BuzzFlash Mailbag for October 09, 2008

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Subject: Wachovia Bank lending 8000000 to republican party

This is outrageous and it should be the headline story on BuzzFlash and the MSM. Once this is televised - if it is - it should finish John McCain AND the Republican Party on Election Day - as it should be!!!

FACING SOUTH INVESTIGATION: How did Republicans get an $8 million bailout from failing Wachovia? (Institute for Southern Studies)

R. Fleming
Uniontown, PA

Subject: WAR HERO

A couple of quick facts about our "War Hero." This are written in Palin-ese, so they are factually dodgy. War Hero McCain outperformed all enemy pilots since WWII to become the first reverse ace, destroying five planes, all ours. He almost added an aircraft carrier when he wet started his jet on the USS Forrestal. The planes he destroyed on the Forrestal were not counted as kills because they were not airborne.

a j weishar
Fairview Park, Ohio

[BuzzFlash Note: Blaming the Forrestal disaster on McCain seems like a stretch. The Navy didn't blame him. For contrast, see McCain's version of the story here.]

Subject: Rebuttal for debate: The war in Iraq

Here is something Dem candidates should say when faced with comments like "Leaving Iraq now is waving the white flag of surrender," or "we cannot withdraw without first achieving victory." You know, the usual simplistic vague republican rhetoric when dealing with a mess of their own creation.

The dem candidates should say: We did win the war! After "Shock and Awe" and a couple weeks, we won the war, took over the country and disbanded the Iraqi army. What we have now is not a war. It is an occupation. And let me tell you one thing: No matter how strong and powerful you are, you never win an occupation against a hostile nation. The French lost their occupation of Algeria and Indochina. The Russians lost their occupation of Afghanistan. The British lost their occupation of India. They also lost their attempt at occupation of another country: The United States of America!

And America lost its occupation of Vietnam, and, no matter how hard it is to our pride as a nation to say this, we will lose our occupation of Iraq. The president of Egypt told Dick Cheney:"You've won the war but you will lose the occupation. The only question now is: What price you are willing to pay before you leave?" So ask yourself this: What price are you willing to pay?

We've already squandered over four thousand lives and enough money to give every American health care, social security and free education. How many more of your sons and daughters are you willing to see killed or maimed for an unjust war started by an administration who lied to you to get us there in the first place? In view of the financial debacle we are now witnessing: How much more money do we invest in a failed foreign policy blunder that has taken our standing in the world from a beacon of freedom and democracy to one of a dangerous agressor that has tortured prisonners of war, killed innocent civilians (and called it "collateral damage"), destroyed the infra-structure of a country and is presently threatening to attack another country rather than negotiate agreements through diplomacy?

We have lost the moral highground. It is high time we reclaimed it. They say country first, then send ten billion a month overseas in this folly. I can think of better ways to spend that money here. Can you?

Now that would be putting country first.

Richard Bruneau
Ottawa Canada

Subject: lisa & jane - the other ticket

Hi, Buzz!!

What an honor to be on a ticket with Lisa Johnson! I am beside myself with excitement!

Another qualification I have that we could put to good use is this: My doctorate is in music, with a voice major. So we wouldn't have to hire anyone to sing the national anthem at our campaign events; I could just do it myself. Or picture this: I'm delivering a stump speech on the endless inadequacies of the present administration, and suddenly I burst into song: "Send in the clowns. Don't bother, they're here." Or imagine a rousing "Ho-jo-to-ho" at rallies, complete with the octave leap to high C.

In fact, we could do worse for a campaign theme song than "The Ride of the Valkyries;" it is stirring, and the composer's been dead since 1883, so he, at least, wouldn't object to our using it. And it's perfect for a ticket with two women!

Of course, somebody would say this is all very elitist, but the reply is: "For the last eight years, we have suffered so many low blows that a bit of high culture won't hurt anybody." Besides, "Ride of the Valkyries" is so familiar that it's entered into popular culture by now.

And, BTW, I do have some government experience. I was in the Graduate Student Senate at the University of Oklahoma for two years. My second year I was vice chair of the body. What else could one possibly need in the Era of Palin?

I'm READY! Let's GO FOR IT!!!!

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

Subject: An Interview With John Maverick McCain

"Senator, what are the leading campaign issues?"

"Just who is that one."

"That one?"

"Er, the flip-flopping, lying Barack Hussein Obama."

"That's your campaign?"

"That's it."

"And if you win how do you propose to get America out of this economic rut?"

"Trust me, I've been around a long time."

"Anything else?"

"Since I'm a straight-shooter I'll know what to do."

"And the government's role?"

"None."

"Why not?"

"The government's the problem."

"What about your call for government oversight?"

"Oh, yes, I almost forgot about that."

"Anything else?"

"Barack Hussein Obama."

"If you're elected you'll still be saying that?"

"Without a real program what else can I do?"

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: '08 vote

I am happy to see Obama building a lead over McSame. However, I'm starting with you, BuzzFlash, to ask the question--a concern I have--about COMPLACENCY? What size of lead will the Obama voters say "oh, it's in the bag, why waste our time to go and vote". We CANNOT elect McCain!

Bob Schenkenberg

[BuzzFlash Note: We agree with the Obama strategy: Every grass-roots Democrat needs to volunteer between now and the election, and vote.]

Subject: impeach

So if we listen to Cynthia McKinney and follow Kucinich's push for Bush and Cheney impeachment, maybe we can resist more Bush-Cheney extortion of the taxpayers, not to mention all the other thuggery they might try to pull. We still have voter fraud going on. President Pelosi would be better at the helm, if she ever gets her back up and moves for impeachment. Moreover, impeachment now, sets the tone for later. People gripe about Nader, but it was Nader, and not John Kerry, who questioned the fraud in election 2004. Had Nader been on the Ohio ballot, it would have benefited Kerry, not Nader. I have changed my view of many of these third party candidates. They are not "spoilers". That's a mind control term from the corporate media.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: That One

Hi, Buzz!!

Since Sen. McCain insists on referring to Sen. (PRESIDENT) Obama as "That One," we should adopt a similar nickname for McCain.

A fellow Democrat here in Edmond refers to him as "That Old Man." It's concise and descriptive; let's make it official.

Which would you rather have in the White House? I'll take That One over That Old Man any day.

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

Subject: Palin Inciting Lynch Mobs

To all media:

I have included a link of a YouTube video that was made from outside of the Strongsville, Ohio McCain/Palin rally on 10/8/08. The hate, anger, and disgusting vile that comes out of the mouths of these people is quite shocking. I feel this is an accurate representation of what the McCain/Palin ticket have been charging against Barack Obama. It has opened the door to such hatred.

I know you all have been covering the possibilty of things like this happening. Well it is happening and needs to have a light shone on it. These disgusting actions must not be tolerated and the McCain/Palin campaign should be held accountable for this.

Here is the YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjxzmaXAg9E

I hope that someone is responsible enough to show how dangerous this is getting.

Thank you.

Ryan Hercik
Concerned Citizen

Subject: Granny get your Obama on

My mother-in-law gave me a surprise last night. I bought an Obama/Biden shirt and a few buttons including the one with the Obama family on it and I showed them to her. Last, night I came walking through the living room and she says. "I want to wear a pin with the Black man on it to church on Sunday." I said, "Granny, I wouldn't do that." and she said, "But I will." I said, Granny, that is politicking at church and I don't like it even if you are for the right guy. I said, "it is the same as the preacher saying who he is voting for," and she said "he can say all he wants." I told her it would cause discord in the church and she said she didn't care. I have no idea how she thinks she will get a pin with the Black guy on it because she is not wearing mine. I am not on the ACLU Board anymore, but I still believe in separation of church and state.

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: McCain's secret solutions

The main theme McCain made at the debate is that he has a solution for every problem. Because he is old and has more experience. And none of his solutions involve raising taxes or making sacrifices. The only thing left out was what any of those solutions are. Why bore the public with details?

The soft-on-torture liberal

Subject: RNC Campaign Solicitation

I recently received a letter from the RNC (John McCain) asking for a contribution to "fight back against the Democrats and their liberal allies."

I responded with the following heart-felt letter:

Dear Senator McCain,

I cannot contribute to your campaign. You, this administration and your colleagues in Congress have eschewed the principles that use to define the Republican Party.

What happened to small government, strong defense, fiscal responsibility and a humble foreign policy?

We were attacked on 9/11 and instead of dealing with the people responsible, we invaded Iraq. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, yet we remained mired there in an endless occupation that is weakening this country each and every day. You speak of the “surge” being successful, but ignore the fact that we never should have been there in the first place.

Iraq has become a cesspool of corruption, where no-bid contracts are awarded to “friends” of this administration and our tax dollars pumped into this mess with no accountability.

You say we must stay until we achieve victory. Please define victory. How do you win an occupation?

We know we’re there until the Iraqi parliament agrees to the oil sharing arrangement promoted by big oil and this administration.

We should have never invaded Iraq, we should get out as quickly as possible, we should bring Osama bin Laden to justice and get back to rebuilding our nation.

I’m afraid the Republican Party has strayed so far from its principles, that it is hardly recognizable.

I cannot in good conscience support this party in its current form.

I suspect there are many independent minded Republicans who share my views. I hope you hear from them as well. Maybe we can take our party back from the extremists that are currently in control. I’m not interested in telling others how to live their lives. I don’t buy tax cuts being the solution for our economic problems. We all need to tighten up and share the burdens associated with getting our country back on track.

Let’s cut through the talking points that try to keep us divided and come together, not for our personal interests or gains, but for our country – before it is too late.

Respectfully,

Joe Rabener
Indiantown, FL

Subject: The Palins as "God's vessels"

Palins -- "Chosen Vessels of God"

Just hours before last week's vice-presidential debate, Stephen Strang, founder of the Charisma publishing giant, highlighted an account by an Ohio pastor who claimed to have had a revelation of Palin as Esther. Pastor Mark Arnold, of Life Covenant Church in Monroe, Ohio, approached Todd and Sarah Palin at a campaign stop in Lebanon, Ohio, and made them cry with his prophecy of Palin as Esther.

Arnold claims that God told him to tell Palin, who encountered him in the rope line, that "God wants you to know that you are a present day Esther!" Palin, Arnold says, immediately began to cry. "The news and nay-sayers and criticizers are going to be very hateful toward you," Arnold continued, "and in the days ahead they are going to turn up the heat ... but do not fear." You are a "present day Esther," Arnold told Palin, and God "has chosen you to reign." Then Arnold made Todd Palin cry, too, and McCain shook his hand and gave him a "deep look of understanding." Sure.

"When I got to my car I sat there for quite a long time," Arnold concluded, "knowing the GOD of the Universe had just used me to deliver a message confirming to Sarah and Todd to realize they are truly chosen vessels of God."

God has spittoons?

Mike Curtis
Greenbrier Ark

Subject: Heading for the no no states

The really good news as I watched the news (other than that embarrassing speech by Cindy McCain, what in the hell are they thinking of?) ... is the strange fact that states like N.Carolina are giving Obama a boost, not one democrat since Carter? How strange is that? Every time, McCain has to come out by himself on that stage and speak ... he screws himself right into the 'do not elect' hole!!! He finally just could not help but come out with the 'That one' line ... I think we will really have him in the sack, when he slides into the Barack Hussein Obama phase!!!

Is it just me ... or is McCain lost without his little [Palin] ... his grinning, sparkling, little Alaskan hillbilly...winking, and grinning her way across the hearts and (in Rich Lowry's case,) a little more than the mind. (Hope he was alone when he watched her) ... wasn't that disgusting?!!! And, sadly..the most noticeable thing about Mr. McCain ... is how much older he gets when he has to face off with Obama ... he shuffles like that little old man Tim Conway who used to be on the Carol Burnett Show ... remember him? McCain is making me feel old ... and I never did before.

I don't need that right now ... I am P.O.'d enough at the republicans and their "financial mess," the worst I have ever in my life seen ... I was born at the end of the first one ... in the late thirties, and I remember, even those whom we thought were rich ... were not! It was a sad time, folks ...d o not ever want to go back that far to the 'good old days' ... it is not worth it.

I know personally a couple with a very smart sophomores in high school ... interning in a law office, want to go into family law ... but, college these days is costing 75,000 in some cases in just a state school ... it is the most fearful time for them .... they have investments ... and have lost approximately 200 thousand dollars this year ... she, the mom will have to go to work to recover some ... they are still in the black ... but, fear they will be having some trouble ... she needs to work now ... has a bad leg from a bad, bad break back when the daughter was a baby ... still has some steel in her foot. This, up close and personal, are hard ... you can see it all around you.

Personally, I think you have to have a job like congress and senate ... with livable wages ... health care ... and then that is tenuous ... because it could go tomorrow ... but everything can ... so ... back to the saving ... you do the best you can, only to have them take it away from you. Sad, sad story ... everyone I know is scared to death.

Our savings as small as it is ... comparatively speaking ... is safe ... but, every single utility I have, has gone up by 50% ... electric, gas, car insurance, etc. We just have to turn it around ... we should all take this one very seriously ...

Shirley ....... St. Louis

Subject: McCain's Macaca Moment

Buzz,

Just a thought, but I think "that one" might just be McCain's macaca moment. And we all know what happened to Senator Allen after that!!

Akhil Bhardwaj
Newport, NJ

[BuzzFlash Note: You may be right. The new button stating "I'm voting for that one" is an instant best-seller.]

Subject: Iraqis Can Regain Their Country Right Now

"How?"

"Nonviolently."

"By doing what?"

"Rising up en masse and taking to the streets with a call for U.S. troops out now."

"Anything else?"

"Holding the streets until the U.S. government complies with the Iraqis' demand."

"Why would our government comply?"

"It would have to."

"Based on?"

"George Bush's criteria for victory in Iraq having been met."

"These being?"

"An end to the bloodshed and an emerging democracy."

"And where's the emerging Iraqi democracy?"

"In the streets."

"And then what will Iraq be like?"

"That'll be up to its people."

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: WANTED: AN INTERPRETER

After the debates both the vice presidential and the last presidential, I need an INTERPRETER.

I listened to McCain and Palin speak, but nothing was said that meant anything.

I don't know about you, but I didn't quite understand McCain's position on any of the issues. That's why I think I need someone to interpret for me.

What exactly did he say?

What did Palin say other than tell us she's a hockey mom, mayor of a town called Wasilla, Governor of Alaska, and an authority on energy?

I heard plenty of negatives about Obama and what he does or doesn't stand for, but what McCain/Palin stand for, that I didn't hear.

I thought a debate was suppose to be the exchange of ideas. Each debater should respond to the answers of his opponent. In which case, none of the debates we've seen have been debates.

The only thing I heard from McCain was: I'd get a $5000.00 tax credit for health care. He's never given us the details about how that would work.

To help the financial crisis, he wants to have the government buy every foreclosed home. Did you hear him tell you how he planned to pay for it? How does that work for someone who paid $500,000 for a house and owes that amount of money, then has the government revalue the house to a lower price? What happens to the old loan? Is the slate wiped clean?

See what I mean, I NEED SOMEONE TO INTERPRET for me.

I guess McCain isn't into details and I like to know the nitty gritty about things.

Energy, what's he for now? He seems to STEAL all the Obama/Biden ideas and slogans right from under them.

Unfortunately, McCain doesn't know what to do with them once he's STOLEN them.

Is he for or against wind power? Solar energy? I heard the world nuclear thrown out there. He tends to rattle these words off, but he doesn't elaborate about what he'll do with them or how much they'll cost us.

I just read in Lincoln Chafee's book "Against The Tide" p. 111 that John McCain voted to PROTECT the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Then we have his running mate, Drill, baby, Drill Palin, who wants to drill in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. Oil or no oil, that is the question?

Have you heard his position on that lately?

Education, where does he stand? Is he into vouchers and getting rid of public schools? (he is a deregulator). We hear the word education, but no specifics. Will he cut programs like Head Start, or other early prevention programs? Are poor children going to get a free breakfast and lunch at school?

Is he going to get rid of No Child Left Behind? (Bush made it a law and then didn't fund it. It's destroying our educational system, because teachers are now teaching to the test and not educating our children).

What's important to him?

Giving a tax break for the rich, by not raising their taxes, as I learned from Obama, not McCain. How is he going to help the middle classes?

Unless I missed something, he never said the words "middle class." He does know we exist doesn't he?

How is he going to help the middle classes grow?

What are his plans to stop the outsourcing of jobs overseas? Does he plan to create more jobs in America? How?

No company should have its headquarters based in a "safe" country, so that they don't pay U.S. taxes. Talk about being UNPATRIOTIC. What's his position on that?

He's a deregulator, how does that fit in now with the financial crisis? What other industries will be deregulate?

Iraq -- when are we LEAVING? He talks about not losing face and failing in Iraq, but has he told us how we can continue to pay for this ILLEGAL WAR?

What will he do about PROSECUTING the Bush/Cheney administration? Signing statements (this I want to hear from Obama too).

Where does he stand on the environment? Will he have stricter laws, and hold companies accountable?

Outlawing mercenaries on American soil, like Blackwater. Both candidates need to give a position on this. Again not a word.

Is he pro-choice these days? I'd like to know for sure. We know Palin's position on that.

If only McCain would speak English, so I don't need an interpreter.

I feel like a foreigner in my own country, McCain SPEAK IN PLAIN ENGLISH TO ME.

IMPEACH! IMPEACH! IMPEACH!

Markmyword
Chicago, Illinois

Subject: How To Suck The Air Out Of The McCain Campaign

There should be a complete media blackout of the rallies McCain and Palin are attending.

Now we have Cindy McCain retching up the rhetoric against Obama too.

Please tell me why they should get any T.V.coverage, when they are spewing hatred at their rallies and working the crowds into a mob mentality?

Why should we showcase people who are encouraging hatred and racism?

McCain and Palin are two very DANGEROUS people, who absolutely have no business running for the two highest positions in America.

Talk about FAMILY VALUES, is this what we teach our children to do, SMEAR your opponent?

Win at any cost, but win.

Does Palin think, after you've revved people up, that once the rally is over and the campaign speeches have finished, everyone just goes out the stadium without taking that hatred with them?

At one rally, the crowds turned on the "press" and attacked them, because of a comment that Palin made about journalists.

This week we've had someone at a rally wanting to "kill him", meaning Obama. Are they encouraging people to assassinate a presidential candidate?

Why hasn't the Secret Service or the FBI warned the McCain/Palin campaign about using inflammatory rhetoric? If anything should happen to Obama, I would hold both Palin and McCain responsible.

Criminally responsible.

I can't figure out why half (or under half) of the electorate, would even consider McCain and Palin (a heart beat away from being the president), after they've lied, smeared, and played the dirtiest of politics. That alone should be a reason not to vote for the McCain ticket.

We wouldn't give air time to other racists, so why give it to them?

Those news clips of Palin are shown over and over again, giving her constant publicity.

If the morning news shows and all the other news outlets, DIDN'T report them, then their message would eventually fizzle out.

The best thing that could happen to their campaign, is not to give it coverage. The press has given Palin a lot more coverage than they've given Obama.

Does the media control the presidential race or is it the American people who are the ones choosing the president?

Without those airwaves, or the journalists that they hate so much giving them coverage, their campaign would disappear off the radar screen and my T.V. screen too.

How I wish.

IMPEACH! IMPEACH! IMPEACH!

Markmyword
Chicago, Illinois

Subject: Inability to pull up one of your news flashes

I was unable several times (on two different days) to pull up the article on how McCain/Palin are pushing the idea of assassination of Senator Obama. Each time, I am told the site will close. What is the reason?

Marliss Rogers
Port WAshington, Wisconsin

[BuzzFlash Note: Your computer may have optional filters enabled that would block certain content -- hard to say without being there. On Monday, we posted a story from AmericaBlog which you may be able to go to directly using http://www.americablog.com/2008/10/kill-him.html. It said in part: "On the heels of a McCain supporter yelling that Obama was a 'terrorist' today - and McCain said nothing in response to admonish the supporter - the Washington Post reports (via ThinkProgress) that a Palin supporter at one of her rallies today yelled for Obama to be assassinated after Palin, again, told the lie that some of Obama's best friends are terrorists ..." ]

Subject: Re: That One

Of course McCain left as soon as he could. He is 71 and after an hour and a half he didn't get to go. It has to do with bladder control, I am sure.

And Re: Elizabeth Hasselbeck

The only reason she is on the show is that she was in one of those reality contests.

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

And Re: What about Ted

I have read every book written about Ted. Not only did Ted Bundy pal around with Washington's GOP elite, he drove for the governor at times.

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/mailbag/705

Karen Webb
Moore, Ok.

Subject: A heartwarming story

Buzz,

I came across the following while surfing the tubes:

"Not that it matters ... Or does it?"

http://leishacamden.blogspot.com/2008/10/not-that-it-matters.html

With all the nastiness, I think this makes for a heartfelt story.

On another note as McCain character schizophrenia becomes increasingly apparent, I would like to say that the the fact that both he and his running mate are inciting calls for violence and assassination without rebuking their supporters, I have this little poem I read regarding keeping silent:

First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up, because I was a Protestant. (See above)

Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me

-- Martin Niemoeller

Regards,

Akhil Bhardwaj
Newport, NJ

Subject: Best article I've seen on economy

A Fool’s Paradise, By BOB HERBERT, Published: October 6, 2008

Punchlines from article, below:

“We’ve been living for years in a fool’s paradise atop a mountain of debt. The masters of the universe on Wall Street lost all sense of reason, no doubt. But most of us have been living above our means through the magic of easy credit, ever lower taxes, ever rising property values, stock market bubbles and the gift of denial, which we used to assure ourselves that the bills would never come due. We’ve even put our wars on a credit card.”

“With reality now caving in on us — banks and brokerage houses falling like tenpins, a trillion dollars or so in bailout money being added to the nation’s debt burden, families by the hundreds of thousands being driven from their homes by foreclosures…”

“The rich have been running the table for the better part of the past 30 or 40 years.”

“The story for working families over that same stretch was one of constant struggle to just stay even.”

“and waiting for that day that never comes when the benefits trickle down to ordinary Americans.”

“Now we need to find the money and the will to put Americans to work rebuilding the nation’s deteriorating infrastructure, revitalizing its public school system, creating a new dawn of energy self-sufficiency and rethinking our approach to an economy that remains tilted wildly in favor of the rich.”

TWIGA’s $.02: Obama clearly won last night’s debates and one of the central planks in his solutions to U.S.’s dire problems is jobs for the people, rebuild the nation from Main Street up—per this article.

However, Obama’s weakness really is foreign affairs. Last night, as before, he was talking about pulling troops slowly out of Iraq

but so he could put them in Afghanistan, have the resources to go after Al Qaeda all over the world, to KILL OBL, if necessary to go into Pakistan to KILL OBL. This means that Obama is obviously trying to look tough to placate American rednecks to get elected.

But it’s sad and disappointing that he does not understand. Great Britain in its heyday couldn’t pacify Afghanistan. The Soviet Union

went broke and collapsed trying to occupy and colonize Afghanistan. If Obama escalates our effort in Afghanistan and goes after OBL in Pakistan, he will add two wars and another enemy—Pakistan—to the burdens that are breaking America.

The dramatic contrast between China and the United States today is that China’s leaders are building their country while ours are clinging desperately to and expanding a crumbling empire. While they are diverting entire rivers several hundred miles for the economic benefits, and loaning the U.S. hundreds of billions (about a trillion $ to date) we are invading and occupying Iraq and Afghanistan on credit. 

TWIGA

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