Is My Time Up Yet?

After a debate last Friday in which Dubya's most memorable lines were the title line above, and his puzzling attempt at humor, "Need some wood?", the wingnuts are on the ropes and attempting to fight back. Pointy-headed Sinclair Broadcasting, an unabashedly right-wing corporation, have announced plans to show a Kerry-bashing documentary on all their affilites, just before the election. This is to be disguised as "news programming" to circumvent election laws.

Understandably, there has been a flurry of opposition on the web, but no notice on the television networks. I've been trying to keep a thread going on the Randi Rhodes Show Message Board (one of the shows on Air America Radio) and many other sites have taken up the gaunlet. Most of the hope is focussed on the possibility of showing Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. However, some of the postings have taken on a very demanding, do-it-for-me, tone. An example is Anthony Wade's An Open Plea to Michael Moore on OpEdNews.com. I invite you to read this letter, and then read the following that I emailed to Mr. Wade:

Mr. Wade,
I have some comments on your letter posted on OpEdNews. First, I find the tone a bit off. Why is it "An Open Plea"? Michael Moore is not your daddy, so I cannot understand the implication that he is withholding something that needs to be pleaded for. He will take a position on his film's possible broadcast when the options become clear, but this doesn't mean that it is entirely up to him. Everyone has a responsibility in this. And it really isn't a great idea to state, "That film also made you a lot of money," and expect that this is part of a convincing argument. It's actually nobody's business and just betrays an implied envy.
This is not only Michael Moore's battle, it is yours too. Where are the stations that would have the courage to show Fahrenheit 9/11, even if it were handed to them for free? If you think this is a situation that must be changed, then get off your butt and do what you can. Find a forum for the film's exhibition. Then Michael Moore can do what he can.
We are both on the same side of this issue, but I think that many are expecting Michael Moore to do what they could be helping to do themselves. We are all in this, and while some may have greater resources than others, we all have the ability to do something. Michael Moore is on the road right now, where are you?
Harold Marshall