A Letter from Michael Moore

[WinChaser]

(Moore's Bowling for Columbine is predicted to win best documentary at the
Academy awards)

Monday, March 17, 2003
A Letter from Michael Moore to George W. Bush on the Eve of War

George W. Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC

Dear Governor Bush:
So today is what you call "the moment of truth," the day that "France
and the rest of world have to show their cards on the table." I'm glad to
hear that this day has finally arrived. Because, I gotta tell ya, having
survived 440 days of your lying and conniving, I wasn't sure if I could
take much more. So I'm glad to hear that today is Truth Day, 'cause I
got a few truths I would like to share with you:

1. There is virtually NO ONE in America (talk radio nutters and Fox News
aside) who is gung-ho to go to war. Trust me on this one. Walk out of
the White House and on to any street in America and try to find five people
who are PASSIONATE about wanting to kill Iraqis. YOU WON'T FIND THEM!
Why? 'Cause NO Iraqis have ever come here and killed any of us! No Iraqi has
even threatened to do that. You see, this is how we average Americans
think: If a certain so-and-so is not perceived as a threat to our lives,
then, believe it or not, we don't want to kill him! Funny how that works!

2. The majority of Americans -- the ones who never elected you -- are
not fooled by your weapons of mass distraction. We know what the real issues
are that affect our daily lives -- and none of them begin with I or end in
Q. Here's what threatens us: two and a half million jobs lost since you
took office, the stock market having become a cruel joke, no one knowing
if their retirement funds are going to be there, gas now costs almost
two dollars -- the list goes on and on. Bombing Iraq will not make any of
this go away. Only you need to go away for things to improve.

3. As Bill Maher said last week, how bad do you have to suck to lose a
popularity contest with Saddam Hussein? The whole world is against you,
Mr. Bush. Count your fellow Americans among them.

4. The Pope has said this war is wrong, that it is a SIN. The Pope! But
even worse, the Dixie Chicks have now come out against you! How bad does
it have to get before you realize that you are an army of one on this
war? Of course, this is a war you personally won't have to fight. Just like
when you went AWOL while the poor were shipped to Vietnam in your place.

5. Of the 535 members of Congress, only ONE (Sen. Johnson of South
Dakota) has an enlisted son or daughter in the armed forces! If you really want
to stand up for America, please send your twin daughters over to Kuwait
right now and let them don their chemical warfare suits. And let's see every
member of Congress with a child of military age also sacrifice their
kids for this war effort. What's that you say? You don't THINK so? Well, hey,
guess what -- we don't think so either!

6. Finally, we love France. Yes, they have pulled some royal screw-ups.
Yes, some of them can pretty damn annoying. But have you forgotten we
wouldn't even have this country known as America if it weren't for the
French? That it was their help in the Revolutionary War that won it for
us? That our greatest thinkers and founding fathers -- Thomas Jefferson,
Ben Franklin, etc. -- spent many years in Paris where they refined the
concepts that lead to our Declaration of Independence and our
Constitution? That it was France who gave us our Statue of Liberty, a
Frenchman who built the Chevrolet, and a pair of French brothers who
invented the movies? And now they are doing what only a good friend can
do -- tell you the truth about yourself, straight, no b.s. Quit pissing on
the French and thank them for getting it right for once. You know, you
really should have traveled more (like once) before you took over. Your
ignorance of the world has not only made you look stupid, it has painted
you into a corner you can't get out of.

Well, cheer up -- there IS good news. If you do go through with this
war, more than likely it will be over soon because I'm guessing there aren't
a lot of Iraqis willing to lay down their lives to protect Saddam Hussein.
After you "win" the war, you will enjoy a huge bump in the popularity
polls as everyone loves a winner -- and who doesn't like to see a good
ass-whoopin' every now and then (especially when it 's some third world
ass!). So try your best to ride this victory all the way to next year's
election. Of course, that's still a long ways away, so we'll all get to
have a good hardy-har-har while we watch the economy sink even further
down the toilet!

But, hey, who knows -- maybe you'll find Osama a few days before the
election! See, start thinking like THAT! Keep hope alive! Kill Iraqis --
they got our oil!!

Yours,

Michael Moore
www.michaelmoore.com

[frogger]

Hehe I'm not for war but those are some pretty shallow arguments he's got there, I would be embarassed to have that published.

[Rehan]

Hehe I'm not for war but those are some pretty shallow arguments he's got there, I would be embarassed to have that published.
:) He's more of an entertainer than an intellectual... I'm sure his goal was not to have a rock solid argument against Bush, but just to present the other side in a light manner.

[frogger]

Ahhh.. It guess he is poking fun at pacifists more than warmongers with that

[grant]

those are some pretty shallow arguments he's got there

Since you consider job safety, religion, and the safety of your family to be "shallow," is there ANYTHING you consider "deep"?

[Harrowed]

Since you consider job safety, religion, and the safety of your family to be "shallow," is there ANYTHING you consider "deep"?

I agree with Grant on this one. Moore seemed to be on the money with this one.

[frogger]

those are some pretty shallow arguments he's got there

Since you consider job safety, religion, and the safety of your family to be "shallow," is there ANYTHING you consider "deep"?
How about not talking about the late night say anything doofus Bill Maher, the Dixie Chicks, or the France/Statue of Liberty/Chevrolet relationship? Is he supposed to not have USA go to war because the Pope said it is bad? Maybe I could take the whole letter seriously if he didn't resort to such silliness.

[Kenneth]

Speaking of war: has anyone purchased any military tied stocks? My broker is telling me it's too late. But i'm thinking this war isn't gonna be as short as the previous two.

[WinChaser]

Is he supposed to not have USA go to war because the Pope said it is bad?  Maybe I could take the whole letter seriously if he didn't resort to such silliness.

I see.

[Tiger the Lion]

those are some pretty shallow arguments he's got there

Since you consider job safety, religion, and the safety of your family to be "shallow," is there ANYTHING you consider "deep"?
How about not talking about the late night say anything doofus Bill Maher, the Dixie Chicks, or the France/Statue of Liberty/Chevrolet relationship? Is he supposed to not have USA go to war because the Pope said it is bad? Maybe I could take the whole letter seriously if he didn't resort to such silliness.

I think Moore has it bang-on. By pandering to the common denominator of society with his sarcasm, he's showing how ridiculous things are with how the US is proceeding with their "war".

[frogger]

I think Moore has it bang-on.  By pandering to the common denominator of society with his sarcasm, he's showing how ridiculous things are with how the US is proceeding with their "war".
I guess I could see it that way if I change my paradigm.. The reasons for war are ridiculous so use ridiculous reasons to counter them.

[Tiger the Lion]

I think Moore has it bang-on.  By pandering to the common denominator of society with his sarcasm, he's showing how ridiculous things are with how the US is proceeding with their "war".
I guess I could see it that way if I change my paradigm.. The reasons for war are ridiculous so use ridiculous reasons to counter them.

Exactly.... when the government starts advising people to rename French Fries, "freedom" fries, they must be hurting for a real reason to go to war.

Sure, they renamed saurkraut "liberty cabbage" in the '40s (but probably not until the US got their lazy asses involved).... but for good reason; the Nazis were evil. But the French? And because they don't support Bush's trigger-happy policy? Please.

[Bunch]

Thanks for posting. Moore always has entertaining ways of presenting important issues.

I happen to agree with the general tone of his letter.

[nubbie]

Dear Governor Bush:  

Why is it Governor? Shouldn't it be President?

[Rehan]

Dear Governor Bush:  

Why is it Governor? Shouldn't it be President?
Because Michael Moore doesn't believe GWB was elected to the position of POTUS.

[hotwings]

Dear Governor Bush:  

Why is it Governor? Shouldn't it be President?

He was the previous governor of texas but his title is now president. I guess Moore was just taking a jab at him.

[nubbie]

Dear Governor Bush:  

Why is it Governor? Shouldn't it be President?

He was the previous governor of texas but his title is now president. I guess Moore was just taking a jab at him.
No, I understand he was Governor.... I guess you are right. A jab at George W.

[i6s1]

Michal Moore makes for excellent humor and propaganda, but he is pretty thin on substance.

The only point of this letter is to get some attention for MM. Oh, in an unrelated matter, the oscars are coming up pretty soon.

[grant]

How about not talking about the late night say anything doofus Bill Maher, the Dixie Chicks, or the France/Statue of Liberty/Chevrolet relationship?   Is he supposed to not have USA go to war because the Pope said it is bad?  Maybe I could take the whole letter seriously if he didn't resort to such silliness.

. Bill Maher: correctly crediting the quote.

. Pope & Dixie chicks: to illustrate the range of his opposition

. SoL/Chevrolet: examples to support "french are allies" argument

. Pope says it's bad: Actually the pope said it's a *SIN*. Does that alone mean a supposedly-christian president shouldn't start a war? It doesn't matter to me, i'm not christian, but I won't insult christians by telling them it shouldn't matter to THEM.

I, and probably most readers, find all of Moore's points to be germane to the issues he's addressing. I think you do yourself a disservice if you think a war in iraq has nothing to do with only 1% of congress members actually risking a child in combat. And what better way to temper U.S. hatred against the French without mentioning their great contributions to their country?

BTW, this post isn't a criticism, I just hope you appreciate the portions that resonate with others :)

[i6s1]

. Bill Maher: correctly crediting the quote.

. Pope & Dixie chicks: to illustrate the range of his opposition

. SoL/Chevrolet: examples to support "french are allies" argument

. Pope says it's bad:  Actually the pope said it's a *SIN*.  Does that alone mean a supposedly-christian president shouldn't start a war?  It doesn't matter to me, i'm not christian, but I won't insult christians by telling them it shouldn't matter to THEM.

I, and probably most readers, find all of Moore's points to be germane to the issues he's addressing.  I think you do yourself a disservice if you think a war in iraq has nothing to do with only 1% of congress members actually risking a child in combat.  And what better way to temper U.S. hatred against the French without mentioning their great contributions to their country?

BTW, this post isn't a criticism, I just hope you appreciate the portions that resonate with others :)

None of MM's points have any meaning at all.

That one senator, who should be oppessed to war under MM's theory, voted for authorization for use of force.
http://www.timjohnsonforsd.com/news.php?newsid=86


MM's point is to try to make fun of Bush. Here are is the only point that matters:

What are the consequences of war? What are the consequences of not going to war? Does one outweigh the other?

If you want to believe that the consequences of going are worse then those of not going, that's fine. MM doesn't address any important issues, and that's why I dismiss this whole thing. It is completly substance-free. MM is an expert at skewing and misrepresenting facts, but this isn't even addressing any issues, it's just an attempt at mudslinging. The only real "issue" that is being addressed in this letter is a personal attack on the POTUS. I really hope nobody else takes this seriously.

[wintech]

Oh, and I thought this was a topic about MANDY Moore. :lol:

[i6s1]

those are some pretty shallow arguments he's got there

Since you consider job safety, religion, and the safety of your family to be "shallow," is there ANYTHING you consider "deep"?
How about not talking about the late night say anything doofus Bill Maher, the Dixie Chicks, or the France/Statue of Liberty/Chevrolet relationship? Is he supposed to not have USA go to war because the Pope said it is bad? Maybe I could take the whole letter seriously if he didn't resort to such silliness.

I think Moore has it bang-on. By pandering to the common denominator of society with his sarcasm, he's showing how ridiculous things are with how the US is proceeding with their "war".

I think you mean 'lowest' common denominator, a kind of targeting that us Canadians usually have little respect for.

My take on this is that MM is not someone who can win an arguement with facts, and has to resort to misreprestation and instults.

[spart]

MM seems to be against Rhetoric and Lies and yet those are the exact same tools he uses in his own arguments.
The Dixie Chicks? WTF

I'm against this war, but that letter was just embarassing. Bowling for Columbine's message was dearly needed but its presentation was ... embarassing. That scene where he puts the doll down in Heston's house was just... so silly.

The left is impotent specifically b/c of ppl like Moore (and Jackson, et. al.). I just hope the Dems can at least come up with a reasonably competent candidate for the next elections...please.

[WinChaser]

If you want to believe that the consequences of going are worse then those of not going, that's fine. MM doesn't address any important issues, and that's why I dismiss this whole thing. It is completly substance-free. MM is an expert at skewing and misrepresenting facts, but this isn't even addressing any issues, it's just an attempt at mudslinging. The only real "issue" that is being addressed in this letter is a personal attack on the POTUS. I really hope nobody else takes this seriously.
Relax. The letter wasn't addressed to you + it's up to you whether to take it seriously. I, however, do agree with his points - rather than playing with words (9/11 = terrorism = Al-Qaeda -> Iraq?), he simply put it bluntly. All this charade about "giving inspection a chance" is just plain bull. I think Jen summed up Bush's rhetorical speeches pretty well:
I'm going to war anyway!

[spart]

WinChaser:
Umm, there was almost nothing of substance in that letter. Yes, Bush is an idiot. Yes, the propaganda spouted by the Ari Fleicher is bulls***. Yes, yes, to all of that.

MM is equally an idiot for making fully meaningless arguments. Fluff pieces, emotional (and groundless) appeals - "think of the children" type nonsense. It's even worse. I suspect Moore is just trying to be Machiavellian (or perhaps not - i dunno which is worse) but I'd really rather see him make cogent and insightfull arguments. I suspect he can, but just chooses this other route.

You can say he's just trying to appeal to the "lowest common denominator" or whatever but really he's devaluing the whole anti-war effort.

Just b/c his goals are the same doesn't mean you have to agree with his means.

[frogger]

Dear Mr. Bush,
Basketball was invented by a Canadian, and many Americans play it so you should do as we wish and not go to war against Iraq.
Did you notice how witty I am? I hope my fans get a kick out of this.

Signed,
Frogger

[spart]

frogger:
good point.

but more importantly, your avatar rocks
[edit for stupid bold tags...]

[WinChaser]

I suspect Moore is just trying to be Machiavellian (or perhaps not - i dunno which is worse) but I'd really rather see him make cogent and insightfull arguments.  I suspect he can, but just chooses this other route..
It doesn't matter anyway simply because
I'm going to war anyway!

Just b/c his goals are the same doesn't mean you have to agree with his means.Exactly. Sure, Saddam has to go, but...

Given Saddam's track record, you think he'd leave? He'd rather stay and sacrifice the Iraqis - torch the oil fields, the "if I can't have it, no one else can" attitude. He may be killed - but not after Iraq is completely destroyed with a few thousands, if not tens of thousands killed as "collateral damages". US, the one with the smoking gun, would then point a finger at Saddam, saying "Look what you've made us do." :roll:

... and we're bickering about how meaningless MM's letter is.

Check the first link in my sig - a prediction on what may lie ahead.

[wintech]

Hey I protest the use of MM for Michael Moore!

[blainehamilton]

I think Wintech has an automated search for every new most with the initials MM in them.


Please consider this when making new posts from now on.


And whatever you do, don't post naked pictures of Mandy. :D

[wintech]

Thank you lol.

Sure sure, you're just saying that when you'll be thanking me inside heh.

[towingwidow]

I think Wintech has an automated search for every new most with the initials MM in them.


Please consider this when making new posts from now on.


And whatever you do, don't post naked pictures of Mandy.  :D

Wintech would have a meltdown....after the pics were moved to his shrine to her, of course.

[towingwidow]

I think Moore has it bang-on.  By pandering to the common denominator of society with his sarcasm, he's showing how ridiculous things are with how the US is proceeding with their "war".

I agree, totally. :evil:

[bob.sherunkel]

2. The majority of Americans -- the ones who never elected you -- are  
not fooled by your weapons of mass distraction. We know what the real issues  
are that affect our daily lives -- and none of them begin with I or end in  
Q. Here's what threatens us: two and a half million jobs lost since you  
took office, the stock market having become a cruel joke, no one knowing  
if their retirement funds are going to be there, gas now costs almost  
two dollars -- the list goes on and on. Bombing Iraq will not make any of  
this go away. Only you need to go away for things to improve.  



Of course, these arguments have nothing to do with the fact that 12 years have passed since the UN ordered Iraq disarmament, and the recent resolution 1441 also ordered him to disarm (though it did not put hard deadlines, or consequences of not meeting these deadlines). Without the 100's of thousands of troops camped near his border, the small progress the UN inspectors have made would not be accomplished.

Saddam has invaded Iran and Kuwait, gassed Iranian and Kurdish people, executed political prisoners, Scud bombed Israel when it was not an active combatant in the Gulf War, has missiles and remote planes in contradiction to UN resolutions, rewards terrorist's families if they die while bombing American and Israeli citizens in Israel. (He just paid out some last week!)

And if you want to take a closer look at the arguments above, jobs were lost due to 9/11 terrorist activities, and scandals with the stock market (Enron/WorldCom/AOL all reported billions in profit where none existed). Scandals that started under the democratic Bill Clinton regime...

Turmoil in the Middle East (where Saddam is one of the larger unbalancing elements), and the strike in Venezuala have been prime causes for the increase in the cost of oil ...

I don't like war, but I do not think this action is unjustified ...

Baghdad Bob.

[grant]

That one senator, who should be oppessed to war under MM's theory, voted for authorization for use of force.  
http://www.timjohnsonforsd.com/news.php?newsid=86


That's an interesting take on MM's "theory."

I suspect, however, that the point is that he's the ONLY senator who has fully considered the personal impacts of supporting a war.

[grant]

And if you want to take a closer look at the arguments above, jobs were lost due to 9/11 terrorist activities, and scandals with the stock market (Enron/WorldCom/AOL all reported billions in profit where none existed). Scandals that started under the democratic Bill Clinton regime...

Enron has been contributing to GWB's political career since 1978. That means 14 years of republican oversight vs. 10 years of democratic oversight, through 5 different presidents.

In the 2000 presidential election, they were GWBs largest contributor during the republican nominations, and one of the top 5 corporate donors during the actual election.

The implication that the democrats somehow "encouraged" accounting trickery is ridiculous. At worst, 2 democrat administrations did the same as 2 republican administrations- they overlooked areas that were open for abuse, because it was not front page news.

[bruce32]

i for the most part agree with all he says....number 2 is worng...hell when bush puts a puppet leader in iraq he will own more oil...and the economy tends to improve right after a war. but yes freedom fries are the dumbest thing is cheese in a can.

and bravo Mr. Bush in turnng the UN in a useless group of people


one last thing after watching CNN today i will NEVER watch it again. its one sided crap. "numbers dont lie people around the world support US action" 1. some of the biggest countries dont 2. those that do (read the UK) dont have backing from the population 3. 45 country back him 15 dont want to giive their names 4. there are many more than 45 countries in this world 5. a lot that do back him do it because of him offering free trade


i am going to breath in and out a fee times and try and calm myself down

[ranjeet2000]

heh, i'd like to see those bush twins join the army.

[spart]

heh, i'd like to see those bush twins join the army.

They're too busy getting drunk.

... and so will I (in a few hours...heh).

[spart]

To all Michael Moore fans:

http://www.hardylaw.net/Truth_About_Bowling.html

(i'd read it before, but got the link off a recent /. thread. )

note: I'm not "pro-gun" but 'bowling for columbine' was such a farce. It was really disgusting. The article addresses why in more detail than I ever could (without a bias or position on the issue of gun ownership).

Good read. It also makes a solid point for not taking everything you see on TV or in the Theatres (or on the web - irony?) as true.

[bob.sherunkel]

And if you want to take a closer look at the arguments above, jobs were lost due to 9/11 terrorist activities, and scandals with the stock market (Enron/WorldCom/AOL all reported billions in profit where none existed). Scandals that started under the democratic Bill Clinton regime...

Enron has been contributing to GWB's political career since 1978. That means 14 years of republican oversight vs. 10 years of democratic oversight, through 5 different presidents.

In the 2000 presidential election, they were GWBs largest contributor during the republican nominations, and one of the top 5 corporate donors during the actual election.

The implication that the democrats somehow "encouraged" accounting trickery is ridiculous. At worst, 2 democrat administrations did the same as 2 republican administrations- they overlooked areas that were open for abuse, because it was not front page news.

Enron was a traditional energy reseller until 1993.

From 1993 to 1999, the executives and directors of Enron created a series of off-the-books partnerships that they used to hide millions in debt. Often employing complex financial structures, these partnerships, limited-liability companies, and other affiliates - named after Stars Wars characters Chewco, and JEDI, as well as vacation homes South Hampton - are incredibly murky and quite difficult to explain.

Enron had many ties with the Clinton administration as well ...

Beating the Bushes - Bob.

[Rehan]

Next project by Michael Moore: Fahrenheit 911 (http://entertainment.yahoo.com/entnews/va/20030328/104885267800.html), "a documentary that will trace why the U.S. has become a target for hatred and terrorism. It will also depict alleged dealings between two generations of the Bush and bin Laden clans that led to George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden becoming mortal enemies."

[Spent]

Kudos Michael: You're a true American Hero
You warned them and they wouldn't listen. :mad:

[CSR]

Kudos Michael: You're a true American Hero
You warned them and they wouldn't listen. :mad:

3 months old.. why.

[Ryan]

More than a two years old actually. Lock.