MichaelMoore.com

Moore on Republicans: 'they only have a few weeks left'

By Joe Ireland / Portland State University Vanguard

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore spoke at a rally at PSU yesterday, his speech marked with calls to vote out President George W. Bush and fierce attacks on the right-wing, the crowd responding with keyed-up hollering and applause.

The rally, intended to encourage people to vote, especially students, was organized by the Young Voters Project and College Democrats. Sierra Club helped organize and provided the funding.

"We're the majority and they're the minority," said Moore, "and on Jan. 20, they're going to be the official minority."

At the rally, which took place at the Urban Plaza at noon, Moore criticized Bush and the Republican Party for everything from negative politicking to anti-gay marriage efforts to the war in Iraq.

"They would much rather send the poor, the Hispanic, the African-Americans from Portland to Iraq, than their own sons and daughters," said Moore, touching on a familiar theme from his record-selling documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11".

"They'll never send their children to die in a foreign country when they can send the children of the working people of this country to line the pockets of Halliburton and the oil companies."

The free event was the thirty-third of 60 dates on Moore's Slacker Uprising Tour. Attendees with filled-out ballots were given priority for admission.

Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope also spoke at the rally.

At a press conference before the rally, Pope explained the Sierra Club's decision to support Moore and the Young Voters Project in funding this event, and why the club has endorsed Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry in his bid for president.

"Young Americans in particular have not been stepping up to the plate," said Pope, "and Michael Moore has a particular power and a particular message for young Americans that, in fact, they do make a difference, that, in fact, their vote is important and is valuable."

"[Kerry] is probably the member of the United States Senate who has most steadfastly stated a really important truth: our continued dependence on fossil fuels and oil is bad for our national security, is bad for our economy, is bad for our health, is bad for the environment."

Moore defended Kerry against critics that label him a flip-flopper when it comes to the Iraq war.

"So Kerry and 70 percent of the American people were wrong. What was their crime? They believed the president of the United States. You're supposed to be able to believe the president of the United States," Moore said to the delight of the audience.

"You know," continued Moore, "all Kerry needs to say to Bush is, 'You know, Mr. Bush, I've only had one position on this war: I believed you, and you didn't tell the truth. You let us down, and now you have to go!'"

A small group of Bush supporters, flagging Bush/Cheney signs and T-shirts, gathered at one corner of the rally to protest the filmmaker's appearance.

Though Moore repeatedly referred to the Bush supporters during his speech, there were no immediate reports of threats, abuse or assault.

"Be nice to them, they only have a few weeks left," said Moore, "That's the difference between our rallies and the Bush rallies. Everyone is welcome at our rallies."

"I thought it was good for Democrats," said Andrew Ross, a Republican. "Michael Moore made his point, he stands and believes in what he wants to believe in. I admire Michael Moore's cause, but I disagree with his politics, and that's the beauty of America."

PSU student and Democrat Willian Hollaway shared this view.

"It was nice to see that there was a diverse crowd of all different ages, different looks, different types of people, and that people out here really care," said Hollaway. "Even the Bush supporters were out here fighting for what they believe in, although they may be different from my personal beliefs."

The event, which was scarcely advertised due delays in securing funds, was set up by the Young Voter's Project, an organization that works to encourage youth voting, in conjunction with PSU Democratic political group, College Democrats.

According to Molly Woon, president of the College Democrats, Moore spoke at PSU for free, whereas he usually charges a speaking fee.

"He devoted his time to the Young Voters Project," said Woon.

At the press conference Moore illustrated his intentions for his movie and this tour.

"This year there's a clear choice and we're hoping, through our efforts, to remove George W. Bush from the White House," Moore said.

On the matter of voter-fraud, Moore said he and his wife are contributing money to a lawyers' group, which will send over 3,000 lawyers to Florida, as well as encouraging concerned Floridians to form an "army of video cameras" to watch over the election in case of foul play.

And if Bush wins, Moore said, "I and others will call for mass nonviolent civil disobedience. I will not allow our White House to be taken from us again. The right to vote, and the right to have all the votes counted, is a precious right. It is the cornerstone of a democracy. We will not sit back this time, and I regret we did the last time."

Moore also talked of his plans for his next film about HMOs and pharmaceutical companies and read passages from his new book, "Will They Ever Trust Us Again?" which is a collection of letters to Moore from disgruntled soldiers in Iraq.

At the press conference, Moore made a point to mention Fahrenheit For Free, a program starting next week in which numerous independent video stores across the country will be renting "Fahrenheit 9/11" free of charge up until the election. Representatives were present from Beverly Hills Video and Video Underground, both of which are participating in Fahrenheit For Free.

Information on participating video stores are available on his web site, www.michaelmoore.com.

At the rally, Moore spoke out against the mass media and their role in the war. "My question is to the media, and some of them are here today: Where were you?" Moore asked, pointing his finger at the press people in their closed off area. "Why didn't you ask the hard questions and demand the evidence?"

"It's absolutely embarrassing and disgusting," he said.