I live very near the struggling, small northern Michigan town of Bellaire. Despite our small size, a personal hero of mine-- Michael Moore, has debuted here, in the United States, anyway, two of his most valuable films: "Sicko" and "Capitalism--A Love Story." Mr. Moore lives part of the year in northern Michigan, and for reasons unknown to me, has a great affection for Bellaire. Beyond this valuable contribution to northern Michigan's culture, Mr. Moore has been instrumental in restoring a charming old theater in the largest town in the area: Traverse City. Even more importantly, Mr. Moore initiated the Traverse City Film Festival a few years ago. Despite the initial vicious opposition of our local Tea bagging crowd, this film festival continues to grow every year, and now must be the largest tourist draw for any summer event. I have been lifetime fan Michael Moore since "Roger and Me."
[Because of copyright infringement, the blockquote that appeared in this diary originally has been condensed. MB.]
And now comes the "but." Since the outbreak of the coup in Honduras I've been searching for any information about that country. Very soon after that coup, I stumbled on a tiny blog called the ChavezCode. Given the valuable information I started finding there, I check in with this blog every couple of days. Accordingly, as a fan of Mr. Moore, I was disturbed tonight when I saw the most recent post of Eva Golinger:
The (unfortunate) Lies of Michael Moore (about Hugo Chávez)
I was even more disturbed by the final sentence of the post:
Michael Moore is a most unfortunate coward.
Mr. Moore, I've read, and enjoyed, your posts here. However, I think article below seriously attacks your credibility. Apparently, despite photographic evidence, you felt too ashamed to admit on national television that you had a cordial meeting with the scary Hugo Chavez. Even more disturbing is the claim made by the article that you invented wholesale a tale about advising president Chavez on an upcoming United Nations speech.
Monday, October 19, 2009
The (unfortunate) Lies of Michael Moore (about Hugo Chávez)
In an interview last October 9th on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the renowned and award-winning documentarian, Michael Moore lied vulgarly about his encounter with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez during the Venice Film Festival this past September. In the interview, Moore responds to Kimmel’s request for an explanation of a photo of Moore with President Hugo Chávez. Apparently embarrassed about the encounter with one of Latin America’s most prominent and influential heads of state, Moore proceed to completely make up a fairy-tale, attempting to pass it off as reality.
With a straight face, Moore stated he met President Chávez at 2 o’clock in the morning, after he and his wife had settled into bed in their Venice hotel room and heard a scandalous noise coming from the floor above. Moore states that he called down to the reception to find out "what the hell was going on". "It’s the president of Venezuela", the hotel clerk allegedly told Moore. Well, Michael couldn’t believe it, so despite his wife telling him "don’t go", Moore set out, determined to find out if the true source of the scandal was really the Venezuelan president, the polemic Hugo Chávez.
Incredulously, Moore says he went upstairs and knocked right on Chávez’s door and a large man answered, who Moore claims was the president’s "bodyguard". Chávez was right behind him and caught a glimpse of Moore and yelled out "Michael Moore, come on in!". Anyone who has ever traveled or been close to President Chávez knows very well that it is absolutely impossible to just "go knock on his door". Presidential security lines the hallways, elevators and all entrance points. Take it from someone who knows first hand. Moore’s story is complete and utter fiction. Also the man Moore identified in the interview as Chávez’s "bodyguard" is actually Foreign Minister Nicolás Maduro, but hey, all latinos look alike!
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I noted when I read the article that, despite your wife's protestations, you agreed to meet Hugo Chavez early in the morning while attending the Venice Film Festival. This part of article struck me. I remember a few days ago in your apology diary to president Obama, "Get Off Obama's Back ...second thoughts from Michael ...," you stated that your wife was influential in your rethinking of your reaction to Obama's Noble Prize award.
In any event, Mr. Moore, if this story attacking your accounting of events on Jimmy Kimmel is utter bunk, here is a forum you have used in the past to present the truth.
I'll be waiting for your diary.
Thanks,
Lifetime fan.