Michael Moore's letter asking Clark to run... A Citizen's Appeal

[xultar]

Published on Saturday, September 13, 2003 by CommonDreams.org
http://www.commondreams.org/cgi-bin/print.cgi?file=/views03/0913-06.htm

A Citizen's Appeal to a General in a Time of War (at Home)
by Michael Moore

Dear General Wesley Clark,

-snip-

...although we were still in Week One of the war, you boldly said that my dissent was necessary and welcome, and you pointed out that I was against Bush and his "policies," not the kids in the service. I sat in Flint with the earpiece still in my ear and I was floored -- a GENERAL standing up for me and, in effect, for all the millions who were opposed to the war but had been bullied into silence.

Since that night, I have spent a lot of time checking you out. And what I've learned about you corresponds to my experience with you back in March. You seem to be a man of integrity. You seem not afraid to speak the truth. I liked your answer when you were asked your position on gun control: "If you are the type of person who likes assault weapons, there is a place for you -- the United States Army. We have them."

-snip-

General Clark, last night I finally got to meet you in person. I would like to share with others what I said to you privately: You may be the person who can defeat George W. Bush in next year's election.

This is not an endorsement. For me, it's too early for that. I have liked Howard Dean (in spite of his flawed positions in support of some capital punishment, his grade "A" rating from the NRA, and his opposition to cutting the Pentagon budget).

-snip-

The other night, when you were on Bill Maher's show, he began by reading to you a quote from Howard Dean where he (Dean) tried to run away from the word "liberal." Maher said to you, so, General, do you want to run away from that word? Without missing a beat, you said "No!" and you reminded everyone that America was founded as a "liberal democracy." The audience went wild with applause.
That is what we have needed for a long time on our side -- guts.

-snip-

Michael Moore likes a general? I never thought I'd write these words. But desperate times call for desperate measures. I want to know more about you. I want your voice heard. I would like to see you in these debates. Then let the chips fall where they may -- and we'll all have a better idea of what to do. If you sit it out, then I think we all know what we are left with.

I am asking everyone I know to send an email to you now to encourage you to run, even if they aren't sure they would vote for you.
-snip-

Take the plunge, General Clark. At the very least, the nation needs to hear what you know about what was really behind this invasion of Iraq and your fresh ideas of how we can live in a more peaceful world.

-snip-

Yours,
Michael Moore
Lottery # 275, U.S. military draft, 1972
Conscientious Objector applicant


I think this shows that Michael More changes his mind about the Kosovo thing? Ya think?

(Mods, this letter was hard to cut)
(edit HTML bloopers)

[xultar]

1. Yoo Hooo! n/t

[cthrumatrix]

2. this is waaay good

[xultar]

3. Kick..There it is ! n/t

[The Magistrate]

4. Mr. Moore's Letter Is Always Worth Reading

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[dae]

5. An inspiring appeal from one humanist to another.