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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Independent Media Pioneer Michael Moore Visits U of I |
Current rating: 0 |
by Mark Morenz
Email: mmorenz (nospam) ameritech.net (unverified!)
Phone: 217.365.0455
Address: 1903 S. Vine St. Ubana (61801) |
18 Apr 2002
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Michael Moore, director of the largest grossing independent documentary in history ("Roger and Me") and author of the best-selling book entitled: "Stupid White Men...and Other Sorry Excuses For the State of the Nation" spoke to a packed house and signed books at Foellinger Auditorium Wednesday night. |
His book: "Stupid White Men..." has been number one on Amazon.com since it was released and it has been number one on the New York Times Bestseller list for over a month.
This is despite a virtual blackout about the book. Mr. Moore shared with the audience last night that he has not been *allowed* on any of the major network news or interview shows.
The book includes scathing criticisms and expose's of President Bush. And for all of it's controversy, the book has become an example of grassroots activism since the publisher originally decided not to publish it.
Mr. Moore told the audience that "Stupid White Men..." had been finished last summer and originally it was scheduled to be released shortly after September 11. When the publisher put off releasing it after the 9/11 tragedy, Mr. Moore said he understood. But when several weeks went by and he didn't hear from them, he began to get worried.
Eventually they told him that before they would publish it, he would have to re-write as much as 50% of it. When he refused, they told him that they would pulp the book.
He jokingly said that the he knew the left-wing has succeeded in this country in shaping the agenda when they said they would 'pulp' it instead of burning it, a much more pro-environment choice.
One humorous part of the exchange that he shared was in reference to his chapter entitled "Kill Whitey". The publisher, HarperCollins, told him: "But Mike, 'Whitey' isn't the problem!"
"Whitey is ALWAYS the problem.", Moore replied to the publisher, "Trust me...I walk among them...".
Finally, an email campaign started by one Librarian online resulted in thousands of emails complaining about censorship. Eventually, the publisher acquiesced and started Mr. Moore on a 3-city book tour and told him it would "never sell".
Things have changed since then. The book is in it's 20th printing. Urbana was the 37th city on his book tour and he currently has 12 more scheduled in the next two weeks.
Mr. Moore says that the success of this book despite the media blackout shows that the mass media and "their lies" are becoming incresingly irrelevant to mainstream America.
I can report that Mr. Moore, despite reportedly never being to Champaign-Urbana before, was very knowledgable about the local political scene: urging people to get out and speak out against the Chief and for the local Green candidate.
He also graciously stayed behind: signing books, shaking hands, and taking pictures with a line of people that went out the door
Michael also showed a sneak preview of his latest movie: "Bowling For Columbine", about our country's culture of violence, due to be in theaters later this year. He pointed out that the two kids who committed the Columbine massacre showed up for 1st hour class, Bowling, that day and played two games. The excerpt from the movie showed Mr. Moore opening a bank CD in a bank out West where you get a free gun for opening an account. |
