I have no problem with “public figures” getting involved and speaking out about the war – and I’m talking pro-war as well as anti-war. They have just as much right to speak their mind as anyone. After all, they are mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers first and far most and what they do for a living should have no bearing on their right to speak out. What I DO have a problem with is the extreme and unprofessional manner in which SOME of them choose to express those opinions and the fact that because of their celebrity status, they get media coverage and the world thinks they’re speaking for all Americans. I have my doubts, concerns, confusion and conflicted emotions regarding our government’s decision to embark on this action without UN support, but I’m appalled that the world might think that Michael Moore was speaking for me at the Oscars! I’m just as appalled that the world thinks that the folks in the spotlight who call those against the war anti-American, are speaking for all of those who believe this war is the right thing to do. There are plenty of us who fall somewhere in the middle, but have no means to get that out because Joe Six-Pack can’t call a press conference and expect anyone to turn up – he’s not “news-worthy”
I’m going to share a letter by singer-songwriter, Rodney Crowell, the only celebrity so far who captured my own confusion on the war and disenchantment with how folks are expressing themselves. Whether you are liberal or conservative, try to read it through before passing judgment, because I’m pretty sure you’ll agree with some of what he says even if you don’t agree with his politics.
Here’s what he wrote:
March 24, 2003
Much has transpired in the last few months that gives me pause. I was
decidedly against the current administration's intentions to invade Iraq
without the support of the United Nations. It was my belief President Bush's
team had failed to make a convincing case that there was a real reason to
invade Iraq. It seemed unwise to alienate our allies for reasons that
changed like the weather.
It seemed to me in the aftermath of 9-11, our President adopted a kind of
arrogance that perpetuated the ugly American cliché. There is a reason much
of the rest of the world sees us as an arrogant nation. It is, of course,
foolish to believe all Americans are motivated by greed. It is, however,
easy to understand why others see us as greedy people. I was worried
President Bush and his advisors were indebted to special interests - such as
the oil industry - to such an extent that diplomacy was not considered a
viable option.
In the end, I came to believe I knew so little about what was really going
on, it was impossible to know which side of the fence to stand on. I do
believe the current administration has done a poor job communicating their
true intentions to reasonably intelligent liberals such as myself. That
said, now that the war is on, I believe it is my duty to support our
soldiers in every way possible. It is also time to look for the goodness in
our political leaders. I do hope my misgivings about their motivations will
prove to have been unfounded.
As a yellow dog Democrat and liberal humanist, I must say the voice of
opposition to the war has not been without its ugly moments. Though we may
not agree with our President's decisions, it is counter-productive to attack
the man personally. It is possible to disagree without disrespect. Although
there does seem to be a movement among the staunch conservatives to discount
the validity of the liberal opposition's viewpoint at every crook and turn,
liberals should not see this as a license to resort to the same tactics. It
is my belief the true humanitarian, liberal or conservative, never stoops to
name-calling.
I have heard it said that artists should keep their noses out of the
political arena. I would say this to that: Notice the way Bono appeals to
the higher goodness in the politicians and men of power with which he
collaborates. To me, he is the blueprint for how a human being, artist or
otherwise, can make a real difference in the world. Let's hope his visions
materialize........Rodney Crowell
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