ABC Path to 9/11: No My Pet Goat, Down plays Aug. 6 PDB

[sabra]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003087654

<snip>

But few of its critics have actually seen the film. E&P obtained an advance review copy on Tuesday, and we summarize the film below. It's possible that some changes may have been, or will be, made in this cut.

...

It ends with a long segment on the day of the attacks and top officials' response -- though we only see President Bush in his speech to the nation, not in the Florida classroom with "The Pet Goat."

...


But what about the famous Aug. 6, 2001 "PDB" that warned the president about bin Laden's determination to strike within the U.S.? We see Secretary Rice reading it in private and looking concerned, but we never see the president's reaction.

However, on Sept. 4, 2001, Rice tells officials that thanks to the warnings in the PDB, the president is convinced al-Qaeda is a "real threat ... the president is tired of swatting flies." She seems to advocate taking some strong action and Clarke agrees, but Tenet argues against it. So in this telling, throughout Part II, it appears that President Bush is in the vigilant/aggressive camp, perhaps thwarted by Clinton holdover Tenet.

[KurtNYC]

1. I'm looking at the Scholastic/ABC study guide right now

It has a list of discussion question which include:

"3. Why didnt the United States provide assistance to General Massoud of the Northern Alliance to fight the Taliban? Why did U.S. general ignore Gen. Massoud's warnings that bin Laden might strike?"

Talks about Yousef, talks about Clinton's airstrikes and mentions the media distraction and obsession with something else at the time (clenis). Talks about the interception of an operative during the Clinton admin.

[CoffeeCat]

2. If they downplay the Republican role in this...

...and magnify Clinton's role--that is proof positive that this movie is a total sham.

I believe that the entire nation--and the politicians--underestimated bin Laden. We didn't do enough. Both Clinton and Bush made mistakes.

However, if this movie minimizes BushCo's role in this (they had the damn PDB, Clinton never had a PDB like that!) and focus on Clinton's missed opportunities--then that is sick.

If this movie truly is blatantly slanted against Clinton--and makes Bush look good--then we should be asking bigger questions---like who produced it? Who was in on this?

The effect of a movie like this would reinforce central Rove talking points: 1.) The Democrats are weak on terror; 2.) You need the Republicans to keep you safe from the terrorists; 3.) Be afraid, be very afraid, and rely solely on Republican judgment and don't question their policies (Spying, wiretapping, torturing, lying us into war, declaring war on all of Islam, etc).

I wish I could see the movie--before it airs--so I can understand how partisan it is. If they blame Bush--as well as Clinton--and go after both of them for mistakes--I wouldn't be as angry. However, it looks as if this is nothing but a sick, twisted propaganda ploy placed by Rove to underscore Republican themes going into the elections.

[kurth]

3. Interview with writer/producer Cyrus Nowrasteh

FP: What specific policies and strategies do you think America must apply to win this terror war?
Nowrasteh: The Patriot Act was a huge first step.

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=23865

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'Nuf said.

[seabeyond]

4. didnt dems try to introduce a patriot act and repugs shot it down

to busy going after clintons blow job. lets keep it straight

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. They had to go out of their way to fabricate a bogus deal to make

Clinton look bad, yet they have to ignore tons of actual caught-on-film bush fuck ups.

[ComerPerro]

8. They went way over the top with the complete fabrication, too

Suprised they didn't include a shot of Clinton getting a BJ from Monica in there, and yelling at an aide, "get out of here, stop interrupting me with that BS. This is offical business"

[ComerPerro]

6. I wonder if their version goes something like this

Bush sits in the classroom, suddenly looks uncomfortable and says to himself "My spider sense is tingling".

Just then, Card runs in and says "Mr. President, the WTC has been hit. We're under - "

"I know," Bush says, jumping up and into action. "Sorry kids, I gotta go save the world". He then leaves, ducks into a janitors closet, takes off his glasses and removes his suit, ripping his shirt open to reveal a superhero costume with a Superman-style B on his chest.

He flies off, and races to the WTC, but its too late.

He does, however, find and personally rescue each and every trapped person, no one dies, and he builds a force field protecting the US from any future attack.

[NashVegas]

9. And Ain't It a Shame They Won't Include Peter Jennings' Comment

About Bush being absent that day?

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. WOW, have you considered a career in comics?

:-)

[npincus]

7. Pet Goat: MIA ? AWOL?

Left the building with Elvis?