Fahrenheit 9/11

Kirstenmumof3 wrote: I don't want to start a massive debate over this movie. I was just curious as to how many of you saw it or are planning to see it. My DH and I went to see it last night. I couldn't believe how packed the Theatre bacame, I'm glad we got there early. It was definately a real eye opener.

amynicole21 replied: I plan to see it as soon as we can line up a babysitter.

coasterqueen replied: I plan to wait til it comes out on video. I'm not sure I believe anyone but my own instincts. This guy is out to make a buck too ;-)

jcc64 replied: I saw it and thought it was very provocative. Nothing in the movie was news to me or anyone else who regularly listens to NPR, but for people who only get their information from the mainstream media(especially Fox News), it will be revelatory. If nothing else, it puts a much needed human face on the Iraq war. Regardless of your politics, see it for that reason alone.

DansMom replied: DH and I did a tag-team viewing of the film on opening weekend. I went to the 7:00, and he went to the 9:30. I cried through the entire second half. One thing I really appreciated was that Michael Moore did not put himself as much in the limelight---except for at one point in the middle of the movie where he pulled one of his stunts. There are things I don't like about his personality and ego in general, but in this film especially, more than some of his other films, he lets people and facts speak for themselves. I also think it's good for there to be someone out there on my side of the spectrum who can be as obnoxious as Pat O'Riley and the other Fox Network creeps. I actually had a nightmare recently in which I became trapped in a room with three Fox Network personalities ranting and sneering and smirking... but I digress.

My DH grew up in Flint, so he feels a special connection with Michael Moore' roots and perspective.

I didn't have a great deal of respect for the current president, but after this film I lost any shred I might have had. His own words and actions show such contempt for most of humanity---those of us who have to pay for our own college and struggle to provide for our families and send our sons and daughters into the military. And the administration is brazenly, arrogantly corrupt in my opinion. However, I'm not sure a democratic administration would be less corrupt, they just aren't as arrogant and brazen. Bush strikes me as unintelligent, the way he speaks and the way he postures---he strikes me as the spoiled rich kid who partied through college that he in fact is. His jokes are incredibly insensitive and immature for someone who holds the highest office in our nation---I just can't believe the moronic comments that come from him when he's not following a script. I would at least like to have a president who seems more intelligent and self-aware.

MommyToAshley replied: There has been so much controversy around the film that it has peaked my curiosity. I will most likely see it but I will probably walk away angry as I heard that the truth is tilted towards his opinons. I hate to give another penny to Michael Moore.

natjasem replied: I haven't seen the movie, so I'm not too entitled to give my two cents, but from what I've heard on Talk Radio it is anti-American and full of lies and propaganda.
I'm not interested in paying money to see it, so if my neighbor rents it, I might watch it. I believe Bush and his administration are trying to do the best they can, and if John Kerry thinks he can do any better in protecting America, I'd like to see him try. The bottom line is that 9/11 was a tragedy, and now we need to focus on how to prevent it from happening again and that means working with and supporting our government even though it is not perfect.

5littleladies replied: I have no intention of seeing it. I heard about the way he distorted the truth in Bowling for Columbine in order to make his point and I have heard he has done the same in this movie. I do not trust propaganda movies-regardless of which side they are done from. I trust the president and I believe in what he is doing.

Boys r us replied: I plan to see the movie, maybe tomorrow night since we have a sitter all night, but I don't plan to let it form my opions for me. I mean this is a movie and you can just take one person's view or word as gospel..you're going to hear what Michael moore wants you to hear in the movie..which may not be the whole truth! After all..it does involve politics and when was the last time you got anything mor than squewed wish wash for answers where politicians are concerned?

jem0622 replied: Like anything, I'll see it when it is on DVD. As I understand it, it is simply a compilation of true clips and interviews. The whole point of it being that it is putting it all together for you in one sitting. We see things on the news one day and something else the next...but you'd never put it all together. I am not a person who is easily influenced...I see both sides of the fence and can agree and disagree with both sides. So I doubt it will cause me to form an opinion. I don't think Michael Moore did anything wrong by compiling information and I think a lot of people are judging him as a person, rather than a researcher/documentarian. They don't like what they see or hear and so they 'beat the dog'.

Just my two cents.

jcc64 replied:

I tried hard in my original post to leave my politics on the sideline and comment on the film as Kirstin suggested in the op. However, I have to address this post. I have great difficulty with people who feel entitled to criticize the film when they haven't seen it. And has it occurred to you that what you may hear on talk radio is also an EXTREMELY slanted view of reality? Which is really the point of the film. We all need to question what is being done and said in the name of America. It is NOT unpatriotic to question our gov't, it is our duty. People are dying, on both sides, and we should be mindful that these are human beings, not statistics, which was exactly what was depicted in the film. These are REAL people, families just like us. Of course, you won't hear that mentioned on talk radio.

Sherry replied: I don't want to see it. As a Republican (a devout one), I think it may hurt my feelings.

TLCDad replied: I'm very moderate (although tend to lean more left than right) so it does not matter to me if the film was right winged or left winged I'd still watch and take what is said in the film and do my own research. A right winger is going to swing the truth just as much as a left winger. I do however have a philosophy that where there is smoke there most likely is fire. So if there is any smoke in the movie then, even though it might be leaned in favor of Michael's opinion, there is probably some real truth to it. The same goes for when the far right was so after Clinton and said he is not telling 100% the truth about his "relationships", which the left fought to deny and as we all know it came out to be true.

With that said, I have yet to see the film and most likely will probably wait till it comes out on DVD, which will most likely have even more information/footage.

ctymom replied:
I second what she said. I wont waste my time seeing this. Anyone can take a persons life and make it look horrible just by twisting some truths, showing only half stories, and not showing the whole picture. I think Michael Moore is a complete idiot. I'll save my money on this one.

Pamela

DansMom replied: Sorry for setting such a negative tone in my reply earlier---I should have kept my reply simple. The country is so intensely divided right now---it's pretty scary.

On a lighter, unrelated note, I highly recommend tag-team movie viewing for parents who might have trouble getting a sitter but who want to see the same film and talk about it afterward. It works best if you live close enough to a theater to do some shuttling. With two cars it would be a breeze. We managed it with one car, though DH had to drop me off, be waiting in the car outside the theater when I emerged, run Daniel and me home again, and go back to park (so that I could get Daniel to bed and not have to drive again). It might be too much of a project with two or more kids to manage though. We got the idea from another couple and it turned out to be easier than we thought in the end---we'll probably try it again.

amynicole21 replied: Yay! DH just said that MIL offered to take Sophia for the afternoon on Sunday, so it looks like we'll catch a matinee! Woo Hoo! I'm really excited to see the movie

jcc64 replied: Bring tissues, Amy!

coasterqueen replied: Awesome Amy! Have fun!!!

ctymom replied:
See ... the thing is... I'm more afraid of the people who have all the 'right things to say'. (Like Clinton) I personally looked for someone that is real, human, and loves his country. Also will say what he feels... not say what the people in the room at the time feel. You know where he's coming from. Being president doesnt make one perfect... nor can we expect perfection out of any person. Politics is politics. It's not an easy job. Like the old saying goes... dont judge a person unless you walk a day in their shoes.

I really believe that anyone that watches that movie and draws a conclusion of the whole story... isn't looking at the big picture and limiting themselves to one persons take and opinion of half truths. Just my

Sorry to be so open on this...I just get frustrated with this topic.

Pamela

5littleladies replied:
Well said!! I totally agree.

AshleyRose replied: Personally, I think the movie is fantastic but in some ways I do not like it. My fiance is a big fan of Michael Moore and has read his books and all. I do not get involved in politics or government issues. Its all for a really great reason. What matters to me is my family and if I sit around discussing what really MIGHT have happened with this war, 9/11, government, politics etc, I will just drive myself insane. I will never know... its kind of like wondering whether aliens work in Area 51, they might, they might not . The government will never release that information. The goverment is NOT going to admit to any bad truths.. period. What would that do to our country and the peoples trust and obedience to laws, government etc? I am sure there are plenty bad truths to be revealed but like I said, we will never know them. We just have to go along with it and hope for the best .

The movie opens your eyes to a different side of what may have happened. It doesn't just get you to think, it slaps potential evidence right in your face and says "so now what do you think?". I love America because its my country. However only when you go to another country (ESPECIALLY live in one) do you see how seriously messed up America honestly is. That is including ignorance and materialism especially (I hate the both of them).

I don't know what Michael Moore is trying to accomplish with the movie sometimes. If he just intended to prevent Bush from being re-elected, it may work. But he also scared me and I am sure he scared many other Americans more than necessary . I almost don't want to go back home.

There are several thing to NEVER discuss with someone (especially if you do not feel like debating for hours). Religion and politics are two very serious topics I have seen on the internet especially being heavily debated over. Especially with all the contraversial information going around about religion now (since the release of the FICTION book The Da Vinci Code which has a lot of non-fiction information IN IT from previous non-fiction books written by different authors).

Basically this is how I see it.... it could be true, it could be false. Why ponder on it? Unless you rile up a HUGE group of people or somehow become someone high in authority in government, things aren't going to change. Even voting is almost pointless it seems (with everything that happened last time). It is also very doubtful that you will obtain any information that will bring you closure.

I don't know, I just get so confused and upset when I think of these sort of things.. I just want to enjoy my life the best I can and have a great family... if things get bad enough where I fear for my family's lives, then I will leave the country. I refuse to get into politics because it is a pointless battle to me.

Hope I didn't offend anyone.... that is just my reality, I guess ...

amynicole21 replied:
But, in the same vein, people who discount the information provided in the movie aren't getting the big picture either. Having an educated opinion means actually being educated on all sides of the issue before forming an opinion. I think it's important for people to see a movie that has views contrary to their own in order to get the whole picture.

Blindly believing in any administration is dangerous. It is our responsibility as a democratic society to elect people who represent the views and desires of the people. We are a government of the people, by the people and for the people... WE are responsible for how things go in this country. Every vote counts - just look at the tiny margin by which Bush was elected - what was it, 200 votes in Florida or something? We really need to have ALL of the facts before casting a vote for anyone. Wow... I really just got off the topic

In the end, I just hope that people do exactly what Leary said in the 60's - think for yourself and question authority. Don't let anyone - Moore, Bush, reporters on CNN... anyone - do your thinking for you. I'm not directing this to anyone, just society in general.

AshleyRose replied:
Thinking for yourself and questioning authority has become almost impossible while being constantly inudated with news casters, radio, and mostly everything on TV. You "want" to believe this war was for good reason because many parents children died in it. Its so hard and confusing and thats why I said in the above post that I just cannot bother researching and trying to figure out what side I am on... I just want things to get back to normal...

ctymom replied:
Of course... one should always look at both sides to make an informed and educated conclusion. But what I'm getting at is that a Michael Moore movie is not the place to get it. He's not the keeper of the opposing view but rather the distorted one. It's not the place to gather accurate information to come to that informed or educated conclusion. He has a personal agenda and it's distorted.

I could take clips from home movies and take out bits and pieces to make a movie that paints a very different picture of your life than what is reality.


Pamela

amynicole21 replied: DH and I got our movie date today and saw Farenheit 9/11. It was really good, and really depressing. The theater was packed, and people kept breaking out in applause at different points of the movie. I watched it with the purpose of seeing which parts could be skewed or slanted to serve the purpose of Moore, and honestly, most of it spoke for itself. I recommend that people see it and decide for themselves... I don't think it's what most people assume it is about.

alice&arik replied: Wow guys!! I just got a little more educated reading this! I have no opinion in politics. I was in the Army and learned to respect the president no matter who it is, even if you don't agree with him.

But I would like to see the movie. It sounds interesting. I would like to see what I missed on TV. During 9/11 I was working night shift so I didn't really get to watch the news too much.

aspenblue1 replied: I have not seen it and probably wont see it.

jcc64 replied:

It is precisely because people's children are still dying, and will continue to die, UNLESS and UNTIL we wake up and pay attention to what are gov't has involved us in. I really want someone here to tell me how people who claim to care about our troops don't feel any sense of guilt about shipping them off to Iraq to be killed or irreparably damaged for WHAT?! Does anyone really have any clear idea about what we're trying to accomplish or if it's even possible? If someone asked me to sacrifice my child, there better be an earth shattering reason for it.
Now that we've started this war, we all have an obligation to at the very least understand and bear witness to what is being waged in our name. THAT'S what the movie is all about. I'd like to know exatly how anyone can believe that Michael Moore invented the grieving mothers or dead soldiers or Iraqi children depicted in the film.
I know this board is generally apolitical and is devoted primarily to parenting issues. But we need to remember that this IS a family issue. Someday, all our precious little children are going to be old enough to be soldiers too.

MommyToAshley replied: I just want to add that while this is not a political board, it is nice to be able to discuss different topics of interest. I have really learned something by listening to the other point of view, even if I don't agree with it. It's great that we can have a discussion, even debate, like mature adults. Maybe some of our political leaders/candidates could learn a lesson from this thread.

jcc64 replied: ITA, Dee Dee!

coasterqueen replied: I agree with Dee Dee too!!!!! I love that I can come here and talk about things like this. It's nice to have other opinions!!!

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I want to thank all of you for keeping this so cival! I was worried after I posted this if it was going to turn into another BASH session! But I should have known better! I've really enjoyed reading all of your points of view on this movie, and although I don't live in the USA I find that I am learning a lot about your president!