The Patriot's Act (Michael Moore Op-ed)

LA Times ^ | 07/04/04 | Micheal Moore

[Fzob]

NEW YORK — As a young boy, I loved the American flag. I'd lead my younger sisters in patriotic parades up and down the sidewalk, waving the flag, blowing a whistle and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance over and over until my sisters begged me to let them go back to their Easy-Bake Oven.

I loved singing the national anthem. I won an essay contest on "What the Flag Means to Me." I decorated my bicycle with little American flags for a Fourth of July parade and won a prize for that too. I became an Eagle Scout and proudly promised to do my duty to God and country. And every year I asked to be the one who planted the flag on the grave of my uncle, a paratrooper who was killed in World War II. I was taught to admire his sacrifice, and I hoped to grow up and do my part, as he had, to keep us free.

But, in high school, things changed. Nine boys from my school came back home from Vietnam in boxes. Draped over each coffin was the American flag. I knew that they also had made a sacrifice. But their sacrifice wasn't for their country: They were sent to die by men who lied to them. Those men — presidents, senators, government officials — wrapped themselves in the flag too, hoping that their lies would never be questioned, never be discovered. They wrapped themselves in the very flag that was placed on the coffins of my friends and neighbors. I stopped singing the national anthem at football games, and I stopped putting out the flag.

I realize now I never should have stopped.

For too long now we have abandoned our flag to those who see it as a symbol of war and dominance, as a way to crush dissent at home. Flags are flying from the back of SUVs, rising high above car dealerships, plastering the windows of businesses and adorning paper bags from fast-food restaurants. But these flags are intended to send a message: "You're either with us or you're against us," "Bring it on!" or "Watch what you say, watch what you do."

Those who absconded with our flag now use it as a weapon against those who question America's course.

[Fzob]

More propaganda from the loony left.

[ConservativeMan55]

Michael Moore is a piece of trash!

Nader calls Moore "too fat"

[OpusatFR]

"Those who absconded with our flag now use it as a weapon against those who question America's course.."

The flag-draped left. But then again, is there a flag big enough to cover his arse?

[HankReardon]

As an important a symbol the American flag is there is much more to loving America and what it stands for than painting things red, white and blue.

[Fzob]

For too long now we have abandoned our flag to those who see it as a symbol of war and dominance, as a way to crush dissent at home. Flags are flying from the back of SUVs, rising high above car dealerships, plastering the windows of businesses and adorning paper bags from fast-food restaurants. "You're either with us or you're against us," "Bring it on!" or "Watch what you say, watch what you do."

I think this points to a serious mental illness in Moore.

[Andy from Beaverton]

http://www.moorelies.com

[elhombrelibre]

Michael Moore is the pig-faced guru of the Left. He shows just how low they've gone and shows that any lowbrow dolt can now be a good Lefty.

[Brian Allen]

<< They were sent to die by [Girly] men who lied to them. Those men — presidents, senators, government officials — >>

Every one of them a "DemocRAT!"

How efficaciously the Liberal Psychosis sandwich-boards its definitively self-loathing psychopathologically-hesperophobic, morbidly-projecting sufferers.

And in Fat Bastard's case, just look at the pathetic poor bastard, surely involuntary restraint cannot be far away.

BUMPping

[Brian Allen]

<< I think this points to a serious mental illness in Moore. >>

I know you are Right!

BUMPping

[Rome2000]

Somebody gave Michael Moron a crayon.

He thinks he knows propaganda.

He and his kind are about to get served.

[Rome2000]

One of the Greatest Films of all Time!!!

I Loved it!!

-Osama Bin Laden

Four Stars!!!!

I haven't had this much fun at the movies since Blackhawk Down!!!!

-Mullah Omar

[Fzob]

Michael Moore is the pig-faced guru of the Left. He shows just how low they've gone and shows that any lowbrow dolt can now be a good Lefty.

The ironic part of all this is that Mickey has become a millionaire capitalists pig by creating and marketing F-911 to a bunch of leftist weirdo's.

[Brian Allen]

<< Michael Moore is the pig-faced guru of the Left. He shows just how low they've gone and shows that any lowbrow dolt can now be a good Lefty. >>

'Fat Bastard' is, thank God, the ludicrous left's David Duke.

And will be its Samuel Taylor Coleridge 15 Minute's Fame Award recipient.

Its albatross.

[IronJack]

Yeah. No doubt Michael Moore was the leader of his Cub Scout chapter too. I think we can file this one under "bilgewater."

[Rennes Templar]

The next step is they will want their own flag, one that is not associated with so much "dominance".

[Fzob]

The next step is they will want their own flag,

I think they already have there own flag

[Fzob]

there = their

[wildwood]

Let's create a world in which, when people see the Stars and Stripes, they will think of us as the people who brought peace to the world, who brought good-paying jobs to all citizens and clean water for the world to drink.

well, now there you have the problem...pie in the sky wishes that won't happen without some drastic changes in the nature of mankind.

1) the "have-nots" are rarely grateful, not because they "have not" but because they are not motivated to improve their own conditions, with or without help. jealousy and griping are easier

2) what is a "good paying job"? mm can mock all he wants the so-called low paying jobs (which in America lately prove to be not so low paying, truth be told) but the standard of living differs from country to country, who can afford a high minimum wage if that is all we ALL can make because of high taxes?

3) his movie was filled with lies to support his specious reasoning-this feels like a cover your arse piece because people are starting to realize that MICHAEL MOORE IS A BOTTOM FEEDER WHO HAS BECOME RICH BY EXPLOITING DEATH AND TRAGEDIES. he has polarized the country because there was no other way to make money off such previously verboten subjects.

[holdonnow]

Why didn't Moore include his hate-America statements in this piece -- you know, where he's blaming America for 9/11? And why does he lie repeatedly in his docuphonery, as he does in his previous movies and books? The man is a Marxist.

[atomicpossum]

Are you proud that one in six children lives in poverty in America?

This from a guy with multi-million dollar apartments in fashionable New York.

Are you proud that 40 million adult Americans are functional illiterates?

Somebody's got to buy your books, Michael.

Could the problem be the socialist education system?

Are you proud that the bulk of the jobs being created these days are low- and minimum-wage jobs?

Twaddle.

Are you proud of asking your fellow Americans to live on $5.15 an hour?

Unlike you socialist Leftists, Michael, I don't belive people are unable to improve their job standing in life.

Are you proud that, according to a National Geographic Society survey, 85% of young adult Americans cannot find Iraq on the map (and 11% cannot find the United States!)?

See the answer about the socialist education system.

Are you proud that the rest of the world, which poured out its heart to us after Sept. 11, now looks at us with disdain and disgust?

Yes, I am, Michael, because it means we're standing on what we believe we need to do and not aquiescing to other's interests. Are you proud tht you've helped foster that loathing?

Are you proud that nearly 3 billion people on this planet do not have access to clean drinking water when we have the resources and technology to remedy this immediately?

Firstly, that's an assinine statistic. Secondly, if you and your socialist communist buddies would help foster the spread of both freedom and capitalism, the standard of living around the world would be markedly higher.

Are you proud of the fact that our president sent our soldiers off to a war that had nothing to do with the self-defense of this country?

Michael, perhaps you should stick to formats in which you define the debate and do not subject yourself to questioning...If you are unable, unwilling, or incapable of telling the truth about the Iraq issue, you'd do well not to bring it up.

[b4its2late]

Moore's so full of $hit, the whites of his eyes are turning brown.

[lainde]

Puke alert!

[Camel Joe]

I would like to remind Mr. Moore that socialism has no future in the United States of America. I will remind him with my sword if need be, but for now I will use the gentile words of Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson's Last Letter
Ten days before the 50th of the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote this letter in response to the
committees’ invitation to honor him at the celebration. Being in poor
health, Jefferson had to decline, but sent this letter in his place.
On the eve of this great anniversary, Jefferson was in his home at
Monticello, struggling to stay alive for one more day. Some 500 miles away
in Quincy, Massachusetts, John Adams was also dying. He passed away on the
day of the fourth, his last words reflecting the thoughts of an old
friend: "Thomas Jefferson still survives."
Shortly after midnight, Jefferson woke, and asked his granddaughter who
stood at his bedside, "Is it the fourth?" She said that it was, and then
perhaps he smiled. In one of the most remarkable coincidences in history,
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams--the two great architects of the
Declaration of Independence--died within hours of each other on July 4,
1826, 50 years after they created the words that gave birth to this great
land of liberty.
Monticello, June 24, 1826
Respected Sir,
The kind invitation I received from you, on the part of the citizens of
the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration of
the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, as one of the surviving
signers of an instrument pregnant with our own, and the fate of the world,
is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the honorable
accompaniment proposed for the comfort of the journey. It adds sensibly to
the sufferings of sickness, to be deprived by it of a personal
participation in the rejoicing of that day. But acquiescence is a duty,
under circumstances not placed among those we are permitted to control. I
should, indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and exchanged there
congratulations personally with the small band, the remnant of that host
of worthies, who joined with us on that day, in the bold and doubtful
election we were to make for our country, between submission or the sword;
and to have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact, that our fellow
citizens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to
approve the choice we made. May it be to the world, what I believe it will
be (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all), the signal
of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and
superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the
blessings and security of self-government. That form which we have
substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason
and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of
man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to
every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born
with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready
to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope
for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever
refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to
them.
I will ask permission here to express the pleasure with which I should
have met my ancient neighbors of the city of Washington and its
vicinities, with whom I passed so many years of a pleasing social
intercourse; an intercourse which so much relieved the anxieties of the
public cares, and left impressions so deeply engraved in my affections, as
never to be forgotten. With my regret that ill health forbids me the
gratification of an acceptance, be pleased to receive for yourself and
those for whom you write, the assurance of my highest respect and friendly
attachments.
Thomas Jefferson

Freedom belongs to all men and woman no matter where they are. Freedom is not an American enigma, nor is it something only for Americans. Our Founding Fathers knew this, we cannot forget nor be forced to do so. Our first flag bore these words, "Don't Tread On Me". I would remind Mr. Moore again that these words hold true today... You will not steal away my liberty, and you will not stand in the way of those who would seek it for themselves.

[Flyer]

But these flags are intended to send a message: "You're either with us or you're against us," "Bring it on!" or "Watch what you say, watch what you do."

I have a flag on the rear window of my Jeep. I fly a flag in the yard. I always wear a flag lapel pin.

C'mon, Michael, "Bring it on!"

[DustyMoment]

Michael Moore BARF Alert!!! This guy, like his brother Clinton, wouldn't know the truth if it (were able to) knocked him down and sat on him.

[Piquaboy]

Why does not Moore move out of this country if he hates it so much? He would be doing himself and all the rest of us a big favor.

[sgtbono2002]

>>>>"Those who absconded with our flag now use it as a weapon against those who question America's course.." <<<<

I remember movies----Movies like Midway, Yankee Doodle Dandy, The Sands of Iwo Jima, The Alamo, Patriotic great movies starring real men Clark gable who served in WW2, James Stewart , Lee Marvin ,Real men, Not todays Hollywood fags playing at being men Somebody absconded with my movies and now use them as a weapon to help terrorists , a weapon to destroy a decent President and elect moron who m,ade Vietnamese veterans a thing of scorn.

Yes Micheal moore absconded with good movies and puts out trash that Hezbollah wants to help distribute. This fat POS needs a good slapping and I hope we get pictures of it. Cant wait to see someone pull a Rodney King on this slob.

[Peach]

I am pleased to report that a local paper accepted my letter to the editor regarding Moore's film. So many people had written into the newspaper calling it a must see movie and that they haven't seen anyone debate the "facts" in the movie, showing once again that so many people don't watch the news or read newspapers, all of which have detailed Moore's lies in his movie.

I wrote:
Regarding Michael Moore's movie Fahrenheit 9/11, have we so blurred the lines between actual news and entertainment that people can no longer tell the difference?

Moore insinuates that President Bush permitted the bin Laden family to leave the country without FBI approval after 9/11. Richard Clarke testified to the 9/11 Commission that he took direct responsibility for permitting the family to leave but only after the FBI cleared them.

The Patriot Act is so despised by Moore that it's surprising he would suggest that over 100 family members, most of whom were estranged from OBL, should be held in the country against their will.

Moore insinuates the Taliban met with Bush in Texas and the war in Afghanistan was to help Unocal Corporation build a pipeline in that country. The Taliban never met with Bush although they did meet with Clinton administration officials twice in 1997 and 1998. Unoral ultimately withdrew from planning to build the Afghanistan pipeline in 1998.

Moore claims there was no relationship between bin Laden and Hussein, ignoring the fact in 1998 the Clinton administration obtained a federal indictment against bin Laden which specifically mentioned the terrorist's connections with Saddam and the agreement they had to work cooperatively on weapons development.

Despite some initial mis-reporting by the press, the 9/11 Commission has detailed many connections between the terrorist and Saddam but they could find no operational role in 9/11 between AQ and Iraq. Even that was countered a few days later by the Commission Co-Chairmen when they said that a high ranking member of Iraq's Fedayeen military was present during at least one pre-9/11 planning meeting.

The list of falsehoods in the movie is a long one and does not distinguish Moore or those who get their "news" from the entertainment industry.

[God luvs America]

As a young boy, I loved the American flag. I'd lead my younger sisters in patriotic parades up and down the sidewalk, waving the flag, blowing a whistle.... But now as a fat-assed liberal I hate America, have declared jihad on my infidel younger sisters, wave the Koran around and blow smoke out my ass.

[gilliam]

This article seems to be a catharsis of some kind.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Flags are flying from the back of SUVs, rising high above car dealerships, plastering the windows of businesses and adorning paper bags from fast-food restaurants."

And God knows he's waved plenty of those around himself.

[MeekOneGOP]

<< They were sent to die by [Girly] men who lied to them. Those men — presidents, senators, government officials — >>

Every one of them a "DemocRAT!"

Exactly right, Brian !

[gilliam]

It would also appear that Michael Moore is an Eagle Scout.

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

But these flags are intended to send a message: "You're either with us or you're against us," "Bring it on!" or "Watch what you say, watch what you do."

How about, "Please stop flying airplanes into buildings"? Is that really such an unreasonable request?

What if we add "without filing a complete Environmental Impact Statement first"?

[RightWingAtheist]

Michael Moore desecrates the flag:

We need to see more Photoshops depicting Moore as Creosote

[RightWingAtheist]

I just realized that Moore has completely succumbed to French government's style of reasoning. He doesn't want to see American flags because they represent people who are different from him, and remind him that not everyone thinks the same way, just as the French government banned hajibs and yarmulkes because they are expressions of people's personal beliefs.

[o_zarkman44]

If Moore is so ashamed to be an American then he should leave his capitalist derived money and possessions and leave America. The flag is the symbol of a free culture that is not ashamed to admit mistakes when made. The American Flag is a symbol of perseverance. Had it not been for the actions of our ancestors, Moore could have just as easily been born into slavery, poverty, and a life of turmoil rather than his self annoited soapbox that only can be tolerated because of the freedoms we enjoy.

Moores is free to disagree. But he should be willing to give up everything he has if he thinks his wealth has been derived from a corrupted philosophy of Americanism. Otherwise his activism is flippant.

[Big Giant Head]

I became an Eagle Scout and proudly promised to do my duty to God and country.

Fine, you fat lying bastard. Why don't you go support your country, you fat lying bastard, by volunteering in Iraq. Why don't you stand with the politicians that are trying their damndest to protect your fat lying bastardliness. Why don't you try at least supporting a war effort, you fat lying bastard, while our troops are in danger?

Is that too much to ask, you fat lying bastard?

My apologies, JimRob, if my post is as offensive as that fat lying bastard.

[lavrenti]

Moore insinuates the Taliban met with Bush in Texas and the war in Afghanistan was to help Unocal Corporation build a pipeline in that country. The Taliban never met with Bush although they did meet with Clinton administration officials twice in 1997 and 1998. Unoral ultimately withdrew from planning to build the Afghanistan pipeline in 1998.

This vile slander truly irks me. If any one group enabled the Taliban regime (and therefore OBL and AQ) it was Clinton's cretins.

[AF68]

Michael Moore hates America and Old Glory. His preaches to his minions which are MoveOn.org, International ANSWER, the International Solidarity Committee, and just about every Jew-hating, America-hating Islamo-fascist organization in the world. Moore empowers the real fascist/communist/jihadist vermin that burn the American flag and spray-paint it with swastikas. If there's any flag Michael Moore loves, it's the hammer and sickle.

[Steel Wolf]

Those men — presidents, senators, government officials — wrapped themselves in the flag too, hoping that their lies would never be questioned, never be discovered.

I guess it's true that you become that which you hate the most.

Moore has become precisely what he claims to hate: the shadowy conspirator, the guy with the secret agenda, who hopes that his lies are not exposed, and who won't stand to be questioned on them.

His cause has become so important to him that anything justifies it. Anything. People who think like that live in an emotional world in which facts and reason are articles of convenience, or petty distractions, from the higher Truth.

[elhombrelibre]

I wish I'd said that.

[Fzob]

I guess it's true that you become that which you hate the most.

Moore has become precisely what he claims to hate: the shadowy conspirator, the guy with the secret agenda, who hopes that his lies are not exposed, and who won't stand to be questioned on them.

Yes I noticed that. He has also become a millionaire by preying on the emotions and fears of the loony left. Just like those capitalists he despises for marketing to people; just like the claims he makes that Bush and Ashcroft use terrorism to control people.

Moore is nothing but a hypocrite of the wost kind. A willful hypocrite that manipulate people to suit his own ends.

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

He doesn't want to see American flags because they represent people who are different from him, and remind him that not everyone thinks the same way

Yes. On the left, they call that "celebrating diversity".

[Steel Wolf]

Those who absconded with our flag now use it as a weapon against those who question America's course.

What weapons do you use against those who questions your course, Mike?

"I’m sorry, but the majority of Americans supported this war once it began and, sadly, that majority must now sacrifice their children until enough blood has been let that maybe -- just maybe -- God and the Iraqi people will forgive us in the end."

Michael Moore, “Heads Up... from Michael Moore,” MichaelMoore.com, April 14, 2004.

You are hoping that people die in order to prove that you are right. You revel in each casualty, hoping it brings you closer to your goals.

I did not support the intervention and bombing of Serbia, but it would be a cold day in hell before I started publicly calling for planes to be shot down and pilots to be killed in order for my own political views to be embraced by more people.

The reason your patriotism is questioned, Mr. Moore, is that you are not a patriot.

Everyone is free to disagree, but not all dissent is honorable. Protest is a precious cornerstone of our society, but not all forms of protest are to be cherished. Praying for the death of your countrymen in sufficient numbers to change public policy to your own liking is not patriotism.

It is vile, immature egotism. You should be ashamed of the values you hold dear. Perhaps the unhappiness with life you so clearly feel is not a result of George W. Bush, but of your own neglected conscience.

[Tamzee]

Post #22... well done :-)

[tjwmason]

I would like to lead that parade, carrying the largest flag.

I was about the suggest that he would need it to wrap around himself, then I realised that it would constitute desecration of the flag.

Happy Independence Day to all Americans, from this corner of Merry England; may you all live to enjoy many more too.