‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ and Public Dissent

With the Fourth of July around the corner, it’s important to remember what our soldiers in Iraq are fighting for. American democracy is fundamentally about free speech and the right of the citizens to protest government actions. If we as citizens don’t actively participate in our democracy by debating the issues, then we are not doing our fair share to protect American democracy.

I can think of no better example of this principle in action than Michael Moore’s film “Fahrenheit 9/11.” Freedom demands civic participation. If “Fahrenheit 9/11” promotes that because it angers people enough to start discussing the issues and then getting off their duffs and voting in November, then Moore has done an admirable job of protecting our democracy.

Roxanne Reaver

West Hollywood

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“Fahrenheit 9/11” is an instant classic. Moore has awakened the sleeping giant, the American electorate.

Sean Gallagher

San Diego

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Once again Moore is profiting, as in making money, from the pain and misfortune of others. First it was the unemployed autoworkers in “Roger and Me.” Then it was the victims of Columbine in “Bowling for Columbine.” Now it’s the brave soldiers in Iraq and their families in “Fahrenheit 9/11.”

Moore portrays himself as some sort of social crusader. In reality, his scruffy, ball-cap-wearing everyman appearance is just part of a sad, sophisticated shtick. Apparently that act plays well in Hollywood.

Chris Piombo

Lodi, Calif.

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Every American patriot should see “Fahrenheit 9/11” to understand the importance of dissent in a free society. Moore meticulously shows how the administration has deceived the American public into thinking it is effectively confronting terrorism.

In reality, Bush and his cohorts have swung the proverbial baseball bat into the wasp’s nest and unleashed a level of terror never known before. Now civilians and soldiers alike will suffer the consequences for many years to come.

We can only hope our present foreign policy will change in November.

Ken Anderson

San Clemente

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Watching Moore’s outstanding excoriation of the Bush administration made me feel, for the first time since the 2000 election, proud to be an American.

Larry A. Rothstein

Oak Park

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Your newspaper and jerks like Moore will not influence the election against President Bush. The American people are too smart. The economy is rapidly improving and Bush is bringing democracy to another part of the world.

The liberals will have to wait another four years for their next chance.

Ray Ackerman

Los Angeles