"Michael Moore one of the most overrated writers" - Guardian Opinion Piece

[Screaming Lord Byron]

And no, I don't agree, so don't flame me for it. Flame David Aaronovitch

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,1088297,00.html

[Eric J in MN]

1. I agree with that review

I haven't read Michael Moore's latest book, but I read some of "Stupid White Men."

When I checked on a study he wrote about in "Stupid White Men" which concluded that college seniors at our top universities are ignorant of American history, the study turned out to exaggerate its results.

The press release from the organization which did the study wrote that most of these college seniors don't know that James Madison is "the father of the Constitution," but left out that they chose Thomas Jefferson, instead, which isn't a bad answer.

Also, Moore's website described Russ Feingold as the only person to vote against the Patriot Act, when he's actually the only Senator to vote against it, but Congresspersons voted against it as well.

I agree with that review that Moore strive for greater accuracy, instead of just saying that because he's doing comedy, it's ok. His books generally aren't sold in the Humor section.

[el_gato]

18. splitting hairs and nitpicking

if you don't have something more substantial than that i can only laugh at you.

[dani]

2. okay that was

a lame article. It's nice how he started off by completely writing off any repression against "unpatriotic" people that has occurred since 9/11. Then he used the label "radical" for Moore. Whatever.

[Eric J in MN]

4. just because authors in America can still write books

Just because authors in America can still write books doesn't mean that other people aren't subject to dubious prosecution.

[La_Serpiente]

3. I have heard that characterization of being the Rush of the left

Do I agree with it? Fairly somewhat. Some of his sources are dubious. He is also, at times, intelectually dishonest. I appreciate him for all that he has done, but I really don't want him to be the standardbearer of the left. I would prefer much more Al Franken or David Corn.

[Capt_Nemo]

5. I would take Aaronovitch's criticism of lefties seriously

If he wasn't a closet likudnik and a PNAC cheerleader.

[brainshrub]

6. I agree with the review

But I love Moore. He's a fun public speaker & his movies rock.

That's one of the differences between us and the Right wing. We admit it when our heros suck at something.

[roughsatori]

13. Me too, I love Moore, but agree with most points of the review

His books really are "comfort food." They are easy to read, breezy, and at times a lot of fun. Of course Moore's prose does not rank with Orwell, Swift, or Miller--but no one is making that claim (which the reviewer seems to imply). Though Moore uses Ann Coulter's and Oxy-Rush's defense when he deflects accusations of falseness with the "I'm a satirist."

I don't need to pretend that he is an incredible writer to enjoy him.


I do think the reviewer uses the same techniques he is berating when he brushes off the new breed of political oppression that IS occurring in the USA.

[Az]

7. Moore is like Kevorkian

He has the right message but he is a bad messenger.

[Terwilliger]

15. who would you prefer?

nobody? Better to just shutup than to be controversial?

[mmonk]

8. Have to say

I've enjoyed "Dude, Where's My Country?". I prefer his style sometimes to Franken's when Franken tries too hard to be funny though I like Franken's research. I have no complaints with Moore because I know what I'm getting.

[Eric J in MN]

9. I know what you mean

I know what you mean about parts of "Lies and the Lying Liars" where he tries too hard to be funny.

For example, in his discussion of Alan Colmes, he jumps from factual statements to a joke-paragraph of Colmes mopping floors at Fox without a proper transition.

[KG]

10. not sure even MM pictures himself a 'writer'

he's a satirist and populist rabble rouser. and trying to get the message out sometimes involves hyperbole and exaggeration.

he pisses off conservative idiots and that's a good thing. :)

[Terwilliger]

11. Some right here at DU!

2 for 1!

[KG]

12. yes, quite so.

:)

[roughsatori]

14. The conservative idiot contingent is growing daily

at DU. Their masks bearing self-proclaimed labels of "centrist" and "moderate" seem to be slipping off more and more. :shrug:

[Screaming Lord Byron]

16. Yoo demmocrats r a bunch of trayteross barstads.

Oh, sorry. Mask slipped.

[roughsatori]

17. It is funny, but the people I REALLY think are the stealthy republicans

do frequently join threads and write: "Even I have been called a Freeper." It is so outrageously funny to me at times. But with the widespread use of ieSpell-Check they are posting correctly spelled threads these days. :)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

19. Damn it. I often reply on atrocious spelling.

to out freepers.

[Egnever]

21. Thats kind of funny

In this thread. Considering MM has a high school education and admits to terrible spelling and gramar.

I guess MM is actually a Freeper.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

23. That's right. Thank you for confirming my suspicions.

[veganwitch]

20. interesting coming from the guardian

the guardian is leftie but also just truthful.

i skimmed the article and definately agree with the comfort food issue.

the reason why havent read lies, dude, or any of the other current leftie books is because they will tell me what i already know. however, they generally are good for their references.

i read the culture of fear by barry glassner (which is where mike got the idea for BfC) which was very good.

im trying to go back to primary sources, histories, critical studies etc. so i can get the info and make my own soundbites.

[LittleApple81]

22. But we know we don't read him as a great writer. REPUGS think Rush

Limbaugh is a great thinker.
There lies the difference.