Michael Moore is doing the same in his move Capitalism. First, he is changing the conversation on who caused the financial collapse in the first place. Most people are acutely aware that it was the bankers, but not the Fox News audience. So, when he went on Sean Hannity's show the other night, he introduced that idea to them and then Hannity was stuck in the position of defending the bankers and blatantly blaming the victims and the poor. Instead of discussing how government was at fault, Moore started a conversation on how deregulation might have led to this mess.
But more importantly, he started a battle for the heart and soul of Christianity. He proposed in the movie and in his debate with Hannity that being on the side of the rapacious rich is un-Christian. He claimed his position is the more Christian position. For so long, the Republicans have simply claimed that they are more Christian without anything to back them up. They just shouted louder. Now, Moore is shouting just as loud.
By putting them on the defensive on how they are not good Christians if they help the rich crush the poor, he has once again changed the conversation. Are the Republicans bad Christians? It doesn't matter what the answer is, that's a question you can't lose with [sic].
Having said that, I cringe at the dumbing down, the sentimentality of the film. It is an ongoing argument within myself. For those completely brainwashed by the popular culture, the shallow thinking and hefty emotionalism of America, this film is a fantastic way to change the conversations. Even so, I want to agree with a critical review at Cyrano's Journal.
Moore has an unpleasant tendency of letting his camera linger on the distressed faces of his social victims. The most serious weaknesses, however, involve his continued support for the Democratic Party, and Obama, and his inability to advance any serious alternative to the capitalist system.Yes, Capitalism: A Love Story is a highly moralistic documentary imbued with Moore's very personal bias. Oh well, it has some real flaws if we expect it to do all things. I hope that at least it exposes those who need to hear some reality outside of the wingers' bubble.
As a post script. I spent money I hadn't budgeted (11 am tickets were $5.50) and also got treated to a delicious lunch I hadn't counted on in my calendar. It was a great day. We then went shopping at Henry's and I got my hair cut. I so wanted to only get my hair cut twice this year. Instead it was 3 times and once for my bangs only. Counting dollars . . .
There is a post that I should write about the American dollar being abandoned globally. We are headed for the most profound change in a century. I will work to pull together my thoughts.
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6 comments:
I like the fact the Michael Moore is an option when it comes to watching movies, but I find his message (or maybe the way he brings out his message) somewhat unpleasant. Maybe it is because he continues to follows the debate set by the U.S. Dept. of "they"? I suppose his movies are timely...he brings out a movie about the Iraq War at just the right moment or a movie about Capitalism at just the right moment.
Has Mr. Beany told you about the book he's been reading called Mindful Economics? Between that and Howard Zinn I feel that I am getting a crystal clear view of reality and far from being sad about the state of affairs I feel that I'm not being deluded about my role in society anymore. I'm just here to prop up the rich (or Capitalists) so to speak.
Anything that Zinn says is something I take very seriously. I haven't heard of the Mindful Economics book. I was trying to say that this movie is a message that needs to be heard by the millions who do not have the insights we who gather at blogs like this know and study - and live with our life choices.
For those completely brainwashed by the popular culture, the shallow thinking and hefty emotionalism of America, this film is a fantastic way to change the conversations.
Think of the people we meet and attempt conversation and going through the motions of community building. How much easier this would be if - within the framework of their habitual ways of thinking - there is a way to change the conversation. You know, training wheels . . .
First of all, the cat picture is so hilarious! ;-) I laughed out loud when I saw it.
Okay, the blog post.
Yeah, I don't actually like Moore's work much, although he does discuss topics that would otherwise remain hidden in US culture.
The reason I don't like him is because I just find his work sloppy and overly partisan. When I compare his work to some brilliant European-made docos, his just comes across as substandard soapies.
Sorry. That's just how I see it.
But still, he's the only one actually *talking* about this stuff.
On the US dollar thing, yes, all of us are shuffling to other currencies, and that is very clear. In US media, you head about the worldwide recession. But what is really happening is a US collapse, with its hangers-on collapsing too.
Sort of like an overgrown octopus going down, dragging anything its tentacles are hanging onto down with it.
Because the US is so big, naturally repercussions are being felt elsewhere.
I think it will stay afloat for a little while longer - probably the real collapse will happen in 2012 or thereabouts, when the second wave of defaults happens. That's just my guess, and I'm only an interested self-taught economist, and a poor one at that.
But what it might be nice to see is the insular nature of US media changing, simply because it has to. I was amazed at how little the average US citizen knows about the rest of the world, and how little the media covers worldwide news outside the US.
Now that increasingly the world is not US-led, I think your news - and as a result, personal attitudes and politics - will have to change.
It's going to be interesting times in the states. I'm glad I don't live there!
Yes, Daharja, I agree with Moore's quality versus John Pilger comes to my mind right away when you talk about European documentaries. Again, the point was that Moore's movie is the ONLY voice that can break through the corporate gatekeepers. It is the ONLY approach that is allowed. Like Comedy Central's The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Yes Men . . . goofy comedy format is acceptable.
Reality for Americans is headed for a big change and I would agree with your prediction. Sadly, it will take millions of people completely by surprise. I go through this odd tiresome feeling when I read or hear news or discussion about facts that were obvious 4-8 years ago. It wears me down.
Another thing about Moore's films. Even in his sloppy, goofy format Moore brought out so many facts in the movie Sicko. These facts should be what is in the news these last three months. But, the Corporatocrisy has keep the focus on teabaggers, death panels, public option, etc. The owners of the USoA do not want their consumers to know fuckall about what the rest of the world is thinking or doing. We couldn't be controlled if we realized fully how owned we are.
I like your octopus image - I might have to borrow that.
Media culpability and complacency are two of the big issues progressives are going to have to tackle if we want to get a different message across. Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky describe the propaganda model summarized here.
I have yet to see CaLS, but intend to see it soon. Mr. Moore usually does a good job at presenting a narrative of events that calls into question the accepted wisdom.
Thank you for the review.
Thank you for pointing me in the direction of Manufactured Consent. I read your post, DWR, and some of the other links. Good stuff.
I couldn't believe it when I saw you stopped by - then I saw the blogaround. Welcome Shakers and thank you Melissa!
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