Fahrenheit 911

I finally watched "Fahrenheit 911" tonight.

The country is divided politically and likewise about this film.

I fall decidedly in line with a good share of what is presented in Fahrenheit 911. Having been an Army officer for over 7 years and having spent over 3 years living and working in Saudi Arabia and survived a terrorist bombing, and as a US citizen interested in filmmaking, I tend to think I am somewhat credible when I provide commentary on this particular film.

I won't give you a dissertation, but much of what F911 puts forth as critical issues are issues that I saw, struggled with, and dealt with long before I'd ever heard of George W. Bush, John F. Kerry, Michael Moore, or Al Qaeda. A good share of them became part of my thoughts in the days of George H.W. Bush and Saddam Hussein and the years 1990 and 1991. I've since studied the links between the US and Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Israel, and other middle east states, the production and economic impact of oil, and the use of our military forces to influence foreign policy and the advancement of our "national interests."

By the way, I am an independent who does not vote. I don't trust a Democrat any more than I trust a Republican. I don't vote primarily because our electoral system favors two party dominance so I am always forced to choose between two evils and I prefer to abstain rather than help elect either party into power. But on this issue of US invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq, I can't support it. Support the troops, yes. Support the decision to send them, no.

That's all I'm going to say about this issue as I'm very passionate about it and whether I'm preaching to the choir or preaching to the decidedly opposed, it is of little use and doesn't change anything much other than raise my blood pressure.

As a documentary, Moore steps across the line into propaganda. As a film, it is very well edited and put together to drive his point. Worthy of it's Academy Award? Yes. Worthy of debate? Yes. Unbiased journalism? No. A film I would have been proud to make myself. Absolutely.

Note: I emailed Michael Moore to offer my story of my experience but I never got a reply. Hmmm...