[quote]Originally posted by Stretch:
<strong>Another view of Michael Moore:
FYI, an australian view of MM.
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Actually Stretch, that is an ENGLISH point of view. The article was printed in the Telegraph, a conservative paper that is overtly in favor of the monarchy and fish & chips. The telegraph uses simple language and slight hyperbole-- it's not as bad as the Sun, but I believe they are both owned by the same media mogul: Rupert Murdoch. Rupert is staunchly right-wing and has waged an all out war with the BBC(a VERY fair and balanced public news service) yet he considers them a stumbling block in his goal for world-wide control of the media.
The article posted is simplistic at best. Typical of right wing pundits, it takes statements out of context, nitpicks on obscure details and even states something that is untrue. The untruth being that Lockheed does not manufacture WMD, which it does. Lockheed manufactures missles, components for missles, spyplanes (famously the SR-71), Bombers and components for warships, and sattelite targeting systems. It is true that the rocket behind the Lockheed spokesman was not a missile, but the symbolism was uncanny.
Bowling for Columbine was a slap in the face to the NRA, the most powerful lobbying organisation in the USA. Before its release it was fact checked with a fine tooth comb by the lawyers at MGM because they feared a MASSIVE lawsuit by an incredibly powerful organization with high priced, high power attorneys. Not a single suit has been filed. This fact alone speaks volumes.
I've read all of Moore's books and like any politcal book it should be taken with a grain of salt. I think he does pander a bit to the African americans but my biggest critism would be his overt plagerism of some of Al Franken's writing.
Michael Moore is not above critism, but he does, however check his facts. Which is more than I can say for the right wing pundits (Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Couture, Hannity) whose works I have read as well: 'the way things ought to be', 'the no spin zone' 'let freedom ring' 'treason'. Limbaugh is a hypocritical idiot, O'Reilly a sensationalist and a liar, Hannity a egomanic opportunist, and Coulture a nutcase. Their bibliographies are scant, the content is HIGHLY opinionated and they use overt anger as the form to deliver their message. The left (moore, franken, brouwer), however use humor.
There is a new conservative book called 'Shut up and sing' by Laura Ingraham which I will read when the library buys it (libraries by their nature are 'socialist'). It basically says artists are unqualified to speak / have opinions about any political issues.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this supposed to be a government by the people, of the people, for the people. The very fact that we are citizens demands we speak up.
Representational democracy is a good form of government, but it is also a difficult form. It demands, by its' very nature, that we the citizens pay attention to what our leaders are doing and if they are not representing our needs or interest we must replace them immediately (see the Declaration of Independence). To say: "you're an artist. Shut up. You are unqualified to speak," is not only against the form of government we have established, it is unamerican.
My library doesn't have that Laura Ingraham book either, but based on this publisher's summary, it sounds like something guaranteed to raise my blood pressure. Gonna have to check it out. Hmmm, I kinda like being "elite" - never slapped myself with that moniker before.
"Meet the elites.
They think you're stupid. They think all freedom loving Americans are stupid. They think patriotism is stupid. They think churchgoing is stupid. They think flag-flying is stupid. They despise families with more than two children. They are sure that where we live -- anywhere but near or in a few major cities -- is an insipid cultural wasteland.
From environmentalists to Hollywood celebrities to media yuppies, no American elite is safe from the astutely critical eye of Laura Ingraham. In this refreshing book Ingrahm probes the condescending elitism of liberals in politics and entertainment. She shows how their lack of national pride, their distaste for religion, and their disregard of American ideals are undermining traditions and values across the country. And her criticisms go deeper than just the elites in the Democratic Party; she even zeroes in on elite enclaves in the GOP.
Ingraham reveals:
1. Why the elites want America to be torn down, tradition by tradition
2. The real reason Hollywood is politically moronic: including a case study of "Stupid White Man" Michael Moore
3. How to understand the goals of the elite -- and spot their tactics
4. Why the elites are "theophobic" -- and bent on eradicating religion from American life
5. The antiwar crowd: anti-Americanism in disguise
6. Why our current immigration policies border on insanity
7. How our colleges and schools try to brainwash students in political correctness and anti-Americanism
8. The UN: why this darling of the elites desperately needs to be reformed, reconfigured, and reoriented
9. Why the elites are either losing or on shaky ground on most issues
Meet the elites. They have big plans for us. But with dead-on wit and precision, Laura Ingrahm shows how we can torpedo their plans."
(Publisher's summary reprinted with anarchic disregard from Chapters.ca)
http://www.rmi.org/ Rocky Mountain Institute : Natural Capitalism and so much more. Or waste not, want not, writ for this century. Or doing well by doing good.
Yes David Bowie is about as British as a superstar can get. He gets consistently favorable coverage from the British public and press. I also heard him on the radio not long ago saying that he loves living in New York.
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