Search - American Experience: George Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire on DVD

Settin' Politics on Fire

Michael McCue | Studio City, CA USA | 01/11/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Partially based on the book, "The Politics of Rage" by Dan Carter, this documentary is an important, startlingly relevant look at how the practice of race-baiting, politics of hate and intolerance on the part of certain "Dixiecrat" politicians like Wallace, made it possible for an American politician to stay in power for years, in this case, causing major roadblocks for the civil rights movement in the 50's and 60's.

What I found most revealing was that Wallace actually began his career as a true "social justice" Democrat but decided to go with "hate" politics when he realized that using fear and hatred could keep him in power indefintely. The viewer will immediately see the connections to the political players we've seen at work over the years and the awful situation we're in today.

After viewing this film, it will be easier for anyone to identify these same politics of hate being used today and how they have been and continue to be utilized by candidates all over the U.S.

The campaigns of Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr., (the horrible Lee Atwater, who was Bush Sr.'s campaign manager probably used hate politics the most effectively of any player in the history of U.S. politics before God got him good...) Bush Jr. (the connection to Karl Rove's hateful strategies and fear tactics becomes obvious)...all owe a debt of gratitude to the Nixon/Wallace style of hatred and fear-mongering for political profit.

After seeing this program, it will be easier for the viewer to recognize the same type of hate language (albeit coded and better disguised) coming from our candidates and political leaders of today, (Sarah Palin comes to mind...who is to me, Wallace's direct descendent in hypocrisy and fear-mongering).

A balanced, highly valuable documentary by Daniel McCabe and Paul Stekler that is essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand United States politics in the 20th Century. I highly recommend this film."