Fahrenheit 9/11 - Documentary Analysis - Essay Example

Fahrenheit 9/11 - Documentary Analysis Fahrenheit 9/11 is a documentary that unravels the grand conspiracy during the advent of terror on the 11th of September 2001, and the subsequent Iraq and Afghanistan invasion. The aim of this paper is to analyze the efficacy of the movie Fahrenheit 9/11 in relaying the intended message. The setting is 2003 and the events of 9/11 are exhibited. The viewers get ample insight concerning the onset of terror in America. Americans and the world at large were horrified at the magnitude of terrorism (Fahrenheit 9/11). It was inexplicable how human hatred could lead to such destruction. The world joined Americans in mourning. The Bush administration promptly declared war on terror and pertinent legislation (The Patriot Act) was enacted. This legislation allowed for indefinite detainment of terror suspects, and surveillance of phone records, personal property and business premises. Moore has utilized this factual data to make a persuasive argument thereby appealing to the logos. According to the movie’s argument, the Bush administration preyed on this emotional turmoil and fear of terror to endorse the Iraq invasion. This was to fight terror and put a halt to the infamous weapons of mass destruction. As the movie progresses, this conspiracy comes to light. Right from the beginning, President Bush is portrayed as a villain with the backing of the white supremacist elite in America. Just before the advent of terror, the first scene concerns the controversial election tussle experience during the 2000 election. This strategy forms a good background to plant the seed of doubt and to familiarize the viewers of hidden powers working to serve the interests of the Bush administration. As events unfold, these hidden powers and conspiracy will come to play. The viewers will rightfully establish a connection between the disputed Bush election at the beginning of his tenure and the manner in which he executed legislative manipulation to violate the constitution throughout his tenure. To establish this point, the movie deliberately gives a partisan account of the Florida election tussle and the manner in which it was dubiously given electoral votes. This tussle and the manner in which it was resolved is tantamount to grand fraud. Al Gore was wrongfully denied victory. Conversely, President Bush manipulated his way to office (Democrats.com 1). Yet again, Moore uses factual data to appeal to the logos. This beginning is appropriate and forms a good basis to further assassinate the character of President Bush and his entire administration. By the end of the movie, most viewers will believe the role of these hidden powers and grand conspiracy perpetrated by the Bush administration (Fahrenheit 9/11). The scene of the disputed election transcends to the events of 9/11. The screen goes black and this represents the destruction caused by the plane crash. The viewers miss the horrific attacks, but only get to view the aftermath (Fahrenheit 9/11). However, this is tactful for a movie intending to downplay the state of terror. The images of such attacks would be permanently etched in the minds of viewers. In addition this would influence their decision to support the way the Bush administration handled the disaster. It is beyond doubt that this omission is deliberate in swaying the viewers to minimally appreciate the terror attacks during 9/11. For such a grand documentary intended to cover 9/11 and the onset of terror, mere shattering sounds should not suffice to symbolize a plane crash. Needless to say, this footage is readily available. When the first plane crashed into the world trade centre, there was mayhem as the building fell apart killing numerous people. By-standers were appalled as rescue teams went in to retrieve survivors and corpses. The president is duly informed and at the time, he was in Florida and making his way to call on kids in an elementary school. However, Moore shows an indifferent president who casually takes in the news and continues with his scheduled activities. This is simply incredible as even non-Americans were startled by the news and were deeply troubled as they took time to digest the news. An American president is expected to play a proactive role and cut all scheduled business in order to address the imminent crisis. One cannot help wonder if President Bush was aware of the unfolding events. This can explain his lack of shock and indifference. Moreover, Moore paints the picture of an irresponsible and incompetent president who does not prioritize important national matters over trivial issues (Fahrenheit 9/11). For most viewers, the question in mind is, “Why isn’t the president making or planning an immediate response?” Moore fully succeeds in planting this seed of doubt. Later we see the president being informed of a second play attack on the World Trade center. Moore’s choice of words is ingenious when we see the president being informed that the nation is ‘under attack’. Still President Bush can be seen reading a book. He was not shaken up and hence the question in everyone’s minds, “what kind of president is this?” He had sworn to use his powers to protect the citizens. However, the only rational explanation is that the president is well aware of the unfolding events. According to Moore, this rightfully points to a scam involving high profile people including the president and hence a grand conspiracy. The 9/11 attacks are discussed and Moore is quick to accuse the administration for illicit dealings. He alleges that what appears is not real and events have been orchestrated to serve personal interests. At this point, these allegations are incredible as they have never been substantiated. However Moore provides interesting facts. President Bush has oil interests in Texas. According to Moore, President Bush is intent on acquiring oil interests in Iraq. Hence, the pursuit of weapons for mass destruction is just a facade. Moore goes ahead to explain of an intricate relationship of the Bush family with the Saudi government, Bin laden family and even the Taliban (Fahrenheit 9/11). This piece of information is outrageous. It can only be in the movies! Some viewers might deem this as fiction as it is too scandalous to be true. One cannot help but wonder at the credibility of this information. However it is not disputed to date .There is also a scene where the Bin laden family members are whisked from the country. How can a president who has issued a man hunt for Bin Laden secretly protect persons who might lead to the capture of Bin Laden? President Bush spearheaded the enactment of the Patriot act to allow for the detainment of terrorism suspects. Again, it is hard to believe alleged facts but the Bin Laden evacuation happened. However according to Moore, it is a well guarded secret. There is some truth in the conspiracy but Moore seems to be go overboard with his allegation of a Bush-Bin Laden scam. Bush just preyed on people’s fear to advance his interest but was he was certainly not in cahoots with Bin Laden. This allegation is simply incredulous. However, at this state, viewers are bound to be critical of Moore’s information in light of known facts. Some might partially agree whereas others might fully agree. One thing is for sure, the viewers‘curiosity has been aroused and they are bound to authenticate the authenticity of Moore’s facts. Most interesting, are Moore’s allegations of a proposed oil pipeline to link America and Iraq via Indian Ocean. (Fahrenheit 9/11). During the state of terror, President Bush is seen publicly declaring war on terror. All Americans are in solidarity and they support the president. The Al Qaeda radical terror group claims responsibility for the 9/11 attacks and United States army invades Afghanistan to eliminate the terrorist group. Moore heavily criticizes the Afghanistan invasion and points to it as a cover up that will serve Bush’s personal interest (Christodoulou 1; Polya 1). The Iraq invasion follows when intelligence information emerges that there are weapons of mass destruction. However, Moore points to the well known fact that no such weapons were recovered. This reaffirms the view that the invasion was for a mischievous purpose. In addition, the administration deliberately gave falsified and non-authentic intelligent information. Vice-president Cheney used the CIA to fabricate information that indicated the presence of these weapons. A Special Plans department was created to serve this purpose. Immediately after futile attempts to retrieve these weapons, Lt. Gen. Conway issued a statement citing his lack of success in recovering the weapons. He asserted that the weapons were non-existent (Socialist Worker 1). The Iraq war wrecked havoc in the country. Moore’s attempt to exhibit this shows a happier Iraq before the invasion and a war-torn country after the invasion. He tries to incorporate pathos in the portrayal of happy accounts by Iraq civilians before the invasion. This is established via interviews with Iraqi civilians. However, this is distorted information for the viewers who are well familiar with the atrocities perpetrated by the Saddam regime. However, it is true that the invasion has triggered the uprising of radical anti-America groups thereby heightening insecurity. In addition, President Bush’s agenda to ‘export democracy and human rights’ does not hold. The horrifying accounts of prisoner abuse by the American military are frowned upon by Americans. This has tarnished the image of America internationally. The disrespect of the Koran and humiliation of detainees has further triggered the uprising of extremist Islamic groups. In this respect, Moore succeeds in using ethos to make a persuasive argument of the inhumane Bush administration. In addition, the war is a financial burden for the Americans and viewers resonate with this. Most Americans want the troops back (Hornberger 1). Generally, the public has long criticized the war especially upon realization that there were no weapons of mass destruction. Viewers agree with Moore’s criticism of the Bush administration. However, Bush remains firm and does not regret his decisions. Throughout his tenure he reaffirmed his agenda to fight terror. Even during the 2004 Republican convention to endorse the presidential candidature of George Bush, memories of 9/11 were reincarnated. Moore demonstrates the conspiracy of the Bush administration to justify a war and unconstitutional acts (Fahrenheit 9/11). Moore highlights the Patriot Act to prove his point. The law violates America’s ideologies and the fundamental freedoms of citizens (Department of Justice 1). The law allows the detention of suspects even when there is no prevailing evidence and such persons can be held for an indefinite duration. This creates a loop hole for civilian harassment by law enforcement agencies. In addition, one’s home and business premise can be searched in the absence of a court order. Unwarranted surveillance can be executed by security agencies on telephone conversations, financial records and e-mails. The United States government has powers to spy on its citizens in the pretence of fighting terror. Moore appeals to the logos when he presents the injustices of the Patriot Act. In conclusion, the movie manages to highlight the manner in which President Bush acted with impunity. Viewers get insight of a grand conspiracy to initiate terror for personal gains. The administration capitalized on this fear to pursue the interests of high profile individuals. Events of 9/11 are upsetting and more shocking is the mischievous conduct of security agencies. Most noteworthy is the Bin Laden evacuation as this information is not in the public domain. This occurred despite the temporal halt of all flights. This expose by Moore convinces viewers of a grand conspiracy by the Bush Administration. Works Cited Christodoulou, M. US invaded Iraq and Afghanistan via WMD Speculations; Iran Next? 16 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. Department of Justice. The USA Patriot Act: Preserving Life and Liberty. n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. Democrats.com. Gore Won Florida! n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. Fahrenheit 9/11. Dir. Michael Moore. Perf. Michael Moore, George Bush, Ben Affleck. Lion Gate Film, 2004. Hornberger, J.G. Conservative Responsibility for Iraq and Afghanistan. 20 Mar. 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. Kinane, E. Why Did the US Invade Iraq and Afghanistan? 20 Feb. 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. Polya, G. 9th Anniversary of US Invasion of Afghanistan: 4.9 Million Afghans Dead. 10 Oct. 2010.Web. 20 Apr. 2012. Socialist Worker. Bush's Case for War Exposed. 13 Jun. 2003. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. Read More