I am so damned tired of hearing Biden castigated for leaving so many of "those who helped us" in Afghanistan behind. No one "helped us". Whether one believes, as I do, that we never should have been in Afghanistan, or not, the fact is that we weren't there to conquer the country. We were there to try to help certain Afghanis win a civil war against other Afghanis. So, those Afghanis who worked together with us were doing so to help themselves and not to help us. Unfortunately, the civil war was lost. Those Afghanis, who were unable to leave the country, must suffer the consequences that are suffered by any people who lose a civil war. Although we were under no obligation to help anyone escape, we did, in fact, help more than 100,000 of them to escape. We should take pride in that accomplishment and not condemn our leaders for not having done more.
Did you notice who is castigating President Biden? Mostly those who got us into Afghanistan. Still, don't we have a responsibility to those suffering oppression anywhere?
If Bush had accepted the Taliban's offer to turn Osama bin Laden over, we wouldn't have ended up there.
Yes. I feel like I have a moral responsibility for the welfare of the whole of Humanity. My point here, though, is that I do not believe that it is our responsibility to get Afghanis out of Afghanistan merely because they worked with us. Helping us was merely their participation in their own civil war. In essence, it was no different from the roles played by those who served in the Afghanistan military. No one has suggested that we try getting all of those who served in the Afghanistan military out of Afghanistan.
Who said: "Know the ways of man but keep to a woman's care." (?)
Indeed, "Follow The Women." The subjugation of women is largely due to man's fear of women and fear of the feminine in himself. I know this for myself, mostly from my dreams and Jung's research of the Archetypal Feminine.
The collective suppression of the feminine, even by certain women who deny women's rights, will lead to a major manifestation or eruption of feminine principles or aspects as Jung warned. The suppression of the feminine can be seen in the harm we cause others, the environment, Mother Earth et al.
Lao Tzu felt nourished by the Great Mother. Even the Deities come from a woman, same as us. (cf Joseph Campbell The Hero With A Thousand Faces)
Lao Tzu said it best: "Know the ways of man but keep to a woman's care to be in the world's channel." (ie connected to oneself) The masculine and feminine principles are in us all, no matter what our gender preference may be, trying to be in balance as with the Yin and Yang in the symbol of the Tao. The key seems to be mindful of or note what we feel and experience and understand what it might be about.
Eg
"If you see something you like in someone, be like them."(iow don't be jealous)
"If you see something you dislike, look within. In meditation, go deep. No fight. No blame. Don't take it to the hilt."(iow back off; he was speaking of his own people).
Jung confirmed from our dreams and his how we project onto others things we've yet to realize and accept about ourselves, usually when we dream of those we dislike, needing to see how we are acting like them or could.
It was Jung's wife who determined from the empirical evidence of the many people she and her husband had both worked with, that the soul of men and women is feminine.
Dreams clearly indicate this. Mythologically, we all come from a woman.
A Japanese proverb states, "Mothers should settle wars."
Thank You. Our evolution as human beings depends on this if there is to be any hope for our civilization. Our Constitution reminds us we are all created equal, which we are as human beings. Michael Moore exemplifies this, so much so that I have to confess a bit of jealousy, only because there are issues I've yet to fully resolve. Too often the worst in others brings out the worst in me. Just going to the grocery store can be a challenge. Once when my daughter was about 5, she told me she gets sick of people sometimes. I couldn't very well tell her that God does, too. The Golden Rule has always been The Golden Path, how we treat others, watching for our wounds, issues, demons and desires that are getting acted out and taken out on others. Domestic violence keeps getting worse.
The more you oppress women, the harder women will try to fight back,” Safia Hussain, 18, told our colleagues. “We are ready to fight.” 🧕🏼#TimesUp #BestFriendsGroup #FutureIsFemale!
I guess I did something right helping to raise my son and daughter. Now my son's kids make me take quiet time when I get upset about all that's going on.
Dear Mr.Moore~ NM is probably the m BLUEST state in the Union. Please come visit our melting pot again. So many New Mexicans welcome you, and need your voice! Plus, we have a top notch Governor in: Michelle Grishem Lujan. Pres.Biden even asked her about being his VP.
Come! I'll fix you cheese enchiladas w/ calabacitas! Love, Laura
My father was Superintendent of Chaco Canyon National Park when my brother and I were very young; I was back there a few years ago and couldn't believe how much of the ruins have been excavated since I was a kid! The Anasazi were a truly remarkable people -- there seem to be quite a number of similarities between Stonehenge and Chaco, to the degree that I would argue that Chaco is the North American Stonehenge.
We can at least go there in spirit and meditation to keep balance in ourselves with the opposing forces to keep from falling into the dark side as Michael tried to help Bush and all of us with our anger after 9/11. Tears can open the gates of Heaven and help heal wounds.
Ever see the movie Koyaanisqatsi? It's Hopi for "life out of balance." Anger will do it.
I love the letters you're reflecting on. I had no idea of the 9:03 connection. It's hard to believe where we've been and still we walk on, hoping for better government and a better life. Thanks, Michael!
I have duel Irish American citizenship and I am really wondering about this country. If it wasn’t for my kids and grandkids here I think I would bail but I feel an obligation and a duty to work for a better USA for them. Thanks for all you do to get the truth out and keep hope alive.
Many prophets saw this long before, and why we need to be the change the world needs. We can't change others, only ourselves and how we respond to what we're all up against. Plato warned of shadows of false ideas on the wall of our mind that can hold us bound if we don't seek the light of reason and truth that Michael does so well, breaking the chains of our ignorance, for those of us who want to be free, anyway.
Glad you're here Kerry. I started to apply for dual citizenship with Canada to take my kids and grandkids if things got too bad, then the pandemic hit. Was it God's way of keeping me here? My dreams of President Lincoln seem to indicate it. I trust our Democracy will prevail.
Thank You for your letters, Michael. They really help me and I'm sure many, many others with what we felt and experienced after 9/11. We are a majority because of you and those who later said the same things as you. When I met Cindy Sheehan, she said you'd told her, "Thanks for taking the heat off me." They had a price on your head, hers and everyone else, and still do. It's the plight of prophets speaking truth to power, which can set them free from the sick struggle for survival with endless wars, overpopulation and pollution from fossil fuels. Your letters are a breath of fresh air and healing, easing the collective neuroses of serious anxiety and depression.
I learned that there had already been a bud of scapegoating you ー if the expression is not accurate, making you seem unpatriotic ー about Bush's wars in the media right after 9/11 long before your Academy Award speech, from the Wall Street Journal quote of your letter out of context. It must have been uncomfortable.
Two important books I read after 9/11, "Terror Dream" by Susan Faludi and "The Shock Doctrine" by Naomi Klein, gave me an interesting perspective on tragedy and how our culture reacts to it. Essentially, rich white men survive quite nicely, because it's all about exploitation - who takes a tragedy and uses it for personal or political gain. I think we saw this post 9/11, with the manipulation of fear and anger that started two wars, and the big money opportunists descending upon New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and changing the city from being a home for working class people to a gentrified southern enclave that drove out many people of color who could no longer stand to live there.
Hi Micheal, as I read very letter I am reminded of the grief I felt for the catastrophic loss of life that day even here in the UK. It was so un imaginable as each replay went around every news cycle. I don’t know if you follow news here in the UK but yesterday just one week after the 20th anniversary I could not believe the news that could have the potential to undermine the very foundations of not to mention Trust around the world but NATO as a whole. The new deal between the US, UK AND Australia which the French allegedly only learned hours before the Blonde guy proudly announced it on national TV. I don’t know if you have any thoughts Micheal. Keep on being you sending love from the UK X
I'm sure Michael is watching, as many of us are. We are very concerned. President Eisenhower is probably stirring in his grave. France has every right to be angry. I'm sure Sir Winston Churchill wouldn't approve of the US excluding France.
Than you Stan. You raise many a thought that crossed my mind. I have been so saddened to be British as I always considered myself European, since the referendum and worried. The Blonde haired guy is just the same as your other guy! His latest cabinet proves it. Getting back to France President Macron as you rightly say is right to be furious but the worry of the ramifications around the world are a whole other story yet to unfold. I think it was the timing that hit me the hardest and the what appears to be the second underhanded way the Blonde guy has treated Europe. I guess only time will tell. Sending love Hillary
Please keep speaking out against the madness of men. My favorite book by Sir Winston Churchill, The Gathering Storm, keeps me from going mad. He wouldn't let himself hate anyone. He dealt with the worst of politicians and dictators. It was Hitler's tactic to provoke others and bring out the worst in them. Jesus simply asked why He was struck. Violence should be a last resort and in strict self-defense. It's biblical. We can't hate others, only what we may all do.
We need to find more ways of realizing and understanding what we feel and experience, for "We are the origins of all coming evil." Dreams and meditations are indispensable. The more we are aware, we're less likely to succumb to any vice, vanity or iniquity that can harm others, even ourselves.
It's not rocket science we have a good and dark side. But few care to be aware or mindful of their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or Ms. Hyde.
Jung once simply said to know how much good and evil we're capable of. The serpent on the tree said as much. Eve was very brave. Jesus loved St. Mary Magdalene most of all for her gnosis that He'd appear to her first. Her gospel is very revealing in realizing our "ignorance."
In Kabbalah, the Star of David is symbolic of our duality in union with God.
The Taoist Yin and Yang of Lao Tzu is very similar, if one can "Know the ways of man but keep to a woman's care." He felt nourished by the Great Mother.
The more we are aware, it will lead to awareness of who Jung called the higher Self, as well as the various elements of our psyche that can adversely compel us because of our ignorance of our personal evil, opening the door to them.
The madness of men prevail. God Bless Michael Moore.
Sir Laurens van der Post, the author of The Seed and The Sower, summed up our need not to hate anyone. We may not be able to love our enemies as Jesus said, but we can at least not hate them.
David Bowie brings this out in the most iconic scene based on this book:
The Kiss (from the movie Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence)
Hi Stan, thank you for the reply and the reference points I will look at. To learn is invaluable.
Last night over a meal we discussed the new deal and my son who is into world politics was as concerned as we are. He commented that we should all look out for the response from Japan and the picture may become more clear. Today we both couldn’t believe the front page of the Guardian lead story, a response from Japan. It struck us both as the same warmongering tone of the last pre curser to both wars. I wondered if you had seen It. I sincerely hope we are found to be wrong, but after all it would be ignorance not to accept that war and capitalism go hand in hand. Looking forward to the research and thank you again sending love Hillary
It's why we need those like Michael. Reading and hearing what he has to say keeps me grounded despite the fear, anxiety and depression.
Keeping faith in the higher powers especially helps with the madness of men so I don't go mad as them. They're lost in the darkness of their minds, as Michael has rightly surmised.
I didn't see the Guardian as I check in with The Times. I was a subscriber when Marie Colvin reported for them and will again, I'm sure.
Thank you for remembering the OK City bombing....I always feel that no one does, it makes me sad. We missed a real opportunity all those years ago to address the very real danger of domestic terror. All the men in charge sooo afraid to investigate and prosecute men that looked like them, lead us to where we are today! Nothing changed!! Never Forget 1/6/21!!
I really admire you, Michael, but why all the requests for donations? Is substack expensive capitalism? Or do you need funding for your projects? Just askin'.
No problem. It’s a fair question. We’re trying to build a self-sustaining movement across the country (and the world) via this Substack site. We are also trying to get away from being dependent on multi-billion dollar media conglomerates and studios who can exercise control and censorship over our films, series and books. If you’ve followed my work over the years, you know the struggles and sometimes brawls I’ve had to engage in just to get my work released untouched. I have grown tired of it. The pandemic has given me pause and time to think about how we can do things differently. The idea of being beholden to you, to the thousands of you who are paid members — all of you who’ve agreed to pay 16 cents a day — well, I’d rather do it that way than having to go to Disney or Murdoch or Comcast if I can avoid it. Our first month of fundraising is now over, and we’ve exceeded our goals. But most important, we now have hundreds of thousands of free subscribers who will get my newsletters and podcasts for free, always, with no paywall. Those of you who’ve pledged that $5 a month have made this happen. We haven’t quite raised the funds we need for our next film, but we at least have the freedom now to get started. And we’ll be able to keep our political and organizing work moving forward at full steam! Thank you, all of you, for that. And if we end up having to go to Disney, at least we can go there with the solid foundation you are helping us build. Or we can just save ourselves the hassle and pop over to Netflix instead! Either way, nothing’s gonna stop us from bringing you the great and subversive things we have planned in the months and years ahead…
I'm glad you support Substack, but I have to question the implication that Michael should be doing this for free. Would you? Would it make you a capitalist? Are you jealous of Michael for his success? Shouldn't he be rewarded for speaking truth to power when too many of us are remaining silent? If you were to speak out as he has and done very well, many of us would still support you.
Michael is a God-send with heart.
I subscribe to the Washington Post, New York Times and yes, that capitalist rag Wall Street Journal. The cost of a media platform is expensive that many of us are grateful to support, especially Substack, for the information we need to make the right decisions.
Michael goes even further. His commentaries are better than paying a therapist for my neurosis from all the falsehoods of capitalist war-mongers.
Don’t get me wrong, I admire MM because he deserves his $millions, if true. My concern is about substância as I also have others, whom I follow on substack and same old same old ask.
Please say more why you can't trust what Michael says? Have you fact-checked his commentaries? I wouldn't be here if he wasn't truthful. He's also the first one to warn us about Bush and capitalist war-mongers.
These "dark spirits," as President Obama later called them, can be the ruin of us if we don't speak out against the endless wars, overpopulation and pollution, especially from fossil fuels that Michael and Jeff Gibbs remind us of, keeping the alarm ringing.
This is an Earth Day gem that is unfortunately lost on those who refuse to face the facts.
As mentioned, war is a major carbon machine. Note the environmental impact in this video of floods and fires etc, with the song's lyrics in the background.
I do believe we're in deep dodo when it comes to the environment, and we need to make fixing that our number one priority . The thing Moore badmouths and gets wrong in that movie is the bio-fuel ethanol. He has bought into all the BS that has been put out there by big oil. I have studied hard and have spoke to many real experts on this subject. I would love to talk to Moore himself and give him a list of people and places to go and get educated. After watching that movie, I wondered, Michael, did you sell out to big oil?
If Michael sold out to big oil, why has the industry and conservatives put a price on his head? Remember what Bush said to him when he was governor of Texas?
I fail to see any bs in this wonderful film. There's no question some of the assertions and implications are debatable, but who else do you know of who is monitoring the renewable energy corporations? They are attacking him as much as big oil and conservatives are.
The point is, renewable energy has collateral damage on its hands that needs to be addressed. Trial and Error has its place, but at the cost of the environment?
Research and Development is in need of Research and Development.
Please know Mr. Stoltz, I appreciate your saying something. The mark of a good film, especially a documentary, is to make us think and talk about what is going on and our role in all this.
As it is, biofuels do reduce pollution, but the ground-level ozone effect can't be ignored, as big oil rightly points out, as does Michael. This is where we need to find a better solution. Like most others, I look to our scientists.
fyi I walk, cycle, run, mass transport, car pool and drive my electric car prn, while recycling everything like my grandfather and his son, my dad, who suffered the worst of the depression like many others. Most of my clothes are 10 years and older. I could be a consumer out of control but that's just my insecurity.
I had a Jeep Cherokee for 20 years that smelled of dogs, even after they passed away. I still dream about that Jeep even tho I knew I needed to go electric despite the environmental fallout that Michael also mentioned.
Back in a past life we had a 2-door Jeep Cherokee -- I loved that truck (even when I had to speed up on the interstate so I could kick it into 4-wheel-drive -- when it kicked in I was driving down the lane backwards 😱😱, but I didn't run into anyone and arrived safely at my destination)! Now we have a Honda Element 4WD (13 years old, but I have a good mechanic and can't imagine ever getting rid of my female menopause vehicle 😜)!
I can appreciate what Yale Climate Connection says here, as well as all others. But can the environmental impact of renewable energy be ignored? Michael and Jeff Gibbs make a valid point. Again, there's a need for solutions, especially how we go about those solutions.
This is from the United Nations Energy Council:
"Use of renewable energy undoubtedly contributes to building a more sustainable future of our planet. It is also one of the key actions towards reaching diverse and ambitious goals set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, exploitation of renewable energy resources may also lead to certain environmental problems or risks regarding human health. Environmental assessments, including Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), can be seen as tools which help to maximize environmental and social benefits resulting from renewable energy development, while avoiding or minimizing potential adverse effects."
This sums up what Michael and Jeff are getting at. And yet, it does seem that the renewable energy industry is taking this as undue criticism, as if they called them a bad name and should stop all together.
Should they? I don't think so. Checks and Balances help us to do the best we can, better than we might be. It takes oversight in this case of which there isn't enough of.
Just so you know, or fyi, I'm not critical of anyone for the vehicle they drive. I got a lot of flak for my Jeep. And before that, one person called my AMC station wagon "a refugee from a demolition derby." I didn't care. I loved that car. So did my kids. That's what matters.
Did you know that 88% of all the corn that's grown is for animal feed, and almost all of that is for cattle? Do you know that cattle get sick when the eat corn? Did you know that the reason there is antibodies and other drugs in our meat is because cattle are fed corn. Do you know that the part of the corn that makes them sick is the starch. Did you know that when you make ethanol from corn it uses the starch and leaves distillers grain which is a healthy feed stock for cattle. So ethanol is the byproduct of making healthy feed for cattle.
I recommend you read a book called Alcohol Can be a Gas. The author has a amazing example of what could be done with producing ethanol in Watsonville CA. https://www.blumedistillation.com/
There is a right way and a wrong way to do everything. We don't need to be using all those pesticides and chemicals to grow any of our crops. But until people stop buying that stuff, they're going to keep using it. Even though you don't eat meat, most people do. All the corn that's grown for feed is going to be grown anyway, so why not make fuel with it too. If ethanol ever is allowed to reach it's full potential, we'll be making it from many other things, that will help the environment. Ethanol can be made from almost any bio-mass.
The only way we're going to get there is to support it. As I said, we need to call out people like Moore who spread misinformation.
Yes it does. It also dispels many of the myths about it's environmental impact.
"I would but I already know the benefits of ethanol", says a lot. If you ever want to get educated on what could be with ethanol, book a tour at Blume Distillation.
Hi Dave I saw your comment and realised I had to see the film for myself. I watched it yesterday which was an incredibly hard watch on a topic that frankly the team need applauding for having the courage to make. I also admit it brought me to tears so I guess that it is testament to the production and its raw content that is hard to face. It compounded a lot of my beliefs that we as humans maybe in our day to day lives don’t want to face that our consumption cannot be rolled back sufficiently to save the planet. Today I met a complete stranger from NZ who had not seen the film but in conversation came out with the same conclusion quite frankly as the film. I was so sorry to read how you feel and I hope in this response I have understood some of the reasons you may feel that way. Sending love Hillary
I come here occasionally to discuss issues but have been lambasted for not worshipping Michael Moore and belonging to his cult of personality. I'm happy you're here. Just ignore the self righteousness and celebrity worship.
Thanks. I joined this forum to hopefully get a conversation going with Moore himself about how wrong that movie is. Has anybody heard from Moore himself or does he just set back and collect the money and praise? I just quit my.
Generally, no, although he liked one of my comments once. I just want to break though this mentality where people have become blind followers of people who say what they want to hear. i got my butt kicked by a guy a few days ago because I said this seems like a cult of personality. I was belittled and insulted for it. I also found it offensive that he toots his own horn but doesn't respond to reader comments. Talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
I've found that most people need to have somebody to follow, whether it's donald trump, Michael Moore or whoever. They need to be led. They're looking for somebody to tell them that they are okay. If you question that person that they've chosen as their leader, you're going to catch hell, as you did. All those white supremacists have always been here. They've been lurking under the muck waiting for a donald trump to come along to make it okay for them to slither up out of the muck and show their faces.
Hi Dave I just responded to your original point re Planet of the Humans and at that point had not read the whole thread. I joined the group as yes I do admire Micheal and shared his opinions about both wars and much much more. However I am also of the belief that we should praise where it is due, critique, disagree,agree etc as that to me is fundamental to evolving in this ever disingenuous world with dangerous mis information daily. The last thing I want from this experience is to feel that anyone feels bullied or categorised or not able to exercise reasonable free speech. It is my first subscription to any group and therefore I am the first to acknowledge my in experience in what that entails. Hillary
I'm a stubborn cuss, a hardcore skeptic and hopefully, not a follower. In my life and travels I have seen how people seem to want to be led, and that's a dangerous thing when the leader embodies all of your own grievances and dares to be angry - it's how a billionaire elitist like Trump managed to convince millions of working class Americans that "he alone could fix it." After they become devotees, they allow the leader to do their thinking because he appears to be so good at it. I lived in Egypt when I saw Sisi stage his coup and take over the country in 2014. Everybody loved him, and now he is the most oppressive dictator in Egyptian history. I returned to the US in late 2016 and spent the Trump presidency in apoplexy.
As an old woman from a smart LA family, now stuck in Oklahoma for the last 30 years, I can testify most Americans do not recognize satire when they see it. That is a little harder than getting it once it's been explained, but that is the definition of understanding satire. I tried to explain satire to high school seniors for 15 years. An annual handful laughed quietly, though a little shocked by one of the easiest examples, Swift's "A Modest Proposal". But honestly, most were just shocked without understanding. Sigh.
I am so damned tired of hearing Biden castigated for leaving so many of "those who helped us" in Afghanistan behind. No one "helped us". Whether one believes, as I do, that we never should have been in Afghanistan, or not, the fact is that we weren't there to conquer the country. We were there to try to help certain Afghanis win a civil war against other Afghanis. So, those Afghanis who worked together with us were doing so to help themselves and not to help us. Unfortunately, the civil war was lost. Those Afghanis, who were unable to leave the country, must suffer the consequences that are suffered by any people who lose a civil war. Although we were under no obligation to help anyone escape, we did, in fact, help more than 100,000 of them to escape. We should take pride in that accomplishment and not condemn our leaders for not having done more.
Did you notice who is castigating President Biden? Mostly those who got us into Afghanistan. Still, don't we have a responsibility to those suffering oppression anywhere?
If Bush had accepted the Taliban's offer to turn Osama bin Laden over, we wouldn't have ended up there.
https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/15/world/nation-challenged-president-president-rejects-offer-taliban-for-negotiations.html
Yes. I feel like I have a moral responsibility for the welfare of the whole of Humanity. My point here, though, is that I do not believe that it is our responsibility to get Afghanis out of Afghanistan merely because they worked with us. Helping us was merely their participation in their own civil war. In essence, it was no different from the roles played by those who served in the Afghanistan military. No one has suggested that we try getting all of those who served in the Afghanistan military out of Afghanistan.
No wonder this poor country is starving to death, as their theocratic, medieval cavemen grow opium poppies instead of food! 🤷♀️ #FutureIsFemale!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p5nEVZ0qECg
Who said: "Know the ways of man but keep to a woman's care." (?)
Indeed, "Follow The Women." The subjugation of women is largely due to man's fear of women and fear of the feminine in himself. I know this for myself, mostly from my dreams and Jung's research of the Archetypal Feminine.
The collective suppression of the feminine, even by certain women who deny women's rights, will lead to a major manifestation or eruption of feminine principles or aspects as Jung warned. The suppression of the feminine can be seen in the harm we cause others, the environment, Mother Earth et al.
Caring about others, our environment is feminine.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/790891.Aspects_of_the_Feminine
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30858.When_God_Was_a_Woman
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/775360.The_Moon_and_the_Virgin
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/784579.Return_of_the_Goddess
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/67896.Tao_Te_Ching
Lao Tzu felt nourished by the Great Mother. Even the Deities come from a woman, same as us. (cf Joseph Campbell The Hero With A Thousand Faces)
Lao Tzu said it best: "Know the ways of man but keep to a woman's care to be in the world's channel." (ie connected to oneself) The masculine and feminine principles are in us all, no matter what our gender preference may be, trying to be in balance as with the Yin and Yang in the symbol of the Tao. The key seems to be mindful of or note what we feel and experience and understand what it might be about.
Eg
"If you see something you like in someone, be like them."(iow don't be jealous)
"If you see something you dislike, look within. In meditation, go deep. No fight. No blame. Don't take it to the hilt."(iow back off; he was speaking of his own people).
Jung confirmed from our dreams and his how we project onto others things we've yet to realize and accept about ourselves, usually when we dream of those we dislike, needing to see how we are acting like them or could.
It was Jung's wife who determined from the empirical evidence of the many people she and her husband had both worked with, that the soul of men and women is feminine.
Dreams clearly indicate this. Mythologically, we all come from a woman.
A Japanese proverb states, "Mothers should settle wars."
Indeed, "Follow The Women."
Gender equality is key to development, and there is growing evidence of its critical role in building and maintaining peace ☮️ #UNWomen
Thank You. Our evolution as human beings depends on this if there is to be any hope for our civilization. Our Constitution reminds us we are all created equal, which we are as human beings. Michael Moore exemplifies this, so much so that I have to confess a bit of jealousy, only because there are issues I've yet to fully resolve. Too often the worst in others brings out the worst in me. Just going to the grocery store can be a challenge. Once when my daughter was about 5, she told me she gets sick of people sometimes. I couldn't very well tell her that God does, too. The Golden Rule has always been The Golden Path, how we treat others, watching for our wounds, issues, demons and desires that are getting acted out and taken out on others. Domestic violence keeps getting worse.
The more you oppress women, the harder women will try to fight back,” Safia Hussain, 18, told our colleagues. “We are ready to fight.” 🧕🏼#TimesUp #BestFriendsGroup #FutureIsFemale!
I guess I did something right helping to raise my son and daughter. Now my son's kids make me take quiet time when I get upset about all that's going on.
Dear Mr.Moore~ NM is probably the m BLUEST state in the Union. Please come visit our melting pot again. So many New Mexicans welcome you, and need your voice! Plus, we have a top notch Governor in: Michelle Grishem Lujan. Pres.Biden even asked her about being his VP.
Come! I'll fix you cheese enchiladas w/ calabacitas! Love, Laura
I love New Mexico and look forward to returning! The New Mexico of 20 years ago is not the New Mexico of today. I’ll look forward to those enchiladas!
You have an open invite!
My father was Superintendent of Chaco Canyon National Park when my brother and I were very young; I was back there a few years ago and couldn't believe how much of the ruins have been excavated since I was a kid! The Anasazi were a truly remarkable people -- there seem to be quite a number of similarities between Stonehenge and Chaco, to the degree that I would argue that Chaco is the North American Stonehenge.
YES!
We can at least go there in spirit and meditation to keep balance in ourselves with the opposing forces to keep from falling into the dark side as Michael tried to help Bush and all of us with our anger after 9/11. Tears can open the gates of Heaven and help heal wounds.
Ever see the movie Koyaanisqatsi? It's Hopi for "life out of balance." Anger will do it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koyaanisqatsi
Lovely ❤
I love the letters you're reflecting on. I had no idea of the 9:03 connection. It's hard to believe where we've been and still we walk on, hoping for better government and a better life. Thanks, Michael!
I have duel Irish American citizenship and I am really wondering about this country. If it wasn’t for my kids and grandkids here I think I would bail but I feel an obligation and a duty to work for a better USA for them. Thanks for all you do to get the truth out and keep hope alive.
I lived in the middle east for years. I came to understand there is no utopia on this earth. Things are rotten all over.
Many prophets saw this long before, and why we need to be the change the world needs. We can't change others, only ourselves and how we respond to what we're all up against. Plato warned of shadows of false ideas on the wall of our mind that can hold us bound if we don't seek the light of reason and truth that Michael does so well, breaking the chains of our ignorance, for those of us who want to be free, anyway.
Glad you're here Kerry. I started to apply for dual citizenship with Canada to take my kids and grandkids if things got too bad, then the pandemic hit. Was it God's way of keeping me here? My dreams of President Lincoln seem to indicate it. I trust our Democracy will prevail.
Thank You for your letters, Michael. They really help me and I'm sure many, many others with what we felt and experienced after 9/11. We are a majority because of you and those who later said the same things as you. When I met Cindy Sheehan, she said you'd told her, "Thanks for taking the heat off me." They had a price on your head, hers and everyone else, and still do. It's the plight of prophets speaking truth to power, which can set them free from the sick struggle for survival with endless wars, overpopulation and pollution from fossil fuels. Your letters are a breath of fresh air and healing, easing the collective neuroses of serious anxiety and depression.
How much do I owe ya, doc?
I learned that there had already been a bud of scapegoating you ー if the expression is not accurate, making you seem unpatriotic ー about Bush's wars in the media right after 9/11 long before your Academy Award speech, from the Wall Street Journal quote of your letter out of context. It must have been uncomfortable.
Hitler did the same thing, denouncing anyone who questioned him, like Trump.
Trump Warned Michael Moore Not to Make a Film About Him in 1998
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXEpnkbL3gw
(5:52)
Movie trailer about Trump: Fahrenheit 11/9:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7vq_M-hJfQ
(1:46)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Rose
Two important books I read after 9/11, "Terror Dream" by Susan Faludi and "The Shock Doctrine" by Naomi Klein, gave me an interesting perspective on tragedy and how our culture reacts to it. Essentially, rich white men survive quite nicely, because it's all about exploitation - who takes a tragedy and uses it for personal or political gain. I think we saw this post 9/11, with the manipulation of fear and anger that started two wars, and the big money opportunists descending upon New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and changing the city from being a home for working class people to a gentrified southern enclave that drove out many people of color who could no longer stand to live there.
Hi Micheal, as I read very letter I am reminded of the grief I felt for the catastrophic loss of life that day even here in the UK. It was so un imaginable as each replay went around every news cycle. I don’t know if you follow news here in the UK but yesterday just one week after the 20th anniversary I could not believe the news that could have the potential to undermine the very foundations of not to mention Trust around the world but NATO as a whole. The new deal between the US, UK AND Australia which the French allegedly only learned hours before the Blonde guy proudly announced it on national TV. I don’t know if you have any thoughts Micheal. Keep on being you sending love from the UK X
I'm sure Michael is watching, as many of us are. We are very concerned. President Eisenhower is probably stirring in his grave. France has every right to be angry. I'm sure Sir Winston Churchill wouldn't approve of the US excluding France.
Than you Stan. You raise many a thought that crossed my mind. I have been so saddened to be British as I always considered myself European, since the referendum and worried. The Blonde haired guy is just the same as your other guy! His latest cabinet proves it. Getting back to France President Macron as you rightly say is right to be furious but the worry of the ramifications around the world are a whole other story yet to unfold. I think it was the timing that hit me the hardest and the what appears to be the second underhanded way the Blonde guy has treated Europe. I guess only time will tell. Sending love Hillary
Please keep speaking out against the madness of men. My favorite book by Sir Winston Churchill, The Gathering Storm, keeps me from going mad. He wouldn't let himself hate anyone. He dealt with the worst of politicians and dictators. It was Hitler's tactic to provoke others and bring out the worst in them. Jesus simply asked why He was struck. Violence should be a last resort and in strict self-defense. It's biblical. We can't hate others, only what we may all do.
Jung confirmed it.
This is from the BBC interview with Jung 1959:
We Need More Psychology:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udc9FGGt9lo
(3:13)
We need to find more ways of realizing and understanding what we feel and experience, for "We are the origins of all coming evil." Dreams and meditations are indispensable. The more we are aware, we're less likely to succumb to any vice, vanity or iniquity that can harm others, even ourselves.
It's not rocket science we have a good and dark side. But few care to be aware or mindful of their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or Ms. Hyde.
Jung once simply said to know how much good and evil we're capable of. The serpent on the tree said as much. Eve was very brave. Jesus loved St. Mary Magdalene most of all for her gnosis that He'd appear to her first. Her gospel is very revealing in realizing our "ignorance."
In Kabbalah, the Star of David is symbolic of our duality in union with God.
The Taoist Yin and Yang of Lao Tzu is very similar, if one can "Know the ways of man but keep to a woman's care." He felt nourished by the Great Mother.
The more we are aware, it will lead to awareness of who Jung called the higher Self, as well as the various elements of our psyche that can adversely compel us because of our ignorance of our personal evil, opening the door to them.
The madness of men prevail. God Bless Michael Moore.
I Know God Exists:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ25Ai__FYU
(0:28)
Full interview of Jung by John Freeman and the BBC crew:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBYEFX2dqpM&t=2s
(39:27)
Sir Laurens van der Post, the author of The Seed and The Sower, summed up our need not to hate anyone. We may not be able to love our enemies as Jesus said, but we can at least not hate them.
David Bowie brings this out in the most iconic scene based on this book:
The Kiss (from the movie Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXK6FrhNTos
(1:28)
Major Jack Celliers looks up to Heaven as if guided by a divine light.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merry_Christmas,_Mr._Lawrence
It is about love and watching for what gets in the way.
Someday we'll return to The Eternal Dream.
Hi Stan, thank you for the reply and the reference points I will look at. To learn is invaluable.
Last night over a meal we discussed the new deal and my son who is into world politics was as concerned as we are. He commented that we should all look out for the response from Japan and the picture may become more clear. Today we both couldn’t believe the front page of the Guardian lead story, a response from Japan. It struck us both as the same warmongering tone of the last pre curser to both wars. I wondered if you had seen It. I sincerely hope we are found to be wrong, but after all it would be ignorance not to accept that war and capitalism go hand in hand. Looking forward to the research and thank you again sending love Hillary
It's why we need those like Michael. Reading and hearing what he has to say keeps me grounded despite the fear, anxiety and depression.
Keeping faith in the higher powers especially helps with the madness of men so I don't go mad as them. They're lost in the darkness of their minds, as Michael has rightly surmised.
I didn't see the Guardian as I check in with The Times. I was a subscriber when Marie Colvin reported for them and will again, I'm sure.
Best Always
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-submarine-deal-is-a-real-downer-for-china-x6t89v022
New member from Florida fighting really hard to rid this state of its tyrannical leadership. I love your reflective letters.
New member from Grand Rapids, Mi. Keep your good work
Thank you for remembering the OK City bombing....I always feel that no one does, it makes me sad. We missed a real opportunity all those years ago to address the very real danger of domestic terror. All the men in charge sooo afraid to investigate and prosecute men that looked like them, lead us to where we are today! Nothing changed!! Never Forget 1/6/21!!
“ NOTHING can stop the march forward toward the accumulation of more wealth.”
Especially when it comes to oil war profiteers and mercenaries. 🤑
I really admire you, Michael, but why all the requests for donations? Is substack expensive capitalism? Or do you need funding for your projects? Just askin'.
No problem. It’s a fair question. We’re trying to build a self-sustaining movement across the country (and the world) via this Substack site. We are also trying to get away from being dependent on multi-billion dollar media conglomerates and studios who can exercise control and censorship over our films, series and books. If you’ve followed my work over the years, you know the struggles and sometimes brawls I’ve had to engage in just to get my work released untouched. I have grown tired of it. The pandemic has given me pause and time to think about how we can do things differently. The idea of being beholden to you, to the thousands of you who are paid members — all of you who’ve agreed to pay 16 cents a day — well, I’d rather do it that way than having to go to Disney or Murdoch or Comcast if I can avoid it. Our first month of fundraising is now over, and we’ve exceeded our goals. But most important, we now have hundreds of thousands of free subscribers who will get my newsletters and podcasts for free, always, with no paywall. Those of you who’ve pledged that $5 a month have made this happen. We haven’t quite raised the funds we need for our next film, but we at least have the freedom now to get started. And we’ll be able to keep our political and organizing work moving forward at full steam! Thank you, all of you, for that. And if we end up having to go to Disney, at least we can go there with the solid foundation you are helping us build. Or we can just save ourselves the hassle and pop over to Netflix instead! Either way, nothing’s gonna stop us from bringing you the great and subversive things we have planned in the months and years ahead…
Thank you for your reply. I’ll support you and your team.
I support substack, but Michael Moore needs donations like a hole in the head. He's a millionaire many times over.
I'm glad you support Substack, but I have to question the implication that Michael should be doing this for free. Would you? Would it make you a capitalist? Are you jealous of Michael for his success? Shouldn't he be rewarded for speaking truth to power when too many of us are remaining silent? If you were to speak out as he has and done very well, many of us would still support you.
Michael is a God-send with heart.
I subscribe to the Washington Post, New York Times and yes, that capitalist rag Wall Street Journal. The cost of a media platform is expensive that many of us are grateful to support, especially Substack, for the information we need to make the right decisions.
Michael goes even further. His commentaries are better than paying a therapist for my neurosis from all the falsehoods of capitalist war-mongers.
Thanks, Stan. Soothes my neurosis as well.
Don’t get me wrong, I admire MM because he deserves his $millions, if true. My concern is about substância as I also have others, whom I follow on substack and same old same old ask.
Thanks, Frank. See my reply above.
After seeing your film Planet of the Humans, I no longer feel I can trust anything you say.
Please say more why you can't trust what Michael says? Have you fact-checked his commentaries? I wouldn't be here if he wasn't truthful. He's also the first one to warn us about Bush and capitalist war-mongers.
These "dark spirits," as President Obama later called them, can be the ruin of us if we don't speak out against the endless wars, overpopulation and pollution, especially from fossil fuels that Michael and Jeff Gibbs remind us of, keeping the alarm ringing.
https://news.yahoo.com/obama-says-never-thought-dark-172326004.html
FYI Planet of the Humans is based on scientific evidence, but please determine that for yourself. https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/
This is an Earth Day gem that is unfortunately lost on those who refuse to face the facts.
As mentioned, war is a major carbon machine. Note the environmental impact in this video of floods and fires etc, with the song's lyrics in the background.
"Lost in a lost world."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nUhHofw0U
(4:40)
"And you tell me, you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfZVu0alU0I
(3:40)
We were warned long ago about the path of extinction we're on that Planet of the Humans reminds us of.
I do believe we're in deep dodo when it comes to the environment, and we need to make fixing that our number one priority . The thing Moore badmouths and gets wrong in that movie is the bio-fuel ethanol. He has bought into all the BS that has been put out there by big oil. I have studied hard and have spoke to many real experts on this subject. I would love to talk to Moore himself and give him a list of people and places to go and get educated. After watching that movie, I wondered, Michael, did you sell out to big oil?
If Michael sold out to big oil, why has the industry and conservatives put a price on his head? Remember what Bush said to him when he was governor of Texas?
I fail to see any bs in this wonderful film. There's no question some of the assertions and implications are debatable, but who else do you know of who is monitoring the renewable energy corporations? They are attacking him as much as big oil and conservatives are.
The point is, renewable energy has collateral damage on its hands that needs to be addressed. Trial and Error has its place, but at the cost of the environment?
Research and Development is in need of Research and Development.
Please know Mr. Stoltz, I appreciate your saying something. The mark of a good film, especially a documentary, is to make us think and talk about what is going on and our role in all this.
As it is, biofuels do reduce pollution, but the ground-level ozone effect can't be ignored, as big oil rightly points out, as does Michael. This is where we need to find a better solution. Like most others, I look to our scientists.
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biofuels/ethanol-and-the-environment.php
fyi I walk, cycle, run, mass transport, car pool and drive my electric car prn, while recycling everything like my grandfather and his son, my dad, who suffered the worst of the depression like many others. Most of my clothes are 10 years and older. I could be a consumer out of control but that's just my insecurity.
Oh ya, I don't drive a electric car that's powered by Rare Earth magnets and Lithium Ion that's mined out of the ground and is not renewable.
I've been driving my 78 Toyota Pickup, running on ethanol for the past 15 years.
I had a Jeep Cherokee for 20 years that smelled of dogs, even after they passed away. I still dream about that Jeep even tho I knew I needed to go electric despite the environmental fallout that Michael also mentioned.
Back in a past life we had a 2-door Jeep Cherokee -- I loved that truck (even when I had to speed up on the interstate so I could kick it into 4-wheel-drive -- when it kicked in I was driving down the lane backwards 😱😱, but I didn't run into anyone and arrived safely at my destination)! Now we have a Honda Element 4WD (13 years old, but I have a good mechanic and can't imagine ever getting rid of my female menopause vehicle 😜)!
I don't have time to tell you all the reasons his film is wrong about ethanol. This review is pretty right on.
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/05/michael-moores-planet-of-the-humans-documentary-peddles-dangerous-climate-denial/
I can appreciate what Yale Climate Connection says here, as well as all others. But can the environmental impact of renewable energy be ignored? Michael and Jeff Gibbs make a valid point. Again, there's a need for solutions, especially how we go about those solutions.
This is from the United Nations Energy Council:
"Use of renewable energy undoubtedly contributes to building a more sustainable future of our planet. It is also one of the key actions towards reaching diverse and ambitious goals set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, exploitation of renewable energy resources may also lead to certain environmental problems or risks regarding human health. Environmental assessments, including Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), can be seen as tools which help to maximize environmental and social benefits resulting from renewable energy development, while avoiding or minimizing potential adverse effects."
https://unece.org/environmental-policy/events/role-strategic-environmental-assessment-renewable-energy-planning
This sums up what Michael and Jeff are getting at. And yet, it does seem that the renewable energy industry is taking this as undue criticism, as if they called them a bad name and should stop all together.
Should they? I don't think so. Checks and Balances help us to do the best we can, better than we might be. It takes oversight in this case of which there isn't enough of.
Just so you know, or fyi, I'm not critical of anyone for the vehicle they drive. I got a lot of flak for my Jeep. And before that, one person called my AMC station wagon "a refugee from a demolition derby." I didn't care. I loved that car. So did my kids. That's what matters.
Did you know that 88% of all the corn that's grown is for animal feed, and almost all of that is for cattle? Do you know that cattle get sick when the eat corn? Did you know that the reason there is antibodies and other drugs in our meat is because cattle are fed corn. Do you know that the part of the corn that makes them sick is the starch. Did you know that when you make ethanol from corn it uses the starch and leaves distillers grain which is a healthy feed stock for cattle. So ethanol is the byproduct of making healthy feed for cattle.
I recommend you read a book called Alcohol Can be a Gas. The author has a amazing example of what could be done with producing ethanol in Watsonville CA. https://www.blumedistillation.com/
I would but I already know the benefits of ethanol.
Does this book say anything about the environmental impact?
Do you want to breathe ground ozone, Mr. Stoltz?
Please read this on the health effects on our lungs and nervous system, that deteriorates the microscopic layers of our vital system.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2019.02518/full
Again, "What can we do about the ozone ground effect that contaminates water sources, agriculture, the air we breathe etc?"
btw I'm vegan and a member of PETA. Cruelty to animals is really bad karma. It destroys their spirit and eventually the people responsible.
There is a right way and a wrong way to do everything. We don't need to be using all those pesticides and chemicals to grow any of our crops. But until people stop buying that stuff, they're going to keep using it. Even though you don't eat meat, most people do. All the corn that's grown for feed is going to be grown anyway, so why not make fuel with it too. If ethanol ever is allowed to reach it's full potential, we'll be making it from many other things, that will help the environment. Ethanol can be made from almost any bio-mass.
The only way we're going to get there is to support it. As I said, we need to call out people like Moore who spread misinformation.
READ THE BOOK!
Yes it does. It also dispels many of the myths about it's environmental impact.
"I would but I already know the benefits of ethanol", says a lot. If you ever want to get educated on what could be with ethanol, book a tour at Blume Distillation.
Hi Dave I saw your comment and realised I had to see the film for myself. I watched it yesterday which was an incredibly hard watch on a topic that frankly the team need applauding for having the courage to make. I also admit it brought me to tears so I guess that it is testament to the production and its raw content that is hard to face. It compounded a lot of my beliefs that we as humans maybe in our day to day lives don’t want to face that our consumption cannot be rolled back sufficiently to save the planet. Today I met a complete stranger from NZ who had not seen the film but in conversation came out with the same conclusion quite frankly as the film. I was so sorry to read how you feel and I hope in this response I have understood some of the reasons you may feel that way. Sending love Hillary
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/05/michael-moores-planet-of-the-humans-documentary-peddles-dangerous-climate-denial/
I come here occasionally to discuss issues but have been lambasted for not worshipping Michael Moore and belonging to his cult of personality. I'm happy you're here. Just ignore the self righteousness and celebrity worship.
Thanks. I joined this forum to hopefully get a conversation going with Moore himself about how wrong that movie is. Has anybody heard from Moore himself or does he just set back and collect the money and praise? I just quit my.
Generally, no, although he liked one of my comments once. I just want to break though this mentality where people have become blind followers of people who say what they want to hear. i got my butt kicked by a guy a few days ago because I said this seems like a cult of personality. I was belittled and insulted for it. I also found it offensive that he toots his own horn but doesn't respond to reader comments. Talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
I've found that most people need to have somebody to follow, whether it's donald trump, Michael Moore or whoever. They need to be led. They're looking for somebody to tell them that they are okay. If you question that person that they've chosen as their leader, you're going to catch hell, as you did. All those white supremacists have always been here. They've been lurking under the muck waiting for a donald trump to come along to make it okay for them to slither up out of the muck and show their faces.
Hi Dave I just responded to your original point re Planet of the Humans and at that point had not read the whole thread. I joined the group as yes I do admire Micheal and shared his opinions about both wars and much much more. However I am also of the belief that we should praise where it is due, critique, disagree,agree etc as that to me is fundamental to evolving in this ever disingenuous world with dangerous mis information daily. The last thing I want from this experience is to feel that anyone feels bullied or categorised or not able to exercise reasonable free speech. It is my first subscription to any group and therefore I am the first to acknowledge my in experience in what that entails. Hillary
Planet of the Humans is an abomination full of inaccuracies and outdated rubbish. Michael should bury it in the deepest landfill he can find.
I'm a stubborn cuss, a hardcore skeptic and hopefully, not a follower. In my life and travels I have seen how people seem to want to be led, and that's a dangerous thing when the leader embodies all of your own grievances and dares to be angry - it's how a billionaire elitist like Trump managed to convince millions of working class Americans that "he alone could fix it." After they become devotees, they allow the leader to do their thinking because he appears to be so good at it. I lived in Egypt when I saw Sisi stage his coup and take over the country in 2014. Everybody loved him, and now he is the most oppressive dictator in Egyptian history. I returned to the US in late 2016 and spent the Trump presidency in apoplexy.
We need more people that question everything, like you. Thanks
As an old woman from a smart LA family, now stuck in Oklahoma for the last 30 years, I can testify most Americans do not recognize satire when they see it. That is a little harder than getting it once it's been explained, but that is the definition of understanding satire. I tried to explain satire to high school seniors for 15 years. An annual handful laughed quietly, though a little shocked by one of the easiest examples, Swift's "A Modest Proposal". But honestly, most were just shocked without understanding. Sigh.
There should be a Galileo Society. The world isn’t flat, and fires can’t bring down structural-steel framed skyscrapers. Go the next step, Michael.
https://youtu.be/dh4r-gHdyPU