Have any of you found the recent brouhaha over Fahrenheit 9/11 to be disturbing? I know I do.
Don't misunderstand. Michael Moore can produce anything he wants to in order to air his political views. He's a citizen of the good ole USofA, after all. Freedom of the press, speech, and all that.
I think what frightens me about all this is that Moore is the most outspoken proponent of a Hollywood elitest mind-set that is increasingly disdainful of mainstream American concepts such as fair play, objectivity, and rational debate.
You've all heard the type of high-octane, vitriolic hyperbole he uses when he talks about Bush. This is the language of fanaticism. I believe few of us, conservative or moderate or liberal, would deny that he often plays fast and loose with the facts. Many of the Congressmen he interviewed for this movie are livid about the way he has edited statements they made.
In the past, Hollywood actors have expressed their political viewpoints with dignity and grace, for the most part. The stern courage of actors of the caliber of Katherine Hepburn who traveled to Washington to testify before the HUAC inspired many to stand up against the evils of the McCarthy era.
Unfortunately, that era appears to have come to an end. Hepburn has been replaced by Moore, and it has not been an even trade. He is the point man for a new Hollywood elite, testing the waters of public opinion to see how strong the reaction will be to a new brand of political activism.
Think of what his "documentary" means. For the first time in the history of American cinema, a director has made a film with the express purpose of scuttling the reelection of a sitting president. He has done it with the verbal and financial support of the political opponents of that president, both domestic and foreign.
If this film succeeds in its purpose of influencing this years election, what moore can we expect from Hollywood. Make no mistake about it, Hollywood is watching the public reaction to this film with bated breath. If Moore gets away with this, what will Tinsel Town's finest attempt in the future?
After all, they do not think they are bound by the same rules of fairness that apply to the newspapers or television news. You see, they realize that it is hard for the opposition to argue with a "blockbuster documentary."
What I'm arguing for here is a return to sanity. Even those of you who are adamantly opposed to Bush should have reservations about supporting a film whose director has used methods apparently so devoid of any ethical restraints.
All Moore will accomplish is to drive another wedge between Americans of differing political persuasions, all for his own "noble" purposes. The animosities are already too great...that fire too hot.
The ends do not justify the means. We...all of us...should send a clear message to Moore...and those thinking of following his example...we do not approve of your methods.
Your thoughts?
Regards, Shuckins/Leggern
