Michael Moore's Ronstadt Response.

[BlondieK143]

Posted on his website at http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=93

Bill Timmins
President
Aladdin Casino and Hotel
Las Vegas, NV

July 20, 2004

Dear Mr. Timmins:

I understand from the news reports I've read that, after Linda Ronstadt, one of America's greatest singers, dedicated a song to me from your stage on Saturday night, you instructed your security guards to remove her from the Aladdin, which they did.

What country do you live in? Last time I checked, Las Vegas is still in the United States. And in the United States, we have something called "The First Amendment." This constitutional right gives everyone here the right to say whatever they want to say. All Americans hold this right as sacred. Many of our young people put on a uniform and risk their lives to defend it. My film is all about asking the questions that should have been asked before those brave soldiers were sent into harms way.

For you to throw Linda Ronstadt off the premises because she dared to say a few words in support of me and my film, is simply stupid and Un-American. Frankly, I have never heard of such a thing happening. I read that you wouldn't even let her go back up to her room at your hotel! Are you crazy? For crying out loud, it was a song DEDICATION! To "Desperado!" Every American loves that song! Sure, some people didn't like the dedication, and that's their right. But neither they nor you have the right to remove her from your building when all she did was exercise her AMERICAN right to speak her mind.

Of all the things that go on in Las Vegas, this is what creates the need for serious action? What about the other half of the crowd at the Aladdin who, according to the Las Vegas Sun, cheered her when she made her remarks? Did you throw them out, too?

I think you owe Ms. Ronstadt an apology. And I have an idea how you can make it up to her -- and to the millions of Americans you have offended. Invite her back and I'll join her in singing "America the Beautiful" on your stage. Then I will show "Fahrenheit 9/11" free of charge to all your guests and anyone else in Las Vegas who wants to see it.

Mr. Timmins, as the song "Desperado" says -- "Come to your senses!" How can you refuse this offer? I await your reply.

Yours,
Michael Moore
Director, "Fahrenheit 9/11"

LOVE this man! :D

[terrya]

1. My admiration for this great man just went up another notch.

Perfectly stated.

[freetobegay]

2. Three cheers for Michael Moore!

[RUSTY SHACKLEFORD]

3. This is the difference between me and MM.

I would have fired off a blistering rant after invective after harangue after threat to file suit. I mean you've just got to hand it to him for that even-keeled level headed response. My ham-fisted approach seldom wins me any friends or influences any people.

I certainly will not be visiting the Aladin anytime soon.

[Bunny]

4. Maybe nobody will be visiting the Aladdin anytime soon!

Didn't I read here last night that they are bankrupt?

[LynneSin]

5. Damn he's good

Is the Aladdin a part of any group or chain of hotels? We need to find that out and put the pressure to the top of the food chain!!!

[libertad]

6. That is an excellent idea.

We don't need to support fascist hotel chains.

[galadrium]

7. Im going to vegas next week... but I wont be stopping at the Alladin

[LynneSin]

8. I keep reading this story and it just makes me ANGRIER!!!

Seriously, very very angry!!!

Because I know in my heart that the number of people who stormed out of that show were probably just a few folks. And obviously these folks must have been someone trashed because they were throwing cocktail glasses and tearing down posters. These are the people that the hotel should have done something about. Thorwing cocktail glasses? What if it broke on an innocent bystander and that bystander got glass in their eye or a serious cut? I'm not sure about Las Vegas, but that's a crime in the state of Delaware. In fact, if I walked into a bar and decided to throw drink glasses & rip down posters, not only would I be tossed out of the bar (probably banned for life), but I wouldn't be suprised if they called the police to come and get me.

But not in Mr. Timmons world. We can throw all the glasses & rip down all the posters we want and we'll punish the entertainment? We'll blame it on her support of someone who is definately against George W. Bush. Why we would never consider that MAYBE SOME OF THESE PATRONS WERE DRUNK OFF THEIR ASSES BECAUSE THEY WERE TOSSING COCKTAIL GLASSES AND RIPPING DOWN POSTERS - A GOOD SIGN THAT SOMEONE HAS HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK.

Great, I think I'll get pissed-eyed drunk tonight and a local watering hole here in Wilmington. When the management of the bar tries to throw me out I'll use the Linda Ronstandt excuse that the entertainment offended me and caused me to be in such a fit of rage. Do you think I can get away with it?

[johnnie]

9. Moore rocks

Screw the Aladdin. From all accounts, that shithole is going down anyway. It doesn't even look like they can sell it, and hopefully Bill Timmins just got rid of more business.
Asa for Linda, I think she will be fine. She only was playing there one night and is in the middle of her tour. She has already done 2 shows since then. The only thing that she has to watch out for is her 2 shows in Texas that are coming up.