Sean Hannity may sue filmmakers
Filed under: Documentary, Politics, Michael Moore
Director Peter Greenstreet's documentary This Divided State, which covered the controversial plan to
bring Michael
Moore to the ultra-conservative Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah, has raised the ire of Sean Hannity, who was brought to the college in response to Moore's
scheduled appearance. Hannity says he plans to sue the filmmakers due to this footage, which, quite frankly, makes him
look like a complete jerk (actually, "jerk" isn't the right word, but I'm trying to keep this family
friendly). You can also watch the first 26 minutes of the documentary on the official web site. While the clip shows Hannity being cheered by huge numbers of
conservative students and being asked questions by the handful of liberals in attendance (who are often shouted down by
the crowd), there's nothing especially "political" about it. Its intent seems to be an indictment of Hannity
himself, but what it really reveals, to me anyway, is the sorry state of political discourse and what happens when
emotions take over and people begin to block out differing opinions entirely. And, needless to say, that happens at
both ends of the political spectrum.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-03-2006 @ 7:58PM
Robert Newton said...
Actually, we reviewed this film back in November:
http://www.cinematical.com/2005/11/05/dvd-review-this-divided-state/
Reply
3-03-2006 @ 11:00PM
Christopher said...
What could he sue for? First off, Hannity is a public figure. Also, if they can prove that Hannity was paid what the documentary claims through the use of news clips (audio), I don't see what right he has to sue. And why wait so long? This film has been widely available for some time. Sounds like someone's ratings are low, if you ask me.
Reply
3-04-2006 @ 5:19AM
Matt said...
It's a cultural civil war in the
United States--left vs right; red state vs blue state.
Nothing will get accomplished as long as one side
berates the other. It comes from a simple rule
"Do onto others as you would have them do onto you."
Now unless you enjoy being instigating fights between
left and right, maybe all these men and women can reevaluate your stance,
you know, make some peace.
Reply
3-07-2006 @ 5:41PM
rob said...
He ought to sue. The film is chopped up and edited so that the scenes are out of order. Justifications for the things Hannity says and does, and for the reaction to some in the audience has been clumsily and unskillfully edited so that the liberal question askers appear as though they are being shouted down. I've seen Hannity's events, and while is does toe the party line terribly and is often irrational and incapable of justifying his position even when he is right, he scolds audiences for booing liberal visitors, and I've never seen an event of his as negative as this one was portrayed.
If he has film of the event, and he probably does have them all recorded, the makers of this film are about to be in the poor house.
Too bad liberal America cannot make their point without dropping to dishonest tactics like this film and the works of Michael Moore. What would normally be the voice of caution and conscience in our society has become a radicalized society of paranoid conspiracy theorists.
Reply
3-07-2006 @ 6:06PM
MFLUDER said...
Actually, Rob, the filmmakers included 45 minutes of Hannity's speech uncut and unedited on the DVD as a special feature. They did the same thing with Moore's speech. I'm assuming they did this to address critics like you. If you go back and watch the unedited version, Hannity's speech is just as terrible.
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