Michael Moore Hates America (But I Don’t Hate Him Anymore)

Speaking of the old days here on Dean’s World, some may remember I used to be extremely critical of Michael Moore in a rather intemperate fashion. Well I’m still critical of the guy, but I’ve gotten to where things don’t make me angry much anymore. A friend of mine on Facebook recently tagged me with a Michael Moore video bashing Newt Gingrich and the Republicans from back in the ’90s, and I thought, “you know, rather than get mad, which is pointless, why don’t I try to share with him?” I did a little searching and lo and behold, I found this gem of a film from 2004 is now free from Hulu:

I found upon re-watching this film that it’s even better than I remembered. I’ll never be quite sure about filmmaker Mike Wilson’s choice of title, and I’m not sure he was either. It’s such a sweet, decent film, it’s hard to stay mad at people like Michael Moore (or his right-wing ideologue counterparts) after watching it. At least for me. Sure it bites at Michael Moore pretty effectively, and should help people who think things like “Oh I know Moore stretches things sometimes but he’s just overzealous and a little sloppy.” If you think that you’re underestimating him and fooling yourself. He deceives in a way that can only be explained by deliberate intent or outright derangement. I don’t think any honest liberal or leftist should ever use this guy as a source for anything. But I think the same of any number of right-wing voices who give me the willies, and this film seems to make that point pretty well, and is a good exercise in understanding that no matter how smart you think you are, you can still be fooled.

There is an argument made near the end of “Michael Moore Hates America” which defends the view that the extreme whackjobs (like Moore) actually are just part of the game and should be accepted as such, like the people who go to football games with their skin painted and big wigs and stuff like that. Maybe. But in this context it bugs me. When I was in my 20s and early 30s I thought politics was fun and games, but to me, over the last ten years especially, I don’t feel that way anymore. It’s too serious, the issues too big, and deceiving people is a terrible thing to do. Letting yourself be deceived, and letting your friends be deceived, simply because you like what you’re hearing or reading may be worst of all. Yet when people don’t want to hear that you think they’re being deceived, what do you do? I guess you have to put what you can out there and hope they’ll listen and otherwise leave it in God’s hands.

Anyway, what a great little film, and I’m so glad it’s free now. Watch it if you get a chance, no matter what your stance on Moore.