(Michael Niewodowski, a chef at the Windows on the World restaurant, was
supposed to report to work there at the top of the World Trade Center at 9:00
a.m.--the first plane hit at 8:46. He's not a professional writer, but his take
on this man Michael Moore, could not be better put.)
---------------------------------------------
Sarasota Herald-Tribune ^ 06/30/04 Michael Niewodowski
"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.
