Here Comes Trouble: Stories from My Life

"Outstanding…Moore Triumphs! Publishers Weekly

Mike's Letter

February 19th, 2002 12:00 AM

I'm with Stupid and Today is the Day

Dear friends,

Today is, frankly, a day I thought I would never see. It is the day my book goes on sale to the public. That should be a simple event, as it happens every day with dozens of books that find their way to the bookstores of America.

But eight weeks ago it appeared as if this might never happen for my book, Stupid White Men. In those dark December days, as I was told that "changes had to be made," I was left to wonder if the 50,000 copies that had already been printed were well on their way to some big shredder in Pennsylvania. That was the option I was given -- rewrite the book and "tone down your dissent," or face the prospect of your book being "pulped."

I refused to change a word and the publisher backed down. And thus, today, you are able to read my book, uncensored. What an odd thing to say in a free society! "We have decided that you can now read Mike's book!" I have had a small taste of the New Order in which we now live, and, folks, I gotta say, I don't like it one bit. The only good thing to come out of it is that they made a big mistake trying to silence the wrong guy.

I had suggested to my publisher that maybe they should slap a sticker on the cover of my book reading, "APPROVED BY THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY." I think any organization that is, in and of itself, an illusion meant to create a false sense of safety, should at least have its own seal with a gummy back.

Can you keep a secret? This book is already at #1 on the expanded Amazon Nonfiction Bestseller List, and I got word today from two regional book distributors that the demand has been so high they are out of books! They were so desperate for more copies that they contacted the author directly (as if I had a few spare boxes of them out in the garage!).

I don't want the Axis of Uber-Evil -- Bush/Cheney/Ashcroft -- to find out how well the book has been doing before it even goes on sale, as they must continue to believe the media mantra of, "ALL Americans are behind George W. Bush!" and "Hail W, for it is you who has the HIGHEST approval ratings ever!"

Let them take heart in that nonsense (who wouldn't tell a stranger, a "pollster," who has called you at home at 9 o'clock at night and asked you if you "APPROVE" of your "President," just as you were looking out your window and noticing that your neighbor, Fasoul Hussein Abdulah -- you know, the friendly guy who owns the 7-11 down the street -- is being hauled away by the Men In Black! "Damn straight I approve of Mr. Bush!" you scream into the phone...).

The longer they keep believing their "ratings," the larger our numbers will grow. Sunday's Zogby Poll already had Bush at his lowest rating since before 9-11. Trust me, it only gets better from here on out, and you are welcome to mark "Stupid White Men Day -- February, 19, 2002" as the beginning of the end for Kenny Boy's boy.

So, today, I begin my month-long book tour across the country. If you'll recall from the film I made of my last outing, "The Big One," this can be one wild ride. It can also be no picnic. I am not going to make a movie this time. Instead, I am going to keep a simple diary on the road -- and I am going to make this diary open for you to view on my website.

I promise to be as honest as I can, and I won't be pulling any punches. If the Motel 6 sucks in Syracuse, you'll hear about it. The diary -- My Stupid Life: Mike's Book Tour Diary -- can be read or heard (depending on what kind of equipment you have) by going to www.michaelmoore.com anytime after tonight. Please mark it and check it out each day as I think you'll find it mildly interesting and sincerely libelous.

Tonight, I will be going on The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox Nudnick Channel to be interrupted -- I mean interviewed -- by its host, Bill O'Reilly. The fun begins at 8pm ET/PT, and you have to be part of the cable elite to witness this historic meeting of what hath become of Ireland's once great sons. At 10pm ET/PT tonight, you can catch me with Aaron Brown on CNN.

Finally, I want you to know that I will be looking forward to only one thing during this entire book tour -- Opening Day of the 2002 Major League Baseball season! Why? Because that is the day I am asking George W. Bush to resign. And I want the resignation to take place right in the middle of Enron Field in Houston during the 7th-inning stretch of the Astros-Brewers game. I've asked if I can throw out the first pitch at 4:05pm CT.

I mean, can there be a more perfect way to end the madness -- Bush, Lay, Mike, Texas, America's Favorite Pastime, and the visiting team from a Blue State owned by the Commissioner of Baseball (who will hand over his job to the ex-"president" as the fans sing "Da Do En-ron-ron Da Do En-ron")?

C'mon, George, are ya listening? Just step up to the microphone and go out like Gehrig! Opening Day, April 2, 2002. Yoooou're Ouuuuuuuut!!!

Write me at: StupidWhiteMen@aol.com

Yours,

Michael Moore
Author, Stupid White Men
Disputed Gold Medal Winner, Ice Dancing
StupidWhiteMen@aol.com

Michael Moore's Homepage

TO ORDER STUPID WHITE MEN, GO TO...

Stupid White Men

... or here ...

Getting Stupid White Men

TO ORDER SEASON TWO OF THE AWFUL TRUTH," GO TO...

The Awful Truth - 2nd Season

You must log in to comment.

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Log in | Register

(From The Onion) "Obama Openly Asks Nation Why On Earth He Would Want To Serve For Another Term" http://t.co/BjTfIxHR

Feb 8th
6:09 PM
Retweet This

The state of California has eliminated ALL state funding for every library in California. http://t.co/1gHskesI #OWS

Feb 8th
1:25 PM
Retweet This

An active-duty Lt. Colonel says Americans haven't been told the truth, that the war in Afghanistan is lost: http://t.co/oJ1bcMPy

Feb 7th
9:36 PM
Retweet This

RT @dankildee Wow! A packed house in #Flint for our supporters get-together. Lots of people fired up and ready to go! #MI05 #DanForCongress

Feb 7th
9:27 PM
Retweet This

Went to the Morgan Library to see original manuscript of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." My favorite writer, born 200 years ago today.

Feb 7th
5:38 PM
Retweet This

RT @MikeElk: how bittersweet that on the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens - candidate favoring child janitors is losing

Feb 7th
1:26 PM
Retweet This

RT @BrentALang: In honor of François Truffaut's birthday, the final, shattering scene from "400 Blows" http://t.co/k4cHsPSx

Feb 7th
2:55 AM
Retweet This

RT @crooksandliars: New At C&L: If Obama Administration is 'At War' with the Catholic Church, So Are Most American Catholics http://t.co ...

Feb 6th
10:43 AM
Retweet This

RT @thinkprogress: NEW POLL: "More than 7 in 10 support increasing the taxes of those earning more than $1 million a year" http://t.co/C ...

Feb 6th
10:36 AM
Retweet This

RT @BrianFWright: @MMFlint We know there were #Reagan #Democrats... Maybe #ClintEastwood is an #Obama #Republican...

Feb 6th
10:29 AM
Retweet This

And Clint, the consensus is u done a good thing standing up 4 Detroit--& your sermon seemed 2 b a call 2 give O his "second half." #sellcars

Feb 5th
11:29 PM
Retweet This

Congrats Giants! A great game. Hilarious ending - have never seen a player bummed out because he scored a touchdown.

Feb 5th
11:24 PM
Retweet This

RT @ZKWC: @MMFlint sounded to me like he was going to get all Dirty Harry on some Republicans by calling for another Obama term.

Feb 5th
10:23 PM
Retweet This

Eastwood ad started great-but it ended like America was gonna go all Dirty Harry on the world again. Jeez. Props tho for representin Detroit

Feb 5th
9:32 PM
Retweet This

Pat's 2nd play wasn't til 3:18 left in 1st qt-but now... Surprised by #OWS sentiment of Pepsi ad! Game began w/ a somber AmericaTheBeautiful

Feb 5th
9:29 PM
Retweet This

Wow! #Madonna. Amazing! And to close with "World Peace." Michigan's own. That was something.

Feb 5th
9:16 PM
Retweet This

“They’re only here to protect the people in government” - Laura Potter, retired Army nurse, on raid on #occupydc http://t.co/BIBoYZBf

Feb 5th
2:18 PM
Retweet This

Police in DC mistakenly arrested the wrong people today: http://t.co/067OzY7e #OWS

Feb 5th
2:03 AM
Retweet This

I got in and sat in the audience for his fourth show. The guests were Francis Ford Coppola & Henry Morgan. 30 years ago tonight!

Feb 5th
12:59 AM
Retweet This

He was doing a send-up of the late night talk show. It was fresh & irreverent & by Day 4 I was in the standby line to try & get a ticket...

Feb 5th
12:57 AM
Retweet This

The Battle for Vermont's Health -- And Why It Matters for the Rest of the Country ...by Wendell Pott www.michaelmoore.com I have observed in Vermont over...

Feb 8th
4:02 PM
Read More

Just the workers at Republic Windows & Doors (as seen in 'Capitalism: A Love Story') had to occupy their Chicago factory in order to get what...

Feb 8th
2:15 PM
Read More

From Mitt Romney's alternate reality, via Andy Cobb and Second City: Super Bowl Ad (Alternate Reality Take) www.youtube.com Mitt sure did feel strongly...

Feb 7th
9:59 PM
Read More

Powerful article by an active duty Lieutenant Colonel: "How many more men must die in support of a mission that is not succeeding and behind an array of...

Feb 7th
3:57 PM
Read More

The Great Carbon Bubble ...by Bill McKibben www.michaelmoore.com If we could see the world with a particularly illuminating set of spectacles, one of its most...

Feb 7th
11:30 AM
Read More

Why the Right May Be Right to Be Offended by Chrysler's Clint Eastwood Super Bowl Ad ...by Joe Lapoi www.michaelmoore.com A year from now, we may be...

Feb 6th
9:08 PM
Read More

Offshore Everywhere ...by Tom Engelhardt www.michaelmoore.com A new way of preserving the embattled idea of an American planet is coming into focus and one...

Feb 6th
2:27 PM
Read More

Daily Kos: The rightwingoverse www.dailykos.com In the Rightwingoverse, doubt must be cast upon facts, science, and basic reality, in order to sustain an...

Feb 6th
1:41 PM
Read More

Thanks to the Record of Bergen County, New Jersey and reporter Lindy Washburn for doing the kind of important, in-depth journalism that's disappearing all...

Feb 5th
6:28 PM
Read More

Why Protests Should Be a Part of Super Bowl Sunday ...by Dave Zirin www.michaelmoore.com The people of Indiana are angry. I’m not sure telling them that anger...

Feb 5th
2:45 PM
Read More

Occupy the Super Bowl: Indiana’s New Anti-Union Law Sparks Protest at Sport’s Biggest Spectacle www.democracynow.org Occupy protesters in Indianapolis are...

Feb 5th
2:35 PM
Read More

The battle of McPherson Square ...by Jefferson Morley www.salon.com Rough police tactics rout 300 protesters from their tent city in the heart of Washington

Feb 5th
2:11 PM
Read More

Livestreaming of eviction at OccupyDC: OCCUPY DC BEING EVICTED NOW - Watch Live | OccupyWallSt.org occupywallst.org According to twitter reports, majority of...

Feb 4th
12:58 PM
Read More

Feb 4th: Day of Mass Action to Stop War on Iran www.antiwar.com February 4, 2012 Day of Mass Action to Stop War on Iran / NO war / NO sanctions / NO...

Feb 4th
12:30 AM
Read More

Here's a better link for the Freewayblogger contest: Tales of the Freewayblogger: Slogan Contest/West Coast Tour freewayblogger.blogspot.com I'd...

Feb 3rd
6:18 PM
Read More

Now's your change to Freeway blog -- enter the Freeway Blogger's contest for the best slogans about global warming, get your work seen by tens of...

Feb 3rd
4:35 PM
Read More

Paying For Cancer Treatment for Children in America With a Car Wash and Bake Sale ...by Wendell Pott www.michaelmoore.com In late November, Caroline Richmond...

Feb 3rd
11:33 AM
Read More

Four Reasons to Watch the Super Bowl ...by Robert Lipsyte www.michaelmoore.com You need to watch this game to fully understand how jobs, religion, leadership,...

Feb 2nd
3:53 PM
Read More

From Laura Flanders: The Deal That Saved Detroit (And Banned Strikes) | The Nation www.thenation.com Romney bad; Obama good; Big Three back. The Deal with...

Feb 2nd
3:26 PM
Read More

Divining the Truth about Iran ...by Ray McGovern www.michaelmoore.com Watching top U.S. intelligence officials present the annual “Worldwide Threat...

Feb 1st
11:22 PM
Read More

Anti-Wall Street protester's Twitter posts subpoenaed www.reuters.com NEW YORK (Reuters) - Prosecutors have subpoenaed the Twitter records of an Occupy...

Feb 1st
12:23 PM
Read More

If we ever get single-payer and decent health care for all in this country, one big reason will be Dr. Deb Richter: ...

Jan 31st
3:59 PM
Read More

I think we all breathe easier with unrepentant supporters of basic human decency like Frank Cordaro locked up: Occupy Des Moines trainer sentenced to 30 days...

Jan 31st
12:45 PM
Read More

Canada’s Labor Movement Digs in for ‘PATCO Equivalent,’ as Lockouts Drag On ...by Mike Elk www.michaelmoore.com "When PATCO happened [in 1981] we didn’t...

Jan 30th
5:16 PM
Read More

In the Washington area? Get down to OCCUPY DC to defend the encampment from a likely raid by police today: Jan 30th: Occupy DC will defend our home and our...

Jan 30th
12:51 PM
Read More

Here's one of the channels streaming coverage of the Occupy Wall Street march tonight in solidarity with Occupy Oakland: Timcast www.ustream.tv Timcast...

Jan 29th
8:12 PM
Read More

A Call For Mass Action Against The Suppression of The Occupy Movement ...by Emma Kaplan michaelmoore.com Now this movement faces a true crossroads. Will it be...

Jan 29th
6:48 PM
Read More

Events in solidarity with Occupy Oakland begin in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Tampa and many more cities at 7:00 PM ET --...

Jan 29th
2:26 PM
Read More

In case you're wondering why the OPD is constantly arresting, beating and using tear gas and flash-bang grenades against Occupy Oakland, read this: ...

Jan 29th
1:21 PM
Read More

Everything you need to know about U.S. politics in one picture: Study: Finance industry execs rule political spending www.americanindependent.com Over the...

Jan 28th
6:43 PM
Read More

Subscribe to Mike's Blog RSS

Click here to suggest an article

Mike's Blog

See More Blogs

Vew the archives

View older articles