Yes Men - Remind Us to Question
A Political Buddhist?

You can find the Yes Men Blog Here.

Perhaps I’m a bit behind in my viewing of documentaries since I just saw ‘Yes Men’ this past weekend; it was released in 2003. The creators have just released another movie titled: ‘Yes Men Save the World’, which I don’t intend to wait six years to watch.
Characters Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno mimic members of the World Trade Organization at venues across the globe.

The documentary begins with the Yes Men creating spoof sites for: GW Bush, the WTO, Dow chemical, and other organizations. Members of the WTO, confused by the similarity in the real and spoofed web sites, mistakenly invite the two clowns to actual WTO meetings all over the world.
Without getting too political or giving away too much of the movie, Andy gives presentations at numerous WTO events, and remains deadpan as he satirically discusses world trade issues with a frankness that he hopes will elicit responses of anger, shock and disbelief. Much to my amazement, many in the audience seemed to accept what Bichlbaum was saying, without so much as a question; sort of makes you wonder how much hooey these folks would actually swallow.

In one clip, Andy (posing as a WTO representative) even went so far as to suggest that slavery is just what is needed to help third world countries develop. In another clip he reveals a golden suit with a large phallic shaped object bouncing in front of his face; which he demonstrates as a new management tool that would allow managers of offshore resources to keep an eye on their employees.

It’s been quite a while since I have seen a documentary this entertaining and meaningful at the same time. While the duo certainly has their moments of hilarity and immaturity, the point they wanted to make is definitely driven home. One can’t help but walk away from this move astonished at the lengths that the ‘Yes Men’ went to protest. Makes me wonder why I can’t get off my duff and do a little something to show my own dissatisfaction.
But what really hit home with me was the apathy and acceptance of the audiences; that, with the exception of a college audience, seemed to nod along with the ludicrous, even outrageous assertions of Bichlbaum, as though they were hearing ideas that they had come to expect from the WTO.
I think we all might take a lesson from these WTO audiences, whether we are: not truly listening, or just being apathetic, or simply following blindly, each moment requires our attention and participation. Imagine, if this is how the House and Senate pay attention as they legislate our future.

Ambud

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