Moore-wellian fables skew truth

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Let me start off by introducing myself. My name is Alex Hughes. I'm a junior majoring in political science and history. I'm also the new conservative columnist for the Lobo, so hopefully I can make some of you laugh while making the rest of you want to march to my door, torches in hand, calling for blood.

As you all probably know, Michael Moore and I celebrated our favorite holiday last week -- Canada Day and our Independence Day, respectively -- so I decided the only fitting tribute would be to write my own review of his latest "documentary," "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Yes, I did go see his latest propaganda film, and at the end it left me longing for his moderate "Bowling for Columbine" days.

At its core the movie is a two-hour-long attack on President Bush that consists of Moore's usual shady chronology and truth twisting all set to a soundtrack of crappy old pop tunes. He consistently uses innuendo and shocking images to try and get his point across, and he seems to delight in nothing more than taking things out of context in order to hammer home his rhetoric.

I'm sure you all have seen the clip where the president says something to the effect of, "I call on all nations to help stop this terrorist threat -- now watch this drive!" And I'm also sure that almost all of you think that clip is of Mr. Bush calling on the international community to take on al Qaeda after the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Let me fill you in on a little secret. That footage was recorded during the president's pre-Sept. 11 vacation time and is actually about Palestinian terrorism in Israel, according to the Media Research Center.

Moore also insinuates President Bush met with the Taliban while he was governor of Texas. He didn't, and their visit to the United States was authorized by, you guessed it, Bill Clinton. Where's the outrage about that?

Michael Moore doesn't lie, per se, he just tells the version of the truth that ignores things that are problematic to the advancement of his worldview. Here is an example of Moore-wellian storytelling: The country in question is undergoing the most amazing economic revitalization in its history, unemployment is at historic lows, national pride is at an all-time high and many consider it to be the most powerful country in the world. Not only that, but a documentary about the rulers of this country has garnered critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival.

Can you guess the country? If you guessed Nazi Germany, you guessed correctly. Bonus points if you correctly identified the award winning propaganda film as "Triumph of the Will" instead of "Fahrenheit 9/11." Isn't it strange how much the French love documentaries by people who hate America?

Another thing that really irks me is the constant banter stating what Moore is doing is simply "patriotic discourse." Michael Moore is not a patriot. He is a traitor.

But calm down. I'm not saying anyone who says something critical of our government is a traitor. What I'm saying is someone who accepts help from the terrorist group Hezbollah to distribute his movie in Lebanese and Syrian movie theaters is, in fact, a traitor. Go to ScreenDaily.com for more information.

Also, to be a patriot, one has to love their country. Moore hates America and Americans with equal fervor. I think if it were up to him, he would have sent Osama a basket of muffins with a nice little thank you card after the Sept. 11 attacks. This is the guy who has, in his own words, characterized Americans as "possibly the dumbest people on the planet."

Has it occurred to anyone else that he may simply be trying to exploit what he sees as American idiocy by using flashy filmmaking techniques that prefer style over substance to try and overwhelm logical thought with pretty pictures?

Anyway, I don't have nearly enough space to point out all of the flaws in Michael Moore's filmmaking, so I'll leave you all with one final thought. Isn't it ironic Michael Moore criticizes President Bush for using the tragedy of the Sept. 11 attacks for his own benefit, but if it wasn't for the killings at Columbine and the Sept. 11 attacks, Michael Moore would never have had a hit movie?

Quote "As you all probably know, Michael Moore and I celebrated our favorite holiday last week -- Canada Day and our Independence Day, respectively -- so I decided the only fitting tribute would be to write my own review of his latest "documentary," "Fahrenheit 9/11."

BAHA favorite holiday...Canada Day - now that is funny!!!!

3 posted on 07/09/2004 1:36:51 PM PDT by woofie ( Ya gotta know who ya is and who ya aint ...cause if ya dont know who ya aint ,ya aint who ya is.)

Bravo Alex !! Well done !!

4 posted on 07/09/2004 1:38:27 PM PDT by GeorgeW23225 (Liberals really aren*t bad people. It*s just that they know so much that simply ISN*T true!!)

5 posted on 07/09/2004 1:44:57 PM PDT by Constitution Day (What's the Kerry/Edwards strategy for winning the War on Terror? SUE THE TERRORISTS!)

Dang Alex!

That was VERY good.

I've learned 2 new phrases here on FR that I think I'll combine.

Moore-wellian Hatriotism.

7 posted on 07/09/2004 2:12:34 PM PDT by ChadGore (Vote Bush. He's Earned It.)

8 posted on 07/09/2004 2:22:05 PM PDT by Tamzee (Flush the Johns before they flood the White House!)

I don't have nearly enough space to point out all of the flaws in Michael Moore's filmmaking

Dear Alex
You have enought space please go on.......

9 posted on 07/09/2004 3:44:42 PM PDT by apackof2 (Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body Pro.16:24)

10 posted on 07/09/2004 5:54:17 PM PDT by lowbridge ("You are an American. You are my brother. I would die for you." -Kurdish Sergeant)

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