|
Michael Moore
Author, Social Critic
Monday, Feb. 25, 2002; 11 a.m. EST
Michael Moore first appeared on America's radar after he made the documentary film, "Roger and Me," which skewered General Motors. In his new book, "Stupid White Men... And Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation," Moore points a finger at the group of people he considers responsible for "laying waste to the world as we know it."
Moore will be online Monday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. EST, to discuss his new book, his take on the state of the nation and his book reading event, which will take place Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at Olsson's Books in Arlington, Va.
Moore's first book, "Downsize this," took a hard look at American corporate culture. He is also the creator and host of the TV series "TV Nation" and "The Awful Truth."
A transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Berks County, Pa.:
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Pennsylvania is being sued for running up a HUGE surplus -- yet they've raised their rates to an alltime high. Will there ever be an end to the raping of the public by multi-billion-dollar insurance companies?
Michael Moore: Not until we the people start to demand it and we elect representatives who can't be bought.
Springfield, Mass.:
You keep going on and on about how George Bush stole the election. Well, that is just so year 2000. Who cares if he stole the election?
Let's just move on.
Michael Moore: Who cares? Listen, people in my family died in wars to protect that very right -- the right of the people's votes to be counted to elect their leaders. We must never forget this, and someday justice has to be served.
San Luis Obispo, Calif.:
Mike, How can you stand to be on panels with right wing nuts like Ann Coulter without wanting to throttle her? Why is it that people seem to tolerate her although she's obviously unhinged?
Also, please visit us on the Central Coast of California!
Michael Moore: You have asked the central question that has puzzled science for ages.
Chris from Riverside, R.I.:
Why was the national media more concerned with what Bill Clinton was doing with another consenting adult than they are with this entire Bush/Enron debacle? I personally care a hell of a lot more about how Enron financed Bush's campaign and now the Enron leaders are Bush's right hand people. Something isn't right here. Maybe it's just me, and I am the only one concerned... but I doubt that.
Michael Moore: 200 FBI agents were assigned to inverstigate a stain on a blue dress. What if those agents had been doing their REAL job -- protecting us from terrorists, etc? Could 9-11 have been prevented if there had been 200 FBI agents assigned to tracking down people here on Saudi passports -- you know, Saudi Arabia, where the Bush family has a lot of financial interests...THAT Saudi Arabia...oops...THIS IS THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY. WE ARE SORRY TO INTERRUPT THIS ON LINE CHAT. MR MOORE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR RE-PROGRAMMING. BACK TO YOU SHORTLY...
Round 'em Up:
Hi Michael,
Since Ken Lay and cohorts have caused
harm to U.S. citizens in massive numbers,
wouldn't it be smart to round up and
detain indefinitely all of those who fit their
profile? Y'know, rich, white, male, CEO.
It's clear to me that they are the real
threat, and I would feel much safer and
more secure if anyone who looks like
them is locked away.
Michael Moore: HAHAHAHA...Ok, I'm back... That was fairly painless...
This is a very funny idea. I will begin promoting it immediately...
Washington, Mich.:
Is this the darkest period in American politics? If an Eastern European leader attempted to pull off what Bush has accomplished, his head would be impaled on a stick in the town square. How does one account for our complacency?
Michael Moore: You are exactly right. And here's the biggest kept secret -- millions of Americans AGREE with you. Bush does NOT have an 80% approval rating.
Lawrence, Kan.:
Do you think Dick Cheney really has something to hide from the GAO and the American people or is it just a clever set-up to make investigators look foolish when they find nothing?
Also, isn't the problem really Stupid Selfish Elitist Oligarchs of Various Races and Genders and not simply Stupid White Men?
Michael Moore: Whoa! Did you go to college?! Seriously, I think what Cheney really has to hide is what he knows about meetings between Haliburton and the Taliban in recent years to build the Unocal pipeline across Afghanistan.
United Kingdom:
You have mentioned that not all Americans agree with the prosecution of the "War against Terrorism." How sizeable do you estimate this block of public opinion to be?
Michael Moore: Most Americans do not want to see kids in the service die in Afghanistan, and that's why many have tried to be supportive of Bush. But the questions are growing, and people want to know just what is really going on. I am optimistic. ...Sorry, I am typing these answers my self, excuse typoes typo0s tyypose
Bedford, Tex.:
How do you size up the prospective 2004 Democratic candidates for President: Gore, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, Dick Gephardt, Tom Daschle? Does anyone appeal to you or will you support another Nader run?
Michael Moore: Some are better than others. We need more than two parties and more that two "choices."
Raritan, N.J.:
I have heard you state (on WNYC radio) that the Cheney energy committe met with the Taliban as recently as August 2001 to discuss a trans-Afghanistan pipeline. What is your evidence for this, and why have the major media picked this up and run with it?
Michael Moore: I am only asking questions relating to what I have heard. You can go to the BBC website and find a story from 1995 that they did about the Taliban visiting Houston to meet with industry execs about the pipleline. What is going on here?
Toronto, Canada:
Why did Chris Matthews cancel your guest spot on Friday? I have banned U.S. TV in our house since Sept. 11 for obvious reasons, as it dumbs down everything. I made an exception to see that show and was sorely disappointed.
Michael Moore: They told me it was because of "the Olympics."
San Diego, Calif.:
Mike, I'm still a bit torqued off at you for continuing to support Nader when it became very clear we needed every vote behind Gore. But that is niether here nor there. Right now you are the one with the truth AND the mike. You are doing a very nice job getting the information out the mainstream "liberal" media won't touch. What are your plans to keep going with this?
Michael Moore: I am on a book tour across the country and every place is selling out and the stores are running out of books. So I will keep going unitl Bush resigns. And, in the last chapter in the book, I address the whole Nader issue.
Charlottesville, Va.:
Mike,
I started reading the book and couldn't put it down. My question has to do with Bush's so-called 80% approval rating: How is it that he could be so high given that he stole the election, is an idiot, is bombing the hell out of innocent women and children and planning to extend the terror around the world, is obviously a crook and has crooks for friends, his whole family is full of crooks, and is inept as a president? Are we that hard-up as a nation? Or are those who were polled just a bunch of dummies afraid of telling the truth? Seems to me, millions of people believe as you do. Who do these pollsters talk to anyway? Thanks for your book.
Michael Moore: Look, this is how it works. A stranger calls Mr and mrs america at 9 at night and asks, "DO YOU APPROVE OF THE PRESIDENT?" I think that scares the crap out of most people and so naturally they answer I SUPPORT HIM! YES! I DO! HONEST! PLEASE BELIEVE ME! DON'T TAKE ME AWAY TO THAT LITTLE ROOOOOOMMMMM!!!!!!
Fairfax, Va.:
As the daughter and granddaughter of coal miners, manual laborers, and auto assembly-line workers who have gotten screwed by stupid white men for more than a century, I'm so glad that you managed to get this book published. One of the central reasons I'm beginning grad school in library sciences is to get alternative viewpoints like this out there to the people. And frankly, I want to make every single person who voted for Shrubya read Molly Ivins columns and book.
Michael Moore: Hey, thanks!
Harrisburg, Pa.:
I understand your statement that we should have more than two political choics. Yet, hasn't further choices been manipulated to serve the needs of the exact "stupid white men" of whom you speak against? Despite all the admirable qualities of Ralph Nader, the political reality is he helped get George Bush elected. If I were a "stupid white man" in 2000, I would have given the Nader campaign lots of money in key states like Florida.
Michael Moore: 1. Gore won. He got the most votes. He won Florida.
2. Gore couldn't win his own state.
3. Gore wouldn't let Clinton campaign in Arkansas.
4. Gore couldn't win any of 3 debates with the dumbest man ever to run for president.
I admire Gore for blaming himself and Clinton and not Nader.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.:
I saw you on John Stuart's The Daily Show the other night, and couldn't help but notice that they edited out part of the discussion. Can you tell me if anything signifigant transpired during these outtakes? During the parts I was able to see, you seemed to cause quite a stir in the audience, and I applauded you all the while.
Michael Moore: I think it was just for time. The audience was stunned. Just go to my webiste, all the sources are there.
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Since the network & cable news channels are so dumbed down, where do you find honest, objective news reporting?
Please try to visit us in Cincinnati.
Michael Moore: British papers like the Guardian and the BBC and Canadian news and the stuff they bury in the NY Times and WSJ and Wash Post.
Kennesaw, Ga.:
Mike-
Do you find it difficult to balance satire with refined social criticism? Have you ever been concerned that your comic approach to current events undermines the message you hope to convey?
A side note:
I went to Borders to purchase your new book. I found it in the comedy section. Was this the publisher's doing, was the books banishment from the political science section a backlash from Borders in response to negative exposure in The Big One? Why dey gotta be hatin' on Mike?
Michael Moore: I think humor reaches more people, but the book should not be in the humor section. Borders, I think, is OK with me now...
Portland, Ore.:
In the bio section of "Stupid White Men," it states that this is your last book. Is this true, or just another joke along with winning the Burton Toughman Contest? (not to say you couldn't win!) If so, it would be very sad for the rest of us.
Michael Moore: HAHAHA it was just a joke,,,, i just always think those author bios are so pretentious, and i wonder if most readers know that the author usually writes them?
Arlington, Va.:
To what extent do you think the US "corporate media" such as Faux, oops, Fox, and CNN, has succeeded in duping the American public about the implications of Enron (move along, people, not a political scandal, nothing to see here.)
Michael Moore: The people are not duped. They get it. It's up to us to make sure that the real culprits are brought to justice.
Mike's webmaster:
Dear Chatmaster:
Here's a link to at least ONE article supporting Mike's assertion about the Taliban working with Houston on a pipeline.
http://www.mapcruzin.com/news/war111901a.htm
-- Ray
washingtonpost.com:
Thanks much for the link Ray.
Michael Moore: thanks ray...get some sleep!!
Boston, Mass.:
Mike, picking up on your "Gore won"
theme, what do you think of election
reform? Remember the debate over the
electoral college? Why do we still need
that archaic institution?
Michael Moore: It's got to go. One person, one vote. And proportional representation... and we should be able to do prefential voting so that you can list your first then second choice.
Tacoma, Wash.:
Hey Mike, great book. Could you maybe tell me what are, like, your top five books. I mean, something had to inspire you to become such a great writer and director. Did you find that inspiration in the works of others? How about, top five books and top five movies, eh?
Michael Moore: books: bury my heart at wounded knee, rules for radicals, johnny got his gun, how children learn, the soft revolution, student as n-----.
movies: a clockwork orange, taxi driver, pee wee's big adventure, spinal tap, wild strawberies, hearts and minds, dr. strangelove, network, les miserables (1996 french version), do the right thing
Gaithersburg, Md.:
Agh! The electoral college -is- proportional representation. It ensures that the candidates won't campaign in 10 states and ignore the rest.
Michael Moore: right thats why neither candidate hardly visited the three largest states during the 2000 election calif, texas, ny because of the electoral college,,, they saw it as a worthless exercise
Holland, Mich.:
What kind of car do you drive...do you drive a Ford or a Chevy? I'm curious how you balance wanting to support American workers without supporting the corporate Elite.
Michael Moore: i have a chrysler van in michigan and a VW beetle in nyc
Ballston, Va.:
Do you read the postings at www.democraticunderground.com? If not, we'd be glad to have you stop by!
Keep up the great work, Mike, and thanks for speaking the truth about Bush.
Michael Moore: s great site!
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Hi Mike,
Did you ever read Frank Zappa's autobiography? Both of you seem to have a similar take on politics.
Michael Moore: some day i wil write about how he invited me over for dinner shortly before he died... a great great guy...
Washington, D.C.:
Could someone ask for a link to his tour dates? washingtonpost.com:
Here ya go: Mike's Tour Dates
Michael Moore: thanks!
Denver, Colo.:
In your section on "Kill Whitey" there are tons of interesting material for all of us -- what is the response from African Americans?
Michael Moore: it has been overwhelming...i have asked the publisher to please reach out to the black community with my book.
Salem, N.H.:
Ahmed Rashid also chronicles the Taliban's visits to Texas in his book "Taliban," as well as all the dealings with Unocal and others.
Michael Moore: thanks. when this can of worms gets opened, it is going to stink to the high heavens. for those of us who lost people in the WTC, we will demand that the truth come out about what really happened. and we won't rest til it does.
Alexandria, Va.:
You mentioned visiting your Web site... what's the address? washingtonpost.com:
It's linked under the photo of Michael's book cover, but here tis: www.michaelmoore.com.
Michael Moore: that's it.thanks!
Toronto, Canada:
Hey Mike: I'm growing out my armpits to protest the war: "Pits for Peace." You think you and your staff might be into joining?
Michael Moore: i've already started!!
Welcome to D.C., Land of Taxation Without Representation:
How can the citizens of D.C. get the attention of other U.S. citizens (who actually get representation in Congress)? Is there anything short of taking over a bridge in rush hour to raise the attention level we can do to get full citizenship rights?
Michael Moore: yes you must do that and more. that is the only answer. no one cares.
London, Ont.:
Watching from the sidelines in Canada and it seems your one of the few voices of reason down there.
So how come your not on the radio?
Michael Moore: there are millions like me. they just lack the forum.
Cambridge, Mass.:
Hey mike. Just finished your book about 10 minutes ago. Great read. I had only one problem with it. You mention that The Palestinians have never had their own land which is not true. They had MORE land including Jerusalem prior to 1967. Was that merely an oversight on your part or do you really believe what you printed?
Cheers
Michael Moore: Wasn't it controled by Jordan? I dunno, I just usually blame the British for everything! ahahahhaa
Mohnton, Pa.:
How do you convince networks and publishers to take on your work? Do you hope they've noticed your previous successes, or is it a new battle every time?
Michael Moore: I usually just pay them off.
Vienna, Va.:
Come on, Mike, get serious. A couple being called in the evening to poll their support of the Bush administration being scared of arrest and interrogation? If that's true, I got beach property for you in Kansas. Please don't insult people's intelligence with this nonsense... it is eonugh to make one assume (falsely) that there really ARE a bunch of "stupid white men."
Michael Moore: obviously you work for the office of homeland security
San Diego, Calif.:
Speaking of Jon Stewart, I can't help but think of TV Nation everytime I watch Mo Rocca and Stephen Colbert. It seems like they're inspired by your work. Who were the people who inspired you to make movies, write books and create TV shows....and will there be more TV shows?
Michael Moore: hunter thompson, stanely kubrick, marx bros.,
Arlington, Va.:
Just a quick question. If Al Gore were president, do you think we would struck back with military force against Al Qaeda?
Michael Moore: yes
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Mike, the release of your new book has been like a catharsis for an entire nation. People are remembering that in America, if we don't like our leaders, we have the right to say so -- in fact we have the responsibility. Leading this reawakening puts you in quite an important position. How do you plan to go forward in continuing the fight for reestablishing a legitimate government of the people in the face of a still frightened America and a do-nothing press core?
Michael Moore: its something we all have to do together...the first step would be for people to stop being afraid of speaking out...
Gore did NOT win:
Give up the "Gore won" crapola. Winning the "most votes" is not the criteria for winning the American presidency. If you want to complain about the "dumbing down" of America, don't you have a responsibility not to contribute to that "dumbing down" process by giving up totally false or misleading information?
Michael Moore: Gore won. I good at math. i count. me see gore won. we get you guys next time. this november, bye bye repub house!
Tallahassee, Fla.:
Hey Mike!
Has your opinion of Shrub changed since 9/11 and if so is it more or less favorable?
Keep up the good work!
Michael Moore: less. we are less safe with him in charge.
btw, where is the evildoer we went over ther to smoke out?
like father like son.
Valparaiso, Ind.:
Dear Michael,
When are you going to be on Alan Keyes' program "Alan Keyes is Making Sense?" It would be a great opportunity for you to clue Mr. Keyes into what is going on in the world. Also, where else could you wear a sweater on a cable show?
Michael Moore: that is the funniest show on tv!!
New York, N.Y.:
Is "President" Bush going to invade Iraq? And if so, when and what will the consequences be?
Michael Moore: bush didn't figure on a razor blade defeating us a seond time. first 9-11, then all the taliban who saved off their beards and said "Taliban? What Taliban! Not me!" They are all still there, just waiting for us to leave. So bush needs new enemy quick to keep us distracted from kenny boy
washingtonpost.com:
Don't forget, Michael will be making an appearance tomorrow, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. EST at Olsson's Books at Courthouse
in Arlington.
Michael Moore: thnks!
Woodbridge, Va.:
First, congrats on being in the #1 spot on amazon.com! Have just ordered "Stupid White Men" and was looking forward to your scheduled appearance last Friday on Hardball with Chris Matthews. Instead, they aired a re-run interview with the Saudi ambassador. Were you censored again?
Michael Moore: i hope not
Jersualem, Palestine:
It's really striking how the script for 9-11 & the "War on Terror" seems to have come straight out of a cheap comic book, and I have to confess that whenever I see Bush I'm immediately reminded of Mad Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman.
If the prospect of President "Dubya" starting WW III (Afghanistan, Kasmir, Palestine, Iraq, Korea, Taiwan, Columbia, etc.) because he's living out some sort of adolescent male fantasy doesn't scare the s--t out of Americans, what ever will? Is there any hope for our collective futures?
-Hopeless in Jerusalem
Michael Moore: yes
Centralia, Wash.:
A rumour is circulating that you broke a story stating that the Bush administration spirited all of Bin Laden's family who were then residing in the U.S. out of the country during the "no-fly" time. Is this true or just another wild rumor?
Michael Moore: s not a rumor its true...see the nov 12 new yorker mag by jane mayer
University of Puget Sound:
Hey Mike, great work. Just had to ask-why no "Roger & Me" (or any of your old movies) on DVD? Huh? I want some Director Commentary and deleted scenes.
Michael Moore: roger will be on dvd this year awful truth is available now
Signal Mountain, Tenn.:
I have been reading some of the letters written between Lay and Bush while he was governor of Texas. One quote caught my attention in a letter sent to Bush from Lay, "The nation's new energy system is being installed now. OUR place in the new system will be decided by US, or for us."
When will people finally learn that they are out for themselves and could give a sh-t about everybody else?
Michael Moore: The people knoiw. you just told them thanks!
washingtonpost.com:
Michael, thank you so much for joining us Live Online today. Hope you can talk with our readers again in the future.
Michael Moore: thanks,,,this ws great wish i could type faster...so many questions...hope to see peole tomorrow night at ollssons in arlington...
Michael Moore: sorr about the typing
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
Stay tuned to Live Online:
Howard
Kurtz: Media Backtalk at Noon EST
Post
Magazine: Cheating at Silver Spring International? at 1 p.m. EST
Wilbon
and Kornheiser: The Chat House at 1:30 p.m. EST
Travel
Talk at 2 p.m. EST
New
iMac: Pegoraro Video Live Online! at 2 p.m. EST
Entertainer
Sandra Bernhard at 4 p.m. EST
Astrologer
Charlene Lichtenstein at 6 p.m. EST
Did you know that you can follow more than one Live Online discussion at
the same time? Just open another browser window and toggle back and
forth between discussions! And, if you miss one, catch up with the Live
Online transcripts.
Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with
washingtonpost.com
e-mail newsletters.
NEW! Personalize your Post with mywashingtonpost.com.
Get customized news, traffic, weather and more.
Michael Moore: And thanks to everyone for your support. it looked for awhile that this book was not going to come out. now it has gone to #1 on the amazon list. i can't thank people enough. hang in there everybody... things will get better and we will make this country an even better place to live in...
Michael Moore: Thanks! Byeeeeeeeeeeee
| |
© Copyright 2002 The Washington Post Company | 
