‘Blocking The Path to 9/11′ - Injustice served

A new documentary tells a sordid tale of media censorship, a bullying former president and an attempt to control what people see on television and DVD.

Just don’t expect to hear much about it from the ACLU or any other group that fights on behalf of free speech.

“Blocking ‘The Path to 9/11’” hails from Citizens United, the conservative group which recently entered the documentary film field. The movie, available now on DVD, clearly comes from the “right” point of view, but it’s remarkably thorough in its presentation.

While Michael Moore, the current king of lefty docs, packs his films with hyperbole and half truths, “Blocking” takes a more measured approach.

“Blocking” follows the attempts by former President Bill Clinton and forces sympathetic to him to prevent the 2006 ABC miniseries “The Path to 9/11″ from airing.

They lost that battle, but in a sense won the war.

The film in question detailed the events leading up to the Sept. 11 attacks, lobbing sharp criticism at both Presidents Clinton and Bush for their inaction in the years leading up to that tragic day.

Once President Clinton’s supporters got wind of the production, they did everything in their power - through letters, proposed legal action and even a threat against ABC’s broadcast license - to seriously edit or shut the film down entirely.

“Blocking” tears down some of the myths surrounding the film, including that it came from a sharply right-wing attack machine and was funded by an evangelical group.

Only a few of the talking heads, and there are many sources consulted here, let loose with ideologically spirited talking points. Most, particulary “Path” screenwriter Cyrus Nowrasteh, speak in measured tones about what they clearly feel is the assault against their hard work.

The documentary states Disney officials refused to speak to the filmmakers, and their silence may be damning to viewers.

Ultimately, whether “The Path to 9/11” was factually accurate or not is almost beside the point. The market is flooded with propaganda films, and each one is allowed a chance at being screened in theaters or, at the very least, enjoys a long life on DVD.

“The Path to 9/11” won’t get that chance, and “Blocking” meticulously describes why.