Musician Pete Townshend, not exactly a right-winger, has a bone to pick with bloated poseur Michael Moore. Townshend is acting gentlemanly; Moore, naturally, is not.
Michael Moore has been making some claims – mentioning me by name - which I believe distort the truth.He says – among other things – that I refused to allow him to use my song WON’T GET FOOLED AGAIN in his latest film, because I support the war, and that at the last minute I recanted, but he turned me down. I have never hidden the fact that at the beginning of the war in Iraq I was a supporter. But now, like millions of others, I am less sure we did the right thing.
I had not really been convinced by BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE, and had been worried about its accuracy; it felt to me like a bullying film. Out of courtesy to Harvey [Weinstein] I suggested that if he and Moore were determined to have me reconsider, I should at least get a chance to see a copy of the new film. I knew that with Cannes on the horizon, time was running short for them, and this might not be possible. I never received a copy of the film to view. At no time did I ask Moore or Miramax to reconsider anything. Once I had an idea what the film was about I was 90% certain my song was not right for them.
I have nothing against Michael Moore personally, and I know Roger Daltrey is a friend and fan of his, but I greatly resent being bullied and slurred by him in interviews just because he didn’t get what he wanted from me.
Moore is incapable of honesty, even with those whom he claims to admire, like author Ray Bradbury. He's just a scavenger.
Posted by Alan at July 10, 2004 09:19 AM