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.
Was what CH said just in bad form?
Many of us want to know -- CH is a great guy who doesn't seem to have a mean bone in his body.
Thanks for any consideration you might have for him.
I don't know what CharlesHenrickson's post was about so I can't determine why he was suspended. I only want to add my view that he's always been fair and cordial in all the posts and communications I've encountered. He's a staple at DUFunnies. Please look into whether his dismissal can be reversed.
I hope the VET wins.
He is right and there are MANY who have stated the same. Without being a lawyer or self proclaimed expert though, I imagine Michael Moore (who pretends he's a common guy) will have a huge legal ante rage and can deal with these law suits well. They will hide behind "Freedom of Speech" and 'Expression". They will claim this is a "documentary" and does hence not require any consent of those in the film. They will claim "artistic freedom" bla bla bla. In the end, the burden of proof in on the service member and Michael Moore (The common guy who is anti-establishment) has millions to spend.
The real victims are the soldiers smeared by a slob who personally enriched himself by producing a (documented) factually incorrect film that was over hyped by a media that likes this sort of stuff. Besides, the MSM feeds on each other and Why did this movie win awards in Europe? Because like in Hollywood it told people what they wanted to see. There are many out there who “want” to believe that which he is feeding them. In fact is any Michael Moore film a masterpiece of directing, editing, special effects, or anything else? No, his market niche belongs to a crowd that is attracted by the in your face grotesque obscene color supersaturated full of obscenities 90 minute film. Bowling for Columbine was not done to help the children of Columbine. Was it a factual representation of what happened? It was a movie that was all “shock and awe” like Fahrenheit 911.
Michael Moore is a cadaver seeking vulture. He feeds in reality off of the meek and sick. He uses them to make himself rich and famous. He quite literally has built his existence around other people’s misery and exploiting it. Who are the real victims? We’ll see how this legal battle goes.
I'm rooting for the vet to win against Moore, too. I will be watching this case very closely
Agreed.
We could use more humor around here.
Free Charles Henrickson!
This is a sad day :-(
Funny, most FReepers will rail against, or usually be suspicious of, lawsuits. I guess when folks like what the suit says, or don't like the party sued, it becomes less important whether what is said in the lawsuit has any merit.
As far as the complaint goes, paper will stand anything you can write on it.
This guy was putting his face out there in the antiwar activist community well before Moore found him.
a 'things that make you go hummmm' bump
Please un-suspend Charles Henrickson's account.
A rare fit of pique from a solid FR contributor hardly merits banishment.
I would also request that Charles Henrickson's suspension be reconsidered.
I'm sorry. I made a post I thought was both funny and supportive of the vet, but if I had thought a little longer before posting, I would have realized it could easily be taken just the opposite of my intention. That was my fault. I am not mad at you, Mr. Moderator. You have a tough job to do.
Moral of the story: Think before posting.
It's good to be back.
Then we'd never hear from Laz.
Slip me some tongue.
♫ We gotta get you a women ♫
More wo-man! More wo-man!
you are one class act.
and i have sadly learned thar lesson... multiple times! ;)
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