MICHAEL ON MICHAEL

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Michael Niewodowski


From Here to Eternity.
Tora, Tora, Tora.
In Harm's Way

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."


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, and the soldiers who are protecting  this
country are defamed. 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.

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?

"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 a.m. instead of 8:46
a.m., 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. The commission did not find a  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.

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. 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.