Moore's movie loses its point in a barrage of cheap shots- USA Today

[Bhaisahab]

no surprises in this piece by a pro-bush publication. unlike fox news (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122678,00.html), they perhaps have not yet shed all their whore-ishness....
mods, please remove if this is a dupe.
=====================================
Despite all the hype and Moore's undeniable comedic talents, Fahrenheit 9/11 is a profoundly disturbing movie that struck me as far closer to heavy-handed propaganda than to art. Does anyone seriously believe, as Moore suggests, that the United States invaded Afghanistan primarily to pave the way for a natural-gas pipeline? Or that the war in Iraq was a single-minded effort to win new contracting business for Halliburton?

A single sentence captures the filmmaker's cheap-shot style. Describing George W. Bush's trip to Florida on Sept. 10, 2001, Moore gleefully declares in his voice-over, "He went to bed that night in a bed made with fine French linens." The way Moore presents this tiny detail conveys the impression that stalwart Democratic presidents such as Bill Clinton slept only on the cheapest sheets available from Wal-Mart. Maybe Moore and his fans can call this hitherto unreported Bush scandal "Linen-closet-gate."

full article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/columnist/shapiro/2004-06-15-hype_x.htm

[BlueEyedSon]

1. "Does anyone seriously believe, as Moore suggests, that the United States

invaded Afghanistan primarily to pave the way for a natural-gas pipeline? Or that the war in Iraq was a single-minded effort to win new contracting business for Halliburton?"

Uhhhhhhh... yup and yup!

[punpirate]

4. Well, since Karzai is...

... a former (perhaps still current) employee of UNOCAL, and the US ambassador to the country, Zalmay Khalilzad, is also a former employee of UNOCAL, perhaps I might be forgiven for being just a bit suspicious.

Of course, I would never mention that the warlords control 95% of the country, and have made life as bad or worse for the populace than the Taliban. Nor would I mention that corruption there with regard to government contracts is equal to or worse than that occurring in Iraq.

No, never would I suggest these things. George Bush has declared victory.

Nor would I mention that the GAO accuses the wonderful, great, Cheney-borne Halliburton of committing massive fraud everywhere it sets its magnificent foot in the Middle East and Central Asia, for it is perfect and pure....

[rock]

9. Yes

Seriously

[Piperay]

2. 'Fine French linens' hmmmmmm

I thought chimp hated France and all things French, more hipocrazy. :argh:

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. FRENCH linens.

I think usatoday missed their cue.

[rpannier]

5. Fired him off an e-mail.

I suggested to him that the line about the French linen sheets had more to do with how the shrub assailed the French as cowards to score political points, whcih was inappropriate at a time when the French were the 2nd largest army in Afghanistan and were taking most of the tough assignments.

[greenman3610]

6. here's action to take

Go to
http://www.moveamericaforward.org/MichaelMoore/
the right wing site that is trying to trash the film.

Use their email links to Theater chains to send a message in
support of the film.

Use this quote from the Fox News film review,or parts of it:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122678,00.html

<snip>
"..the film is a really brilliant piece of work, and a film that members of all political parties should see without fail.
---------

As much as some might try to marginalize this film as a screed against President George Bush, "F9/11" — as we saw last night — is a tribute to patriotism, to the American sense of duty, and at the same time a indictment of stupidity and avarice. Readers of this column may recall that I had a lot of problems with Moore's "Bowling for Columbine," particularly where I thought he took gratuitous shots at helpless targets like Charlton Heston. "Columbine" too easily succeeded by shooting fish in a barrel, as they used to say. Not so with "F9/11," which instead relies on lots of film footage and actual interviews to make its case against the war in Iraq and tell the story of the intertwining histories of the Bush and Bin Laden families.
--------

But, really, in the end, not seeing "F9/11" would be like allowing your first amendment rights to be abrogated, no matter whether you're a Republican or a Democrat."
<?snip>

[mirandaod]

12. Done.

I emailed the entire list, congratulating the ones who are showing the film, and encouraging the undecideds to show some courage.
EVERYBODY DO THIS! It only took a few minutes.

[pnorman]

14. EXCELLENT idea!

Using the mailing list that finky website provided, is truly poetic justice. I see where another DUer had posted his email; thereby making the list more easily accessable for others here to copy/paste. Here's mine:

Fahrenheit 9/11
To: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]


I understand that your theaters will be presenting the above mentioned film later this
month. I heartily APPLAUD you decision to screen it. I notice that even Fox News was
obliged to give it a favorable review, and a strong recommendation for all to see it.
Here's an excerpt:


'Fahrenheit 9/11' Gets Standing Ovations
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
By Roger Friedman

The crowd that gave Michael Moore's controversial "Fahrenheit 9/11" a standing ovation
last night at the Ziegfeld Theatre premiere certainly didn't have to be encouraged at all
to show their appreciation. From liberal radio host and writer Al Franken to
actor/director Tim Robbins, Moore was in his element. But once "F9/11" gets to audiences
beyond screenings, it won't be dependent on celebrities for approbation. It turns out to
be a really brilliant piece of work, and a film that members of all political parties
should see without fail.

.................. Not so with "F9/11," which instead relies on lots of film footage and
actual interviews to make its case against the war in Iraq and tell the story of the
intertwining histories of the Bush and Bin Laden families."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122678,00.html

From all indications, it'll be a box-office SMASH; the sort that, by word of mouth, will
keep growing.

Sincerely,

[Q]

7. An oversimplified review...

...by a media with their OWN agenda.

- This is the same media that has allowed the Bushies to get away with every crime in the book for over three years.

[greenman3610]

10. I sent this to the theater chain

that runs my local theater:



To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Please show "Fahrenheit 911"

Dear Theater Executive,

I hope you will make sure that the film "Fahrenheit 911" will
be shown in your theaters, which includes the Midland, MI
Neighborhood Cinema.

As the following quote from the conservative Fox News review shows, all
Americans should be allowed to exercise their right to see this film.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122678,00.html

"..the film is a really brilliant piece of work, and a film that members of all political parties should see without fail.
---------

As much as some might try to marginalize this film as a screed against President George Bush, "F9/11" — as we saw last night — is a tribute to patriotism, to the American sense of duty, and at the same time a indictment of stupidity and avarice. Readers of this column may recall that I had a lot of problems with Moore's "Bowling for Columbine," particularly where I thought he took gratuitous shots at helpless targets like Charlton Heston. "Columbine" too easily succeeded by shooting fish in a barrel, as they used to say. Not so with "F9/11," which instead relies on lots of film footage and actual interviews to make its case against the war in Iraq and tell the story of the intertwining histories of the Bush and Bin Laden families.
--------

But, really, in the end, not seeing "F9/11" would be like allowing your first amendment rights to be abrogated, no matter whether you're a Republican or a Democrat."

[no_hypocrisy]

8. "Heavy-handed propaganda"?! Like "Triumph of the Will"?! I don't think

so.

[Bhaisahab]

Triumph of the will?

was that the name of the "film" showing bush in grand light post 911? that was such a piece of beetlecrap!

[NewHampshireDem]

11. My god! Could the reviewer be more biased?

And by the jerk a dictionary ... with the word "screed" highlighted.

<edit>

"What does it say about our democracy when Jay Leno and Saturday Night Live are regarded as respected sources of political commentary?"

Hmm... as someone who spent a lot of time studying Aristophanes, Apuleius, Petronius, Juvenal, Shakespeare, Swift ... and the other greats of satire, I would say Leno, SNL, and many other contemporary commentators are participating in one of the great traditions of literature. Of course, I'm sure this dingbat prefers his satirists when they comment on long-dead monarchs than currently living ones.

[Disturbed]

13. George Orwell, 1984

Orwell was prophetic and only about 20 years off.
2006 is more accurate.

[Vickers]

15. That quote got my attention, too

"What does it say about our democracy when Jay Leno and Saturday Night Live are regarded as respected sources of political commentary?"


It says that the REAL "journalists" aren't doing their jobs.

[OneTwentyoNine]

16. He STILL thinks the War in Iraq is about their freedom--BAWHAHAHA....

"Or that the war in Iraq was a single-minded effort to win new contracting business for Halliburton?"

Uhh Shapiro...take some time off from Liberal bashing and check out just how much Halliburton has made off of this illegal invasion. Then tell us once again that this had NOTHING to do with Oil and billions for Halliburton.

David

[Octafish]

17. The reviewer missed the point: Bush is a CROOK!

Then again, that's what he's paid to do. If they had an honest bone in their company, USA Toady would note The Little Turd from Crawford has been in bed with the petrodollar soaked sheikhs his entire adult life.

[qanda]

18. This guy is an idiot!!!!!

Could he be any more stupid? I got the thing about the French linens as soon as I read it, but I guess the comedic value of Bush* using anything French is lost on him. What a doofus!

[Michael Costello]

19. I do believe the US invaded Iraq for Halliburton, and for...

ExxonMobil. The military contractors and oil companies both have a stake in it. I believe that 100%, and there's plenty of speeches, memoes, think tank papers from the think tanks that send people to administrations, memoirs, declassified documents and so forth that show this has always been the line of thinking. Why did we invade Iraq, brotherly love? Iraq had plans to take over the United States? It's obviously about oil, and the people who benefit from this like Halliburton push for this sort of thing.

As far as Afghanistan, I'd have to see the movie to see if Moore says the primary reason for invasion was a natural gas pipeline. Somehow I doubt it. There has been a desire for a gas pipeline there for a while, but in the world energy situation, that is very small compared to the oil fields of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. The pipeline is the icing on the cake of the invasion. It's obvious the invasion was primarily to try to disrupt Al Qaeda and any Taliban allies. I take the adjective primary with a grain of salt until I see the movie.

[Cocoa]

20. I don't care if Moore makes a snide comment

while showing the footage of Bush in the classroom. At least Moore is SHOWING the footage, which is more than ANY journalist can say.

What did Shapiro write about Bush's actions that day?

[qanda]

21. As far as I know, absolutely nothing

There seem to be no real journalists left so all we have are the comedians to take up the slack. It's a shame, but I get more from watching the Daily Show than any other news broadcast, with the exception of C-SPAN and Bill Moyers.

[nolabels]

22. Piece of crap propaganda

Figure out"Who Owns what" at http://www.cjr.org/tools/owners/

Then take the "piece" (sic) and dissect it

In the review (which is more of an editorial) the author states this

At a time when the nation's problems seem so daunting, it is tempting for voters to derive nourishment from moviemakers and radio personalities who offer entertaining theories about how the world really works. Given the prevalence of rumor and invective on right-wing talk radio, this problem is not limited to Moore and Stern.

The manual relates this;

Obtain Disapproval. This technique is used to get the audience to disapprove an action or idea by suggesting the idea is popular with groups hated, feared, or held in contempt by the target audience. Thus, if a group which supports a policy is led to believe that undesirable, subversive, or contemptible people also support it, the members of the group might decide to change their position

Get all these related techniques below on this list from this link, which also contains other info (Hey it looks like the government produced much of it, so this should be for everybody :nopity: )

http://www.mapinc.org/propaganda/propaganda/proptech.htm#index
(snip)
Section Index
The above sections may be referenced directly in urls, etc.

accomplishment_technique
additional_info_needed
animosity_technique
appeal_to_authority
assertion
authority_technique
bandwagon
card_stacking_techniques
card_stacking_to_increase_prestige
celebrity_testimonial
change_of_pace_technique
characteristics_of_simplification
civilians_as_plain_folks
common_bond_technique
concise_technique
conclusion_based_on_favorable_facts_technique
dangers_of_name_calling
demonization_technique
direct_name_calling
disapproval_technique
ego_technique
enemy_leader_testimonal
ethnic_difference_technique
evident_over_time
exploitable_vulnerabilities
false_testimonial
fear_of_change_technique
fellow_warrior_testimonial
few_gain_many_suffer_technique
glittering_generalities
guilt_by_association_technique
hide_info_technique
homey_words
humanizing_leaders_technique
ignorance_of_threat_technique
illustration_technique
inanimate_object_technique
incredible_truth_technique
indirect_name_calling
individual_powerlessness_technique
insinuation_devices
insinuation_technique
lacks_naturalness
leading_question_technique
least_of_evils_technique
lost_opportunity_technique
lying

malicious_rumor_technique
name_calling_technique
native_dialect_technique
nonpersonal_testimonial
official_sanction_technique
only_favorable_facts_technique
opposing_leader_testimonial
other_side_technique
oversimplification_technique
people_vs_bureaucracy_technique
photo_technique
pinpointing_enemy_technique
plain_folks
planned_spontaneous_error_technique
plausible_testimonial
political_difference_technique
pure_motives_technique
rationalization_technique
repetition_technique
ridicule_technique
ruling_elite_difference_technique
scarcity_technique
selective_omission_technique
self-centered
self_evident_technique
shift_of_scene_technique
simplification_technique
slogan_technique
social_difference_technique
social_disproval_technique
sources_of_testimonials
special_favor_technique
stalling_technique
stereotyping_technique
take_action
terror_photo_technique
terror_technique
testimonal_technique
think_for_others_technique
transfer_technique
types_of_name_calling
types_of_plain_folk_techniques
unequal_taxes_technique
vagueness_technique
vernacular_technique
virtue_words
vocal_technique
warriors_as_plain_folks
(snip)