On location

This past weekend I went to see Michael Moore's documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11" (I wasn't going to go originally, but last weekend I rented "Bowling for Columbine", also by Moore, which I heard was good, and was actually so impressed I decided I was then going to see "9/11", too). Like "Columbine", I thought it was very well done: didactic and entertaining. However, it seems since the movie's release much criticism has come out against Moore seeking to damage his (or more specifically, the film's) credibility by implying that he "twisted" truths, etc. Well, fine, but perhaps the ones calling him “liar” are themselves lying, or rather “twisting truths” to defend against Moore’s criticisms. Maybe everyone's lying. I'm so confused now and I really just couldn't say. I do believe it to be unlikely that Moore flat-out lied, so there must be at least some truth to what he says. Taking that in mind, at many points during the movie I believed that we as a nation should seriously look at the Iraq situation and reevaluate if we're over there for the right reasons.

I don't really want to talk politics. I would like to discuss about when I got most excited during the movie...when I saw footage of places I practically lived! The Hyatt, Watergate, Kennedy Center, Saudi Arabian Embassy, State Department...etc...they're all in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. I told my friend, Zach, I was going to see the movie ahead of time. He said as I watch it I'll go "oh wow, I was there, like, yesterday...” He was right!

I was passing the Watergate on the walk back from the movie theater and I didn't think, "Oh, here's the place from the movie!" I had excited because they used clips of landmarks in the area that I lived. I then thought how funny it was that I placed ownership because I "saw it" first.

In contrast, back home I'd often see footage of Rockefeller Center in New York (NBC has their studios there). Whenever I go there now I think, "Hey, here's what they show on T.V.! I'm really there!" On the other hand, if for some reason I lived in a cardboard box there my whole life and finally saw NBC Nightly News television footage I'd think, "Hey, that's where I live!" and then get all excited.

OK, it was a pointless observation.

The movie also made me thing about something else: Some of the movie was focused directly against Saudi Arabia. Now, the film mentioned the Saudis have heavily invested in Citigroup, which owns Citibank, which has a close partnership with Columbia University (my future school) and is actually giving me the loans that will help me get my graduate education. So, apparently I'm (and everyone else attending are) in league with the terrorists...?!? Gee, I hope that doesn't get out. When I'm campaigning for president or something some "truth-twisting" documentary maker or more-likely reporter trying to get a quick buck will point that out….! If that bit of information in “9/11” is correct, then I suppose there technically would be a money trail…no matter how much of a stretch it would be. It is ludicrous, but that’s “truth-twisting” for you.