In 2004, a leading critic of the Bush administration issued a stinging critique of the U.S. government's war on terror. He charged that in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Bush continued reading to children "a little girl's story about a goat and its butting." The critic insisted that Bush invaded Iraq because of "oil and more business for his private companies." Bush knew Iraq posed no security threat but "the black gold blinded him." As a consequence, "Bush's hands are coverd with blood" and Iraq has become a "quagmire." Yet Bush refuses to change course because of "the enormity of the contracts won by large corporations like Halliburton." Moreover, in the name of fighting terror, Bush has "brought tyranny and the suppression of liberties" through such measures as "the Patriot Act."
Michael Moore? Al Franken? Nancy Pelosi? Actually, it's Bin Laden in his address to the American people on the eve of the 2004 election. In his latest video Bin Laden is at it again, doing his best Michael Moore imitation. Remove the Koranic references and exhortations to convert to Islam and Bin Laden sounds indistinguishable from Moore. He attacks Don Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney and the neocons, and he denounces the role of money in politics. (Alas, he forgot to mention that Guantanamo captives get better health care than 9/11 survivors.) Now think of how odd this is. Imagine if Hitler had issued regular missiles during World War II in which he praised a group of Americans and cited from their writings and repeated their arguments with such precision that it would be hard to tell his words from theirs. The reaction in America, I'm sure, would be one of unmitigated outrage!
So what's going on here? My book The Enemy at Home has the full story, but we get a hint of the answer from Bin Laden himself. In his latest video he says that there is a twofold solution to defeating Bush's war on terror. "The first is from our side...and the second is from your side." The first part lies with his jihadists, who he says are doing their part to create the terror. The second part lies with the American left, which is expected to use the terror to demoralize the American people and urge them to retreat. Bin Laden specifically directs our attention to the writings of folks like Noam Chomsky, whom he praises as offering a correct (i.e. Bin Laden's own) view of the situation. So Bin Laden is trying to sway American public opinion by mouthing the arguments of the American left--including calls for campaign finance reform!--and he is also counting on leftists like Moore and Chomsky to convince the American people to retreat from Iraq and give up on Bush's war on terror.
So far the Bin Laden strategy is working beautifully. But given all the leftists and Bush-bashers that Bin Laden has cited by name (Robert Fisk, William Blum, Michael Scheuer, Noam Chomsky), I wonder if Moore is a little upset that Bin Laden isn't giving him enough credit.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 7)
1. Wow, now this monkey boy equates Bin Laden to Americans. Well Denish you' ve quoted some very unuasal things in your tenure as a blogger, should I equate you to Communists or Nazis...No, I won't do that because it's too easy to go trivial as you do regularly. You've been laughed off almost every talk show even neocon talk shows where you try to hock your book, where you blame Americans for 9/11.
At any rate chuckles if he was dead like he should've been for nearly 3 years we wouldn't have to hear the dribble, from a person I am starting to wonder, who seems to have an agenda towards dividing my country at every chance he gets. Kinda like the agenda of Bin Laden himself
Logan at 12:47PM on Sep 14th 2007
2. you're an idiot Dinesh. Michael loves america, how can you compare him to Bin Laden. Your iq = 1.13
ehsan at 1:05PM on Sep 14th 2007
3. Really Dinesh? Seems Bush is giving up on the war on terror also. If Iraq is such a life and death war, why is Bush bringing home 30,000 troops? Shouldn't we be increasing the troops, if we believe Bush and the neocon agenda of "stay the course" and that Iraq is a dire threat to America?
The bottom line: Either this is an all out war or it is not.
Conservatives cannot have it both ways.
Bush is doing nothing but playing politics - bring troops home by next summer JUST in time for the November elections. Paint a happy face on Iraq and say it is a success and PRAY Bush does not drag the party down to defeat in November.
David S. at 1:05PM on Sep 14th 2007
4. D'ouche States:
Bush knew Iraq posed no security threat but "the black gold blinded him." As a consequence, "Bush's hands are coverd with blood" and Iraq has become a "quagmire." Yet Bush refuses to change course because of "the enormity of the contracts won by large corporations like Halliburton." Moreover, in the name of fighting terror, Bush has "brought tyranny and the suppression of liberties" through such measures as "the Patriot Act."
I reply, so which of these statements have proven false?????
Dennis at 1:10PM on Sep 14th 2007
5. I saw that clip with Osama and I thought, 'It looks like the next generation computer generated image technology is being used to foment aggression against liberals in the US.'
Realistically this is very possible, and it makes sense that the right wing oval office would try to mitigate the rising tide of democratic ideals. I welcome the voice of reason and truth, regardless of the source, even if it was Osama himself.
But lets be real for just a moment, Osama, the vanguard from one of the most oppressive religeous doctrins on the planet talking liberally just doesn't add up. It makes more sense that our own government is trying to pull another fast one past us.
Oh well. Let them play their games. The truth will out eventually.
Realist at 1:13PM on Sep 14th 2007
6. Your support is needed now.
Join The new Clinton / Democratic organization called "DDD".
"Democrats Demand Defeat".
We already have support in the Muslim community as noted above.
CK at 1:29PM on Sep 14th 2007
7. OSAMA IS THE HERO OF THE LEFT, PUT ON YOUR BERKAS LIKE NANCY AND BOW DOWN! FIVE TIMES A DAY, FOLKS! WE MUST TAKE OUR ORDERS FROM THE BEARDED ONE, WE MUST DO WHAT HE WANTS US TO DO, OH...THE GREAT ONE SPEAKS FROM THE CAVE AND WE HEAR HIS CRIES!! PARTAKE IN BRINGING DOWN THE BIG SATAN, HATE THE REAL ENEMY, YOUR OWN...YOUR PRESIDENT..THE LEFT HAS INDEED TAKEN SIDES AND THEY HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES, THE ENEMY AT HOME.
Marie at 1:31PM on Sep 14th 2007
8. Can we first agree that democrats and "the left" do not wish the destruction of America and for America to lose the war on terror? The debate this is a part of is a question of tactics, not of goals. Secondly, Does Dinesh not question the motives of Bin Laden? Does anyone think that he may in fact be saying this to watch our beloved country tear itself apart. If that is his goal... judging by this message board... he is winning. Take a deep breath and realize that we can work our differences out like adults
Matt at 1:44PM on Sep 14th 2007
9. To Marie,
Wow, you seem to be an anti islamist. I thought the people of the United States of America were a little more accepting than that!
I know a lot of democrats, some are muslim, others are not, most are christian. But they all show more respect for each other than you did with your all caps retort.
I suspect that Hillary Clinton would be above taking your comments seriously. Your suggestion is that to wear a burka is treason. Do you really believe that Muslim Americans who wera burkas are traitors? Come on, tell the world what you really think!
Our politics has nothing to do with religion. After all, we have a separation between church and state, and I hope it stays that way. Your words suggest a right wing fundamentalist oppressive attitude. That should never be a framework for guiding this nation.
I hope that christions and muslims can forgive her unfortunate remarks and chalk it up to the sheer terror she is experiencing because her beloved republican party is going down the toilet.
;-)
Realist at 6:48PM on Sep 14th 2007
10. Ah D'Idiot - using another cheap ploy to promote another right wing birdcage liner of a book. anything original to say?
Didn't think so. Osama = Nancy Pelosi. How droll.
Tim at 5:32PM on Sep 14th 2007
11. By your logic, if Bin Laden says, "2 + 2 = 4", then everybody that thinks that 2 + 2 = 4 is a Jihadist.
Bruce Peterson at 2:07PM on Sep 14th 2007
12. Dinesh, what?! Michael Moore and those like him would truly like to see America return to something actually resembling a democracy and taking care of its own. We used to be a shining light in this world. Now, we are becoming a glaring example of what not to do.
The Golden Rule is "Do unto others...; not "Those who have the gold make the rules.
We will reap what we sow.
Suzanne at 2:33PM on Sep 14th 2007
13. should I equate you to Communists or Nazis...No, I won't do that because it's too easy >>>
Actually, it's not that easy. First, you need cogent examples. (Note this blog) Then you need to make the case. Since you haven't bothered, your argument is nonsense.
I have often wondered why I'm the only one that noticed how Al Qeada and Liberals use the same rethoric. It would seem that both have agendas that are decidedly unAmerican.
Example: Liberals ruined our standing in the world when they claimed our government supports that abuse, torture, and even the murder of our prisoners. The told the world that Bush manipulated intelligence and lied us into an illegal war. And like Bin Laden they have no interest in proving any of it.
Imagine an American political party that needs American defeat to prosper ... then vote accordingly.
Thomas J Gassett at 2:38PM on Sep 14th 2007
14. Dinesh, what?! Michael Moore and those like him would truly like to see America return to something actually resembling a democracy >>>
Please explain how traveling Europe telling everyone you meet that Americans are the stupidest people on the planet is wanting democracy and not unAmerican spew.
Give an example. Oh, you can't. I guess that's why lost over the lefty rainbow allegations are the best you can do. Absouletly nothing new here.
Thomas J Gassett at 2:41PM on Sep 14th 2007
15. Matt #8, you are absolutely right. Both the left and the right engage in these sophmoric antics where they malign each others motives. I disagree vehemently with the Bush administration and his right wing backers. But I have no doubt that they love this country and want the best for it. I thought that the recent ad by Moveon.com maligning the motives of Gen. Petraeus was a bit over the top. It is equally sad that the right wing cannot put forth a coherent argument for the war without charging their opponents of being defeatist or unpatriotic.
The democratic values upon which our country rests, assumes disagreement and a diversity of opinion. They also assume that we will be civil enough to respect one another even when we disagree. The whole world is watching how the citizens of a free and democratic nation comport themselves in this momentious issue of life and death. It is quite unfortunate that the loudest and most shrill voices are the likes of Dinesh D'Souza on the one hand and Micheal Moore on the other.
randy at 2:47PM on Sep 14th 2007