[Vision2020] opinion not normally seen on v2020

[Dan Carscallen]

I just found this and thought I'd share it so everyone could get a look
from "the other side"

As Linda Richman would say:  "Discuss amongst yourselves . . ."

DC
____________________________________________________

Michael on Michael

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Michael Niewodowski
Article published Jun 30, 2004 

>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.

Remember September 11th!

Michael Niewodowski was a chef at the Windows on the World restaurant at
the World Trade Center until Sept. 11, 2001. He lives in Bradenton.