Maryna and I saw Michael Moore's
Fahrenheit 9/11 tonight. I have to say I was impressed. I wasn't really sure what to expect going in; there were a lot a people on the 'net (and elsewhere) calling this film "left-wing propaganda", and still others calling it genius. For a once-upon-a-time Republican who is struggling to find a new political identity, I found myself agreeing with a large majority of points made by Moore in the film. I'm not an extremist. I don't think that Bush is evil, I'm not a card-carrying Democrat of any kind either. I don't think everything Bush has done in office was a mistake, but he certainly is no golden-boy either. Let's say that he has made enough serious mistakes that I cannot in good conscience even consider voting for him in 2004. On his list of major mistakes I would certainly include the Patriot Act and the war in Iraq - among countless other minor incidents. I thought Moore did an excellent job of presenting his side of the story, and did so in a fair light; after all, most of the condescending images and sound-bites of Bush, Chainey, et al. were taken directly from news reels, and many of the conclusions Moore makes are hardly without merit. Everyone considering voting in the upcoming elections needs to see this film. It will give you plenty to think about.
