Michael Moore: "Dude, Where's My Country?"

This is apparently a book with amazing powers.

I heard about it first from my aunt, a person whose television set holds the honor of having transmitted every single hideous moment of both the Afghanistan and the Iraqi "military engagements" (whether or not she herself was in the room, or even in the house, to witness the broadcasts), and whose political leanings could, I would say fairly, be described as "reactionary," as in, she formed her opinions "in reaction" to the shock and awe (sturm und drang) constantly playing across her screen.

Even before I was hearing talk within the uber-political set of Michael Moore's most recent political manifesto, my aunt had sent a copy to my grandfather, in florida (yes, the most renowned of the "swing states"), who had started off by enthusiastically becoming more and more incensed, only to put the book down halfway through, with a mixture of horror and respect, declaring it "too much." (It should be noted, as a point of information, that my grandfather and his wife work as poll attendants at their local polling place, even in midterm elections; and also that my grandfather has historically been a great fan of the author Tom Clancy, although to his credit I must add that he will basically read anything handed to him.)

Now my father: accountant; tail end of the baby boom; was starting to do the natural thing and go conservative until GW came on the scene, at which point he reverted fully to his previous left-leaning allegiances. Not only has he read the book, but he bought two extra copies to lend out. A political discussion cannot be had with the man without reference to this genius opus. "Six hours," he insists. "Just spend six hours and read this book."

No, I haven't yet. But with these recommendations, I surely will.

And that's where my little story would end, but there's one more thing. Apparently Mr. Moore has suggested in his book that everyone donate their "tax cut" to efforts dedicated to ousting GW. (Three cheers for irony! Nobody ever said Mike didn't have a sound sense of humor to recommend him!) And Moore himself, that self-effacing reluctant millionaire, proposes to do the same with his cut. On his website he solicits suggestions for local candidates he should send money to, and for "the names of any groups who are working toward the kind of change we all seek" (this whole everyone-knows-it's-true idea is apparently at the root of his book, so we can forgive him for being a bit subjective here). Which is to say, I guess:

1/ This might be a good book.
1a/ Maybe it's worth reading.
2/ Michael Moore is apparently gaining in popularity among the casually political.
2a/ The idea that interesting leftist figures, who had previously been fringe even to the fringe, have suddenly gained credibility among the sturm-und-drang crowd is, I think, remarkable.

But what does it mean?

Posted by Palabris at February 11, 2004 11:46 PM