Michael Moore live in Camden, NJ 9/20/04

[Mandate My Ass]

Michael Moore appeared live at an event sponsored by Rutgers University Law School tonight. He had several interesting things to say:

He will forego having Fahrenheit 9/11 considered for an Oscar in an attempt to have it aired the evening before the 2004 presidential elections, whether it be network or cable. He estimated the odds at 50-50.

He, and a number of other people are paying 10,000 attorneys to monitor the 2004 presidential elections. Their presence will be strong in Florida especially, but they will be representing any voter around the nation who feels they are being disenfranchised. The toll free number is 1-866 OUR VOTE and if you or anybody you know feels they are being wrongfully denied their right to vote, call anytime.

He will be going on a tour of something like 15-20 swing states starting this weekend. It's being labeled something like the "Slackers' Tour" and is attempting to pick up 10% of the 50% of unregistered voters (focusing on the 18-25's) before election day.

He will publish a book of GIs' letters he has received over the past year and a half before election day. The target date for publication of this book is Oct. 5th. MM encourages everybody to steal, copy, xerox, dictate or otherwise disseminate this copyrighted material to get the message out to the electorate. He says you cannot believe the avalanche of letters he receives all saying that the rank-and-file grunts are so despondent over the way they are being used by the junta.

He will have some very snarky "pro-republican" campaign ads up on his site within the next few days. One actually got some boos from the audience, but you'll have to see for yourself.

He will be donating thousands of copies of F 9/11 to various special interest groups.

Moore said some of the "journalists" who treated him harshly on camera, later apologized and said how ashamed and afraid they were of being viewed as anti-war by their higher-ups. He said Matt Lauer's crew especially dished to him how an assistant producer who suggested a mild anti-war piece was transferred out of any job that would give her a voice on viewer content.

Moore gave out "prizes" to those who would willingly come up on stage and admit they weren't yet registered to vote, with the only proviso that they would promise to vote this Nov. 2nd no matter who their chosen candidate was.

[Laughing Mirror]

1. Thanks for the excellent recap

Far more informative than the AP story on another thread. I'm glad you were able to attend and give such a good report here.

[saigon68]

2. Kick

[KurtNYC]

3. Yes, thanks for the details

[Mandate My Ass]

4. I almost forgot to add

all profits from the sale of the book of GIs' letters will go to charitable organizations, mainly veterans' orgs and some will go to legal aid for soldiers who don't want to return.

He talked about the young man in F9/11 (d'oh, can't remember his name right now) who may face charges soon. He has, so far, not been asked to go back but is prepared for any consequences of his refusal. Michael said in the DVD there is a much longer interview with him on the DVD version of the movie than was shown in the theaters.

[CitySky]

5. Thanks for the 411

This Marine was perhaps my favorite person in the movie, principled & thoughtful. Now even more reason to buy the DVD.

[robbedvoter]

6. Mike rocks! Thanks for the account! eom