BuzzFlash Mailbag for November 12, 2008

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Why is it that whenever somebody criticizes a woman, that person is labeled a misogynist? The media was far tougher on Bill Clinton than it was on Sarah Palin. And whenever anybody criticized Bill Clinton, nobody ever said "Oh, they're just saying that because he's a man!" Yet every time somebody criticized Palin, "They're just saying that because she's a woman!" Palin is not special, nor does she deserve special treatment. The fact of the matter is, she was not tough enough to handle tough questions, which is why she gave no press conferences and why she lost the election for McCain. Her gender has nothing to do with it. I'm sick to death of everybody whining about how Palin was treated so badly by the media just because she's a woman.

Shirley Dianne Jackson
Portland, Oregon

Subject: Answers and Truth

One of the many many many things I would like to see our new president tell the American people, are answers with honesty regarding the REAL numbers of our troop losses in Iraq.

It is believed the figures that are released to the public are only those that are killed "in theater." How many more were transferred out of Iraq but died as a direct result of their injuries? I believe we would all be shocked at how much higher the 4,000+ number would be.

Bob Lambert

Subject: "Wings of Justice" Award for Howard Dean

As someone who worked his heart out for Howard Dean in 2004 and who was bitterly disappointed when his campaign crashed, I'm profoundly gratified to see that you've given him the "Wings of Justice" Award.

While you're right to note his accomplishments for the Democratic Party and the Obama campaign, it's also important to remember the character he showed in sticking with a party that essentially betrayed him.

When he started doing well in the early going of the 2004 campaign, the party apparatus, including Clinton hack Terry McAuliffe, who was then DNC chair, did everything possible to tip the scales against him. When the going got rough in Iowa and New Hampshire, Democratic primary voters abandoned him in droves.

But instead of taking his ball and going home, Dean ran for DNC chair and made it the instrument of the party's recovery. I still have many concerns about Obama and, given what I've seen of the Democratic Party, I'm no longer a member. But I still admire Dean for what he's done, and no one deserves this award more than he does.

Jon Krampner
Los Angeles

Subject: Regarding Prop 8

Buzz,

Intolerance has it roots in myriad reasons religion race politics social class borders customs have you wondered why it exists and thrives we kill our own deny rights do the despicable every day we're taught given new reasons new excuses wars are fought trillions spent millions dead an ocean of tears yet we persist for what imagine now a dark street walking alone you hear a plaintive cry a baby in a dumpster hungry cold on the verge of death would you not help it will you check to see it's color, creed, lineage or would you save it those people you hate deride divide do you not recognize that we're born innocent we bleed red and we all die genetically we're the same how easy it is to set up artificial divides without recognizing a common destiny as a species and one planet think for a moment who profits and who loses.

Akhil Bhardwaj
Jersey City, NJ

Subject: howard dean

perfect! i've been waiting for proper acknowledgment of howard dean. but let's not forget joe trippi. he was the catalyst and brains behind the sea change that became the obama campaign. it was his strategy that put dean on the national map (where he belongs).

whalerwoman
south bristol, maine

Subject: Guantanamo Closure Called Obama Priority 11/12

Along with the Ft. Benning, GA terrorist camp aka School of the Americas, death manufacturer Lockheed Martin Advanced Development Programs aka skunkworks and the rest of the budget busting merchants of death ilk, all the mercenary murder programs such as Blackwater Worldwide and its too-numerous-to-name affiliates, and the home-grown Gestapo and its subsidiaries aka Dept of Homeland Security--to name but a few. But most importantly, from Henry Kissinger to Victor Bout to Eric Prince to Dick Cheney, vigorous PROSECUTION of all those responsible for the perennial genocides engaged in across the globe by these monstrous private institutions in their recruitment and deputized cloaks by our criminal federal government over at least the past fifty years!

Will Wyche
Palm Springs, CA

Subject: Latest Misreported Story on AIG

On the current first page are the words:

STOP giving them money: Another AIG Resort "Junket": Top Execs Caught on Tape 11/12

When Colin Powell went before the UN to justify going to Iraq, I told friends nearby, "I wonder if the Arab speakers are saying what he says they are saying." Turns out they weren't. There were no references to WMDs.

So when, as an AIG employee, I heard about the company's latest supposed misdeed, I didn't take the story at first blush, but waited to hear more. You should have done the same. It turns out that it was a seminar sponsored by AIG, but almost entirely paid for by participants. Furthermore, the people caught on camera were not AIG employees, but outside participants in the outing.

Such seminars are, of course, essential to doing business. At night people will party, but during the day crucial information about the state of the industry and fundamental products are discussed at length.

So, what initially looked to be a story about more wrongdoing on the part of AIG, turned out to be a story about how half-assed the media is. Today's journalists seem to dig into a story until it sounds like what would sound great on the news, and then they stop. They don't bother to see if they got it right. In fact, AIG has cancelled hundreds of events in which either an inadequate amount of crucial contact with brokers or potential insureds occurred or in which there was an unreasonable amount of cash outlay was involved.

When will you cover that larger and more important story?

Robert Moore

[BuzzFlash Note: Keep sharing your insights, and we'll keep paying attention.]

Subject:A Tale of What If

In the USA, early part of the twenty-first century. Seems that the governor of Alaska, dead-set on being chosen the Republican Party's 2012 presidential nominee, ran afowl of the law. What happened was that after the 2008 Democratic landslide the McCain/Palin ticket had a big fall. The governor's only chance at staying in the spotlight was to get the hell out of the Alaska deep freeze & make it to Washington D.C. to be reincarnated there as a U.S. Senator. She was sure that once in Washington she'd know what to do, with an assist, as needed, by Jehovah himself. Alas, Governor Palin didn't land that Senate seat, at least not in time for the 2012 presidential election. And to this day historians debate the question, "What would have happened had Alaska's governor been allowed to introduce Senator John McCain when he gave his concession speech?" And had she been allowed to do that, would it have made a difference, considering the fact that Barack Obama swept all 50 states in 2012.

A BuzzFlash Reader

Subject: Barack Obama

I was ecstatic with the overwhelming victory for Obama, but by the looks of it, it doesn't auger well for the future. For some time now I am beginning to understand why as an Anglo Saxon and proud to assist Obama with a stirring song, just in case the polls were correct, I was ignored by characters such as Axelrod, Pelosi, McMahon as well as Dean, other than receiving their propaganda material. So I tried Laura Washington from the Chicago Sun-Times, but why did I bother. It appears Lisa Johnson, Tacoma WA and Banjobailey are impressed with the appointment of Rahm Emanuel by Obama. This is bad news. He is either a Jew or a Christian Semite and apparently has fought in and for the Israeli army. In all then nothing has changed from the previous lot and business as usual. I then regard the election as yet another great con America is saddled with. Whom are you going to vote for next besides Democrat or Republican. Please keep listening to Naomi Wolf, she appears to be your only saviour!

Rudolph Garbode
Sippy Downs, Australia

[BuzzFlash Note: Read about Rahm Emanuel in the BuzzFlash Editor's Blog or at Wikipedia. His Israeli father (not Rahm) "passed secret codes for Menachem Begin's underground."]

Subject: Puppy Obama

Hi, Buzz!!

I find I must weigh in on the Obama Puppy Controversy (I wonder what Fixed Noise will make of this?). Bedlington terriers sound delightful, and one can make really good arguments for adopting a dog from a shelter, but if I were asked, I would vote for the lovely and talented Irish setter.

I have had an Irish setter in my life, and she was both beautiful and sweet-tempered. This breed gets along particularly well with children. Some people say they're not the brightest bulbs in the pack, and maybe they're not, but they can be taught to obey voice and hand commands and behave in a civilized doggy manner. They love their humans with single-minded adoration.

Besides which, they are GORGEOUS, with their long auburn coats and elegant carriage. An Irish setter would look splendid on the White House lawn.

They are a large breed, but size need not be a problem; females are quite a bit smaller than males.

Look into it, Mr. President!

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

[BuzzFlash Note: Great nomination, but what about allergies?]

Subject: Hillary

Hi, Buzz!!

I suspect that Hillary would be a good Secretary of State. However, I also like the idea that BuzzFlash came up with several months ago - that is, to put Hillary on the Supreme Court. She would ROCK on the Court!

Reading the Mailbag, and consulting my own feelings, I am amazed that the election euphoria is still going on; this is unlike anything I remember in my lifetime, and I remember JFK's election (although I was far from being old enough to vote in it).

After eight dreadful years, the USA is a FREE COUNTRY again!

Now, let's help PRESIDENT Obama clean the place up!

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

Subject: Lieberman

I was prepared to call Reid and Boxer today to tell them to put the run on Lieberman now, but today I changed my mind. First, we do not have a 60 vote Majority in the Senate, and there is a good chance it will not happen. Until that happens, I believe we have to keep the guy (even tho I have no use for him). And if Barack Obama is able to forgive him for supporting McCain etc, etc, then I have to go along with Obama.

Obama is a brilliant man, he knows what he has to do to get this country back in shape again. Like Rodney King once said, "can't we all get along?" I think that is what Obama wants to do. Get rid of all this partisan buulcrap and let's all work together for the common good.

H Parks
Sun City Ca

Subject: Gov Palin

Buzz,

Gov Palin

Ignorance is not uncommon willful or on accident

the quest for power is not rare there are many who travel that path

motives and desires possess all but the degree of subservience is our choice

would you lie cheat betray compromise your ideals

what price is it that you seek to pay to succed

the sweat and blood shed is it yours or are you willing to sacrifice your dearest

in the end it is you has to face thyself

the question is have you become such a slave to power and position

that in the dark when you're all alone and no one is watching are you still lying

to yourself...

Akhil Bhardwaj
Jersey City, NJ

Subject: Say it ain't so Joe!

Let's look at our new proposition 8 marriage protection in everyday Joe Six-pack language.

Joe the Butterfly can marry and abandon as many women as he wants. Joe the Polygamist can have as many wives as he wants, as long as he only marries one (this Joe loves prop 8). Joe the Wife Beater may go to jail, but the State can't touch his marriage. Joe the Axe Murderer has no problem getting married, even in prison (as can Joe the drug dealer, Joe the Rapist and Joe the pedophile).

There's nothing so hideous that Joe can do that will even remotely jeopardize his right to marry. There's also nothing so noble that Joe the Gay can do to mitigate our moral outrage at his desire to marry another Joe.

Martin Bell
Santa Clara, CA

Subject: New Low

The Palins hit a new low, allowing 7-year-old Piper to do brief Today Show Interview. She admits she missed "a lot" of school being exploited on the campaign trail and that it is "really hard" to catch up now. Let's hope she makes out better than oldest brother (high school dropout) and oldest sister (pregnant in 11th grade, boyfriend also high school dropout).

I'd say a publication mentioning this brief interview may be seen as exploitative and hitting a low... especially if they did not criticize the Obama kids' brief interview on that infotainment show a few months ago.

Maezeppa
Los Angeles CA

[BuzzFlash Note: That show with the Obama girls? The interview was conducted at a dude ranch when they were vacationing July 4th weekend ... no school missed there.]

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