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| Fifth Column |
| Moore blows his top after a slow boil |
| 2004-07-27 |
| BOSTON — Talk about your convention floor fights. "That's absolutely the most despicable thing I've ever seen!" Fahrenheit 9/11 filmmaker Michael Moore roared at a surprised Bill Hemmer, who had interviewed him roughly 45 minutes earlier on CNN's Monday edition of American Morning. Your faithful firsthand witness, who was quietly interviewing Mr. Hemmer at the time, perked up noticeably at this sudden surge of indignation. Here's how it unfolded on a morning that began with Mr. Hemmer's comparatively uneventful 7:20 a.m. interview with an entourage-escorted Hillary Rodham Clinton. Mr. Hemmer, operating from CNN's showy new convention-floor anchor stage, decided to parry with Mr. Moore amid the empty chairs of the filmmaker's home-state Michigan delegation. Near the end of their live interview, Mr. Hemmer told him, "I've heard people say that Michael Moore is the greatest living American." "Oh, who are those people?" Mr. Moore retorted jovially. "I've heard people say they wish Michael Moore were dead," Mr. Hemmer continued. It's a fair cop "Oh, well, jeez, who would say that?" Mr. Moore asked in turn. Hey, whose been taking? I'll bet it was .com, no AoS, no Fred Any negative reactions to Fahrenheit 9/11, which recently topped $100 million at the box office, are from "that minority of Republicans and right-wingers who are upset because they know their days are numbered. ... And so they're all running around, all saying crazy things like that," Mr. Moore contended. The interview soon ended after the two exchanged pleasantries. Mr. Moore then was surrounded by mostly television reporters who peppered him with questions. After about 10 minutes of this, he said offhandedly, "I don't want to do CNN. No more CNN, no." No one seemed quite sure what he meant, and the remark went unchallenged while Mr. Moore continued with his impromptu media conference. Fahrenheit 9/11 has "two villains," he said — President Bush and the mainstream media. "With all due respect to our network anchors, the movie is a bit of an embarrassment to them," he said. "I think they know that the early days of this war were not their bright, shining moment. ... The patriotic thing to do if you're a reporter is to ask tough questions." All well and good. But the more he thought about it, the more Mr. Moore became incensed by a comment from his exchange with Mr. Hemmer. The irate filmmaker came charging toward Mr. Hemmer as the CNN anchor talked to The Dallas Morning News about the plusses of a floor-level stage that, alas, partially blocks the view of the Arkansas delegation. " 'Some people want you dead,' " Mr. Moore said, repeating the anchor's on-air remark to him. "Would you say that to [John] Kerry or anyone else? I mean, why would you do that? That's absolutely the most despicable thing I've ever seen!" Mr. Hemmer had no immediate answer, leaving Mr. Moore to move on to another interview with a media gaggle still in tow. The anchor then said he had no regrets. "I've heard it from a number of people," Mr. Hemmer said of the "dead" comment. "It's clearly an emotional film that divides people about their feelings." And as for Mr. Moore's feelings toward him? "He offered to shake my hand at the end of the interview," Mr. Hemmer said. "Why he's doing this now, I don't know." The Arkansas delegation, by the way, will be receiving a gift bag of items emblazoned with CNN's logo, including a visor, T-shirt, pen, buttons and mints. "I think the other delegations will understand that Arkansas is bag-worthy," CNN spokeswoman Julianna Evans said. You know you're a looney leftist when you have a problem with CNN. |
| Posted by:Spot |
| #8 If the death wish is a revelation to Moore then he is living in a bubble. Probably true since he travels with security guards in private aircraft etc. He is now one of the elites and so does not understand the feelings of the common man. Other than hunger. That he does understand. |
| Posted by: remote man 2004-07-27 6:59:53 PM |
| #7 What if he does Taco Hell and Burger Sling both? |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-07-27 4:50:56 PM |
| #6 Sometimes it takes a while for Red Bull to have its inevitable effect on Michael. Depends on whether he did Taco Bell or Burger King for lunch. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-07-27 4:41:34 PM |
| #5 "I think the other delegations will understand that Arkansas is bag-worthy" I think Bill feels the same about Hillary. |
| Posted by: Steve 2004-07-27 4:22:30 PM |
| #4 You put Moore on a slow-boil, with all of that fat, and you've got an EPA HAZMAT Supersite cleanup issue. Not a pretty picture at all. |
| Posted by: anymouse 2004-07-27 4:00:20 PM |
| #3 At least Mr. Hemmer can back up his claims. I'll be glad to vouch for this sentiment. |
| Posted by: BH 2004-07-27 3:52:16 PM |
| #2 "Would you say that to [John] Kerry or anyone else?" Ironicaly, Moore thinks too big of himself. |
| Posted by: Anonymously yours 2004-07-27 3:36:55 PM |
| #1 nut |
| Posted by: nut 2004-07-27 3:28:59 PM |