But this post is not about that freeloading dirtbag and his gun-toting thug "supporters," it's about a real standoff and a real moral dilemma. It happened in Philadelphia in 1985 between the City and a radical group called MOVE. The mind-numbing scene ended with a bomb and a devastating fire that destroyed more than 60 homes. Eleven MOVE followers were killed, including five children and the founder of the movement, John Africa.
Back then, I was preoccupied with Ohio University and all of its intoxicating charms (which did not include the national news scene). My guess is the bomb and fire garnered headlines from coast to coast, but the follow-up coverage probably faded fast except for those in the greater Philly area.
Film director Jason Osder has reignited the story in his staggering documentary Let the Fire Burn.
This isn't some biased Micheal Moore or Dinesh D'Souza pile of tripe. It's a riveting expose that only uses footage from the event and the aftermath. No one-sided narrator offers up his cloying commentary. All of the content comes directly from the people involved and the video they left behind (including home video from inside the first MOVE complex).
Go on and get a hold of this one and see one bad decision after another unfolding before an impossible conflict that is about as absolute as you can get. You will not be disappointed.
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9 comments:
Hey I don't come here so you can make me angry.
God damn it.
Ruby Ridge. Waco. Cliven's situation really doesn't compare but that Move vs Philadelphia was huge news and I remember it very well. There are some righteous causes vs the government but group think often ends in disaster. Jones Town? Signed, Mr. Obvious.
Well then, anon, consider your Customer Comment card received.
Good to see Bill, The Great White Rationalizer, is always vigilant.
Who could forget Rizzo and Rendell?
"Their intention was to kill or imprison Move members, it's as simple as that."- Ramona Africa.
If Clive Bundy and friends were black or brown they'd be in jail or dead today and Hannity and friends would be toasting AmeiKKKa.
Randy Johnson
I'm tempted to reply to Laurel but I think I'll wait for Hardy to google the subject and add his two cents.
"I'm tempted to reply BUT I GOT NOTHING BUT A WEB BROWSER AND A FEW REFERENCES TO OLD COMIC ACTORS SO I'LL JUST SIT QUIETLY TO KEEP FROM SOUNDING SILLY"
With Poetic license I am Laurel.
P.S. Maybe you should go on over to the Heartland Institue where they're eating crow this morning for bastardizing a George Carlin monologue. GRAVY SUCKING PIGS.
RJ
The above reference to one-time Philadelphia police official and Mayor Frank Rizzo is germane to the MOVE story and if anyone is interested Rizzo's career provides valuable references to place and the times.
It was an awful time to live in Philly.
MR
MR
I remember the MOVE events vividly being from the Philly area. It was a situation with two parties that refused to really compromise. MOVE was radical, threatening and they were a huge public safety issue in their neighborhood. But the City of Philadelphia's actions were always reactionary vs. creative and in the end they themselves became the public safety assailant. You could foresee these events coming but as they unfolded it was still very hard to believe.
The film really supports what you're saying Craig. I cannot recommend it enough.
And since we're on the topic of militias, Here's another link with video straight from the treacherous "battlefields" of Nevada, where cell phones trill and brave soldiers dutifully apply chap stick to protect themselves against the elements. Go for the vid, stay for the copy.
Confidential to gun rights activists: those are the guys that will be your undoing.
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