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Moore's
film dispels propaganda before election
Michael
Moore set out to stop President Bush from
being re-elected with a documentary called
"Fahrenheit 9/11", which opened
at the top of the box office, grossing $23.9
million in three days. The film discusses
Bush and Saudi relationships, the war on
Iraq and the 9-11 terror attacks.
The
Webster's New World dictionary defines propaganda
as (1) any widespread promotion of particular
ideas, doctrines, etc. This film definitely
fits that description as much as the television
ads paid for by presidential ad campaigns.
Moore never hides the fact that he has an
agenda and is using his film to propagate
his views.
Patrons
of the film should keep in mind that it
is propaganda, meant to move you towards
a certain message.
The
film is completely one-sided and is shown
with elections in mind. Facts may be presented,
but they are twisted or spun to support
Moore's statement and with the goal to stop
a re-election. As it is now the top grossing
documentary and millions are flocking to
the theaters, people are getting the facts
Moore wants them to have and not both sides
of the story, which could affect swing voters.
As
a documentary, Moore does not have to be
objective, but the majority of people do
not take the time to research candidates
before voting and this film may affect the
outcome of the November elections.
People
are upset about the information presented,
possibly because much of what Moore mentions
was never shown on the news. This is good
because it pushes people towards involvement
in politics, or at the very least being
interested in voting, and shows them footage
that mainstream news shows and papers never
could. Petitioners and voter registration
booths scattered around the theater exits
accentuated the movies" political agenda.
With
the negative images of an incompetent president
fresh in patron"s minds, those leaving
the theater are asked to sign a petition
to stop the re-election of Bush and join
various political parties. This scene is
reminiscent of the information that was
abundant at booths outside the theater after
seeing "Passion of the Christ".
The
controversy in both movies boosted them
to the top of the charts.
Moore
spends time with a woman from his hometown
of Flint, Mich., whose son died in the war.
Her scenes are so emotionally charged that
one must have a heart of stone not to be
moved by her grief.
Moore
showed war injuries from Iraq that would
make a surgeon cringe, and spoke about innocent
people being killed on both sides. Some
people have the illusion that our technology
is so great that we don't stoop to killing
civilians, but the film negates that idea.
Moore
gets quotes from Senators saying they don"t
routinely read the bills they sign, but
he doesn't mention if they have aides that
consolidate the bill for them to read a
shorter version. He uses footage of Bush
and members of his administration doing
things that make them look downright silly.
Unlike Moore's other films, he stays out
of the picture most of the time.
Moore does not say anything that he cannot
support. He uses only the facts that will
help propagate his opinion on the war and
administration, but he makes a powerful
political statement, while exercising his
right to free speech. If this movie gets
a politically apathetic nation to the polls,
whether or not they vote for a re-election
of President Bush, the film is worth the
hype.
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