Dear Mr. Moore:

My name is Paul Wein and I am a resident of Brooklyn, New York. I am also a writer of a column called, “A Penny For My Thoughts,” which I have written since 1997. I worked in the OEM Command Center immediately following the attacks of September 11th and lost my best friend, Douglas Farnum that day, who I dropped off at work.

I frequently visit your website and loved Fahrenheit 9/11. Like you, I believe that “President” George W. Bush is lying to the American people and using his political power and influence to provide himself and his “base” with wealth, while allowing those who do not share his views to fend for themselves. I feel that his invasion of Iraq and his slaughter of our young men and women is for nothing but control of that country’s oil and the continuous expansion of Halliburton. And further, I feel that the decades-long ties between the Bushes and the Bin Ladens is a terrifying partnership that not many people knew existed – and I commend you for making so many more people aware of it.

On September 11th, I did the same thing I always did, I picked up Doug at 6:48am and drove him to work. I dropped him off in front of the World Trade Center and watched him close the door of my car and walk away – not knowing it would be the last time I would ever see him. Then, when the first plane hit, I ran outside and stared at the burning tower, unsure if my friend was still alive. After the second plane hit, I made my way toward the buildings hoping that Doug would come running out – but instead – I watched from a block away as Tower #2 collapsed, followed by its twin only twenty-nine minutes later.

On the way home from the worst day of all of our lives, I asked myself the same question over and over again, “Who could have done this…and why?” No matter the level of hate in a person’s heart, I will never understand how Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts can justify what they did in their minds and souls. Further, I can’t understand why “President” Bush would fly the family of the suspected mastermind of this atrocity safely out of the country.

Following 9/11, I detailed President Bush as a Public Information Officer on November 11th, the three month anniversary of the atrocity. My mother caught a glimpse of me on New York 1 walking next to George W. Bush as he shook the hands of the workers at Ground Zero and told me how proud she was of me. Then, when I told her that “President” Bush shook my hand as I told him I was honored to have him as our President – she was even more proud of me.

Now…I am ashamed of myself.

If I could go back to that moment, I would ask him why he grounded every single American who wanted to fly home – including his own parents – but allowed the relatives of the man responsible for the attack safe passage out of “harm’s way.” I would demand that he explain why My Pet Goat was more important than our wounded nation – and I would plead with him to step down – and let someone who cared about this country, its people and its future lead us through its darkest hours.

The first time I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 was with my mother. As we watched it, I could not believe all the things I was hearing. I have to admit that before I saw your film, I was not aware of much of what you brought to light. From the Bush/Bin Laden/Saudi triangle, to each family’s respective interests in The Carlyle Group, to the “Coalition of the Willing” – to the Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline – I thank you so much for opening my eyes to show me the real “President” George W. Bush. I compare your movie to the 1988 movie They Live, where you could only see the world for what it really was through a pair of special sunglasses. Except while They Live was a sci-fi fantasy – your movie is frighteningly real.

I want you to know that I have shown Fahrenheit 9/11 to countless people, including my friends, co-workers, and family members. I even played a special lunchtime showing of it on my laptop on Election Day – and actually changed a few votes – I’m sorry that it wasn’t enough.

In addition to this letter, I have also attached a few columns that I have written about our esteemed leader, which I hope you will appreciate. I also heard that you are currently in production on a sequel to Fahrenheit 9/11, which I eagerly anticipate. In closing, I just want to say, from one writer to another – and from one American to another – thank you. Thank you for making people aware of what their Government is doing, thank you for not being afraid to tell the truth – and thank you for making me, “take the red pill.”

And don’t forget, in just 1,367 days – you’ll be able to tell “President” Bush to, “Go find real work.”

Sincerely,
Paul Wein