HA ha...
and the RATS take another one in the...
Posted on 06/01/2006 1:09:17 PM PDT by jamesm113
BOSTON (Reuters) - A U.S. war veteran who lost both arms in Iraq has sued Oscar-winning director Michael Moore for $85 million, saying television clips were used without his permission in the anti-war documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" and gave a false impression that he opposed the war.
Sgt. Peter Damon, 33, a supporter of President George W. Bush and the Iraq war, claims Moore misused the footage to portray him "in a false light" and as "disagreeing with the president about the war effort and as disagreeing with the war effort itself."
"It was kind of almost like the enemy was using me for propaganda. What soldier wants to be involved in that?" Damon told CBS's local television news affiliate. "I didn't lose my arms over there to come back and be used as ammunition against my commander-in-chief."
In a suit that also names Miramax Films Corp. and several other film companies, Damon says Moore never sought his consent for using segments of an NBC Nightly News interview with Damon while he was in hospital.
According to the complaint filed in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston and obtained by Reuters on Thursday, Damon is seeking damages for "loss of reputation, emotional distress, embarrassment, and personal humiliation."
Damon said he felt betrayed by the filmmaker, whose "Fahrenheit 9/11" won the top prize at the Cannes film festival and was the highest-grossing documentary ever at nearly $120 million.
Damon lost his right arm near the shoulder and his left arm above the wrist when a tire on a Black Hawk helicopter exploded while he and two other soldiers were servicing the aircraft on the ground in Iraq. His left arm later had to be amputated at the elbow. One of Damon's colleagues was killed.
Michael Moore's film production company was not immediately available for comment. WIFE ALSO SEEKING DAMAGES
"Fahrenheit 9/11" shows Damon lying on a hospital gurney at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland, saying he feels like he has hands that were being "crushed in a vice." He adds: "But they (pain-killers) do a lot to help it," he said. "And they take a lot of the edge off of it."
NBC had originally used the clip for a story about medical treatment being received by veterans.
In "Fahrenheit 9/11," the footage of Damon follows a statement by Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington, who says of the Bush administration: "You know they say they're not leaving any veterans behind, but they're leaving all kinds of veterans behind."
"The work creates a substantially fictionalized and falsified implication as a wounded serviceman who was left behind," the complaint said.
Damon was "supported, financially and emotionally, by the active assistance of the president, the United States and his family, friends, acquaintances and community," it added.
Damon has learned to use his artificial arms with the help of military personnel. Veterans groups have helped to build his family a home in Middleboro, Massachusetts.
In an interview in front of his house, Damon told local CBS television: "The original idea was supposed to be something positive about the treatment we were receiving ... not something to be used in a story talking about veterans being left behind because as you can see behind me I'm the last person who can say I am being left behind," he said, gesturing to his home.
Damon is seeking $75 million in damages, while his wife is seeking another $10 million due to "mental distress and anguish" suffered by her husband because of the film. He said he would donate the money to veteran's groups.
Oh, this is rich! I sure hope Sg. Damon and his wife get all $85 million from Mickey Mouse moore.
I think this is awesome. There needs to be more of this.
I think he should be liable for inciting hatred of our troops overseas.
Suspended.
"I think he should be liable for inciting hatred of our troops overseas"
I agree.
And the disgustingly fat, hypocritical c**k s****r should be given the maximum punishment.
Anyone want in on the "settlement amount" pool on this one? I'm betting Miramax will pay plenty to make sure this nevers sees a court room.
I'm guessing $1.5 mil. and sealed documents--though he deserves more.
Defamation should also be part of it - he was being portrayed falsely.
The Oregon police officer, as well as many others, should also sue Moore for defamation.
Suspended."
OK, see, now that was funny. (Admins do have a sense of humor!)
You disgust me.
Read the last line of the article:
"He said he would donate the money to veteran's groups."
Idiot!
Chris
It says he is donating the money to veteran groups. Hopefully he will be less likely to settle then.
Suspended.
Get some, Admin Moderator!!
This is great news! I hope this guys gets every penny he is asking for.
This is one jury I'd be happy to serve on.
Here's hoping he gets a judgment as fat as Fat Boy himself! Would I ever love to be the lawyer that gets to depose Moore. Asking all kinds of invasive questions would just be too much fun.
Will this be reported anywhere in the MSM? How about 'The Today Show' with its new liberal co-host?
Will all the Sunday Shows bring on this fine soldier and let him speak about Moore's lies?
The answer to all of the above is nooooooooooooooooooooooo.
WHAT did Charles Henrickson say to get himself suspended, even to have the Admin Mod call him a jerk? We are mystified about his suspension over at the DUFUs. He is a core member of the group, and his posts are always very funny, never vulgar, and never combative. We don't understand what's going on!!!!!
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