I'm so lucky to live in one of the "hot swing states". I have been given the dubious honor of receiving in The Denver Post a free copy of a "Pre-Release" of Obsession (sub-titled, Radical Islams War Against the West). I haven't watched it yet but it is no doubt a "Be Afraid...Be very Afraid" chickenshit propaganda piece.

Here are a couple of links for further reference:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/13/81...029/784/597/206

http://popprog.blogspot.com/2008/09/clario...-terrorism.html

This really belongs in the religion section, but on the matter of this film itself, even the producers and promoters of it fail to do themselves any favors, by engaging in all of this hysterical hyperbole, rather than having a serious, DISpassionate discussion about the theology involved, and it's consequences.

In terms of movies trying to tackle this issue, I think this one is a thousand times better:

http://forums.therandirhodesshow.com/index...?showtopic=6925

People's panties are already in a bunch. No need to twist them further, just to get your point across.

I hate films that beat people over the head with their "message", and this "Obsession" one appears to use a giant club.

I received a free copy of this DVD via [b]The Sunday Oregonian[/b]! What the hell is the MSM trying to do!

I carefully watched the total DVD which begins with statements that Radical Islam is different from moderate Islam, but leaves you with the feeling [FEAR] that "no Muslim...is good, because they are hard to tell apart.

The MSM is blatantly Pushing this "message" that we are all in DANGER of our LIVES! That this radicalized format is all around us. Who can we trust, BUT our government ! It's the samo-samo FEAR FEAR FEAR ! And it's blatant propaganda of the NEO-CONS!


My question and yours should be , WHY is this 2006 DVD is being sent around the country --FREE of Charge...by, in my case, the OREGONIAN. And done so , just 39 days before the elections.
What are these turkeys trying to do? Stampede the lemmings in voting for a "cancer filled, worn out lying wreck of a REAGANITE, who wants to Expand the War in the MIDDLE EAST. Click to view attachment

"GET those Radical Jihads before they get us". Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

I agree. There's no question that radicalized Islamists are a political problem to be taken seriously.

Unfortunately, that's a matter this hype-filled DVD over-sensationalizes and hardly handles dispassionately.

Sending out Obsession is not a plot of the MSM, or directed toward swing states. It was an advertising suppliement paid for by private parties and distributed on a national basis. It is also not "Christian." As Seeker point's out "There's no question that radicalized Islamists are a political problem to be taken seriously.

Unfortunately, that's a matter this hype-filled DVD over-sensationalizes and hardly handles dispassionately. " But I don't think it pushes Christianity.

Well, it's not being pushed by Christians, Viewer. Unfortunately, you've opened the door, so we've got to walk through it.

On the other hand, it bugs me who IS pushing it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarion_Fund

Clarion Fund is a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 based in New York City whose mission, according to its website, is "to educate Americans about issues of national security," with its main focus on what it calls "the most urgent threat of radical Islam."[1] The organization was founded by Israeli-Canadian film producer Raphael Shore[2].

In September 2008, the group gained attention by distributing, with the aid of the Endowment for Middle East Truth[3], free copies of the film Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West, produced and co-written by Shore, by mail and in newspaper supplements.[4]. The Fund has reportedly sent 28 million DVDs to at least 70 newspapers in swing states to place at the doorstep of newspaper subscribers.[1][2]

According to Clarion Fund's incorporation papers, it is based as the same address as Aish Hatorah, an Israeli organization.[5] The three founders of The Clarion Fund are or were full-time employees of Aish HaTorah.[6] Raphael Shore, the leader of The Clarion Fund is also a full-time employee of Aish HaTorah.[7] The Clarion Fund has collaborated with pro-Israel media watch organization HonestReporting in the production of its films. HonestReporting originally was a project of the Aish Hatorah organization.[8]

Critics have accused the Clarion Fund, through its distribution of the Obsession film, for misleadingly portraying Islam as a threatening religion bent on the destruction of Western civilization, interspersing untruthful and incendiary commentary with images of Nazis and suicide bombing indoctrination.[9][10][11] Others have called the film 'award winning' and 'required viewing'[12]

The Associated Press reports that Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a civil liberties and advocacy group for Muslims in North America, has asked for the Federal Election Commission to investigate the Clarion Fund's DVD distribution claiming that it was an attempt to influence the 2008 US President Election. As evidence of inappropriate political bias on the part of The Clarion Fund, AP cited Patriot News of Harrisburg, Pa. reporting "that a Clarion Fund Web site ran a pro-McCain article before it attracted notice and was taken down."[13]

[snip]

I kinda find it bothersome that an organization devoted to Torah education turns around and makes some misleading statements about the Quran ... which Obsession does.

I haven't seen it yet, though I too got one (don't remember if it came in a newspaper or in the mail.)

I would agree that it would be both problematic and wrong to disparage other faiths. I think I've defended Islam several times on this board. Aish is a pretty decent organization, that does a lot of good things. So I'd be especially disappointed if that's what they are doing.

On the other hand, and I'm not defending a movie I haven't seen. While the film has its share of zealots involved (ie Pipes) it also has some respnsible, progressive people, like Dershowitz. So I'm reserving some judgement until I actually see it, for precisely the reasons you pointed out in your description of the film.

Mine went immediately into the trash.

No it doesn't!

It pushes the Neo-Con agenda,which is neither Christian, Jewish or Muslim! It's mantra is POWER and Wealth accumulation at the expense of others! It "cherry picks " from religious ops, but its track/path is toward one GOAL... accumulations of the riches of the Caesars! And with continual war[implied] against 'a ghost! Fear Fear fear! It use to be the Russians;then the Red Chinese; and now the MUSLIM TERRORISTS! The message we are left with VIA the Corporate MSM is....."Look to the government for help!"

BS! It's the government , the tool of the Neo-Cons that we MUST fight against, not the "images of terrorists" that are being kept before you.
If this government wanted images to HELP with our understanding of the WAR ON Terror...Why were the PICS placed by MSM without the "reality of War? Where are all the photos on the Casualties of such efforts? Click to view attachment

Why are the "tears of loss" kept from the minds of the nation. Where is the Accountability shown for such endeavors, endeavors of greed and fear?
Well "chickens have come home to roost" and our [leadership of the nation] society is NOW showing the Results of "absentee parenting" where accountability does NOT exist, and the KIDS are going wild! What a day on WALL Street! And it is NOT going away. We will be loosing jobs and businesses because of this Absentee [Checks & Balances] Government who has not been responsible to the people; its just MORE Corporate greed and "fear tactics" to direct the people away from what is best for people....integrity and accountability of actions.

the neo--Con agenda plays on Fear and entices us with our bids to our inner depths, our dark side! Greed and lust are as human as ever, except the Neo-Cons play on weaknesses, for their GAIN, their positions of Power and wealth. All done at our expense! Nothing New under the sun, EXCEPT that all Checks & Balances were removed , beginning with the REAGAN YEARS!

It bothers me that, for example, they interviewed only one professor of Islamic studies - and he says his remarks were distorted.