freedom costs money

How can a book that’s so frightening be so funny? It’s lucky that Michael Moore possesses the ability to make you laugh because without the chuckle factor this book makes for a distressing read. The manner in which the reckless actions of the Bush Administration and their corporate sponsors are chronicled is comprehensive to say the least and could be enough to have some readers heading for the nearest terrorist training camp if not for the fact the book’s central thrust is that their collective anger should be channelled into something positive, namely ousting the Republicans at the next election.

This encapsulates Moore’s greatest skill for me. A central danger of levelling too much criticism at the ways in which western societies function is that of alienating those you are seeking to win over with your argument in the first place. People generally fear what they perceive to be an extremist viewpoint and Moore exploits this natural inclination by portraying Bush & Co as the real extremists, in turn highlighting how his left of centre politics have everything in common with the majority of the American population.

This of course is his who he is targeting and I’m glad someone like Moore has a mass audience in his sights. He has already shown with ‘Bowling for Columbine’ that mainstream society appreciates a hard dose of home truths as much as it does escapism and in an era swamped by big-budget dross it should be remembered as one of the most important films in recent history, not necessarily because it was a cinematic masterpiece but because it conveyed the stark reality of the ‘American way’ rather than glamorising it.

Thus where today’s most important issues are side-stepped and information is often distorted, Moore’s work serves as an attempt to redress the balance and also helps to fill in the massive gaps left by global media networks more concerned by advertising rates and ratings than the merits of true investigative journalism. He reminds readers of the Enron scandal; “one of the greatest corporate scandals in the history of the United States,” which, he argues, should have “resulted in Bush’s early impeachment and removal from our White House”.

In light of the fact impeachment proceedings were brought against Clinton for lying about an extra-marital relationship, an act many would agree might more appropriately result in divorce rather than job loss, the author’s judgement that Bush’s altogether wide-ranging shady behaviour should result in nothing less than the sack is of course perfectly valid. Whilst this turn of events is perhaps unlikely, there is now at least a distinct possibility Bush will lose the election and not least because Iraq has become something of a political quagmire for the Republicans. For this to happen there is an immediate need for a credible opponent and, to be honest, how credible does that opponent really have to be?! Moore’s favourite candidate is Oprah but he offers a more realistic candidate in General Wesley Clark. By picking Clark he is showing the American public that there still exist establishment figures that accurately reflect the majority mindset. Moore argues most people, like Clark, are concerned about the environment, are pro-choice, are in favour of better gun control, do fear that the Patriot Acts pose a threat to civil liberties and do favour a multilateral approach to international disputes rather than “jumping to a military solution too quickly”.

After suggesting Tom Hanks would make a good president or even the Dixie Chicks, the promotion of Clark as a possibility sums up Moore’s whole style. He is always humorous but doesn't allows his own jokes to distract him from the important task of informing the masses and offering practical solutions to America’s most pressing problems. If Bush’s emphasis on the terrorist threat results in the nation supporting him out of fear then it follows that a “friggin’ four-star general” would be best positioned to beat “Bush the deserter” at his own game. If not, President Moore has a nice ring to it........

WILLIAM GRAY