As the elections draw closer many students are craving information concerning the past and present policies of President Bush. A few weeks ago there were several showings of the Michael Moore film “Fahrenheit 9/11,” but the controversy and propaganda surrounding this piece may have dissuaded many from considering it a valid critique of Bushʼs policies.Now another film concerning the Bush administration has made its way to Sykes Theatre. Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear, and the Selling of American Empire” explores the Bush administration and reveals its many misdoings in a way that Michael Moore never could.
This documentary was created by the Media Education Foundation to reveal how the Bush administration and their radical section of the Republican Party have used 9/11 to promote their overly militant political agenda towards U.S. foreign policy. It explores how neoconservatives have been struggling since the Cold War to increase military spending and expand U.S. power worldwide through drastic military force.
According to the film, Bushʼs administration used the fear and panic brought on by the destruction of the twin towers to put into action aggressive policies of American intervention on a global scale. They did this, though at the expense of American civil liberties with such legislation as the Patriot Act. Social programs at home have also suffered because of increased funding for the military.
The documentary says that this change was made possible by manipulating the American people through fear and false intelligence caused by the hysteria of 9/11. All of these points were also touched on in Mooreʼs, film though so one could still question why exactly this new film is any more valid than the propaganda offered in “Fahrenheit 9/11.” First, the interviews conducted in the film are with more then 20 prominent political observers.
Even Lt. Colonel Karen Kwiatkowski, a powerful leader among those at the Pentagon, says that she witnessed first-hand how the Bush administration used the anxieties created by 9/11 to set into plan a foreign policy that led to the invasion of Iraq. She notes how this plan had already existed in the minds of leading members of the Bush cabinet such as Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz.
“Hijacking Catastrophe” proposes that these men had the preset goal of U.S. military domination well before Sept. 11, 2001 ever occurred, but that event gave them the catalyst they needed to put it into action. The American people were victims to the deception and lies of an administration that preyed on a frightened public at its weakest moments, according to the film. The invasion of Afghanistan, Bushʼs violation of United Nations Article a straightforward and educational manner that truly forces the viewer to rethink everything they think they
know about the current 51, and the capturing of Saddam Hussein were just some of the topics explored in this one hour documentary. The violations of the Bush administration are presented in political landscape.
The information is well organized, powerful and interesting, which is a rare combination in a political documentary. Whether you are a supporter of Bush, Kerry, or still undecided, this film is a must-see. Everyone who calls this country “home” owes it to themselves to be exposed to this view of our current administration. Agreement is not necessary, but in a democracy, ignorance and a lack of knowledge can be a deadly combination. So, as Election Day looms nearer, it would be of great interest to all students to witness this fascinating film before going to the polls this November.
“Hijacking Catastrophe” will be shown on Oct. 6 at 12 p.m. and again on Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. All screenings take place at Sykes Theater and tickets are not necessary.