Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Fahrenheit 9/11
July 28, 2004
3:30 p.m.
It has been a while since I have written, and although I have had many things to say, it seems as though that when I blog, it pisses people off. Funny as it may seem, but speaking your mind and pissing people off seem to go hand in hand. I have been criticized for being too brutally honest, that typically is addressed as a “personal attack” or for being to provocative, attempting perhaps to induce insightful and productive conversation.
Heck, one of my last pieces referred to the concept of Pro-active versus Re-active planning and thinking. I was met with a volley of negative responses in others blogs that I frequent. It is funny that while I don’t set out to piss people off, it sure comes across that way. I don’t intentionally piss people off; it just comes across that way.
I do know someone who does intentionally try to piss people off. Michael Moore. I sat in the movie theater last night watching ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ thinking to myself that each and every person who has a criticism of this movie without first seeing it should be censored.
Why such a drastic statement you might ask. Well, before I answer let me give you a little background…
I happen to be a Republican and a Michael Moore movie fan. What, how could that be? What a horrible thing to say. Or is it?
If Michael Moore did nothing other than provoke thoughtful and meaningful conversation, or inspire and motivate you to research the “facts” of his movie, I think you would be surprised to learn how much of what he stated to be true.
Now, and I can hear the keys typing now in anger and response, but think about it, Michael Moore told a story, like Michael Moore does so very well, using the facts that best suited the story he wanted to tell.
Example: My favorite Michael Moore movie is ‘Roger & Me’ that was filmed in the late ‘80’s. He tells the story of his hometown Flint, Michigan and how the awful giant General Motors all but destroyed the lives of the people there. The piece stinks of truth. You are left with a feeling of, “those poor, poor people.” What Michael Moore left out of the movie was how big and powerful the UAW had become, thereby oppressing General Motors to the point that it could no longer be competitive with the Japanese. Michael Moore didn’t lie in ‘Roger & Me,’ he only used selective truths.
I haven’t researched ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ nor will I, however I know that there is a lot of truth in the movie. But, I also know there are a lot of truths selectively left out of the movie. Truths that if placed within the context of the movie would probably have never garnered the headlines that the movie has generated.
So, in response to my statement earlier that anyone who hasn’t seen it should be censored. How can one make an informed opinion or decision regarding content of a movie they haven’t seen? If nothing else, I would think the conservative right would want to see this movie to better educate themselves on how to respond to the liberal left. I guarantee you that George W. Bush has seen this movie. I guarantee you that only because he wants to know what his critics are saying about him, and what better way to prepare a response than to watch the criticism.
Did Michael Moore tell a good story? Yes. I for one like his film and story telling abilities. Did Michael Moore tell a factual story, or a story based in facts? Yes. Did Michael Moore leave out facts to make his movie better? Yes. Does that make Michael Moore anti-American? No.
He is telling his story as he sees it.
If you and your office co-workers where standing on a corner and a horrific car crashed happened, would each of you have identical stories to tell, or would the details be different, even if ever so slightly from person to person in re-telling the story?
Michael Moore has told a story. He has told a story I think you should watch. A story I think if you go into being objective, you will walk away afterwards better informed.
I would rather look at all sides of an issue and come to my own opinion, than to only look at one side and make assumptions regarding the other side. Ultimately looking at both sides will help you base your final conclusion in as much fact as possible.
July 28, 2004
3:30 p.m.
It has been a while since I have written, and although I have had many things to say, it seems as though that when I blog, it pisses people off. Funny as it may seem, but speaking your mind and pissing people off seem to go hand in hand. I have been criticized for being too brutally honest, that typically is addressed as a “personal attack” or for being to provocative, attempting perhaps to induce insightful and productive conversation.
Heck, one of my last pieces referred to the concept of Pro-active versus Re-active planning and thinking. I was met with a volley of negative responses in others blogs that I frequent. It is funny that while I don’t set out to piss people off, it sure comes across that way. I don’t intentionally piss people off; it just comes across that way.
I do know someone who does intentionally try to piss people off. Michael Moore. I sat in the movie theater last night watching ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ thinking to myself that each and every person who has a criticism of this movie without first seeing it should be censored.
Why such a drastic statement you might ask. Well, before I answer let me give you a little background…
I happen to be a Republican and a Michael Moore movie fan. What, how could that be? What a horrible thing to say. Or is it?
If Michael Moore did nothing other than provoke thoughtful and meaningful conversation, or inspire and motivate you to research the “facts” of his movie, I think you would be surprised to learn how much of what he stated to be true.
Now, and I can hear the keys typing now in anger and response, but think about it, Michael Moore told a story, like Michael Moore does so very well, using the facts that best suited the story he wanted to tell.
Example: My favorite Michael Moore movie is ‘Roger & Me’ that was filmed in the late ‘80’s. He tells the story of his hometown Flint, Michigan and how the awful giant General Motors all but destroyed the lives of the people there. The piece stinks of truth. You are left with a feeling of, “those poor, poor people.” What Michael Moore left out of the movie was how big and powerful the UAW had become, thereby oppressing General Motors to the point that it could no longer be competitive with the Japanese. Michael Moore didn’t lie in ‘Roger & Me,’ he only used selective truths.
I haven’t researched ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ nor will I, however I know that there is a lot of truth in the movie. But, I also know there are a lot of truths selectively left out of the movie. Truths that if placed within the context of the movie would probably have never garnered the headlines that the movie has generated.
So, in response to my statement earlier that anyone who hasn’t seen it should be censored. How can one make an informed opinion or decision regarding content of a movie they haven’t seen? If nothing else, I would think the conservative right would want to see this movie to better educate themselves on how to respond to the liberal left. I guarantee you that George W. Bush has seen this movie. I guarantee you that only because he wants to know what his critics are saying about him, and what better way to prepare a response than to watch the criticism.
Did Michael Moore tell a good story? Yes. I for one like his film and story telling abilities. Did Michael Moore tell a factual story, or a story based in facts? Yes. Did Michael Moore leave out facts to make his movie better? Yes. Does that make Michael Moore anti-American? No.
He is telling his story as he sees it.
If you and your office co-workers where standing on a corner and a horrific car crashed happened, would each of you have identical stories to tell, or would the details be different, even if ever so slightly from person to person in re-telling the story?
Michael Moore has told a story. He has told a story I think you should watch. A story I think if you go into being objective, you will walk away afterwards better informed.
I would rather look at all sides of an issue and come to my own opinion, than to only look at one side and make assumptions regarding the other side. Ultimately looking at both sides will help you base your final conclusion in as much fact as possible.
