Dear President Biden: As I write this, you are in Israel to meet with their indicted and soon to be criminally-tried prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. A man you despise. A prime minister who last month, when he was in the U.S., you refused to grant him the traditional White House visit. You have expressed your distaste with how he has spent most of this year trying to destroy the Israeli Supreme Court, leading to millions of Israelis taking to the streets to demand that Netanyahu end his move toward fascism.
Generally agree with you, except for Biden spending the night in Israel. We have a dicey situation with only VP Harris between us and insanity. The Speaker is #3, and who the hell even knows who that is. Maybe it would skip over and go to Sen Murray -- but the better idea is to get POTUS out of a danger area ASAP.
Back in the mid-Seventies, when I was young and foolish, I hitchhiked from Dahab (by the Gulf of Aqaba) to the Sea of Galilee, along the West Bank. At the time those areas, belonging to Egypt and Palestine, were occupied by Israel. I had no clue, at the time, I was there to scuba dive, but got distracted (and had encountered one too many sea creatures that wanted to kill me).
My only lasting memories are of the generosity and welcoming spirit of the Palestinians who offered assistance, food and shelter, and also some education and understanding.
It makes me weep to see the never-ending pain that this whole region suffers.
Michael , your thoughts and advice always welcome! BUT Biden is doing a great job - he is one man with much responsibility and not young. Let him fly home to the mess back here without the ridiculous idea he could freely and comfortably fit into Kibbutz life for any short amount of time. Really??
Does he really need that to add to his already generous humanity?
I very much appreciate the straight and honest summary of our involvement and Netanyahu’s subversive action and complicity in the abominable actions by Hamas. Continue to lead Biden!
Michael. I love this. Here’s hoping some of your talking points were the president’s as well. Lastly, we have an honorable man representing the US in these visits. Thank you for sharing this with all of us
Yes on all counts. You and the President are both in sync when it comes to being compassionate to all innocent people caught up in this violence, as well as pragmatic about taking concrete steps to alleviate it without ceding any ground to Hamas. People who do a loyalty test by demanding empathy for only one group of humans will not like your message any more than they liked Bidens, but when haters hate on you, you know you've done well.
I was so relieved that you mention the British in connection with Palestine. After the Irish Free State was established they had no more "work" for the Black and Tans and their officer corps, the Auxiliaries. So they shipped them off to Palestine where they carried on murder, torture, rape, burning crops and villages, killing farm animals, imprisoning people without trial, just as they had in Ireland. But you're the first person I've found who mentions their wretched brutality--and the mess they made with maps! When I've mentioned that as the real starting point of Palestinian-battery, I hear doubting silence.
Anyway thanks from this British-born person who has lived most of her life in nyc.
Michael, I often, very often agree with your thoughts but here you seem to be simplistically just spleen venting and ignoring the complexities of this situation. You have taken a high and mighty purist position which we leftists are so good at doing, chastising the good because it is not perfect. Gee, how good it would be if Biden could fix it all. I agree with Peggy. Let's stop the simplicities and give Biden a fucking break. He does not need at this moment, purist platitudes and historical righteousness. He needs support. Perhaps you missed his acknowledging how our thoughtless rage at 9/11, really fucked things up. I think he deserves more credit and support. We all know Netanyahu is a Trump-like sociopathic prick and I sincerely believe the Israeli masses will eventually tend to him, but good. Biden brings empathic life lessons, painfully earned. I am so glad he is there. Sometimes we leftists just need to be grateful we have the "good" and shut the fuck up.
Thank you, Michael. You are a prophet and continue to give me, at 85, hope!!!! Grateful you were able to come to Blacksburg VA many years ago. Phyllis Taub Albritton
I agree with many of your points, not all. Like your last post, you never mention Hamas; why not? If peace is to be brokered, how about begin with the return of ALL hostages. Innocents,- children, grandparents, babies, concert-goers, ALL OF THEM. How’s that for an olive-branch? Yes, Israel has its problems, for sure, but they didn’t start this war; Hamas did. If you want to paint the “ideal picture” then let’s start with the SAFE return of hostages, and then let TALKS begin. If Hamas puts down their arms and return hostages, good things could happen. If Israel puts down their arms, they’re history. Let’s get real. This shouldn’t be all on Biden’s shoulders either. Netanyahu can salvage what’s left of his career by at least TRYING to negotiate peace... but it’s a non-starter unless ALL HOSTAGES are safely returned.
"A Letter from Michael Moore to President Biden" is why I subscribe to your Substack, Michael! It is "small r" respectful but there is a seething between the lines that is palpable. I am trembling after reading it because every word you wrote speaks for so very many of us...it is how we feel and what we would say to Prez Biden if we had the opportunity. When I calm down I will read it again. And I hope you will be sending a copy to the Prez's office for someone in the WH to read. So well done! So very well done! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Generally agree with you, except for Biden spending the night in Israel. We have a dicey situation with only VP Harris between us and insanity. The Speaker is #3, and who the hell even knows who that is. Maybe it would skip over and go to Sen Murray -- but the better idea is to get POTUS out of a danger area ASAP.
You should be a Presidential advisor.
Well, I guess you are.😉
Back in the mid-Seventies, when I was young and foolish, I hitchhiked from Dahab (by the Gulf of Aqaba) to the Sea of Galilee, along the West Bank. At the time those areas, belonging to Egypt and Palestine, were occupied by Israel. I had no clue, at the time, I was there to scuba dive, but got distracted (and had encountered one too many sea creatures that wanted to kill me).
My only lasting memories are of the generosity and welcoming spirit of the Palestinians who offered assistance, food and shelter, and also some education and understanding.
It makes me weep to see the never-ending pain that this whole region suffers.
Let there be Peace. Stop the stupidity.
Michael , your thoughts and advice always welcome! BUT Biden is doing a great job - he is one man with much responsibility and not young. Let him fly home to the mess back here without the ridiculous idea he could freely and comfortably fit into Kibbutz life for any short amount of time. Really??
Does he really need that to add to his already generous humanity?
🤔
I very much appreciate the straight and honest summary of our involvement and Netanyahu’s subversive action and complicity in the abominable actions by Hamas. Continue to lead Biden!
Michael. I love this. Here’s hoping some of your talking points were the president’s as well. Lastly, we have an honorable man representing the US in these visits. Thank you for sharing this with all of us
Yes on all counts. You and the President are both in sync when it comes to being compassionate to all innocent people caught up in this violence, as well as pragmatic about taking concrete steps to alleviate it without ceding any ground to Hamas. People who do a loyalty test by demanding empathy for only one group of humans will not like your message any more than they liked Bidens, but when haters hate on you, you know you've done well.
Thank you for your thoughtful letter. I hope you are heard. Have you ever thought about running for presidency? I am sure you would be a good one!
Thank you Michael for this sensitive and thoughtful post. I appreciate it immensely. You're for peace, Sally
I was so relieved that you mention the British in connection with Palestine. After the Irish Free State was established they had no more "work" for the Black and Tans and their officer corps, the Auxiliaries. So they shipped them off to Palestine where they carried on murder, torture, rape, burning crops and villages, killing farm animals, imprisoning people without trial, just as they had in Ireland. But you're the first person I've found who mentions their wretched brutality--and the mess they made with maps! When I've mentioned that as the real starting point of Palestinian-battery, I hear doubting silence.
Anyway thanks from this British-born person who has lived most of her life in nyc.
Michael, I often, very often agree with your thoughts but here you seem to be simplistically just spleen venting and ignoring the complexities of this situation. You have taken a high and mighty purist position which we leftists are so good at doing, chastising the good because it is not perfect. Gee, how good it would be if Biden could fix it all. I agree with Peggy. Let's stop the simplicities and give Biden a fucking break. He does not need at this moment, purist platitudes and historical righteousness. He needs support. Perhaps you missed his acknowledging how our thoughtless rage at 9/11, really fucked things up. I think he deserves more credit and support. We all know Netanyahu is a Trump-like sociopathic prick and I sincerely believe the Israeli masses will eventually tend to him, but good. Biden brings empathic life lessons, painfully earned. I am so glad he is there. Sometimes we leftists just need to be grateful we have the "good" and shut the fuck up.
You said what needed to be said, Michael.
Thank you, Michael. You are a prophet and continue to give me, at 85, hope!!!! Grateful you were able to come to Blacksburg VA many years ago. Phyllis Taub Albritton
I agree with many of your points, not all. Like your last post, you never mention Hamas; why not? If peace is to be brokered, how about begin with the return of ALL hostages. Innocents,- children, grandparents, babies, concert-goers, ALL OF THEM. How’s that for an olive-branch? Yes, Israel has its problems, for sure, but they didn’t start this war; Hamas did. If you want to paint the “ideal picture” then let’s start with the SAFE return of hostages, and then let TALKS begin. If Hamas puts down their arms and return hostages, good things could happen. If Israel puts down their arms, they’re history. Let’s get real. This shouldn’t be all on Biden’s shoulders either. Netanyahu can salvage what’s left of his career by at least TRYING to negotiate peace... but it’s a non-starter unless ALL HOSTAGES are safely returned.
You have done it again! Consolidated the truth as no one else seems able. BRAVO 👏
"A Letter from Michael Moore to President Biden" is why I subscribe to your Substack, Michael! It is "small r" respectful but there is a seething between the lines that is palpable. I am trembling after reading it because every word you wrote speaks for so very many of us...it is how we feel and what we would say to Prez Biden if we had the opportunity. When I calm down I will read it again. And I hope you will be sending a copy to the Prez's office for someone in the WH to read. So well done! So very well done! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
God forbid he should comfort Palestinians or spend the night in Gaza to stop the bombing.
Just a thought.