Bad habit
My dad and I have something in common: we deliberately read things that make us mad. I see an upside to this, however, as it keeps our mental faculties sharp. (We’re good at arguing - about anything.) Most recently (iow, today), I’ve been perusing websites about Michael Moore.
I saw on MSN.com that he is planning on submitting Farenheit: 9/11 to the Academy as a Best Picture nominee. Good, I thought, at least he’s not purporting it as a documentary. Personally, I hope his pride is his downfall (i.e. I hope the Academy laughs in his face), but time will tell. Meanwhile, this story got me thinking (wondering) about a rumor I had heard about his “Bowling for Columbine” crockumentary possibly having its Oscar revoked. Hoping it was true (and had happened), I began a search. I had no luck on (the truly neutral) MSN.com, so I was forced to move to a google search to find what I was looking for. I didn’t have to look far or long. I found a good lot of information on just a very few websites - one of which (a blog, of sorts) I have put a link to (at right). (I highly recommend the entry from 8/30 entitled: An update from the “friggin’ fascists”. It’s a funny story, surprising and yet not.)
Note: site contains some language that may not be suitable for all viewers (namely the s-word, used only 2 or 3 times, in quotes).
I am more and more avoiding reading things that make me mad. In fact, I just read Michael’s letter to Elian Gonzalez and am not mad. I’m surprised and really saddened. But not mad.
It is sad that we have so oversimplified the world to believe that we know what is best for individuals in other countries. I am not proposing that we “poll” every foreign national on every continent. I am suggesting that we look at the ENDLESS STREAM of people spending their very last dime on a ticket, raft, smuggler, ???? to get into the United States and think: “Maybe something is NOT right where they are coming from. Maybe something IS right with our system.” Let’s just, please, not screw it all up!
Comment by matt — September 9, 2004 @ 7:32 am
There’s a theory floating around that Moore has to submit for Best Picture because if he submits as a documentary, then he’s open to lawsuits based on the things he claimed to be true and has since admitted to be false. -wow that was a long sentance.
Comment by jeff — September 10, 2004 @ 3:23 pm
Have you seen Bowling for Columbine?
I get the uproar about Fahrenheit 9/11 (given the subject matter), but I am continually shocked at people who have such strong reactions to BFC.
Honestly, I find that most people who have a bad opinion about BFC are people who have not actually seen the movie.
Comment by Amy — September 11, 2004 @ 8:20 pm
Having not seen either one, I don’t have an opinion on either, except for one that’s based on what I’ve HEARD, which are mixed opinions. I honestly haven’t actually heard anything that I’d consider “good” from anyone who’s seen either movie… whether they actually liked it or not (does that make sense?).
It seems like Moore spends a lot of time mudslinging and billing things as “fact” when they aren’t necessarily so. If the media hasn’t put enough of a spin against Bush and the Republican party (and please note that I am not a Republican. I am also not a democrat. And yes, I AM an educated voter and DO work in and study politics), we’ve got one more source.
Most of the media around this election has just been irritating. I don’t care who did what in high school, college, or the military, unless it’s still affecting them now and they are entirely unrepentant about it. I wanna know what you’re going to do IN OFFICE.
But I’m terribly loud-mouthed and opinionated and if I keep talking I’m going to sound rude and angry and confrontational, which I’m trying to quit sounding like!
As to what Amy said, tho, I am with you on the idea that it’d be a good idea to see a movie before formulating an opinion on it, depending, of course, on the movie (some movies shouldn’t be seen for the sake of keeping the mind and heart pure… know what I mean?). There are a lot of movies and books out there that I feel that way about, but that’s a discussion for another post. =)
Comment by Cris — September 21, 2004 @ 7:07 am