The Fahrenheit 9/11 effect

[fizzana]

I worked at a Kerry For President stand at the farmer's market in Studio City, CA this morning. (San Fernando Valley and an overwhelmingly Democratic area).

We took 47 voter registrations. About half were people who had moved but the rest were new voters and three Republicans re-registering as Democrats.

It's the first time I'd worked there but people who had been working the stand said that before F 9/11 was released they were getting about 5-10 voter registrations each Sunday and donations and sales of buttons, T-shirts, lawn signs etc have quadrupled.

There could be other factors involved, as people are starting to pay more attention, especially since Edwards joined the ticket but the other people said that the change was noticeable and it happened on the Sunday of F 9/11's opening weekend.

California is a safe Kerry state (if we lose here, we're well and truly Cheneyed) and this area is 80% Democratic but I have to assume that this same scenario is being played out to a greater or lesser degree in all 50 states.

It was really heartening.

[Cha]

1. Thanks for reporting on this and doing all you're

doing for our Country out there in the San Fernando Valley.

You're right..it is very encouraging...I like that repubs registering as dems.

[ArtieBoy]

2. Just saw F9/11 for the THIRD time

I just saw this movie for the third time with a friend. This friend was open to the movie, and on the way out he said he thought it was very factual.

However, he also said that he thought any administration had corruption and old-boy backscratching if you looked close enough. He went on to say that it was easy to say how things should be in hindsight, and who wouldn't have been for the war when both sides of the aisles lined up for it? Beyond that he said all elections are probably rigged and nothing you can do will really make a difference.

My guess was that he must have been for the war, then had doubts, then this movie made up his mind. However the punchline of this movie for him and probably many others is, "You were a sucker." So he has to absolve himself of guilt for having "fallen for it," so he lets himself off by saying, "It's all out of our hands and there's thing you can do anyhow."

We sat in the parking lot debating this for two-and-a-half hours! I hope I'm not sunburned.

Edited for improved second paragraph.

[peacetalksforall]

3. If Calif is 80% Democratic, how did Arnold get in?

[mitchtv]

5. no one wanted to pay for their SUV taxes

Being D doesn't necessarily mean smart.Their children will pay.

[fizzana]

6. Not the entire state

Just this area of the San Fernando Valley. Lot's of entertainment people and a high Jewish percentage as well.

[lanparty]

4. Just WAIT till the DVD comes out ...

It will be the most bootlegged film in the country.

I'll make copies for all the right wingers in my family. I can already see the seeds of doubt in their mind. If we can get them to vote for Nader at a minimum, it will be a victory!!!!!!