topeka or even the United States Senate.

We need to be an almost invisible presence in Afghanistan. Our bases should be in the most isolated areas, well fortified and used primarily to train the Afghan army and police forces. If we're lucky enough to find concentrations of the opposition then we can show them another side of NATO - the side that's in the business of making mince meat - not martyrs. Additionally and most importantly air support should be available to our ground forces within minutes - not hours. If the Air Force can't or won't do it - then we should reconstitute Army Aviation to get the job done. I've just about had it with the Air Force, their "chapel", religious proselytizing and constant corruption scandals. All these years later and we still don't have an adequate tanker fleet and they're still trying to stick us with twin engine plastic airplanes that are totally unsuitable for the role. If Air Force officers want Boeing money - they should get a job at Boeing. Working for the U.S. Air Force is about working for the United States of America. One more time: DC10's, L-1011's and MD11's - get your sorry act together and do the right thing. Ask the air crews that will be flying these combat missions - do you want fly a plastic airplane with two engines? This should be a no brainer - not the brainless boondoggle that it's been for the last umpteen years.

Americans need more cell phones like they need a tumor in the ear. Afghans need cell phones so that they don't wind up with a hole in their head. Terrorists already make enough money in the petroleum business. If we cede the narco trade to them as well - they'll be better funded than Goldman Sachs - though still perhaps not quite so completely evil.

If we give the Afghans only war - then that's what we'll get back. Republicans in congress are very tight fisted with everything but war (and G-Stringed mercenaries). This is the domestic front in the "war on terror". We can fight that war at the ballot box.

Tim Mooring
San Francisco, CA

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Subject: Republicans Show Their True "Family Values"

Hi BuzzFlash,

Memorize These Names. They are more concerned about Halliburton's Profits via KBR and could give a rats ass about the safety of Female Soldiers that get sexually abused.

Ah yes, the party of "Family Values"!!

I wonder how they are going to re-write this into their Conservative Bible?

Meet The Senators Who Voted Against The Franken Amendment http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/07/meet-the-senators-who-vot_n_312976.html

Alexander (R-TN) Barrasso (R-WY) Bond (R-MO) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS) Corker (R-TN) Cornyn (R-TX) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Gregg (R-NH) Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Johanns (R-NE) Kyl (R-AZ) McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Risch (R-ID) Roberts (R-KS) Sessions (R-AL) Shelby (R-AL) Thune (R-SD) Vitter (R-LA) Wicker (R-MS)

Tom Wieliczka
Windsor Locks, CT

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Subject: Teaching Math, Science and History Together

I was lucky when I was in grade school because I liked both history and science. Because I had good teachers I did well in both subjects. But later in life when science and math classes became more advanced I admit that I struggled at some of them. Calculus was one. I had a good text book and a good instructor, but the other students seemed to be grasping the subject matter more easily than I and the pace was leaving me behind - that is until one day I watched a video about Sir Isaac Newton. This video actually taught me calculus and some really interesting history as well. It was expertly produced, used animated graphics very effectively and was presented in the context of the life and times of Newton. It was an interesting mix of what was going on in science and the field of mathematics, the Royal Society in London, Newton's peers, his own enigmatic personality - he was a bit of a cruel man - the race to develop a working calculus for irregular surfaces and how he went about solving the problem. It even touched on some of the art, architecture, music and major events of the time.

Since then I've experienced a number of other innovative instructional techniques from dual instructors, to self-paced classes and small competitive study groups, but rarely have I experienced one more effective than this video - which was a completely solitary experience.

It seems to me that kids in school today learn very little of history and perhaps even less of science. Combining these subjects together (especially in the early grades) might be a very effective way to ignite interest in both. When science and math are presented in the context of history it helps you understand the human side of it. It's not just a lot of equations and rote learning of what can easily be perceived as dry subject matter. When the struggle to advance science, to invent something or discover a new mathematical method is presented in the context of the knowledge seeker's personal life story then it almost automatically becomes more personal for the student and thus stands a better chance of successfully competing with all the other - mostly meaningless - distractions that young people are exposed to today. TV, video games, texting etc.

I hope there are some teachers, educators or other interested Buzz readers who can offer their own perspectives, experiences or commentary on this subject.

Tim Mooring
San Francisco, CA

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Subject: Afghanistan: It's time to stop fighting and start negotiating

According to today's New York Times there are less than 100 al Qaeda in Afghanistan. The Guardian reports there are about 200 al Qaeda in PAKISTAN and none in Afghanistan.

It is completely and totally absurd to commit an additional 40,000 troops to Afghanistan based on al Qaeda strength of about 300 fighters. Indeed, Gen. Chrystal claims it will take 500,000 troops to occupy and pacify Afghanistan which is beyond ludicrous.

Yes, it is time for a thorough Change. We need to stop fighting the Taliban who, despite their radical religious views, have no designs to commit terrorist acts on America.

We need to make it plain to them if they should aid and abet al Qaeda we will respond with intense force. It would be worthwhile to pursue negotiations with them to either turn over al Qaeda or get a verifiable guarantee they will expel all al Qaeda from Afghanistan and/or Pakistan.

The recent attack on the Saudi Prince by a suicide bomber from YEMEN demonstrates there is absolutely no reason to believe al Qaeda is confines itself to the mountains of western Pakistan.

Last, but not least, the Saudis and many other countries have good reason to eradicate the al Qaeda menace.

Our current military and political officials are trying to convince us the Taliban and al Qaeda are the same thing. That's a lie. Their ideology and goals are very different and in conflict in significant areas.

President Obama promised change. It's time to deliver on his promise.

The American people elected him and the majority Democratic Party to stop the wars. Obama and the Democrats should comply with the will of the people no matter how much the military/corporate lobby protests in the name of war profit.

Muddy Road
Waterford, MI

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Subject: G20 Police Brutality Against Students

I am shocked and appalled at the Inhumanity shown against the students at University of Pittsburgh, during the G20 Summit. They were caught up in something they didn't even want to be a part of. Yet, Mainstream Media has literally swept this story under the rug, and what little coverage they DID show, made the students out to be the bad guys! WE HAD OUR CIVIL RIGHT VIOLATED, and were treated like animals, by an ARMY of Robocops, who showed NO decency or compassion for other human beings. In Fact, every Pittsburgh citizen was literally placed under House Arrest, and businesses made to suffer, just so Global Eltists could walk around Pittsburgh, without fear of contact with the average working class citizen! I for one, hope there will be many lawsuits against the Police. I think the Police Chief, Mayor, and College Chancellor should be made to answer for these attacks against their own citizens! Because if they are stopped NOW, I fear that this will ONLY be the start of a New Trend of police cruelty against Americans!!

As Patrick Henry once said..........GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!!!

A BuzzFlash Reader

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Subject: State of War in Effect

7/Oct/2009 13:17

ATTN: Faithful Public Servants NOTICE: URGENT ACTION REQUIRED RE: State of War in Effect REF: Americans Under Attack

With the exception of Health Care Industry, what other business has the luxury of assured reimbursement regardless of efficiency, quality, or even proper administration? This fact alone is sufficient justification for proper federal oversight and administration of health care, with the inclusion of a suitable public option at its core. It's the very well being of the population at stake. Besides, the pursuit of happiness can be particularly challenging for persons sick, ill or otherwise in pain. Should Mexico decide it requires more living space and invade, only then could the keen importance of a healthy and well citizenry be realized. Repelling an invading force could prove quite strenuous if it's difficult to walk in the first place. In this particular suggested hypothetical; being practicly surrounded from the outset by illegal immagrants who could transition from cheap labor for business to potential combantant force of some 20 million strong.

Republicans enjoy exhulting the benefits of "Tort Reform," however the reformation they're considering benefits only themselves and their supportive corporate cohorts. I'm from Texas and have 10 years of experience regarding the true inner workings of the health care and insurance industries... Individuals fortunate enough to be working and/or otherwise have health insurance are guaranteed to receive the most extensive and costly diagnostic testing that their policies will permit. However, if it's treatment your seeking, that's the one thing you won't encounter readily and if so you'll soon discover afterward that you're worse off than before. I myself started with back pain in 1999 and under the care of numerous doctors; they have slowly but surely 'cared me crippled' to the point where my dog has to walk me.

In the lone star state, It's quite common to encounter some physicians who lack even sufficient command of the English language and seem to be fresh off direct flight from some distant land. While he may have license to practice medicine, that provides little comfort as I trust the state even less than the University of Punjab that provided his medical degree. These individuals, while perhaps competent enough to remove a common splinter, could conceivably be in the United States on visas sponsored by the health insurance companies themselves. If this were the case, it could prove most beneficial to their bottom line, no doubt. Given profit seeking behavior of this industry it wouldn't surprise me if this soon proves to be accurate assessment. If the doctor becomes disenfranchised, or refuses to accept reduced payments, they could subsequently revoke their sponsorship and see them to the exit, or border as the case may be.

Thanks to this cleverly conceived "Tort-urious Reform," Texas has become a mecca for flocking medical incompetency providing substandard care at best; mental anguish and pain on average. All while collecting handsome reimbursements with the added benefit of liability protection just in case some poor crippled soul decides to sue. Should he somehow be able to afford an attorney and miraculously win his suite, what he'll get is squat but for his name added to doctor black list.

Regarding health care debate, unless the United States of America is prepared to allow its fellow citizens to suffer and drop dead in our streets because they lack sufficient finances to obtain adequate medical care, then they should support a robust public option. In the final analysis, taxpayers cover a significant portion of expense relating to the care for these individuals in the end with insurance companies writing costs off their tax liabilities. Therefore, why not invest a small portion of our collective tax base to insure individuals are healthy now? They would, as a result, become more productive members of society and conceivably contribute more to federal tax base and social security.

This approach would be consistent with the constitution framers goal to improve on the government currently had; to ensure that it's just and equitable, and would protect its citizens from internal strife and attack from the outside. A sincerely formed government should be of benefit to the people, and not perform to its detriment. To this noble and respectable cause; we the citizens of the United States of America are hereby obliged to inform all interested parties that a State of War is ongoing, having been initiated by the Health Insurance Industry. This gorilla warfare is having grave and detrimental effects on most every citizen in the union and actions to remedy this situation are of critical importance and time sensitive. Americans are hurting and broke with the little light left dimming rapidly. The U.S. government shouldn't allow its productive population to languish under the control of 21st century slave masters, seemingly hell bent on our physical and fiscal demise.

Joe Walley
College Station, Texas

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The opinions expressed in the Mailbag are not necessarily those of BuzzFlash. You can write to Mailbag at http://www.BuzzFlash.com/contact/mail.html. Guidelines for submissions are at BuzzFlash FAQ #18.

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