Q: "What Liberal Media?" - Eric Alterman
A: "Fahrenheit 9/11" - Tom Stamper
A similar movie made savaging John Kerry or Bill Clinton wouldn't open on 900 screens.
You could fill a trilogy with Clinton capers, but even Kerry would be fertile ground. You could have the right wing version of silly bumbling Michael Moore interviewing the doctor that says Kerry got a purple heart for the equivalent of a paper cut. That batty wife of his could be raked over the coals for marrying the next senator that came along. That she went from pro-defense John Heniz to pro-wine John Kerry could be made good use of. All that footage of Kerry protesting and leveling unsubstantiated charges against the troops could be brought into play. We could use those quotes from Kerry about how Clinton's non-service during Vietnam was no big deal intercut with the constant reminder by Kerry that his service record makes him the only eligible candidate. If nothing else, how much distribution do you think this movie will get?
What Liberal Media, Mr. Alterman? Have you seen Rotten Tomatoes? Moore's movie registered 82% positive when I wrote this blog. This is despite that fact that his movie is filled with any innacuracy needed in order to bridge the gap to his next criticism. Christopher Hitchens sums up the credibility of the film very well.
Fahrenheit 9/11 is a sinister exercise in moral frivolity, crudely disguised as an exercise in seriousness. It is also a spectacle of abject political cowardice masking itself as a demonstration of "dissenting" bravery.
I'm sure it is a funny movie. All of his movies are funny. But a reviewer of a supposedly nonfiction film should inform himself a little on reality before giving a movie like this credibility.
"Moore states his argument forcefully and effectively, alternating cold, factual data with emotionally wrenching -- and draining -- human episodes." Jeff Strickler, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
I'm sure some of the data is truthful, but much of it isn't. If Strickler could seperate fact from fiction maybe the rest wouldn't have been so emotionally wrenching. That's the problem with most of these film critics. Being personally liberal they are less interested in the truth of the subject matter and more enthralled that Moore has leveled a witty attack against someone they don't like.
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