Michael Moore discusses his upcoming Fahrenheit 11/9

[tomhagen]

[lark]

1. Can't wait to see this!

[mountain grammy]

2. He's right about this..

I will see this film as soon as possible.

[msongs]

3. your institutions will not save you.

[Runningdawg]

4. I've watched the trailer

the extended trailer, an interview and read several articles. The phrase "Trump is the last President" keeps popping up but I have absolutely no idea why. Can anyone shed light on this?

[appalachiablue]

5. To me he is suggesting that the presidency has or will morph

into an authoritarian, fuhrer-like dictator or tyrant role for the executive office. When there's basically only one powerful political party, rivals are eliminated, and elections are corrupted and rigged, or not held at all. Undemocratic systems where a president, or leader is not fairly and democratically selected through the election process, the course of many far right and far left authoritarian-run countries through history, in Stalin's Russia, Communist China, Asia, SA, Africa, and other examples.

The obvious model is Hitler, the fascist, white supremacist who maneuvered in 1933 to become Chancellor and then President of Germany in 1934 in what was becoming a one-party state, and dictatorship. (Hitler preferred the title 'Fuhrer', leader). Moore's film includes footage of extreme Trump rallies, Neo Nazis at Charlottesville and more to make associations. I certainly hope that we preserve our democratic institutions, uphold the Constitution and its rights, the rule of law, authentic elections, freedom of the press, independence of the judiciary, the courts, checks & balances, civil liberties and more. These protections don't exist in hard authoritarian regimes & dictatorships.
____
- Variety Magazine. "Moore also described Trump as “the last president of the United States” and includes footage of Trump rallies and neo-Nazi protests. The “11/9” in the title referring to the day Trump was declared President of the United States on Nov. 9, 2016. Moore correctly predicted that Trump would win the White House"
https://variety.com/2018/film/news/michael-moore-fahrenheit-11-9-trailer-1202900649/

- History.com. "As Hindenburg’s current chancellor could no longer gain a majority in the Reichstag, and Hitler could bring together a larger swath of the masses and a unified right/conservative/nationalist coalition, the president gave in. In January 1933, Hitler was named chancellor of Germany. But that was not enough for Hitler either. In February 1933, Hitler blamed a devastating Reichstag (Parliament) fire on the communists (its true cause remains a mystery) and convinced President Hindenburg to sign a decree suspending individual and civil liberties, a decree Hitler used to silence his political enemies with false arrests.
When Hindenburg died in 1934, Hitler proceeded to purge the Brown Shirts (his storm troopers), the head of which, Ernst Roem, had began voicing opposition to the Nazi Party’s terror tactics. Hitler had Roem executed without trial, which encouraged the army and other reactionary forces within the country to urge Hitler to further consolidate his power by merging the presidency and the chancellorship. This would make Hitler commander of the army as well. A plebiscite vote was held Aug. 19. Intimidation, & fear of communists, brought Hitler a 90 % majority. He was now, for all intents and purposes, a dictator." https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/adolf-hitler-becomes-president-of-germany

[Runningdawg]

8. That was my first take on it too

but that would mean Moore has given up on the Democratic process and I just don't believe that is true - yet. Also I don't believe Trump will conquer the whole of America. A portion that seceded? Possibly.

[appalachiablue]

9. With this new film I hope and think that Moore

is calling attention, with a bullhorn! to the real peril that we're in now, of losing our democracy. And perhaps he chose the extreme title and wording about the 'president' to get people interested enough to learn what's exactly going on, the real dangers, since so many are clueless, or ill-informed. And to view the film before the Nov. election to try to change course through voting, awareness, and activism.

The secession issue is a real one, people are sick of the division, different 'cultures' and voting habits especially of the Red-Block Southern states and others, namely the de-industrialized mid-west, as you likely are aware. Here and in media I've seen posts that the US will break into several sub-region nation states, and or the Blue States will ally with Canada. Unfortunately I think this is a sad but real possibility, with grounds. SEE post #7, excellent on the GOP's ultimate goal, the loss of checks and balances, more.

[BigmanPigman]

6. He is correct. I wish the release date was closer to the midterms.

[olegramps]

7. An authorian presidency has been the goal of the Republican Party for the 50 years.

They came close during Bush's administration in which the pushed the theory of the Unitary Presidency. This is the concept that every agency of the federal government is subject to the rule of the presidency. The PNAC neo-cons spelled this out in their plan for the twenty-first century.

They view the separation of powers as an obstructionist hindrance that prevents efficient operation of government and not a beneficial check of abuse of authority. The congresses increasing abdication of their responsibly, especially in regard to use of the military, opened the door for the advance of this concept. The inability to compromise has also been a major factor resulting in grid lock and a corresponding increase in the general population's loss of confidence in the federal government.

It a two edged sword. The Republican's obstruction and their solution to the problem being the capitulation of three independent branches of government and transformation of the presidency will lead to the formation of an authoritarian office of the presidency in conjunction with a cabinet of oligarchs. Their goal is now within reach and the vehicle for success will be the apathy and absolute disinterest of the voters. Can the electorate be awaken? At present it does not appear that there is any genuine concern by the majority. The one surefire way to kill a democracy is the citizens' inattention and lack of emolument with the major issues.

[appalachiablue]

10. Very well said, wd. make an outstanding OP. Hope you consider it, thanks.

[appalachiablue]

11. Trailer, "Fahrenheit 11/9"