That, according to author and award-winning filmmaker MichaelMoore, is what Republicans have forgotten. They’ve forgotten how tobe decent people. It’s as simple as that.
“Why else would you say one adult who’s in love with another adult can’t get married?” Moore said – in reference to the GOP’s stance on gay marriage – before an audienuce of more than 10,000 Tuesday night at the Del Mar Racetrack. “Why else would you give tax breaks to the richest 2 percent while taxing those who struggle everyday?” Moore’s appearance was made possible by Associated Students of CalState University San Marcos, despite fierce opposition from, whatMoore called, the school’s “Republican administration.” Originallyscheduled to take place on campus, Tuesday’s gathering was moved toDel Mar because the administration felt it was a conflict of interestfor a state university to have a partisan speaker on its campus in anelection year.
But as the case usually goes, when you try to silence MichaelMoore, it backfires on you. If Moore’s appearance would have beenheld on campus, it would’ve taken place in a facility that fits about1,200 people. Instead, Moore’s message to remove President Bush inNovember reached almost 10 times that number.
“(Republicans) tried to do the same thing with Fahrenheit 9/11,”Moore told the crowd, referring to the trouble he had finding adistributor for the film in the United States after it won the Palmed’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. “Look what happened. The movie wenton to be the most watched documentary in history and it’s beenprojected that 46 million people will either rent it or buy it onDVD.
“We can at least thank them for this. When are they going tolearn?”said Moore.
In true Moore fashion, he couldn’t just be satisfied with theadministration’s plan blowing up in its face – he’s lightingthe fuse again himself.
Moore decided not to accept a dime for his appearance in SanDiego. Instead, the money raised from the event – an estimated$20,000 after all expenses – will go toward a scholarship orgrant at CSU San Marcos for the next four years. But this isn’t atypical award given to the student with the best grades. Therecipient will be the student at the university who “raises the mosthell” for the administration. Maybe now they’ll realize you can’tcensor free expression.
Several minutes after the event was over, a few dozen people creptdown to the bottom and up to the front in hopes of hearing fromMoore. Separated by two barricades, he smiled at the small gatheringof fans who hoped for autographs.
After Moore answered a few questions, a man by the name of MikeLucas made his way to the front of the pack. Looking to offer morethan a mere expression of appreciation, Lucas offered Moore somethingspecial: The Bronze Star of his great uncle John P. Delgado who diedin 1945 during World War II. Struck with surprise, Moore reluctantlyand respectfully accepted the gesture.
After Delgado’s death, his family received a bereavement letterfrom President Truman that Lucas still has today. In it, Truman spokeof how freedom lives on through the soldiers who have fallen and thatwe have to continue to protect freedom with those who come behind thefallen.
“Michael Moore is the embodiment of that letter,” he said. “He’sstanding up for those principles. He’s the ideal person to receivethat medal. I felt that he deserved it and my uncle would’ve wantedhim to have it.”
It was a moment of decency between two decent men about a decentman if I ever saw one.
– Simon Samano is a journalism senior and assistant sports editorfor The Daily Aztec.
– This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of TheDaily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com.Anonymous letters will not be printed – include your fullname, major and year in school.
