More on Moore

From The Austin Review (7/ 02/04), Mike Sullivan sends us "Moore's Moronic Monstrosity" by Ed Koch, former Mayor of New York City. Here is an excerpt: It is shocking to me that Americans in a time of war, and we literally are at war, with Americans being deliberately killed in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere by Islamic terrorists, will attack their own country, sapping its strength and making its enemies stronger. I am not a supporter of the xenophobic slogan "My country right or wrong." But I do believe, when seeking to make it right if it is wrong, that none of us should endanger the country, our military personnel or our fellow citizens.

Disagreeing with America's foreign policy and seeking to change it, responsibly or irresponsibly, is a fundamental right protected by the First Amendment. Shaming those who do it irresponsibly is our only lawful recourse and rightly so.

Senator John Kerry in criticizing United States' foreign policy and the incumbent president is acting responsibly, albeit I disagree with many of his views. On the other hand, Michael Moore, writer and director of the film "Fahrenheit 9/11," crosses that line regularly. The line is not set forth in the criminal statutes, but it is determined by Americans who know instinctively what actions and statements taken and uttered violate the obligations of responsibility and citizenship they deem applicable in time of war. (note: Lincoln would have thrown him in prison)

David Brooks, in a brilliant New York Times column on June 26, collected some of the statements that Michael Moore has been making in other countries which denigrate the U.S. and, in my opinion, cross the line. Brooks writes:

Before a delighted Cambridge crowd, Moore reflected on the tragedy of human existence: "You're stuck with being connected to this country of mine, which is known for bringing sadness and misery to places around the globe." In Liverpool, he paused to contemplate the epicenters of evil in the modern world: "It's all part of the same ball of wax, right? The oil companies, Israel, Halliburton. We, the United States of America, are culpable in committing so many acts of terror and bloodshed that we had better get a clue about the culture of violence in which we have been active participants... Don't be like us," he told a crowd in Berlin. "You've got to stand up, right? You've got to be brave." In an open letter to the German people in Die Zeit, Moore asked, "Should such an ignorant people lead the world?"

RH: I have mixed feelings about this. The case against Michael Moore is well made, bui I am sorry Ed Koch made it. He is a crude. loudmouthed individual, When he was mayor of New York he loudly urged the UN to leave New York because it criticized Israel. His statement should be interpreted as a veiled defense of Israel, which of course can be defended in open discourse.. He is a Democrat and would otherwise be disposed to approve of the film.