Famed US documentary maker Michael Moore used his win of an Oscar to launch a violent attack on US President George W. Bush and war in Iraq amid loud boos from the audience.
"We live in fictitious times," he said when picking up the award for best documentary for his anti-gun film "Bowling for Columbine."
"We live in a time with fictitious election results that elect fictitious presidents. We live in a time when we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons.
"We are against this war Mr Bush. Shame on you. Shame on you!," he said to loud boos from an audience of 3,500 including most of Hollywood's top stars.
When he went backstage at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre to face reporters, Moore was unapologetic for his outburst.
"I'm an American, and you don't leave your citizenship when you enter the doors of the Kodak Theater. What's great about this country is that you can speak your mind," he said.
He said that, far from being appalled, many people in the audience stood up to applaud him.
"I say tonight I put America in a good light," he said praising the decision to push ahead with the Oscars despite the war raging in the Middle East.
"I showed how vital it is to have free speech in our country and all Americans have the right to stand up for what they believe in," he said.
I think that Michael Moore is a disgusting American. He may not agree with our president and our government, but all I can say is: VOTE, you bastard!!! You and all of your entertainment buddies who are so adament about protesting this war need to take some initiative and use some of the overabundance of money that you make to change the things that you disagree so whole-heartedly with. All of these movie stars that are making these slanderous statements against America and our government are sitting pretty in their Mansions in the Hollywood Hills, and, meanwhile, there are people out there trying to promote peace by preventing any more terrible events like September 11th. I think that those who are against this war need to look at the LONG TERM goals we, as a country, are trying to achieve -- PEACE! Think about it...
People shouldn't take Hollywood celebrities opinions seriously, they are just as misinformed as the general public. Half of them went through drug rehab at some point or another.
Can I just point out that Michael Moore is not a Hollywood celebrity - he is a documentary maker and an intelligent, articulate man to boot. His docu-film "Bowling for Columbine" is the first real money he's made although he's made a success as a troubleshooter exposing corruption and injustice in American society.
The point he makes about freedom of speech puts you other Americans to shame. You all brag about it saying how wonderful your country is but the moment someone voices an opinion that disagrees with your own your suddenly overwhelmed with vitriol and indignance. Freedom of speech means the freedom to s[eak all views without harrassment - it's a fundamental right which somehow apperas to be wasted on the zealous, nationalistic Americans.
No sunshine, Michael Moore is not a disgusting man, he is a very principled man who put his reputation on the line everytime he seeks to uncover some injustice in a counntry that is insanely protective of its name. It is people like Michael Moore who are respected in the world (you know that other place that ISN'T America) not the screaming sheep that you represent.
While you are entitled to your opinion as well Grim, please educate yourself on the Vietnam war and what our great soldiers went through when they were over there fighting as well as how they were treated when they got home. We will not stand for a repeat performance...get a grip please.
Somebody Cares,
I made no mention about the treatment of troops (neither did Michael Moore). I despise your government and I despise my British government for sending them to a war for what Mr Moore termed "fictious reasons." I hope the American troops and the British troops return with the minimum of casualties and I hope they return soon.
I hope they return soon as well, but what michael moore said - some of the troops saw. they really do not need to see this and i saw more people ''boo'' then moore admits.
people stood when he won, and then clapping at first to his speech. Once the booing began, much of the clapping ceased and many of the well-known actors did not look happy about what moore said.
Moore didn't do it to make people feel happy. He exercised his democratic right to free speech in a country that supposedly expouses the right to speak freely.
It's good that Michael Moore took advantage of his freedom of speech. Had he been an Iraqi citizen publicly denouncing and antagonizing his country's leader, he would have been imprisoned, tortured and executed.
While a portion of the world's population still believes that this war is only motivated by oil, many refuse to accept the fact that Saddam and his regime are no better than Hitler and his regime. Saddam may not have killed over 55 million people and invaded several countries, but he has killed over a million of his own people and invaded neighboring Kuwait. He shows the determination and lust for power, weapons, intimidation and destruction. I can't imagine how Mr. Moore can believe these facts are ficticious. God Bless the American, British and Australian Troops!
Holy War....You're basically killing each other to see who's got the better imaginary friend. - Richard Jeni
03-24-2003 07:24 AM
