Michael Moore: Made over and moving on

[rodeodance]

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=18200

Michael Moore: Made over and moving on
Bill Berkowitz - WorkingForChange

12.06.04 - On the evening of November 29, a made-over Michael Moore appeared on the Tonight Show. With a haircut, cleanly-shaved and dressed in a smart looking suit, dress shirt and striped tie, Moore had shed his familiar baseball cap, ill-fitting jeans and baggy jacket, and the unshaven, shaggy-haired look that has been his inimitable fashion statement and sartorial calling card for years.

Tonight show host, Jay Leno, stirred by the newly made over Moore, joked that the filmmaker looked like Denny Hastert, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives. When Leno asked Moore if he had turned Republican, Moore responded, "If you can't beat 'em," he said, "you might as well try to look like 'em." ......

.....As we approach Award season, another skirmish in America's ongoing culture wars is about to ensue: Which of America's culture-shaking 2004 films -- Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," or Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" -- will win more honors and recognition?

Meanwhile, on Saturday December 4, Moore -- who's first name now appears to be "controversial" -- as in "the controversial Michael Moore" -- appeared before a sold-out screening of "Fahrenheit 9/11" at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, in San Rafael, California and delivered an upbeat message, telling the audience not to "despair" but to "redouble our efforts." .....

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. I have mixed feelings

I have been a huge fan of MM since the 80s. I loved Roger and Me and I think TV Nation was one of the most brilliant shows ever on television. Bowling for Columbine was an absolute masterpiece. F9/11 still makes me cry and I have seen it 6 times.

But as a fan, it has pained me to hear all this Moore bashing for the past 6 months. I want MM to go back to entertaining me. I don't want him to get any more involved in politics. I eagerly await his next film on the US health care system. Then I want more comedy, I want TV Nation back on the air. I want MM to make me laugh again. I don't want to be a closet MM fan, because he has suddenly become uncool.

I also think that if Kerry had won on Nov 2, we would now be calling MIchael Moore a hero, instead of criticizing his haircut and new suit.

[clem_c_rock]

3. It sure would be nice if he would help w/ the recount

Maybe when his efforts don't make his fat ass money he suddenly isn't interested in putting forth some effort.

I like MM quite a bit too but, he's sucking off the mainstream media's tit way too much these days.

I would call him a hero if he would simply help the recount effort. Is that too much to ask?

Clem C

[KG]

4. MM has always been political.

i don't always agree with him, but there is no doubt he is an american hero.

[Maat]

2. I have two things to say..

1) I want the old Michael Moore back, and...
2) the DLC needs to STFU (be quiet) and understand that progressives compose a critical part of the party, they need our votes, and we are standing by both Michael Moore, what he has stood for, and our progressive principles.

[intheflow]

5. I'm waiting to hear from MM directly, in one of his famous emails.

I don't think what was seen on The Tonight Show is really what's going on with MM. I did see it, but I've seen MM speak in person twice and I think he was not showing his hand.

Here's some footage of Ohio Voter Intimidation and Disenfranshisement MM people shot on November 2. You can't tell me the man behind this is just giving up. http://www.metroblogging.com/videothevote /

[peacetalksforall]

6. I think he was joking again - with subtlety.

He said right out that he is now profitable and benefiting the same way other rich people are so he needs to look like them.

If I'm right, he will deflect some attention for awhile. Do you not think he will show up with his baseball cap again and the shirt sticking out? Do you think he won't use his money to make more documentaries?

Every Dem and Indy spokesperson is being very careful about commentary on the elections. I think their strategy is correct for now. If thousands of people are working on all aspects of the theft, it's a peoples effort and Rove and DeLay can't have their war machine attack single spokespeople.

The facts accumulate and hopefully it will be in time to avoid 9 Scalias and more colonialism with accompanying deaths.