Why is Michael Moore vilified as the "loony left"?

[Applan]

It seems every day some right wing idiot brings up Michael Moore's name as proof that whoever is being seen to side with him is very far left. Latest example being because Cindy Sheehan's blog appears on his website she is some kind of left wing extremist and she is doing herself immeasurable harm by "siding" with him.
Yet, I have watched Fahrenheit 911 many times and each time I see more and more that it is completely accurate. Sure he takes some artistic license but of the many facts presented in his movie, the great majority are irrefutable and continue to be proved correct as more lies from the Bush administration are revealed each day. Same can be said of his books and other movies.

When people are interviewed by the likes of O'Lielly & Hannity why do they never make this argument? Why do they never ask "Have you actually watched F911?" Why do they try to distance themselves from Michael?

[mmonk]

1. Because he does not worship

bush and the dark side. Anyone who dare challenges the one they follow blindly is called these things.

[K-W]

2. Propaganda. EOM

[ComerPerro]

I haven't heard his name in a while, actually

[toddaa]

3. What is the loony left?

It's a Democrat that (horror of horrors) votes for Democrat. On the other hand, a reasonable Democrat is one who consistantly votes for Republicans.

[HEyHEY]

9. these guys

[eleny]

4. Because his ideas are more popular than W?

[HEyHEY]

5. Because the US is a poolarized nation

And the best way to make sure people don't listen to someone who's views differ from yous is to dismiss them as "far left" or "Lunatic fringe"

[rocktivity]

17. It's no accident that it's always the "far", "lunatic", or "fringe" left

as opposed to "normal" or "moderate" leftists...also known as "normal" or "moderate" Republicans!

:headbang:
rocknation

[bluestateguy]

6. Because he stands up for working people

And that bothers many people in positions of power and influence.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. O'Liely and others

have villified MM as being a nutcase because of his film. They called the "artistic license" as lying, etc, etc, and have convinced some of their listeners that MM is loony. But knowing that the anti-MM film that came out soon after F-911 was soon in the remainder bin, I think it may just be a few freepers who believe this bilge.

[TwilightZone]

8. Because he's a threat.

He's in a position to expose the Bush administration for what they are, and that is unacceptable to them. So, they attempt to discredit him by insinuating that he's nuts.

They use that tactic a lot - McCain, Clarke, Clark, Dean, and so on.

[H2O Man]

10. To avoid discussing

facts and the conclusion one can draw from those facts.

[Al-CIAda]

11. TFor the very same reason Carlyle Group subsequently

bought out the theater chain that showed his film.

[wli]

36. URL's/evidence on that buyout?

That's super-creepy.

[Al-CIAda]

46. The Carlyle Group Buys Loews Cineplex Chain

http://www.sf.indymedia.org/news/2004/06/1697664.php

[hobbit709]

12. Because the loony right

is projecting their looniness onto us.

[tabasco]

13. Elementary school name-calling. Nothing more.

The base responds to this.

[AlCzervik]

14. Because it's easier for them to be in denial over the facts

i've heard conservatives also argue that things in Flint "weren't nearly as bad as Michael Moore portrayed them"

[AJH032]

15. Not everyone is distancing themselves...

Joan Baez
"In the end, if we manage to get out of this without either World War III happening or whatever other scenarios this administration has for us, it'll be because people kept doing things like making statements, signing petitions. It'll be because the Michael Moore's out there didn't quit." (San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/17)

Drew Barrymore
"I never come to premieres, but I'm so here on this one. I'm looking forward to this more than anything in the world." (USA Today, 6/10)

Tony Bennett
"For a documentary to win over every other film in the Cannes Film Festival is unheard of, so he's quite a genius." (KXAN-TV, 6/15)

Mary J. Blige
"I have to vote this year. After seeing that movie, I can't do anything else." (NY Times, 7/6)

Big Boi of "Outkast"
"... urged people 'to take time to catch Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11.'" (Africana.com, 7/15)

Princess Caroline of Monaco to Michael Moore
"My mother would have been so proud of your movie." (Detroit Free Press, 5/21)

Bill Clinton
"I think every American ought to see it." (Rolling Stone, 7/13)
"As far as I know, none of the facts in the movie have been refuted. That is, I think the evidence in the movie is accurate." (Nova TV (Dutch), 7/14)


Mario Cuomo after watching Fahrenheit 9/11 3 times
"I was convinced that it should be viewed and reflected upon by as many Americans as possible... especially young people who, in a few years, might be part of our military forces. I'm committed personally to the proposition, as more than just a lawyer, that everybody should see this film." (Chicago Sun-Times, 6/17)


for more, go here:
http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/fahrenheit911/quotes/celebrity.php

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. Because he lacks finesse.

He reeks of partisanship and doesn't try to hide it.

It's okay, as long as he's not trying to preach outside the choir.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

35. As if every rightwing talking head DOESN'T reek of partisanship?

Yeesh!

[renaissanceguy]

37. Well of course. Don't you remember?

Only right-wingers are "fair and balanced."

[The Backlash Cometh]

43. Well, there you are.

You're comparing him to a rightwing talking head. That's my point. They see him as the looney left, the way we see Rush Limbaugh as the Looney right.

And it's a shame, because Michael has done his homework. It's his delivery where he loses his following. I've had people dismiss him because he dismisses himself. He doesn't hide the fact that he's partisan. And that's enough to close some people off.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

45. On the other hand, Moore scares the right wing (so they have to vilify

him) because he is so clearly not a "pointy headed intellectual."

Therefore, they have to inoculate his natural constituency (other people from a working class background who are more or less discontented with the status quo) before they have a chance to be "contaminated" by his films.

[Liberal In Texas]

18. Demonization. Pure and simple. If you don't march in lock-step with the

"loony right" then you are evil. They love to make the leap in logic that it is "accepted" that MM lies and then that Cindy by association is being "run" by the "organized leftists".

And, by the way, the use of "leftists" is just a little code word to the faithful that means Communists. McCarthyism at it's best.

[pa28]

19. Think back to the Academy Awards.

He spends thirty seconds talking about "fictional war" and the media, Republicans and even quite a few Democrats vilify him. As it turns out he was more right than we knew.

One more thing. I think it's interesting the RW smear machine has made Michael Moore radioactive yet Bush 41 lets Rush Limbaugh stay in the Lincoln Bedroom and Bush 43 calls Rush a "national treasure".

Where was all the hyperventilating in the media about "aligning with extremists"?

[BeachBuckeye]

20. because of his effectiveness

He has shone the light of truth on them and they prefer the dark as most cockroaches do.

[Individualist]

21. He's not afraid to tell the truth

Reich wingers detest truth.

[EST]

22. Here's the code.

Telling the truth is a "liberal," left wing thing to do. Invariably, you'll find anyone who stands for truth, in all its naked splendor, blood and guts, hairy armpits and give no quarter is looney left.
Lying, cheating, torturing, killing, oppressing, borrowing , wasting, hating, disparaging, pretending, hanging, imprisoning, eating shit, child molesting, wife beating, warmongering, to make you sick-that's genteel, right wing love.

Hypocracy in a splendid tool for correcting the defective thought processes of the poor misguided "lefties" and is the highest calling of the r/w, and if that doesn't work, they will move you on to your premature meeting with god. After all the L Ls are a danger to themselves and others and the world will benefit so grandly without us.

[txindy]

23. Because he tells the truth and they can't deny it, so they attack

The more shrill the names, the more accurate and significant the object of their hysteria must be.

[MrSlayer]

24. Because it makes it easier to dismiss the truth he tells.

If he is attacked that way, people won't listen to the message. Simple enough.

[niallmac]

25. The " Loony Left" is part of the label campaign

to intimidate any real opposition IMHO.
DLC? "OH TAY! you guys are a wus namby pamby nice pretend liberal group."
Actual opposition party that openly and proudly presents some very socialist ideas like universal health care? "Loony loony your crazy, Rush get em, get im Rush sic em!"

Be sure Loony Loony Loonys
on the Label Label Label.

[blm]

26. Because the GOP controlled media deemed it necessary.

Like Kerry is an aloof flipflopper. And Dean is crazy. And Clark is the perfumed prince. And Edwards has the gravitas of the Breck Girl. And Kucinich isn't taken seriously. And Clinton is a liar. And Gore is a liar. And Bill Maher is a traitor.

You know the drill.

[JaneGat]

27. Michael Moore has been a champion for civil rights for years,

and there is nothing *co hates more than that.

[Proud_Lefty]

28. Michael Moore is effective and can take Bush down

I waited anxiously to see how the right wing would defend themselves in their actions brought out in F911. They didn't address any of those questionable actions. Instead, they started their infamous spear campaign, demonizing Moore as unpatriotic, a hater of America and hater of the troops, the exact opposite of who he really is. I heard Moore speak and I walked away with a deep sense that his heart is bigger than life and his soul is heaven-sent. He threatens the liars and crooks with his truth and sarcasm, and the only way to defend themselves is to discredit him as a horrible being to their sheep of people who won't think for themselves, and thus, people refuse to listen to him or watch his movies. Dumb shits, all of 'em.

[dogman]

29. He has exposed the idols of their religion.

He has revealed corporatism and icons ranging from the neocons to Heston. This is the height of audacity in a fascist's world view.

[earth mom]

30. They smear the messenger because they can't refute the message.

:puke:

[FreedomAngel82]

31. Cause he tells the truth

And the truth is their worst enemy. They're using him to make her look uncrediable to people.

[Junkdrawer]

32. He touched the Third Rail - He talked about the Saudis and 9/11...

And that's a No-No.

[Mr Rabble]

33. To discredit him- plain and simple. nt

[DanCa]

34. They hate men of peace look what they did to Jesus

In all seriousness of O'reilly and Hemaphrodite Hannity bother you as much as they bother me just do what I do and dont watch or listen to them. And than you'll notice how much better everything is.

[tlsmith1963]

38. Because He Stands Up to the Powerful

MM isn't perfect, but who is? The thing is, he stands up to the powerful people who are ruining this country, & they don't like it. I just don't know how MM can keep doing it, since they attack him so much. But he does. He is one brave person.

Tammy

[kodi]

39. because you have to be looney to question the excesses of capitalism?

moore is an economic populist. it scares the shit out of the wealthy, investor class

[Cleita]

40. Because they are afraid of him.

He is the one person who could expose them and their lies, stealing and cheating. So if they discredit him, people won't believe him. I tried to lend my step daughter and son-in-law my DVD copy of Fahrenheit 911. They wouldn't take it because they said he was a looney. I asked them how they could make such a statement if they hadn't seen the movie, but they said their friends said...sigh. I'll bet none of the friends saw it either, but this is how it works and it's effective.

[Hubert Flottz]

41. They do that to anyone who tells the truth...

[otohara]

42. Because They Say it Over & Over on a Medium Who Gives Them A Free Reign

and as much time as they want to bash liberals.

[Libby2]

44. Because he tells it like it is.

[Douglas Carpenter]

47. he is a social-democrat

It is enough that the right has to fight of corporate-democrats--that's bad enough for them. Here is someone who actually challenges the currently acceptable range of debate in MSM circles.

_______________