One Man Battles Dubya armed with F 9/11 Downloads

[chum]

By Charles Arthur, Technology Editor

28 October 2004

Marc Perkel is spending $2,000 (£1,100) in the hope of ensuring the result of the United States presidential election. Not by buying television ads ($2,000 wouldn't go very far) but by offering Michael Moore's film Fahrenheit 9/11 as a free download from his site in the hope that watching it will encourage people to vote against George Bush.

And at least half of his hope has been fulfilled: thousands of people have downloaded the film from his site in a format that can be watched on a computer.

Yet despite offering a box-office hit backed by heavyweight producers such as Harvey Weinstein, available for free over the internet, Mr Perkel, of San Bruno in California, does not fear being sued, as one would normally expect.

Instead, he insists that "Michael Moore wants me to distribute this" - although he admits that Moore has not spoken to him specifically. The $2,000 is the cost of one month's high-speed connectivity for his site, where the digital versions of the film are stored - and if download numbers are any guide, he has found a receptive audience.

---- snip ----

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=576751

[jgardner]

1. Excellent! n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. I'm going to ask a cheap question:

I paid for my son and two of his friends to go see it when it was on the cinema. Do you think Michael Moore will mind if I download it so I can see it myself?

(Okay, I really feel stupid asking this question so don't throw anything at me.)

[msmcghee]

4. I think you're OK.

Marc has stated that Michael wants him to offer the film. At this point it seems that if that's not the case - it's up to Michael, or whoever owns the distribution rights, to deal with Marc - not you.

It's good that you are concerned, however. I suspect that Michael has made a lot of money on that film already - and is more concerned about Bush getting re-elected than about a few downloads.

But I'm no lawyer, either.

[jgardner]

6. Michael Moore sent an e-mail a while back stating

that he wants as many people as possible to see the film. He gave a blanket OK to copy and distribute the DVD. I did a quick search of his site, but didn't find the link - SORRY!

[Stephanie]

11. I remember that

Michael Moore said he doesn't care if people download it. He wants people to download it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. Thanks everyone!

You'll be my co-defendants if you're wrong!

:-)

[chum]

17. Moore wants you to download it

He said so. He said he's make plenty of money and he wants people to see the movie.

[CatWoman]

3. For you youngsters/newer DUer's

Mark is Bartcop's webmaster, and he used to be a DUer.

[chum]

5. Perkel was hicked off DU a long tiime ago

I think he has something in his blog about it. He also ran for US senate in 2000 against John Ashcroft in the Republican primary in Missouri.

On his blog he has an explaination of his decision to post the movie. He says:

-------

I'm posting Fahrenheit 9/11 for downloading. You can get it at This Link.

I want to say something else about the legal issues of putting this on the web. Here are the facts:

1. Michael Moore made public statements giving me and people like me permission to post it.
2. I am relying on his permission.
3. Michael Moore is someone who either has the authority or is in a position to speak for those who have the authority to give permission.
4. All interested parties - copyright holders, distributors - are aware of Michael Moore's public statements.
5. No other interested party has make any statement refuting Michael Moore's statement. The distributor hasn't stated Michael Moore is wrong.

So - there is a legal concept that if someone is silent when they have a duty to speak - or in this case object - then they are agreeing through their silence to Michael Moore's statement.

I'm saying this because I'm stating publicly that this is legal and I'm advocating that other's follow my example. I want to explain my legal theory behind why I believe it is within my rights to post this work for free.

[CatWoman]

7. what's the url for his blog?

thanks.

[chum]

8. Perkel's URL

http://marc.perkel.com

[chum]

10. The download link for F 9-11

http://marc.perkel.com/archives/000468.html

[MADem]

15. Probably a dumb question, but WHY?

By hicked, I am assuming you mean KICKED...what did he do?

[chum]

18. I don't remember

His email is [e-mail] - maybe he can tell you.

[johnfunk]

9. Also webmaster to American Politics Journal

A few sites he hists that you may want to check out:

http://www.apj.us (APJ)
http://www.awolbush.com
http://www.barlowfriendz.com
http://www.churchofreality.org
http://www.fairandbal.com
http://www.oreilly-sucks.com

and

http://www.presidentbushlibrary.org

He also has a way-cool spam-proofed e-mail service -- your own shielded address for $29.95 a year (details at http://www.ctyme.com)

[chum]

12. And others

http://www.overthrowthegovernment.org
http://www.flagburning.org
http://www.vindicate.org
http://www.fauxnewschannel.com

[MADem]

14. Here is another cite where Moore says DO IT

http://www.sundayherald.com/43167

Moore: pirate my film, no problem

Fury as Fahrenheit 9/11 director backs illegal not-for-profit downloads
By Iain S Bruce, Online Editor

Controversial film-maker Michael Moore has welcomed the appearance on the internet of pirated copies of his anti-Bush documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 and claimed he is happy for anybody to download it free of charge.
The activist, author and director told the Sunday Herald that, as long as pirated copies of his film were not being sold, he had no problem with it being downloaded.

“I don’t agree with the copyright laws and I don’t have a problem with people downloading the movie and sharing it with people as long as they’re not trying to make a profit off my labour. I would oppose that,” he said.

“I do well enough already and I made this film because I want the world, to change. The more people who see it the better, so I’m happy this is happening.”

[kwyjibo]

16. You can rent F9/11 for free at some video stores

check www.michaelmoore.com for a list of video stores.. there aren't too many, and most of them are in big cities, but it might help somebody out.

[sangh0]

19. Perkel is a CON ARTIST

who, at one time, became rabidly pro-bush*, and was thrown off DU IIRC.

[chum]

20. Perkel - pro-Bush?

you got to be kidding me. He's always been anti-bush and on the front page of Bartcop.com Perkel is offering free hosting to anti-bush sites.

[sangh0]

21. Yes, Perkel has been very anti-bush*

He's also been very pro-bush*

He's a wackjob or con man. There's no trusting him. He is involved in all sorts of disreputable shenanigans.

[chum]

22. Perkel a con man?

What are you talking about? Name something. What's your beef with Perkel? He's my hero. Perkel rulez!

Have you seen his blog?

http://marc.perkel.com

This is a serious activist!

[chum]

23. I've known Perkel for years

Perkel is definitely NOT a con man. I don't know what you are talking about here. Do you want to get specific?

[Stephanie]

24. umm, care to offer any evidence?

Or should we just take your word for it?

[chum]

25. Well - I just don't know wht they are talking about

Here's his site:

http://perkel.com

His blog:

http://marc.perkel.com

He hosts bartcop and a whole buck of liberal sites.

[sangh0]

28. Here's Perkel's frivolous lawsuit

http://www.courts.mo.gov/courts/pubopinions.nsf/0/86f23c1f3cb2b51c862568b300582892?OpenDocument

[sangh0]

29. Here's an odd one

Perkel tells the court that his religion is offended if he receives a court notice on paper instead of email

http://lists.ucla.edu/pipermail/religionlaw/2003-November/002049.html

[sangh0]

30. Perkel is the noted author of such books as

Men's Guide to Escort Services - a guide to interacting with hookers,

The Nerd's Guide to Sex - a guide teaching men how to properly have sex with women,

The Shy Girl's Guide to Becoming a Whore - a women's guide to surviving the Bush Ecomony

[Stephanie]

31. I suppose you have cites or links for these?

thanks

[sangh0]

32. Perkel says "Saddam's Capture Faked"

http://paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=49822

[Stephanie]

35. And how is this "pro-Bush"?

This piece demonstrates that Perkel is the opposite.

[sangh0]

37. More on Perkel's divorce filings

I liked this:

As to the evidentiary rulings, this court finds no merit in any of Marc's complaints and further finds all such complaints are too meritless to warrant discussion.

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=mo&vol=/appeals/021998/&invol=14802_98

[sangh0]

38. Perkel says lack of sex causes sexual assault

http://www.sexwork.com/subcontents/sexworkhumanright.html

Depriving the body of sexual release is unhealthy and can result in prostate blockage as well as emotional frustration, which often if not satisfied, will result in non-consenting interactions or sexual harassment.

I would also note that Perkel has been arrested on charges relating to prostitution, so he may have more than an intellectual interest in this

[Stephanie]

40. Irrelevant. You said he was "pro-Bush"

not pro-sex.

[sangh0]

42. Maybe he does have a professional interest in the matter

http://www.iewb.org/

[sangh0]

44. Here's an interesting thought

He says that if you check off the checkbox on the tax form to donate a dollar to public campaign finance, your taxes will increase

http://www.totse.com/en/ego/on_line_zines/think003.html

[sangh0]

46. "one of the things I do best is come up with brilliant ideas" - Perkel

http://www.kzin.com/pchist/dri3.htm

[chum]

49. And - good idea = pro bush?

So - what's wrong with good ideas?

[chum]

45. Perkel is popular with Escorts

http://www.bayswan.org

[sangh0]

54. The ultimate in credibility

I always trust whore meisters

[chum]

59. So - and he's pro-bush because?

You said he was pro bush - so - what does any ofg this have to do with pro bush?

[Stephanie]

39. Okay, he got divorced. What does that have to do with him being pro-Bush?

OR a con man?

[sangh0]

47. Perkel was fined by the court for filing a frivolous lawsuit

It goes to his judgement

[chum]

51. Perkel spends $2000 to post F 9-11 and DU tears him apart?

I think the guy is a hero and I resent tearing him down. What's with the Perkel hating? I think you hate him because he's popular with women.

[chum]

53. But he eventually won that and got the chief justice hicked

He got the chief justice of the state of missouri kicked off as chief. The guy is brilliant.

[sangh0]

55. You just denied he was fined for filing a frivolous lawsuit

now you're saying he won it "eventually"

[Stephanie]

62. That doesn't make him pro-Bush

does it.

[chum]

43. Those are state of the art documents

Perkel was a speaker at the Internation Conbference on Prostitution about those web pages.

[sangh0]

56. And all of the credible bush* critics

speak at the Internation Conbference on Prostitution

[Stephanie]

34. This is a post on a message board that does not give a full name

There's no indication it's the same guy.

[sangh0]

52. It says the Mr Perkel is the founder of the "Church of Reality"

That's MARK Perkel.

I thought you knew about Perkel. You mean you didn't know about his "religion"?

[chum]

60. Perkel IS the founder of the Church of Reality

That is a church that he really did start. And it's brilliant.

http://www.churchofreality.org

I'm a Realist myself.

[Stephanie]

33. This case is regarding dissolution of marriage

What does that have to do with him being "pro-Bush"?

[chum]

41. Hardly friviious - he won in part

It is an appeal of his divorce. What about it is frivilous? Looks like a partial win.

[sangh0]

48. He was fined by the courts for filing a frivolous lawsuit

He as ordered to pay his ex-wives legal fees.

But since you didn't see, I guess it never happened

[MADem]

26. Shit, sorry I asked about the guy

I did not want to get everyone in a huge fight, I was just idly curious.

I am also curious as to why certain sources cannot be used for Latest Breaking News--is there any guidance as to WHAT can and cannot be used? Which specific websites are verboten??? I can't find any written guidance on that subject.

Helpful for those of us who really do want to work and play well with others, ya see.

[chum]

27. Perkel has his opinions

Not everyone likes everything he says. He has so much stuff online that anyone can find something they don't like.

Here's one for example:

http://sex.perkel.com/escort/shygirl.htm

[sangh0]

50. Perkel is a wackjob

who has no problem making money by exploiting women's bodies while talking about how liberating it is.

[chum]

61. You really hate this guy

Wow - so where is this hate for Perkel coming from?

[Stephanie]

36. The rules are pinned at the top of the page

.

[Robbie67]

58. Given the questions raised about Eminem and Alan Dershowitz...

in the last couple of days, a tirade against Marc Perkel seems rather out of place.

[chum]

63. I agree - no place for personal attacks

I think you and Perkel need to take it outside. Why don't you tell him instead of doing it here. I think its great he's hosting Fahrenheit 9-11.

[Robbie67]

57. I downloaded F9/11 from Perkel's site

I know he has space and bandwidth limitations, but the quality of the copy is rather poor.

Still, more power to him, and I wish a lot of people would see that film without hearing from the media about how distorted and twisted it is. What they can't say is that Moore is lying, because they know they'd be sued if they said it.

[Moderator]

64. Locking

Take it elsewhere. We have more important things to do right now.
Additionally, Perkel was a member of DU and was deactivated because he broke the rules. That is all that anyone needs to know.