Fahrenheit 9/11

Described as “a man who is trying to unseat a presidency” by Entertainment Weekly, it’s quite obvious that Michael Moore was not a fan of George W. Bush. In previous documentaries and in Fahrenheit 9/11, Moore has used rhetorical moves. He has a biased approach and even talks for people. One example is when he stated thoughts that he believed were going through George W. Bush’s head when it became known that the US was under attack on 9/11. Moore doesn’t tell the real story, but instead gives his own biased opinions.

In Fahrenheit 9/11, Moore continuously talked about George W. Bush’s vacation time. He even used country music in the background when Bush was seen on a farm, which can cause one to interpret Bush as the all American guy.  The beginning of the documentary shows Bush and other political leaders having their hair brushed and makeup applied, implying that they are pretending to be something they’re not. Bush and the other political leaders are no longer sincere, and the rhetoric device calls for sincerity.

Although Moore isn’t seen that often in the documentary, he is talking throughout most of it. The voice-over in documentaries usually state true facts, but Moore’s voice-over states personal thoughts. This is a rhetoric device because most people would not question the facts, or in this case thoughts, of Moore.

On Native Soil

It is still surprising to see videos on 9/11. I was too young to remember what happened that day or what i was doing;although I didn't see the terror that day, I saw it growing more and more the older I got. The shivers sent down my spine when I think about it. The people jumping from the burning buildings, the wailing heard in the streets from the footage. listening to the survivors talk about the events on 9/11 are really real and you can see the expression on their faces makes someone who was dazed wake up and wish they could help. for the longest time i strayed away from asking if anyone in my family was hurt during this event for the sole purpose of not bringing the sadness out locked away like a suppressed memory. I can’t wait for the day that some people who were really affected by 9/11 don’t assume just anyone with darker skin color or a certain religion could potentially terrorists.

On Native Soil - Information Before 9/11

In 1995, the CIA was told about possible hijacking of planes that would head for the World Trade Center, the White House, and the Pentagon. The US knew about Islamic extremists and even ignored the Phoenix Memo, which stated that Al Qaeda was taking flight lessons in America.

        

After 9/11, the families that had lost their loved ones wanted to know the truth. They tried for a commission, but were denied by the White House. After gaining support from John McCain and Joe Lieberman, the families tried again for a second commission and finally received it.  

        

The families found the testimonies hard to believe. Both the FBI and CIA denied hearing anything about planes or bombs. It became known that airports received 12 warnings from the FAA about hijackings. But the airports were not given the tip off list from the FAA, which included some of the names of the hijackers.

        

Had the FBI and CIA listened to the warnings and information they received, there could have been investigations on Al Qaeda and other possible terrorists before 9/11 happened. During the commission, the FBI, CIA, FAA, and airlines should have told the full truth. While I believe that there should have been investigations, I do not believe that the US should have targeted all Middle Easterners and gone to war with Iraq.

Post on 9/11 film On Native Soil

I don't really remember September 11th, 2001. I was only four at the time and was more focused on what type of snake was in the back yard than I was about terrorism. I do have flashes of the day: the news showing footage of the buildings collapsing, and my mother crying while she talks to my father on the phone, afraid that his LA office building might be attacked as well. I remember there was no school that day and my dad came home from work because anyone working in buildings near airports were given the day off, just on the off chance that it would be hit. At the time, I didn't understand what was happening. I was not affected by the attacks.


On Native Soil brings me back to that day. But this time, I am fully aware of what is happening. My heart pounds in my chest as the planes hit their targets, and I bite back a scream of horror. I put myself in the minds of the victims, trapped in the building. Their fear washes over me and I see myself in the hallways filled with rubble and flames, the smoke and debris in the air choking me as I struggle towards the stairs. I can feel blood running down my temple and arms and the dust settles in the open wounds. I can hear the screams of my co workers as they panic. Fear makes them forget any sort of logic. I see my assistant jump out the window. We are on the 85th floor.


I feel tears forming as I come back to the present.
I cannot think of a way to conclude it. Normally I am not very emotional, but the footage has shocked me into silence and added a tremor to my voice.
Even after all this, I still believe going to war against Iraq was incredibly wrong. War in general is.
The people who did this did need to answer for it.
What upsets me that somehow most of the Middle East had to as well.
This was one group of people attacking a country. The US should have just gone after the terrorists, and left innocents unharmed.

Being LGBT

I am not straight. I haven't been for a long time. I identify as pansexual. First let me answer to some rather rude comments I have heard:
1. I am not attractive to pans.
2. No I am not attracted to everyone.
3. No I am not sexually promiscuous
Pansexual is derived from the greek prefix "Pan", which means all. Again, I am not attracted to everyone. What it means is I am attracted to all genders, be it female, male, transgender, gender fluid, agender, etc. To boil it down, I do not like one gender more than another. I am attracted to people.

But enough about me.

Sexuality and Gender is a hot topic right now. Sure the Supreme Court made gay marriage legal, but that doesn't mean we are out of the woods.
If anything, it has gotten even more difficult to be LGBT.
Kim Davis and other Americans have reacted in the only way they can: laying on the floor like a petulant child, screaming and crying while saying "It's not fair!"
They are like toddlers, upset that they didn't get their way.
Every day on Tumblr and Facebook, I see my fellow LGBT friends being attacked with arguments that make no sense. Even then, they still hurt.

I went on a crusade last year to try and reason with a homophobic Facebook page. All I got was insults, which kept filling up my notifications till I was curled up in a ball, willing back tears. I was never going to let them know they succeeded in hurting me. I was blocked by them, and amazingly did not care.
Even though they thought they had gotten rid of me, I still took a screenshot and revealed their immaturity to the world.
But these small victories only help short-term. The next day, they go back to spewing their hatred and condemning anyone who sees that to be successful is to accept that there are people who are different, and that it is ok.
The neanderthals can keep whining. The intelligent people will shoot them down again and again until there is finally equality.
Who knows when that will be? One year? Two? Three? Twenty? We don't know. But one thing we do know is that we will win someday.
-Freddie