'Fahrenheit 9/11' Becomes Political Lightning Rod

[Spazito]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A week before "Fahrenheit 9/11" opens nationally in theaters, Michael Moore's scathing documentary critique of the Bush administration has become a lightning rod for political debate over propaganda, patriotism and censorship.


Lining up behind the film are such Democratic luminaries as ex-New York Gov. Mario Cuomo and former Clinton White House aides Chris Lehane and Mark Fabiani, plus a host of showbiz celebrities and the liberal activists of the anti-Bush group MoveOn.


Rushing to the administration's defense are veteran Republican strategist Sal Russo, along with California conservatives Howard Kaloogian and Melanie Morgan and their group, Move America Forward.

snip

Moore's supporters insist the campaign to stifle "Fahrenheit 9/11" will work to the film's advantage, generating controversy that ultimately would lead more exhibitors to show the film and more people to see it.

more

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040618/pl_nm/leisure_fahrenheit_dc

(rate it up!)

[K-W]

1. Is anything not a political lightning rod these days?

Go Michael Go!

[clydefrand]

2. I agree that the

controversy will stimulate interest in the movie. I just hope it will be in this area, but I doubt it. Too many conservatives in this area.

[joefree1]

4. From the freeps in this article

" A statement this week by Move America Forward claimed "Fahrenheit 9/11" was endorsed by the Lebanese-based organization Hezbollah, which the U.S. government has identified as a terrorist group.

The claim of Hezbollah backing was based on a gossip column item in London's The Guardian newspaper, which in turn cited a story printed in trade publication Screen International. "



Let's greet the freeps at the opening of F911:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x8384

[jjmalonejr]

3. Ask Mel Gibson if controversy works to stimulate interest in a movie.

He might have a comment or two.

[morgan2]

5. i like how moveon is described

as an anti-bush group, seeing as it began before Bush was even running for president.

[Democat]

6. What do you expect from Reuters?

Facts? Truth? Fairness?

Not from the pro-Bush U.S. media.