Wednesday, July 14, 2004
THE TRIAL OF MICHAEL MOORE: DAY FIVE
Closing Arguments
JUDGE
Court is in session. Today will begin closing arguments. I will hear the defense first, then the prosecution. Is the defense ready to proceed?
KORNBUS
Yes.
JUDGE
You have the floor.
KORNBUS
Thank you, your Honor. During this trial we have heard Michael Moore be charged with three things. First, that his film is one sided. We countered that by showing that Moore was merely offering an alternative to the one sided news Americans get night in and night out on the broadcast networks and from Fox News.
Secondly, my client was charged with being a liar. With falsifying claims in his film to slander and defame President Bush. However, the defense was able to show that Michael Moore’s film is factually accurate. His opinions may be biased, and the Limbaugh’s and O’Reilly’s of the world have a right to disagree with said opinions, but that the facts he states are provable.
Lastly, Mr. Moore was charged with being anti-American. But we were able to easily show that he has every right to ask the questions he is asking and that by dissenting against the Bush administration, he is not in any way being treasonous.
The facts are these: controlled media and blowhards across the country cannot disprove any of what Michael Moore is stating as fact. By name-calling and lobbing childish insults, conservatives are cheapening the need for debate and a discussion of the issues. It is this schoolyard behavior that makes me wonder how they ever get into power to begin with. Why is it that millions and millions of people tune in daily to Limbaugh’s radio show and read Ann Coulter’s columns and watch Sean Hannity on television? Why do Americans tolerate commentators and journalists who effect the level of public discourse by stifling debate and engage instead in playground insults as a way to prove their point? I don’t have the answer to these questions. But I think the tide could be turning. There are a lot of Americans who are sick of it and their anger could be just what causes George W. Bush to be a one term president.
If this happens, no one can really blame Michael Moore. Instead, they should blame themselves. Thank you.
JUDGE
Mr. Limbaugh, I will hear your closing argument now.
LIMBAUGH
Thank you. The prosecution has indeed proved the basic tenets of our case against Michael Moore. We have presented evidence which backs up our claims and offered corroborative testimony from several journalists and pundits. I feel I have a rock-solid case.
Michael Moore’s film is one sided and for that, he should be punished. Michael Moore is a liar and he needs to face consequences for his actions. Finally, Michael Moore is anti-American and should be held for treason against his country. There is only one right thing to do, and that is to come back with a guilty verdict on all counts. Thank you.
JUDGE
We have reached the end of all testimony and all arguments. The evidence has been submitted into the record and I will now retire to my chambers to consider it fairly. We will recess until I have reached a verdict on all three counts and meet back here for the final time no later than Saturday. Court is adjourned.
Closing Arguments
JUDGE
Court is in session. Today will begin closing arguments. I will hear the defense first, then the prosecution. Is the defense ready to proceed?
KORNBUS
Yes.
JUDGE
You have the floor.
KORNBUS
Thank you, your Honor. During this trial we have heard Michael Moore be charged with three things. First, that his film is one sided. We countered that by showing that Moore was merely offering an alternative to the one sided news Americans get night in and night out on the broadcast networks and from Fox News.
Secondly, my client was charged with being a liar. With falsifying claims in his film to slander and defame President Bush. However, the defense was able to show that Michael Moore’s film is factually accurate. His opinions may be biased, and the Limbaugh’s and O’Reilly’s of the world have a right to disagree with said opinions, but that the facts he states are provable.
Lastly, Mr. Moore was charged with being anti-American. But we were able to easily show that he has every right to ask the questions he is asking and that by dissenting against the Bush administration, he is not in any way being treasonous.
The facts are these: controlled media and blowhards across the country cannot disprove any of what Michael Moore is stating as fact. By name-calling and lobbing childish insults, conservatives are cheapening the need for debate and a discussion of the issues. It is this schoolyard behavior that makes me wonder how they ever get into power to begin with. Why is it that millions and millions of people tune in daily to Limbaugh’s radio show and read Ann Coulter’s columns and watch Sean Hannity on television? Why do Americans tolerate commentators and journalists who effect the level of public discourse by stifling debate and engage instead in playground insults as a way to prove their point? I don’t have the answer to these questions. But I think the tide could be turning. There are a lot of Americans who are sick of it and their anger could be just what causes George W. Bush to be a one term president.
If this happens, no one can really blame Michael Moore. Instead, they should blame themselves. Thank you.
JUDGE
Mr. Limbaugh, I will hear your closing argument now.
LIMBAUGH
Thank you. The prosecution has indeed proved the basic tenets of our case against Michael Moore. We have presented evidence which backs up our claims and offered corroborative testimony from several journalists and pundits. I feel I have a rock-solid case.
Michael Moore’s film is one sided and for that, he should be punished. Michael Moore is a liar and he needs to face consequences for his actions. Finally, Michael Moore is anti-American and should be held for treason against his country. There is only one right thing to do, and that is to come back with a guilty verdict on all counts. Thank you.
JUDGE
We have reached the end of all testimony and all arguments. The evidence has been submitted into the record and I will now retire to my chambers to consider it fairly. We will recess until I have reached a verdict on all three counts and meet back here for the final time no later than Saturday. Court is adjourned.
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