Those Who Believe Michael Moore ...

[sheepdog]

What FP said... I think we've rode this horse about as far as it'll go. *

*OMG page 5!

[Bold Deceiver]

Here's another question. if Moore did indeed lie.. how come he hasn't been sued for slander or libel?

It's because of a Supreme Court case called New York Times v. Sullivan. A cause of action for defamation is held to a much higher standard (and therefore, is much more difficult to sustain) when the communication at issue involves a public figure, or a matter of public interest.

So for instance, if regular old citizen Bob says that regular old citizen Sue sleeps around, she can probably sue successfully for slander (spoken defamation) or libel (written defamation) for impugning her, err, chastity.

A different set of proof elements usually applies to communications directed toward or involving public figures (like politicians), or private citizens who either voluntarily (or often involuntarily) find themselves the subject of a matter of public interest (like Mary Kay Letourneau, for instance).

BD

[Ferno]

Ferno, as I read it Moore dodn't out and out lie. He created a perception of something suspicious by artful arranging of facts and sly innuendo. It was then left to the viewer to come to a conclusion. No direct lying or slander involved.

So we now can toss the 'moore lies' theroy out the window.

[Ford Prefect]

I also notice that the list is called 59 "deceits" which of course leads people to interpret that as 59 "lies". The technique is the same as Moore uses.

[Will Robinson]

He was deceitful. If you want to interpret them as lies then that is up to you...but unlike Moore's tactics no one tricked you into that conclusion

[Ferno]

funny how that works huh FP.. one side blames the other for something while doing EXACTLY the same thing.

[Otherone]

Un be f'n lievable.

[DCrazy]

Sounds like if the list were titled anything negative at all you'd have your panties in a twist. 59 Deceits, 59 Deceptions, 59 Misconstructions, 59 Ways Moore Manipulates The Viewers' Perception Of The Scene By Only Mentioning Certain Facts, whatever you want to call it. And yes, I did watch the movie.

[Will Robinson]

Using the word 'deceit' to describe something that is deceitful is not the same tactic Moore used! It's not a tactic at all, it's a pretty simple use of the english language without any room for confusion.

If Moore was that straightforward in his movie we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[sheepdog]

Dcrazy,

For my part, I could care less what the list's title is. Do you think Moore lied intentionally? What do you think the motivation for such a lie would be? As an erstwhile New Yorker are you offended because you think that Moore uses an enormous tragedy for his own ends?

[bash]

Cue the Dead Horse pics...

[Tyranny]

tada!

[sheepdog]

ROFL!

Thanks for saving me from myself Bash (and U2 Ty)!