Michael Moore is drawing huge crowds!

[Webster Green]

10,000 this afternoon in Berkeley, with another 3,000 who didn't get in. There were almost 3,000 people at the Sonoma County fairgrounds tonite. Michael gave a great speech and the crowd loved it. He is drawing similar numbers in other cities nationwide. Ann Coulter would be eating her heart out, if she had one.

[juajen]

1. Great news!

Michael deserves every bit of applause he gets for his courage and strong stand against the *istas.

[expatriot]

2. I've always liked Michael Moore, but his latest book really let me down...

it starts out really good but degenerates... i have been meaning to post my review of it on here for a while but i have to go to bed now. perhaps tomorrow. just real quick... my wife who thought the world of him before is really pissed at him after reading it for his completely meathead bashing of PETA and animal rights issues... it seems pretty counterproductive to say how we need to unite in order to defeat Bush and then just come out of no where and blatantly attack the animal rights movement. I found his book full of such instances of hypocrisy and double standards. For one, he writes this very witty and quite funny chapter from the perspective of 'God' on the subject of * but while I found it quite entertaining I remember thinking while I was reading it... is this really the best way to build a broad anti-Bush base? Many believers I suppose would be turned off by his sacreligious humor... but THEN he says later in the book on the section about mistakes the left has made, that the 'left' needs to stop treating religion like it was something to be scoffed at or made fun of, since that keeps us from reaching out to a lot of the lower classes. I bit hypocritical, considering the chapter I just mentioned.

I really like a lot of stuff in the book, but man...

[info being]

12. I agree, I'm not at all impressed with this effort

I'm a huge Michael Moore fan...I agree with practically everything he says...but this book is weak. It seems tired...none of the passion or humor we see in Stupid White Men. It's like Chomsky for the uneducated...which is a bit boring for those who also read Chomsky.

I applaud him for writing this, but I wouldn't recommend anyone who already knows about the Bush lies spend the $24 for it.

[info being]

20. I'll revise that...

The further I get into the book, the more I'm enjoying it. I especially like the chapter about how this is a Liberal country and we need to stop repeating the Big Lie that it is Conservative.

[lapauvre]

15. Religion and politics

I haven't read the book, so I know not whereof you speak.

However, I feel compelled to say this.  We cannot permit any
political party to "own" Jesus Christ.  We cannot
permit any political party to declare, over and over again
(visit a political chat for verification) that a democrat
cannot be a Christian.  Or a patriot. Or a loyal American. 
The right wing has been hiding behind Christianity since at
least 1964.  They have talked the talk, but not walked the
walk.

And, to me, they have blasphemed, according to the Bible, by
so using the image of Christ to protect them from attack. 
Nobody wants to attack Christ.  Nobody wants to attack the
American flag.  But, in the eyes of the Christian Right,
anyone not marching with them is (1) not a Christian; (2) Not
a patriot;  (3) treasonous; (4) Not worthy of respect as an
American;  (5) Open for the most filthy insults capable of
being given; (6) Accused of communist ((athiest)affiliation; 
(7) accused of being a homosexual; (8)Should be denied free
speech; and (9) should be denied the right of dissent.

I do not find much of Christianity, as I know it and believe
it, in the Christian Right's propaganda and desire for power. 
I do not find much Americanism in the Christian Right's
propaganda for desire and power.  I find a blasphey of Christ
and a lack of civility, and a desire to convert America into
some kind of "thing" equivalent to Iran's Islamic
theocracy.  Thank God I was born in America.  Thank God I was
born into a Christian philosophy.  And thank God for both that
give me the ability to think and the power to act upon that
thought to protect my country.

At the moment, hypocracy rests with the right wing.  They are
co-opting both the right to be Christian and the right to be
an American.

The Christian Right does now have a patent on God or the Flag.
 Dissent, free speech and the Christian Right (to quote
Sharpton--who really isn't considering becoming president--)
need to be encountered 
by the right Christians.

Amen.

[liberalmike27]

21. Expat

I have to say expatriot, some of the stuff you are saying is true. It was kind of short too. The chapter on how to talk to your conservaite brother-in-law had most of the stuff you talk about. I think he gave in on a lot of issues that I don't particularly think he should have. The funny thing is, the gun issue is a loser for democrats, and he seems to be continuing to support that. Even his movie showed that it isn't the guns, but the attitude of the people, of the government, whether we fight in wars, and the security of our economy for our people, and levels of education that have more of an effect on how many folks are murdered.

The chapter on God, I did find funny, but I'm a bit of an agnostic. I don't think it'll bother too many people that didn't care for the war. I know a lot of religious people wish that individuals would stop attributing everything good or bad to God, or the Devil. This is particularly true with republicans and the religious right. I like what Sharpton said, we need to stop concerning ourselves with the religous right, and focus on the right Christians!

One other thing that bothers me is his support of Clark. I happen to think Clark is just the latest plant that pubbies put in since Kerry wasn't resonating with too many people. I am a bit disappointed that he doesn't realize just how much our election and its entries are controlled, and that bothered me a bit. I think he should look at Wesley's recent past, examine the videos where he was complimenting Bush, there are several that were made in 3 years. I want Bush beaten badly, but not if it takes electing another Republican under a Democratic costume.

I guess to sum up, it just wasn't liberal enough, and we've all done enough giving in to the right. Resistance is not futile, they are not the Borg, though the act like it sometimes.

[minto grubb]

23. Michael Moore

I have to say that I agree with a lot of what he says, but seems to be categorising people too much.
For instance, he says that if you are a white guy, then you haven't got any black friends. 'Friends are people you hang out with after work, you go to their place and they come to yours', he explains. Gee, Like Dave and Olwin, you mean, Mr, Moore? If you haven't met them, they are two guys I know, they are my friends, and they are black...
Ok, I know that Americans are fond of Post Modernism and irony, but he could still have made the point without alienating and invalidating guys like me.
He does the same trick with Feminism. 'You cannot be a male and call yourself a feminist- women are different, they bat for the other side.'
As far as I am concerned, there is only one side on certain issues, women's rights being one of them. Ok, so he wishes to make the point that a lot of 'Liberals' are only posers- the sort of people who will talk against racism, but would not allow their daughter to mary anyone who was not white, f'rinstance- but he has to acknowledge the possibility that we are not all like that.
He is a white male himself. is he therefore a fake? A closet reactionary?
I would like him a lot more if he dropped the supercilious attitude towards guys like me. You don't have to be black, female and gay to support human rights, you know.

[mhr]

3. Yes, But What Crowds Does He Draw in Bush Friendly Territory?

eom

[Touchdown]

4. 6,000 at DU.

That's The University of Denver...mainly a business school.

That is without any advertising, no writeups in the paper, and a total local news media blackout of his appearence up to last Wed. He said that if the local news would have mentioned he was going to be in town, then 12,000 would've showed up.

Why did they not show up, the local NBC station's excuse was that all their cameras were in Eagle County covering Kobe.

[Township75]

5. I saw an add in the Boulder Newspaper when I was out there...

I think it was called the Camera or something.

[deutsey]

7. His movie Bowling for Columbine

drew 210 people on a rainy night in a rural town last night at our peace group's showing of the documentary.

Over 40 stayed afterward for over an hour to have a discussion about the film. And we're in a rather Republican part of Maryland (the Eastern Shore).

See here for details:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=577680

[lapauvre]

17. Great

It taught me a lot.  Kinda like Kevin Phillips teaches a lot. 
But I liked more because he is current and "still
thinking about it," and telling all the rest of us to
"think about it."

[RainDog]

6. Michael Moore has his own opinions

and he has the right to decide that he thinks PETA doesn't speak for him.

I'm thrilled that Moore is out there talking and writing books. He speaks to a lot of people that politicians can't. You wouldn't believe all the white guys who are not in white collar jobs who like him and who really, really get what he has to say, and they get it, in part, because he is the one who's saying it.

Lots of things in the book have been available for people to know for a while, but not necessarily in the places where part of his core audience would find them, or if they did, they might not want to give credit to these issues because of the messenger.

I wish he'd do a state fair tour, if anyone would let him. Bring along a band and have some music and then talk to people.

I'm sure he's not always 100% right. None of us are. But he's right about so many important issues.

So often on this site I hear people dismissed because they don't agree exactly with them on every issue. Well, I don't know anyone I agree exactly with on anything, and if I could only associate with those who do, I'd be pretty isolated.

[CivilRightsNow]

18. Why didnt he speak at the ANSWER protest?

I dont understand it. I mean, do they extend invitations to people like him, Al Franken, and Jim Hightower and the folks just refuse? Or do the protest organizers just not care to appeal to crowds of 13K that come to hear one speaker?

[Terwilliger]

8. couldn't make it, but wanted to go

They replayed two different speeches of Moore's from SFSU ans Santa Rosa on Democracy Now, and KPFA's Morning Show.

Probably a copy of today's show at www.democracynow.org

[yelladawg]

9. How do I find out

How would I find out if Mr.Moore would visit us in NW Arkansas?

[Lefty48197]

10. Just look for a bunch of freepers with white pointy hats

protesting. You'll find Moore at that time.

[BastsTomCat]

11. Good

As he should draw crowds and support of his views .. for gods sakes he he pretty darn close to reality at times ( he still seems quite optimistic to really understand whats going on )

[number six]

13. with a pencil?

I'm so very sorry

[lapauvre]

14. Yes, but...

Michael is being put down by the right wing as well as the
left wingers who have been bought out.  Michael has it down
pat.

His initial fervor for Clark was balanced by his statements
that he would be watching and future judging.

As we should all do.

[Gloria]

16. Heard today on Radio Japan that "Stupid White Men'" has been

translated into Japanese and has done well in Japan!

[GypsyBob1]

19. thats understandable

Like many countries, they love anything critical of the U.S.

[liberalmike27]

22. US

I get tired of the implication that the US has never done anything wrong. If we were there, with a good media that actually reported the truth, and variety, and things from their viewpoint, we'd see a lot wrong with what we have been doing for a long time. We need to face up with the fact that blind obedience to any leader isn't patriotism, just sickening sycophantism.

Our country has done terrible things in Central America, our CIA has used drug dealing to finance terrible operations under the table from congress, and we have used our military over and over through the ages to achieve our business goals. Anyone who resists the idea that America has committed atrocities in the world, is poorly educated. If you don't like Chomsky, read some books from ex-CIA agents. We love dictators, we have deposed many democratically elected governments, and we've used military force once again, to obtain a foothold in an area with the second-largest oil supply in the world, and it is costing us dearly.

I love America so much that I want to read, and find out what we've done wrong, so I can protest against the same things happening again. Those who aren't educated in these matters, as boring as it can be sometimes, need to show a little love for America and read some books.

[SCliberal73]

24. Moore kicks A**

MM seems to piss off the right to no end. More power to him.

[g_philli]

25. His show was cancelled

I had tickets to see him at cal state san marcos, but it was cancelled because of the fires. :-(