Oh jeez. All the the people who have swallowed the zionist lies are piling on already. They can't bear for someone to speak the truth like you do Michael Moore. Keep on speaking out Michael! You give moral sustenance to the young and to old, Jewish, anti-zionist, anti-capitalists like me. What a great piece today, THANK YOU!
Could you be more specific about the zionist lies? We all want to know which lies you are talking about or are you simply an anti-semite? People here who are most interested in getting at the truth and try to avoid making generalizations like the one you are making about zionists. Which zioinists are referring to -- the ones who could find no home after surviving the holocaust? Or is it the zionists who lived peacefully with the Arabs (Palestinians?) in what was Palestine under the British rule for decades? Please let us know who you are referring to when you use the term Zionists and which lies that these people are promoting. Netanyahu, in my opinion is a war criminal as are members of his cabinet and the two million Israelis who live illegally in the occupied territories. If you are, indeed, Jewish, as I am, then help us to understand your anger and hatred for these zionists.
Goodness. I already have written a PhD thesis and don't intend to write another one to enumerate all the zionist lies and misdeeds from the last 120 years, just to satisfy you. So I will give you one lie: "There was a cease-fire before October 7." In fact, the year preceding 10/7, was characterized by continued land seizures, assassinations, and hostage-taking by the Israelis, as well as provocative actions at Islamic religious sites. (You and your zionist mates wouldn't call it "hostage-taking"-- you'd call it "preventative detention".) All this barely made it into the press for the same reason that "dog bites man" is rarely seen as a headline (unless somehow the governor of North Dakota is involved). In other words, 2023 was just like 2022 was just like ... 1982 ... 1967 ... 1956 ... 1953... 1949... 1947 ... 1925. So, there's one lie. I've already answered your shtuyot and chanterish in one other place, this is the last time I will. But if you're sincere about wanting to understand not just MY anger and hatred for zionists, but much of the world's, there is ample material for you to find.
You forgot to put anti-Jewish in there. I fixed it for you. A Zionist is a Jew, a Jew is a Zionist, with the exception of Orthodox Jews, who have a religious reason for denying Israel as only the messiah can bring it - but have no trouble living off of the State of Israel while living there and devoting their lives to study.
That would be quite a challenge. Originally, Zionism had a somewhat broad and fuzzy range of meanings but by the 1920s the consensus meaning of the term was that Zionism is the belief that Jewish peoples from around the world should all settle in Palestine and construct an exclusively Jewish ethno-national state there. This is the underlying ideology driving the conflict. Can we talk about WWII without using the word "fascism"? Maybe, but it would be distorting. As for "anti-semitism"-- to the extent that people equate anti-zionism with anti-semitism, to the extent that they equate being Jewish with being for an exclusivist ethno-national Jewish state in Palestine: that is a lot of the problem right there!
That's correct. If you replaced Zionist with Jewish, indeed it would be antisemitic. If you replaced Zionist with French it would be anti-French. That's why word choice matters. Different words mean different things. That's why we have words in the first place. Notwithstanding Judith, the "Get Smart" aficionado, Zionist and Jewish are two very different words with very different meanings. Most zionists, desperate to claim legitimacy and to squelch any hint of opposition to their settlerist program, will vigorously deny that there is a difference. Besides being ridiculously dishonest, this has the unhappy effect of actually fomenting anti-semitism because it is basically saying that being Jewish means seeking to drive people from their land and then murder them if they resist. That's a lie, but for people who are not close to the situation or the history, the Goebbels-like repetition of this lie by zionists has a real impact. Thus, the alleged purpose of zionism, that is the safety of the Jewish people, is undermined -- both in Palestine and around the world. Thanks a lot, Herzl.
Hello Michael, I was saddened to see you continue to pour fuel on the fire. Where have all the "PEACEMAKERS" gone? I'm 80 years old have lived through it all. So you don't have to remind me of anything that happened in the South, but new days are ahead...and we may a "Dictator" soon, so perhaps we won't have to worry about making decisions anymore...will we? If I were in your position of influence, that's where I would be putting my effort, in order to see it never happens!
Hi Decie, I'm 82 and I was not "saddened" at all by either Michael's note or activities. In fact, if Hillary had listened to Michael's warning that Michigan was in play we might not be in the dire position of losing it all in the next election. So, I'd really be interested in learning about your concerns regarding him. For the cause, Mark
I'm Canadian, so there is nothing I can do about Trump. But please, tell your friends to vote. This MORON cannot be allowed to spend four more years in the White House!
I am Canadian too, and also a US citizen and can vote against the want to be dictator, I know Biden is old, but we have to support him in every way possible because the alternative is dysfunctional destruction of what was a great Country and I believe we all can make it better by taking power away from the billionaires. There are more of us, we must use the power of our numbers to beat this dictator by 50 million votes, it shouldn’t be close. Every time Trump lies, Biden has got to go after him in the most aggressive manner each and every time. The United States has such potential because of our freedoms and our diversity. Biden needs to put a stop to the madness, using my tax dollars to kill women and children and senior citizens!
Perhaps if Biden had listened to the Michael Moore’s of country, he wouldn’t have thrown away this election? Losing Michigan—can’t win without Michigan when you are funding genocide against many of their residents. Losing the youth vote , the ones who were responsible for Biden’s win in 2020.
If only Biden simply had the moral core necessary to do the right thing—especially when it counts to WIN AN ELECTION. Instead he threw fuel on the fire -to use your expression— by INCREASING funding by $15 billion to a country that has been taken over by Far Right, genocidal leadership.
It would be so easy—stroke of a pen, a few words. So why won’t he do it? Do you have an answer?
One of my friends, whose came to this country in 1939 with her parents to escape the Holocaust, thinks that the only logical reason Biden is acting this insanely is that Netanyahu has something that would bring down our country: cyber weapon, whatever. So Biden is beholden to Netanyahu for even more than AIPAC funding? In any case, Biden’s choices have a high likelihood of handing this country to Trump. Why wouldn’t Michael Moore use his voice to beg Biden to course-correct?? And why wouldn’t Biden do it?
I'm all for Michael Moore using his voice to beg Biden to course-correct. I just don't understand handing the whole country over to Trump just to punish Biden. A lot of people would end up suffering a lot more than he would.
Agreed. Only takes a few percent. Biden couldn’t afford to throw that away. And yet… he couldn’t have shown less leadership? He literally DEmotivated people in crucial groups to vote for him.
People want a leader, for better or worse. And so now it’ll be for worse? Wish he had acted with a strong moral vision—people would’ve supported him. Now there’s a vacuum Trump is thrilled to fill.
I want a good leader, too. But I'd vote for the dog down the hall if she were the only thing standing between me and a second Trump term. Sometimes it's who you're voting against that is more important than who you're voting for.
You’re talking to a follower of Michael Moore and a true lover of this country, how dare you state President Biden has thrown away this election! Has everyone in Michigan already forgotten the work he has done in Michigan for them
United Auto Workers, even stood with them on the picket line, the first president ever to do so, how soon we forget.
President Biden secured billion of dollars for Michigan infrastructure projects that will support good paying union jobs as well.
Many states have been hurting and he has been paying attention to all of them! We are supposed to be United, if I recall our purpose, not just when we need something.
The United States has always dealt with other countries through diplomacy otherwise we would be forcing them to do our bidding as if we were a dictatorship, which we are not, nor do I hope we never will be. We can withhold monies/weapons, but we also have to be very careful less we end up paying a much higher price later. (What kind of threats do you proposed we make to Netanyahu?)
It pisses me off, the blame of genocide it put on President Biden when in fact it should it be on HAMAS ••• now you tell me when is the IQ of the general population going to catch up?
As for you, me and Michael Moore we are citizens and don’t have all the privilege information and vital statistics with which to make this type of decision for our country. We must allow President Biden the space and time in order to do his job to the best of his ability with all the information he can gather from his staff and supporting personnel.
Making the statement, “It would be so easy—stroke of a pen, a few words”, sounds absolutely juvenile to me.
I am disgusted with you, Michael. I used to be one of your most avid supporters, no longer. You dont seem to understand that what happened to Israel on 10/7 was another Holocaust. You seem to think Israel has no right to defend Itself or respond . Where is your outrage about Ukraine, which Russian attacked UNPROVOKED? where is your outrage about the horrific sexual violence? Do you not understand how much those dumb college kids are being manipulated by Hamas and Iran? They are plauing right into the hands of the terrorists and their anti women anti west anti everything we believe in agenda.
This is balderdash. Look, right now there are about 130 "hostages" held by Hamas and its allies. These hostages are adult Israeli men. They have all been or are in the IDF or the IDF reserves. From a Palestinian point of view, they are zionist operatives, just like from an Israeli point of view, anyone who is now or has ever served with Hamas is a "Hamas operative". As for these 130: well, maybe they will be alive in a month's time. But you know who won't be alive in a month's time? About 1,000 or more Palestinian children, because the IDF criminals will shoot, bomb, or starve them. 10/7 was not a Holocaust. It was a deeply flawed military operation. Want to know about another deeply flawed military operation? It was the battle of Berlin when the Red Army smashed the nazis once and for all and raised the red flag over the reichstag. And yes, it was flawed because of atrocities committed by Red army soldiers who should have been more disciplined. But the Reds were right to smash the Nazis, and Hamas was justified in fighting Israel. Keep screaming "Holocaust" at every moment. Keep calling names: "dumb", "terrorist", etc. That's all you can do because you do not have a moral, political, or historical leg to stand on.
From the NY Times -- Check your facts, unless you are a Hamas, Iranian, or Russian operative, you are way off base. People here try to tell the truth. While I have my reservations about Michael's stand against Biden, I do agree that Netanyahu seems to care little about getting the hostages back. It serves his purpose and the purpose of the Israel ultra right and those living illegally in the occupied territories. I am no champion of the IDF either, but facts are facts and the hostages are not IDF members. Both Hamas and the ultra right regime in Israel are to blame for the violence and destruction of property. But it is naive to think that Biden can somehow magically press a button and end this crisis. One hopes that good people are working tirelessly in the background to get the hostages back and restore peace in Gaza and to get the flow of aid to the civilians and begin the rebuilding. It is a mess and while the plight of the civilians in Gaza is dire, we have a much bigger issue here in America with the possiblity the Trump may regain the Oval Office. If he does, all the wringing of hands by Michael and the student will end with Natanyahu and the ultra-right having carte blance to do whatever they want. But the prospect for worldwide conflicts to erupt and the firm establishment of a world ruled by authoritarian regimes that care little about their people will become a reality. Anyway, here are the facts about the hostages:
The hostages were seized from homes in towns along Israel’s border with Gaza that Palestinian gunmen overran on Oct. 7, as well as from military bases and a large outdoor dance party.
They include civilians, soldiers, people with disabilities, children, grandparents and even a 9-month-old baby. Some are peace activists, part of collectives near the Gaza border whose members tend to be left of center and support peace initiatives and Palestinian rights.
The hostages include people from more than 40 countries, at least 20 Thai farm workers and at least one Palestinian resident of Israel, a bus driver who spent the night near the outdoor party after driving Israelis there.
Relatives have despaired at the dearth of information about the hostages’ well-being, expressed concern about the Israeli invasion of Gaza, and held rallies at the United Nations and in major cities to urge continued attention to the hostages’ plight.
Of course go ahead and accuse anyone you disagree with of being a Hamas operative. In fact, I once lived on Kibbutz Nir Oz and I know the people in that area and what they have stood for, and what the original purpose of these border kibbutzim was. The children and many women and I believe all the Thais were released in the first hostage-freeing/cease-fire. So, perhaps with a small number of exceptions, we are talking now about mostly male Israelis who are or were in the IDF. And believe me, I feel very bad for them and for the people who died in the attack, but within 30 days there will be another 1,000 dead Palestinian children. That keeps me very preoccupied. I can't sit shiva for the hostages who aren't even dead yet when 40,000 Palestinians have been murdered with more to come.
Tell that to the families whose members are being held hostage. I seriously doubt that they are all IDF members. But you could be right. I have no idea. But what does it matter. The current Israeli admnistration does not seem to be making return of the hostages a priority. In all this, I do not see that any solution - two state, one state, half a state -- where all those Israelis living in occupied territories will go. They make up one third of the population of Israel. And a very large percentage of Israelis believe that the amount of force by the IDF is ok and over 40% believe that the IDF is not aggresive enough.
With the IDF preparing to attack Rafa, there is more death and destruction coming. No one seems to have the power to stop Netanyahu and the IDF from carrying out their plans. There is no plan for the future when the current conflict ends, if it ever does. And it seems that Trump may be headed to the Oval Office for a second term. There is some hope that countries like Saudi Arabia want to normalize relations with Israel. I thought that was dead but the recent help in attacks from Iran make me hopeful that normalization is still a possibility.
But that is a Sunni/Sheite issue. Iran, for the Saudis, is the axis of evil. How it all plays out is anybody's guess, but the forces of good seem to be losing to the forces of evil. I do not sleep at night anymore because I see a world post Biden to be much worse than I could have imagined during the Obama administration. Gaza is just one piece of the puzzle. The forces of evil are gathering and I see a world at war with itself, just as we here, are choosing up sides and making our opinions known. Words matter. That is my only issue with Michael's crusade. But that battle may have already been lost as young people and hispanic, latino. or whatever seem to turning away from Biden.
Didn't you just call those in the IDF "Zionist Operatives?" Or are they "Hamas Operatives?" Were the people murdered on 10/7 "Israeli" (or fill in country) "Operatives?" You sound like a reject from "Get Smart." I'm sure all the "Operatives" are happy you feel bad that they died, were raped etc. on 10/7. It means a lot.
I do not know whether he can or cannot. I do not live inside the beltway in Washington and rely on my news from Heather Cox Richardson, Moore, the NY time sometimes, and sometimes MSNBC. If Michael believes that Biden can simply pull the plug or threaten to pull the plug than he has to let us know what he knows that we do not. We in the cheap seats are just guessing. The American press does not seem to have the answers either. All they want to do is sell advertising so that the ancors can get their big salaries. It is all about ratings.
Please explain to me how the signing of an executive order by Biden works and why Biden does not do it. Biden is not an evil authoritarian person. I need to know what is preventing him from doing just that, I keep looking for answers and have not as yet come up with a good one.
Is it powerful lobbying efforts by Jewish right wing organizations. Is it that Biden is blinded by past history and relationships? Is it because the diplomatic realities on a larger scale are much more complicated than we know?
I called my US rep to ask that question of her staff and they referred to me to the State Department website. Good luck with that.
Are there political calculations by the Biden inner circle regarding the youth vote versus the older voters who support Israel by people close to Biden? Will there one day be an unexpected ceasefire announced as negotiations proceed in the background, release of prisoners, and a plan for Israel and the Palestinians to live together in peace (not likely)? Or is it simply incompetance by our State Department or deference somehow to wealthy donors how have a totally different agenda than most Americians who just want a piece of the American dream and want a world where their kids to not have to go to war?
Where do the two million Israelis who live illegally in the occupied terrotories going to go if there is a peace plan? Does Biden really have the power that you and Micheal say he has? Are there bigger issues with other major players? The US media do not seem to have the answers.
If you believe that Biden can just sign an executive order, why do you believe that he does not?
I wish someone would tell me the reasons. There is something that we are not being told.
I wish that Biden would just tell us why he is dealing with Netanyahu with kid gloves. I have read that if the US cuts of military aid or makes it conditional, that Israel will go elsewhere and has the resources to defy the US. One reason that Israel is a powerful force in the region is their military technology. The Saudis and other states need that technology to fight Iran and are willing to make peace and support Isreal. It is a Sunni versus Shite thing. The Iranians represent the axis of evil in the region.
I mean, if it was just that simple, why in the world would Biden let the IDF go into Rafah? Will we see in the coming days with this impending humitarian nightmare, moves by the Israeli goverment to change its current policy as a restult of pressure from Biden and some deals with other countries in the region who want to deter the Iranians? If the IDF does go into Rafah and the humitarian crisis gets much worse, then Biden is toast in November. Time to find a country to move to...
Another question is that status of Hamas? Do the Israelis believe that the complete destruction of Hamas is really possible or that simply the justification to keep the war going so that Netanyahu and the ultra right wing stay in power. Does Netanyahu have the power to control his own cabinet and the IDF? Is he on life support knowing that if he gives into Biden and the wishes of the a majority of Americans that he is doomed? Is there really any chance that Hamas will be defeated allowing a Palestinian authority to come forth from the ashes of its defeat years ago with the help of an international peacekeeping force in Gaza to prevent Hamas from reassurting itself? Will Hamas simply rebuild the tunnels and start the cycle all over again?
But of course, my bigger concern is the election that is only five months away. That will decide the future of the world and create situations that make Gaza look insignificant. If the protesters think that things are bad in Gaza right now, a Trump victory will ensure that Palestinians will be second class citizens forever and give Israel the green light to whatever it wants to do with no questions asked.
And as I understand it, other nations in the region do not like the Palestinians living in Gaza and applaud the IDFs current course of a war of attrition. Why they feel that way, I am not sure. Maybe having to do with stability in the region and their support of Hamas over a Palestiniian Authority.
I would like to know the answers to those questions. Perhaps someone here can enlighten us. And a Trump victory would not only be worse for Palestinians. It would be worse for Ukranians and give Putin the green light to do whatever he wants as well. Will someone please tell me how that would be better?
The young people around the world are doing exactly as their parent’s and grandparent’s generation taught them to do. They are who we were on college campuses in the late 60’s and early 70’s. They are the Tank Man in Tien Amen Square. They are the Rain Forest’s tribal people in the face of bulldozers. They are the last survivors of the Native American tribes trying to hold on to their hunting grounds and Sacred Mother Earth.
We taught them the futility of war and power. The story of humanity has been to fight control with ever more fierce control. We taught them compassion, and peace, and love as we decided to listen to the words of God no matter what religion you may follow or even if you are an atheist. Our words and actions showed are children that peace and cooperation is the only solution. We have many countries to show us a living example of what happens when people give up being a voice.
It is not who we are against, democracies around the world came about by enough peaceful people agreeing on what we are for.
Did you raise your children to believe that all lives are sacred and of value or maybe only the Methodists. No you did not. Did you teach them that if they wanted something that belonged to others they should concoct a self-righteous story with a dozen reasons to justify why they should be entitled to it? No you did not.
Our youth are evolving into the type of people who want a better narrative and they are ready to start writing a new story of a world that will be peaceful and inhabitable until this beautiful orb we all live on together eventually dies as all things do. This is what they stand for. The question remains, will we come to a natural end as the Earth will or will we end up looking like a Mad Max film where the living envy the dead?
Here is the voice of Columbia U’s ELECTED STUDENT GOVERNMENT representatives. They approved this THOUGHTFUL statement overwhelmingly by a vote of 22-4-2
They submitted it to major news outlets —all except refused to print except the (unbiased, unbought) The Guardian. Censorship by press and power cartel. Their VOICE has been completely silenced—but not if we get it out there on social media. Please share far and wide.
"And for doing this — the most humane, most loving, most American of acts — they are slandered and smeared and called… wait for it!… antisemites! By the very antisemites who back the slaughter of the Semitic people known as the Palestinians! Wow. Now that’s chutzpah!" Amen!!! Thank you, Michael.
Right. Much better to call them Zionists. Because that's not anti-Jew at all. Let's just take out "semitic" because all middle eastern people are and call it what it is: anti-Jew.
After reading many of the comments, it strikes me that if we here, paid subscriber to Michael's podcast can vehemently disagree on our response to Gaza, to Michael's cursade, to the complex issues that face men and women of goodwill in the Biden administration trying to find the path to end the crisis, to the peaceful protests of students, and even countries in the Middle East, like the Saudis, who want to normalize relations with Israel, and the host of major players, some who want peace and some who will only thrive if the conflict with Israel persists, then how can we expect that the strongly entrenched forces at work in the region, where horrific atrocities have been commited for millenia, can succeed in finding a way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But we must remember that before the October attacks by Hamas, around 65% of Palenstinians in Gaza were in need of huminitarian aid, while the three leaders of Hamas were sitting in luxury in Qatar worth over $11 billion dollars. So if you think that the leaders of Hamas really care about the people living in abject poverty with no hope, then think again.
There is one threat that we here in the US can avert and that is the re-election of Donald Trump. If Biden loses in November and Democrats do not retake the majority in the House and/or the Senate, we, and the rest of the free world are screwed and may live to see a day when freedom and democracy are the exception rather than the rule in the world.
My 98-year old, living in a nursing home, told me the other day that she never thought she would live to see the day when freedom and democracy in America were threatened. Once we lose it, we may never get it back. I had lunch with a friend yesterday and he shook his head and said that for the first time he believes that Biden will not get re-elected. He cited a statistic where over 50% of hispanic people do not support Biden. And given that many young people are now convinced that Biden is somehow an evil twin to Netanyahu, I do not see that there is anything that will change that view before the November election. The die is cast and people like Michael Moore who are focused on this single tradgedy, while well-intentioned, will share is the responsibility of a Trump Presidency. Game, set, match. And all the ourpouring of emotion in response to yet one more humanitarian crisis in the world, will end up creating a world in which the powers of evil and subjugation will reign free.
My wife are now seriously talking about alternatives to living in America if Trump is re-elected. We love this country is for the most part, with notable exceptions (like slavery, genocide against native American peoples, Vietnam, and so on). But a Trump Presidency may not be something we are willing to endure.
The big issue is why Biden does not make military aid conditional to Israel -- a HUGE question that is on many people's mind. Is it really so simple, as Michael would have you believe? I do no know. What I wish the Biden administration would do would be a statement by Biden himself to the American people on why he does not make military aid conditional. What are the forces at work that prevent him from doing this? Is it realistic to think that merely making aid conditional will make a difference? I wish someone would enlighten me on what the real forces at play here are.
Sadly correct. And people like Moore will push Jewish voters into the arms of the GQP. How sad it would beg to lose our republic because still, after all these years, an antisemite is an antisemite. A Jew is a Zionist and a Zionist is a Jew. It is what it is. At a certain point, moral clarity is needed. There is no moral clarity with HAMAS. None. Zero. They care nothing for Palestinians, yet their propaganda has been extremely effective, especially on college campuses.
By the way, this May 4 I went on a demonstration that explicitly called for an end to capitalism from every river to every sea. There is nothing wrong with calling for liberation from a "river to a sea". In the (very imperfect) United States of America, we pledge "liberty and justice for all" and then sing "from sea to shining sea". Well if "liberty and justice for all" is good from "sea to shining sea", why isn't it good from a "river to a sea". What the heck is wrong with that?
Tim, I respect that, but let me suggest that the best thing you could do to achieve a defeat of Trump in the fall is to work like crazy to get Biden and the centrists Democrats to show some humanity and at least SUSPEND all arms shipments to Israel. Honestly, that might not even be enough for me to vote for Biden after all this, but it would probably be enough for many, and maybe you would achieve your goal. I think that is your best strategy. (It seems to be Michael's.)
But why would you cut off your nose to spite your face? Check out the following from Robert Hubbell's blog (while I don't necessarily agree with everything in his post, I agree with the following):
...threatening to abandon Biden over his Middle East policies implies a willingness to abandon support for
women’s reproductive liberty and equality,
the right of Black voters to equal access to the ballot box,
protection of the environment,
protection of healthcare and retirement for Americans on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid,
continuation of affordable healthcare for all Americans,
due process for ten million immigrants who will be “rounded up” and placed in camps before summary deportation,
Muslims who will be denied free transit to and from countries where family and friends reside,
LGBTQ people whose right to marriage and civil rights equality is under attack;
scientists and teachers who want to pursue knowledge and educate others free from political retribution and more.
Threatening to turn our backs on our fellow citizens and urgent issues is, in the words of Josh Marshall at TPM, a “burn it all down” strategy that will injure hundreds of millions of Americans.
Third, threatening to abandon Biden is an implicit promise to support Trump. Like it or not, we face a binary choice: democracy or tyranny, liberty or subjugation, dignity or degradation, equality or injustice, order or chaos. No other election in our lifetime will demand that we make a choice between morality and depravity, but here we are. We should not threaten to support depravity, even indirectly, as a pressure tactic.
Finally, in suggesting that our support for Biden is contingent or begrudging, we grant permission to those who may be on the fence and looking for a reason to support Trump. Again, supporting Joe Biden in 2024 is a moral imperative—whether we like it or not.
The last time I made similar points in a newsletter (several months ago), a reader posted an angry note in the Comment section that said, “So, you are telling us to sit down and shut up. We won’t do it.”
To be clear, I am not telling anyone to do anything. It is fair and reasonable to criticize Biden. I am, instead, trying to highlight the consequences of turning every dispute with Biden into a threat to abandon him. Voters are free to make such threats, but they are not free to pretend those threats are consequence-free. They are not.
Don't worry so much about my nose or my face. Neither is very pretty to begin with. But it seems to me that you are worried about Trump getting re-elected. You seem like a pretty nice guy so I'm just giving you a little piece of free advice: get Biden to do more, much more to stop the Israelis, or at least suspend US military aid. Of course nobody takes free advice, but I can't help but offer it. Clearly YMMV. Be well.
Yes, I am worried about Trump getting re-elected, I have put the pressure on Biden, and I take the statements I shared from Robert Hubbell seriously. Whether you do or not is your business, but I hope you do.
NO, Michael, it is NOT that easy. I've already reminded you TWICE of what Begin said to then-Senator Biden in 1982 when the battlefield was southern Lebanon! Do you really doubt that, in expressing the same attitude as Begin did, Bibi is not Begin 2.0 but Begin 3.0 and maybe 4.0?! Look up what Begin said to Biden and then think how much more intensely Bibi LIVES the same attitude!
Don't fool yourself, Michael! I've always given you credit for being slicker than to fall for sucker tricks like you're inexpressibly expressing right now!!! I'd hate for you to prove me mistaken! Really!
We're not the 'lone backer' of Israel; Israel is quite capable of standing on its own, and by falling for the lie that Israel is 'our creation' you show a few unflattering sides of yourself. How much are you still into being a White Savior, for instance? How much does it still trouble you to see Jews armed and about to be victorious in battle rather than helplessly raising their hands in surrender like the Warsaw Ghetto schoolboy? Think about this, Michael; I at least believe myself to be on your side here--at least domestically.
You were doing well until you degenerated into needlessly alienating language. Why? The students are exhibiting exceptional dignity and principle in the face of unimaginable retribution. Why not consider all the ways that the rest of us may support them?
I'm sorry that l've disappointed you. The students are more astute than you realize. I'm an atheist however I do believe in the spiritual principles that can be found in most religions. For instance: One cannot serve two masters. That precept cannot be denied. It's clear to anyone with half a brain that the actions of the Democrats have been subjugated.
When politicians are allowed to own stocks their ability to make laws that serve the best interests of their constituents is compromised by conflicts of interest.
When Dark Money is allowed to purchase our lawmakers, they sure as hell are not going to serve the best interests of their constituents.
The results can be seen in the inconsistencies of their actions. These are no mere accidents.
Obama promised us change. And yet he tried to ram the Trans Pacific Partnership down our throats. Who was he serving?
Clinton gifted us with NAFTA.
Who was he serving?
Biden is using our tax dollars to finance unrestrained genocide, aiding and abetting a corrupt dictator while gaslighting the majority of his constituents.
Again. I ask; Who or what is he beholden to?
The electorate has a right to know and a duty to find out in order to protect our fragile democracy.
If politicians are allowed to be purchased by the highest bidder then we have a sham democracy!
Funny. A few interviews I saw students were asked what they were protesting. They didn't know. Ask the "Queers for Palestine" if they have any clue who they are rooting for. Astute? No. Funded by antisemitic organizations & encouraged by antisemitism? Yes. Beyond that, I'm not so sure about their moral clarity, especially while demanding electricity, pizza and water in their green tents.
I don't care what you trust or don't. Use google and do your own research. It's all right there. Self hating Jews are the worst. My sympathies. It's very hard to go through life hating what you are in your blood & bones and never transfers well into society.
Michel I heard your Podcast I think that the Young Students who have a belief that No one Deserves to Not live In peace no matter who they are! There are Young Jewish Students who respectfully join their Palestinian Friends there was one person who was not a fan of Zionist that helped shape the State of Israel because there was No where else for Jews to go ! I think as I’ve said a millon times that Benjamin must Go he has no right to mow down people just cause he can Hamas has No Right to kill innocent people and Rape and kill Babies and take hostages of whole Families either , and no one has the right to distroy property or impede others from graduation and Police have no right to arrest peaceful protesters and throw them to the ground with their Professors who are trying to protect their Right to protest ! History must be taught as far as Never Again conerning Holocausts Not Voteing is a vote for either Trump or Kennedy which will lead to dictatorship of none other then Clown Boy 🤡 Trump ! Please please Tell these wonderful young people to at least listen so that we aren’t all in a Trump Conentration Camp and I wish to god I was kidding ! We All need to calm down we all want the best for all ❤️
Dear Michael, I am grateful for your support of the student protests. However, PLEASE encourage your supporters to VOTE for Biden. We do NOT want trump to be in office again.
So you're saying there is NO validity to harassment of Jews on college campuses, protestors locking arms to stop Jews from attending Jewish events, and that all the protests on campuses and elsewhere are peaceful exercises of freedom like freedom riders sitting at lunch counters? The Palestinians have released all the hostages I suppose. And apologized for bothering the Israelis on October 7. All a big misunderstanding. I have been a supporter of yours for decades but I'm about to cancel my subscription and withdraw my good words I have always had for you as a fair and humanistic spokesperson for the leftist way of seeing things. The Netanyahu decimatiom of Gaza is inexcusable and horrific but the protests on college campuses is not a nuanced view of a multi decade problem. It is a lopsided pro-Palestinian nightmarre.
I’m a long time supporter and believe you are one of the most compassionate commentators of what is happening in our country and around the world. I’m appalled at what is happening in Gaza as much as I was appalled at what Hamas did in October.
I think you lost credibility (and possibly support) by justifying to take over buildings as part of peaceful protests. I heard Hannity showed your quote on his show tonight suggesting the “takeover” of the Capitol on Jan 6 per your comments should be ok.
Let’s not give the other side more ammunition to continue to obfuscate and continue to refer to the Jan 6 rioters as patriots. Sadly, it’s another example of how left of center or moderates find ways to shoot themselves in the foot.
As usual I appreciate your perspective and willingness to take unpopular stands.
It has disturbed me that all the anti-war demonstrations are characterized as Pro-Palestinian, which has been the mantra of the press from the beginning. The demonstrations I have been to and witnessed have been attended by many Jews and in one case overwhelmingly by Jews who are not Anti-Israel or antisemitic . Characterizing demonstrators as Pro-Palestinian implies this. When you observe the demonstrations and listen to the speeches, they are not (with some exceptions) against Israel or Jews but against the genocidal policies and actions of the Israeli government. It would be more accurate to say the demonstrations are Anti-Genocide demonstrations. Language matters. It's understandable that in practice it may look Pro-Palestinian as they are the people who are currently being genocided. However, the students, who are in situations that give them leisure to think about and observe the world, are rightfully protesting what the ultra right religiously fanatical government of Israel is doing - carrying out a genocide. Thank you Young People - never give up, never give up your humanity.
You're right. Anti-genocide is a better word choice. Pro-Palestinian sounds too political and doesn't being to mind being antiwar. Nobody said pro Vietnam when we were protesting back then. The message was about war, not a political system.
Oh jeez. All the the people who have swallowed the zionist lies are piling on already. They can't bear for someone to speak the truth like you do Michael Moore. Keep on speaking out Michael! You give moral sustenance to the young and to old, Jewish, anti-zionist, anti-capitalists like me. What a great piece today, THANK YOU!
Could you be more specific about the zionist lies? We all want to know which lies you are talking about or are you simply an anti-semite? People here who are most interested in getting at the truth and try to avoid making generalizations like the one you are making about zionists. Which zioinists are referring to -- the ones who could find no home after surviving the holocaust? Or is it the zionists who lived peacefully with the Arabs (Palestinians?) in what was Palestine under the British rule for decades? Please let us know who you are referring to when you use the term Zionists and which lies that these people are promoting. Netanyahu, in my opinion is a war criminal as are members of his cabinet and the two million Israelis who live illegally in the occupied territories. If you are, indeed, Jewish, as I am, then help us to understand your anger and hatred for these zionists.
Goodness. I already have written a PhD thesis and don't intend to write another one to enumerate all the zionist lies and misdeeds from the last 120 years, just to satisfy you. So I will give you one lie: "There was a cease-fire before October 7." In fact, the year preceding 10/7, was characterized by continued land seizures, assassinations, and hostage-taking by the Israelis, as well as provocative actions at Islamic religious sites. (You and your zionist mates wouldn't call it "hostage-taking"-- you'd call it "preventative detention".) All this barely made it into the press for the same reason that "dog bites man" is rarely seen as a headline (unless somehow the governor of North Dakota is involved). In other words, 2023 was just like 2022 was just like ... 1982 ... 1967 ... 1956 ... 1953... 1949... 1947 ... 1925. So, there's one lie. I've already answered your shtuyot and chanterish in one other place, this is the last time I will. But if you're sincere about wanting to understand not just MY anger and hatred for zionists, but much of the world's, there is ample material for you to find.
Sam Harris explains for those whose minds are open to the reality of the issues.
https://www.samharris.org/episode/SE92666E49A
You forgot to put anti-Jewish in there. I fixed it for you. A Zionist is a Jew, a Jew is a Zionist, with the exception of Orthodox Jews, who have a religious reason for denying Israel as only the messiah can bring it - but have no trouble living off of the State of Israel while living there and devoting their lives to study.
Can you speak out this war without “the Zionist.” It detracts from your appeal. It also gives people the option to say antisemitism.
That would be quite a challenge. Originally, Zionism had a somewhat broad and fuzzy range of meanings but by the 1920s the consensus meaning of the term was that Zionism is the belief that Jewish peoples from around the world should all settle in Palestine and construct an exclusively Jewish ethno-national state there. This is the underlying ideology driving the conflict. Can we talk about WWII without using the word "fascism"? Maybe, but it would be distorting. As for "anti-semitism"-- to the extent that people equate anti-zionism with anti-semitism, to the extent that they equate being Jewish with being for an exclusivist ethno-national Jewish state in Palestine: that is a lot of the problem right there!
Only if you are interested in really understanding of what is going on in the Middle East and Isreal check this out.
https://www.samharris.org/episode/SE92666E49A
Fascism does not offend a group of people.
If I replaced Zionist with Jewish your statement would seem antisemitic.
That's correct. If you replaced Zionist with Jewish, indeed it would be antisemitic. If you replaced Zionist with French it would be anti-French. That's why word choice matters. Different words mean different things. That's why we have words in the first place. Notwithstanding Judith, the "Get Smart" aficionado, Zionist and Jewish are two very different words with very different meanings. Most zionists, desperate to claim legitimacy and to squelch any hint of opposition to their settlerist program, will vigorously deny that there is a difference. Besides being ridiculously dishonest, this has the unhappy effect of actually fomenting anti-semitism because it is basically saying that being Jewish means seeking to drive people from their land and then murder them if they resist. That's a lie, but for people who are not close to the situation or the history, the Goebbels-like repetition of this lie by zionists has a real impact. Thus, the alleged purpose of zionism, that is the safety of the Jewish people, is undermined -- both in Palestine and around the world. Thanks a lot, Herzl.
Hello Michael, I was saddened to see you continue to pour fuel on the fire. Where have all the "PEACEMAKERS" gone? I'm 80 years old have lived through it all. So you don't have to remind me of anything that happened in the South, but new days are ahead...and we may a "Dictator" soon, so perhaps we won't have to worry about making decisions anymore...will we? If I were in your position of influence, that's where I would be putting my effort, in order to see it never happens!
Hi Decie, I'm 82 and I was not "saddened" at all by either Michael's note or activities. In fact, if Hillary had listened to Michael's warning that Michigan was in play we might not be in the dire position of losing it all in the next election. So, I'd really be interested in learning about your concerns regarding him. For the cause, Mark
Well said. Thank you.
I'm Canadian, so there is nothing I can do about Trump. But please, tell your friends to vote. This MORON cannot be allowed to spend four more years in the White House!
I am Canadian too, and also a US citizen and can vote against the want to be dictator, I know Biden is old, but we have to support him in every way possible because the alternative is dysfunctional destruction of what was a great Country and I believe we all can make it better by taking power away from the billionaires. There are more of us, we must use the power of our numbers to beat this dictator by 50 million votes, it shouldn’t be close. Every time Trump lies, Biden has got to go after him in the most aggressive manner each and every time. The United States has such potential because of our freedoms and our diversity. Biden needs to put a stop to the madness, using my tax dollars to kill women and children and senior citizens!
Perhaps if Biden had listened to the Michael Moore’s of country, he wouldn’t have thrown away this election? Losing Michigan—can’t win without Michigan when you are funding genocide against many of their residents. Losing the youth vote , the ones who were responsible for Biden’s win in 2020.
If only Biden simply had the moral core necessary to do the right thing—especially when it counts to WIN AN ELECTION. Instead he threw fuel on the fire -to use your expression— by INCREASING funding by $15 billion to a country that has been taken over by Far Right, genocidal leadership.
It would be so easy—stroke of a pen, a few words. So why won’t he do it? Do you have an answer?
One of my friends, whose came to this country in 1939 with her parents to escape the Holocaust, thinks that the only logical reason Biden is acting this insanely is that Netanyahu has something that would bring down our country: cyber weapon, whatever. So Biden is beholden to Netanyahu for even more than AIPAC funding? In any case, Biden’s choices have a high likelihood of handing this country to Trump. Why wouldn’t Michael Moore use his voice to beg Biden to course-correct?? And why wouldn’t Biden do it?
I'm all for Michael Moore using his voice to beg Biden to course-correct. I just don't understand handing the whole country over to Trump just to punish Biden. A lot of people would end up suffering a lot more than he would.
Agreed. Only takes a few percent. Biden couldn’t afford to throw that away. And yet… he couldn’t have shown less leadership? He literally DEmotivated people in crucial groups to vote for him.
People want a leader, for better or worse. And so now it’ll be for worse? Wish he had acted with a strong moral vision—people would’ve supported him. Now there’s a vacuum Trump is thrilled to fill.
I want a good leader, too. But I'd vote for the dog down the hall if she were the only thing standing between me and a second Trump term. Sometimes it's who you're voting against that is more important than who you're voting for.
You’re talking to a follower of Michael Moore and a true lover of this country, how dare you state President Biden has thrown away this election! Has everyone in Michigan already forgotten the work he has done in Michigan for them
United Auto Workers, even stood with them on the picket line, the first president ever to do so, how soon we forget.
President Biden secured billion of dollars for Michigan infrastructure projects that will support good paying union jobs as well.
Many states have been hurting and he has been paying attention to all of them! We are supposed to be United, if I recall our purpose, not just when we need something.
The United States has always dealt with other countries through diplomacy otherwise we would be forcing them to do our bidding as if we were a dictatorship, which we are not, nor do I hope we never will be. We can withhold monies/weapons, but we also have to be very careful less we end up paying a much higher price later. (What kind of threats do you proposed we make to Netanyahu?)
It pisses me off, the blame of genocide it put on President Biden when in fact it should it be on HAMAS ••• now you tell me when is the IQ of the general population going to catch up?
As for you, me and Michael Moore we are citizens and don’t have all the privilege information and vital statistics with which to make this type of decision for our country. We must allow President Biden the space and time in order to do his job to the best of his ability with all the information he can gather from his staff and supporting personnel.
Making the statement, “It would be so easy—stroke of a pen, a few words”, sounds absolutely juvenile to me.
I’m not sure when my paid subscription is up, but I want to make sure that I don’t get automatically renewed. I’m done here.
We’ll said
Thank you for the most astute comment in this entire thread. Including the remarks made by Michael Moore.
I am disgusted with you, Michael. I used to be one of your most avid supporters, no longer. You dont seem to understand that what happened to Israel on 10/7 was another Holocaust. You seem to think Israel has no right to defend Itself or respond . Where is your outrage about Ukraine, which Russian attacked UNPROVOKED? where is your outrage about the horrific sexual violence? Do you not understand how much those dumb college kids are being manipulated by Hamas and Iran? They are plauing right into the hands of the terrorists and their anti women anti west anti everything we believe in agenda.
This is balderdash. Look, right now there are about 130 "hostages" held by Hamas and its allies. These hostages are adult Israeli men. They have all been or are in the IDF or the IDF reserves. From a Palestinian point of view, they are zionist operatives, just like from an Israeli point of view, anyone who is now or has ever served with Hamas is a "Hamas operative". As for these 130: well, maybe they will be alive in a month's time. But you know who won't be alive in a month's time? About 1,000 or more Palestinian children, because the IDF criminals will shoot, bomb, or starve them. 10/7 was not a Holocaust. It was a deeply flawed military operation. Want to know about another deeply flawed military operation? It was the battle of Berlin when the Red Army smashed the nazis once and for all and raised the red flag over the reichstag. And yes, it was flawed because of atrocities committed by Red army soldiers who should have been more disciplined. But the Reds were right to smash the Nazis, and Hamas was justified in fighting Israel. Keep screaming "Holocaust" at every moment. Keep calling names: "dumb", "terrorist", etc. That's all you can do because you do not have a moral, political, or historical leg to stand on.
From the NY Times -- Check your facts, unless you are a Hamas, Iranian, or Russian operative, you are way off base. People here try to tell the truth. While I have my reservations about Michael's stand against Biden, I do agree that Netanyahu seems to care little about getting the hostages back. It serves his purpose and the purpose of the Israel ultra right and those living illegally in the occupied territories. I am no champion of the IDF either, but facts are facts and the hostages are not IDF members. Both Hamas and the ultra right regime in Israel are to blame for the violence and destruction of property. But it is naive to think that Biden can somehow magically press a button and end this crisis. One hopes that good people are working tirelessly in the background to get the hostages back and restore peace in Gaza and to get the flow of aid to the civilians and begin the rebuilding. It is a mess and while the plight of the civilians in Gaza is dire, we have a much bigger issue here in America with the possiblity the Trump may regain the Oval Office. If he does, all the wringing of hands by Michael and the student will end with Natanyahu and the ultra-right having carte blance to do whatever they want. But the prospect for worldwide conflicts to erupt and the firm establishment of a world ruled by authoritarian regimes that care little about their people will become a reality. Anyway, here are the facts about the hostages:
The hostages were seized from homes in towns along Israel’s border with Gaza that Palestinian gunmen overran on Oct. 7, as well as from military bases and a large outdoor dance party.
They include civilians, soldiers, people with disabilities, children, grandparents and even a 9-month-old baby. Some are peace activists, part of collectives near the Gaza border whose members tend to be left of center and support peace initiatives and Palestinian rights.
The hostages include people from more than 40 countries, at least 20 Thai farm workers and at least one Palestinian resident of Israel, a bus driver who spent the night near the outdoor party after driving Israelis there.
Relatives have despaired at the dearth of information about the hostages’ well-being, expressed concern about the Israeli invasion of Gaza, and held rallies at the United Nations and in major cities to urge continued attention to the hostages’ plight.
Of course go ahead and accuse anyone you disagree with of being a Hamas operative. In fact, I once lived on Kibbutz Nir Oz and I know the people in that area and what they have stood for, and what the original purpose of these border kibbutzim was. The children and many women and I believe all the Thais were released in the first hostage-freeing/cease-fire. So, perhaps with a small number of exceptions, we are talking now about mostly male Israelis who are or were in the IDF. And believe me, I feel very bad for them and for the people who died in the attack, but within 30 days there will be another 1,000 dead Palestinian children. That keeps me very preoccupied. I can't sit shiva for the hostages who aren't even dead yet when 40,000 Palestinians have been murdered with more to come.
Tell that to the families whose members are being held hostage. I seriously doubt that they are all IDF members. But you could be right. I have no idea. But what does it matter. The current Israeli admnistration does not seem to be making return of the hostages a priority. In all this, I do not see that any solution - two state, one state, half a state -- where all those Israelis living in occupied territories will go. They make up one third of the population of Israel. And a very large percentage of Israelis believe that the amount of force by the IDF is ok and over 40% believe that the IDF is not aggresive enough.
With the IDF preparing to attack Rafa, there is more death and destruction coming. No one seems to have the power to stop Netanyahu and the IDF from carrying out their plans. There is no plan for the future when the current conflict ends, if it ever does. And it seems that Trump may be headed to the Oval Office for a second term. There is some hope that countries like Saudi Arabia want to normalize relations with Israel. I thought that was dead but the recent help in attacks from Iran make me hopeful that normalization is still a possibility.
But that is a Sunni/Sheite issue. Iran, for the Saudis, is the axis of evil. How it all plays out is anybody's guess, but the forces of good seem to be losing to the forces of evil. I do not sleep at night anymore because I see a world post Biden to be much worse than I could have imagined during the Obama administration. Gaza is just one piece of the puzzle. The forces of evil are gathering and I see a world at war with itself, just as we here, are choosing up sides and making our opinions known. Words matter. That is my only issue with Michael's crusade. But that battle may have already been lost as young people and hispanic, latino. or whatever seem to turning away from Biden.
Didn't you just call those in the IDF "Zionist Operatives?" Or are they "Hamas Operatives?" Were the people murdered on 10/7 "Israeli" (or fill in country) "Operatives?" You sound like a reject from "Get Smart." I'm sure all the "Operatives" are happy you feel bad that they died, were raped etc. on 10/7. It means a lot.
You mean Biden CAN'T just sign an executive order and end the whole thing? Michael has said over and over again that he can. Explain, please.
I do not know whether he can or cannot. I do not live inside the beltway in Washington and rely on my news from Heather Cox Richardson, Moore, the NY time sometimes, and sometimes MSNBC. If Michael believes that Biden can simply pull the plug or threaten to pull the plug than he has to let us know what he knows that we do not. We in the cheap seats are just guessing. The American press does not seem to have the answers either. All they want to do is sell advertising so that the ancors can get their big salaries. It is all about ratings.
Please explain to me how the signing of an executive order by Biden works and why Biden does not do it. Biden is not an evil authoritarian person. I need to know what is preventing him from doing just that, I keep looking for answers and have not as yet come up with a good one.
Is it powerful lobbying efforts by Jewish right wing organizations. Is it that Biden is blinded by past history and relationships? Is it because the diplomatic realities on a larger scale are much more complicated than we know?
I called my US rep to ask that question of her staff and they referred to me to the State Department website. Good luck with that.
Are there political calculations by the Biden inner circle regarding the youth vote versus the older voters who support Israel by people close to Biden? Will there one day be an unexpected ceasefire announced as negotiations proceed in the background, release of prisoners, and a plan for Israel and the Palestinians to live together in peace (not likely)? Or is it simply incompetance by our State Department or deference somehow to wealthy donors how have a totally different agenda than most Americians who just want a piece of the American dream and want a world where their kids to not have to go to war?
Where do the two million Israelis who live illegally in the occupied terrotories going to go if there is a peace plan? Does Biden really have the power that you and Micheal say he has? Are there bigger issues with other major players? The US media do not seem to have the answers.
If you believe that Biden can just sign an executive order, why do you believe that he does not?
I wish someone would tell me the reasons. There is something that we are not being told.
I wish that Biden would just tell us why he is dealing with Netanyahu with kid gloves. I have read that if the US cuts of military aid or makes it conditional, that Israel will go elsewhere and has the resources to defy the US. One reason that Israel is a powerful force in the region is their military technology. The Saudis and other states need that technology to fight Iran and are willing to make peace and support Isreal. It is a Sunni versus Shite thing. The Iranians represent the axis of evil in the region.
I mean, if it was just that simple, why in the world would Biden let the IDF go into Rafah? Will we see in the coming days with this impending humitarian nightmare, moves by the Israeli goverment to change its current policy as a restult of pressure from Biden and some deals with other countries in the region who want to deter the Iranians? If the IDF does go into Rafah and the humitarian crisis gets much worse, then Biden is toast in November. Time to find a country to move to...
Another question is that status of Hamas? Do the Israelis believe that the complete destruction of Hamas is really possible or that simply the justification to keep the war going so that Netanyahu and the ultra right wing stay in power. Does Netanyahu have the power to control his own cabinet and the IDF? Is he on life support knowing that if he gives into Biden and the wishes of the a majority of Americans that he is doomed? Is there really any chance that Hamas will be defeated allowing a Palestinian authority to come forth from the ashes of its defeat years ago with the help of an international peacekeeping force in Gaza to prevent Hamas from reassurting itself? Will Hamas simply rebuild the tunnels and start the cycle all over again?
But of course, my bigger concern is the election that is only five months away. That will decide the future of the world and create situations that make Gaza look insignificant. If the protesters think that things are bad in Gaza right now, a Trump victory will ensure that Palestinians will be second class citizens forever and give Israel the green light to whatever it wants to do with no questions asked.
And as I understand it, other nations in the region do not like the Palestinians living in Gaza and applaud the IDFs current course of a war of attrition. Why they feel that way, I am not sure. Maybe having to do with stability in the region and their support of Hamas over a Palestiniian Authority.
I would like to know the answers to those questions. Perhaps someone here can enlighten us. And a Trump victory would not only be worse for Palestinians. It would be worse for Ukranians and give Putin the green light to do whatever he wants as well. Will someone please tell me how that would be better?
The young people around the world are doing exactly as their parent’s and grandparent’s generation taught them to do. They are who we were on college campuses in the late 60’s and early 70’s. They are the Tank Man in Tien Amen Square. They are the Rain Forest’s tribal people in the face of bulldozers. They are the last survivors of the Native American tribes trying to hold on to their hunting grounds and Sacred Mother Earth.
We taught them the futility of war and power. The story of humanity has been to fight control with ever more fierce control. We taught them compassion, and peace, and love as we decided to listen to the words of God no matter what religion you may follow or even if you are an atheist. Our words and actions showed are children that peace and cooperation is the only solution. We have many countries to show us a living example of what happens when people give up being a voice.
It is not who we are against, democracies around the world came about by enough peaceful people agreeing on what we are for.
Did you raise your children to believe that all lives are sacred and of value or maybe only the Methodists. No you did not. Did you teach them that if they wanted something that belonged to others they should concoct a self-righteous story with a dozen reasons to justify why they should be entitled to it? No you did not.
Our youth are evolving into the type of people who want a better narrative and they are ready to start writing a new story of a world that will be peaceful and inhabitable until this beautiful orb we all live on together eventually dies as all things do. This is what they stand for. The question remains, will we come to a natural end as the Earth will or will we end up looking like a Mad Max film where the living envy the dead?
Teach your children well. 💕
Just because Hamas says something doesn't make it true.
Here is the voice of Columbia U’s ELECTED STUDENT GOVERNMENT representatives. They approved this THOUGHTFUL statement overwhelmingly by a vote of 22-4-2
They submitted it to major news outlets —all except refused to print except the (unbiased, unbought) The Guardian. Censorship by press and power cartel. Their VOICE has been completely silenced—but not if we get it out there on social media. Please share far and wide.
https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/may/04/columbia-university-student-protest-gaza
"And for doing this — the most humane, most loving, most American of acts — they are slandered and smeared and called… wait for it!… antisemites! By the very antisemites who back the slaughter of the Semitic people known as the Palestinians! Wow. Now that’s chutzpah!" Amen!!! Thank you, Michael.
Right. Much better to call them Zionists. Because that's not anti-Jew at all. Let's just take out "semitic" because all middle eastern people are and call it what it is: anti-Jew.
Thank you, Michael. I agree with all you've said on this sad situation.
After reading many of the comments, it strikes me that if we here, paid subscriber to Michael's podcast can vehemently disagree on our response to Gaza, to Michael's cursade, to the complex issues that face men and women of goodwill in the Biden administration trying to find the path to end the crisis, to the peaceful protests of students, and even countries in the Middle East, like the Saudis, who want to normalize relations with Israel, and the host of major players, some who want peace and some who will only thrive if the conflict with Israel persists, then how can we expect that the strongly entrenched forces at work in the region, where horrific atrocities have been commited for millenia, can succeed in finding a way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But we must remember that before the October attacks by Hamas, around 65% of Palenstinians in Gaza were in need of huminitarian aid, while the three leaders of Hamas were sitting in luxury in Qatar worth over $11 billion dollars. So if you think that the leaders of Hamas really care about the people living in abject poverty with no hope, then think again.
There is one threat that we here in the US can avert and that is the re-election of Donald Trump. If Biden loses in November and Democrats do not retake the majority in the House and/or the Senate, we, and the rest of the free world are screwed and may live to see a day when freedom and democracy are the exception rather than the rule in the world.
My 98-year old, living in a nursing home, told me the other day that she never thought she would live to see the day when freedom and democracy in America were threatened. Once we lose it, we may never get it back. I had lunch with a friend yesterday and he shook his head and said that for the first time he believes that Biden will not get re-elected. He cited a statistic where over 50% of hispanic people do not support Biden. And given that many young people are now convinced that Biden is somehow an evil twin to Netanyahu, I do not see that there is anything that will change that view before the November election. The die is cast and people like Michael Moore who are focused on this single tradgedy, while well-intentioned, will share is the responsibility of a Trump Presidency. Game, set, match. And all the ourpouring of emotion in response to yet one more humanitarian crisis in the world, will end up creating a world in which the powers of evil and subjugation will reign free.
My wife are now seriously talking about alternatives to living in America if Trump is re-elected. We love this country is for the most part, with notable exceptions (like slavery, genocide against native American peoples, Vietnam, and so on). But a Trump Presidency may not be something we are willing to endure.
The big issue is why Biden does not make military aid conditional to Israel -- a HUGE question that is on many people's mind. Is it really so simple, as Michael would have you believe? I do no know. What I wish the Biden administration would do would be a statement by Biden himself to the American people on why he does not make military aid conditional. What are the forces at work that prevent him from doing this? Is it realistic to think that merely making aid conditional will make a difference? I wish someone would enlighten me on what the real forces at play here are.
Sadly correct. And people like Moore will push Jewish voters into the arms of the GQP. How sad it would beg to lose our republic because still, after all these years, an antisemite is an antisemite. A Jew is a Zionist and a Zionist is a Jew. It is what it is. At a certain point, moral clarity is needed. There is no moral clarity with HAMAS. None. Zero. They care nothing for Palestinians, yet their propaganda has been extremely effective, especially on college campuses.
By the way, this May 4 I went on a demonstration that explicitly called for an end to capitalism from every river to every sea. There is nothing wrong with calling for liberation from a "river to a sea". In the (very imperfect) United States of America, we pledge "liberty and justice for all" and then sing "from sea to shining sea". Well if "liberty and justice for all" is good from "sea to shining sea", why isn't it good from a "river to a sea". What the heck is wrong with that?
OK, Michael. But I'm still voting for Biden in November. I won't cut off my nose to spite my face.
Tim, I respect that, but let me suggest that the best thing you could do to achieve a defeat of Trump in the fall is to work like crazy to get Biden and the centrists Democrats to show some humanity and at least SUSPEND all arms shipments to Israel. Honestly, that might not even be enough for me to vote for Biden after all this, but it would probably be enough for many, and maybe you would achieve your goal. I think that is your best strategy. (It seems to be Michael's.)
But why would you cut off your nose to spite your face? Check out the following from Robert Hubbell's blog (while I don't necessarily agree with everything in his post, I agree with the following):
...threatening to abandon Biden over his Middle East policies implies a willingness to abandon support for
women’s reproductive liberty and equality,
the right of Black voters to equal access to the ballot box,
protection of the environment,
protection of healthcare and retirement for Americans on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid,
continuation of affordable healthcare for all Americans,
due process for ten million immigrants who will be “rounded up” and placed in camps before summary deportation,
Muslims who will be denied free transit to and from countries where family and friends reside,
LGBTQ people whose right to marriage and civil rights equality is under attack;
scientists and teachers who want to pursue knowledge and educate others free from political retribution and more.
Threatening to turn our backs on our fellow citizens and urgent issues is, in the words of Josh Marshall at TPM, a “burn it all down” strategy that will injure hundreds of millions of Americans.
Third, threatening to abandon Biden is an implicit promise to support Trump. Like it or not, we face a binary choice: democracy or tyranny, liberty or subjugation, dignity or degradation, equality or injustice, order or chaos. No other election in our lifetime will demand that we make a choice between morality and depravity, but here we are. We should not threaten to support depravity, even indirectly, as a pressure tactic.
Finally, in suggesting that our support for Biden is contingent or begrudging, we grant permission to those who may be on the fence and looking for a reason to support Trump. Again, supporting Joe Biden in 2024 is a moral imperative—whether we like it or not.
The last time I made similar points in a newsletter (several months ago), a reader posted an angry note in the Comment section that said, “So, you are telling us to sit down and shut up. We won’t do it.”
To be clear, I am not telling anyone to do anything. It is fair and reasonable to criticize Biden. I am, instead, trying to highlight the consequences of turning every dispute with Biden into a threat to abandon him. Voters are free to make such threats, but they are not free to pretend those threats are consequence-free. They are not.
https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/the-moral-imperative-of-voting-for
Don't worry so much about my nose or my face. Neither is very pretty to begin with. But it seems to me that you are worried about Trump getting re-elected. You seem like a pretty nice guy so I'm just giving you a little piece of free advice: get Biden to do more, much more to stop the Israelis, or at least suspend US military aid. Of course nobody takes free advice, but I can't help but offer it. Clearly YMMV. Be well.
Yes, I am worried about Trump getting re-elected, I have put the pressure on Biden, and I take the statements I shared from Robert Hubbell seriously. Whether you do or not is your business, but I hope you do.
https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/the-moral-imperative-of-voting-for
"It literally is that easy."
NO, Michael, it is NOT that easy. I've already reminded you TWICE of what Begin said to then-Senator Biden in 1982 when the battlefield was southern Lebanon! Do you really doubt that, in expressing the same attitude as Begin did, Bibi is not Begin 2.0 but Begin 3.0 and maybe 4.0?! Look up what Begin said to Biden and then think how much more intensely Bibi LIVES the same attitude!
Don't fool yourself, Michael! I've always given you credit for being slicker than to fall for sucker tricks like you're inexpressibly expressing right now!!! I'd hate for you to prove me mistaken! Really!
We're not the 'lone backer' of Israel; Israel is quite capable of standing on its own, and by falling for the lie that Israel is 'our creation' you show a few unflattering sides of yourself. How much are you still into being a White Savior, for instance? How much does it still trouble you to see Jews armed and about to be victorious in battle rather than helplessly raising their hands in surrender like the Warsaw Ghetto schoolboy? Think about this, Michael; I at least believe myself to be on your side here--at least domestically.
No Taxation without Representation!
When our public servants ignore the voices of their constituents it’s usually because their allegiance’s are elsewhere.
Who is Mr. Biden really beholden to?
Is it Wall Street?
Is it the Military Industrial Complex?
Gaslighting your constituents isn’t the answer.
Those days are thankfully gone!
Wake the Fuck Up and smell the fuckn coffee Mr. Biden!
You were doing well until you degenerated into needlessly alienating language. Why? The students are exhibiting exceptional dignity and principle in the face of unimaginable retribution. Why not consider all the ways that the rest of us may support them?
I'm sorry that l've disappointed you. The students are more astute than you realize. I'm an atheist however I do believe in the spiritual principles that can be found in most religions. For instance: One cannot serve two masters. That precept cannot be denied. It's clear to anyone with half a brain that the actions of the Democrats have been subjugated.
When politicians are allowed to own stocks their ability to make laws that serve the best interests of their constituents is compromised by conflicts of interest.
When Dark Money is allowed to purchase our lawmakers, they sure as hell are not going to serve the best interests of their constituents.
The results can be seen in the inconsistencies of their actions. These are no mere accidents.
Obama promised us change. And yet he tried to ram the Trans Pacific Partnership down our throats. Who was he serving?
Clinton gifted us with NAFTA.
Who was he serving?
Biden is using our tax dollars to finance unrestrained genocide, aiding and abetting a corrupt dictator while gaslighting the majority of his constituents.
Again. I ask; Who or what is he beholden to?
The electorate has a right to know and a duty to find out in order to protect our fragile democracy.
If politicians are allowed to be purchased by the highest bidder then we have a sham democracy!
Funny. A few interviews I saw students were asked what they were protesting. They didn't know. Ask the "Queers for Palestine" if they have any clue who they are rooting for. Astute? No. Funded by antisemitic organizations & encouraged by antisemitism? Yes. Beyond that, I'm not so sure about their moral clarity, especially while demanding electricity, pizza and water in their green tents.
Hey Judas. I can’t trust a word you said . Let’s have some sources. Documentation etc.
I don't care what you trust or don't. Use google and do your own research. It's all right there. Self hating Jews are the worst. My sympathies. It's very hard to go through life hating what you are in your blood & bones and never transfers well into society.
https://youtube.com/shorts/A_AXv0skjR8?si=2YWDciLaX6j0dj4V
https://youtube.com/shorts/CHnrxyBc6Fo?si=oqkGX3x9tj7rzCb_
Michel I heard your Podcast I think that the Young Students who have a belief that No one Deserves to Not live In peace no matter who they are! There are Young Jewish Students who respectfully join their Palestinian Friends there was one person who was not a fan of Zionist that helped shape the State of Israel because there was No where else for Jews to go ! I think as I’ve said a millon times that Benjamin must Go he has no right to mow down people just cause he can Hamas has No Right to kill innocent people and Rape and kill Babies and take hostages of whole Families either , and no one has the right to distroy property or impede others from graduation and Police have no right to arrest peaceful protesters and throw them to the ground with their Professors who are trying to protect their Right to protest ! History must be taught as far as Never Again conerning Holocausts Not Voteing is a vote for either Trump or Kennedy which will lead to dictatorship of none other then Clown Boy 🤡 Trump ! Please please Tell these wonderful young people to at least listen so that we aren’t all in a Trump Conentration Camp and I wish to god I was kidding ! We All need to calm down we all want the best for all ❤️
Dear Michael, I am grateful for your support of the student protests. However, PLEASE encourage your supporters to VOTE for Biden. We do NOT want trump to be in office again.
Thank you….
So you're saying there is NO validity to harassment of Jews on college campuses, protestors locking arms to stop Jews from attending Jewish events, and that all the protests on campuses and elsewhere are peaceful exercises of freedom like freedom riders sitting at lunch counters? The Palestinians have released all the hostages I suppose. And apologized for bothering the Israelis on October 7. All a big misunderstanding. I have been a supporter of yours for decades but I'm about to cancel my subscription and withdraw my good words I have always had for you as a fair and humanistic spokesperson for the leftist way of seeing things. The Netanyahu decimatiom of Gaza is inexcusable and horrific but the protests on college campuses is not a nuanced view of a multi decade problem. It is a lopsided pro-Palestinian nightmarre.
I just canceled my subscription. I am disheartened by Moore and many of the comments here. I'm done.
Michael
I’m a long time supporter and believe you are one of the most compassionate commentators of what is happening in our country and around the world. I’m appalled at what is happening in Gaza as much as I was appalled at what Hamas did in October.
I think you lost credibility (and possibly support) by justifying to take over buildings as part of peaceful protests. I heard Hannity showed your quote on his show tonight suggesting the “takeover” of the Capitol on Jan 6 per your comments should be ok.
Let’s not give the other side more ammunition to continue to obfuscate and continue to refer to the Jan 6 rioters as patriots. Sadly, it’s another example of how left of center or moderates find ways to shoot themselves in the foot.
Jim
As usual I appreciate your perspective and willingness to take unpopular stands.
It has disturbed me that all the anti-war demonstrations are characterized as Pro-Palestinian, which has been the mantra of the press from the beginning. The demonstrations I have been to and witnessed have been attended by many Jews and in one case overwhelmingly by Jews who are not Anti-Israel or antisemitic . Characterizing demonstrators as Pro-Palestinian implies this. When you observe the demonstrations and listen to the speeches, they are not (with some exceptions) against Israel or Jews but against the genocidal policies and actions of the Israeli government. It would be more accurate to say the demonstrations are Anti-Genocide demonstrations. Language matters. It's understandable that in practice it may look Pro-Palestinian as they are the people who are currently being genocided. However, the students, who are in situations that give them leisure to think about and observe the world, are rightfully protesting what the ultra right religiously fanatical government of Israel is doing - carrying out a genocide. Thank you Young People - never give up, never give up your humanity.
Today the President has suspended supplying weapons to Israel. A little late but I'll take it. Jewish Voice for Peace has called for people to contact Congress in support of permanently suspending supplying weapons. I encourage readers to do this. https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/2024/05/08/breaking-the-u-s-ultimatum-to-israel-act-now/?sourceid=1001761&emci=72c6b1d4-ae0c-ef11-96f3-7c1e521b07f9&emdi=2e3b3fed-510d-ef11-96f3-7c1e521b07f9&ceid=621855
You're right. Anti-genocide is a better word choice. Pro-Palestinian sounds too political and doesn't being to mind being antiwar. Nobody said pro Vietnam when we were protesting back then. The message was about war, not a political system.