Open Forum

A recent letter urged us to see Michael Moore's film "Fahrenheit 9/11" that we may be properly informed regarding the political realities of our time. I have lived through 16 presidential campaigns (that I can remember) and never have I witnessed anything even close to this scurrilous attack on President Bush in this film. One reviewer described it as filled with "distortions of truth, vague and unsubstantiated innuendo and personal opinion presented as fact." Anyone who suggests looking to such a source for accurate information on the current political scene is either seriously misinformed or deliberately trying to promote Moore's misguided agenda.

The right to dissent is well understood and observed in this country, but Moore's diatribes have gone beyond legitimate dissent and moved closer to seditious attack. Even some strong critics of the current Republican administration see Moore as being anything but a legitimate and honest critic.

Nor are Moore's "poison darts" limited to the president. He seems to be an equal-opportunity hater, including Democrats and Republicans among his targets. Consider what he has said about us Americans. He told a British reporter that all America is known for around the world is "bringing sadness and misery to places around the globe." Also that Americans are "possibly the dumbest people on the planet...in thrall to conniving, thieving smug (expletive deleted)."

Freedom of speech and press is a precious treasure. But every right carries with it a corresponding responsibility. In this case it's to be honest and accurate. Michael Moore is seriously deficient in both these areas. President Bush has many responsible critics, which is healthy for all of us, but Michael Moore is not among that number.

Dwight Johnson

Nisswa

Beware of American ignorance

It is tragic that we as Americans are so afraid to stand up against obviously unjust circumstances happening throughout the world. How dangerous for our society to allow one man or administration to dictate one set of rules which cannot be questioned without doubting one's patriotism. Is it not patriotic to become educated on the issues? Is it not patriotic to genuinely care, to take enough time and energy to truly understand what is happening in the world? It is our responsibility as American citizens to question things that may be wrong, things that may be horrible mistakes with horrendous consequences that can never be taken back. Shouldn't we weigh all sides of every issue? It is easier to sit back and let someone else take the reigns, but in the long run, we will all be held accountable. We will be the ones suffering for what a few rich men decide. Is this our new "free democracy?" Our fear is making us weak and irrational. Weapons of mass destruction? Nothing is capable of destroying the masses faster than our own current American ignorance.

Melissa Class

Minneapolis

Kerry must not win election

I am writing to you about how important it is that John Kerry does not win this coming election. We need to preserve our American values and remember the foundation America was built on. America was built on a trust in God and John Kerry and people like him do anything they can to get God out of everything in people's lives. We need to stand up to people like him and stop them.

Jason Sather

Plymouth

George W. Bush is the flip-flopper

Why do some Republicans distort and lie as much as they do? Do they think that independents are so ignorant and believe what they write? Do they have no pride and think people will not check as to the truthfulness of what they say?

I called Social Security, 1-800-772-1213, to verify that what the writer from Pequot Lakes wrote about Carter and immigrants was false. Those of us on Social Security know benefits are determined by work history.

Anything Kerry does to improve health care would have to be better than Bush lying to Congress about the cost of his drug bill so he could give billions of dollars to his rich contributors.

I must not be part of the "multitudes" because I never heard the term "Walking Eagle" created by the writer from Backus. If he really is concerned about "massive tax increases for our children and grandchildren," he would be complaining about Bush turning Clinton's budget surpluses into record deficits. Deficits are the real danger to the future of Social Security.

"...apart from Medicare, Medicaid and interest on the federal debt, entitlements already are declining as a share of the U.S. economy." "Tax cuts...since 2001 will cost four times more than the growth in entitlements over the next decade..."

Bush is the true flip-flopper in this campaign with his changing reasons for invading Iraq. Now another lie has surfaced and "The State Department is prepared to announce a sharp increase in the number of terror victims worldwide last year as it corrects findings that were used to bolster one of President Bush's chief foreign policy claims success in countering terror." Bush continues to flip flop between lies and the truth after he is caught.

Leonard Zimmer

Walker

Moore's film tells the truth

As expected, the right wing is apoplectic over Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911" It's only a two-hour movie but we've been subjected to the lies, distortions and fabrications of Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Fox News, and the Bush administration for 3 1/2 years. At least in Moore's film there's a fair amount of truthfulness.

John Niedenfuer

Deerwood

Get over the parade

I was surprised to see pictures of B.A.C.P. on the front page and another opinion writer voicing parade issues. I can't get over that people can't get over the parade deal. Did anybody notice the parade is over with? Though it did create fodder for what seems like everybody's opinion, as a result, I find it hard to believe one person has changed his or her perspective on the issue of free speech,war, politics or the Fourth of July. Simply put, old news is old news.

Perhaps tomorrow real news will dominate the front page or perhaps a new issue or concern will be found in the opinion section. Move on.

Rod Helland

Baxter