Thoughts in Politics
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Fahrenheit 911: Critique and Response
Subject: In The Future, What Will They Remember?
This is an article by Michael Niewodowski, a chef
at the Windows on the World restaurant, who was supposed
to report to work there at the top of the World Trade Center
at 9:00 A.M. The first plane hit at 8:46.
He's not a professional writer.
This is an article by Michael Niewodowski, a chef
at the Windows on the World restaurant, who was supposed
to report to work there at the top of the World Trade Center
at 9:00 A.M. The first plane hit at 8:46.
He's not a professional writer.
See my responses below:
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Michael Niewodowski
From Here to Eternity (1953), Tora, Tora,
Tora (1970), & In Harm's Way (1965)
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."
Two and a half years after 9/11/01 we have
not caught bin Laden.
Two and a half years after 9/11/01 Bush did
not fire anyone in the FAA, who could have totally prevented 9/11.
Two and a half years after 9/11/01 Bush did
not fire FBI managers who could have passed information up the line that could
have revealed the plot.
Two and a half years after 9/11/01 the
9/11 Commission finally presented it first report, delayed by Bush opposing
the creation of the Commission.
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,
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,
Farhenheit 9/11 did not Blame Bush for the
attacks.
and the soldiers who are protecting
this country are defamed.
this country are defamed.
They were not defamed. I don't think
Michael Niewodowski saw the film.
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.
Beamer's book, "Let's Roll," or Richard Picciotto's "Last
Man Down," we are presented with this fallacy.
What 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?
Roosevelt WAS blamed for knowing about Pearl Harbor in advance -- just do a Google
"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 AM instead of 8:46
AM, 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.
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?
Roosevelt WAS blamed for knowing about Pearl Harbor in advance -- just do a Google
"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 AM instead of 8:46
AM, 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.
This is not true.
The commission did not find a
direct link between Saddam Hussein's Iraq and the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks.
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.
The GOP opposed going to war.
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.
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.
The GOP opposed going to war.
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.
False. A Pearl Harbor Commission was
constituted to find the facts within weeks of the attack.
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.
Bush weakened our nation by only sending 11,000 troops of Afghanistan and letting bin laden escape from Tora Bora.
Bush weaken our nation by not sending 250,000 troops to Iraq as was recommended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
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.
Bush weakened our nation by only sending 11,000 troops of Afghanistan and letting bin laden escape from Tora Bora.
Bush weaken our nation by not sending 250,000 troops to Iraq as was recommended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
Clifford W. Lazar
Los Angeles, CA USA
30 July 2004
Fahrenheit 911 Fahrenheit 911
Fahrenheit 911 Fahrenheit 911