  Predictions for Today Prediction We predict that Fred will continue to misrepresent "Fahrenheit 911" for a while. He'll probably keep calling it "Fahrenheit 7-11" and he'll probably keep thinking, "Fahrenheit 7-11 instead of Fahrenheit 911, Now that's funny! " Follow-up The other day Fred pointed out how NBC had debunked Fahrenheit 911. It ended up he was referring to a "truth squad" report by Lisa Myers.
We mentioned it urlLink yesterday and after searching around for a bit we found a transcript. It was used as one of the segments on the June 25th edition of " urlLink Countdown " on MSNBC (a program we generally like). In its entirety, here is the transcript: NARRATOR: The true story that will make your temperature rise. LISA MYERS, NBC CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): But how true is it? The film‘s sometimes embarrassing video of Bush administration officials is authentic.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “FAHRENHEIT 9/11”) JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL (singing): Let the Eagle soar. (END VIDEO CLIP) MYERS: Though some argue certain shots amount to cheap shots. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “FAHRENHEIT 9/11”) GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers. Thank you. Now watch this drive. (END VIDEO CLIP) MYERS: The powerful story of Lila Lipscomb, whose son was killed in Iraq, is also undeniable. But, on other key points, critics say this so-called documentary is either wrong or deliberately misleading.
The war in Iraq, to drive home the point that the children of the powerful aren‘t dying in Iraq, Moore ambushes politicians on Capitol Hill. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, “FAHRENHEIT 9/11”) MICHAEL MOORE, FILMMAKER: Congressman, Michael Moore. How you doing? (CROSSTALK) MOORE: Good. Good. I‘m trying to get members of Congress to get their kids to enlist in the Army and go over to Iraq.
(END VIDEO CLIP) MYERS: But Moore left out what Congressman Mark Kennedy went on to say. REP. MARK KENNEDY ®, MINNESOTA: My nephew had just gotten called into service and was told he‘s heading to Afghanistan. He didn‘t like that answer, so he didn‘t include it. MYERS: Bush and the Saudis. The film trades ties between the Bush and bin Laden and Saudi royal families, then suggests the Bushes—quote - · “might be thinking about what‘s best for the Saudis, instead of what is best for you.” ROGER CRESSEY, MSNBC COUNTERTERRORISM ANALYST: The Bush family‘s relationship with the bin Ladens and the Saudis had nothing to with do with our decisions in the war on terrorism.
To so say so is simply unfair. MYERS: Finally, Saudi flights after 9/11. The film suggests that planeloads of Saudis, including the bin Laden family, were allowed to leave the U.S. after 9/11 without proper vetting. However, the 9/11 Commission says, “Nobody was allowed to depart who the FBI wanted to interview.” (on camera): One character in this film suggests that President Bush is even worse than Osama bin Laden, one of the excesses and distortions that may undermine the credibility of Michael Moore‘s message.
Lisa Myers, NBC News, Washington. That's it. That's Fred's evidence from NBC supporting his claim that the "liberal media" has now turned against Michael Moore. But did you notice what Fred did? He only mentioned the critical parts of the piece, while editing out everything else (for instance, that the videos of the administration are "authentic" though "embarrassing" and that Lila Lipscomb's story is "powerful" and "undeniable"). Interesting. Fred edits out parts of a story to make a point. But he states that when Moore does that, it invalidates his argument. But Fred, by the same logic, haven't you just invalidated yourself? The Daily Howler has some further things to urlLink say about the Lisa Myers report.
The "misrepresentation" about Congressman Kennedy that Fred mentioned yesterday was, according to The Daily Howler, a gag. In any case, the part that Moore edited out - "that Kennedy's nephew had recently signed up - in no way contradicts Moore's point: That of the 535 members of Congress, only one had a child in the service. Fred, that was the point Moore was making. Posted 8:20am (we're trying to get this in earlier to give Fred and anyone else who's interested enough time to read it) 
