David Zucker's An American Carol (2008)

[Natureboy]

"Should such an ignorant people lead the world? How did it come to this in the first place? 82 percent of us don't even have a passport! Just a handful can speak a language other than English (and we don't even speak that very well)."

"They are possibly the dumbest people on the planet... in thrall to conniving, thieving, smug pricks. We Americans suffer from an enforced ignorance. We don't know about anything that's happening outside our country. Our stupidity is embarrassing. National Geographic produced a survey which showed that 60 percent of 18-25 year-olds don't know where Great Britain is on a map. And 92 percent of us don't own a passport. "

"You're stuck with being connected to this country of mine, which is known for bringing sadness and misery to places around the globe."

"Should such an ignorant people lead the world? Don't go the American way when it comes to economics, jobs and services for the poor and immigrants. It is the wrong way."

''That's why we're smiling all the time. 'You can see us coming down the street. You know, 'Hey! Hi! How's it going?' We've got that big shit-eating grin on our face all the time because our brains aren't loaded down.''

"We, the United States of America, are culpable in committing so many acts of terror and bloodshed that we had better get a clue about the culture of violence in which we have been active participants.''

Yep, all his films are nothing more than propaganda films.  for the most part though, he has been exposed for what he really is. 

[Dim of the Yard]

Did anybody see the movie yet?

[bettertomorrowamy]

I think you're falling into a trap of taking quotes of Moore's criticisms of America and pretending he only has a negative opinion of America.
Criticism of our Government is Patriotic.  If you don't know what is wrong you can't know what is right.
Basically your saying he's saying, "Blame America First!"  As if America isn't the most powerful and influential nation on Earth.  Where should we aim the blame?  Luxembourg?  That talking point is aimed at ANY criticism of our government's foreign policy blunders.

His movies are propaganda, but shot mainly in a documentary style.  I don't think he hides that he has an axe to grind.  That's the point of the movies.
He's basically preaching to the choir, so why does it bother right-wingers so much.  I think they just need a punching bag.

Now I don't agree with him on a lot of things, but I don't understand the high importance right-wingers seem to like to give to his influence on our country's politics.  It's just silly.

[ScottotD]

I think his heart's in the right place.  As for the quotes, the last 3 sound right to me.

[RobtheBarbarian]

"Should such an ignorant people lead the world? How did it come to this in the first place? 82 percent of us don't even have a passport! Just a handful can speak a language other than English (and we don't even speak that very well)."

So he invisions a world where the oppressed plebians he cares about so much stop supporting themselves, their families and society in general long enough to get a passport and take a thorough trip around the world to expand their awareness so they look better on surveys?

''That's why we're smiling all the time. 'You can see us coming down the street. You know, 'Hey! Hi! How's it going?' We've got that big shit-eating grin on our face all the time because our brains aren't loaded down.''

And people smile because they're stupid.

Such wisdom.

[Tripe]

"Should such an ignorant people lead the world? How did it come to this in the first place? 82 percent of us don't even have a passport! Just a handful can speak a language other than English (and we don't even speak that very well)."

So he envisions a world where the oppressed plebeians he cares about so much stop supporting themselves, their families and society in general long enough to get a passport and take a thorough trip around the world to expand their awareness so they look better on surveys?

See that's what BTA is talking about, that's just silly. People all across the world have passports in large numbers. That doesn't mean they are abandoning their family to gallivant around the world. What it does mean is that they do travel to other countries from time to time.

And you know that's what he means.

Certainly nothing is stopping people from learning other languages, learning another language doesn't mean one is a traitor to the country whose language is your first one.

Phrased another way the intent of the quote isn't a bad one, travel does wonders for one's outlook.

[RobtheBarbarian]

I just don't think that kind of personal growth is best done at the same time as putting one's nose to the grindstone to get the country back to where he thinks it needs to be. Certainly once we're all safe and stable we should expand our awareness of the greater world, but isn't his problem that we're not?

Taken out of context like that it makes him look like he doesn't have any actual plan, just nitpicking and complaining.

[Natureboy]

Guys, this guy (Moore) is not just a Democrat or a lefty, this guy is a radical.  Michael was fired from Mother Jones, the San Francisco liberal magazine because of his extreme views.  Fired from Mother Jones for being too liberal?  That's just unbelieveable, but it is true.

Most Republicans and Conservatives are not threatened by him, they mostly regard him as a clown.  What irritates us is when he flat out lies in his films, like creating false headlines, staging how other countries health care systems work when he damn well knows better, and so on. 

[jewishcarpenter]

It doesn't sound like you guys have a plan to combat this Michael Moore that's so critical of the his own country. It sounds like you're just nitpicking.

[RobtheBarbarian]

That's it, boy. You're in my movie.

[Natureboy]

No, not really, but if you would like.....I will come back with a bushel of facts that prove this guy wrong, but it not really all that important to me because as I said, he is a clown.

[jewishcarpenter]

No, not really, but if you would like.....I will come back with a bushel of facts that prove this guy wrong, but it not really all that important to me because as I said, he is a clown.

I could really care less, Michael Moore has no bearing in my life. I just like being a smartass.

[Compound]

Did anybody see the movie yet?

I did, but I don't feel like pouring gasoline on the fire.

[Natureboy]

No, not really, but if you would like.....I will come back with a bushel of facts that prove this guy wrong, but it not really all that important to me because as I said, he is a clown.

I could really care less, Michael Moore has no bearing in my life. I just like being a smartass.

That's cool......I think most people realize that he has an strange agenda.   

[Hebs]

It doesn't sound like you guys have a plan to combat this Michael Moore that's so critical of the his own country. It sounds like you're just nitpicking.

It's all a matter of the prism you view things with.  If you agree with Michael Moore on some things then criticism of him is just nitpicking.  But if you flip it around, and you don't agree with him, what's to say the other side isn't valid? 

And apparently, yes, the plan was to combat Michael Moore with this movie - it just doesn't help that most great film makers are crazy liberals