July 11, 2004
-
Topic: Fahrenheit 9/11
Well…today I had a day off from camp, and took the opportunity to see Michael Moore’s movie. It was everything i thought it would be, and had been looking forward to for months. Some things shocked me, especially the footage that would normally never be shown to the public.
I left not feeling somber, depressed, or overly serious as most people said they felt. But optimistic. Optimistic that one movie can change things, that one man can change things. Optimistic that the follies of Bush will never be repeated by any future president. At heart, I’m not a political person. Part of my book argues that to improve society, we do need strong political leaders, but at the end of the day, it’s the people, our culture and society that matters most, and that’s what needs changing. Picked up a great magazine called Adbusters, an alternative magazine that takes a pretty extreme approach in showing some of the ills of our culture today. I’m sure most people who read my thoughts still think i’m pretty out there, but i’m starting to believe that all that i’m talking about will soon become mainstream. All my ranting about Michael Moore the past few months, now he’s on the cover of Time. To me, this is exciting stuff.
I’m working w/ my friend Paul to design a professional cover for my book, and despite putting my book on hold for the summer, i just had my dad e-mail it to me so i can work on it here in my off periods. Still not sure what i’ll do after camp. Watching the movie today, and remembering that my college and one of the focuses of my book, Wash U, is hosting one of the debates, made me think I could spend sept. and oct. in St. Louis and really get my book rolling, and start to find a political voice as well.
Camp is good. Went to a baseball game for 4th of July, been running kids on the zipline and climbing wall all week, dressed up as a clown for a carnival last week, coached a soccer game. It’s hard to describe camp, but it’s something that needs to be experienced to be understood fully i think.
All for now. Here’s to Lance going for his 6th tour win!!!
-Dan
Comments (2)
just remember one thing about moore – he’s a self-congratulatory agenda-pusher. this movie has a lot of truths behind it, but it also only shows what moore wants you to see. there is other information, other sides, other important facts to consider. and unlike in bowling for columbine, where we pretty much all agreed that the nra is a shitty organisation, this movie is much more important to approach with scrutiny and skepticism.
i know he’s your newfound hero, but every hero has a fault. i think it’s safe to say that his is hubris. but he is a fantastic documentarian and i’m sure the movie itself was fucking amazing.
when i’m done with the thesis (in less than a month – oh fuck me up the ass!!!), i’m getting to your book. sorry it’s taking me so long.
ps – you should check out http://www.indymedia.org – i once ran into a guy on the tube who noticed i was reading some media theory and he works for them. it’s a really kickass organisation. once i get a job and know a living location, i’m signing up baby!!!!