Thread: Ralph Nader

I've always liked Ralph Nader; just saw this documentary on tv last night: excellent.

Documentary Pays Homage To 'Unreasonable' Nader

Part of the purpose of "An Unreasonable Man," an intriguing and ultimately inspiring look at consumer-advocate-turned-presidential-candidate Ralph Nader, is to disavow notions that his running as an independent in the past three presidential elections was to satisfy his own ego or desire to become a spoiler.



The feature documentary by Henriette Mantel and Steve Skrovan on tonight's "Independent Lens" (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) shows that Nader tried to work within the Democratic party for 20 years before he abandoned it as being not so different from the Republicans. Both seemed to him at the mercy of big corporations — the same corporations behind the Commission on Presidential Debates that made sure he wouldn't be invited to the debates (or even allowed into the building where one was held in Boston, despite having a ticket).

The values Nader learned growing up in Winsted served him as he became an effective advocate for auto safety. But he became a leader in the field after revealing in a congressional hearing that General Motors had been spying on him.



It's the kind of story a lot of Americans like. Shadowy figures follow a solitary man around, as he fights to expose a huge corporation placing customers at unnecessary risk of their lives. One of the points that An Unreasonable Man makes is that we have almost lost perspective on Ralph Nader's legacy, the risks that he took and the battles that he won.

He is thoughtful, intense, and quietly passionate. There are so many things we take for granted now which were children of his passion, such as seat belts, air bags, health protection, the Freedom of Information Act used by reporters and citizens on a daily basis to examine their government, and more. Even the very principles of consumer rights and public safety seem to stem from his actions. It is said that he has a legislative record that any president would be proud of, without ever being elected. Yet, when he ran for office, he found many doors barred.

As part of ITVS' Community Campaign "Vote Democracy" to encourage young voters, PBS is showing the film "An Unreasonable Man" on December 18. America is struggling once again to choose between Democrat and Republican, and after watching the film viewers will have a different perspective on why it's an either / or choice - or even whether it really is their choice.

The film covers the span of Nader's career (so far), beginning with fresh out of Harvard Law and gathering fellow Ivy League students to put their youthful energy and brilliance into fighting for social change in Washington. By the end of the film he is estranged from the organization he founded, reviled by Democrats who blame him for not abandoning decades of fighting spirit and handing them the 2000 presidential race, and even seen by some as irrelevant, though our modern society is permeated with the results of his principles in action. A story about his mother holding Senator Prescott Bush's feet to the fire (grandfather of the current president) over a local dam in Connecticut shows his heritage.

Perhaps the most alarming moment in the film is not the dramatizations of GM gumshoes following him and frightening phone calls to him and his family late at night as he pursued the automaker in congressional testimony about car safety and neglect, but at the 2004 presidential debates in Boston.

When the debates, according to the film no longer run by the League of Women Voters but a consortium of former Democratic and Republican party leaders, declined to invite him because he did not meet the preselection criteria, once again his team came through, with a ticket to the debate audience donated by a Boston student. Appearing at the gate, the filmed events unfold - Nader is refused entry, even with a ticket. But he has decades of persistence behind him.

Nader arranges with a news crew to watch the debate and respond from a nearby mobile studio. Again, he is refused entry even to the grounds. In the end, a Massachusetts State Policeman threatens him with arrest, citing the well known phrase: "I'm just following orders." The film then shows a "face book," apparently created so that the police can keep all but the authorized candidates and average citizens with a ticket from anywhere near the debate location.

Many Americans continue to vote "practically," for a candidate who "can win." The film reminds us that this is not the spirit of democracy. In fact, they note, our preselection system has little to do with democracy at times, and the media is complicit in focusing on horse races instead of issues. An Unreasonable Man celebrates Nader's legacy as a passionate, independent thinker, and suggests that we would do well to follow his lead.

Independent Lens . Get Involved . Vote Democracy! Campaign | PBS

Independent Lens . AN UNREASONABLE MAN | PBS

Ralph Nader Documentary An Unreasonable Man on PBS December 18 - Associated Content

Documentary Pays Homage To 'Unreasonable' Nader; 'Loser' Crowns Winner -- Courant.com

torrent:
Search results for Ralph Nader An Unreasonable Man - Mininova

trailer:
INDEPENDENT LENS | An Unreasonable Man | PBS

Now that is a documentary I will definitely see. Thanks HB.

It's a shame that if you don't run for election under either a Democrat or Republican ticket you are basically marginalised in the Presidential process. Nader could really shake up things- he correctly points out that both parties are hopelessly subservient to corporate interests.

Probably America's first prominent Arab American.

Originally Posted by sabang

Probably America's first prominent Arab American.

Didn't know that ^

Religion Maronite Church

His parents, Nathra and Rose Nader, were Lebanese and Egyptian immigrants. Nathra Nader was employed in a textile mill, and at one point owned a bakery and restaurant where he engaged customers in political discourse.

Ralph Nader - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So, he was raised Maronite, like Kahlil Gibran.

Khalil Gibran - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some prominent Arab Americans:-

F. Murray Abraham, Hollywood actor and Oscar winner for the film "Amadeus" (Syrian father)
Jamie Farr, (Lebanese) Hollywood actor especially famous for his role as Klinger in the TV Series "M*A*S*H"
Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. (Syrian father)
Paul Anka, (Lebanese) vocal performer
George J. Mitchell, (Lebanese) U.S. Senator from Maine, Senate Majority Leader
John H. Sununu, (Lebanese) Governor of New Hampshire and White House Chief of Staff under George H. W. Bush
John Abizaid, (Lebanese), retired General.
Rosemary Barkett, (Syrian), first woman Supreme Court Justice and Chief Justice for the state of Florida

Arab American - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also Jack Nasser, an Arab Aussie, became top dog at Ford.