Many articles have been written on this controversial subject from hard-core Republicans who believe its all a bunch of propaganda and half-truths to anti-Bush Democrats who believe every single word it says. Although I do fall into the anti-Bush category, I viewed the film with objectivity, comparing what Michael Moore showed in the film with what I have seen and heard on the National News. What did I discover?
Sadly, what I found is that the movie is actually full of more truth than any of us would like to believe. For the benefit of those on both sides, I will attempt to compare what has been heard and seen on National news to what was shown in the film.
Mr. Moore shows the story of a mother whose son joins the military only to be killed in Iraq. The letter she receives from him explains that there are no weapons of mass destruction there, and the son questions why he is there. She questions why her son has to die and what it will take to stop this unnecessary war. Toward the end of the movie, Michael Moore himself questions congressmen leaving the White House regarding how they would feel if it had been their son or daughter over there fight. Sadly, not a single one of them out of 535 even wanted to speak with him or answer the question. It gave me the impression they were saying: Its alright if they send your son or daughter but not mine. I also am told that only one out of all of them has a son or daughter in the military, yet these same people are the ones we elect who have the power to send our sons and daughters to a war zone!
We also see a scene where President Bush is reading a book to schoolchildren in Florida when informed of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center. He looks bewildered but continues to read instead of graciously excusing himself to attend to a national crisis. Why is that? Perhaps it is as Mr. Moore feels that the president doesnt know what to do because he doesnt have Daddy there to give him guidance. From the time of his election, I have always heard that Bush doesnt make any decision unless he first consults with his father, and in this case, he was unable to do so. I truly believe Bush wasted precious moments trying to figure out what to do when this is something that he, as our leader, should have been able to decide in a manner of seconds after all, we put our national safety in this mans hands, so he should have enough intelligence to know what to do if we are attacked.
We also see a scene where President Bush is laughing and shaking hands with Saudis and other Mid-Eastern nationals. I was shocked to learn just a few weeks ago that he actually called leaders of some of these countries his friends-- these countries who are at least indirectly responsible for the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. In addition, the president himself has said, I really thought there were weapons of mass destruction over there. This is not a rumor! I heard those words on the radio, right from his own mouth, in his own voice -- that in spite of being told by the head of the commission in charge of finding the weapons that there were none. Recently I received an email through Daily Misleads where this same commission head states that Iraq was a minimal threat at best and did not have the means or knowledge to build nuclear weapons. An earlier email from the same publication shows a video excerpt where President Bush is asked what he is doing about Bin Laden, to which he replies that he hasnt really thought about it: Im not really worried about him. Were told the war is over in Afghanistan, yet Bin Laden has still not been captured. Whats up with that? A cut of over 50% in military personnel occurred in Afghanistan, yet an increase of more than 50% were placed at the Cuban border to be sure no country sanctions are violated. What kind of crap is that?
Is Fahrenheit 911 just propaganda meant to discredit President Bush? I wont say all of it is true, but based on what is in the movie in comparison to what has been on the news, I do feel a good portion of it is factual in nature. I look at the picture and I look at the way Bush has been handling the debates with Senator Kerry. The president has avoided a good many of the questions concerning his actions in Iraq. He tries to convince us that its to 'help them [Iraqis] regain their country.' The same excuse was used when we were in Vietnam, with the Communists winning in the end at the loss of over 50,000 of our soldiers. I also remember the days following 9/11 and how quickly President Bush was to insist that Saddam had something to do with it. I remember the way the president was treated by Saddam and threatened -- that says to me revenge, and revenge at the cost of our American military! We deserve to know the truth about what happened following 9/11. I hope that we will before this election is over.
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USA says on 2012-02-11 21:48:25 about fFPeyNPYcwFeavyb
fFJhjW I would add something else, of course, but in fact almost everything is mentioned!....
Brenda says on 2004-10-30 11:48:40 about Fahrenheit 911
Sorry, I disagree -- I think half the problem with our population explosion is that many of the poor can't afford birth control, and in other countries it is totally free. It's easy to say that anyone with a brain can utilize birth control, but it also takes money, and frankly, have you even priced condoms lately? $4.99 for just 3 is average, and abstinence is not an option for married people.
L--I--L--A NOT Lisa says on 2004-10-29 15:48:54 about Get real
As everyone knows thanks to that Heinz woman, Laura Bush worked. She wasn't barefoot and pregnant.
Anybody with half a brain can utilize birth control without government interference. If they can't afford a condom, then maybe sex shouldn't be the first thing on their mind.
That joke tax cut kept my boss, a small, independent retailer, in business for another year.
I'm not an advocate for free birth control to girls under 18. Mebbe parents should take responsibility and stop blaming the government for their faults.
Brenda says on 2004-10-25 13:18:15 about Fahrenheit 911
Lisa, I hate to disagree with one point -- condoms are not that effective for birth control -- they break. Certainly they are fine when combined with another form of birth control, but in and by themselves they will never be as effective as "the pill." besides, what is happening is Bush is trying to deny women the right to use artificial means of birth control by denying funding to Planned Parenthood because they perform abortions. So what? they also provide low-cost birth control to adults and free birth control to girls under 18. He would prefer women to be barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen than out working and adding to the money gnerated back into the system. also, his "joke" tax cuts are for those who make over $200,000. I don't know about you, but I certainly don't fit into that category.
Lila says on 2004-10-22 22:58:21 about Couldn't help it...
Birth control: women need the President to tell us to use condoms? HA! Bush's policies on that affect men as much as women, by and large, LOL.... (more unthinking propaganda from the far left).
Supreme Court Justice- Same logic as above. Any woman who takes care of things correctly at the outset does not need abortion, barring medical emergency. That Bush would nominate someone does not mean that person is automatically approved. Let's stop placing the weight of the world and all its troubles on one man.
In a recent debate, Bush said he had no litmus test. Kerry said the justice would have to be pro-choice.
I do want you to expand on your last point, Brian. Give me REAL details/proof, and you may have me on that point. Otherwise, thanks for TRYING to answer my question to Brenda. :)
Brian says on 2004-10-22 12:48:34 about
Women's rights: on his first day in office, in fact, Bush cut federal funds to Planned Parenthood and other groups that offered anything to women other than an "abstinence only" approach. If he gets the chance to appoint a supreme court justice, it would be one who is against Roe v. Wade. Also, he's opposed equal pay iniatives - and women are making less money for every dollar a man makes in 2004 than in 2000.
Lila says on 2004-10-22 09:30:27 about I'm enjoying this...
Surely all of that is Bush's fault alone... ;)
Didn't Scheffer even point out in debate 3 that this rigorous key argument of Democrats---- Bush lost more jobs than ever--- is somewhat misleading? We are advancing technologically, machines outpace manual labor everyday.
Bush also presided over the worst terror attack on US soil- an attack that ravaged two big industries and had far reaching economic effects.
To be clear, I don't like Bush. I don't like Kerry. Badnarik, if he were covered more by mainstream press, I am certain would amply show his faults. The point is... we shouldn't continue to retread the same tired political arguments that show no depth of thought or serious consideration.
"He has tried to take away women's rights." How?!
As far as I know, Bush hasn't acted to attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade. If you mean he stands against partial birth abortions, than BRAVO!! Partial birth abortions, if ever they occur outside a life or death circumstance, are SICK!!
Okay, I'm done. I know this is probably annoying for others, so I'll take your rebuttal (as they say in radio) "off the air."
Brenda says on 2004-10-22 08:04:26 about Farhenheit 911
Personally, I don't think the country can take four more years of Bush economically. Since he has become President, more people are uninsured than ever before, income limits for state sponsored medicaid has gone up, he has given tax breaks to the rich and raised taxes for others, he has promised changes in Health care for the elderly (nothing for the middle class), and he has tried from day one to take away women's rights and not just on the abortion issue. Shall I go on?
Lila/Lisa says on 2004-10-21 21:47:46 about
Again, Kerry had access to the same intell as Bush, just like ALL the dems and repubs.
"This is an exact quote."
'This is a paraphrase notation.'
If you didn't mean to connote that Bush's bewildered expression during those few minutes made him a lesser president somehow, then sorry, my bad.
The fact is: Kerry's got spin guys with him, just like GW.
If I thought the third parties had a rat's chance, I would be voting for Michael Badnarik. I am tempted to do so just to show my distaste of both candidates. But at the end of the day, I would rather see four more years of Bush than the disaster that would be a Kerry administration.
Good thought-provoking piece, anyway-- and it IS in the opinion section, so who am I to complain? I live in the rural North West, so decent political discussion veins are few and far between.
Brenda says on 2004-10-21 09:35:41 about Fahrenheit 911
Sorry, fingers on the wrong keys, the last comment was mine.
Ntrmfs says on 2004-10-21 09:27:36 about Fajremheit 911
Lisa, #1, at no point did I say "he didn't look like the commander-in-chief in those few minutes". Sauomg je ;ppled bewo;dered was an observation, niether opinion nor fact. Yes, Sadaam needed out of there, but not the way it was done and not by lying to everyone and saying he knew there were weapons of mass destruction. Besides, the man had it in for Sadaam from the start because of his dad, and he used that to wage his war of vemgemce/ My point was not to express my opinion, but to point out what was in the movie as opposed to what was on the news.
Lila says on 2004-10-21 02:28:06 about
Another thing-- why should Bush make a mad dash from the room and scare a bunch of school kids in the manner of twenty or thirty minutes time, during which he would not have stopped those plans.
'Bush looked bewildered.'-- that's opinion and rumor, Brenda. Not fact or truth.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Iraqi people are better off without Sadam.
Bush had no exit strategy. Fault him for that. Not a ridiculous comment that he 'didn't look like the commander in chief during those few minutes.'
Imagine what Gore would have done, had he been president. in a manner of weeks, he would have held a summit with middle eastern leaders, announcing that the US was sorry for its continued interference.
It's Machiavelli who said the people simply will not follow a leader who vacillates. That's a sociological predisposition that Bush recognizes, and it's why Kerry would sell us out to the rest of the world.
Lila says on 2004-10-21 02:21:34 about
Here's the problem, Brenda. Kerry had access to the same intell as Bush.
Andy says on 2004-10-20 15:24:18 about Da Movie
I just watched this for the first time tonight and was very pleased to see your article. Nice work.
Regardless of one's politics, this is an excellent movie designed to inspire conversation and intrigue. Moore makes no bones about it being a hybrid documentary/opinion piece and is quick to point out sources when applicable. If the right wants to make a movie about the same subject that is even half as good I would watch that as well. I doubt they would be able to make one that is half as accurate.
Brenda says on 2004-10-20 11:04:10 about Thanks!
Thanks, Lue, for the comments. This has been such a controversial issue, and everyone calls it propaganda. I waited until I saw or heard the news repots then saw the movie and compared one to the other. Trust me, there is quite a bit covered by Michael Moore that was published in the news, and I don't mean Fox "don't say anything against Bush" News, either!
Lue says on 2004-10-20 09:55:18 about ...or rumor?
Great stuff. Now, I don't have to see the movie! More, please!
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