I got a question about Michael Moore

[Red Ketchup]

First off, let me say I don't like him. I don't like his style, I don't like his ways. I think he has taken "journalism" to a new low of sensationalism and one sided partisanry.

That being said I have a question...

How come he hasn't been sued out of existance?

I mean seriously, he's in the US, "land of the lawsuit"... a place where everyone sues everyone for any reason. A place where libel and slander lawsuits are as common as McDonalds on every street corner...

Now most republicans seem to claim almost unanimously that just about everything this guy makes movies about or says publicly is a tissue of lies and fabrications. If thats so, how come he gets away with it? After all "freedom of speech" only goes so far and doesn't protect outright lies.

This guy has gone after and "exposed" a lot of the biggest richest industries and most powerfull people in the USA, people and industries who would have you or me or anyone in court in minutes if we dared publish lies about them. People and industries who have the best legal representation money can buy.

So why is he not being sued left right and center?

(believe it or not, this popped in my head and got me thinking while doing decline presses this morning... don't ask! )

Red

[SV-1]

I see this turning into one hell of a mess, real quick.

*runs and hides in corner to watch*

[butterface]

I didnt like his movie about colombine one bit, Couldnt even get through it walked off 1/3 into it. His new movie looks pretty good though. I'm pretty sure he has a lot of lawyers that check his stuff pretty thorougly before he puts it out. For example he had the abu gharib prison abuse pictures long before anyone saw it but he held onto them for fear of lawsuits and reprisals.

[mass junkie]

actually he has...on more than one occasion


http://www.moorewatch.com/

[Rhino58]

I have no respect for the guy. I really disliked Bowling for Col. Especially when he called Bush out in his speech. Fu.ckin idiot, even if you dont agree with him dont blast him on TV. He is our leader/figure head.

[Speed Trials]

This may be a little off track, but does anyone else feel like maybe Michael Moore should hit a gym every now and then instead of making all these documentaries?

[bad_man]

First, I don't think he claims to be a journalist and I don't think he denies that he presents a one sided view.

But to answer your question, he welcomes lawsuits. It provides him more publicity to his causes. Same thing with Larry Flynt when he took his free speech case to the Supreme Court.

Most companies/individuals don't sue him because they think it's a better practice to ignore him and hope he goes away as opposed to take him to court. If they go to court, they'll have to answer questions about the topic.

I can take him in small doses. I think he's entertaining but he's definitely full of himself.

[Phillyboy1]

he's fat, needs to get punched in the face and really needs to hit the gym. then after all of that he needs to get a life and stop being so full of himself.

[Red Ketchup]

Most companies/individuals don't sue him because they think it's a better practice to ignore him and hope he goes away as opposed to take him to court.

You have a good point...

Legal action against him would be free publicity... that makes sense. On the other hand, if he's wrong he's wrong, no amount of publicity would save him once he is ruined by a good lawsuit or two.

As for him going away, I doubt that will happen... sensationalism sells... he'll ride that bandwagon until it crashes.

If they go to court, they'll have to answer questions about the topic.

Hmmm, would that not impart some validity to his points then? After all, I assume if he were outright lying they would crucify him in court, if they are not taking action from fear of questions it does cast a shadow of doubt that they may have something to hide?

I am also not a fan, but for different reasons than those who just bash him personally (and not his work). I personally dislike his style of pseudo-journalism and think his methods are shady. 15 minutes is all I was able to sit thru of BFC... it annoyed me to no end.

Red

[Cycleon]

have to remember - that publicity of false charges is still damaging

if I take you to court because you called me a child molester - and it is completely totally unfounded - it doesnt matter, the more press it gets the more people will believe that there must be something to it and all people will think about when your name comes up is "child molester" - thats how it works

[Blown_SC]

have to remember - that publicity of false charges is still damaging

if I take you to court because you called me a child molester - and it is completely totally unfounded - it doesnt matter, the more press it gets the more people will believe that there must be something to it and all people will think about when your name comes up is "child molester" - thats how it works

Very true...
Very similar to Michael Jackson...whether in fact he did or not is still to be decided...but to be honest...many ppl think he did, b/c of the suspicion...

I enjoy watchin Moore b/c he is entertaining.....I don't like HIM though....cocky fuker...

[Prime]

I like bowling for columbine, thought it was really interesting, as did everyone i know. I read most of Stupid white men (wasnt my book and had to return it) and am currently reading 'Dude wheres my country'. He can go on a bit but he has some interesting stuff to say! I liked it when he interviewed charlton heston. That guy deserved that!

[qccat]

Dude is a failed journalist with nothing better to do than find flaws in everyone else. Hand the man a mirror

[bad_man]

Dude is a failed journalist with nothing better to do than find flaws in everyone else. Hand the man a mirror

Is he really any different than Rush Limbaugh?

[SV-1]

Is he really any different than Rush Limbaugh?

*peeks out of cover to watch carnage from this remark*

[bubbathegut]

i dont like michael moore,

[M PWR]

Some should pay for him to be killed

p.s. i'm running a discounted hitman business this week! limited time only!


-Sean

[chicamahomico]

I liked Bowling for Columbine and I will definitely watch Farenheit911 when it comes out. Moore is hardly what one would call an investigative journalist but he does not claim to be one. His films are shown in a 'this is how I see things' light, no more, no less. I can't belive so many of you guys get so pissed over a fat guy and his movies. It's just another viewpoint to check out and maybe you will see something in a way you failed see it before. This guy's stories are no better or worse than any other one sided political opionist but they are a hell of a lot more interesting IMO.

[qccat]

Is he really any different than Rush Limbaugh?

not really any different, other than the fact that he's a self proclaimed filmaker. Both are very opinionated and want other's to hear their views.

[1badcamaro]

i dont know, i think its kind of cool to watch some of his little documentaries. I mean he exposes sh*t that is going on in our country that is appauling. IE-the one about the auto-making plant in michigan and how the head of GM laid them off........pretty interesting stuff i think

[navydevildoc]

Now most republicans seem to claim almost unanimously that just about everything this guy makes movies about or says publicly is a tissue of lies and fabrications. If thats so, how come he gets away with it? After all "freedom of speech" only goes so far and doesn't protect outright lies.

In his movies, he usually delineates what was cold hard fact, and what is his opinion. Now, he may only use snippets of facts, but that's no different than any other news agency or spin house out there.

What in particular do you think he has lied about?

[navydevildoc]

I have no respect for the guy. I really disliked Bowling for Col. Especially when he called Bush out in his speech. Fu.ckin idiot, even if you dont agree with him dont blast him on TV. He is our leader/figure head.

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."
-Theodore Roosevelt

[PrairieDawg]

moore's stuff is entertaining but I think he should be grateful with the politicians he has down there. In Canada I don't even vote b/c there I don't trust any of the politicians, no one I know does, so whats the point in voting?. Doesnt matter who is elected, they never make good on their promisies and just make things worse EVEN IF THEY TRY. And the worst part is the media doesnt even make them pay. They are ALL a bunch of crooks. I would give an arm and a leg for some of the legit senators and politians in the US that acually care about their country. okay rant over.

[Swellin]

I find no entertainment in anything that nutjob does. As a former anarchist, he was kicked out of the organization for stirring sh!t. How do you get kicked out of an anarchist organization (the idea of such an organization is a bit of a paradox) for stirring sh!t?

I can't stand the guy...if his ideas are so contrary to mine...how could I possibly gleen anything from him?

No, I don't care to much for Rush either.

These type of people just don't interest me...wait a minute...they repulse me.

[bad_man]

I can't stand the guy...if his ideas are so contrary to mine...how could I possibly gleen anything from him?

So your saying you can only learn things from people that have ideas identical to yours? Talk about a paradox.

[Lozgod]

He does some cool stuff, like one time he was going around in a cab and wouldn't pick up white people, or drive to rich neighborhoods in New York, to show them what discrimination feels like. It was videotaped. I was rolling.

[OverDrive]

Some should pay for him to be killed

p.s. i'm running a discounted hitman business this week! limited time only!


-Sean

ha ... stranger things have happened when it comes to crossing the goverment. A sniper rifle, good scope and a steady hand. Remember the grassy knole!?!?!

[Swellin]

So your saying you can only learn things from people that have ideas identical to yours? Talk about a paradox.

So you have decided to be the first one to attack another's point of view in this thread. I guess somebody had to start.
That's not what I said, and I don't appreciate your implication.

There is a huge difference in identical and contrary...with a vast area of varying degrees in between. If I am repulsed to the point that I can't tolerate the sound of his voice...how the hell will I get anything from it.

[Lozgod]

ha ... stranger things have happened when it comes to crossing the goverment. A sniper rifle, good scope and a steady hand. Remember the grassy knole!?!?!

Yeah, Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Heuy Newton, and Cleaver all know how accidents happen.
I think some of the things Michael Moore does gives people in poverty a voice. I mean what happened to those kids in Columbine happens everyday in the ghetto to kids that age, but its not on national news.

[bad_man]

So you have decided to be the first one to attack another's point of view in this thread. I guess somebody had to start.
That's not what I said, and I don't appreciate your implication.

There is a huge difference in identical and contrary...with a vast area of varying degrees in between. If I am repulsed to the point that I can't tolerate the sound of his voice...how the hell will I get anything from it.

Dude, sorry it came across that I attacked your point of view. Not my intention at all. One of the things I love about AR is the wide range of ideologies. I'm open to listen about all of them. I just thought you were closing yourself off to any other point of view. Total misunderstanding.

Shake?

[Lozgod]

Dude, sorry it came across that I attacked your point of view. Not my intention at all. One of the things I love about AR is the wide range of ideologies. I'm open to listen about all of them. I just thought you were closing yourself off to any other point of view. Total misunderstanding.

Shake?

Yeah, disagreeing with someones opinion isnt "attacking" it is just disagreeing. We agree to disagree on here.

[Swellin]

Cool Bad Man! I was actually going to PM you ...this just cleared it.

**shake**

[bermich]

My fiance likes the guy. She wants to see his new movie. She has his books, etc. I cant stand the guy. He is a coward with a lot of support.

[bad_man]

Cool Bad Man! I was actually going to PM you ...this just cleared it.

**shake**

Kiss? Whoops. Maybe not.

[saboudian]

moore's stuff is entertaining but I think he should be grateful with the politicians he has down there. In Canada I don't even vote b/c there I don't trust any of the politicians, no one I know does, so whats the point in voting?. Doesnt matter who is elected, they never make good on their promisies and just make things worse EVEN IF THEY TRY. And the worst part is the media doesnt even make them pay. They are ALL a bunch of crooks. I would give an arm and a leg for some of the legit senators and politians in the US that acually care about their country. okay rant over.

Actually, the other day on C-Span, I saw the canadian prime minister debating with 2 other canadian politicians, and some of them were actually making good points, not sure if its election year there or what, but hell it would be nice if bush had to answer to a couple other politicians at least, if anything just to make sure he knows what he's doing.

[Lozgod]

If you think WE can trust our politicians then you don't keep up on American politics. They told us there were Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, that everyone would have healthcare before Bush leaves office, and that the economy would greatly improve with Bush's plan. Not to mention we didn't even vote for Bush.

moore's stuff is entertaining but I think he should be grateful with the politicians he has down there. In Canada I don't even vote b/c there I don't trust any of the politicians, no one I know does, so whats the point in voting?. Doesnt matter who is elected, they never make good on their promisies and just make things worse EVEN IF THEY TRY. And the worst part is the media doesnt even make them pay. They are ALL a bunch of crooks. I would give an arm and a leg for some of the legit senators and politians in the US that acually care about their country. okay rant over.

[LORDBLiTZ]

I love this guy! He pisses more people off than anyone else i know!

[SV-1]

I love this guy! He pisses more people off than anyone else i know!

Why am I not surprised to hear you say that?

[markas214]

First off, let me say I don't like him. I don't like his style, I don't like his ways. I think he has taken "journalism" to a new low of sensationalism and one sided partisanry.
Red

Yeah. Kind of like Fox "news".