Moore likened to bin Laden

The Deseret Morning News invited readers to send in their two cents on the Michael Moore flap. Here are a few of the responses we received Thursday:

• "Since UVSC student leaders are wanting to hear from people trying to destroy our country, why not ask Osama bin Laden to speak next year? After all, we need have open minds. It's painful knowing the money UVSC pays him will go towards his next documentary. It's like subsidizing soft terrorism. If this is where UVSC is going, let's just close the school down now." — Chance Williams, Woodland Hills

• "Given the reaction to finding out that Michael Moore will be giving a talk at UVSC, one would think that the devil himself would be speaking. Instead of resorting to protesting the event, why not approach the occasion with an open mind and see what Moore has to say? Remember, Moore's only expressing his opinion . . . which can either be taken to heart, or completely ignored." — Cris Helt, Bountiful.

• "I think it is a shame that the student body association at UVSC would agree to spend $40,000 of student fees on a speaker that does not appeal to a predominately conservative and Republican community and student body." — Kraig Brinkerhoff, Pleasant Grove.

• "What better way to go into the November election than to have such a fiery political debate. If UVSC wants to enlighten us as students, let's get both sides represented." — Ashli Hansen

• "Yes, I have a problem with Michael Moore speaking at UVSC. I believe that in this crucial time of war, creating anti-war, anti-President Bush propaganda is also anti-American. . . . My daughter was planning to attend UVSC next fall, but I will seriously reconsider that decision." — Melody Malone, Las Vegas

• "I believe that UVSC's decision to bring Michael Moore to Orem as a speaker is brilliant! I personally do not believe in Moore's mode of attack on President George W. Bush, but people are talking about the speaking engagement. It is sad that some students at UVSC and members of the community, see this as a bad thing." — Joshua Snow Hansen, Bountiful

• "I think that Michael Moore is un-American and is pushing a socialist agenda. Listening to him is like listening to propaganda. No truth, just his ideas which are not true. "Bowling for Columbine" was just a slap in the face to the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights, for example. Our schools of higher learning deserve better speakers than this." — Brent W. Sanders, Layton

• "A mind is a terrible thing to waste, so why are we wasting it on someone who is neither educationally nor morally qualified to speak to the youth of Utah County? Michael Moore is not only un-American in his propaganda, he is also an avowed socialist. Regardless of whether there is an attempt to get a conservative speaker to balance the agenda, Michael Moore should not represent the left's position." — John Adams, Provo