[Vision2020] opinion not normally seen on v2020

Tue Aug 10 15:18:14 PDT 2004

I haven't seen the movie, so I can only go by what people have told me, and 
what I've read.  Certainly, Michael Moore has an agenda.  He doesn't like 
George W. Bush.  He disapproves of the arrogant, cowboy, go-it-alone hubris 
of the administration.  To criticize the film on the merits of it's 
underpinnings of credibility is one thing.  Fine and good.  But the 
underlying theme of this article still smacks of "if you criticize this 
administration and it's actions, you're unpatriotic."  That's not fine and 
good.  September 11, 2001 did not take away the rights of U.S. citizens to 
dissent.                                                                     

                                                      Carl Westberg Jr.

>From: "Dan Carscallen" <predator75 at moscow.com>
>To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: [Vision2020] opinion not normally seen on v2020
>Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 15:06:02 -0700
>
>I just found this and thought I'd share it so everyone could get a look
>from "the other side"
>
>As Linda Richman would say:  "Discuss amongst yourselves . . ."
>
>DC
>____________________________________________________
>
>Michael on Michael
>
>Sarasota Herald-Tribune
>Michael Niewodowski
>Article published Jun 30, 2004
>
> >From Here to Eternity.
>Tora, Tora, Tora.
>In Harm's Way
>
>These are three films made about Pearl Harbor. There have been more than
>20 films made about Pearl Harbor, and over 200 films made about World
>War II. These films inspire patriotism, courage, and nationalism. They
>tell us about the honor and bravery of the soldiers and the nation that
>supported them.
>
>Two and a half years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the world watched
>American forces fight on D-Day.  Two and a half years after the Sept. 11
>terrorist attacks, the world is watching Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit
>9/11."  Moore's film is the first major motion picture about Sept. 11,
>2001. This bears repeating. When future generations look back on the
>Sept. 11 massacre, their
>first impression, through the medium of film, will be a work in which
>the president and the government are blamed for the attacks, and the
>soldiers who are protecting this country are defamed. Instead of a film
>version of Lisa Beamer's book, "Let's Roll," or Richard Picciotto's
>"Last Man Down," we are presented with this fallacy.
>
>How could this happen?
>
>It would be a colossal insult to insinuate that Franklin D. Roosevelt or
>the U.S. government were in any way responsible for the attacks on Pearl
>Harbor. Can you imagine the indignation of the men and women who lived
>during that period?
>
>"Fahrenheit 9/11" is indicative of a nation that has become too
>apathetic, ignorant or deceived to face the enemy at the gate.
>
>America ... where is your fury?
>
>On Sept. 11, 2001, I stood across the Hudson River, watching the Twin
>Towers burn, knowing that if the plane had struck at 9:46 a.m. instead
>of 8:46 a.m., I would be dead. As a survivor and witness to the attack
>on the World Trade Center, I am more than insulted by this film.  I am
>outraged.
>
>This film is based on conjecture, hearsay and propaganda. At a time when
>this country desperately needs to rally in support of our brave soldiers
>and our strong leaders, Moore is content to spread discord and
>divisiveness.  The base of his argument is that the Bush administration
>had strong ties with the bin Laden family. However, sound facts are
>conspicuously absent from this "documentary."
>
>The 9/11 commission did not indict President Bush.  According to the
>report, the president's actions before, during and after the attacks are
>fully justified, including the military action in Iraq. The commission
>did not find a direct link between Saddam Hussein's Iraq and the Sept.
>11 terrorist attacks. A similar commission in the 1940s would not have
>found a direct link between Hitler's
>Germany and the attack on Pearl Harbor. In both instances, the threat
>was imminent; the president and the military acted decisively.
>
>Could we have been more prepared for a terrorist attack on Sept. 10,
>2001?
>Certainly.
>
>Could we have been more prepared for an attack on Dec. 6, 1941?
>Most definitely.
>
>In the weeks and months following Pearl Harbor, there were reports and
>criticisms that the government and military should have
>been more prepared. The difference is that the people of the nation did
>not waste a lot of time pointing fingers at each other. Rather, they
>unified and engaged the enemy head-on. I guess that is why we call them
>"The Greatest Generation."
>
>How will future generations refer to us?
>
>So, how do we explain Moore's film to future generations?
>I wonder.
>
>More than that, I wonder how I would explain this film to Nancy D.,
>Jerome N. or Heather H. I am sure you don't know their names, but their
>faces haunt me day and night. How would I explain to them that a film
>was made accusing the president and vilifying the soldiers ... the same
>president and soldiers who are attempting to avenge their murders and
>protect other citizens.
>
>Moore has not only insulted the nation, he has insulted the victims of
>the terrorist attacks.
>
>During his acceptance speech at the Oscars, Moore said, "Shame on you,
>Mr. Bush."
>
>Well, I say, "Shame on you, Michael Moore."
>
>Shame on everyone who supports this travesty of a film. Shame on a
>society that allows this sham of a film. You have weakened the nation.
>
>Remember September 11th!
>
>Michael Niewodowski was a chef at the Windows on the World restaurant at
>the World Trade Center until Sept. 11, 2001. He lives in Bradenton.
>
>_____________________________________________________
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