June 20, 2004
Michael Moore is a Big Fat Stupid White Man
: I just got an advance copy of Michael Moore is a Big Fat Stupid White Man by David T. Hardy of MooreExposed.com and Jason Clarke of MooreLies.com from hitmaker Judith Regan. The book has a blog. canon power shoot s1 is
As my wife and I were watching Moore on Today the other day -- as he was saying that making Fahrenheit 9/11 was "not political" -- she said she used to like him. I agreed. But he lost his credibility long ago. It's hard for such a big man to jump a shark, but he did. I'll still see Fahrenheit 9/11 and write about it here. canon power shoot s1 is
Meandering randomly through the book, some highlights:canon power shoot s1 is
: It starts with an annotated Moore resume: Brief, unhappy time at GM; brief, unhappy time at Mother Jones; brief, unhappy time at Nader campaign; Roger & Me; brief, unhappy time at NBC and Fox... There's even a brief, unhappy note in a Regan book about ReganBooks: "Writes Stupid White Men. Accuses publisher of censorship. Accuses publisher of plotting to suppress book by not printing and shipping enough copies."
It says he owns a $1.9 million home in New York City and a $1.2 million summer home in Michigan and makes $30k per speech.canon power shoot s1 is
: There's an open letter from the authors to Moore, explaining that they were both inspired by his "fictitious" speech at the Oscars: "We've collected more than enough evidence to prove that you are the most fictitious character of our times."canon power shoot s1 is
: They nya-nya, saying that "the prophet of the left is never right." e.g.:
September 14, 2001: Moore opposes the Afghan war. "But I beg you, Mr. Bush... do not declar war and massacre more innocents."
November 14, 2001: The Taliban collapses, and Kabul falls to American forces.canon power shoot s1 is
: The book takes on Moore's works and publishes pieces by Tim Blair, Andrew Sullivan, Kay Hymowitz, Anthony Zoubek, and Peter Ross Range.canon power shoot s1 is
: It diagnoses, in detail, his psychological condition: Narcissism. canon power shoot s1 is
: It dissects his stand on terrorism.
He injects these ideas into the debate:: It concludes:Attacks on Americans are heroic and destined to succeed: "The Iraqs who have risen up against the occupation are not 'insurgents' or 'terrorists' or 'The Enemy.' They are the REVOLUTION, the Minuteman, and their numbers will grow -- and they will win."
And America's at fault: "What I do know is that all day long I have heard everythiug about this bin Laden guy except this one fact -- WE created the monster known as Osama bin Laden!"
Whatever argument Moore assembles, the important thing is that the dialogue has begun, one that invites you as the reader to judge the truth of these matters for yourself.: The book ends with extensive notes on sources. And the authors also vow to post any corrections here. canon power shoot s1 is
In the end, that is what our contruy -- the one that has bestowed on Michael Moore all its many riches -- is most firmly about.
: The NY Times Philip Shenon says Fahrenheit 9/11 was not made available for review but he saw a screening and says that the facts seemed to pass muster and that Moore hired fact-checkers to go over every word. That may well be the case, but that's what the National Enquirer does, too. That's not to say that either lies. But both choose to view the world through their prisms to tell the stories they want to tell. Not that I'm criticizing, for Shenon says Moore hired lawyers to go after those who attack him. canon power shoot s1 is
: The Washington Post's Richard Leiby says FoxNews honcho Roger Ailes was the biggest supporter of Fahrenheit 9/11 getting distribution because he saw it as a matter of free speech:
Harvey Weinstein, the Democrat-loving Miramax honcho and executive producer of Michael Moore's incendiary documentary, was on AMC's "Shoot Out" last Sunday talking about who, in his view, was the biggest media supporter of the film. "The unlikeliest of allies happened -- Roger Ailes at Fox," Weinstein told co-host Peter Bart. "I mean when he sees this movie -- I don't want to be responsible for a cardiac bill -- but on a First Amendment issue, it blew his mind. So the best coverage we had wasn't ABC, CBS or NBC -- even Michael Moore couldn't believe it -- there's Fox News. A movie in [Ailes's] mind that couldn't be distributed or had to fight for distribution, just was un-American. He'd rather say, 'Bring it on, we'll deal with that, but you have a right to show it.' "canon power shoot s1 is Posted by jarvis at June 20, 2004 12:38 PM | TrackBack
Sure, innuendo is not necessarily falsehood. Like in Bowling for Columbine, Moore insinuated that the NRA shared its origins with the KKK but, he did not actually come out and say so. Of course, knowledgeable people know that the NRA was started by former Union military officers, as in the guys who put their lives on the line and fought to emancipate the slaves. And, also, that the NRA fought for the right of blacks to own firearms to guard their communities against the KKK.canon power shoot s1 is
And, it is not a falsehood to say that I just stated that "Moore lives for the KKK". If you peruse the words above, they are up there. That's basically what Moore did with Charlton Heston's speech to the Denver NRA Convention, splicing sentence fragments together in a way that reduced the word count by a 10:1 ratio and, completely changed the meaning of the speech.canon power shoot s1 is
A leopard does not change its spots. You may rest assured that Farenheit 9/11 is as chock full of misleading and outrageous propaganda as Moore's previous works.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Reid on June 20, 2004 03:47 PM
If Dude Where's My Country is any measure, Moore has only become more dishonest in recent years, as Spinsanity showed, with a litany of inaccuracies that would make Ann Coulter blush. Moore's pre-emptive lawsuit threat is there for one main reason: to make all critics to think twice. Moore likes free speech until it's speech against him. And he's a stonecold liar to say as he said Friday he would debate anyone because both Larry Elder and Mike Wilson have yet to get the debate they've wanted.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: HH on June 20, 2004 04:31 PM
I was working for GM in Detroit during the local depression period that Mr. Moore focuses on in his career-starter, "Roger and Me".canon power shoot s1 is
I saw it in a local movie house at the time it was released. At least half of it was either a bald-faced lie, or a "lying" insinuation, based on my personal, everyday, go to work experience.canon power shoot s1 is
I made my mind up about Mr. Moore's veracity and agenda at that point. I've seen no reason to change it since.
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Posted by: DSmith on June 20, 2004 04:41 PM
I was in Glasgow (Scotland) this afternoon, visiting a friend. I walked into a Middle Eastern store to buy a falafel for my luch, which I'd never been in before.canon power shoot s1 is
Placing my order with the guy behind the counter, he asked me where I was from. I said America.canon power shoot s1 is
His face lit up. canon power shoot s1 is
"America!" he yelled. "Thank you! I love you people. I'm Iraqi! You saved my country!" canon power shoot s1 is
And then he shook my hand.canon power shoot s1 is
Can't see Moore making a documentary about that moment...
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Posted by: hugh macleod on June 20, 2004 06:04 PM
Bowling for Columbine was such a farce. I grew up in Sarnia, Ontario where he interviewed the mayor and a bunch of bar denizens about not locking their doors and so on. He's a fool if he thinks everyone leaves their doors unlocked. Maybe a few people who could care less about being robbed (including the ones from the bar who admitted to being robbed and having people wander into their house in the middle of the night), but most people 1) do lock their doors and 2) are not total idiots. I personally think the people he interviewed were having a laugh at his expense. I mean, STILL keeping their doors unlocked AFTER they were getting robbed?canon power shoot s1 is
I also lived in Toronto for many years -- again, this is not a common thing. I've never heard of it.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Tim on June 20, 2004 06:43 PM
Hugh - that is spectacular! Thanks for relating your experience.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Reid on June 20, 2004 11:43 PM
I just heard Stern this morning praising Moore to the high heavens and him saying Fahrenheit 9/11 as the most important movie in the last 10 years.canon power shoot s1 is
It's sad that Stern's normally entertaining show has degenerated into a Lefty circle jerk nowadays.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: RN on June 21, 2004 09:19 AM
I didn't leave the Howard Stern show, the Howard Stern show left me. :pcanon power shoot s1 is Posted by: carsonfire on June 21, 2004 09:58 AM
Moore reminds me of the bratty little shit kid who is welcomed all over the neighborhood because of his willingness to tell intimate stories of his family's behavior. After a while he learns to "Spice up" his stories for more shock value.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Walter Wallis on June 21, 2004 10:22 AM
"The Iraqs who have risen up against the occupation are not 'insurgents' or 'terrorists' or 'The Enemy.' They are the REVOLUTION, the Minuteman, and their numbers will grow -- and they will win."canon power shoot s1 is
Wow. What page is that on? Anyone who waves that book in my face is going to eat that sentence. Why is it not prime evidence that Michael Moore hates this country? Iraqi insurgents blowing up innocent civilians and Iraqi infrastructure is not fighting against the "occupation" but rather trying to impose a political solution on Iraq that would not be supported at the polls. canon power shoot s1 is
I suppose the shit won't stop coming out of their mouths even after the CPA ends next week, or even after US troops leave Iraq, because then the insurgents will be fighting against "American puppets." No, not until the Iraqi people are slaves again, out of sight out of mind, will the likes of Michael Moore be satisfied. And not because they like Iraqis to suffer, but only because they won't be able to make a dime off of the "plight of the Iraqis" anymore. Muckrakers indeed!
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Posted by: pdq332 on June 21, 2004 01:35 PM
Yeah, Cam Edwards, host of the NRAnews.com program has been trying for several weeks to get an interview with Moore, with no luck.canon power shoot s1 is
If you were Moore (and of course, weren't full of shit), wouldn't NRAnews be the FIRST place you'd want a debate?canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Jake on June 21, 2004 02:18 PM
So when did we atart transpating "free speech" to mean ya could steal someone's intellectual property? I guess its OK to steal something if its for a civil rights issue. canon power shoot s1 is
If IP rights were stolen only for money then it would be wrong?canon power shoot s1 is
Gee. Napster coulda avoided lots of litigation if they had only known.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Andy on June 21, 2004 02:37 PM
Hey Andy, what intellectual property are you accusing Moore of stealing?canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Paul Paulson on June 21, 2004 06:04 PM
Hitchens is already daring Moore to sue him-
http://slate.msn.com/id/2102723/
As far as the "seems to pass muster", Mr.Shenon is either a liar or very gullible.canon power shoot s1 is
"Moore asserts that Iraq under Saddam had never attacked or killed or even threatened (his words) any American. I never quite know whether Moore is as ignorant as he looks, or even if that would be humanly possible."canon power shoot s1 is
As Chris goes on to point out, this absolutely, brazenly false.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Bill on June 21, 2004 11:20 PM
Paul, How 'bout the title, "Fahrenheit..." for starters. Ray isn't too happy that his book's name was appropriated and then applied to Moore's leftist, lying and stultifying stoopid propaganda. Kinda criminal AND ironic, given the theme of Bradbury's great original.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: c on June 21, 2004 11:51 PM
I don't understand Roger Ailes' logic. Does EVERY filmmaker's movie deserve to be bought and distributed by private entities based on US constitutional rights to free speech? Does every book and magazine have a right to same? canon power shoot s1 is
What if I produced a TV program and marketed it- would Ailes have to buy and air it because I contend it has important political content? Or, would he strongarm another network into taking my program because I have a "right to show it"? And what about freedom of expression for businesses- does mine supersede theirs? But, aren't I a business, as well, if I look to profit from my program (book or movie)? canon power shoot s1 is
Ailes is using bizarre and loopy logic... Did he have anything to do with that "Day After Tomorrow" disaster of a disaster movie? Perhaps the Fox network is a little defensive these days. canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: c on June 22, 2004 12:53 AM
C: meh, I think Ailes saw a chance to start polishing his company's free-speech credentials by going with a low-cost nonintuitive defense. It makes Fox look golden, while stealing some of Moore's headwind. Moore can't whinge about evil conservative corporations conspiring to censor him if the biggest gun in the biggest of conservative media corporations is loudly defending his right to talk nonsense.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Mitch H. on June 22, 2004 09:22 AM
Just as Bradbury didn't need permission from Shakespeare when he titled his book "Something Wicked This Way Comes" or from Walt Whitman for "I Sing the Body Electric," neither did Moore need Bradbury's permission to use the word "Fahrenheit" in the title of his film. As Bradbury well knows, it's called an allusion, and writers have been doing it for a long, long time.
And as Bradbury also well knows, or ought to if his lawyers are any good, there's nothing the least bit "criminal" about it.canon power shoot s1 is
Posted by: Charlie Hodge on June 22, 2004 09:34 AM
Charlie,canon power shoot s1 is
What Moore has done is an intellectual crime, by using a title of a living author's seminal work and, in "alluding" to its theme, actually perverts it topsy-turvy. Moore is the quintessential purveyor of junk history for the masses, and not some anti fascist truthteller as in "Fahrenheit 451". Bradbury tried contacting Moore to tell him how unappreciated the appropriation of his title was, and the I've-got-a-phalanx-of-attorneys-covering-my-rear Moore couldn't be bothered to return his "hero's" call for months. canon power shoot s1 is
Legal or not, Moore has cheaply abused a living author's best known book against the author's wishes and politics.
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Posted by: c on June 22, 2004 10:05 AM
"Bradbury also well knows, or ought to if his lawyers are any good, there's nothing the least bit "criminal" about it."canon power shoot s1 is
It may not be criminal but it's sure as hell cheesy, Chuck. Not to mention used.
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Posted by: Harry on June 22, 2004 10:10 AM
Cheesy? Wow, that stings, Harry. And nice play on my name there. Very clever.canon power shoot s1 is
I don't suppose any of you Moore-bashers want to defend Preznit Bush's decision to sit there with his thumb up his ass reading a book about a pet goat to a bunch of kids while the WTC was in flames, huh? As Moore's film will show, Bush was scared shitless when it was time to act like a real president.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Charlie Hodge on June 22, 2004 10:53 AM
PDQ, that Moore quote on the Iraqi insurgency is from his websitecanon power shoot s1 is
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?messageDate=2004-04-14canon power shoot s1 is
Charlie, canon power shoot s1 is
Sure you would have preferred that Bush stood and announced to the class that whoever did this will be taken dead or alive? You wouldn't have called him an overagressive maverick cowboy for that would you?
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Posted by: Paul Smith on June 22, 2004 11:38 AM
Wow, Charlie. That really stings. You wanted Cowboy Bush to pull out his six-shooters in front of grade schoolers? Bush was first told that plane crash no. 1 was an accident. After the second crash, he was told that we're under attack. Should he have collected his thoughts and left with composure after a few minutes, or should he have alarmed the kids and run out in a panic? What kind of cheap shot grasping at straws kind of critique is this line of petty carping? canon power shoot s1 is
Unserious people say the darnedest of things, like "plastic turkey" and "military jumpsuits" and all. As the Left sinks its teeth into the inconsequential and feeds on Moore-esque fiction, the rest of us are morbidly amazed.canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: c on June 22, 2004 12:19 PM
Here is some PC truth a la Moore et al (warning- it's geniusly nuanced):canon power shoot s1 is
Bush knew about 9-11 before it happened. Bush was an incompetent who didn't "connect the dots" of 9/11 to come. Bush is a crazed cowboy gunning for a fight. Bush is a scaredy cat cowering in a classroom. canon power shoot s1 is
Bush is a Christian fundamentalist waging the Crusades against a religion of peace. Bush is a Zionist puppet of neo-con Jews fighting Muslims for Israel. Bush is in the pocket of Israel. Bush is in the pocket of the Sauds. Bush is pandering to Saudi interests. Bush is antagonizing and destabilizing our Arab allies. Bush went to war to profit from Iraqi oil. Bush is beholden to the Sauds and their oil hegemony. canon power shoot s1 is
Bush shouldn't have sent troops into Afghanistan and then Iraq. Bush should have sent more troops into Afghanistan and then Iraq. Bush should have proved Osama guilty for 9/11 before going after him with law enforcers only and through the World Court. Bush should have concentrated all military and intelligence resources on bagging Osama and not have "diverted" them to Iraq. Bush's Secretary of Defense is discredited by having once shaken hands with Saddam. Bush's nemesis Chirac embraced Saddam for all he is worth and should be listened to.canon power shoot s1 is
Bush is bullying the world. Bush is weak and is not taken seriously. Bush's America neglects the ills of the world. Bush's America is too interventionist and should mind its own business. Bush waged a unilateral war without world support. Bush's many Coalition allies should be voted out of office for enjoining the war (Aznar's party, Berlusconi, Blair, Howard, etc.) canon power shoot s1 is
Bush's "terrorists" in Iraq are actually noble insurgent "freedom fighters" and "Minute Men". Bush is the one terrorizing Iraq with his inappropriate goal of freedom for its citizens. Bush is an unprincipled chickenhawk. Bush is a democracy freak. canon power shoot s1 is
Bush's War on Terror is overplayed. Bush's War on Terror is insufficient. Bush has created a fascist America with the Patriot Act. Bush should use more police and the law to protect us, instead of unseating fascist governments. Bush is Hitler. Bush isn't even as smart as Hitler. Bush is crafty. Bush is stoopid. canon power shoot s1 is
Bush has no vision. Bush is too idealistic with his grandiose schemes. Bush is racist. Bush is unrealistic in thinking Arabs can handle democracy. Bush is constantly conspiring. Bush is lazy. Bush is Mussolini. Bush is not a strong leader. canon power shoot s1 is
Bush deserves unrelenting criticism and ad hominem attacks. Bush and Republicans shouldn't address their detractors and "dissenters", lest their patriotism be impugned. Bush's patriotism should be called into question at every opportunity, saying that he "betrayed" this country and the world order. Bush is never to question the allegiances of those who viciously attack him, the US, or our efforts... canon power shoot s1 is
And of course there'll be moore and moore of same up to the election this fall. Nevermind jihadist terror, the question is whether we can survive leftist logic. canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: c on June 22, 2004 02:14 PM
That's some good stuff there...canon power shoot s1 is
At least someone is willing to point out the contradictions within the media (left or right) that often come from the same God damned sources...canon power shoot s1 is Posted by: Brian on June 24, 2004 10:40 AM