Michael Moore, the new diplomat

[Conghaileach]

Los Angeles Times
March 30, 2003

MOVIES
Michael Moore, the new diplomat
In Europe, the director has come to symbolize the American underdog.

By Kristin Hohenadel, Special to The Times


Paris -- When Michael Moore won best documentary for "Bowling for Columbine" at last week's Academy Awards, his antiwar comments -- "Shame on you, Mr. Bush!" -- were met with cheers and jeers. The orchestra cut him off. Steve Martin made a joke.

The mood was quite different at the Césars, the French Oscars, a few weeks beforehand, as Moore lumbered up to accept the best foreign film award. He made the routine apology for his high-school French. Then he delivered a well-rehearsed, improvisational-style speech in English, pausing expertly for the translator. At a leisurely pace, he thanked our French allies for the cinema, for French fries and French kisses. For helping us in the War of Independence and saying no to the war we had not yet officially begun.

"One of the best definitions of an ally, of a friend," he said, "is that your friend is the one who can tell you when you're wrong. So thank you for showing us the way, for standing up for something very important."

Full Story (http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/cl-ca-hohen30mar30.story)

[Rastafari]

"as Moore lumbered up"
That is fucking hilarious :)
I like Moore, but his wit can get annoying at times

[Lefty]

Good old Michael Moore. The "Entertainment Weekly" this week really bashed him though, even to the point of denying that he got applause. That's just stupid.

[peaccenicked]

I am a fan. More power to his elbow.

[truthaddict11]

this is from michaels website his comment on the awards show and what really happened.

I'd Like to Thank the Vatican...

By Michael Moore
March 27, 2003

A word of advice to future Oscar winners: Don't begin Oscar day by going to church.

That is where I found myself this past Sunday morning, at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Santa Monica Boulevard, at Mass with my sister and my dad. My problem with the Catholic Mass is that sometimes I find my mind wandering after I hear something the priest says, and I start thinking all these crazy thoughts like how it is wrong to kill people and that you are not allowed to use violence upon another human being unless it is in true self-defense.

The pope even came right out and said it: This war in Iraq is not a just war and, thus, it is a sin.

Those thoughts were with me the rest of the day, from the moment I left the church and passed by the homeless begging for change (one in six American children living in poverty is another form of violence), to the streets around the Kodak Theater where antiwar protesters were being arrested as I drove by in my studio-sponsored limo.

I had not planned on winning an Academy Award for "Bowling for Columbine" (no documentary that was a big box-office success had won since "Woodstock"), and so I had no speech prepared. I'm not much of a speech-preparer anyway, and besides, I had already received awards in the days leading up to the Oscars and used the same acceptance remarks. I spoke of the need for nonfiction films when we live in such fictitious times. We have a fictitious president who was elected with fictitious election results. (If you still believe that 3,000 elderly Jewish Americans -- many of them Holocaust survivors -- voted for Pat Buchanan in West Palm Beach in 2000, then you are a true devotee to the beauty of fiction!) He is now conducting a war for a fictitious reason (the claim that Saddam Hussein has stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction when in fact we are there to get the world's second-largest supply of oil).

Whether it is a tax cut that is passed off as a gift to the middle class or a desire to drill holes in the wilds of Alaska, we are continually bombarded with one fictitious story after another from the Bush White House. And that is why it is important that filmmakers make nonfiction, so that all the little lies can be exposed and the public informed. An uninformed public in a democracy is a sure-fire way to end up with little or no democracy at all.

That is what I have been saying for some time. Millions of Americans seem to agree. My book "Stupid White Men" still sits at No. 1 on the bestseller list (it's been on that list now for 53 weeks and is the largest-selling nonfiction book of the year). "Bowling for Columbine" has broken all box-office records for a documentary. My Web site is now getting up to 20 million hits a day (more than the White House's site). My opinions about the state of the nation are neither unknown nor on the fringe, but rather they exist with mainstream majority opinion. The majority of Americans, according to polls, want stronger environmental laws, support Roe vs. Wade and did not want to go into this war without the backing of the United Nations and all of our allies.

That is where the country is at. It's liberal, it's for peace and it is only tacitly in support of its leader because that is what you are supposed to do when you are at war and you want your kids to come back from Iraq alive.

In the commercial break before the best documentary Oscar was to be announced, I suddenly thought that maybe this community of film people was also part of that American majority and just might have voted for my film, which, in part, takes on the Bush administration for manipulating the public with fear so it can conduct its acts of aggression against the Third World. I leaned over to my fellow nominees and told them that, should I win, I was going to say something about President Bush and the war and would they like to join me up on the stage? I told them that I felt like I'd already had my moment with the success of the film and that I would love for them to share the stage with me so they could have their moment too. (They had all made exceptional films and I wanted the public to see these filmmakers and hopefully go see their films.)

They all agreed.

Moments later, Diane Lane opened the envelope and announced the winner: "Bowling for Columbine." The entire main floor rose to its feet for a standing ovation. I was immeasurably moved and humbled as I motioned for the other nominees to join my wife (the film's producer) and me up on the stage.

I then said what I had been saying all week at those other awards ceremonies. I guess a few other people had heard me say those things too because before I had finished my first sentence about the fictitious president, a couple of men (some reported it was "stagehands" just to the left of me) near a microphone started some loud yelling. Then a group in the upper balcony joined in. What was so confusing to me, as I continued my remarks, was that I could hear this noise but looking out on the main floor, I didn't see a single person booing. But then the majority in the balcony -- who were in support of my remarks -- started booing the booers.

It all turned into one humungous cacophony of yells and cheers and jeers. And all I'm thinking is, "Hey, I put on a tux for this?"

I tried to get out my last line ("Any time you've got both the pope and the Dixie Chicks against you, you're not long for the White House") and the orchestra struck up its tune to end the melee. (A few orchestra members came up to me later and apologized, saying they had wanted to hear what I had to say.) I had gone 55 seconds, 10 more than allowed.

Was it appropriate? To me, the inappropriate thing would have been to say nothing at all or to thank my agent, my lawyer and the designer who dressed me -- Sears Roebuck. I made a movie about the American desire to use violence both at home and around the world. My remarks were in keeping with exactly what my film was about. If I had a movie about birds or insects, I would have talked about birds or insects. I made a movie about guns and Americans' tradition of using them against the world and each other.

And, as I walked up to the stage, I was still thinking about the lessons that morning at Mass. About how silence, when you observe wrongs being committed, is the same as committing those wrongs yourself. And so I followed my conscience and my heart.

On the way back home to Flint, Mich., the day after the Oscars, two flight attendants told me how they had gotten stuck overnight in Flint with no flight -- and wound up earning only $30 for the day because they are paid by the hour.

They said they were telling me this in the hope that I would tell others. Because they, and the millions like them, have no voice. They don't get to be commentators on cable news like the bevy of retired generals we've been watching all week. (Can we please demand that the U.S. military remove its troops from ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN/MSNBC/Fox?) They don't get to make movies or talk to a billion people on Oscar night. They are the American majority who are being asked to send their sons and daughters over to Iraq to possibly die so Bush's buddies can have the oil.

Who will speak for them if I don't? That's what I do, or try to do, every day of my life, and March 23, 2003 -- though it was one of the greatest days of my life and an honor I will long cherish -- was no different.

Except I made the mistake of beginning it in a church.

[mentalbunny]

truthaddict, thanks for posting that, it was great reading. My only problem with Michael Moore is that he loses some credibility in his writing style. It's not so much a problem with him, it's a problem with society that judges credibility on things like that. It's so great that he can be a voice for the voiceless, even if sometimes he gets talked over and ignored.

[Angie]

If it weren't for the fact that the United Nation's just about ready to fall apart, I'd say that Mr Moore would make quite a decent Goodwill Ambassador.

[praxis1966]

Mike's the man. I can't get enough of seeing him make a fool of the Bush's.

[Lefty]

he is the one celebrity worth listening to, and he is dead sexy as well. Yeah, I just said that Michael Moore is sexy. Quote me, I dare you.

[truthaddict11]

well look at the way the mass media portrays Michael, even before the oscars they betray him as if he was some fat, smelly oaf. they know what how he really is and i believe they dont want thier viewers to know what Michael has to say. I believe he is the best mainstream voice the Left has.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

Anyone read "Stupid White Men"? Great Book!

[El Barbudo]

Well, anyone read Mike strikes back? Here's a part of the book (Sorry, its in French...):

Cher Georges,

Depuis que tu es président des États-Unis, de mauvaises langues prétendent que tu te tournes les pouces. Pourtant en quelques mois,
tu as réussi à:

1) Réduire de 39 millions de dollars le budget des bibliothèques fédérales

2) Réduire de 35 millions de dollars le budget du programme de formation en médecine pédiatrique avancée.

3) Réduire de 50% le budget de la recherche sur les énergies renouvelables.

4) Repousser l'émission du règlement réduisant les niveaux " acceptables " d'arsenic dans l'eau potable.

5) Réduire de 28% le budget du programme de recherche pour des véhicules moins polluants et moins consommateurs d'énergie.

6) Abolir la législation permettant à l'État de refuser tout contrat public aux entreprises qui violent les lois fédérales, les lois de protection de l'environnement et les règles de sécurité sur le lieu de travail.

7) permettre à la secrétaire de l'Intérieur Gale Norton d'explorer la possibilité d'ouvrir les parcs nationaux à l'exploitation
forestière et minière et aux forages pétroliers et gaziers.

8) Renier ta promesse de campagne d'investir 100 millions de dollars par an dans la protection des forets tropicales.

9) Réduire de 86% le programme communautaire d'accès aux soins, qui organisait la coopération des hôpitaux publics, des cliniques privées et autres prestataires pour venir en aide aux malades dépourvus d'assurance médicale.

10) Réduire à néant une proposition visant à accroître l'accès du public aux informations sur les conséquences potentielles des accidents chimiques industriels.

11) Réduire de 60 millions de dollars le programme de logements sociaux de la fondation d'aide à l'enfance.

12) Refuser de signer l'accord de Kyoto sur l'effet de serre, contre la volonté de 178 pays.

13) Rejeter un accord international ayant pour but l'application du traité de 1972 bannissant les armements micro biologiques.

14) réduire de 200 millions de dollars le budget des programmes de formation des travailleurs au chômage.

15) réduire de 200 millions de dollars le Fonds pour l'enfance et le développement, un programme qui permet aux famille à bas revenus de faire garder leurs enfants pendant les heures de travail.

16) Éliminer la couverture des contraceptifs prescrits médicalement pour les fonctionnaires de l'administration fédérale (alors que le Viagra est encore couvert).

17) Réduire de 700 millions de dollars le budget de réhabilitation des logements sociaux.

18) Réduire d'un demi milliard de dollars le budget de l'EPA (agence de protection de l'environnement).

19) Abolir les directives concernant les règles d'hygiène et de sécurité sur les lieux de travail.

20) Renier ta promesse de campagne de réguler les émissions de dioxyde de carbone qui contribuent fortement à l'effet de serre.

21) Interdire l'attribution d'aides d'origine fédérale aux organisations internationales de planning familial qui fournissent des conseils ou des services en matière d'IVG, fussent-elles financées sur fond propres.

22) Nommer responsable en matière d'hygiène et de sécurité minières auprès du ministère du Travail un ancien dirigeant d'une entreprise minière, Dan Laurier.

23) Nommer sous secrétaire au ministère de l'Intérieur Lynn Scarlett, un fonctionnaire qui ne croit pas à l'effet de serre et qui s'oppose à l'introduction de règles plus contraignantes contre la pollution atmosphérique.

24) Approuver le projet controversé du ministère de l'Intérieur Gale Norton, qui consiste à mettre aux enchères des fonds marins
proches de la côte est de la Floride aux fins d'exploitation pétrolifère et gazière.

25) Prévoir l'autorisation de forages pétroliers dans une aire protégée du Montana, la Lewis and Clark National Forest.

26) Menacer de fermer le Bureau de lutte contre le sida de la maison Blanche.

27) Décider de ne plus consulter l'Association américaine du barreau en matière de nomination des juges fédéraux.

28) refuser toute aide financière aux étudiants condamnés pour des délits de toxicomanie mineurs (alors que les personnes condamnées pour assassinat ont toujours droit à ces aides).

29) Dégager seulement 3% du montant défini par les avocats du département de la justice pour le budget alloué aux poursuites de l'administration contre l'industrie du tabac.

30) Faire passer ton projet de baisse d'impôts qui profite, pour 43% au 1% des américains les plus fortunés.

31) Signer un décret qui rend beaucoup plus difficile aux américains disposant de revenus faibles ou moyens de se déclarer en faillite personnelle, même quand ils font face à des dépenses médicales exceptionnelles.

32) Nommer directeur du personnel de la Maison Blanche Kay Cole James, une adversaire de la discrimination positive en faveur des minorités.

33) Réduire de 15,7 millions de dollars le budget du programme contre la maltraitance des mineurs.

34) proposer l'élimination du programme " Lire, c'est fondamental ", qui permettait de distribuer gratuitement des livres aux enfants de familles pauvres.

35) Stimuler le développement d'armements " micro nucléaires " destinés à atteindre des cibles souterraines et ce en violation du traité d'interdiction des essais nucléaires.

36) Essayer d'éliminer une législation protégeant 24 millions d'hectares de forêts contre toute forme d'exploitation forestière et contre
la construction de routes.

37) Nommer responsable du contrôle des armements et des questions de sécurité internationale John Bolton, adversaire des traités de non-prolifération et hostile à l'ONU.

38) Nommer une dirigeante de Monsanto, Linda Fisher, comme administratrice adjointe de l'Agence de protection de l'environnement.

39) Nommer à un poste de juge fédéral Michael McConnel, dont on connaît bien l'opposition à la séparation de l'Église et de État

40) Nommer à un poste de juge fédéral Terrence Boyle, adversaire des
droits civiques.

41) Éliminer la date butoir de 2004 accordée aux constructeurs d'automobiles pour développer des prototypes de véhicules plus économes en carburant.

42) Nommer à la tête du programme gouvernemental de lutte contre la drogue John Walterss, adversaire du traitement des toxicomanes incarcérés.

43) Nommer secrétaire adjoint à l'intérieur J.Steven Giles, bien connu pour son travail au service des lobbies du charbon et du pétrole.

44) Nommer responsable pour l'eau et la recherche scientifique auprès du ministère Bennet Raley, adversaire de la législation en faveur de la protection des espèces menacées.

45) Faire pression pour bloquer les poursuites engagées contre le Japon par les femmes asiatiques ayant servi d'esclaves sexuelles aux troupes japonaises pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

46) Nommer conseiller juridique de la Maison Blanche Ted Olson, ton principal avocat dans la controverse juridique sur la légalité du scrutin en Floride.

47) Proposer d'améliorer la procédure d'autorisation de la construction de barrages et de centrales nucléaires, y compris en affaiblissant les critères de protection de l'environnement.

48) Proposer la vente de zones de forage gazier et pétrolier dans les aires protégées de l'Alaska.

Et maintenant, tu veux te lancer dans une guerre dont tu ne mesures pas les conséquences à venir.

Je crois, cher Georges, que la France devrait faire voter par l'ONU l'envoi de casques bleus aux USA car visiblement, tu es en train de faire ce qu'aucun de tes prédécesseurs n'avait oser faire à ton peuple.....ET PAR VOIE DE CONSEQUENCE A NOUS.

Alors, cesse de faire joujou avec tes soldats et de traiter Saddam Hussein comme un ennemi car visiblement tu lui ressembles.

Allez Georges, rentre chez toi et arrête de faire peur à mon fils avec tes bruits de bottes.

Michael Moore

This guy rocks...

[truthaddict11]

yes Stupid White Men is great as well with Downsize This, I got both for x-mas along with the 1st season of the Awful Truth.

El Barbudo, "Mike Strikes Back" is Stupid White Men. Different title for different language I guess

[Ze]

I look up to Mr. Moore, I look down on Mr. Bush.

[Rastafari]

Quote: from Lefty on 9:19 pm on April 2, 2003
he is the one celebrity worth listening to, and he is dead sexy as well. Yeah, I just said that Michael Moore is sexy. Quote me, I dare you.

Happy, you sick fuck!?!?

[DayOfTheDestroyer]

Moore foe president

[Lefty]

And, uh, pigs for flying. Quote me on that too, ya dreadlocked whore! :P

[Rastafari]

you da dreadlocked whore, you interestingly strange Moore-a-phile! :)

Yeah, where were we? Oh, yeah, Micheal Moore. Good in small doses (if this is possible for a man of his friendly and jovial girth), I say.