A letter from Michael Moore

[tom406]

All this talk is diverting attention away from that chubby, egocentric jerkoff who spreads disinformation and lies for political gain- you know, Karl Rove.

As for Michael Moore, to say he's a no credibility celebrity who shouldn't be shooting his mouth off is sort of ridiculous. He's a celebrity BECAUSE he shoots his mouth off about hot button social issues. Nearly all of his movies (save one crappy comedy called Canadian Bacon), have been about stirring the pot and shining a light on sociopolicial issues that he wants discussed. If a semi-literate hack like Sean Hannity can babble on nightly and call that his "job", then Michael Moore should have his say as well. In this case, his "letter" is a bit too clumsy and blunt, but I believe the sentiment is real.

While the images and tales of crime were shocking, most of the desperation I saw was from a lack of shelter, food, and water. That and the difficulty of moving and caring for the elderly. Sure everyone should have evacuated voluntarily, but realistically, no car + no money = no leavng. And theres always going to be elderly folks stubbornly staying put, as anyone who's tried to get the car keys away from or convince their aging parents to go to assisted living can attest.

I think there's race and class issues at play, but mostly I think it came down to the fact that those who were left were politically invisible. They weren't active enough to make their plight known while policies were formed, and weren't noticed in the aftermath until all hell broke loose.

Whether you think its formed by a defective welfare state or the greed of the haves keeping the have-nots down, few would dispute that there is a bubbling undercurrent of poverty, desperation, and rage that comes to the surface with frightening speed when the veneer of society cracks. Whether its the LA riots, the WTO riots, blackouts or this, I'm genuinely troubled by the violence and lawlessness that erupts almost immediately. Whatever the cause, I think we have to find a solution, as it will surely corrode the society my children inherit.

As for the President, I believe that the co opting of the National Guard and its resouces to fight that misbegotten Iraq war "on the cheap" has come back to haunt him. (2008 election can't come soon enough for me. I'll leave it at that.)

Anyways, kudos to all that have sent support to the Red Cross and others. We donated to the Red Cross prior to SCR8, and are waiting to see who is most effective in the "recover and rebuild" phase and will send money then as well. If anyone finds an organization that seems to be really effective at getting people back on their feet, into homes, and on with their lives, post here or feel free to send me a PM.

Respectfully,
TOM