LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[July 7th, 2004] FAHRENHEIT RISING

I am writing in response to David Walker's review of Michael Moore's film Fahrenheit 9/11. Walker recommends the film in part because, Walker believes, viewers will learn valuable information from it. While Walker does acknowledge some of Moore's shortcomings as a filmmaker, he ultimately defends Moore from critics who contend that Moore is loose with facts, essentially on the grounds that whatever efforts Moore takes to include false information are offset by the mainstream media's failure to critically question the Bush administration. Walker says, "What you choose to do with these facts matters less than that you've obtained information that has been kept from the public."

This analysis misses the point. How do we know which of Moore's "facts" are actually facts? It is not the viewer's responsibility to decipher truth from fiction, to distinguish accurate information from false.

Allowing the filmmaker to manipulate information in order to persuade the audience detracts from the film's power as a true documentary and instead makes it little more than propaganda. The fact that Walker happens to agree with Moore's message does not detract from his responsibility as a film critic to hold Moore to a higher standard.

Frank Medeiros
Tigard

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE

Willamette Week's recent article about Starbucks ["Why Can't Starbucks Get Any Respect?," May 26, 2004] laid out some great reasons to support the company. Here's another one: Commitment to community service.

Starbucks is an avid supporter of Loaves & Fishes Centers, the Meals-On-Wheels People. Its staff deliver Meals-On-Wheels throughout Southwest Portland. The company also donates generous amounts of day-old pastries to the seniors who come to the Southwest Loaves & Fishes Center for coffee and companionship each morning, as well as the volunteers who deliver meals from the center.

In addition, Starbucks' staff volunteered to help Loaves & Fishes build its float for the Starlight Parade (and even brought coffee for the other volunteer float-builders).

These are just a few examples of the company's support for local nonprofit organizations and services. This dedication to a business ethic that places a high priority on community service is well worth the price of a cup of Starbucks coffee.

Zoraida Andreakos
Manager, Loaves & Fishes Southwest Center
Southwest Capitol Highway