He’s unabashedly liberal. He’s outrageous. He’s controversial. He’s probably most well-known for speaking out against Dubya.

His most recent documentary has enraged Americans almost as much as it has thrilled Europeans.

And, like it or not, Michael Moore is coming to campus Sunday as part of his 60-city “Slacker Uprising Tour” that’s hitting college campuses in swing states. His goal, clearly stated on his Web site, www.michaelmoore.com, is to get people to vote — particularly the “thousands of campus slackers who proudly sleep ’til noon and who believe papers are for rolling, not reading.”

It’s receiving a negative reaction across the country — from Nevada, where donors offered the University of Nevada student government $100,000 to bring in a conservative speaker, to Michigan, where the state’s Republican leaders have asked for Moore to be prosecuted for offering students prizes of noodles and underwear to encourage them to vote.

The controversy has touched our campus, too. Some alumni have threatened to pull their donations from the university, even though Moore was invited by students and his $4,000 speaking fee, which is less than the $35,000 he usually gets, is being paid with student fees.

Honestly.

The university is already strapped for cash. Donors are free to put dollars wherever they wish, but threatening to jerk funds from the university simply because you don’t agree with a speaker who’s coming is childish at best and vicious at worst.

Moore’s bark is worse than his bite. As students, we’re smart enough to figure that out. If we’re not, we have bigger problems.

And, as an entertainer, Moore appeals to students. If he encourages a few more people to show up at the polls and check a box two weeks from now, then rallying the “slackers” with Ramen noodle giveaways and the “world’s largest karaoke sing-a-long” will have been worth it.

Moore probably won’t reveal anything new or earth-shattering that will brainwash the thousands sitting in Hilton to vote for John Kerry two weeks from now — which is what conservatives seem to fear.

Like him or not, Moore is protected by the First Amendment. But, then again, so is everyone else.

You really want to make a statement? Make signs, head for Hilton on Sunday and protest Moore’s speech.

Want the opposing view to reach the ears of the students? Lobby your favorite conservative speakers to cut their fees — which often reach $100,000, plus travel expenses — to come to Iowa State.

The Committee on Lectures would likely be thrilled to have the support.