Michael Moore Revisited
In Fahrenheit 9-11, I was interested to see footage of the election gaffes, and the Iraqi troop shots. The bit about the Bush and Bin Laden families–if accurate–was brilliantly done.
There have been some people, however, who mistake Moore's meaning in places. Viewers have said he implies the Bush regime allowed many Bin Laden family members to leave the country <em>during</em> the one week no-flight ban. In fact, when I watched the film, I thought Moore was implying this too. But upon closer inspection, it turns out Moore does not say this.
Here is <a href="http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/">Aaron Swartz' criticism</a> of this:
"He [Moore] notes air traffic was closed and that lots of people were stranded. But only a few people wanted to get moving: the bin Ladens and other Saudis. (Prince Bandar admits this himself.) He points out the White House approved flights to take the bin Laden’Äôs out of the country. (Richard Clarke said this under oath.) He notes that they were allowed to leave with only a cursory inspection. He emphasizes that they got nothing on the record. (The 9/11 Commission concluded this.)
Further facts only help Moore’Äôs case. While traffic was ’Äúreopened’Äù on September 13, most of the planes flying around were empty commercial flights leaving the smaller airports where they made an emergency landing. Private planes, like the Saudis used, were rare. Worse, the government has repeatedly denied these flights took place, even the people on the plane and at the airport have records to confirm the story. <a href="http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/001376"> [Details]</a>
Either way, Moore’Äôs underlying point is valid. The Saudis wanted to get out of the country fast. The White House not only let them, but it may have helped them. Family members who could of helped us find bin Laden were flown out of our jurisdiction, while we arrested random muslims."
<a href="http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/001376">Swartz has transcribed this</a> part of the film for those interested in seeing the exact dialogue. Still, I criticize Moore for leaving the undesired conclusion (that the Bush administration allowed them to leave during the flight ban) to <em>innuendo.</em>
Personally, I am not a big Moore fan. He is totally biassed (obviously) and anyone could pick his work apart bit-by-bit. As well, warning bells start to go off for me when anyone gains a following like he now has.
BUT - I believe he is sincere in his love of his country and his wish for change–for the better. And like Noam chomsky, I believe their kind of criticism is valid and keeps everyone on their toes (conservative and liberal alike). He has also done good work for the Canadian film industry: did you know he wrote, directed and produced "Canadian Bacon" with John Candy? Classic.
The heads up for Aaron Swartz' critique goes to the excellent <a href="http://www.blogd.com/">Blog from Another Dimension.</a>