Students should see this documentary before the military recruiters get them!

I think that Fahrenheit 9/11 had indirect political influence and had both intended and possibly unintended social impacts.

The documentary has enraged and educated some who can take the information and inspiration and turn them into ideas for action. For example, blogger Don McNay reemphasizes Moore’s observation that only one Congressperson has a child in the military and that most soldiers do not come from rich families. McNay encourages blog readers to help allow military families to send packages to soldiers in war zones for free. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/fahrenheit-911 However, there was no bill number mentioned, and I assume that there is no proposed legislation yet.

Linda Milazzo, in her post “Step Up to Mike’s Challenge” directly forwards more of Moore’s calls to action and is grateful for Fahrenheit 9/11 and his other works. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-milazzo/step-up-to-mikes-challeng_b_316619.html
The way she discusses Moore is reminiscent of the way Flaherty is discussed in Aufderheide’s book Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction. Perhaps that is because Flaherty was known for the bond and affection he had toward those he filmed; it seems that Moore also has a bond and affection for many of those he films -- especially working class poor in Flint, Michigan.

I do not think Fahrenheit 9/11 was solely preaching to the anti-Bush choir, although he probably knew that this choir would support him at the box office. It seems that the documentary was also meant for folks like Lila, the mom who was a staunch supporter of the war until her son died. I think Moore wanted to reach the Lilas of American before their sons and daughters went to war. I don’t remember the previews for this movie, but I hope that it showed a clip of Lila putting up her flag to encourage flag waving war supporters to watch the movie.

I could see why some may argue that Fahrenheit 9/11 is propaganda, which Aufderheide explains is “made to convince viewers of an organization’s point of view or cause.” In one sense it like the propaganda documentary Listen to Britain, which “celebrat[es] ordinary people” however, Fahrenheit does not have a happy ending and was not made to boost national confidence. Part of Fahrenheit is similar to Triumph of the Will, which focuses on one person, Hitler, in that it focuses on George W. Bush (although focusing on how he is a weak leader and has been less than intelligent for much of his life). Fahrenheit has the opposite purpose of Why We Fight, which explains why the war should or must be fought, and, instead, explains why the war in Iraq is bad. While Fahrenheit may be propaganda in that it clearly attempts to convince the viewer of certain things, it is also informative as are public affairs documentaries.