Saturday, July 03, 2004
THE TRIAL OF MICHAEL MOORE: DAY TWO
Charge #2: Michael Moore is a Liar
JUDGE
Court is now in session. Please be seated. Mr. Limbaugh, call your next witness.
LIMBAUGH
Thank you, your honor. The prosecution calls Bill O’Reilly to the stand.
(Bill O’Reilly takes his seat in the witness chair)
LIMBAUGH (cont’d)
Mr. O’Reilly, what do you do for a living?
O’REILLY
I am a journalist. My main claim to fame is hosting the O’Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, but I’ve also authored several books, including a novel.
LIMBAUGH
I see. And the show you do is what is called the “No Spin Zone,” correct?
O’REILLY
That’s correct. I don’t allow people to come on my program and lie or try to distort the truth.
LIMBAUGH
And how does that generally work out for you?
O’REILLY
Quite well. I’ve been interviewing newsmakers my entire career. I know how to handle them. And the American people seem to agree. I have the highest rated television show on cable news.
LIMBAUGH
Have you interviewed Michael Moore before?
O’REILLY
I have. Yes.
LIMBAUGH
What were your impressions of him?
O’REILLY
I came away believing that Mr. Moore deceives for his own personal gain. That is to say that his books and his recent film, Fahrenheit 9/11, are riddled with lies and he is making millions off of this junk. Millions!
LIMBAUGH
Leaving aside Moore’s personal wealth, what about his books do you consider to be lies?
O’REILLY
The question should be what don’t I consider to be lies? In his book, “Dude, Where’s My Country?,” he insinuates that President Bush is some kind of dictator who wants to rule the world. I mean, come on! That’s ridiculous. He is not a dictator.
LIMBAUGH
Point taken. What about his latest film? What lies are there in that?
O’REILLY
Tons. But among the biggest is his claim that the U.S. Government flew Saudi’s and members of the bin Laden family out of the country while everyone else was grounded after 9/11. This is just a bald faced lie, and the 9/11 Commission’s report contradicts it.
LIMBAUGH
Really? He was that brazenly dishonest?
O’REILLY
Oh yes. Absolutely. It’s a shame too, because people are seeing that movie expecting to see the truth. But what they’re being shown is lie after lie. It’s propaganda. I’ve said it time and time again, but Michael Moore is like Joseph Goebbels in that way. He’s a propagandist.
LIMBAUGH
Nothing further, your Honor.
JUDGE
Would the Defense like to cross-examine?
KORNBUS
Yes, your Honor.
JUDGE
Please proceed.
KORNBUS
You stated that Mr. Moore is like Joseph Goebbels. A propagandist. Is that right?
O’REILLY
Yes.
KORNBUS
Would you admit that you are being unfair? To liken Michael Moore to a Nazi is a little excessive, wouldn’t you say?
O’REILLY
I didn’t liken him to being a Nazi.
KORNBUS
You said he was like Joseph Goebbels.
O’REILLY
Yes.
KORNBUS
Goebbels was a Nazi, sir. He was in charge of administering Nazi propaganda.
O’REILLY
I was merely making a comparison. Moore is a propagandist like Goebbels was a propagandist. Nothing more, nothing less.
KORBUS
Ah, see, you’re spinning now, Mr. O’Reilly. For someone who likes to think of themselves as a “no-spin” type of guy, I find that a little bit odd.
O’REILLY
I’m not spinning. I’m just telling you, Goebbels did exactly what Moore is doing.
KORNBUS
Forgive me, but that’s spin, sir. When you compare someone like Michael Moore to a Nazi, you are making a bold statement. You want people to think of Michael Moore and Nazi’s at the same time. That’s pretty low, O’Reilly.
O’REILLY
It’s hyperbole, alright?
KORNBUS
Oh, it’s hyperbole now. Exaggeration. Like Michael Moore comparing Bush to a dictator is an exaggeration. Am I right?
O’REILLY
No, that’s different. That’s the President of the...
KORNBUS
Save it, okay? You’re spinning so much you’re starting to get dizzy. I don’t want you to fall on your face.
O’REILLY
Oh please.
KORNBUS
Let’s move on.
O’REILLY
Yes, let’s. This is a sham.
KORNBUS
Mr. O’Reilly, have you seen Fahrenheit 9/11?
O’REILLY
I’ve seen about half of it.
KORNBUS
Half?
O’REILLY
Yes. I attended a premiere of the film but couldn’t stand sitting through the lies. I got up and left, it’s as simple as that.
KORNBUS
Yes, I’ve heard you state that on your television program; that you’ve only seen half of the film. But I have to ask, if you’ve only seen half of the movie, why do you feel you are qualified to criticize it as a whole?
O’REILLY
I seen enough of it to understand what a farce it was.
KORNBUS
I see. So you feel that you can pass judgment on anything as long as you see just enough to get a feel for the content?
O’REILLY
Basically, yes.
KORNBUS
So, for instance, you feel it would be fair for me to judge your books if I’d only read the inside flap?
O’REILLY
You can do whatever you want. It’s a free country.
KORNBUS
Yes it is, isn’t it? However, in this country, we have a word for judging something before giving it a fair shake. It’s called prejudice, Mr. O’Reilly. And it’s unfair to prejudge Michael Moore’s work, especially as a respected journalist.
O’REILLY
You can think whatever you want about my journalism career, but the fact of the matter is that Fahrenheit 9/11 is riddled with lies.
KORNBUS
Lies? Let’s discuss those lies. You’ve stated that Michael Moore made it clear in his film that the bin Laden’s and other Saudi’s were flown out of the country after 9/11 while the rest of us were still grounded. Is that correct?
O’REILLY
Yes, that’s correct.
KORNBUS
Well, I researched that Mr O’Reilly. You see, unlike yourself, I’ve actually seen the entire film. I’ve watched it from beginning to end and I found a transcript from the film regarding the statement in question. Would you like me to read to you from the transcript?
O’REILLY
If you’d like. I don’t see the point, though.
KORNBUS
Oh, you will. This is directly from the movie. Here we go: “It turns out that the White House approved planes to pick up the bin Ladens and numerous other Saudis. At least six private jets and nearly two-dozen commercial planes carried the Saudis and the bin Ladens out of the U.S. after September 13. In all, 142 Saudis, including 24 members of the bin Laden family were allowed to leave the country.” Did you hear that, Mr O’Reilly? After September 13th!
O’REILLY
So?
KORNBUS
Do you know what the significance of that date is?
O’REILLY
No. Why don’t you tell me?
KORNBUS
September 13th is the very day that the FAA began lifting restrictions on air travel. In fact, it was between September 14th and September 24th that these bin Laden flights took place. That certainly qualifies as being after September 13th, as Michael Moore states in Fahrenheit 9/11. Wouldn’t you agree?
O’REILLY
I suppose.
KORNBUS
This information is all in the 9/11 Commission’s report. But you probably didn’t get to that part. Like with Michael Moore’s film, you had probably seen enough of it halfway through. No further questions, your Honor.
JUDGE
You may step down, Mr. O’Reilly.
(O’Reilly steps down)
JUDGE (cont’d)
We will once again take a two day recess before trial testimony will continue. Court is adjourned.
Charge #2: Michael Moore is a Liar
JUDGE
Court is now in session. Please be seated. Mr. Limbaugh, call your next witness.
LIMBAUGH
Thank you, your honor. The prosecution calls Bill O’Reilly to the stand.
(Bill O’Reilly takes his seat in the witness chair)
LIMBAUGH (cont’d)
Mr. O’Reilly, what do you do for a living?
O’REILLY
I am a journalist. My main claim to fame is hosting the O’Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, but I’ve also authored several books, including a novel.
LIMBAUGH
I see. And the show you do is what is called the “No Spin Zone,” correct?
O’REILLY
That’s correct. I don’t allow people to come on my program and lie or try to distort the truth.
LIMBAUGH
And how does that generally work out for you?
O’REILLY
Quite well. I’ve been interviewing newsmakers my entire career. I know how to handle them. And the American people seem to agree. I have the highest rated television show on cable news.
LIMBAUGH
Have you interviewed Michael Moore before?
O’REILLY
I have. Yes.
LIMBAUGH
What were your impressions of him?
O’REILLY
I came away believing that Mr. Moore deceives for his own personal gain. That is to say that his books and his recent film, Fahrenheit 9/11, are riddled with lies and he is making millions off of this junk. Millions!
LIMBAUGH
Leaving aside Moore’s personal wealth, what about his books do you consider to be lies?
O’REILLY
The question should be what don’t I consider to be lies? In his book, “Dude, Where’s My Country?,” he insinuates that President Bush is some kind of dictator who wants to rule the world. I mean, come on! That’s ridiculous. He is not a dictator.
LIMBAUGH
Point taken. What about his latest film? What lies are there in that?
O’REILLY
Tons. But among the biggest is his claim that the U.S. Government flew Saudi’s and members of the bin Laden family out of the country while everyone else was grounded after 9/11. This is just a bald faced lie, and the 9/11 Commission’s report contradicts it.
LIMBAUGH
Really? He was that brazenly dishonest?
O’REILLY
Oh yes. Absolutely. It’s a shame too, because people are seeing that movie expecting to see the truth. But what they’re being shown is lie after lie. It’s propaganda. I’ve said it time and time again, but Michael Moore is like Joseph Goebbels in that way. He’s a propagandist.
LIMBAUGH
Nothing further, your Honor.
JUDGE
Would the Defense like to cross-examine?
KORNBUS
Yes, your Honor.
JUDGE
Please proceed.
KORNBUS
You stated that Mr. Moore is like Joseph Goebbels. A propagandist. Is that right?
O’REILLY
Yes.
KORNBUS
Would you admit that you are being unfair? To liken Michael Moore to a Nazi is a little excessive, wouldn’t you say?
O’REILLY
I didn’t liken him to being a Nazi.
KORNBUS
You said he was like Joseph Goebbels.
O’REILLY
Yes.
KORNBUS
Goebbels was a Nazi, sir. He was in charge of administering Nazi propaganda.
O’REILLY
I was merely making a comparison. Moore is a propagandist like Goebbels was a propagandist. Nothing more, nothing less.
KORBUS
Ah, see, you’re spinning now, Mr. O’Reilly. For someone who likes to think of themselves as a “no-spin” type of guy, I find that a little bit odd.
O’REILLY
I’m not spinning. I’m just telling you, Goebbels did exactly what Moore is doing.
KORNBUS
Forgive me, but that’s spin, sir. When you compare someone like Michael Moore to a Nazi, you are making a bold statement. You want people to think of Michael Moore and Nazi’s at the same time. That’s pretty low, O’Reilly.
O’REILLY
It’s hyperbole, alright?
KORNBUS
Oh, it’s hyperbole now. Exaggeration. Like Michael Moore comparing Bush to a dictator is an exaggeration. Am I right?
O’REILLY
No, that’s different. That’s the President of the...
KORNBUS
Save it, okay? You’re spinning so much you’re starting to get dizzy. I don’t want you to fall on your face.
O’REILLY
Oh please.
KORNBUS
Let’s move on.
O’REILLY
Yes, let’s. This is a sham.
KORNBUS
Mr. O’Reilly, have you seen Fahrenheit 9/11?
O’REILLY
I’ve seen about half of it.
KORNBUS
Half?
O’REILLY
Yes. I attended a premiere of the film but couldn’t stand sitting through the lies. I got up and left, it’s as simple as that.
KORNBUS
Yes, I’ve heard you state that on your television program; that you’ve only seen half of the film. But I have to ask, if you’ve only seen half of the movie, why do you feel you are qualified to criticize it as a whole?
O’REILLY
I seen enough of it to understand what a farce it was.
KORNBUS
I see. So you feel that you can pass judgment on anything as long as you see just enough to get a feel for the content?
O’REILLY
Basically, yes.
KORNBUS
So, for instance, you feel it would be fair for me to judge your books if I’d only read the inside flap?
O’REILLY
You can do whatever you want. It’s a free country.
KORNBUS
Yes it is, isn’t it? However, in this country, we have a word for judging something before giving it a fair shake. It’s called prejudice, Mr. O’Reilly. And it’s unfair to prejudge Michael Moore’s work, especially as a respected journalist.
O’REILLY
You can think whatever you want about my journalism career, but the fact of the matter is that Fahrenheit 9/11 is riddled with lies.
KORNBUS
Lies? Let’s discuss those lies. You’ve stated that Michael Moore made it clear in his film that the bin Laden’s and other Saudi’s were flown out of the country after 9/11 while the rest of us were still grounded. Is that correct?
O’REILLY
Yes, that’s correct.
KORNBUS
Well, I researched that Mr O’Reilly. You see, unlike yourself, I’ve actually seen the entire film. I’ve watched it from beginning to end and I found a transcript from the film regarding the statement in question. Would you like me to read to you from the transcript?
O’REILLY
If you’d like. I don’t see the point, though.
KORNBUS
Oh, you will. This is directly from the movie. Here we go: “It turns out that the White House approved planes to pick up the bin Ladens and numerous other Saudis. At least six private jets and nearly two-dozen commercial planes carried the Saudis and the bin Ladens out of the U.S. after September 13. In all, 142 Saudis, including 24 members of the bin Laden family were allowed to leave the country.” Did you hear that, Mr O’Reilly? After September 13th!
O’REILLY
So?
KORNBUS
Do you know what the significance of that date is?
O’REILLY
No. Why don’t you tell me?
KORNBUS
September 13th is the very day that the FAA began lifting restrictions on air travel. In fact, it was between September 14th and September 24th that these bin Laden flights took place. That certainly qualifies as being after September 13th, as Michael Moore states in Fahrenheit 9/11. Wouldn’t you agree?
O’REILLY
I suppose.
KORNBUS
This information is all in the 9/11 Commission’s report. But you probably didn’t get to that part. Like with Michael Moore’s film, you had probably seen enough of it halfway through. No further questions, your Honor.
JUDGE
You may step down, Mr. O’Reilly.
(O’Reilly steps down)
JUDGE (cont’d)
We will once again take a two day recess before trial testimony will continue. Court is adjourned.
Comments:
Post a Comment
