Letters from our Readers - August 2005

Dis-Agree
First off Mark I'd like to say I dis-agree, I think In Your Honour is the best Foo Fighters album since The Colour and the Shape.. Secondly if you had read the CD insert you'd see that Dave Grohl doesn't "croon" on Cold Day In The Sun, it's Taylor Hawkins. Dave plays drums......So I guess with all the guests(including Josh Holm of Q.O.T.S.A) and the rest of the Foos it's not "essentially a Dave Grohl solo record." 
AJ Marsh

What a Great Article
Enjoyed your article about Roy very much. He actually told me about it and I immediately brought it up and read it. Roy is one of the finest entertainers we have around, I just wish he would get the recognition he so much deserves. I did work on his FAN CLUB late 70's and early 80's and he and Carolyn are just the Greatest. We have become good friends and my husband and I try to see him whenever we can and we would love to see more of him in the Midwest again. If there would be anyway that his schedule could be reported in your website, it would be greatly appreciated by I'm sure, quite a few of us. Keep up the good work reporting on a Great Entertainer. 
Sharon Eberhardt 
St. Louis Area

Breaking Monopoly Power
Since Ronald Reagan came to power, the anti-monopoly laws and regulations of the US government have been completely gutted. Under the disguise of deregulation, monopoly economic power has come to dominate most sectors of the American economy. Consumers, workers and our free democratic forms of government has all been made to suffer.
Traditional students of economic theory understand that Adam Smith put forward a great argument for capitalism. He outlined a capitalism that served the greater good of mankind and society as a whole based on individuals advancing their individual economic interests. His theories were based on premises that include free and equal access to capital (money) and knowledge. He supposes that no individual economic entity would have more market power than other. All players should be equal and not have undue advantage over others. Any system that permits such advantages is not truly capitalism.
Capitalism breaks down as an efficient economic system the more these premises are denied by reality. Nothing threatens these premises more than monopoly power. True capitalists should support government actions that create a truly capitalist economic system.
Monopoly power permits large corporations to control prices charged customers, prices paid suppliers and wages paid workers. Small competitors can be driven from the market place as a result of economic control created by monopoly power. The excessive wealth generated by monopoly power can be used to buy politicians, alter public opinion with advertising or buying media outlets and to thwart government regulations by various means.
Monopoly power can be exercised by individual corporations or by groups of corporations acting together for their mutual self-interest. This power can control a whole national economic sector like oil, energy, drugs and the like. It can impact just a specific community like a Wal-Mart or buying up radio stations, newspapers and TV stations to control advertising rates and political information. Regardless of the specific forms that monopoly power takes, it always damages the public good.
International competition simply does not diminish monopoly power in significant ways especially in specific communities. Internationalizing an economy actually reduces the power of labor to negotiate on a more equal footing with businesses to obtain livable wages and benefits like health insurance. Competing with corporations from nations where their governments provide health insurance puts American corporations at a disadvantage. The result is often either the monopolistic corporation becomes a foreign corporation or the American corporation becomes internationalized by moving operations out of our nation. Effective anti-monopoly laws could be used to regulate unfair economic competition from inside our nation or from other nations.
It is time to put teeth in our anti-monopoly laws and regulations again. Media concentrations, oil, banking, drug companies, insurance and health care should be looked at first as places were monopoly power ay be distorting our economy. We need a truly capitalist system as envisioned by Adam Smith instead of this Wall Street pseudo-capitalist Corporate dominated economy currently dominating America. The current system is a bad way to run an economy. It is both inefficient and unfair. It threatens are democratic institutions as well. It is time for serious reform.
Stephen Crockett
Co-Host, Democratic Talk Radio 
http://www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com  

Music Review
Before reviewing an album check the liner notes!this is the problem I have with critics,if you have an opinion,great,just don't be "glib" as Tom cruise would say.The song "Cold Day in the Sun" is sung by the drummer Taylor Hawkins.And your reference to there not being a hit like Everlong on the album....go buy The Color and the Shape to listen to that album.The Foofighters have evolved but unfortunately Dave Grohl finds himself in Princes shoes, "write another Purple Rain".This is why he left the constraints of the corporate record industry. 
Daniel Balzano

US Flag
There seems to be great confusion over the flag and its proper meaning and treatment. This confusion is not limited to one political party or ideology however.
I suspect, along with the author, that the proposed flag burning amendment is one of many political ploys that some people of the Republcan Party is using to deflect attention from their miserable failures as the dominant party in government.
These same people claim they want to prevent the burning of the US Flag yet Section 4 subsection (k) of The Federal Flag Code (Public Law 94- 344); states "The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning". I repeat the phrase..."in a dignified way".
Are the anti-flag burners aware of the existing law or do they simply want to change amend the law as they interperate it? 
Accordingly, the author's website shows many of their designs which have slogans and pictures superimposed over the flag. Yet the same section 4 subsection g states: "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature." So it seems to me that the author is also guilty of ignoring existing laws in hopes of creating revisions to suit their personal belief. 
I personally have more disdain towards someone who uses the flag as a cheap advertising banner than someone who sets it afire in deeply held conviction of protest. But nothing is worse than someone who hides behind the flag in a cheap and false display of patriotism. If you don't want the flag burned -then don't burn one. And no writing of any kind on it -especially the words "Made in China" 
Richard Amburgey
Spring, Yexas 

God Must be a Cowboy in EAST Montgomery County, too
EAST Montgomery County has it's own cowboy church and it's located in Splendora, Tx. on Rt. 59. It's part of the Splendora Assembly of God Church. 
Online Reader

Another Scientologist shows his IQ
Are you CRAZI.If scientology is not a religion You are not a journalist either. You have not professional ethic. WOW MANN!! %**k you
Online Reader

Shabby news reporting 
I just wanted to help with some bad reporting I found on your web-site.
Bad reporting http://www.thebulletin.com/archives/2005/july/bullpen0722.htm 
Tom did not press charges. http://www.elitestv.com/pub/2005/Jun/EEN42bae8bec94e0.html 
I can’t find the “corrections” link. <smile>
Lawrence Brown 
(Better known as Bud)

Natural Beauty and Peace
The shining headlights especially during the day bay gas guzzling chemical stench and noise polluting bully trucks in the faces of car drivers and small fuel efficient truck drivers is part of the holocaust against nature and trees, forests, wilderness and animals and birds by harassing people environmentalist enough not to waste as much oil as possible on purpose and have endless unnecessary wars in the Middle East for the political and economic profit of cowardly, cruel, hypocrite “republican” politicians and their large campaign bribers who never went to war themselves but are happy to send naïve young people to be at risk in war and ever more chain sawing, bulldozing, paving over and putting up trashy litterhood ugliness real estate development and having the arrogance to, ignorance and greed to call it a civilization. Glare and trashy litterhood ugliness to look at is irritating. Natural beauty and peace and quiet and the beautiful sounds of nature are much better.
William A. Barber
Willis, TX

Dearest Denis Cote
I would hope that you read this with your thinking hat on. Here is my opinion:
1.The editors are not cowards, they are the ONLY ones that have the BALLS to print the truth and report things the "other: papers are too chicken shit to print.
2.In case you had not the guts (your own words) to read an actual copy of this paper you would know that it is FREE thus all revenue comes from advertisers. This pays for materials for print.(wow, pretty selfish of the editor not to charge for a copy)
3.How much more do you want for free?
By the way: are you a coward for not studying Judaism, Islamic beliefs, Christianity, The morman way.....how about sending that check to a charity that saves people from scientology?
And PROMESS? I thought it was spelled P R O M I S E. HMM, guess they don't care about spelling if it means getting all your money.
Heather Boggs

Cult Status
I am a christian and have known that CoS was a cult--but I didn't know all of its sinister plans, nor its crazy ideas until you did this epose'. 
Thank you for a job well done. 
Howard S.
Kansas

Tom Cruise’s “Followers”
I just got done reading the letters that were posted on thebulletin.com by readers who were outraged over your article about Scientology and how stupid that they think you are! 
I for one read the Bulletin every week and like the fact that you are not afraid to voice your opinion, no matter what it is! I think that is one of the best things about the Bulletin. Come on people, WAKE UP! Or, has Scientology and it's "followers" tried to tell you that you cannot have an opinion either? Isn't that what freedom of the press and freedom of speech are all about? Or, are you not allowed to believe that either? Maybe some of you should let your buddy Tom Cruise know that he is acting like such a fool, that he is losing respect from a lot of his fans. Not that it matters, but I know that I will never pay to see another one of his movies again! There are a few letters that try to tell you, the editor how you have not researched your facts, etc. before you wrote the article. Well, I have a question for any Scientologist to answer.....has any one of you gone thru post partum depression or any other depression without medication helping you thru it? I doubt it! So, maybe you all should "practice what you preach" before you say someone else needs to get their facts straight! 
Good Article Bulletin! Keep up the Good work! 
J. Kerr 
Willis, TX
P.S- Scott May- You might want to use spell check and grammer check on your computer, (or look in the mirror, for that matter)before you go calling SOMEONE ELSE an IDIOT! Didn't you learn in school or otherwise, you should start all sentences with a capital letter?

More about Tomfoolery & Scientology
This is in response to the most negative, ridiculous, most slanderous information I have ever had the displeasure to read.
I hope that no one will take his twisted and untruthful information as fact. I have been a Scientologist since 1978, which places me in the church during the time founder Ron Hubbard was living. The criticism relayed bears no resemblance to my experience. If anyone wants to know the truth about what Scientology is really all about, they can learn by coming to a free lecture, or by getting the CD or book, "What is Scientology?", or "Dianetics" or by sitting down with someone who is actually a part of the church.
Scientology offers life improvement courses to handle any problems you wish to address. My life would not be the same without them. All the courses, have improved my ability to think more clearly, to be more aware of my surroundings, and with every step I take in Scientology I find myself more able than the day before.
The Scientology religion has grown from a single church to an international religion with some 8 million parishioners in more than 150 countries. Scientology, like all new religions of the past, has faced its share of attacks. And false information from the press and other sources has helped to create misunderstandings. Yet, think about this: If even one tenth of the things said about Scientology were true, would it have grown to be as large as it is? 
Scientologists have led the battle for human rights for years, Tom Cruise has been a part of that. He is a HUGE humanitarian who has fought for all of our rights to survive in society, to have a good education, to be drug free. Calling Tom Cruise's statements "uneducated" is pretty hypocritical, given the uninformed slam on Scientology in which the characterization
appears. How do you know he is uninformed? Did you even ask what his documentation or basis might be? Of course not.
On the subject of money -- L. Ron Hubbard received no percentage of any fees paid to organizations or the Church. He made his money from the royalties on his books. In the end, the vast bulk of L. Ron Hubbard's estate including royalties from the sale of his books, were left not to any individual, but to the religion itself, thus forwarding his life's work.
This was confirmed by the IRS, who granted full tax exemption to Churches of Scientology in the US after an exhaustive examination of records and practices.
Scientology as a religion has been upheld as a TRUE RELIGION, not once, but many times and in the HIGHEST COURTS all across the world. Scientology recognizes man as a spiritual being and provides a proven and workable path, which, when walked, frees man from the travails of the past and enables him to achieve spiritual freedom. Scientology is unique in that it does not require or tell anyone to "believe" anything. Rather, Scientology believes every individual should think for himself. Scientology is not authoritarian, but offers a technology one can use and then decide whether it works for him
Shelley Barnes
Montgomery County Texas

Donald Kaul
kaul is not retired. he was forced out thankfully for authentic journalism 
As an Iowan who suffered through the whole scenario, I feel it important to point out Donald Kaul did not retire, he was so offensive after the Democratic defeat of 1994 that he was invited to retire. Subscriptions dropped severely due to the liberal slant of the tabloid called the Des Moines Register, that many of the liberal journalists either modified their Democratic, that is racist, sexist, elitist, mean-spirited, slant to the news. I see you endorse his secular religionist apocalyptic fantasy. So sorry to hear that.
Scott Smith

Dogmatic Fundamentalists
Eric Reikowski, in "The Lame Joke of Progressive Christianity," takes the majority of Christians as a joke. And it is far from a laughing matter.
He pejoratively calls progressive Christians "abortionists, socialists and sodomites" even though the majority have never indulged in any, any of the above.
He accuses them of campaigning "to annihilate any (that's any) public manifestation of our Christian heritage" even though the majority of progressives do publicly declare themselves Christian. And even though they have never tried to prevent any, any person to publicly do so at his will as long as it is not at taxpayer's expense.
Mr. Reikowski, in a strikingly unChristian way, is smearing the God-fearing majority in this country as a type of infidel such as other religious groups attempt to do at times.
On the other hand, progressive groups do not stoop to smear. They do not want to interfere with folks like Mr. Reikowski. They only want people like him to refrain from using politics and taxpayer money to interfere with them.
Progressives feel that the Old Testament, which is the main source for authoritative behavior, cannot be lifted above the New Testament's basis of love, tolerance, peace and good will toward all men, all women, all countries, all situations and all times.
I am really getting tired of hearing fundamentalist right wingers walking and talking as if they have cornered the market on Christianity and morality. It couldn't be further from the truth.
Acting as the incarnate of hypocrites, they spend their time rolling around in the Old Testament focused on "an eye for and eye" and cryptic singular passages from revelations. Do they try to be followers of Christ? Do they try to live their lives like Jesus would want them to? Well,no. They're too busy quoting biblical versus to listen to the words of beauty that the Son of God spoke in the Sermon on the Mount.
When I was growing up we used to laugh amongst ourselves at those who wore long dresses and buns and put religious tracts on doors. We used to dismiss these apocalyptic messengers as escapees from the insane asylum, but we didn't think anyone should stop them.
Now days we are expected to respect these dogmatics even while they don't respect us and try to suggest that we are all going to hell because we do not believe as they do.
Well, enough. I'm no longer going to keep my mouth shut as they propagate smears every time their mouths open. I'm going to respectfully disagree with these do-badders. Join me. It will be refreshing to see the disbelief in their eyes when they discover that they really are a minority.
Remember, Jesus would not drive a SUV. He would NOT support torture, no matter what the religious right says. And we all know what he had to say about love and charity.
Angie Pratt and Edith Fletcher 
www.politicalposts.com

From Paris on Scientology 
is mr tom cruise an alien? oh la la la c'est terrible and mr cruise knows about psychiatric care ,well seems to me this gentleman badly need a pschiatric care and cure , lacanement votre ,jeff drea ,a "wog " commomly named by the scienos’
Online Reader

Progressives from Mars, Conservatives from Venus 
We seem to be stuck. Progressives say that their agenda supports equality and fairness. Conservatives insist that their policies support the vision of the founding fathers.
Let's go back into our history to shine some light on why people feel so strongly about these vastly opposing views.
When Thomas Jefferson and the other revolutionaries rebelled, they were in the “lower” levels of the British hierarchy. Since they were being controlled and exploited, this particular hierarchy was painfully visible to them. Hierarchies are easiest to see from "lower" levels, so the lack of equality and fairness was obvious to these men when the British were in control.
But, Thomas Jefferson left his home — managed by his wife, who had fewer legal and social rights than her husband — to go to the Second Continental Congress and write the Declaration of Independence, which declared, “All Men Are Created Equal,” and that “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” were unalienable Rights. He took his horse — cared for by his slaves — and rode across land that had been forcefully taken from indigenous people.
When forming our country, the founders of the United States moved into the top levels of the hierarchies they were creating. Hierarchies are difficult to see from the top. Why else would they draft a Constitution with laws that favored only people just like them, and find ways to rationalize those laws as equal and fair, while keeping the benefits flowing their way? To them, voting rights for four percent of the adult population meant life in the new United States was fair.
Which legacy of the Founding Fathers will ultimately define the United States? 
Are we going to listen to the people in "lower" levels of hierarchies whose experiences tell them that hierarchies do not produce life, liberty, and happiness for all? Or, are we going to follow the perspectives of those residing on top of our hierarchies who insist that their lives are proof that hierarchies can, in fact, produce opportunity for liberty, equality and justice for all?
That is the question that divides our country.
Harriet Childress, Ph.D.
Coauthor, Clueless at the Top

Scientology
I was so disappointed when I read the article, Tomfoolery: Scientology & the Madness of Mr. Cruise. I have seen countless peoples' lives improved in so many ways by applying the technologies of Scientology. I have never seen a more productive and effective group of people working with others to make the world a better place for us all.
Dr. Sherry Durrett

Scientology is Satanism 
With Scientology making headlines recently and actor Tom Cruise being the most vocal adherent, a Christian group ‘The Resistance’ is trying to help him learn the truth about what they say is “a satanic cult.” 
The best kept secrets of Scientology are that humans came from space aliens, and that Lucifer, or Satan is god. These secrets are not revealed to members until they have paid an enormous amount of money, and have proven themselves to be dedicated to the cult.
“Yes, Tom Cruise worships Satan. I don’t say this as an insult, or as an ad hominem attack. I seriously and literally mean he worships Satan. In the Garden of Eden, Satan said if Man took the forbidden fruit that he would become just like god, actually becoming equal to God, and that is what these people believe. They believe they themselves, are gods.
Scientology is the creation of 20th century science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, whose book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health was published in 1950 beginning the doctrine of Scientology. Hubbard and his work received tremendous criticism from the mental health community as being blatantly false. 
With Tom Cruise, and now apparently Katie Holmes being involved in Scientology, ‘The Resistance’ is worried that these Hollywood celebrities are “sucking confused and spiritually starved people into a satanic cult.” 
‘If you want a real religion, try going to a Christian Church, Tom, it’s free.’
Sometimes I find it hard not to laugh at how silly Scientology is, but it’s really a serious satanic cult, and is deceiving lower level members as to the organization’s real motives and beliefs. Scientology is a secret society, similar to other occult hierarchies such as the Freemasons, Skull and Bones, and the Mormons.
While strongly disagreeing with Tom’s religious beliefs, I agree with the Scientologist on one point. I do agree that prescription drugs are being pushed onto our children, and the population at large as a quick fix for their problems, when the source of those problems often goes unexamined.
John Conner
Author of ‘The Resistance Manifesto’ 

More on Scientology
I have been a Scientologist for 30 years and through the application of my studies in Scientology, I've been able to lead a happier and more successful life. 
Scientology works. It helps people become more competent, more able to achieve their goals and happier in their life. This is the truth about Scientology.
I believe that people should think for themselves and find out for themselves. You can visit www.scientology.org , www.dianetics.org  or for information on our social betterment programs, visit www.able.org .
Let's give those with a vested interest in the billion dollar (legal)drug industry a swift kick. We do not have to become a society which handles any and all of life's difficulties with a pill.
I know first hand that you can not only help yourself but help others with the workable technology of Scientology. I'm very grateful to have found it.
Mrs. John M. Golashesky
Houston, TX

Your ignorance shines through again 
We look to your periodical to see what music is playing in Montgomery Co. 
Anybody that doesnt know that the Duke boys were from Hazzard County Kentucky has no business offering an opinion. 
Anybody that thinks "Jackass" has any value at all or would watch that movie is not the kind of person who should be allowed to offer an opinion on anything at all.
Charlie Horton

Yet another credit card issuer trick 
For six years I've had a Best Buy Retail Services card. Every billing's minimum payment had been in whole dollars, therefore ending in ".00," or zero cents. 
I didn't catch it when my July 2005 bill was $32.08. I mailed in my payment of $32.00 as usual. I've been charged with a $29 late fee for being eight cents under the minimum payment. My payment arrived four days before the due date. The customer service rep acknowledged that every previous minimum due in my payment record had been in whole dollars. However, his attitude was, "too bad (sucker)." Note that the numeral "8" is the numeral which most closely resembles a "0." 
I've learned that somewhere along the way that HSBC has taken over Best Buy Retail Services billing. I recently cancelled another credit card a month after it was taken over by HSBC because they slammed me with credit disability insurance which I didn't order and wasn't notified about. After several days of phone calls and hassle and dealing with their new customer service boiler room in India I finally got that rescinded. 
Watch out for HSBC.
Adam Crawford

Border Security an Oxymoron
If the IRS operated with the same effectiveness as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, the US Congress would be working frantically night and day to rectify the problem. Border security is an oxymoron. Remember that on election day.
Theodore Pierce
The Woodlands, Texas

Scientology Article and Letters 
Hello I finally decided to write this letter to share my views and beliefs on scientology.
There is religious extremist in every religion good or bad from Islamic to Christian, I don’t believe in Scientology but I do believe they have there right to freedom of religion without undo persecution. Yes I agree some of there teachings is well lets just say unusual and I do not buy into them, but I can leave it at that, I do not feel the need to do personal attacks on peoples freedom of religion, name calling and deciding someone is a moron based on there religious convictions is idiotic at the very least. And such hatred and personal attacks must stem from some deep rooted problems in there own lives. Most people sit back and like to forget Christianity has probably without a doubt has caused more death and destruction then any other religion combined. From the holy crusades to the heretic era and onto modern days, literally thousands and thousands were killed in the name of Christianity. If you care to see what your own religion has done over the years you can review it here http://www.edwardtbabinski.us/history/intolerance.html  I am not trying to attack anyone’s religion, but what I am trying to do is to point out before you start a smear campaign against Scientology or any other religion take a very close look at what your own religion has done before you start tossing those rocks and making those accusations. I believe in the constitution and the people’s right to worship as they see fit, I think it is very ironic the people that want to hold up our constitution are the very first people that want to throw it out the window when it’s not something they believe in. Either you believe in upholding the rights of the people or there freedoms of speech and religion or you don’t. 
Shawn Brockup
Conroe, Texas

Traffic deaths exceed war casualties
More Americans are killed in traffic accidents on our peaceful USA highways in one month than all of the U-S soldiers who have died over the years in the whole Iraq war...since its beginning! 
Highway traffic deaths in the USA exceed 3,000 every month!! That's less than American casualties in the whole Iraq WAR!!! 
How many of the Iraq war KIA's mothers and/or fathers are camped out with the leftist and socialist anti-war activists and Bush-haters at the President's ranch in Texas? 
Why do all news outlets devote so much more very disproportionate airtime and space to the anti-American administration minority view?!? 
All news sources need to rid your "news" of your staff's bias and/or prejudice, become more journalistically responsible, and report the "news" in the proper perspective. And...please...just the facts! 
Hundreds of thousands, literally millions, of we parents and family members of our USA armed forces personnel support our troops and our present American administration. We respect George W. Bush as our President and as a man. 
Please be more fair in your "news" coverage. 
R. Tullos "Dan" Hanchey
Ridgeland, Mississippi

Finally Americans Get It!
Democratic Talk Radio has long stated that our best allies in fighting the Bush Republicans were the policies and actions of the Bush Republicans. The Bush Republicans (also known as Corporate America and/or Big Oil) have ruled our federal government for the past 5 years almost completely unchecked. The control both branches of Congress, the White House along with the entire executive branch and the vast majority of federal courts including the Supreme Court. What the Bush Republicans wanted badly they got! For the vast majority of Americans, the result of unchecked Republican rule has been nearly a disaster.
Big Oil has raped the American consumer with the full support of the Bush Republican political machine. Quarter after financial quarter the obscene profits of Big Oil set ever growing records while the Bush Republicans make excuses for the price-gouging. The Bush Republicans are giving Big Oil tax breaks although Big Oil is raking in billions in excessive profits. Campaign donations are flowing from Big Oil into Republican campaign coffers but consumers (read voters) are getting extremely angry.
Essentially, the same story has been repeated in prescription drugs and HMO’s. Bill Frist has effectively blocked any real healthcare reforms in the Senate as leader of the Senate Republicans. Frist obtained his personal wealth along with his family by their control of one of America’s largest HMO. In Tennessee, many informed residents call Frist “Senator HMO.” Bush seems to get his healthcare signals from Frist. Frist is as closely tied to Big Drugs and Big “For-Profit” Medicine as the Bush White House is to Big Oil.
The healthcare policies of the Bush Republicans are killing Americans! Denying universal healthcare to tens of millions of Americans should be considered criminal. America is the only advanced industrialized nation in the world to treat their citizens so badly concerning healthcare. The price-gouging of the big drug companies are common knowledge. The vast majority of Americans want universal healthcare guaranteed by our government even if it means slightly higher taxes for those who can afford to pay them.
The tax policies of the Bush Republicans have benefited almost exclusively the richest of the rich. The Bush Republican push to privatize (read Social Security piratization) the Social Security program is nothing more than a blatant attempt to plunder the Social Security tax fund on behalf of Wall Street. The wealthiest Americans do not pay their fair share of Social Security taxes but the Republican Party want the wealthiest Americans to control and profit excessively from the program. The budget policies of the Bush Administration is already hurting Social Security recipients badly because of the inflation created by Bush’s huge government deficits. The government deficits are almost entirely the result of Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthiest of the wealthy and by his Iraq War.
The Iraq War being conducted by Bush and backed by the Republicans in Congress is just bad policy. We are gaining almost nothing. The costs in taxpayer money, government debt, the blood of our brave soldiers, rising numbers of terrorists being created and trained, collapsing respect for America around the world, the blood of innocent Iraqi civilians, etc. is so huge that it is simply hard to grasp. It is time to start withdrawing. Americans do not want this war. Americans do not believe in this war. The Bush Republicans sold the American people a false bill of goods and lied to us to get us into a badly conceived (and poorly executed at the political level) Iraq War.
The Pensito Review has documented how badly the public support for the Bush Agenda has fallen in the recent article Poll: Buyers’ Remorse - 19 out 31 Red States Flip to Blue http://www.pensitoreview.com/2005/08/17/poll-buyers-remorse/  . All the major political polls are showing a serious collapse in support for Bush based on policies and the results of policies. 
Republicans facing voters in 2006 are deeply worried. Public relations campaigns are not enough to deal with the fall-out from the reality of failed policies. The entire political agenda of Bush Republicanism is a disaster for most Americans. Reality has hit these voters in the face and they get it! Look for serious political changes and challenges in both Parties over the next decade as voters demand the return of their nation and government from the hands of large international corporations. 
Stephen Crockett 
Co-host, Democratic Talk Radio 
http://www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com 

Keep up the great, informative articles
Really enjoy Bullpen "Bush's Dirt War"...hope you keep up the great, informative articles. 
Guess I don't understand McCain's loyalty, they smeared him, he served, no one else in the administration did and yet he is Bush loyal. Amazing. 
Many, many people wonder where in the hell is a leader who will stand up and say, Enough BS, my first interest comes for the people who PAY my salary. 
Linda Woode 
Montgomery, Texas 

Alcohol and Drug Deaths
One of the more consistent misguided justifications for leaving tobacco on the market is a comparison of tobacco to alcohol and drug related deaths and morality. The facts are that alcohol related driving deaths in 2004 were
16,694 (and dropping); while tobacco deaths always tarry near 400,000; each and every year.
The uniformed also like to emphasize that the moral degradation of alcohol and drugs is more of an issue that tobacco. This thinking is also misguided. While drug and alcohol addicts may be counseled and reformed, most tobacco induced cancer patients are simply dying or dead. There is no opportunity for counseling. Additionally, while quitting smoking has many health benefits; a reduction in the risk for lung cancer is NOT one of those rewards. About 50% of new lung cancer patients are former smokers. The lungs are sponge-like material that just does not heal or rebuild itself very well. Once the tar and poisons from tobacco are induced, they are generally there to stay. If you have quit, you are still at risk.
The most well know advocate of anti-tobacco efforts was Peter Jennings of ABC News. ABC News broadcast several of his specials on tobacco that exposed key members of tobacco’s congressional blockade and colossal mistakes by leaders of the FDA and even the Surgeon General. However, the public did little to respond to Jennings’ specials; even though the specials focused on Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tx) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tx). While it is sad that tobacco killed Peter Jennings; it is also ironic that the public, unknowingly, has continually supported and re-elected Barton and Hutchison.
It is even more ironic that Barton and Hutchison represent a non-tobacco state. What do think their motives are?
While there are a lot of efforts to reduce tobacco deaths (re: Anti-smoking campaigns); those efforts are typically countered by the innovative marketing techniques of the tobacco industry. As in any conflict you must be able to go through the blockade or defense to inflict damage to the enemy.
If the tobacco industry is the enemy, then the blockade is surely Rep. Barton and Sen. Hutchison.
If the citizens of Texas have any morals at all; they will discontinue their support of Barton and Hutchison. But then again, the people of Texas, have an uncanny ability to excuse immorality in the name of corporate greed.
Leonard Jensen
Fort Worth, Texas 

Editor's Note: We encourage you to send in your Letters to the Editor, but please remember to give your name and town. `Anonymous' letters will no longer be accepted. Direct confidential questions by calling (936)539-2200 or e-mail editor@thebulletin.com.

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