Michael Moore Smears Chris Dodd
I haven't seen Michael Moore's new movie, but Howie Klein has, and while he praises it, he excoriates Moore for dredging up the discredited Chris Dodd Countrywide story, which has been picked over to death, with nobody finding any impropriety.
First, everyone who has seriously looked at the claims of a sweetheart deal has dismissed them: the Senate Ethics Committee; an independent compliance firm; the (not exactly Dodd-loving) Hartford Courant. And not once, but twice.
This is not the definition of the word "is." The man got a mortgage. He was told that he would get enhanced customer service, and assumed it was because of his good credit score. He got the exact same mortgage rate that anyone else buying a mortgage at the time would have gotten. He didn't know the CEO of Countrywide, nor anything about a Friends of the CEO program [...]
Why does this feel like, in the interest of being able to sit on Leno and say, "I went after Democrats too!," Moore passed up the real story here? It would have been really powerful if he made the connection between the bullshit allegations about Dodd and the banking industry desperately wanting to put the breaks on important housing and foreclosure legislation that Dodd was championing in the Senate at that very moment. Well, mission accomplished assholes, excuse me, the Sheriff is here to foreclose on my house (is it possible its the same one from Roger and Me? Oh, the irony) [...]
All in all, still love Moore, still want everyone to see the movie, but kind of wish he hadn't decided to jump ugly with one of the most progressive Senators in the Senate -- the guy responsible for the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Credit CARD Act, who voted for cramdown, worked to make that disaster of a bankruptcy bill better, then voted against it twice, voted for a 15% cap on interest rates, and is co-sponsoring another cap that is likely to come up again, is a leader on direct-student-loan reform, is in favor of a consumer financial protection agency and stripping the fed of some of its regulatory authority, and just last week introduced legislation to reign in the diabolical overdraft fee practice-- all stuff, if you are keeping score, which Moore clearly wasn't, that banks would rather paint a hammer and sickle on their walls than accept! I wish Moore hadn't got played like a three dollar harmonica. He should donate the 10 grand to Dodd's campaign.
It appears that the premise of Moore's film is that banking interests have taken over the government and prevented any meaningful regulation on the industry. Dodd's case can be an example of that, but not in the way Moore thinks. The banking lobby has consistently kneecapped him, with old charges that have a Whitewater quality to them, with all the same innuendo and the same lack of factual detail, right at the moments when Dodd was trying to get things passed to crack down on them. Dodd could have given away the Banking Committee Chair to completely-in-the-pocket Tim Johnson, but he didn't. And in the last few days, Dodd has introduced the aforementioned legislation to end the practice of banks charging overdraft fees on debit cards automatically, with 1000% interest, instead of giving customers the opportunity to have a transaction denied; introduced a plan for a single bank regulator that is at odds with the Obama Adminstration and his House counterpart Barney Frank, as well as being hated by the banking industry; and has taken the lead on weakening the power of the Fed, which is deeply desirable. In other words, despite the many slings and arrows, Dodd is basically doing the job Michael Moore would expect someone in his position to do, and doing it with gusto. He should be commended and not smeared.
Not everyone on the Left is convinced that Mike has been 100 per cent honest--or helpful--in the making of his documentaries.His is definitely an "end justifies the means" approach which should always be taken with a grain of salt.
Whats the Bob Dylan line? "Don't follow leaders"?
The gist being that "leaders" are invariably in it for themselves as much as for the movement.Ah well,I still like me some Mike Moore too,but with certain caveats.
"To me, truth is not some vague, foggy notion. Truth is real. And,
at the same time, unreal. Fiction and fact and everything in between,
plus some things I can't remember, all rolled into one big "thing."
This is truth, to me. "
-Jack Handy
Yes, Mr. Moore has an agenda. All documentarians have agendas, even if they claim not to.
Election 2012: Be Educated! Be Active! Vote!
www.PhoenixJustice.com
Moore has even stated - yes he has an agenda. He has a point of view. Documentaries without a point of view are just grade school films for your social studies class.
has been honest 50% or more of the time?
“Why would anyone with a functioning brain believe this guy?”
Some guy with an eating disorder
That leaves us the other 50 percent of the time which he is wrong..
Are you saying that Mike is the same as the politicians talking about something..
Sounds like a Rush , Beck , Hannity or Fox story.... Well at least Mike got the name right...
Why are persons like Harry Reid which is the senate leader always left out of the picture...
Never seem a person switch sides so fast ,,, depending on what sounds or is best to keep his job..
None
leaders. I don't need to be led. I need to be represented.
The idea of needing leaders or that those in DC have earned such a title is repugnant.
Having or needing leaders implies that one cannot get to to where they are going on their own.
In fact, by calling them leaders, we may be responsible for giving them the idea that they are somehow superior to those being led.
Nope...and they would do well to drop such asinine assumptions ASAP.
Not slamming you, just using your post as a jumping off point for my view.
the good 'ol days when us mortgage holders and charge-it consumers
were blamed for charging and mortgaging.
We knew which butter had the side of bread on.
recession as well. I still have not forgiven those who caused that.
“Why would anyone with a functioning brain believe this guy?”
Some guy with an eating disorder
call me in the morning.
with his film Roger and Me.
“Why would anyone with a functioning brain believe this guy?”
Some guy with an eating disorder
Kabuki Cinema movie ad for Roger & Me found deep in a dictionary a few years ago.
You know, you could probably come up with a neat word game using that.
“Why would anyone with a functioning brain believe this guy?”
Some guy with an eating disorder
He has to put something in there critical of democrats otherwise he's just a partisan hack. It all ties in to this fallacy of balance. If he failed to demonstrate that dems were JUST AS MUCH in on the game, he would be accused of lacking balance or objectivity, even if in this case, truth happens to favor them.
Rachel Maddow goes after the Blue-Dogs much more effectively...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#32976447
Micheal Moore America's Leni Riefenstahl?
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-1449-Dalla...
Well that was unpleasant.
I can't take that much Libertarian nonsense in one sitting.
"To me, truth is not some vague, foggy notion. Truth is real. And,
at the same time, unreal. Fiction and fact and everything in between,
plus some things I can't remember, all rolled into one big "thing."
This is truth, to me. "
-Jack Handy
In other words, despite the many slings and arrows, Dodd is basically doing the job Michael Moore would expect someone in his position to do, and doing it with gusto. He should be commended and not smeared.
and howie of course... all well said...
Evet seems to have an axe to grind with Dodd, so I was looking forward to see what she has to say on this post. Check back tomorrow.
Sicko was so-so.
Even in Farenheit 9-11 Moore put too much emphasis on the Saudis.
Bowling for Columbine was okay....Moore did not addreess the black market of gun sales enough in that flick.
I will not go to this movie. I am from CT and Chris Dodd has helped me in ways Michael Moore could never do.
I will be boycotting this movie.
why not go, see how moore presents his argument, then write him with your disagreements
and what do you mean that too much emphasis was placed on the saudis in f 9/11....who the fuck do you think has been financing world wide terrorism and al quaida?
please dont tell me that you are a troofer...if you are...do boycott moore's movie
I reject the framing by the West and people like yourself about Arab and Islamic cultures.
The Saudi Government practices political and economic repression of its people in a very closed society supported by the United States.
The dissidents in Saudi Arabia DO NOT SUPPORT Its own government. If the people of Saudi Arabia had their way, this monarchy set up by the United States would be out of power.
It is obvious you and others in America are ignorant about the political situation in Saudi Arabia.
You and others whom claim to hate the mainstream media surely accept their anti-Arab framing without ever really ever reading about the real situation there.
The United States has a RACIST FOREIGN POLICY.
As for 9-11, I am not convinced of the "offical version" told to dumb Americans about what really happened that tragic day.
Who financed and supported the mujihadeen in Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s? The United States.
Who financed and supported the war of attrition in the Iran-Iraq War? The United States!
The United States runs the Schools of the Americas training right wing Fascist leaders to repress the people in Latin America.
The United States is the cause of many world problems. The U.S. has had a big hand in creating this so-called "terrorism."
But as many do, you opt to blame the Saudis for the attacks on 9-11. Learn what the concept of "blowback" is before you run your mouth again.
He uses a firehose instead of a scalpel, and he basically sprays voter repellent wherever he goes. This Dodd routine is something people like Sirota and Hamsher do ... the types who brought us Nader, because no Democrat is ever pure enough.
Whatever my feelings about the people you have named, or the type you think they represent, they did not bring us Nader.
Nader brought us Nader. And he will keep on keeping on until his little rear mounted engine or suspension fails him on a cold morning.
“Why would anyone with a functioning brain believe this guy?”
Some guy with an eating disorder
I saw Fahrenheit 911 and Sicko in the theater. Both of Moore's films actually drew stand-up applause at the end of each. I've never seen any movie in my life have that effect on people. I hope Capitalism brings the same response.
In regard to Sen. Dodd and Countywide, I suspect Michael Moore to either back up his claims or retract is accusations, either on his website or in person. Now that there are comments on the Progressive blogosphere, I doubt Moore will leave this to chance.
As far the US Senate is concerned, I feel it's one of the most corrupt institutions on the planet. The gravy train of campaign contributions is nothing more than legalized bribery.
I don't know the whole story, but he was promised "enhanced customer service" and assumed it was because of his credit score. Really? You didn't think it was because you were a powerful Washington politician? I have a bridge I'd like to sell you...
I'm sorry, I just don't believe a career politician wouldn't take advantage of his position. Govt. officials have checked it out, but they're the same people who take advantage in exactcly the same way. It would make lots of trouble for them if they didn't cover up for him too. Politicians--Crooks and Liars, every one.
he shouldve gone after the entire dem party...who sat idly by, knowing full well that the more the repukes fucked everything up, the more chance they would get at regaining power
FUCK THE DEMS TOO
btw, as a baseball fan...i love dodd, who has insisted that norwich, which is losing its aa team, will get another one by next season...although it may be short season
Whose spouse briefly went to country club fed prison for tax fraud, the Rep's signature was also on the co-signed tax declarations.
Corruption and cronyism is rampant in Washington.
facts speak for themselves. He's ALWAYS got to introduce some bogus element, which then allows his critics to dismiss the entire work as fictitious cherry-picked anecdotes.
He is a lousy film-maker and no friend of the American people.
And different partisans will see different facts as bogus.
If MM had done a complete documentary on Washington corruption, it would have to be a dekology with new additions released every few months.
Moore just pisses people off who can't stand seeing the dirt his films bring to the surface. It destroys some aspect of their beautiful minds. JohnF, you need to get out the house more.
America is beautiful, but she needs a lot of help to bring back her luster, and Michael Moore is the man for the job.
... for banks and insurance companies. This is math.
Remember that filibuster against telecom immunity? Probably not, 'cause it never happened.
Sorry, but what the hell is with Howie lately?
Which corporate Democrat will he shill for next?
Corruption favors the wealthy.
Yeah he talked a great game on that immunity for telecoms bullshit, and when the rubber hit the road, he folded like a cheap suit...
.. on both dday and Howie supporting Chris Dodd. I confess that a big reason I couldn't post them is because they were so profanity laced. I don't like to swear here mostly because I don't do it very well.
But WTF guys? Follow the money. If you do, and Chris Dodd is still your guy, then I've been wasting my time reading you both (and I read, and have read, most of what both of you have put on line for quite a while).
Follow the money, please, ... and, until you do, please stop calling Dodd "one of the most progressive Senators in the Senate."
On what fucking planet? Seriously, when a cocksucker ponders what life could possibly be like if it were better, that cocksucker is still proud that at least it's not Chris Dodd.
Corruption favors the wealthy.
BURN THE HERETIC!!!!
I'm sorry but Chris Dodd isn't above this type of criticism, and you're naive if you think he didn't get favors from his position.
Saying the Senate Ethics Committee found no wrong doing is a fucking joke, because they haven't found any wrongdoing, with their own, in quite a long time.... This is the same Ethics Committee that found nothing wrong with Tom Delay, and a myriad of other scum bags. It's a club, and we're not in it.
Michael Moore is an ASS!!!!!!
Why didn't Moore go after the Banking Committee Chair who held that job in the six years during the Bush administration?
Dodd got to be the chair when the Dems won the 2007 elections.
It is absurd and short of logic to dismiss the impact that the Republican Psrty's Banking Chair from 2000-2007 had on this present crisis.
To say because Dodd got some loan and so on is the reason for the banking problems is not only absurd but ignorant!
As a Dodd constituent I have to say that I find the way he has been treated appalling. He's the strongest, most progressive voice that CT has right now. We have to deal with that jackass Lieberman as our other Senator. The way things are going Dodd may lose his seat to a Republican former house member. Dodd has been directly involved in pretty much all progressive legislation that has come out of the Senate but people in his own party still want to tar and feather him. It's a lot of misdirected anger and it's going to hurt the Democratic Party.
Chris Dodds a liar, the man who denied adding loopholes to allow bonuses for AIG execs, and then later admitted it. Dodds just another corporate stooge, who's overstayed his welcome in the senate like most senators.
Moore's not one to go after someone unless theres something to go after.
Dems can be just as crooked as repugs.
agree'd
the point is they are BOTH selling us out.
It's not just to the banking industry either.
most dems ARE as crooked as the repigs.
the fact that chris dodd is labeled a progressive illustrates exactly why america is swirling around the bowl right now.
I'm always amused when people defend some politician they like. "Hooray for our side" as CSN said. Anyone in it for as long as Dodd with that exposure to BIG BIG MONEY, with a few rare exceptions maybe - is a crook.
...the one seen in the car, the same one seen here getting evicted from his home?
See in the clip above starting around 1:08 and then look at this clip...
... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffing...
With my limited knowledge and after reviewing articles, I found myself favoring Senator chris dodd's proposal slightly more then Frank's and President Obama's.
If you knew every electronic financial transaction that goes down, you'd be in a fairly good position to capitalize, I would say.
Complexities... like to many cooks in the kitchen often lead to poor quality, due too a particular ones taste. Everyone is afraid of losing their cushy jobs, with related benefits. In almost any case I can think of, a synergistic approach, though challenging to institute, is always more productive and profitable and reduces things slipping through the cracks. You think the Fed aka the Federal reserve... a quasi governmental body would have your concerns first in mind or theirs?
Just remember to keep in mind that the US Treasury is us, our government and like I said the Fed is a quasi governmental entity that loans us money and and controls it accordingly.
When the Fed's board of governors flatly refuse to cooperate with the administration... you know there is somthing going on. Do you admire Grayson of FL. at all, see what he is doing with regard to the fed. You don't think the Fed knows what financial institutions are stable... ya ever tell a friend about a good deal? Thanks dday
PS. Please correct me, if I'm wrong.
Study the symptoms not the virus...
Living in Rural Missouri, I probably won't get to see the movie until it comes out on DVD; I don't think it's playing within a hundred miles of me.
(When I do see it, I'll be sure to keep this business in mind.)
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